Just as Hop was wondering how to brush it off...
Two magi in the Council's official robes walked in from outside the restaurant.
Leading them was a solemn man wearing glasses, and the other was a buzz‑cut guy with a scar on his face.
"President Makarov, President Bob, President Gordeman, and everyone else, apologies for the intrusion."
The bespectacled man bowed slightly. "I am Lahar, captain of the Fourth Enforcement Unit of the Magical Council, and this is my deputy, Dolanbalt."
Makarov nodded; he had heard from an old friend who serves as a councilor that Lahar is one of the few members of the Council who keep themselves respectable.
"Lahar, are you here for Lalabayi?"
"Indeed. By order of Speaker Crawford, I have led the Sealing Squad to retrieve Lalalbayi."
Lahar adjusted his glasses, his gaze sweeping over the young magi present. "The Council has preliminarily assessed the situation. We thank the members of the Fairy Tail Guild for successfully thwarting the demon Lalabayi's plans and averting a greater catastrophe."
His tone was formal yet courteous. "According to protocol, we will formally seal Lalabayi and record each of your contributions to this incident."
Hop asked curiously, "May I observe the sealing of Lalabayi?"
"Of course, Mr. Hop."
Although the talent had just arrived, Lahar already knew Hop's name, and the wooden‑joint cage that imprisoned Lalabayi—entirely constructed from interlocking wooden slats—had impressed him immensely.
Having finished their meal, everyone followed Lahar to an open area outside the hall, eager to see how the Council would seal Lalabayi.
Four sealing magi formed a sealing squad, each standing at one of the four cardinal points of a massive Lu Ban lock, each holding a magical implement engraved with intricate patterns.
The four magical circles ignited simultaneously, turning into pure white light that effortlessly melted Hop's gigantic Lu Ban lock. Stripped of its shackles, Lalabayi was bathed in the white glow and let out a painful, wailing scream.
President Bob thought of something and asked, "Is that light the long‑lost Demon‑Eradication spell?"
"More precisely, it's the 'Light of Eradication' magic sealed within the magical implements."
Lahar didn't hide anything and explained to the assembled crowd, "These implements were handed over to the Council by the Light‑of‑Eradication magi who originally sealed Lalabayi, specifically for resealing any escaped demons."
He then lowered his gaze. "Unfortunately, the senior magi who created the force of Eradication magi—known as the 'Hunters'—was destroyed by an unknown entity some 87 years ago, causing the lineage of the Light‑of‑Eradication spell to be cut off..."
The loss of the Eradication spell concealed even deeper secrets.
Hop couldn't help but interject, "Did the Council ever discover who destroyed the Hunters?"
Lahar hadn't intended to answer, but feeling the curious eyes of everyone—including his most trusted aide, Dolanbalt—pressing for a reply,
he sighed inwardly and, pushing his glasses again, said, "The Council did uncover something back then. I can tell you, but please promise not to spread it."
Hearing there was a juicy secret, everyone present nodded in agreement.
Without further delay, Lahar got straight to the point: "Our investigation found that within the Hunters' base, there was absolutely no sign of life—no plants, no soil, no air—nothing that held life energy. It was as if something had annihilated every living thing in that area..."
"And in the records of past Councils, there is precisely one individual whose power matches that description."
"He is the embodiment of death. Whenever he appears, countless deaths follow. You must have heard of him—the Black Mage Jelf."
Upon hearing this, Makarov's brows furrowed. "You're saying that over eighty years ago, the Black Mage himself personally destroyed the 'Hunters', an organization founded to combat demons?!"
Lahar solemnly nodded. "We have no direct evidence, but the lifeless dead zone described matches only the Black Mage's known capabilities in recorded history."
It's no wonder Makarov was shocked; the Black Mage Jelf lived more than four centuries ago.
Yet there's a certain plausibility to this theory.
It's well known that the demons people now refer to as 'Jelf's Book Demons' were once linked to him; it isn't impossible that Jelf eliminated the Hunters for his own followers.
But could the Black Mage truly be a man of loyalty?
Makarov shook his head, refusing to dwell on it—after all, 87 years ago he was barely a one‑year‑old child.
Lahar concluded the tale of the lost Eradication magic, and with the sealing of Lalabayi completed, the massive withered‑tree demon reverted once more to its wooden flute form.
Watching the sealing squad pack away the Eradication implements, Hop couldn't help but marvel at the Council's vast resources, truly the arbiters and judges of the magical world.
"By the way, Mr. Hop, as a full participant in this incident, please accompany Dolanbalt to compile a report so we can fully understand the whole affair."
Seeing Lahar's courteous request, Hop found it hard to refuse.
He followed the buzz‑cut Dolanbalt into a lounge attached to the hall.
Just as Hop was about to finish recounting the events, he saw Dolanbalt striking a classic pose from the neighboring 'EVA'—supporting his head on the table with a grim expression, staring at him.
"Um… officer, why are you looking at me like that?"
"I have no interest in men."
Hop's words nearly knocked the wind out of Dolanbalt and shattered the oppressive atmosphere he had painstakingly built.
Dolanbalt snorted, "Hop, I sent you to infiltrate the 'Ghost Dominator' as a mole, so explain why you're now a member of Fairy Tail."
Dolanbalt's remark caused Hop's mind to short‑circuit on the spot.
He had always been nervous about his covert identity, fearing the original host's hidden faction would come after him—and indeed they had.
Now Hop finally understood: the original host was a Council operative placed as a mole inside another magical guild, the 'Ghost Dominator.'
But why join Fairy Tail now?
He couldn't keep using the 'amnesia' excuse; Council members wouldn't trust him like Makarov did, and if Dolanbalt possessed any memory‑reading magic or device, Hop would be finished.
Sweat beading on his forehead, Hop forced himself to speak:
"Um, officer… actually I…"
"…have been sent by the Ghost Dominator to infiltrate Fairy Tail again."