After finished gossiping about Dr. Grisha, the Mages turned their attention back to Weston and Warrod in the center of the banquet.
"It's truly thanks to the efforts of both of you, Weston and Warrod, as well as Dr. Grisha's brilliant medical skills, that everyone was able to recover."
"The three of you have now completely become the great benefactors of several nearby Towns!"
Facing everyone's congratulations, Warrod appeared a bit constrained, his cheeks flushing slightly red.
"Actually, I didn't really contribute much. Weston was the one who discovered the river source was poisoned, Weston was the one who defeated that Necromancer, and Weston was the one who found the final antidote recipe. I was just helping out."
"There's no need to be so self-deprecating, Warrod."
Weston patted Warrod on the shoulder and smiled. "Your role was far greater than you think!"
"Although I found the antidote formula, the subsequent work of collecting and cultivating the herbs relied entirely on your efforts."
"Because of you, we were able to rush back early, Dr. Grisha could prepare the effective medicine ahead of time, and the patients in the nearby Towns and villages could recover sooner."
"If it were just me alone, I would have been busy for at least three or four more days, and the work efficiency would have been greatly reduced."
"During that time, who knows how many people would have died."
"So, it was you who saved those people!"
Comforted by Weston's words, Warrod's heart immediately felt much warmer.
"Weston is right!"
Yuri approached with his wine glass raised. "You, him, and Dr. Grisha—the contributions of you three are equal. I thank you on behalf of everyone in town!"
"—You actually mean to say 'thank you on behalf of Rita', right?"
"Ah—hahaha—it's all the same!!"
Because Weston and the other returned in time, Yuri's young girlfriend, Rita, successfully survived this calamity, and her body was now gradually recovering.
The stone that had been hanging high in Yuri's heart had finally landed, and he looked a hundred times more energetic!
After a bout of laughing and joking, Precht finally asked a question everyone was concerned about.
"By the way, Weston, I heard from Warrod that the culprit behind this incident, that Necromancer, poisoned people because he wanted to sacrifice a hundred thousand lives to resurrect the legendary Black Mage, Zeref?"
Weston was startled, then nodded. "That's correct."
"Is such a method really effective?"
"Of course it's useless!"
"How can you be so sure?"
"—Anyway, I'm just sure!"
Zeref isn't even dead; it would be a miracle if he could be 'resurrected'.
Weston suddenly slapped his forehead. "Speaking of which, I just remembered something. Let me tell you all, everyone pay attention."
Seeing his serious and solemn expression, the guild members quieted down one after another.
"What is it?"
"To say it specifically at this time, could it be related to that Necromancer?"
Weston nodded solemnly. "That day, when I searched that Necromancer's memories, I discovered that behind him, there is another hidden power!"
A hidden power?
Mavis's mind worked quickly, and she immediately realized what the 'power' Weston mentioned referred to. "Are you saying—fanatics of Zeref like him?"
"Exactly!"
"Although these people have different identities and varying strengths, they all possess a similar fanatical and worshipful mindset toward Zeref."
"Furthermore, every once in a while, these people gather together to exchange their 'insights' and 'achievements' from that period."
Precht was stunned for a moment. "Insights? Achievements??"
Weston saw the confused looks on the others' faces and explained helplessly, "It's probably sharing some magic items and information related to Zeref that they've collected during this time, or boasting about how many lives they've sacrificed to resurrect Zeref—"
Hearing this, everyone gasped in unison.
Good grief!
This stuff counts as insights and achievements?
By exchanging and sharing these things, are they planning to cause the deaths of even more people?
No, this won't do. These people must be caught and sent to the Council to be properly guarded!
This time, just one Necromancer brought calamity to so many Towns, villages, and innocent people. If there were a few more like him, in the future, the Kingdom of Fiore—no, the entire Ishgar—would be ruined by these fanatics!
"Then—are you planning to set out and wipe out this power?"
Yuri clenched his fists.
*Sizzle.*
Golden electricity coursed through his arm.
"Weston, if you have this plan, you must call me!"
"These followers of Zeref almost killed Rita and everyone else. I will absolutely not let them off!!"
After learning that this plague was not a natural disaster but a man-made one, a ball of fire had been suppressed in his heart, unable to be released.
If he hadn't heard from Warrod that the Necromancer had already been killed by Weston and transferred to the Council's prison, he would have wanted to drag the person over and give them a harsh lesson.
Now that he knew there were 'accomplices' behind him, that fire instantly flared up again with a 'whoosh'.
Seeing this, the other partners in the guild were equally filled with righteous indignation and began to clamor loudly.
"Yuri's thoughts are our thoughts!!"
"Although this incident was done by that Necromancer and he has already been brought to justice, it doesn't mean the other followers are innocent!"
"Those people must have secretly done many bad things over the years. We absolutely cannot let them off!!"
"Exactly! What good could come from someone who worships Zeref? Beating them all to death is definitely the right move!"
Being so hot-headed isn't a good thing.
It's easy to be manipulated!
Weston sighed inwardly and subconsciously looked at Precht, finding that he, like the others, also wore an eager expression.
For the usually steady Precht, this could already be considered an emotional lapse.
You kid—
"Everyone, calm down."
"I do indeed have the intention to destroy that organization, but now is not the time."
"According to the Necromancer's memories, there are still six months before the next gathering of these followers, and the place of their next gathering is within the borders of the Kingdom of Fiore."
"If you really want to'seek revenge', then improve your strength well within these six months!"
"When the time comes, I'll lead you to strike!"
As soon as these words were spoken, the entire guild suddenly fell silent, and everyone stared blankly at Weston.
The next second, excited shouts echoed through the tavern.
"Oooooh!!!"
"I'm feeling fired up!!"
"Well said, Master!"
"Attacking with full force against those who hurt our comrades—that is exactly the specialty of Fairy Tail!!!"
"When the time comes, let me lead the charge!!"