The Current State of the Alvarez Empire
Almost two weeks have passed since the birth of August, Larcade, and Irene, the three Spriggan 12 of National Protection, and the Empire has never been mentioned.
Ever since being thrown into Fairy Tail's main hall by the Parasol Tree, these three, once the most powerful warriors of the empire who struck fear into the hearts of the entire Continent of Ishgar, have completely become full-time street urchins in Magnolia.
He spends his days either eating and drinking at the guild bar or wandering around the town streets, adapting to his new body at an astonishing speed, showing absolutely no sense of being a former official.
"By the way, aren't you planning to go take a look at the Alvarez Empire?"
Riyao watched the three little ones drinking tea and eating cake, looking like he was a useless little good-for-nothing.
On the long table by the bar, Irene was crossing her short legs, slowly and methodically scooping cream from a strawberry cake with a small silver fork.
August held a cup of hot black tea, blowing on it gently to cool it down.
Larcade, completely disregarding his image, grabbed a plate of freshly baked cookies and stuffed them into his mouth.
If someone walked in without knowing, they might think that Fairy Tail had opened an after-school care center.
"Oh right, there's also the Alvarez Empire. We almost forgot about it if you hadn't mentioned it."
The three children looked at each other; they really hadn't remembered this.
The three of them paused in unison, looking at each other with blank expressions on their faces, as if to say, "So we used to have jobs."
After all, having been reborn, they no longer have to suffer the torment of dragon transformation, nor do they have to worry about the affairs of millions of people. This god-like life is just too comfortable. Who would want to think about the mess that is in the Western Continent?
The Alvarez Empire is now ruled by Ajeel Ram, the first Desert King to be defeated.
He was originally a prince of a small country, and after some struggle, he successfully ascended to the throne and became the new king of the Alvarez Empire.
"To be honest, this kid is the most cunning. He was supposed to be the first one to be defeated, but now he's become the new king of the empire."
Riyao looked at the intelligence from the Western Continent. Martial law had been lifted there, and trade between the two continents had officially resumed. Obtaining this level of intelligence wasn't difficult.
He shook the latest newspaper that had been brought along by the merchant ship, and looking at the headline photo of Ajeel wearing a crown and grinning with a big white smile, he couldn't help but click his tongue twice.
If you think about it carefully, Ajeel is definitely the biggest winner in life!
On the first day of the war, they charged to the front and were swiftly and decisively knocked into the sea, successfully escaping the subsequent brutal final battle and the Black Dragon's rampage.
After everyone fought tooth and nail to clear out the high-level game, he returned unscathed, bringing with him his well-preserved royal family from his hometown. He then naturally picked up a ready-made throne and sat on it. His luck was simply incredible.
The Alvarez Empire is barely maintaining the status quo; its disintegration is only a matter of time.
Previously, Zeref and the Spriggan 12 of National Protection had the power to suppress the rebellion, but now that Zeref, a dark mage, is no longer the backbone, the Spriggan 12 of National Protection has long been in internal strife.
The hundreds of provinces and principalities, large and small, were originally held together by sheer military force. Now, the pillars of the state are all enjoying desserts in the Fairy Tail Hall. It would be a miracle if Ajeel could even stabilize his own Land of Sand's base with his limited skills.
"Who cares? Anyway, it was just a country that Zeref created on a whim, when he wanted to play house."
Irene shrugged, not really caring about those things. She could eat, drink, and sleep well; nothing could be better than her current life.
She stuffed the large strawberry from the fork into her mouth in one bite, her eyes squinting with happiness, her cheeks puffing out.
What's so good about being Scarlet Despair in the Western Continent?
Having to attend meetings with a bunch of stinky men every day, and then throwing up after every meal, is nothing compared to the joy of freeloading off my daughter and occasionally flirting with the hotheads in the guild!
Larcade, standing nearby, didn't seem too concerned either, while August was somewhat worried about the younger generation he was on good terms with.
After all, August used to clean up all the messes of the empire's daily affairs by himself, and he had watched those troublesome troublemakers in the Spriggan 12 grow up.
"I wonder how Brandish and the others are doing?"
"Brandish? She's already left the Empire."
Lucy, who was sitting at the next table calculating her rent bill with a quill pen, looked up and casually mentioned the recent situation of her old acquaintance.
That green-haired girl, who found the fighting and killing too much trouble, completely broke away from the empire's organization as soon as the war ended, and is now traveling the world looking for dessert shops to try.
"That's fine too."
August nodded, picked up his teacup, and took a sip.
The worry between the young boy's brows dissipated considerably, and he breathed a sigh of relief.
He really wanted to return to the Empire and wipe out Winter General Invel and his followers.
He knew about the plot to use Gray and Silver to kill Natsu in order to provoke Zeref.
If I have the chance in the future, I'll definitely settle the score with August.
Just thinking about that incompetent and troublesome Invel who dared to make underhanded moves behind His Majesty's back, August secretly tightened his grip on the teacup.
In his mental ledger, he'd already put that guy on the death list. Once his magic power recovered a bit more, he'd definitely cross the sea and teach those guys a lesson in manners.
Setting down his teacup, August turned his head, his curious gaze sweeping around the guild hall.
"By the way, don't you guys need to go out and do commissions to earn money?"
He glanced at Riyao and Mirajane; weren't all mages in the guilds just doing quests to make a living?
These past few days, he's noticed that Riyao's spending habits are completely different from the rest of the guild.
Every time Natsu and Gray finished eating, they would reach into their pockets and either pull out a few clinking coins or simply run away without paying.
In contrast, Riyao spends his days strolling around the streets with Mirajane, spending money like it's nothing, without even blinking an eye.
Riyao buys anything that interests her, while Lucy just stares longingly at the items, drooling. Based on previous information, isn't this girl some kind of rich heiress?
August followed the gaze and glanced at the blonde girl at the next table who was chewing on her pen and sighing. A big question mark popped into his head.
The files submitted by the Imperial intelligence department clearly stated that the heiress of the Heartfilia Konzern was incredibly wealthy, yet she herself looked like a refugee. Yesterday, when I passed by a clothing store window, my eyes were practically glued to that discounted dress!
Lucy instantly bristled when a twelve-year-old boy stared at her with such a pitying and inquisitive gaze.
"Your gaze is a bit presumptuous!"
Lucy braced her hands on the table and shouted at August.
That's clearly the look you give a poor wretch, exactly the same look that bastard Riyao gives me.
A scholar can be killed but not humiliated!
She's only temporarily facing a budget deficit, so how come even a two-week-old baby is looking at her with that kind of caring gaze towards the poor?!
Before August could even politely apologize, the gossipy person next to him had already seized the opportunity to chime in.
"Lucy was like this, she didn't have much money, she was so pitiful, she could only watch helplessly as her favorite items left in front of her, she once tried to use her beauty..."
Riyao, with his legs crossed, vividly recounted to the three little ones Lucy's embarrassing history of haggling at the magic shop back in the day.
"Shut up!! It's all fake!"
Lucy rushed towards Riyao in a panic, trying to cover Riyao mouth.
Her face instantly turned as red as a ripe shrimp. She didn't even care about the ledger anymore. She pounced over, baring her teeth and claws, wishing she could weld Riyao's mouth shut with tape on the spot!
Without even getting up from his chair, he simply leaned towards Mirajane, causing Lucy to miss her attack. Then, as if by magic, he flipped his right hand onto the table, revealing a glittering crystal ball that spun around in his palm.
"I have a crystal ball recording here, hehehe."
"No!!"