Once the matter of rebuilding the guild was settled, Fairy Tail transformed in the blink of an eye into one enormous construction site.
Not only had Laki brought in professional workers, but the members of Fairy Tail themselves also rolled up their sleeves and threw themselves into the building of the new guild hall.
"Over there, they need someone to carry bricks. Natsu, go fill in."
"Gray, make some shaved ice so everyone can cool off."
"Elfman, move those sacks over there."
"Damn it, why are we short on cement again? Laxus, go push the supplier."
Wearing a safety helmet, Kabe walked back and forth across the site with his hands behind his back, constantly issuing orders.
Every now and then, he would stop and discuss something with Laki, who was standing beside him holding the blueprints, making small changes here and there.
Makarov, in his giant form, was currently up on the framework handling the beam installation.
Hearing someone below him throwing orders around so arrogantly, he could not help muttering to himself in slight dissatisfaction.
"That brat really looks more imposing than me, the guild master. I'm the one actually working here."
Kabe's ear twitched. He raised his head and narrowed his eyes.
"Master, what was that?"
Makarov's neck instantly shrank back, and he turned his head at once with an ingratiating smile.
"I said, the foreman speaks wisely."
"Hmph. Do your work properly. Don't let me catch you slacking off again."
After saying that, Foreman Kabe lifted his chin, puffed out his chest, and strutted away with outrageous swagger.
Only after he had gone far enough did Makarov dare stick out his tongue and make a face at Kabe's back.
...
"So that's your guild master, Ur? He doesn't look like he has any authority at all."
In one corner of the construction site, a little pink-haired girl with golden wing-shaped ornaments on both ears tugged on Ultear's sleeve and voiced her doubtful question with a strange look in her eyes.
The girl's name was Meredy. She was only eleven years old, and one of the former Grimoire Heart members Ultear had taken in.
Compared to Hades, the master of Grimoire Heart, whose every word carried absolute weight, this old man, who only looked intimidating because of his size, seemed utterly unimpressive in Meredy's eyes.
The corner of Ultear's mouth twitched as she explained on Makarov's behalf,
"Don't underestimate Master Makarov. He's one of the strongest mages in Fiore.
And he's also a very kind person who truly takes care of every member of the guild."
As she spoke, she placed a hand on Meredy's little head and gave it a vigorous rub.
"Speaking of which, what about you? You said you were almost here, and yet it took this many days. I was starting to think you'd run into danger, which is why I had someone bring you over."
At that, Meredy's little face turned a bit red with embarrassment.
"Because I got lost... It was my first time traveling such a long distance alone, and I was scared of Grimoire Heart's pursuers too.
So as I walked, I accidentally lost my way. I wanted to contact you, Ur, but I couldn't reach you."
"That's because I was locked up in a Council camp and all my magic tools were confiscated, so of course I couldn't contact you.
If you ask me, you were just too timid to ask someone for directions."
Ultear pinched Meredy's still slightly baby-fat cheeks and scolded her.
She did not mention at all how outrageous it was that she had asked an eleven-year-old girl to travel all the way to Magnolia by herself.
Meredy puffed out her cheeks, clearly unconvinced.
But looking at Ultear, who now wore a smile and acted so close and affectionate with her, an indescribable sweetness quietly rose in her heart.
Ur really has changed so much.
Maybe this really is a pretty good guild.
"Come on. I'll get you officially into the guild first, and then I'll arrange a room for you in the guild."
Ultear did not notice the thoughts in Meredy's heart. She simply took the girl's hand and led her toward Makarov.
Gray, who was currently making shaved ice according to Kabe's orders, noticed the little girl Ultear was holding by the hand. Curious, he set down his work and walked over as well.
...
"Master, this is the child I told you about. I brought her here to join the guild."
Ultear looked up and called out to Makarov, who was working hard above.
Hearing that, Makarov lowered his head and swept his gaze over the two girls.
When he saw that the new member was such a cute little girl, a warm and loving smile instantly appeared on his face. Bending down, he said to Meredy,
"Oh? It's been a long time since the guild had such a young new member join.
I'm Fairy Tail's guild master, Makarov. And you are, little girl?"
From far away, Meredy had not really felt much.
But now that she was standing this close, she could truly feel how overwhelming the pressure of this giant guild master really was.
"I-I'm Meredy. P-please, please, please take care of me!"
The moment she finished, she hid behind Ultear in fear, her little hands tightly clutching Ultear's clothes.
"Er... sorry, sorry. Looks like my current appearance gave you the wrong idea. I'll change back right away."
Makarov awkwardly scratched the back of his head, then his body rapidly shrank.
In the blink of an eye, before Meredy's stunned gaze, he turned into a little old man even shorter than she was.