The Wind's Too Strong!

Upon hearing about the compensation amount, everyone was stunned, but Jiang Bai seemed oblivious to their expressions and continued calculating on his fingers.

"Everything else is negotiable. I've already told the guild members to take responsibility themselves; whoever damages it will pay for it," Jiang Bai said slowly.

"Big Head, it's the Cardia Cathedral in our town."

He deliberately emphasized the pronunciation of the word "cathedral".

"That's the most iconic building in Magnolia, with a long history. Restoring it won't be a small expense."

"I practically destroyed it in my battle with Laxus."

"Although in principle I'm going to help you deal with your disobedient grandson, and theoretically I shouldn't have to pay a single penny, I'll pay half for your sake."

"I just did a rough calculation. Based on your average annual salary, and after deducting daily expenses, the amount you could save in the end..."

Jiang Bai stroked his chin, pretending to be calculating seriously.

"If you, sir, just continue to work diligently in the position of chairman for another thirty years, that should be enough."

"You're over eighty years old this year. Thirty years is less than half your current age. It'll pass quickly."

"Well--!"

Makarov let out a painful groan, his eyes rolled back, and he fell straight backward.

"President!"

Everyone was startled, thinking that the chairman had suffered another heart attack, and quickly helped him up.

As a result, Makarov burst into tears, crying even more bitterly than before, "What a disaster! When will this ever end!"

Seeing the president's utterly hopeless expression, Jiang Bai leisurely unleashed his trump card.

"Sir, actually, I have another solution that might solve this problem. Would you like to hear it?"

Upon hearing this, Makarov's crying stopped abruptly. He immediately broke free from everyone's embrace and looked at Jiang Bai with shining eyes.

"You brat! You have a plan but you're deliberately trying to scare me! Now tell me!"

Jiang Bai's lips curled up slightly, revealing a knowing smile.

"That means letting Laxus stay with Fairy Tail and have him do quests to pay back the money himself."

Upon hearing this, Makarov immediately understood that Jiang Bai had gone through all this trouble just to find a way out so that Laxus could stay without any real trouble.

Jiang Bai had already initiated the attack, and the rest of the guild reacted immediately, speaking up one after another.

"That's right, Guild Master! Let Laxus stay and pay off his debts!"

"That's right! Our guild has no reason to default on debts!"

"Laxus is S-Class Mage, she must make money very quickly!"

Looking at the group of children chattering and pleading for Laxus, Makarov felt a mix of warmth and sorrow. He hesitated before saying, "But... what did Laxus do...?"

"Grandpa," Jiang Bai interrupted him, his tone becoming serious.

"The guild belongs to everyone. Now that everyone agrees to let Laxus stay, what are you still worried about?"

"Laxus is family too. He made a mistake, and as family, isn't it our responsibility to do everything in our power to pull him back from the wrong path?"

These words completely shattered Makarov's last line of psychological defense.

"Waaaaah--!"

He could no longer hold back and burst into tears like a child.

"I love this guild the most... I love this guild the most!"

At that moment, the most moved person in the entire room was not Makarov, who was watching his grandson not have to leave him, but Laxus had been standing silently at the door the whole time.

He never expected that his comrades, who had previously spoken ill of him and even tried to expel him from the guild, would reach out to him without hesitation when he was at his lowest and most helpless.

His lips trembled slightly, and his eyes involuntarily reddened.

He walked up to the crowd and bowed deeply, very deeply.

"Thank you... thank you all!"

The three members of the Thunder God Tribe followed him and bowed to the crowd in thanks.

This heartwarming scene lasted less than three seconds before it was shattered by an untimely voice.

"Hey! Laxus!" Natsu pointed at him, laughing as if he had discovered a new continent.

"Hey, were you crying? Haha!"

Laxus's face flushed red instantly. He abruptly turned his head away, trying to hide his face from everyone, and stubbornly insisted, "I didn't! It's just... it's just that the wind was too strong!"

"Alright, alright, Laxus, stop pretending and just laugh it off!"

"That's right! We absolutely have to have a big celebration after the parade today!"

The guild members resumed their usual noisy and cheerful activities.

Looking at the scene before him, Jiang Bai smiled sincerely.

"Alright! Now that everything's over, everyone get ready for tonight's 'Fantasia Parade'!"

"Oh!!"

The entire guild was instantly engulfed in deafening cheers.