Undercurrents in the Council of Review

While Noah was guiding Makarov in comprehending Haki, a matter of no small significance occurred at the Magic Council headquarters.

A piece of intelligence was relayed back by an operative of the Council's Action Team, embedded deep within the dark magic underworld.

The most powerful of the dark guilds, "Grimoire Heart";

The most enigmatic, "Tartaros";

And "Oración Seis," a guild that, though recently founded, had grown rapidly to become the third-largest dark force.

These three guilds, which together ruled over the majority of the dark magic world, were likely to form a dark alliance in the near future.

This posed a major threat to the order of the magical world—undeniably a significant event.

Sixth Seat Councilor Yajima and Action Team Captain Laharl jointly proposed to Chairman Crawford that the alliance of dark guilds be taken seriously.

However, Chairman Crawford, despite his high position, was a man of limited vision. He believed that with the "Ten Wizard Saints" in existence, the dark guilds were nothing to worry about.

No matter how powerful the dark guild alliance became, as long as the "Ten Saints" stepped in, everything would be fine.

His confidence was especially bolstered by the presence of the newly appointed Tenth Seat Councilor, "Jellal Fernandes."

Though this youngest-ever councilor was still in his probationary period as a Saint, his true strength already rivaled that of his senior colleagues. He was a Saint-tier powerhouse belonging to the Magic Council.

Thus, in Chairman Crawford's eyes, the potential dark guild alliance was hardly a major issue—merely a trivial matter worth mentioning.

After the meeting, Laharl bid farewell to the indignant Councilor Yajima and returned to the Action Team's building.

"Oh, you're back, Laharl."

"From the look of it, those councilor bigwigs made another stupid decision."

Laharl sighed. In the entire Council headquarters, there was only one person who would speak of the councilors with such disrespect.

Doranbalt, the Action Team's second-in-command, Laharl's most capable assistant, and also his closest friend.

A bit of a goofball, and someone with illicit ties to the master of Fairy Tail—his quirky nature fit that guild's reputation perfectly.

Still, Laharl chose to turn a blind eye to it.

Seeing his friend's weary expression, Doranbalt stopped teasing him. Instead, he placed a first-class letter on the desk. "This is from that mage you mentioned last time. Nexus. Looks more like a code name to me."

"He just doesn't want to reveal his real name. After all, he took down a Dark Priest. You know how crazy the Dark Magic Cult can be."

Laharl replied briefly to his friend before opening the letter. He read its contents with a furrowed brow.

"Doranbalt, issue an announcement."

"State that ten days ago, with the help of the mysterious mage 'Nexus,' the Action Team eliminated five dark mages who were up to no good on Mount Hakobe."

As Laharl's close friend, Doranbalt had naturally read the letter as well. He had anticipated his friend's move and had already prepared the announcement in advance.

After handling the matter, Laharl sat down wearily, pinching the bridge of his nose. "The chairman can turn a blind eye to the alliance of the three great dark guilds, but as the Action Team, we can't just sit idle like the higher-ups."

Doranbalt raised an eyebrow. "What are you thinking?"

Letting out a sigh, Laharl said, "First, have our undercover operative try to gather intelligence on the three great dark guilds. But tell him to prioritize his own safety. If necessary, authorize his extraction."

Laharl valued every one of his comrades. Infiltrating the dark guilds was a life-risking job, fraught with danger, but he still hoped that operative would return safely.

Hearing his friend's words, the smile faded from Doranbalt's face, replaced by a heavy solemnity.

"Laharl, we've lost contact with our operative."

"I've already prepared the report for triple the death benefits. Just waiting for your signature."

A bitter expression crossed Laharl's face. Thinking of the comrade who had volunteered to go undercover in the dark forces, he bowed his head deeply.

The evil darkness was stirring, yet the high ranks of order were occupied by shortsighted fools. As the Action Team's captain, he commanded the Council's main forces, but the orders from above left him powerless to act.

"What a... damn mess."

Quickly composing himself, Laharl signed the death benefits report, but changed the original triple amount to quintuple.

The Council never lacked money. He wanted his fallen comrade's family to live well.

"Alright, Vice-Captain Doranbalt, you're due for your supervisory duties."

"Yes, Captain."

Alone in Laharl's office, behind a filing cabinet against the wall, a listening Magic Crystal faintly emitted a glow.

"Heh, Laharl, what a remarkable good man."

"Too bad, in this world, the most useless thing is... being a good man..."

Beneath deep blue hair, a mark covered half of his right face. Jellal Fernandes ended his surveillance of Laharl with a look of disdain, then turned to a stunning black-haired woman beside him.

"Ultear, why do you think that mage named Nexus picked a fight with the Dark Magic Cult?"

The beautiful woman named Ultear smiled. "Oh? Does there need to be a reason? The Dark Magic Cult deserves death at anyone's hands. Don't you hate them too?"

Unconsciously, a glint of bloodlust flashed in Jellal's eyes, his expression turning cold. "Ultear, you really know how to bring up sore subjects."

"But I'll forgive you anyway. Leave now."

After dismissing his subordinate from the office, Jellal took out a blood-red Magic Crystal and called out to it, "Teacher, are you there?"

Soon, a steady reply came from the Magic Crystal. "Jellal, what's so important that you're contacting me? Don't get exposed."

"Haha, rest assured, Teacher. The upper echelons of the Review Board are a bunch of useless fools. The middle and lower ranks don't even have the qualifications to approach me."

Jellal Fernandes cast a sidelong glance, his eyes full of contempt for his colleagues, and continued:

"Teacher, be careful with your recent cooperation with the Dark Magic Cult. There's a mysterious mage codenamed 'Nexus' who seems to be targeting them."

"Don't worry, my cooperation with the Dark Magic Cult is already over. I gave them the little mouse I just caught to play with."

Jellal Fernandes curled his lips, recalling the conversation he had overheard while monitoring Laharl's office. "Heh, someone from the Review Board, and from the Action Forces at that. Falling into the hands of the Dark Magic Cult... what a miserable fate."

Ending the call, Jellal Fernandes took out a photograph. It showed a red-haired girl in armor, in the midst of battle, her posture heroic and spirited.

Looking at the photo, the blue-haired youth wore a complex expression.

"Erza, you're living so happily now... It makes me envious."

"In at most another year, The Tower will be complete, and we'll be able to meet again. Then, you will be the perfect sacrifice for me to revive the Dark Mage."

"Don't blame me. Blame this world!"