Basin after basin of dirty water was poured out from cleaning the floor. The shadows of the tables and chairs quietly crept from front to back, and the scent of food wafted from the stove, which hadn't been used in a year.
The six people, including Weston, sat around the long wooden table in the Guild Hall, enjoying their first dinner since returning home.
"What?!" ×3
"Are you saying that before you left, Her Majesty the Queen bestowed upon you the honorary title of 'Chief Imperial Court Wizard,' allowing you free entry and exit from the Royal Palace from now on?!"
"Yeah, and a Golden Medal too. I've put it away!"
Weston gnawed on the meat in his mouth while winking smilingly at Zera beside him: "No rush. When we go home tonight, I'll show it to you."
Zera tossed her head tsundere-style: "Hmph, who wants to see that thing?"
"She also granted you the status of Duke of the Fiore Kingdom, a thousand acres of land near Magnolia, plus the ownership of Tenrou Island?!"
"Not only that, but I also have a lifetime tax exemption!"
"She also said she'd make a statue of you on a mountain near the Royal Capital to commemorate your contributions?!"
"Watch your wording a bit! It's a massive, ten-meter-tall statue!"
Looking at the smug smile on Weston's face, Yuri, Warrod, and Precht were practically going insane with envy!
"Wait, you clearly earned your merits by leading troops in battle, so why were you granted 'Court Wizard'?"
"Plus, I've never heard of that position before?"
Weston chuckled: "Her Majesty the Queen wanted me to be the Minister of State, but didn't I refuse for the sake of 'Fairy Tail'?"
"Since I wouldn't be on duty at the Royal Palace, a normal position would be useless. That's why she made an exception for me and created this 'Chief Imperial Court Wizard' status."
"It's the same regarding territory."
"She originally intended for me to manage several major cities in the Southern Region, including Magnolia."
"It's just that I only want to expand and strengthen 'Fairy Tail' and revitalize the Magic World, so I don't have that much time to handle territorial affairs. I refused."
"It was exchanged for a thousand acres of land surrounding Magnolia, and Tenrou Island!"
When everyone heard that Weston was willing to give up the position of Minister of State, second only to the monarch, for the sake of the Guild, and even refused to become a Noble Lord or accept free cities, they were instantly moved to tears.
"Damn it! You brat, you really are..."
Yuri excitedly clenched his fists. "I really want to scold you for being foolish, refusing power and territory, but knowing you gave it up for us, I can't bring myself to."
Precht smiled contentedly: "We truly didn't misjudge you back then!"
Warrod leaped directly across the dinner table towards Weston: "Waaah, you've moved me so much! Let me reward you with a passionate hug!"
Weston quickly dodged, holding up his greasy hands to fend him off: "Get lost! Who wants your hug?! Leave that sort of thing to Mavis or Zera..."
He turned his head; the two girls were watching him with excited expressions.
"Are you saying that Tenrou Island will be our legal territory from now on?!"
"That's right!"
"Yay!!"
"Thank you, Weston!!"
The two girls excitedly rushed over, giving Weston a full dose of affection from both the left and the right.
"Speaking of which, since Her Majesty established the position of 'Court Wizard'... could she be planning to recruit Wizards to serve in the Royal Palace?"
"That's very possible!"
Weston thought for a moment and felt the possibility was high, especially since in the original work, the Fiore Royal Family had a unit like the Garou Knights.
"This war allowed everyone to see the influence of magic and Wizards on the country. It's only natural for the Royal Family to want to absorb Wizards for their own use."
"Speaking of magic's impact on the war... what is the Council's attitude?"
"They haven't yet issued a regulation prohibiting Magic Guilds from participating in war. They will probably only make an official statement after the wars in other countries conclude."
"How long will that take?"
"I'm not too familiar with the situation in other countries, but... it shouldn't take more than half a year."
"Half a year... I hope the war ends soon. After all, it has already caused too much harm to ordinary people."
Learning that the foreign wars were still ongoing, the group couldn't help but feel compassion for the world.
"Other countries naturally have their own kings and ministers to worry about. We just need to manage the Fiore Kingdom... no, manage Magnolia... no, that's not right either. We just need to manage the territory under this Duke's command!"
Weston tapped the plate with the chicken bone he had finished gnawing, snapping everyone back to attention.
Mavis sighed: "The Fiore Kingdom suffered significantly everywhere during this Civil War. The situation is worse than Magnolia was when it was ruled by Blue Skull. Restoring the economy won't happen quickly."
"You don't need to worry about that."
"Before I left, I presented Her Majesty the Queen with a stack of highly useful 'Strategies for Governing the Nation.' I believe they will help. Moreover, she promised me she would reduce taxes and fully support the major local Guilds to heal the wounds caused by the war across the Kingdom."
"With the help of the major Guilds, I believe the Kingdom's economy will recover quickly."
Hearing Weston's words, everyone immediately felt reassured.
After all, everyone present had personally experienced Weston's ability to plan and develop villages and towns.
"You truly live up to your name, Weston! You even prepared for this!"
"Your talent can even assist with such major National Affairs? I must say, keeping you cooped up in Magnolia is a real waste of talent..."
Weston chuckled: "That's not true at all!"
"I'm not just eating, sleeping, and acting like an idler in Magnolia."
"I am the Guild Master of 'Fairy Tail,' and I bear a heavy responsibility!"
"As long as the Guild grows stronger, increases its influence in the Magic World, and even operates 'Fairy Tail' to become Ishgar's Number One Magic Guild, the Fiore Kingdom's status on the Continent will naturally rise."
"Secondly, the development of the Guild will inevitably drive the economic development of the city it resides in."
"If other cities see Magnolia flourishing with our help and rush to imitate it, then the economies throughout the Fiore Kingdom can also develop rapidly."
That... makes some sense!
Everyone asked: "So what are you going to do next?"
"Next?"
"First, I'll send an announcement to the surrounding cities stating that 'Fairy Tail' has resumed normal operations and is accepting commissions, so those who need help can come to us."
Hearing this, everyone exchanged knowing smiles.
"It looks like we're going to be busy again..."
"How exciting!"