Dreams Never Die

by Arthur Pendrake

Shirou's life was looking bright. He survived the Fifth Holy Grail War, finished his second year at the Clock Tower, and was in a blossoming relationship with Rin Tohsaka. What could go wrong? Everything, that's what. So how will Shirou navigate his life in a new world full of magic and guilds? Is the drive to be a Hero of Justice still burning within?

3. Chapter 3

Hello!

I know it's been a while. I do apologize. I work full-time while taking online college classes, so my life is hectic. I'm on break, so some time has been freed up. This series will not be abandoned; I promise you that. I already have an outline for how I want everything to play out in my stories. I'll see this story to completion one way or another. However, I cannot guarantee consistent uploads every month, especially since I also have another story I'm working on. So my time will be diverted between the two. My goal is to finish both simultaneously.

I appreciate all the support and reviews. It means a lot. Whether it's a comment of appreciation or criticism, please do not hesitate to leave a review. I like reading them as it'll help me learn and grow as a writer. That's the main reason I do this. I'm thick-skinned, so y'all can go as crazy as y'all want in there.

I did go back to make edits to my previous chapter. I didn't make any drastic changes. They're mostly spelling errors. I don't have a beta reader, so I do everything alone. I'm good at catching spelling mistakes and errors, but I'm human; something can slip by me. For the most part, they should be good at this point. If y'all want to learn more about me, I've updated my bio (profile) on the site. So go there and check that out if y'all want.

I won't hold you up any longer. I hope you enjoy this chapter.

I love you all, and stay safe!

October 18, X784 Era, Ishgar

It's starting to feel like home. Spending the last couple of days sprucing up his apartment, it began to look like his flat in London. He had a few plants and paintings for decoration, but it would take time to fully furnish the place.

Two days have passed since Shirou and Arvid went to Bosco. The King of Bosco was overthrown, and within the vacuum, a new government rose from the ashes. Slavery was outlawed, and the region was still in the process of fully healing. Neighboring nations led aid and support to the new rising government; even the Magic Council gave a declaration of support. News publications were reporting the incident by the minute in real-time.

In the wake of the recent triumph, Shirou became known as the Hero of Bosco. It was a title he didn't care for. However, he did appreciate the sentiment and was proud of Bosco bouncing back. Stories of Shirou's heroic deeds during the mission ran rampant within Bosco, and it even went further past the borders. This further reinforced the people's confidence within the Magic Council, something Gran Doma was most proud of. The Magic Council was again starting to be seen as a fearsome force.

After arriving at Era, the duo immediately debriefed the Chairman's assistant and were dismissed. From the assistant's expressions, it was evident the Council was clueless about how deep the relationship between Tiberius and the King was. Not sticking around any longer than he had to, Shirou went on to complete the next task of finding a home. The Chairman's assistant made it clear last time that the barracks were reserved for Rune Knights only. So it was up to him to find a place to live for the foreseeable future.

"The price is pretty steep. I guess this is the cost of living in a highly residential area." Era, just like Fiore, was costly. The cheapest apartment complexes could run upwards of seventy thousand Jewels. Shirou had to bite the bullet and get himself a place, though. The idea of sleeping outside or getting a hotel wasn't appealing to him. He'd need to find a permanent place regardless. "I needed a place close by. I don't know my way around yet." He mainly was convincing himself of the financial decision. However, he knew if Rin were here, he'd still get chastised for paying this much for a one-bedroom flat. "She was the more financially savvy person in the relationship anyway."

He began walking toward the kitchen to get started on making lunch. Having a kitchen and being able to cook provided him with a thrill like no other. Cooking relieved him of stress, with the bonus of seeing others smile at his dishes; it was a hobby he didn't plan on letting up. He remembered the first genuine smile Kiritsugu gave when he tasted his first dish. After that, he never stopped cooking.

Once he secured his housing situation, he made time and went to the closest grocery store to shop and stock up on the fridge. Like a blur, he began prepping his lunch. "Just a few more minutes and the wagyu steak should be finished." Before heating a serving plate to put the steak on after it was done, a knock on the door caught his attention. "Huh? Who can it be?" He dried his hands with his towel and headed toward the door. "I'm not expecting any company. Am I?" As he opened the door, he was met with a familiar sight.

"Shirou, It's been a while. I thought you forgot about poor ole me." Arvid welcomed himself in after getting a waft of what was cooking. To say the scent was alluring would be an understatement. "Holy hell. Whatcha cooking up in there? That smells delicious."

"Um~~, come on in, I guess." Shirou closed the door behind him and began walking to where Arvid was. "I just hope he doesn't have an appetite like Saber. I didn't make enough to satiate such gluttony." Arvid was looming over the stove as he made his way in, watching as the meat slowly seared in the cast iron skillet. "So, Arvid, is there a reason for your visit?" Shirou took a spoon and began basting the meat in its fluid to give it some extra flavor. Seeing Shirou cook was akin to an artist painting a masterpiece. There was no wasteful movement or ingredients. Everything was deliberate and perfect, like jewels coming out of a necklace one after the other; his flow was magical.

"Huh? Oh yeah, my bad. When it comes to food, I just lose myself." He rubbed the back of his head before composing himself. "But, yeah. There is a reason for my visit. The investigation unit sent out by the Council to collect information on Tiberius' boat at the Hargeon dock concluded their investigation. It took them a while, but I can't blame them. That boat was one of the biggest ships I've ever seen, and I've seen some ships, I tell ya."

"What did they find then? Did they get any leads on the Balam Alliance?"

Arvid pulled a beer mug out and took some gulps before proceeding. "Yes and no. From the lacrimas they could get into, they got very little. However, I don't know the full story. That's why I came here. The Council is asking us to come in so they can brief us on what'll happen. From what I heard, a lot of shit is about to go down."

Shirou looked at Arvid and nodded. "I understand. Let me finish this up first, and we can head out."

"Please, take your time. I'm in no rush." Arvid stood by the kitchen island, waiting for the food to be complete. "I also haven't eaten all day. So if you don't mind an incy wincy bite of your meal, I'd appreciate it."

Shirou shook his head and began prepping the wagyu. He took the rice from the pressure cooker and put them on the heated dishes. He cut the steak into strips and placed it on the rice. He drizzled both plates with the juice left in the skillet. Shirou brought Arvid's plate to him.

"Oh, you shouldn't have. You're far too kind. Don't mind me then" Arvid took a bite of the meat and rice. What he tasted, he couldn't describe or put into words. It was something he had never experienced before. It was rich and flavorful to the point of overstimulating his palate. "What the hell even is this? This is so good."

Seeing the smile and enjoyment on Arvid's face while he was eating his dish brought Shirou happiness. "Thank you. It was something light I cooked up. I didn't have much to work with since I recently moved in. Hopefully, I can make more complicated dishes after getting more cash." He wanted to experiment and explore other options and various foods here in this world. Like magecraft and swordsmanship, one must continually learn and grow their culinary and gastronomy skills, or they'll stagnate and fall behind. There wasn't much Shirou took pride in, but his culinary skills were something he wanted to be the best at.

"This is what you consider light? I need to move in with you then." Arvid began looking around. "It's a nice place you got. Bet it cost you a pretty penny, though."

"Yup, I'm paying close to eighty thousand Jewels for this place. If you ask me, it's not even worth half of that."

Arvid let out a dramatic whistle. "Couldn't be me, I tell ya."

Shirou gave the man a suspicious look. "What do you mean? You don't live in the city?"

"Fuck no. What do you take me for, a fool?" Remembering that Shirou was renting an apartment in Era, he quickly backtracked. "Um~~, not that you're a fool or anything…..what am I even saying? You're a damn fool for falling into that trap."

Deciding just to go full throttle and bash Shirou instead. Subtly wasn't precisely in Arvid's dictionary. "It's way too expensive paying for anything in this god-forsaken city. Like me, you should've gotten a place directly outside of Era."

"Well, I didn't even know that was an option till now."

"No use crying over spilled milk. At least you won't get burdened by paying too much in taxes since you're working for the Council and all. The amount they take in taxes should be considered theft."

Remembering that he knew very little in terms of politics and economics concerning this world, Shirou decided to probe for more information. "Are you able to refresh my memory on all that? The Magic Council employees weren't exactly helpful." Giving a half-hearted laugh, he hoped these questions wouldn't cause Arvid to start asking background questions relating to him. Instead, he wanted to push that as far into the future as possible.

"Well, you aren't from here, so why not?" Arvid stood straight up and elaborated on the tax code. Due to his appearance, he wasn't considered intelligent, so he wanted to prove everyone wrong about him whenever he was asked to answer a question. "So, everywhere the Magic Council has authority and control, the citizens pay what's known as a Council Tax. This ensures the Council has the funding necessary to continue its operations. Most countries aren't opposed to this tax since the Council has kept these places safe. However, the Council only has a presence in Ishgar and some parts of Guiltina, so the tax isn't cheap."

Arvid took a momentary break to devour a few more bites of his food before continuing. "Next, we have what's known as a Region Tax. These aren't too bad, depending on where you live. Since the Council already has a military, most countries on Ishgar don't have a military force. So these taxes usually pay for the roads, upkeep, and all that other bureaucratic nonsense. However, the taxes can be somewhat high if you live somewhere like Fiore."

Shirou understood the general gist. "It's kinda like back on Earth. The saying is true, I guess. Nothing is certain except for death and taxes."

"There are other nitty gritty details, but that's the essence of it. Of course, most of these things come from your paycheck already, so you don't have to deal with that headache. But like I said, since you're in the Magic Council, your Council Tax is lower."

"I mean, if I already work for the Council, and the money from my check is already taxed money, why am I taxed at—"

Before Shirou could finish, Arvid put a finger to his lips. "Shhhh. I remember one guy asked a similar question and was never found again. So it's best to let some things lie where they're at. You never mess with taxes."

"Huh?" Shirou gave Arvid a perplexed look but decided to drop the question.

"Just be grateful you didn't choose to be a guild wizard. Those guys have it the worst. On top of paying all those taxes, they also have to pay a tithe to the guild they're a member of. I guess it's only fair since they make a ton of cash from those missions they go on. Most of those S-Class jobs pay upwards of a million Jewels."

"What do you mean a tithe?"

Arvid finished his plate and sat on the ground to relax. "Woo~. I might've overeaten; I could go into a food coma. Before coming here, I ate some fried chicken, so I'm stuffed now. Thanks for the food!"

Shirou gave a nod but remembered what Arvid said before asking for some food. "Wait, I thought you said you didn't eat all day?" Arvid immediately avoided the accusatory stare from Shirou.

"Um~, to answer your question..." Arvid picked up where he initially left off in the conversation. Succeeding in dodging the line of questioning from Shirou, who relented and moved on. "Basically, for every mission, the guild takes a percentage of the cut. They were the ones who set up the connections and organized the jobs, so it's only fair. However, most big guilds like Fairy Tail don't rely on those tithes. They make a lot of money from merchandise, the festivals they do, donations, tax breaks, and grants. The Magic Council gives these grants yearly to top-performing magical guilds. In exchange for taking the grant, the guild agrees to assist the Magic Council in times of war or on matters concerning dark guilds. They're pretty sought after since these grants are extremely generous in size, so guilds compete a lot for them."

Shirou's mind was aching from all the information he was absorbing. He did not delve deep into politics or economics, so it was hard to digest everything he said.

Seeing his partner in discomfort, Arvid got up and walked over to him. "You don't need to worry yourself with any of that. Just come to me, and I'll handle all that bureaucratic nonsense myself. In exchange, you allow me to feast with you from now on." Slapping Shirou on the back, he let out a boisterous laugh. "This has to be the best deal I've ever made!"

Shirou slightly chuckled as the relationship reminded him of Saber to a degree. "You got yourself a deal, but don't you have a wife who cooks for you at home?"

The ambiance of the room took a nosedive. The once jovial man stopped laughing and had a dark look on his face. His eyes looked blank as he stared at the ground. He seemed as lifeless as a corpse. "I had a wife who cooked for me but was taken."

Not knowing how to reply, Shirou decided not to say anything. Obviously, the man still hadn't recovered from the loss, so it wouldn't be wise to press him on the matter. However, in a way, Shirou could relate to the man. He has also known loss. "I'm sorry for your loss. I didn't know—"

Arvid cut him off, and in a hushed tone, he said, "You're fine. We should get going. The Council doesn't like to be kept waiting."

Shirou quickly nodded. He finished up his plate and took the dishes to the sink. "I'll wash these later when I get back." Turning back to his partner, "Do you think what I'm wearing is appropriate for this debrief?"

"I don't know why you're asking me. I walk around half-naked most of the time, and the Council doesn't seem to have an issue with it."

"I mean, he does have a point. I don't think my clothes are that bad. I don't have any formal attire anyway." Deciding to go in his standard tracksuit, the duo made off toward the headquarters of the Magic Council.

Ishgar Magic Council Headquarters, Era, Ishgar

"Despite a few setbacks, we can call this last mission a resounding success. Don't you agree, Chairman?" Councilman Yuri looked over the report and glanced at the uniquely dressed man.

The Magic Council convened to discuss the newfound information gathered from Tiberius' lacrima and documents. They needed to disseminate marching orders before the Balam Alliance changed their plans. The Council didn't know how long they had the element of surprise.

"For the most part, yes. Shirou and Arvid did well. Having competent mages within our ranks is nice. We no longer need these magical guilds to do our bidding. This was one of the main reasons I initiated the Enforcer System. We can keep our missions and dealings to ourselves without relying on a third party." Gran Doma began looking over some of the reports while the Councilors had sidebar discussions amongst themselves.

An older Councilwoman spoke up to address Gran Doma. The room became silent as she said, "The old system of allocating jobs to the magical guilds allowed us a degree of separation. If any of these Enforcers mess up, the blame will fall directly onto our lap." A few nods and grunts of agreement filled the room.

"Although true, it's never wise being this reliant on the magical guilds. Before getting the position of Chairman, this Council was weak. It was so weak we couldn't even keep the legal guilds in check, let alone the dark guilds." Many of the Councilors looked down in shame. It was an indirect blow to their competency. "We must ensure we have the firepower and strength necessary to accomplish our mission. This doesn't mean only dismantling dark guilds and keeping the legal guilds in check. We must be ready to defend Ishgar if the Alvarez Empire decides to attack at any moment." It seemed all the air in the room was sucked out by the one declaration.

The history between Ishgar and Alakitasia was a rocky one. They were a formidable enemy right by their doorstep. They tried to invade only a few years ago, but they were thwarted by Etherion. Last year, all diplomatic ties and relations were severed between the two continents. For all intents and purposes, they were at war. However, with the disappearance of their Emperor, their militaristic nature had been curbed, for now.

"However, some alarming news within these reports must be addressed." Diverting the conversation away, Gran Doma saw some irregularities he wanted to address. "The biggest one is the death of the Bosco King."

Yuri spoke up to address the topic. "The spokeswoman already issued a public letter showing our support for the new government being established. Although we couldn't foresee Tiberius' relationship with the monarchy, barring a few oversea investors, no one is weeping over the death of the King. If our reports are correct, we might've eliminated two birds with no stone."

"Councilman Yuri is correct, Chairman. As shocking as it might sound." The older Councilwoman said, backing up Yuri's statement.

"Hey! Whatcha say, you old hag!"

"Quiet! Continue, Councilwoman."

"Of course, Chairman. There is reason to believe that Tiberius and the King supplied slaves to the Balam Alliance. Tartarus, to be more specific, that is."

"What purpose would Tartarus need for slaves?" Org looked around for an answer. He was genuinely perplexed by Tartarus' demands for slaves. "They have weaker dark guilds working for them. So there is no need for a labor force."

"Remember, dark guilds, use dark magic. Certain dark magic requires blood sacrifices or even death to use. So it's possible they need slaves for such purposes." Gran Doma looked over his paper one more time. "Regardless of the case, this blow will undoubtedly push back whatever plans they may have had. So I agree that the King's death was a necessary course of action. We must discuss how we'll engage the Oración Seis and their hunt for Nirvana."

The only information the investigation unit could uncover was Oración Seis' current motives and objectives. However, this was still information that could be used to get ahead. So they needed to move efficiently.

"Although strong, I don't think we have enough Enforcers currently to bring down the Oración Seis." Yuri wearily said; he was beginning to get tired of the meeting. His old age was obviously catching up with him.

Org, piggybacking off of what Yuri said, added, "Yuri speaks the truth, Chairman. Excluding Arvid and Shirou, there are only two groups left, and both of those groups are currently on missions. We don't know how long they'll take, so waiting for them to return isn't the wisest course of action."

"I know you hate to hear it, Chairman, but we may need assistance from the magical guilds to complete our goal. The only other option would be to send in a coalition unit of Rune Knights, Shirou, and Arvid. I think the former would be the best course of action." The older Councilwoman finished off.

Hearing the arguments made by his fellow peers, Gran Doma thought through all the possible options. "She does make a good point. The current Rune Knights won't stand a chance against the Oración Seis. Although strong, Arvid and Shirou won't be able to handle all that on their own." Coming to a decision, he was about to declare, but a buzzer stopped him. A voice came through over the speaker.

"Chairman Doma, Lord Shirou, and Lord Arvid are here to see you. Do you want me to send them in?"

"Yes, please. Can you also make your way in? I have an assignment for you. "

The doors to the chamber swung open as the duo, along with the Chairman's assistant, made their way through.

"Right on time, gentleman. I was just about to make my announcement. You two, and a handful of magical guilds, will join forces to destroy the Oración Seis." He turned his attention to his assistant and began addressing them. "Send a message immediately to Fairy Tail, Blue Pegasus, Lamia Scale, and Cait Shelter. I want the guildmasters here within the next hours, no ifs, ands, or buts. This is time sensitive."

"Aye, sir!" The assistant made their way to send out the messages post haste.

"What did we just walk into?" Shirou saw how hectic the environment was. "Lamia Scale and Fairy Tail? Does that mean I'll be working together with them?" He was hoping to see those two guilds. He was glad it was sooner rather than later.

"With our basis covered, I'll need the room cleared except for Yuri and Org." Gran Doma concluded the meeting, and the room began emptying.

"Excuse me, sir. I do have some questions." Shirou made his way toward the Chairman. He still wanted an explanation for the slavery debacle on Bosco. He wouldn't allow the Magic Council to go unquestioned by their behavior.

"I assure you, Shirou, we'll talk again soon. Just give me a moment, and I'll speak with you, I promise."

Arvid walked toward his partner and put a hand on his shoulder. "Come on, Shirou. Let's hang out in the lounging area until we're called." He ushered his partner out. "Something big is going down. I feel it."

Looking back at the Chairman, he was going to hold the man to his word. The Council chambers became quiet as the Enforcer duo made their way out, closing the door behind them.

A few seconds of silence went by before Yuri broke it. "So, why did you hold us back? I'm getting tired; I'm not as youthful as I once was. I need to take some naps throughout the day, you know."

"Enough, Yuri. This is serious and may compromise our goals. I didn't fully realize it till I looked over the reports during this meeting."

"What is it, Chairman? It can't be that serious if you only wanted us to help you." Org was curious about what could be going through Doma's head. He has certain reservations about the man, but his heart was in the right place. Not to mention, he was certainly better than Crawford Seam by a large margin.

"On the contrary, this is best suited for the least amount of people. I suspect there is still a mole within our organization."

"How!" Both Councilors said simultaneously. They quickly lowered their tone so no interloper could hear.

"Both Jellal and Ultear have left. Do you still believe another mole is present?" Org said.

"I cannot say for sure, but reading through the report and seeing the immediate attack on Shirou and Arvid before they even made it to the dock, It's too much of a coincidence to think otherwise." Gran Doma stood up from his seat and began pacing around the room. He was thinking of ways to lure out this traitor within their ranks. He wouldn't make the same mistake as his predecessor. He wouldn't allow such things to occur under his leadership.

"Do you believe it's a Councilor, or maybe another individual?" Yuri decided to get serious on the topic. Although tired, he couldn't allow another debacle like before to occur. The Magic Council could only suffer so much before the population began losing faith in them.

"For now, I believe the only people who are innocent are within this room. Although tragic, we must go under the assumption that our enemies know what we'll do next. However, this could benefit us. If the enemy does catch wind of our next move, then we know for a fact that a mole is in our midst. I'll launch an internal investigation, and we'll cull this infestation once and for all." He stopped pacing around after coming to a solution.

"That'll mean we're knowingly sending this group to a trap." Org can see the strategy behind the Chairman's proposal, but this option didn't sit well with him morally.

"Not necessarily; we still don't know if there is, or isn't, a traitor. This mission will let us know for certain." Gran Doma began heading back to his seat. "On top of this, if it does turn out to be a trap, I'm certain that Shirou, Arvid, and those magical guilds combined can take care of it. We mustn't squander this opportunity we've been given. If everything goes as planned, a corner of the Balam Alliance can finally fall, and we'll be one step closer to our goal."

Yuri and Org looked at each other with concern. Gran Doma's extremism wasn't unheard of, but seeing it on display was another matter altogether. Despite their reservations, they assuaged their concern for now.

"That was all I wanted to discuss with you, gentlemen. If there isn't anything else, you're dismissed. We'll reconvene once the guildmasters arrive to disseminate the information to them. Well, everything except what we discussed right now, of course."

The two other Councilors nodded before leaving. Org addressed one last matter before leaving. "That boy, Shirou, seemed interested in talking to you."

"I shall speak to him after I leave here. I think I know what it'll be about." Gran Doma was able to piece together the fact that Arvid and Shirou assisted in the rebellion that resulted in the toppling of the Bosco monarchy. "He must have questions about why we allowed the King to do what he did. Although idealistic, he's very naive."

The three venerable men got up and began walking out of the room.

8-Island, Hargeon Town, Fiore, Ishgar

The afternoon came rolling around for the small town of Hargeon. As the sun was slowly setting, the sky became even darker. However, a commotion was still brewing in a particular restaurant.

"Quit slacking off, you two! We're going to need some assistance cleaning up the hall."

"Listen to Lucy, you two; you don't want me to repeat myself, do you?" A murderous aura came off the red-headed swordsman as she gave the two boys a stare sharp enough to cut steel.

"No, ma'am!" Natsu and Gray quickly shot up from their spot on the ground and began mopping away at the floor.

"Ha! Scaredy cats!"

"That includes you as well, Happy!"

"Aye, sir!" The flying blue cat quickly moved the dishes on the table to the kitchen. He didn't want to be on the receiving end of Erza's punishment.

"He, who's the scary cat now, you stupid cat?" Gray mocked as he continued with his chore.

"Man, I'm so stuffed I think I'll explode." Natsu burped, and some fire escaped through his mouth. It was laced with the smell of the food he ate as well.

"Watch it, flame brain! That's your fault for eating all that crap in the first place." Maneuvering out of the way of the flaming burp, Gray kicked the bloated dragon slayer away from himself.

"I want to thank you all for helping me out today. You lot are welcome back anytime." A short old man in a chef's uniform began walking toward the group as he left the kitchen.

"Please, the pleasure is ours, sir." Erza gave a slight bow. Despite his age and appearance, the man before her was highly respected within the magical world. He was Yajima, a former Council member and close friend of Makarov Dreyar, the master of Fairy Tail, their guildmaster. "If I may ask you, sir. What is the state of the Magic Council these days?"

Despite stepping down, Yajima still kept an open ear when it came to the actions and movements of the Magic Council. Although leaving, it was important for him to always stay up to date. He was well aware of the new "improvements" Gran Doma has implemented in the organization.

"The Magic Council!" Gray and Natsu shouted from the back. The Magic Council was like a boogeyman to dark and legal guilds throughout Ishgar. Simply speaking their name struck fear and unease into anyone's heart, regardless of their affiliation.

"Did you dunces forget Mister Yajima was a member?" Lucy gave the duo an incredulous look. "They can't be that dumb? What am I saying? Of course, they're that dumb!"

"After Jellal and that other interloper, Ultear, threw everything into disarray, I parted ways with the organization. However, Gran Doma clawed his way into the Chairman position after Crawford Seam was kicked out. He quickly began making changes and implemented a new force called the Enforcers." With a wrist flick, Yajima suspended the food in his frying pan into the air and caught it. He continued pan-flipping till the food within was evenly seared.

"The Enforcers? Are they like the Rune Knights?" Lucy didn't know much about the Magic Council, but it was best to at least keep up with international politics. Especially since an organization like the Magic Council could easily dictate her everyday life as a mage. One decision from them could mean the difference between employment and unemployment.

"If you don't mind, Mister Yajima, please elaborate?" Erza also wanted to know more.

"The apt way to put it is they're a more elite Rune Knight group. The mages within this organization are far more skilled, experienced, and competent. One group was able to take down Tiberius and his whole trafficking organization. They even brought down the entire government of Bosco in the same trip."

"WHAT!" The entire Fairy Tail team shouted simultaneously.

"Oh ya, I'm getting fired up now!" Flames began pouring out from Natsu's fists. "I can't wait to meet these guys; they sound strong." As he got up, he began wobbling. The uneven distribution of his frame, due to overconsumption, was messing with his balance.

"You wish!" Lucy chucked her slipper right into Natsu's face, plummeting him to the ground.

"OW! What's the deal, Lucy? That hurt—"

"Our objective is to not run into these guys, you meathead. You don't have a brain in that dense head of yours, do you?" Gray looked down at his lowered friend. He began picking out morsels lodged in his teeth with his toothpick.

"You're one to talk; where are your clothes? And did you also eat some of Mister Yajima's food?" Lucy sighed as she massaged her head. "These guys are gonna give me a migraine. Wait!" After coming to a realization, she looked at Yajima. "Did you say, Bosco? Isn't that where that fake Salamander creep, Bora, tried to kidnap me and that ship full of girls too?"

"Hey, I remember that guy. He had some nasty flames, I tell ya!" Natsu got back up from the ground, lightly touching his nose.

"Keen observation skills, young lady. Yes, that man Bora did work for Tiberius. He was part of a slavery ring that was centered in Bosco. Thanks to you and your friend, the Fiore military apprehended him and his group, rescuing those ladies from a terrible fate."

Simply thinking about the future herself and all those ladies could've befallen caused her to involuntarily shiver. Erza, who was nearby, was quiet. This talking about slavery was bringing traumatic flashbacks of the past to the forefront of her mind. She looked over to Lucy with a wistful smile. "I'm glad she didn't have to go through such a thing."

"If it's any consolation, Tiberius is dead. The Enforcers managed to kill him, and his organization crumbled. He was nasty, so I doubt he'll be missed."

Although the group didn't condone killing any human being, they weren't eager to stand up for the man's defense either.

"So it's obvious they aren't playing around anymore." Erza solemnly said. She wanted to grasp the nature of this emerging group. After hearing everything said about them, it was apparent they meant business. "The guild will need to be on their toes from now on." She grabbed the hilt of her sword that was by her side. "It doesn't matter who comes after us; I'll defend them. I'll defend my family."

"Politics was never my thing. Cooking is where my true passion and talent lie!" The man stood up so fast it caught everyone off guard. "I'm the best chef there is!"

A redheaded archer in a lounge room at the Magic Council Headquarters began to sneeze at the declaration.

After doing various acrobatic movements that a man his age should never be able to do, he quickly stopped and hopped off the table. "Speaking of which, you two boys better be on your best behavior from now on!" His stern demeanor caused both Gray and Natsu to quiver in feat.

"He's just like gramps!" The duo thought to themselves.

"I was there to stand in Fairy Tail's defense. With me out of the picture, Gran Doma will not allow Fairy Tail to keep up with their destruction. He's a hardliner who will seek an excuse to disband the guild. Do you hear me?!"

"Yes, sir!" Natsu and Gray nodded vigorously at the old man.

Erza simply chuckled at the display. Looking at the clock in the restaurant, it was starting to get late for the group. "Alrighty guys, we need to start packing; the trip back to Magnolia will take a couple of hours, so it's best we leave as soon as possible."

"You're the only one who needs to pack. How do you have Requip Magic and still carry around luggage?" Natsu said off-handley as he was still recovering from the food he's eaten. It did seem his bloated belly was becoming flat by the second as the food was digesting.

"What the hell, man?! Are you trying to get us both killed here?!" Gray said frantically as he stepped away from the Dragon Slayer next to him. "I'm not getting into this crossfire."

Erza turned toward her rotund teammate. "Is there a problem with my luggage, Natsu?" She stated in a tone that left no room for any confusion. It was obvious any disagreements would lead to swift pain.

"Hm, I'm not scared of you anymore. I can take you. Bring it on!" Coating his fist in fire, he dashed toward the knight at insane speeds. Speeds that shouldn't still be possible in his current state.

"Hey now! You better not ruin my store, you miscreants!" Yajima said as he quickly tried to diffuse the situation. He knew these Fairy Tail brawls only led to more destruction. He talked with Makarov enough to know how much he has to pay in insurance.

"Well, Natsu is dead." Happy said as he flew next to Lucy with a fish in his hand.

"That's the truth." Doing a double take, Lucy didn't even realize Happy had left. "Where the hell have you been, cat?"

"Um~~, finding fish, duh! You might need to get your eyes checked, Lucy."

"Better watch it, cat; you're close to getting punted." Giving Happy a stern look, she looked back to see the fight between Erza and Natsu, but all she saw was Natsu sprawled out on the ground with a swollen bump protruding from the top of his head. "He lost that fast!"

"Any more disagreements?" Erza said calmly as she looked around the restaurant.

"No, ma'am!" Everyone unanimously said. Even Yajima was standing at attention.

"Good. We're leaving now."

A cave in an unknown location

Three thought projections came to life; the magical energy emanating caused the cave to be dimly lit.

"I see everyone is here. We rarely meet like this. It must've been important if you're willing the risk of discovery. Why were we called here, Brain?" The man addressing the triumvirate was up in age. His gray hair and beard were indicative of that.

"We've been compromised. The Magic Council has secured information on our goals and whereabouts from that idiot Tiberius." Brain was concerned about his upcoming mission involving Nirvana. He had been planning this mission for a while and wouldn't allow the Council to get in the way. Too much time and preparation went into locating Nirvana for it to go to waste.

The seemingly youngest-looking one within the group spoke up. "Ah, that's why I haven't received my pet shipment. I thought he slighted me and needed to be punished." He let out a yawn before addressing Brain's concern. "I don't see why any of this affects me. Mard Geer never released any information to that insect, so the Council knows nothing about Tartaros."

"Neither did I." In derision, Hades added, "You were the only one foolish enough to give information over."

Gripping his staff with more force, Brain defended himself from the accusations. "Tiberius was a good informant. Through his help and connections, he could locate Nirvana in no time. He was put on the radar only through your greed." Staring daggers at Mard Geer, he continued. "Your consistent requests for human shipments raised concerns within the Magic Council. That was the only reason they established a connection. So you best not pin this on me."

"Mard Geer believes you don't understand the nature of our relationship. I still see you two as lowly insects. We're only allies because we have a mutual enemy, nothing more. I shan't assist you in any capacity beyond what we agreed upon."

Hades side-eyed the demon lord before focusing on Brain. "Although Mard Geer put it crudely, he's correct. If the matter doesn't affect all of us, I see no reason to stop my operations to assist you."

"You don't think the Magic Council and their new enforcers aren't an issue for us?" Brain remarked. He was still going to move forward with his Nirvana plan regardless of the outcome of this meeting. He was far too deep to pull out. However, with the Magic Council's knowledge, his plan could fail. He didn't want to admit it, but he may need help to pull this mission off.

"Currently, no. It's just the Magic Council's new toy. If we maneuver as we've always done, this should be a non-issue." Hades wasn't an idiot. He knew the enforcers would become a thorn in his side if the Council continued to hire more powerful mages. However, engaging such opposition wasn't the best course of action. "If Brain continues his mission of achieving Nirvana, he could divert the Magic Council's attention away while I continue my search for Zeref. If all goes well, they could hopefully eliminate each other in the process."

"Mard Geer agrees. If that is all, I must be going now." Before anyone could say anything, Mard Geer's thought projection cut out, signaling his departure from the conversation.

"...that bastard," sneered Brain. "Will you not lend a hand either?" Turning his attention to the last Balam Alliance guildmaster.

Hades turned his back and addressed the man. "I've already made it clear; my mission takes priority. If this matter doesn't affect the integrity of our alliance, I see no reason to divert resources to your cause. This was something you caused by your own careless behavior. So it's your matter to address and resolve." Like Mard Geer, Hade's thought projection cut out, leaving Brain alone.

A sickening aura rolled off the man as his anger finally erupted, akin to a volcano reaching its climax. "They're throwing me to the wolves!" Although only a thought projection, the magical power coming off was as real as day. "Once I finish my mission, I'll come back to deal with those two fools."

With his final declaration, Brain's thought projection disappeared as the cave collapsed in on itself from the influx of magical power released within.

Ishgar Magic Council Headquarters, Era, Ishgar

Pacing back and forth, Shirou was still thinking about his conversation with Gran Doma.

The Chairman made his way to the lounging area after completing what he had to do. The two discussed Shirou's grievances outside to avoid a commotion in the lounging area. Arvid decided to stay back and would wait for his partner to return. He didn't want to get in between the two as they conversed.

Gran Doma's reasoning still didn't sit right with Shirou.

Flashback Start

"You wanted to speak, Shirou?"

"Yes, sir. I wanted to discuss the issue of slavery on Bosco and why the Magic Council didn't step in to solve the issue." Giving the man a stern look, he wasn't going to let up until he had an answer he was satisfied with

"The Magic Council isn't an organization that deals with local politics. We deal with issues that concern guilds and magic. We ensure that the nations within our jurisdiction are safe and that no outside force disturbs that peace. Whatever laws and regulations the kingdoms within our jurisdiction enact are up to them. It does not matter to me as long as it doesn't affect the Magic Council."

Looking at the man, Shirou could tell he was no-nonsense. Straight to the point with no extra syllables to spare on little explanations. It reminded him strikingly of the higher-ups within the Mage's Association. "He doesn't govern through emotions or empathy; he's cold and calculating." That reminded him of how Rin described Saber's rule over Britain. People described her as someone who couldn't understand the hearts of humans. Allowing herself to lose her humanity concurrently caused her to lose sight of the humanity of her people. These decisions are what caused Britain's downfall.

"I understand you want to help as many people as you can. However, it's in the Council's best interest not to tamper with the politics of our internal nations." Shirou was broken out of his thoughts by Gran Doma. Without much pause, the Chairman continued. "If the countries within begin to realize we're manipulating and enforcing policies on them, the Council can be dissolved. We have a social contract with these nations. They give us funding, political power, and the ability to maneuver around; in exchange, we assist them in whatever capacity we can. That's it. We don't legislate or dictate what they do within their borders."

Before Shirou could refute his argument, Gran Doma began stepping away. "Where are you going?"

Gran Doma looked back and addressed the enforcer. "I'm sorry, but I must prepare for the guildmaster's arrival. If you're still unsatisfied with my answer, we can discuss it later when I'm less busy." He continued inside as he left Shirou on his own.

Flashback End

Shirou still hasn't budged from where he was. He was gazing out toward the small city below. It still amazed him how they built their magical center of authority on a mountaintop. He sighed and decided it was best not to leave Arvid waiting. Before he could go, he heard giggling coming from the side of the building. It wasn't too far from where Shirou and Gran Doma once talked. "Were we being spied on this whole time?"

Shirou was pretty adept at sensing others around him. He could even pick up the ill intent of others. It was also like a sixth sense he was honing through continued practice and training. So to have someone slip through like this could only mean a few things. They were either skilled in masking their presence or intentions, they weren't malicious, or they weren't there the whole time.

He began to creep towards the sniggering. Trying his best to lessen the noise his footsteps made to not raise any alarm bells in the interloper, he made it to the target. As he turned the corner, he was greeted by the sight of an elderly, short man with gray hair and a thick mustache. He sat down while reading a scandalous magazine about women in skimpy outfits.

"Oh…..it's only a perverted old man." Not wanting to waste any time, Shirou slowly returned to avoid attracting the man's attention. However, as he took a step back, the man called out to him.

"I tell ya, women did not look like this when I was younger. I envy the young men of this generation." He got up, and the magazine dissipated in golden light. He turned toward Shirou and spoke again. "I haven't seen you before. Are you one of those new enforcers everyone is talking about?"

"This old man isn't ordinary, that's for sure." Looking over the insignificant stature of the man in front of him, his senses were betraying his thoughts. "I'm an enforcer, yes. I presume you work for the Council in some capacity?"

With a shrug, the man responded. "You could say that. I'm one of the Ten Wizard Saints."

Shirou remembered Jura mentioning the title and how esteemed the position was. It would be akin to the title of Wizard Marshal back in his world. After some more thought, the elderly man did radiate the same overwhelming magical energy as Jura. However, it was obvious who the superior of the two was. "Ah, so you know Jura?"

"The new guy? I haven't had the pleasure of talking to him. I mean, we rarely get together unless the Magic Council needs us. That's how I like it. I already have too much on my plate as it is keeping those rascals at the guild from getting us into more trouble."

"Are you a guildmaster?"

The older man looked at Shirou. "Ah, I guess I did forget to introduce myself. How rude of me." He quelled the enforcer's curiosity by giving a salute and a beaming smile. "I'm Makarov, the current guildmaster of Fairy Tail and a member of the Ten Wizard Saints. Who may you be, young man?"