Harvest Festival

Magnolia has entered the harvest season. The trees lining the streets are tinged with gold and orange, and fallen leaves swirl down in the breeze, carpeting the ground in warm hues.

The air was filled with the sweet aroma of ripe fruit, and vendors at the market displayed this year's newly harvested apples, grapes, and Pumpkins. The whole city was immersed in the Joy of the harvest.

The Fairy Tail guild is planning an event before the Harvest Festival.

They set up a food stall in the guild courtyard and invited the residents of Magnolia to come and enjoy the food for free.

The courtyard outside the guild gate is spacious enough to accommodate dozens of stalls. With colorful lights and banners, it will be lively and festive, perfect for warming up the Harvest Festival.

At the same time, each resident has one vote, and can cast a vote for the stalls they think have good food.

The top three booths will be selected and will receive prizes!

The prize money was allocated by Makarov from the guild's funds. Although it wasn't much, it was enough to make these mages, who usually spent money lavishly, envious.

Riyao also increased its stake.

The first-place winner will receive a "Dark History Crystal Ball"—it can be theirs or someone else's.

Makarov stood on the bar, waving a flyer with event details in his hand. His short legs were on the barrel of liquor. He cleared his throat and announced in a loud voice.

That's about it! Form your own groups, choose your own food from the stalls, it starts tomorrow afternoon, good luck!

Lucy's eyes lit up as she sat in the audience, her hands clenched into fists, as if she had seen a lifeline.

"My rent is saved! If I don't pay this month, the landlord is going to kick me out!"

Riyao sat on the bench, legs crossed, peeling grapes and popping them into his mouth, muttering to himself in exasperation.

"Lucy, your rent is endless. Even if you get a bonus this time, next month it'll be the same, won't it?"

Lucy covered her face, slumped sadly onto the table, and murmured in a muffled voice.

"Every commission is a disaster: houses collapse, roads are blown up, bridges break, and then all the bounty goes to compensation. I work so hard on the missions, and the money I get isn't even enough to repair a single door."

Riyao grinned, popped a grape into his mouth, chewed it a couple of times, and offered advice with the air of someone who'd been there all along.

"Let me tell you a secret: just find jobs in the middle of nowhere. You can wreak havoc in the wilderness and no one will ask you for compensation. Mira used to cause destruction every day..."

As he was speaking, he suddenly shuddered, a chill running down his spine, as if he were being watched by some ferocious beast.

Mirajane appeared out from behind him at some point, leaning close to his ear, her voice as gentle as a spring breeze, but the content was anything but gentle.

"Honey, what are you saying?"

Riyao broke out in a cold sweat. He stiffly turned his head and saw Mirajane looking down at him with a smile that was so bright it sent chills down his spine.

Happy appeared out of nowhere, pointing his little paws at Riyao and stabbing him mercilessly.

"Riyao says you're violent! Aye!"

Riyao's forehead was covered in even more cold sweat. He shook his head frantically, waving his hands like a windmill, and spoke as fast as a machine gun.

"Happy's talking nonsense! You know me, how could I say something like that! Mira is the gentlest! The cutest! The least violent!"

Mirajane gently embraced Riyao, resting her chin on his shoulder, her voice soft, but every word was like a dagger stabbing.

"I heard it, they said I'm always causing trouble. But it's true, isn't it?"

She paused, turned to look at Happy, her smile still gentle, but a dangerous glint appeared in her eyes.

"Happy is being naughty."

Before Happy could react, Mirajane grabbed his tail, lifted him up, and swung him around twice in the air.

Then, with a "whoosh," it flew out, drawing a graceful arc before disappearing into the horizon.

"Aye! I will definitely come back!"

Happy's voice faded into the distance, eventually becoming a tiny black dot.

Riyao watched the direction Happy flew off in, swallowed hard, and thought to himself that he probably wouldn't escape this fate either.

Sure enough, Mirajane bent down, scooped up Riyao, and held it in her arms in a princess carry, her movements gentle but leaving no room for refusal.

Riyao's feet left the ground, and he nestled in Mirajane's arms like a captured little animal.

"Let's go home and discuss setting up a stall."

Mirajane said with a smile, then picked up Riyao and walked out.

Lisanna followed behind, covering her mouth and giggling, catching up with him in quick, hurried steps.

Elfman also walked over from the other end of the hall, striding behind him.

Riyao was carried by the princess through the guild hall, leaving all the members along the way stunned.

Natsu's mouth dropped open. "Riyao was taken away by Mira again?"

Gray shook his head. "You'll get used to it."

Lucy exclaimed, "What kind of relationship do these two have...?"

Cana raised her bottle in a toast. "To freedom."

On the other side, Natsu clapped his hands and came up with a brilliant idea, jumping up from his chair, his face flushed with excitement.

"Lucy! Summon Virgo, and you two dress up in maid outfits to attract customers, Happy and I grill meat and fish! It'll be a huge success!"

Lucy's face flushed instantly, and she slammed her hand on the table in embarrassment and anger.

"It's a maid outfit again! Can't you think of anything else besides maid outfits?! You were in a maid outfit when you went to the Duke's mansion to find a book last time! And..."

Natsu scratched his head, looking completely innocent.

"But maid outfits are very profitable, you know. Last time at that restaurant..."

"Don't mention that time!" Lucy covered her ears.

Happy flew back sometime ago, her little wings fluttering, her tail still slightly drowsy, but her mouth was never idle.

"Mermaid girls are fine too!"

Lucy rolled her eyes.

"I know about bunny girls, but what the heck is a fish girl?! What are you thinking?!"

"It's a woman dressed as a fish."

"That's called a mermaid! Not a fish lady!"

"Aye! Mermaid Girl!"

Lucy sighed, no longer wanting to communicate with the cat.

Guild members started looking for people to team up and set up stalls together; the lobby was buzzing with chatter and discussions.

Levy pulled Jet and Troy aside to discuss what to do, and Jet and Troy eagerly offered to take responsibility for anything Levy thought of.

Erza sat alone in the corner, studying a recipe with a serious expression, several cookbooks already overturned on the table next to her.

Gajeel chewed on the iron block, looking disdainful, but his ears were perked up, clearly listening.

Back at the manor, Riyao slumped onto the sofa in the living room like a dried-out salted fish, thinking about what to do but not wanting to go through too much trouble.

He rolled over, buried his face in the cushion, and spoke in a muffled voice.

"What should I do... I don't want to do anything too complicated, and anything too simple won't win me the prize money..."

Mirajane sat beside him, gently running her fingers through Riyao's hair. She was quick-witted and spoke in a light tone.

"Let's make cupcakes tomorrow. I'm good at desserts, I can make them quickly, and I can make all sorts of flavors."

Lisanna sat on the other side, her hands supporting her chin, her wing-like hair swaying back and forth.

"Then I'll make the drinks! Freshly squeezed juice and milk tea go perfectly with the mini cakes!"

Elfman stood in the center of the living room, striking a bodybuilding pose, his arms bent to show off his muscles, looking very serious.

"A real man makes cakes and drinks! He makes the best desserts with the spirit of a true man!"

Riyao lifted his head from the cushion, looked at the three of them, and offered a small suggestion for their convenience.

"How about we make some steamed buns? It's simple, easy, we can just steam a whole batch and that's it, and we can make all sorts of fillings."

The three of them turned to look at Riyao, their eyes filled with speechlessness.

Mirajane reached out and pinched Riyao's cheeks, pulling them apart until his face was flat and round. Her tone was gentle but brooked no argument.

"Steamed buns? Are you serious? You're selling steamed buns at the Harvest Festival?"

Riyao's face was distorted by the longing, and he spoke incoherently.

"What's wrong with steamed buns... they're easy to make and filling..."

Mirajane released her grip, and Riyao's face bounced back, turning bright red. She patted Riyao's head, stood up, and looked down at him.

"Then we won't play with you anymore."

Lisanna followed up with a finishing blow, hands on her hips, mimicking her sister's tone.

"Exactly! Brother-in-law, you make steamed buns, and we'll make small cakes. Don't cry if no one comes to your stall later."

Elfman nodded in agreement, his face serious.

"A real man shouldn't be so lazy!"

Riyao gave a soft hum.

"I'll arrange it myself, I'm going to secretly amaze you all!"