Chapter 714 - 714: END

A week after the battle against the Five Dragon Gods, everything gradually returned to normal.

The World Mage Championship, which had been interrupted by Ignia and Helios, resumed as well. In the end, Raizel claimed the championship of the inaugural tournament.

Irene and Selene even arranged an extra match afterward, though neither could gain a decisive advantage over the other.

Emergency work following the volcanic eruptions in the Vidolon Mountains had already been completed.

Kirin, Suzaku, and the other members of Diabolos returned to their guild headquarters, while the real Duke Barbaroa resumed his place at Gold Owl.

After some persuasion from Raizel and Athena, Elefseria also decided to reopen Magia Dragon and begin recruiting guild members again.

Between Athena, who would not die unless her body was destroyed, and Elefseria's lifespan after dragonification, the two of them would probably outlive generation after generation of future guild members.

Zeref returned to the Alvarez Empire with most of the Spriggan 12.

Irene and Selene headed back to Magnolia ahead of the others with Misaki, Kiria, and the Signario Sisters.

Raizel, meanwhile, stayed in Guiltina for several more days with the rest of Fairy Tail.

Makarov and many of the others had never visited the continent before, while Mavis and August happily joined them in experiencing Guiltina's different scenery, food, and local customs.

Kurnugi looked around in confusion.

"How come I never realized Guiltina was this fun before?"

Gajeel immediately scoffed.

"Because everyone wanted to beat the crap out of you back then, idiot!"

Kurnugi whipped around.

"You wanna fight?!"

"The great Gajeel-sama feels like eating some of that iron of yours!"

"I'M NOT MADE OF IRON!"

The only downside to the trip was that the arguing—and subsequent fighting—never seemed to stop.

Mavis looked genuinely reluctant to leave.

"It feels like there are still so many places in Guiltina we haven't visited..."

August smiled warmly.

"We have plenty of time."

Mavis's feather-like ears perked up.

"That's right!"

...

Eventually, they returned to Magia Dragon in southern Guiltina.

Raizel stood before Elefseria.

"We should probably be heading home now."

"Come visit whenever you have the time."

Raizel smiled.

"Then hopefully the next time we come, this place will be packed with people."

Elefseria laughed heartily.

"I'll take that blessing gladly!"

Nearby, Lucy was struggling through an emotional farewell with Athena.

Her eyes were already watery, while Athena—ironically—was the one comforting her.

"Transportation between the continents is very convenient now. Besides, both Elefseria-sama and Raizel can use teleportation Magic."

"If we truly wish to see one another, it will not be difficult."

Lucy sniffled.

"Yeah... you're right."

Raizel raised a hand.

"Then we'll see you again."

Crimson light flashed.

Fairy Tail's members vanished from Magia Dragon.

Elefseria watched the place where they had stood, a gentle smile appearing on his aged face.

"Until we meet again... you people who never stop fighting."

He and Athena remained there for quite some time.

Eventually, Elefseria turned.

"We should go back inside too."

"Yes, Elefseria-sama."

"You should call me Guild Master now."

Athena smiled.

"Yes, Guild Master!"

...

Magnolia.

The city had been unusually quiet over the past few days.

That ended the moment Fairy Tail returned.

Natsu drew in an enormous breath of familiar air.

"AHHH! Nothing beats Magnolia!!!"

Makarov's little legs immediately carried him toward the guild at full speed.

"Brats! To celebrate our return—WE'RE HAVING A FEAST!!!"

"YEAH!!!"

The loudest and most enthusiastic response came from Mavis.

August and Precht stood frozen behind them with their staffs in hand, looking distinctly uncomfortable.

'What are we supposed to do?'

'We can't possibly act that shamelessly.'

'Urgent advice appreciated.'

"CHARGE!!!"

Erza excitedly ran past them and into the guild.

Raizel slowed as he passed the two old men.

"Actually... I can't do that either."

He gestured toward the guild.

"Come on."

...

That night, fireworks rose one after another into the sky.

Fairy Tail and the residents of Magnolia celebrated together.

Makarov had already drunk himself thoroughly senseless by the time he looked around at everyone, a trace of emotion entering his face.

After several surprisingly agile jumps from the bar, he climbed onto the guild stage.

The movement immediately attracted everyone's attention.

Makarov raised his mug high, drained what remained inside, and swayed slightly on his feet.

"I had a lot I wanted to say... but now that I'm actually standing up here, I suddenly can't remember any of it."

He scratched his head.

"So I'll keep it simple."

His expression softened.

"Stay safe, everyone."

"And keep being happy. Forever!"

Macao clicked his tongue.

"Seriously? I thought you were finally going to retire as Third Master and announce the Fourth!"

Makarov instantly roared.

"NO! I'M STAYING GUILD MASTER UNTIL I PHYSICALLY CAN'T DO IT ANYMORE! ELEFSERIA'S BEEN RUNNING HIS GUILD FOR OVER A HUNDRED YEARS!"

Wakaba stared at him.

"You're competing over that too?!"

...

X787.

For Ishgar, it became one of the most peaceful years the continent had experienced in a long time.

Life truly returned to normal.

Lucy, Natsu, and Happy formed their team once again and headed out on missions—

and, inevitably, on another journey toward massive property-damage bills.

Precht and Warrod formally retired and returned to Magnolia to spend their remaining years in peace.

Jellal rose to become the foremost of the Four Gods of Ishgar while also serving as Chairman of the Magic Council.

Under his leadership, Ishgar renewed treaties of peaceful coexistence with Guiltina and Alakitasia, drawing the three continents closer together than ever before.

As for Raizel...

He finally decided to take it easy.

After discussing things with Ultear and the others, they chose not to hold a formal wedding.

Instead, an enormous red castle appeared on the outskirts of the East Forest, surrounded by its own fortified walls.

Raizel, indulging his questionable sense of humor, named it—RED KEEP.

The castle had been created by expanding Irene's former castle together with Raizel's original home.

Irene had even used World Reconstruction Magic for the project, while Selene simply transported her Black Moon Mountain palace from Elentear and incorporated it into the estate.

In terms of both size and luxury, the finished property could easily rival August's estate in the Alvarez Empire.

...

One morning, Raizel was still half asleep when he reached beneath the blankets, searching absentmindedly beside him.

'Cold?'

His eyes opened.

He immediately sat up.

"She's awake this early? That doesn't sound like her."

Raizel pulled open the curtains.

Morning sunlight poured through the floor-to-ceiling windows.

Looking down into the estate grounds, he saw Kagura and Erza already sparring.

Raizel scratched his head and chuckled.

"Embarrassed, huh?"

A short distance away, Wendy and Sherria sat cross-legged on the grass in meditation.

Meditation was part of Wendy's daily training.

High Enchantment required enormous reserves of Magic Power, and Wendy still had a long road ahead of her before she could use it to its fullest potential.

Sherria, meanwhile, was mostly meditating because she wanted to keep Wendy company.

Elsewhere, the Signario Sisters seemed to be transmuting something.

Smoke rose steadily from the chimney of a forge farther across the estate.

They had spent several days working on whatever it was, though Raizel still had no idea what they were making.

Every time he asked, Luso simply shook her head and told him it was a secret.

Raizel headed downstairs.

Irene, Selene, Ultear, Mira, and Misaki were already awake, sitting together in the main hall while drinking tea and coffee and chatting casually.

Mira took a small sip from her cup.

"My only complaint about living here is that there are too many people stealing all my work."

In addition to Heine and Juliet, whom Irene had created through Personality Enchant, the five weapons Wendy had Enchanted with personalities had also become maids within the castle.

Later, Irene had taken several more weapons and Enchanted them specifically to serve as attendants responsible for managing the estate.

They kept the entire property running perfectly.

They never complained.

They never got tired.

And they did not even need wages.

Mira's considerable domestic skills had been rendered almost completely unnecessary.

Ultear laughed helplessly.

"Enjoy having time to relax for once. You already have more than enough work waiting for you at the guild."

Misaki nodded.

"She's right. Sometimes I honestly wonder if you're the real Guild Master."

She was not even exaggerating.

Makarov might officially hold the title, but Misaki had seen firsthand that Mira now handled most of Fairy Tail's actual administrative work.

Later, everyone gathered for breakfast.

Raizel sat at the head of the long table.

To his left were Irene and Selene.

To his right sat Ultear, Mira, and Erza.

Raizel looked around at everyone.

After everything they had experienced, there was really only one thing left to say.

"No matter what happens from here on..."

A small smile appeared on his face.

"I'm looking forward to spending the rest of it with all of you."

—THE END—