"Huh?!"
Takeshi couldn't help but be a bit dazed upon hearing this.
"Old man, why are you saying this again? Are you thinking about retiring again?"
Although becoming a guild master doesn't mean you can't continue doing missions, it ultimately adds a lot of annoying chores.
If a guild member fails a mission, you handle it. If they cause trouble, you handle it. If they clash with another guild, you handle it. If they clash with each other, you also have to handle it.
Then there's the local guild alliance. Once the guild master's work piles up, there's simply no time to do missions.
How can he get stronger without doing missions? And without getting stronger, how can he defeat Acnologia?
Makarov said, "That is indeed one of my thoughts, but it's not the main one. Brat, have you heard of the Western Continent?"
"The Western Continent? Yeah, I've heard a bit."
"The Western Continent is different from our Eastern Continent. There aren't as many nations there. Instead, it's a unified Empire, the Alvarez Empire."
"Eight years ago, the Alvarez Empire, once planned to invade our continent, but they failed later. Do you know why they attacked us?"
Before Takeshi could speak, Makarov said, "Lumen Histoire, also known as fairy heart."
"The reason Alvarez came to attack Ishgar eight years ago was because they wanted to obtain Lumen Histoire. They didn't fail the attack. Rather, they canceled it halfway because the Council showed them 'power'."
"Etherion was one of them. That kind of magic, capable of striking any fixed point on the Ishgar continent at will, is undoubtedly a powerful threat. But looking at Tartaros's actions, Etherion isn't much. As long as the Magic Council Members are killed in a surprise attack, the Magic Council will lose its power to operate."
"There's also Face, which became known to people this time. It was originally a weapon owned by the Magic Council. Even the Alvarez Empire wouldn't dare to act rashly."
"But now, the Magic Council is gone, and so are Etherion and Face. You understand what this means, right?"
Takeshi said indifferently, "It means Ishgar has lost its deterrent."
Makarov nodded. "Exactly. Their invasion plan will definitely start again."
Takeshi asked, "Then what does that have to do with whether I become the guild master? If they want to attack, we'll just fight back."
He had been preparing for this for a long time. Although he had forgotten much of the plot, he still remembered the Alvarez Empire's invasion of the Ishgar continent.
Makarov shook his head. "You don't understand their national strength. On this continent of Ishgar, there are about 500 guilds in total. But on the Western Continent, Alakitasia, counting both legal and Dark Guilds, there were once 730. These 730 guilds were unified to form a massive Empire, the super military magic empire, the Alvarez Empire."
"For our single guild to face 730 guilds, we wouldn't even be able to put up a fight. We are as powerless as infants. Compared to them, the enemies we've faced so far aren't even on the same level."
"I know you're very strong, but no matter how strong you are, you can't contend with the Alvarez Empire. Their numbers are simply too great."
Takeshi asked, "Then what do you plan to do?"
Makarov said, "I will go to the Alvarez Empire to negotiate with them. If they want to invade, we will say we'll activate Lumen Histoire to buy as much time as possible. This is a gamble. As long as the Magic Council can be rebuilt during this time, we win."
"And in case they really do launch an attack, Takeshi, you will be the one to activate Lumen Histoire. At that time, you will possess infinite magic power. Combined with your magic, I believe you can definitely hold out and protect Fairy Tail and the Ishgar continent."
"Wait, old man, since I can withstand the Alvarez Empire's invasion by using Lumen Histoire, why do you have to go alone to negotiate with them?" Takeshi found a logical flaw.
If there was no strength, negotiating would be one thing, but if there was strength, why negotiate?
"Lumen Histoire is infinite magic and has uncertainties. I'm not sure what kind of impact it will have on you or this world, so it's best not to use it if possible." Makarov was a bit worried.
He had learned these things from the second Guild master Precht, who was also Hades, the master of Grimoire Heart.
Lumen Histoire was also magic accidentally created by the second Guild master Precht using the body of the first Guild master. The birth of this magic came from a god's curse, and gods are undoubtedly terrifying existences.
Takeshi stroked his chin and nodded. "Hmm... I basically understand everything."
"It's good that you understand. Then..."
"I don't agree to take over as guild master."
"What?! Brat, didn't you say you understood?!" Makarov's eyes widened.
"I understand, but I never said I agreed with your approach."
"What do you mean?"
"What you're worried about, is nothing more than the invasion of the Alvarez Empire. At this time, Ishgar is unable to resist, so you plan to go and negotiate. Actually, I don't think it's necessary."
"How could it not be necessary? As long as the Magic Council..."
"Even if the Magic Council is rebuilt, it's useless. According to what you said about the opponent's strength, rebuilding the Magic Council would have limited deterrent power against the Alvarez Empire. If they want to attack, they will attack eventually. They won't be hindered just because the Magic Council is rebuilt."
"..."
Makarov fell silent.
How could he not know this logic? He didn't know much about the information on Alakitasia, but even this tip of the iceberg was enough to make him tremble.
He also knew in his heart that he might not be able to achieve anything by going to the Alvarez Empire, but even if there was a one-in-ten-thousand chance, he wanted to try.
"Old man, don't worry about the Alvarez Empire for now. We'll deal with whatever comes our way. If we can win, we fight. If not, we run. With my ability, I can even teleport the entire guild without any problem."
"If we're really pushed to the limit, we'll just use Lumen Histoire. With infinite magic power, I can create infinite clones and kick their asses."
***
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