After a half-month journey, Weston's group finally returned to Magnolia.
On the way, Irene had accepted Mavis's invitation and agreed to join Fairy Tail, so the three brought Irene directly into the guild.
"Let us give a warm welcome to the newest member of the guild—Miss Irene Belserion!!"
"OHHHH!!!"
"What? What?? Is there someone new in the guild again?!"
"Wow! She's a total beauty! She's even prettier than Mavis and Zera!!!"
"Master, are you saying this beautiful lady is joining our Fairy Tail?!"
"Miss Irene, is it? Look over here, I'm the popularity king of this guild!!"
"Miss Irene, I felt a connection the moment I saw you. How about we form a permanent team and work together from now on?"
The moment they saw Irene, the men of the guild instantly boiled over. Some sang and danced, others flexed their muscles to gain favor; the sounds of "Wahhh-Wahhh-awoo" echoed through the entire guild, like a pack of wild wolves in heat on the spring grasslands.
"Truly a bunch of idiots!"
After a quick quip, Zera pulled Irene and Mavis toward the induction desk for 'membership registration'.
After the three women left, the guild members immediately swarmed Weston.
"Uwooo... Master, I knew you wouldn't leave us old bachelors behind! To think you'd bring back such a mature, beautiful, and charming lady from your honeymoon trip—I'm so moved!!"
'Moved' my ass!
"Master, don't you worry. I'll take good care of Miss Irene in the future and won't let the other men in the guild take advantage of her!"
Who's taking care of whom and who's bullying whom is still up in the air!
"Speaking of which, haven't you guys noticed that Miss Irene's stomach looks a bit unusual?!"
Aha, so someone in the guild actually has eyes...
"Don't worry about those details! I think it's already quite rare for a lady as beautiful as her to be willing to come to our guild!!"
Weston: "..."
"Everyone move aside!"
"I'm going to check on your work progress for the past period first. If I find out you've been restless, watch how I deal with you!"
Weston dropped his "harsh words" and pushed through the crowd toward the workspace.
The remaining Wizards: "...The Master doesn't seem very happy?"
Others might not know, but Master, don't you know yourself?
The word 'restless' has never had a cent's worth of a relationship with the Wizards of Fairy Tail!
By saying that now, you're basically just looking for any random excuse to beat us up!!
Realizing Weston's intent, the guild members scattered at once, each sitting back in their seats, though they still kept their necks craned, waiting for Irene's figure to reappear.
Guild Reception Desk.
Seeing Mavis and Zera walk in with a strange woman, Rita knew work had arrived. She put Makarov back into his stroller and went to greet the newcomer warmly.
"Mavis, Zera, you're back?"
"How was the honeymoon?"
Currently, the person in charge of welcoming newcomers in the guild is Rita.
Her tasks weren't heavy, consisting of only two things: having newcomers fill out forms when they apply to join, and stamping the emblem on them after the review.
In fact, this work used to be handled by Mavis in passing—after all, Fairy Tail didn't have newcomers arriving every day.
However, after Makarov was born, the expenses for Yuri's family clearly grew.
Weston, understanding that his good brother had a hard time raising a kid, specifically arranged this easy job for Rita so she could earn some money without being unable to look after Makarov.
"It was pretty good!"
Mavis said with a giggle, "Zera and I even brought souvenirs for you and Makarov. We'll give them to you when we take a break."
"But first, please help Miss Irene handle the membership procedures!"
"Is there a newcomer joining the guild?"
Rita turned to look at Irene, and her eyes instantly lit up.
What a beautiful lady!
"Miss Irene..."
"I'm Rita, the staff member currently in charge of welcoming newcomers in the guild."
"This is the application form. Just register your name and age here!"
As Rita spoke, she took out a membership application form from the drawer and handed over a pen.
"Thank you for the trouble, Lady Rita."
Because she noticed little Makarov nearby, Irene specifically used the title 'Lady'.
However, Rita was clearly not used to such a title: "Uh... no need for honorifics, just call me Rita!"
"I understand, Rita."
Irene gave a small smile, then elegantly took the form and pen. She gave the application a quick scan and began to fill it out.
Rita, smiling, pulled out a dozen stamps of different colors and sizes from the drawer: "Regarding the guild emblem, does Miss Irene have a favorite color? Any requirements for size? Where do you plan to have it tattooed?"
Zera, who was teasing Makarov nearby, looked up: "You seem to be in a very good mood?"
"Because my usual workload is very light. Today there's finally something to do, so of course I'm happy!"
"Do you know how uneasy I feel every month when I take my salary?!"
Mavis and Zera: "..."
This is another person who feels uneasy without work!
While they were talking, Irene had already finished the form and handed it back.
"The standard size for the guild emblem is fine. For the color... can it be the same scarlet as my hair?"
"No problem! And the location?"
"On the thigh."
After finishing the membership procedures, Rita continued chatting with Irene while putting away the stamps.
"May I be so bold as to ask, is Miss Irene currently pregnant?"
"Yes, can you tell?"
Rita smiled bashfully and shifted her gaze to the stroller on the side: "After all, I just had a child myself, so I'm more sensitive to these things."
"There are many things a pregnant woman needs to pay attention to. If Miss Irene has any difficulties later, feel free to ask me. I will definitely help you!"
Irene smiled gently: "Then I thank you in advance!"
"Hehehe... don't mention it!"
"Everyone is a partner in the same guild; we're supposed to help each other. It's what I should do!"
"By the way, how many months along is Miss Irene's child?"
Irene replied, "About 300 years or so."
Rita's smile froze instantly on her face: "...Eh?? 300... Eh??"
Does she not want to say?
It's okay, I'm the best at chatting!
I can keep the conversation going with a different topic!
"Then... well... the father of the child..."
"Was killed by me!"
"?!!!"
The topic... was terminated!
☰