The first day of August began with welcoming the return of the guild master.
It was the height of summer, and the weather was only getting hotter. Warm had already started avoiding the construction site entirely, showing up only for meals.
Rhodes and Mira's "evil plan" to have everyone work overtime was scrapped before it even started. They simply couldn't bring themselves to make the others toil under such a scorching sun.
Though Rhodes did consider an even more twisted idea—have everyone rest during the day and work through the night instead.
"Master!"
"Master Makarov is back!"
"You've worked hard, Master!"
Everyone gathered with bright smiles to greet Makarov. Even though Phantom Lord was clearly at fault in the recent conflict, many still feared that, as one of the Ten Wizard Saints, Makarov might've been detained by the Council for a while.
The fact that he returned safely was cause for celebration.
Looking over the completed framework of the first floor, Makarov beamed. "Impressive progress. Everyone's worked hard."
Mira handed him a cup of tea with a smile. "Was everything smooth, Master? They didn't make things too difficult, did they?"
"Just a few routine questions. But don't worry, I handled them all beautifully."
As for what those "routine questions" were, or how he supposedly handled them, Makarov didn't elaborate. The children only needed to know that their guild master was as mighty and reliable as ever.
He jumped up onto the counter and called out proudly, "I've got good news. I brought back a large fund for the rebuild. So let's make our guild more beautiful than ever."
A loud cheer erupted.
The guild was their home. Of course everyone wanted to make it better.
Rhodes poured Makarov a glass of wine for once. "That's fantastic, Master. Now come sign these receipts."
"Not a problem!" Makarov drank the wine happily. But just as he was feeling the moment, he hesitated. "Shouldn't we throw a party to celebrate? It's tradition before we get to work."
"Nope," Rhodes answered flatly. "If we throw a party, everyone will get hungover. Then no one will work, and we'll owe even more money."
He placed a tall stack of paperwork in front of the master.
"Here's the bill for all the wood, stone, and cement. Also the design consultation fees, the technicians' salaries, compensation for damaged buildings, the cost of magic crystal replenishment and spellbook restocking, and last month's tavern wages…"
It added up quickly. If not for Fairy Tail's good reputation in Magnolia, their rebuilding effort might have already collapsed from debt.
"I get it," Makarov sighed, rubbing his temples.
He thought of how Rhode and Mira had been running around putting things on credit, how Laki and Max had been saving every jewel possible by working late nights. He couldn't bring himself to complain.
"Come on, Master," Mira said cheerfully. "You don't have to write a self-reflection today. Just sign the forms."
Since the first batch of mages who'd left on missions hadn't returned yet, they likely hadn't gotten into any trouble—yet.
Makarov froze at her words. Then the thought hit him like lightning. There would definitely be a new self-reflection to write in a few days.
So… the so-called "investigation and detainment" period might have actually been the most peaceful time he'd had in ages?
With stiff hands, Makarov began signing the documents one by one.
Yajima was right, he thought. I really should consider retirement.
Rhodes glanced at Mira, half concerned. "Was it too harsh to bury the Master in paperwork the moment he got back?"
Mira stuck out her tongue. "He's used to it."
Sighing, Rhodes pulled two medicine bottles from his pocket and handed them to her.
Those were emergency medicines prepared for the master. He specially took them from Grandma Polyusica.
The elders' health wasn't what it used to be, so the younger generation had to be more prepared.
Though it still felt a little odd to pull out emergency medicine at a time like this.
Mira accepted the medicine bottles but waved Rhodes off. Master is strong. If he weren't, he would've been gone long before reaching 88... no, bad thought. He'll live a long life.
As soon as the funds came in, salaries were paid immediately.
Along with wages came compensation for the shopkeepers whose places were damaged during the Phantom incident.
Rhode's drained treasury finally got replenished.
Among those paid, Laki received a generous bonus as a thank-you for her efforts managing supplies.
She looked at the thick stack of bills in her hand with mixed feelings. She could finally buy that long-awaited plushie.
To live like this next month too, she even considered working harder.
Terrifying thought.
Laki tapped the money against her palm and muttered, "I think I'm starting to lose to the evil of money."
Rhodes chimed in, "Want me to help you deal with those evil bills?"
Laki scoffed and turned to Mira. "Mira, your boyfriend is trying to take another woman's money!"
"Really?" Mira covered her face, acting bashful. "He must think I've been working too hard and wanted to take over for me. I'm so touched. Go ahead and give it to him."
"Hmph!" Laki ran off with her hard-earned cash.
That noon, Rhodes and Mira finally had lunch at a restaurant for the first time in a while. Well, not that long ago, really.
After the meal, they stopped by the bank.
Carrying too much cash around made Mira uneasy, so she deposited a portion of her salary.
She opened both her passbook and Rhode's and began comparing the numbers.
"If we keep going like this," she thought, "we'll hit our savings goal soon. And if he doesn't propose when that happens... Hmph."
Then Mira noticed something odd.
"You're not depositing this month's salary?"
"Not for now," Rhodes replied. "We probably won't be able to take on any missions this month. I want to hold onto it in case we need it."
"That makes sense..." Mira said, a little troubled. "But that means I deposited too much."
This expression is very cute. Rhodes was a little moved. Not only him, but Mira was also making good plans for the future.
Rhodes hugged her and said arrogantly: "It doesn't matter, I will support you. So..."
Mira looked at him: "So?"
"So do you want to move to my house?"
"You have no good intentions!"
...
As soon as the hottest time in the afternoon passed, the construction site immediately became busy.
This time, Makarov transformed into a giant to take the lead in the work.
As long as he was busy, he could legitimately push those troublesome tasks to Mira and Rhodes.
This was definitely not shirking responsibility, but the most reasonable work arrangement.
His giant magic was originally suitable for this kind of physical labor.
Rhodes and Mira had no choice but to deal with the trivial matters left by the master one by one. They were used to it, but it was more troublesome now.
However, some things cannot be avoided.
That night, when the tavern was still open, Rhodes received a letter from the Council using magic.
Erza and the others had not returned yet, but the complaint had already been submitted to the Council.
After reading the content of the complaint, Rhodes asked Mira to bring medicine and went to find Makarov, who was drinking alone in a quiet place.
"Master."
"Hmm?" Makarov was thinking seriously about retirement and had not yet realized the seriousness of the problem. "You guys are here. Do you want to sit down and have a drink together?"
"No need, Master." Rhodes planned to pave the way for the old man before Mira spoke.
"Actually, Erza teamed up with Natsu, Gray, and Lucy to go out to work. They accepted the mission of defeating the magic cult."
Makarov realized that something was wrong: "The result...what was the result?"
Mira handed over the letter: "Although Rhodes reminded them to be more restrained, they still destroyed three streets in the end."
"Three..."
Rhodes quickly supported the old man: "Master, don't get excited! Master!"