Fairy Tail: Collapsing Stars

Chapter 384: August: I Accidentally Became the Boss of Both Sides

”Super Ancient Magic·Ars Magia!”

August declared the end of the game and directly used the super single-target magic he learned from the library of the Alvarez Empire on the western continent against the fusion of Animus and Sonya.

”You…”

Animusʼs pupils trembled slightly as he sensed the endless magic power released from Augustʼs body. Before he could finish speaking, he was swallowed by Augustʼs magic power.

”Boom!!”

Accompanied by endless radiance shining throughout Fairy Tail Guild…

The entire Magnolia Town trembled slightly along with it!

”Hoo~”

At the same time, an old man in Magnolia Town sat beside the river channel, one hand holding an umbrella, the other calmly smoking a cigarette. Looking at the automatic fishing rod before him with helpless eyes, then at the ripples in the river water and the fish schools trembling in fear and not daring to move, he instantly understood what had happened in town again.

Thus, he turned his head and helplessly shook it while looking toward Fairy Tail Guild.

”Fairy Tail disappeared again~”

The old man himself did not know why he used the word again, as though this was not the first time he had witnessed Fairy Tail Guild disappear. In truth, the old man still remembered that the last time Fairy Tail Guild disappeared seemed to have been when Guild Master Makarov held some kind of arm-wrestling competition…

”Hoo~”

The old man calmly smoked as clouds of smoke escaped from his mouth, floating into the sky together with Fairy Tail Guild, which had turned into dust and smoke.

Upon the ruins…

Sonya and Animusʼs figures completely separated…

The two lay upon a flat table with eyes rolled white. Facing the fully serious August, Sonya and Animus had no power to resist. Even if Animus recovered to his peak state and fought August in dragon form, it would not be much stronger than now.

”It seems the victor of this yearʼs Fairy Tail S-Class Mage Trial can only be me…”

”Mother, August did not embarrass you…”

August slightly raised the corners of his mouth as he looked at the unconscious Sonya and Animus. At this moment, he somewhat resembled Natsu. Perhaps the bloodline of the Dragneel family simply had nothing to do with calmness…

And it was precisely when August felt satisfied, believing he had not embarrassed Mavis and had lived up to her encouragement, that he turned around and finally discovered that everything around him had somehow already become ruins.

”Ara, it seems I used slightly too much force. Truly troublesome~”

August scratched his cheek as he looked at Fairy Tail Guild, which had completely vanished, his expression somewhat awkward. He admitted that after receiving Mavisʼs encouragement, he became a little too excited.

”Buzz~”

At the exact moment August defeated Animus and Sonya, the magic barrier radiating powerful magic power suddenly disappeared, revealing the figures of the S-Class Mages on Fairy Tail Guildʼs second floor.

The instant August got carried away, Evan had directly erected a magic barrier, blocking Augustʼs powerful magic power outside and ensuring that none of the Mages inside the guild were injured by the aftermath of the Magic Kingʼs magic power.

”My guild!”

”Wuwuwu, my guild!”

Makarov sat beneath the bar counter, looking at Fairy Tail Guild now completely reduced to ruins. His old eyes began to moisten unconvincingly, tears continuously flowing from his eye sockets.

”Sorry, Guild Master Makarov! I got a little too emotional…”

August frowned as he looked at Makarov, who was crying unconvincingly. He walked before Makarov and proactively admitted his mistake.

”No, this is not your fault. It is this old man who incorrectly estimated your strength…”

Makarov lightly shook his head as he looked at August.

Even in his dreams, Makarov had never expected that some random passerby Evan casually pulled into Fairy Tail Guild would actually be a Great Master of Magic Power possessing such terrifying magic power!

Although Makarov could sense Augustʼs unfathomable strength and knew in his heart that Augustʼs power absolutely surpassed his own, Makarov had never imagined August could be this strong…

Sometimes Makarov even wondered whether the Fairy Tail Guild he personally developed hid some secret even he himself did not know. Otherwise, why would his ordinary guild attract so many legendary existences?!

”Sigh…”

Thinking this, Makarov looked toward the dragons inside the guild and ultimately helplessly sighed.

One had to know that on the continent of Ishgar, even over several hundred years, people might not see even a single dragon. Yet despite that, this nearly extinct species on Ishgar continuously appeared inside his guild.

According to what Makarov himself understood, counting Evan, Irene, Selene, Kurnugi, and Animus, there were already five dragons. Besides that, the guild also possessed a group of Dragon Slayer Mages mastering the Lost Magic Dragon Slayer Magic, to the point where Makarov had begun doubting whether Dragon Slayer Magic was truly lost. Wasnʼt it just some common street magic?

Besides dragons, Fairy Tail Guild also hid terrifying Great Masters of Magic Power even more horrifying than dragons like August. Honestly speaking, Makarov always felt Prechtʼs magic power was already terrifying enough. Especially after activating the Demon Eye and infinitely approaching the abyss of magic, Precht was practically the incarnation of despair!

Yet even the magic power of Precht, who openly cheated using Grimoire Heart as a hidden energy source, still was not as terrifying as Augustʼs before him. If Precht was the person closest to the abyss of magic, then August was someone who had already reached the abyss of magic and stood shoulder to shoulder with it…

”Guild Master Makarov, do not feel sad because the guild disappeared. If the guild disappears, then simply rebuild it~”

At this moment, the Magic King August wore an incomparably calm expression as he softly comforted Makarov.

”You think this old man doesnʼt know that?!”

”Even idiots know that if the guild is destroyed, it can simply be rebuilt. But the issue is money! Money!”

”Youʼre paying for the reconstruction of Fairy Tail Guild? Do you know how many years of savings it took for us to build a six-story guild?”

Makarovʼs mentality was already on the verge of collapse. If not for Evanʼs investment back then, he would never have gathered enough money in his entire life to build a six-story guild!

Thus, Makarov looked at the Magic King August with eyes filled entirely with helplessness. Of course, Makarov only thought these words inwardly. As Fairy Tail Guildʼs Guild Master, even though he urgently needed money and had none on hand, he would never complain about it to the guild members. Doing everything possible to obtain money for the guild was itself the responsibility of a Guild Master, and Makarov had no intention of shirking responsibility…

”In short, if we sell the battleship Guild Master Precht donated to the guild, we should be able to rebuild a guild.”

At this moment, Makarov had already made his decision. He decided to painfully sell the magic battleship Precht had gifted to the guild.

”So Fairy Tail Guild is actually this lacking in money? I never expected Motherʼs guild to actually lack money. This absolutely wonʼt do…”

After hearing Makarovʼs words, August tightly frowned. Although Makarov said nothing, August, possessing Mind Reading Magic, still easily read Makarovʼs thoughts.

”I need to think of a way to donate some money to the guild…”

August tightly frowned. He needed to find some way to donate a sum of money to Mavisʼs guild.

”Guild Master Makarov, in the end, the reason the guild was destroyed was still because of me! Therefore, all the damage caused within Fairy Tail Guild because of the S-Class Mage Trial involving Animus and myself should naturally be compensated by me. After all, I am the victor of this yearʼs S-Class Trial…”

After thinking for a moment, August decided to donate money to Makarov in the form of compensating the guild.

”Really?!”

After hearing Augustʼs words, Makarovʼs eyes instantly lit up. His eyes shone with dazzling brilliance.

”Hehe, of course itʼs true…”

August smiled slightly. Looking at Makarovʼs appearance coveting little money, he found it amusing.

”No, forget it. After all, rebuilding the guild requires a huge amount of funds!”

”This amount of funds is an astronomical figure for anyone. I cannot let you shoulder it alone.”

Makarov lightly shook his head as he looked at August.

He admitted that he was indeed tempted because of Augustʼs words.

However, it was only slight temptation, and this temptation was quickly extinguished by Makarov. He did not want to create psychological pressure for guild members.

”Hehe, Guild Master Makarov, are you perhaps worried about my financial capability?”

”Regarding this point, I think you absolutely need not worry…”

August lightly smiled as he looked at the panicked Makarov.

”Buzz~”

August raised his staff and lightly waved it toward the empty ground inside the guild.

Instantly, the ruins suddenly filled with gold coins sparkling beneath sunlight, incomparably dazzling!

”These are…”

Makarov widened his eyes as he looked at the gold coins before him. He truly had not expected the seemingly plain and simple August before him to actually be this wealthy.

”Is this amount enough?”

August looked at the gold coins piled throughout the ruins, sparkling beneath the sunlight and incomparably dazzling, then asked Makarov beside him.

”Enough, absolutely enough…”

Makarov swallowed a mouthful of saliva as he looked at the gold spread across the ground. He had to admit that in his entire life, he had never seen so many gold coins.

”August, where did this money come from?”

However, although it was enough, Makarov still had to ask about the origin of these gold coins. If the origins of these gold coins were improper, Makarov would not accept them.

”Rest assured, Guild Master Makarov. These gold coins were all left to me by my father…”

August saw through Makarovʼs concern and cheerfully explained.

”What? Youʼre saying this money was left to you by your father?”

”In that case, August, your father should be very famous, right? He should be a wealthy tycoon renowned across the continent!”

Makarov froze for a moment. He had not expected this money to actually have been left behind by Augustʼs father. However, since it was money left to August by his father and August himself consented, Makarov no longer felt any burden using it.

”As for whether he counts as a tycoon, Iʼm not certain…”

”But my father is indeed renowned across the continent…”

”More accurately speaking, my fatherʼs name is rather famous throughout the entire world of Earth-land.”

August thought for a moment before explaining to Makarov.

”Oh! So Augustʼs father is a merchant whose business spans continents and covers the entire world!”

After hearing Augustʼs proud words, Makarov lightly nodded, indicating he understood.

”Hehe…”

In response, August merely lightly smiled. He knew Makarov had probably misunderstood his meaning, but he did not explain anything. After all, it was not something worth explaining.

In truth, the money August gave Makarov was indeed, just as August said, left to him by his father…

These gold coins were precisely the military payroll left in the Alvarez Empire by the Black Mage Zeref for August to expand the military! It was simply that, in Augustʼs eyes, this military payroll currently had an even more important purpose, so he directly moved it away…

In Augustʼs eyes, even if Zeref learned he had secretly diverted the military payroll, he would not say anything. After all, he diverted the military payroll to protect his mother, namely Zerefʼs wife! Wasnʼt the wealth his father spent so much time accumulating meant to be spent for Mother? August diverting military payroll was for justice, for the safety between his father and mother!

In Augustʼs view, if this money remained in the national treasury of the Alvarez Empire, it would only become military funds for his father Zeref to recruit troops against his mother Mavis. However, if the money remained in Fairy Tail, then it would become funds to protect his mother Mavis! Therefore, August was incomparably clear on how this money should be used…

”In short, Guild Master Makarov, just accept it with peace of mind!”

August looked at Makarov and cheerfully spoke.

”Then this old man shall respectfully comply…”

Makarovʼs expression became serious. Wealth was merely an external object. Having too much wealth was a form of suffering, and this suffering should naturally be borne by him, Makarov, on behalf of the guild members! This was precisely the excellent virtue a Guild Master should possess…

”Mm…”

”If it isnʼt enough, tell me…”

August looked at Makarovʼs appearance and nodded in satisfaction.

At the same time, August did not forget to remind Makarov that if money ever became insufficient, he should immediately tell him so August could quickly transfer more from the Alvarez Empire treasury for Makarov…

”Rest assured.”

Makarov suddenly felt his eyes becoming somewhat moist. This was the first time he had encountered someone who understood him so well.

Perhaps Fairy Tail Guildʼs next Guild Master candidate had already been found…

”August, I have something I wish to discuss with you…”

Thinking this, Makarov suddenly looked at August with serious eyes.

”Please speak, Guild Master Makarov…”

August lightly smiled as he looked at the serious Makarov.

”Inhale, exhale~”

”In truth, I still have an unreasonable request. I hope you can agree to it…”

Makarov tightly frowned, looking as though he had already prepared himself to be rejected by August.

”Oh?”

August first froze as he looked at Makarovʼs appearance, then slightly narrowed his eyes. An ominous premonition suddenly rose within his heart.

”Please speak…”

”If itʼs about money, then please feel free to say it. No matter how much money you need, just ask. I will do my utmost to satisfy you…”

Even so, August still spoke to Makarov.

At this moment, August still believed Makarov wanted to discuss money…

Regarding money, honestly speaking, August never cared. Because no matter how much money Makarov wanted, he could afford it! August never cared how much money others possessed when making friends, because no matter how wealthy they were, they could never be wealthier than August…

One had to know that the financial strength of the Alvarez Empire was on a completely different level from any kingdom on Ishgar! After all, the Alvarez Empire had unified the entire western continent! Without exaggeration, August, who governed the western continent on behalf of Zeref, was the richest man in the world of Earth-land…

”No, this matter has nothing to do with money, but with something else…”

After hearing Augustʼs words, Makarov lightly shook his head. What he was about to say had nothing to do with money.

”Oh?”

August looked at the serious Makarov and froze slightly. An ominous premonition suddenly rose within his heart.

”August, my request is indeed somewhat excessive! However, I still hope you can consider it. I hope you can replace me as Fairy Tail Guildʼs Guild Master!”

Makarov had long since begun feeling strained by the position of Fairy Tail Guild Master. Looking at the youths within the guild whose strength had already surpassed him.

While feeling emotional, Makarov also understood that he could no longer control those brat whose strength surpassed his own. He needed someone capable of controlling those troublesome brats within the guild to succeed him as Fairy Tail Guildʼs Guild Master…

And in Makarovʼs eyes, no one was more suitable for the Guild Master position than August before him!

After all, August was not only steady and powerful, but most importantly, he had money, had money, had money! Important things must be said three times!

With Augustʼs financial power, when those troublesome brats within the guild accidentally caused damage to the beautiful continent of Ishgar because of some irresistible force, August would definitely be able to repay it. This was an extremely important matter…

”Hah? Guild Master? Guild Master Makarov, youʼre saying you want me to replace you as Fairy Tail Guildʼs Guild Master?”

At this moment, August was completely stunned.

Honestly speaking, August had never intended to become Fairy Tail Guildʼs Guild Master. After all, within the Alvarez Empire, he still held the position of acting ruler. Originally, in Augustʼs plans, he merely intended to occasionally show his face within the guild and slightly help Fairy Tail Guild when problems arose. His main career focus still lay upon the western continent!

However, once he became Fairy Tail Guildʼs Guild Master, he would have to appear inside Fairy Tail Guild every day. If he constantly stayed away from the western continent, problems would arise sooner or later over there. Although he could make use of the time difference between the western continent and Ishgar to constantly run between both sides, this would still be a huge burden for him. After all, he was already advanced in age, wasnʼt he…

”Is it very troublesome?”

Makarov looked at August with a helpless expression.

”Itʼs not exactly troublesome, but rather something difficult to describe with words…”

August tightly frowned. He couldnʼt very well tell Makarov that if he also became Fairy Tail Guildʼs Guild Master, then he would become the person in charge of both Ishgar and the western continent. The pressure on him would be enormous, alright?!

August himself had never imagined that by accident he would become the boss of both Ishgar and the western continent…

Although whether it was the Alvarez Empire of the western continent or Fairy Tail Guild, which outwardly appeared to be a Mage Guild but secretly handled work on the scale of an entire world and could be considered Ishgarʼs number one organization, both were enterprises belonging to his father and mother. In other words, August was merely inheriting his father and motherʼs enterprises…

August had decided to admit it. He was indeed the number one second-generation rich kid in the world of Earth-land.

”Now then, the pressure has arrived on Augustʼs side…”

At the same time, Evan stood upon the only remaining second floor preserved by his magic power and smiled slightly. He had been observing both August and Makarov all along! Everything before him was proceeding according to Evanʼs plan. It was time to reveal the truth to August. Next depended on how August would choose~

Then next came a very classic question: ”Dear August~ If your mother and father started fighting, who exactly would you help?!”

In truth, Evan had not left August any retreat whatsoever, and August only had one road remaining to walk. After all: ”Hehehe, Magic King August, you wouldnʼt want your mother Mavis to become sad, would you?!”