### Chapter 74: It All Depends on You
Clang clang clang!!
"Silence!!"
"Makarov, since you have confessed to this matter, we make the following judgment!"
"Makarov has violated Article 4 of the treaty prohibiting conflicts between guilds. He will be temporarily detained! The specific sentence will be announced after further investigation and evidence collection!"
The Magic Council members weren't fools. They had long known about the bad blood between Fairy Tail and Phantom Lord.
The attack on Fairy Tail was probably inseparable from Phantom Lord.
This incident wasn't major, but it wasn't minor either. Riku's solo retaliation against Phantom Lord did indeed violate regulations.
However, since it was only one person and no deaths occurred, the action couldn't constitute a conflict between guilds.
Makarov was led away.
Soon, in the corridor, Makarov saw Jose standing by a pillar, waiting.
"Jose..."
"Oh my! Big Brother Makarov, it's been so long! The last time we met was at the council meeting six years ago. Ah, I drank a bit too much back then..."
"Jose, are you satisfied now?"
"Satisfied? I don't know what you're talking about, Big Brother Makarov."
"Cut the crap! Jose! What is your real purpose?!"
Makarov knew Jose wouldn't do all this just to get him locked up—there must be a more sinister purpose.
"As expected of Big Brother Makarov. To tell the truth, originally I had no feelings about Fairy Tail, but recently Fairy Tail has been too much of an eyesore."
"Erza, Laxus, Mystogan, Gildarts—their fame has even spread to my town. The Fire Dragon's rumors are spreading throughout the country, and Thunder God's reputation has spread across the entire Ishgar continent..."
"I don't know when it started, but Fairy Tail and Phantom Lord became known as the two great guilds representing this country. I can't accept it!!"
"It's clearly a garbage guild! Clearly such a weak guild!!"
"Now some people even say Fairy Tail is Fiore's strongest mage guild. How can I tolerate that?!"
Hearing Jose's words, Makarov said calmly: "So you attacked Fairy Tail out of jealousy?"
"Jealousy? Don't get it wrong. I'm just drawing a clear line between superior and inferior. But you're right about one thing—I did have a purpose in sending people to attack Fairy Tail."
"I received a commission to bring back the young lady of the Heartfilia financial conglomerate."
"Heartfilia?"
Makarov was confused, not understanding what Jose was talking about.
"You don't know? It's your guild's newcomer, Lucy! Lucy Heartfilia—the daughter of one of this country's wealthiest families is actually in Fairy Tail. Just how far are you trying to expand before you're satisfied?!"
"If I could freely use the Heartfilia family's wealth, without a doubt, I would possess power far surpassing yours!"
"I will never allow such a thing to happen!!"
Makarov didn't expect Lucy to be the Heartfilia family's daughter, but wealthy or not, it didn't matter. He knew Lucy was a very good child who didn't spend her family's money and worked hard on missions, living like a proper mage. That was enough.
"I have no intention of borrowing any of the Heartfilia family's wealth."
Jose sneered disdainfully: "You think I'd believe what you say? But whether you do or don't doesn't matter. Now that you know Lucy's identity, from now on I'm going to imprison her and squeeze out all her family's money. I'll make the Heartfilia fortune my own!"
"Bastard—!! So that's your purpose?! Try touching Lucy and see what happens!"
Makarov was furious hearing this. Lucy was also his child—he couldn't allow Jose to do such a thing.
"Purpose? That's just one of my purposes. My true purpose is only one—to make you despair!"
Jose leaned close to Makarov's ear: "Fairy Tail is too much of an eyesore. Whether it's the guild or those members, they're all too irritating. So I'm going to make Fairy Tail disappear. When you get out of the Council, imagine finding that your beloved guild and all your companions are dead—what will that be like? Hehe, I can't help but look forward to seeing your grief-stricken expression after learning Fairy Tail was annihilated. Hahahaha!"
Makarov's eyes widened in disbelief as he looked at Jose. He didn't expect Jose to have such a purpose. This wasn't something a legitimate guild would do—only evil dark mages could do something so extreme.
"Jose!!"
Makarov clenched his fists, looking at Jose with cold eyes: "Jose, you're impressive. So young yet possessing such powerful magic, even ranking among the Ten Wizard Saints. If you could use your power correctly and set a good example for the younger generation, you would surely promote the development of the magic world."
The corner of Jose's mouth curved in disdain: "Are you lecturing me? Or are you begging me to spare Fairy Tail?"
Makarov shook his head: "Lecture? Perhaps. But beg? Never. What I want to say is—don't underestimate the children of my guild."
"Hmph! They're just a bunch of brats. How much trouble can they cause? Now that you're locked up in the Magic Council, those brats in your guild are just lambs waiting to be slaughtered. Suffer in your powerlessness here!"
Jose didn't believe those young people in Fairy Tail could turn things around. He was a Ten Wizard Saint personally taking action against a bunch of kids—how could he fail? Fairy Tail would definitely disappear.
Makarov glanced at Jose calmly, then without another word, walked toward the prison.
Six years ago at the council meeting, he had fought with Jose and knew Jose's strength. Although Jose was strong, he was only mid-tier among the Ten Wizard Saints.
Three years ago, Riku's strength was already comparable to the Ten Wizard Saints. How strong Riku was now after three more years, even he wasn't clear.
Jose's plan was indeed clever, but he had overlooked Riku. As long as Riku was there, Fairy Tail would be fine.
"Kid, it all depends on you."
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