Chapter 417

【Second floor of the guild.】

【Inside Makarov's office.】

【Makarov excitedly closed the communication screen of the magic crystal.】

【Then, sitting in his chair, he couldn't help but burst into laughter.】

【"Hahaha, those guys, I can already imagine how ugly their faces will be when the time comes!! Hahaha!"】

【Makarov's laughter could not be muffled even by the tightly closed door.】

【Creak...】

【The door was slowly opened, and Black Natsu stepped inside.】

【He cast a suspicious glance at Makarov, who was laughing like something or other.】

【He couldn't help but ask aloud: "Master, you seem... very excited?"】

【"You bet, this is a great opportunity to hold our heads high!"】

【Makarov looked at Black Natsu, spoke triumphantly, and then jumped down from his seat all at once.】

【He scurried behind Black Natsu and pushed him toward the sofa.】

【As they walked, Makarov asked.】

【"I already know about this mission; you did a very good job!"】

【"It was alright, the opponent's strength wasn't very strong." Black Natsu was pushed onto the sofa and sat down.】

【"Eh, don't be so self-deprecating; that is the reason why you yourself are strong."】

【Makarov said.】

【Afterward, his old face smiled like a chrysanthemum.】

【He poured a cup of tea for Black Natsu.】

【Black Natsu frowned, looking at the tea handed before his eyes, a bit afraid to take it.】

【He couldn't help but ask: "What is actually going on?"】

【"You drink first, drink first."】

【Makarov smiled without answering, persistently shoving the tea into Black Natsu's hand.】

【"With you like this... I don't dare to drink it..."】

【Black Natsu responded vigilantly.】

【"Psh! It's nothing, just drink it, it's fine, it's fine."】

【Makarov waved his hands repeatedly to signal.】

【Unable to refuse Makarov, Black Natsu had no choice but to pick up the tea, moved his nose slightly, sniffed it, and after confirming there were no problems, he drank a mouthful with peace of mind.】

【"Actually, I just wanted to take you to attend the routine meeting that is about to be held."】

【Makarov said nonchalantly.】

【"Pfft!!!"】

【Black Natsu's eyes bulged, and he immediately wanted to spit it out.】

【Makarov's movements were faster!】

【He even left behind afterimages in mid-air, covering Black Natsu with one hand.】

【His old face smiled as he spoke.】

【"Having drunk my favor, then don't refuse; after all, this is the Ice Emperor Tea that can only be produced on the Extreme Cold Snow Mountain."】

【"It is several grades higher than Ice Spirit Grass, the kind where the annual yield is less than one hundred jin."】

【"The selling price is even several million J per jin; this mouthful of yours has cost me at least tens of thousands of J!!"】

【Makarov was like an old fox, triumphantly introducing how valuable his tea was.】

【The corners of Black Natsu's eyes were twitching wildly.】

【Then he nodded helplessly.】

【Only then did Makarov nod with satisfaction and let go of Black Natsu.】

【"Hoo..."】

【Exhaling a long breath, Black Natsu looked helplessly at Makarov.】

【"I knew it, your favors are simply not to be taken."】

【"Psh! What kind of talk is that? Who are we to each other?"】

【"Back in the day, I even treated you to a meal worth over a million J." Makarov waved his hand as if he didn't care.】

【"You have already said this matter more than three thousand times." A drop of cold sweat slid down Black Natsu's forehead.】

【Makarov's waving hand froze, and he immediately began to play dumb:】

【"More than three thousand times? Really? I don't think so?"】

【"Oh my, in any case, those are not important; what is important is that you must go with me to the routine meeting in a few days."】

【Black Natsu shook his head, then picked up the tea on the table.】

【While drinking, he asked: "So, why must I be the one to go?"】

【Speaking of this, Makarov immediately stood up from his seat.】

【With his hands behind his back, he spoke slowly:】

【"It's all because of those few old guys, Bob, Goldmine, especially that old witch named Ooba."】

【"Aren't these all your good friends?" Black Natsu was puzzled.】

【Makarov immediately turned his head, his expression beginning to look a bit ferocious.】

【"But! They are also the masters of other guilds!"】

【He took a deep breath: "Actually, speaking of the routine meeting, most people think that this is a meeting where a group of guild masters gather together to discuss major events in the Magic World."】

【"But in reality, it is just a scene where us few old guys sit together to brag and have fun."】

【"However, all of this changed at the routine meeting a year ago."】

【"Ooba of Lamia Scale, that old hag, last year, brought a bald guy to the routine meeting and started showing off wildly."】

【"Bragging about how powerful that bald guy was and so on."】

【"Things like how he beats up his peers, how he is the strongest candidate for the future Magic World, and what else, the designated person for the Ten Wizard Saints and so on!"】

【"Good heavens, that was truly infinitely glorious."】

【"So?" Black Natsu continued to ask unhurriedly.】