Ceding Territory and Paying Indemnities

"Burp~"

After expelling the excess alcohol from his stomach, the Great Guild Master roared at the dejected crowd, "You lot are utterly pathetic! It's just a festival. Do you really have to act like you're being marched to the execution grounds?"

"Um... Guild Master, can I go to the execution grounds instead of attending the festival? (Pukins, waving his little paws)"

Seeing the Guild Master's face completely darken, everyone else harboring the same thought immediately shrank back.

"There are no execution grounds, but there's plenty of 'that.' Want to trade?"

"Cough, cough... Guild Master, I gave it some careful thought. Attending the festival is actually pretty nice! (Pukins, drenched in cold sweat)"

"Fine. But since you've got nothing better to do, enjoy 'that' while you travel!"

At those words, Pukins's jaw instantly smashed into the express train. (The other Fairies: Haha... Move aside, I need to hold onto the wall. I don't have any strength left.)

"Um... Guild Master..."

Before Old Pukins could finish, a huge palm wrapped around him and carried him into the next carriage.

In an instant, horrifying wails erupted from the neighboring carriage.

"Hiss... Old Pukins really is a good man! (Versailles, shivering with goosebumps)"

"Yeah. If Old Pukins hadn't spoken up first, I'd be the one enjoying 'that' right now! (Macao, immensely relieved)"

"What luck! (Dasuo)"

"Mm-hmm. (Everyone)"

As everyone whispered among themselves, knocking came from the direction of the locomotive.

"Knock, knock."

"Knock, knock."

"Come in!"

At the Great Guild Master's call, the carriage door slid open, and the conductor in a blue-black uniform stepped inside.

"Guild Master Makarov, we have reached the vicinity of Philiers Station. We will be stopping in ten minutes. Please have your guild members prepare to disembark!"

"Alright, thank you!"

The conductor nodded, then turned and left the carriage.