Chapter 248

At this moment, numerous councilors, Sky Kings, including Saint Ten, had gathered to discuss how to handle Ace.

This was also the first meeting Black Hu Zi attended as a Sky King.

Although Black Hu Zi's appointment as Sky King and councilor had been approved, some councilors had previously opposed it.

In the end, Council President Gulan Damu still decided to eliminate dissenters and include Black Hu Zi in the Council.

Of course, the primary reason was Black Hu Zi's willingness to voluntarily surrender the method of crossing into another world.

But considering that Ulfheim had fallen, Macao and Jura were seriously injured, and the other Saint Tens could not replace them, they had to admit that Black Hu Zi's strength was an exceptionally rare and powerful asset.

Therefore, though Black Hu Zi's inauguration ceremony had not yet taken place, given his importance and the fact that this incident involved him, Gulan Damu carefully decided to let him attend the council.

Yet even with the Council President's support, some still strongly disapproved of Black Hu Zi's actions today.

"Tichi, I think you owe us an explanation. Though you've joined us, that doesn't mean you can act however you please."

"I don't want to see your personal actions jeopardize the entire Magic Council's safety."

Oge, seated in the second seat, stared sternly at Black Hu Zi, who sat at the very end, slouching and seemingly lost in thought, and spoke in a low voice.

Though he hadn't witnessed firsthand what had happened at the Magic Council's main gate that morning, Oge knew what had occurred through intelligence reports.

Long before the new Magic Council was formed, the first councilor Oge had ever dealt with was Ace.

Especially when Ace directly clashed with Ulfheim, he left a deep impression on Oge.

If Black Hu Zi had arrested Ace, Oge wouldn't have minded much—but what truly worried him was the powerful force behind him.

That unimaginable White Hu Zi Pirate Crew.

Sixteen division captains, each stronger than an S-rank mage, even surpassing Saint Ten level.

And the one who ruled over these powerhouses—the White Hu Zi Pirate Crew's captain—must be even stronger.

This filled him with a faint unease.

For this reason, Oge was deeply dissatisfied with Black Hu Zi's unauthorized arrest of Ace—extremely dissatisfied!

He was a rational man, acutely aware of how many crises lurked beneath the current fragile peace.

In this perilous period, provoking the White Hu Zi Pirate Crew was a stupidity beyond measure for the Magic Council!

"This is ridiculous."

In response to Oge's accusation, Black Hu Zi did not answer, but instead said:

"Then, Councilor Oge, may I ask you something?"

"If someone attacks me, am I not allowed to defend myself or retaliate?"

"What will other councilors think of us if word gets out?"

Though newly joined, Black Hu Zi showed no sign of retreat before the veteran councilors.

"Though I don't know what grudge you hold against Ace, since you've joined the Magic Council, you must answer for every action you take—for the Council's sake!"

As a veteran councilor, Oge did not retreat an inch despite Black Hu Zi's excuses; he stood up and confronted him directly.

Though he was nearly at the age where half his body had already entered the earth, he still maintained a fiercely dominant posture before Black Hu Zi, now a Sky King.

"With your strength, you could have easily driven them off—there was no need to arrest them. If the White Hu Zi Pirate Crew learns of this, our already precarious position will become even more dangerous."

"Oh, really?"

In response, Black Hu Zi showed no retreat and immediately retorted:

"Boom—!"

"Enough."

But before Black Hu Zi could continue, Gulan Damu, seated in the chief seat, slammed his fist on the table, cutting off the confrontation.

"I've already made my decision. Death may be spared, but punishment is unavoidable. Since they showed no regard for our dignity, we have no reason to accommodate them."

With the return of Celestial Serena and Heiberne, Gulan Damu's confidence had grown immensely.

Unlike other mages, Celestial Serena and Heiberne's strength was beyond imagination, far exceeding that of Ulfheim, ranked third—especially Celestial Serena, whose power was utterly despair-inducing.

Combined with Black Hu Zi's joining, Gulan Damu believed the Magic Council now had no reason to fear anyone else.

The three-day imprisonment was only granted out of consideration for Fairy Tail's guild master Macao's plea and the looming threat of the White Hu Zi Pirate Crew.

Anyone else would have faced zero tolerance.

"Council President!"

Seeing Oge about to speak further, Gulan Damu waved his hand.

"My decision is final, Councilor Oge—no more to say."

After speaking to Oge, Gulan Damu turned his gaze to Black Hu Zi at the end seat and softened his tone:

"Tichi, regardless of your personal feelings, Oge is your senior. Out of respect and propriety, you should show him more tolerance."

Though the Ace incident might bring trouble, and though Gulan Damu could see Black Hu Zi had been ostracized by his former faction,

to him, this was actually better—such a man with nowhere else to turn would be forced to rely entirely on the Magic Council's power.

"Naturally." Black Hu Zi nodded to Gulan Damu, then turned to Oge with a "friendly" smile—immediately drawing the man's furious glare.

Seeing the two temporarily "reconciled," Gulan Damu continued:

"By the way, your inauguration ceremony is in three days. After those three days, you must deliver the method of crossing into another world. Likewise, I will fulfill your condition to observe the Magic Spirit Power."

"Magic Spirit Power!?"

"Council President, when did you agree to such a demand?"

Oge, who had just sat down, stood up again, shocked.

At this, Gulan Damu's face darkened instantly.

"Is there a problem with that?"

"It was the very condition exchanged for the method of crossing into another world. Moreover, as a councilor, Tichi himself has the right to oversee Magic Spirit Power—do you have an issue?"

But in his haste, Oge failed to notice Gulan Damu's expression and pressed on anxiously:

"Of course, he's nothing but an otherworlder — how could he possibly be allowed to view our secret weapons?"

"This matter is absolutely out of the question!"