A gentle sea breeze blew as boats of various sizes slowly sailed into Hargeon Port.
Lahar stood on the deck, beginning the arrangements for these people who had just escaped from their misery.
There were still some black magic cult ships left at the Tower of Heaven; otherwise, relying on their own vessels alone, it would have been truly impossible to transport all hundred or so people back in such a short time.
Adults were easy enough to handle; finding them temporary jobs wasn't difficult for the Council.
But the majority were children. Some weren't even natives of the Kingdom of Fiore, and their hometowns were long gone.
On the way back, Lahar had ordered his subordinates to test these children for magical aptitude, inviting those with certain potential to study at the Council.
This was a direct order from the Council's higher-ups. The original instruction was to take away all children possessing magical aptitude, but Lahar insisted on giving these children the right to choose.
He didn't want to see them forced again; instead, he wanted to give them the respect and freedom they deserved.
The vast majority of children chose to join the Council, which was an almost expected outcome.
Even if they didn't know the Council's reputation, they urgently needed a stable place to stay right now.
As for the children whose magical aptitude didn't meet the requirements, Lahar prepared to contact several orphanages and churches within the Kingdom of Fiore. Once the subsequent ships arrived, he would send these children there together for proper placement.
While Lahar was busy dealing with various affairs, Rob stood hesitantly in front of a closed cabin door, looking troubled.
"Grandpa Rob, aren't you going in?" asked the blond little boy standing beside him.
When imprisoned in the Tower of Heaven, Rob had close relationships with several children, including Simon.
Simon had been taken by Erza to the hotel to find his sister Kagura.
Another child named Wally chose to join the Council, proclaiming loudly that he would make a name for himself in the future to find his long-lost brother.
The blond little boy standing beside Rob, named Sho, said he wanted to follow him all the time.
There was also a girl who had gotten off the ship with Tike, so Rob wasn't worried about her safety.
What troubled him now was how to strike up a conversation with Porlyusica.
On the boat ride back, Rob had been trying to communicate with Porlyusica, but every attempt ended with her kicking him out of the cabin.
(She's definitely angry.)
Rob thought.
Because he hadn't taken her medical advice seriously, hadn't listened to her instructions to rest properly, and insisted on investigating the black magic cult, he ended up in this wretched state.
Clang—
The cabin door opened suddenly, interrupting Rob's thoughts.
Porlyusica walked out expressionlessly, holding a bottle of potion in her hand, which she handed to Rob.
"Just mixed it. Drink it; it should relieve your symptoms."
Rob was slightly stunned, somewhat surprised, but immediately relieved.
This was the Porlyusica he knew well. Although her words were unforgiving, her heart always cared for him.
"Were you busy mixing this potion inside?"
"Nonsense. When mixing potions, I don't want to be disturbed by anyone." Porlyusica glared at him grumpily. "Drink it quickly; let me see the effect."
Rob didn't dare to delay and hurriedly took the potion, drinking it in one gulp. As the liquid went down his throat, a warm current instantly spread throughout his body. His magic power flow, which had been stagnant, became smooth, and his whole body felt much more comfortable.
"Porlyusica, your medicine is indeed as amazing as ever! I feel my illness is completely cured!"
Porlyusica kept a cold face and said indifferently, "Illusion. It's not some miracle drug; how could one dose cure the disease?"
"But I really feel much better. If you don't believe me, look!"
To prove his words weren't false, Rob extended his right hand, fingers slightly spread. Five wisps of flame ignited on his fingertips with a whoosh, dancing and flickering, ingeniously forming the words "fairy tail."
Porlyusica was stunned for a moment, then walked quickly into the cabin, took out a simple set of equipment, and began examining Rob. She discovered his illness was truly cured just as he claimed!
"This... how is this possible?"
Porlyusica muttered to herself, somewhat incredulous.
She had mixed the potion herself, so she knew its efficacy better than anyone.
Even if it could cure Magic Deficiency Syndrome, it couldn't possibly work this fast.
Porlyusica stared tightly at Rob and questioned seriously, "Did anyone treat you before?"
Rob recalled and said, "That child named Tike used Healing Magic on me, but he only healed my external injuries. At that time, I still couldn't use my magic, completely different from the current situation."
"He knows Healing Magic too?"
This was the first time Porlyusica learned that Tike could use Healing Magic, which gave her a sense of indescribably wondrous destiny.
She temporarily suppressed the emotions in her heart and turned her attention back to Rob's physical condition.
"Come back with me. I need to give you another comprehensive and thorough examination."
"Roger!"
Just then, Sho gently tugged at Rob's trouser leg, calling out in a childish voice, "Grandpa Rob..."
Looking at Sho's clear eyes, Rob patted his head lovingly.
"Sho, come with Grandpa Rob."
---
After getting off the ship, Tike didn't return immediately. Instead, Ur took him and Alice to look for various delicacies near the port while waiting for people from other guilds to return.
Swallowing a mouthful of grilled fish, Tike turned around and looked at the girl hiding not far away.
It was the little girl who had been gathered around Rob back then; her name seemed to be Millianna.
"You've been following us for a long time, right? Just say what you want; don't hide. I'm in a good mood right now; maybe I'll help you fulfill a small wish or two."
"Really?!"
Before he finished speaking, Millianna rushed out from her hiding place excitedly, her big eyes sparkling.
"Then can you let me touch your cat? Just once is fine!"
"I thought you followed us all the way to beg for some food, but it was just to touch Alice? What a strange person."
Tike looked with interest at the girl whose cheeks were flushed with excitement, then threw the question to Alice.
"You have to ask Alice herself if she agrees. I can't make the decision for her. After all, she is the person involved—oh no, the cat involved."
"I don't mind." Alice wiped the grease from the corner of her mouth with her paw. "As a cat-type childcare robot, 'being petted by humans' has long been written into my core programming."
After speaking, Alice leaped lightly into Millianna's embrace.
Millianna nuzzled Alice gently, revealing an incredibly satisfied expression.
"Kitty! It's a kitty! Although it feels a bit hard to the touch, not quite like I imagined, this... this is a real kitty!"