On the battlefield, Weston stood tall and commanding, every gesture brimming with confidence.
"Pass the order: the left flank pulls back five kilometers, guard against an enemy counterattack!"
"The right wing will coordinate with the main force and strike from west, south, and north—surround on three sides, leave one open; lay an ambush on every side, and drive the enemy to the river!"
"Tell the earth and water-type Wizards in the army to have ready the water stored from last week's storm; when the enemy reaches the river, breach the dike and drown them!"
"One more thing: all other guild Wizards are to assist Fairy Tail in moving to the northeast mountains to cut off enemy reinforcements."
"Watch out, among their support are assassins who specialize in killing magic, so stay sharp!"
The messenger soldiers were dazzled by this display of strategy and confidence, their faces full of worship.
"What are you staring at? Move!"
"Ah, yes, sir!!!"
One order given, the entire army acted as one.
In the final great battle of Fiore Kingdom, both princes' factions were utterly destroyed, and every city under them surrendered at the first sign of attack.
As the war's most brilliant commander, Weston was hailed on the field as the Fairy Commander, his fame echoing across the whole Fiore Kingdom!
Fairy Tail's status soared with him, becoming the Magic Guild known to every citizen of the realm.
…X688, September: the civil war in Fiore Kingdom ended.
To the other nations of Ishgar the Second Trade War raged on, but inside Fiore the conflict no longer touched daily life.
Within the royal palace.
Upon the throne that symbolized supreme power sat a crowned woman of ravishing beauty and regal grace, appearing about thirty.
She was once the third princess of Fiore; now she was Queen Lily Fiore!
[Narrator: The 25th monarch of Fiore Kingdom, great-grandmother of the later Hisui E. Fiore.]
"Sir Weston, your talent is outstanding! Are you truly unwilling to remain in the capital?"
"I would name you Minister of State, to enjoy wealth and honor all your life!"
"If you worry for Fairy Tail, I can grant that guild and the town it calls home my full support."
Queen Lily summoned Weston alone, pitching him a direct boss-recruitment offer.
Though still under twenty, after more than a year of civil war all Fiore had seen what Weston could do.
The computing power of the Super Archive was not only a miracle on the battlefield but also a mighty asset for local and national governance, economics, and culture.
To say nothing of Weston's deed of dragon-slaying merit—he had been the single greatest contributor to Queen Lily's ascension.
Any ruler would clutch such talent tight.
Thus Queen Lily heaped rank and riches, begging him to stay.
Naturally, Weston had no intention of lingering in the palace as some minister.
Had this been a low-magic world he might have accepted; but before magic, power and gold were fleeting clouds.
"Your Majesty, forgive me, but I must decline. Yet I ask you keep the promise we once made and treat your people with kindness."
Seeing his resolve, Queen Lily pressed no further and let him go…
X688, October.
Magnolia, Fairy Tail guildhall.
Bang—!!
"We're back!!!"
"Home at last!!!"
I've missed this place so much!
As doors sealed for a whole year swung open, the rowdy Wizards surged into the familiar "home."
"Waaah… my favorite seat, I missed you!"
"Can't believe we were gone a whole year, I wonder how my place is doing?"
"The furniture's probably moldy by now."
"Ehh?! If that's true we'll have to buy everything again, what a huge expense!"
"Haha… then let's get right back to work!"
"Fairy Tail's name is echoing across the kingdom, so there's plenty of jobs waiting!"
Chatting away, the guild members breathed the air like wild boars rooting through cabbages.
Had Weston not sent cleaners while they were gone, they'd have been sneezing nonstop.
"Whew…"
"We were only gone a year? Feels like ages…"
Like a lion surveying his pride, Weston toured the premises.
He ran a finger across bar and tables; a faint layer of dust came off.
"Dust at this level… last cleaning within seven days."
Seems the hired help had done their job properly.
Though tidy, the tavern lacked its vital haze of liquor and laughter; now that they were back, life and color returned.
Clap clap—
"Right, don't dash home yet, everyone stay for a big clean-up!"
At Weston's booming order, a chorus of groans arose.
"Whaaat??!"
"No way!!"
"Boss, my cat's about to give birth, gotta run!"
"What's that got to do with you? Get back here!"
"President, looks like rain, I need to bring the laundry in."
"Liar! It's blazing sunshine out there!!"
"My wife's probably pregnant. I'll dash to market for a chicken to stew, cleaning's on you guys."
"The stalls closed hours ago, only scraps left… wait, you've been gone a year, how'd your wife get pregnant?!"
In moments the guild had emptied, leaving Weston fuming.
"Tch, these guys…"
"All thumbs at work, but endless excuses to slack off!"
"Haha…"
"Easy there, after so long away, everyone's dying to see their families. As guild master, cut them some slack!"
"We'll handle the cleaning together."
Warrod and Yuri strolled over chuckling. Precht had already grabbed a broom, while Mavis and Zera fetched basins and rags.
"Sniff…"
"I really do love you guys the most!!"
"Ugh, don't be so gross!"
"Relax, I won't mess things up with you and Rita."
"Hahaha…"