“Gentlemen, we’ve arrived at your destination.”
Wearing the orange wig he had borrowed from the troupe, Ron hopped down from the carriage and looked up at the three-story building before him.
This was their destination—one of the finest Mage Guilds in the Kingdom of Fiore.
A sign bearing the name Fairy Tail hung above the main entrance, while three flags displaying the crests of allied Mage Guilds fluttered from the third floor.
Fairy Tail’s emblem occupied the center.
Ron stared at the doors with shining eyes, unable to contain his excitement.
Until now, being reincarnated into this world had not felt entirely real.
He had only just recovered the memories of his previous life before being forced to rush around dealing with the Pure White Theatre Troupe’s problems.
‘I never expected my first visit to Fairy Tail to be as a client.
Still, this is pretty exciting!’
After paying the driver, Wes climbed down from the carriage as well.
The clatter of hooves gradually faded into the distance.
Once the carriage was gone, Wes lowered his head and spoke quietly to Ron.
“Master Ron, shouldn’t we send a letter to your parents and explain what’s happened?
They could tell us how they want this handled.”
During the ride, Wes had finally learned the full situation.
Even after hearing Ron’s plan, however, he was still uneasy.
“They’ve already dumped the entire troupe in my lap, so I’ll handle it myself.
There’s no need to interrupt their precious honeymoon.”
“All right, but…
Master Ron, are you certain you want to go in dressed like that?”
Ron was trembling with excitement so badly that his orange wig had slipped sideways.
Wes felt embarrassed just looking at him.
This was supposed to be an important commission.
At this rate, the guild members might assume Ron was there to cause trouble and throw him straight back outside.
Ron rolled his eyes upward, noticed the wig hanging crookedly over his forehead, and quickly straightened it.
“Of course.
I have to go in like this.”
How else was he supposed to raise his roleplay completion?
“Let’s go.”
Ron adjusted his tie, brushed a few specks of dust from his cheap suit, and marched confidently toward the entrance.
Wes sighed and followed him into Fairy Tail.
The moment they entered the main hall, they were swallowed by the guild’s deafening atmosphere.
The first floor resembled a lively tavern.
Mages were drinking, shouting, laughing, and generally behaving nothing like the dignified magical professionals Wes had imagined.
‘So this is a Mage Guild?
It’s nothing like I expected.’
Wes looked around with open curiosity.
Had he not accompanied Ron, he might have gone his entire life without ever stepping inside one.
He followed the perfectly relaxed Ron through the hall until they reached the bar against the far wall.
The young woman working behind it greeted them politely.
“Welcome to Fairy Tail.
What can we help you with?”
Wes looked around uncertainly.
“Um…
this really is a Mage Guild, isn’t it?”
“That’s right!”
A powerful voice suddenly rang throughout the hall, echoing so clearly that it drowned out every other sound.
“I am the Master of this Mage Guild.
What business brings you here?”
Wes jumped and frantically searched the room, but he could not find anyone who looked capable of producing such an overwhelming voice.
He was still looking when Ron tugged at his trousers to get his attention.
“What are you searching for?
He’s standing right in front of us.”
Prompted by Ron, Wes looked down.
Only then did he notice a white-haired old man no taller than Ron standing directly before them.
The old man wore an orange sweatshirt over a white shirt bearing Fairy Tail’s emblem, along with a striped orange-and-blue jester cap.
He smiled kindly and stroked his small mustache.
“Sorry about that.
I didn’t mean to frighten you.
“People visiting for the first time ask that question surprisingly often, so I like to make the answer perfectly clear.”
Several nearby Mages burst into loud laughter.
“Master, it’s completely normal that he didn’t notice you!”
“Ahem!
Ahem!”
The old man cleared his throat and pretended not to hear the painfully accurate comment.
“Allow me to introduce myself properly.
I’m Makarov Dreyar, Master of the Fairy Tail Guild.
What brings you to us?”
Wes offered a polite greeting.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you.
Our director would like to commission a job.”
“A commission?
Then let’s discuss it somewhere quieter.” Makarov glanced around.
“Where is your director?”
Wes lowered his hand and gestured toward Ron.
“He’s standing right here.”
Makarov looked at the ten-year-old boy in front of him, confusion briefly crossing his face.
‘You’re the one in charge?’
…
“I see.
You suspect that this law firm is trying to defraud you?”
Makarov examined the debt statement the firm had sent Ron, then looked across the table at his two visitors.
Ron sat comfortably sipping tea, while Wes watched Makarov with obvious anxiety.
After considering the matter, Makarov shook his head.
“I’m afraid I have to recommend taking this to the Magic Council.
Our guild isn’t equipped to investigate legal fraud.”
“Besides, this letter alone doesn’t prove anything.
You don’t have enough evidence.”
Despite Ron’s bizarre appearance, Makarov had not dismissed him.
He had listened carefully to the entire story before responding.
The lack of evidence was the main reason he hesitated to accept the job.
Everything rested on the young director’s account, and Ron himself had admitted that their conclusions were only deductions.
If their suspicions turned out to be wrong, Fairy Tail would merely be helping them create a disturbance, which could make any later investigation even more difficult.
“No, Master Makarov.
You’ve misunderstood.”
Ron placed his teacup down.
“I didn’t come here to hire you to investigate the fraud.”
Makarov raised an eyebrow and waited for him to continue.
“In fact, I came to Fairy Tail with two separate commissions.”
Ron raised one finger.
“The first is simple.
I want to hire a Mage as a bodyguard while I personally meet with the law firm.”
“The Mage’s only job will be to prevent them from using force or any other underhanded methods during the negotiations.
I’m still a child, so this is purely for my personal safety.
As long as no one attacks me, your Mage won’t need to interfere.”
Makarov frowned, his expression turning serious.
“You intend to negotiate with them yourself?
I still think you should—”
“Go to the Magic Council?” Ron interrupted.
“A proper investigation could take a long time.
I can’t guarantee the troupe will survive until they finish.”
He paused briefly before continuing.
“As a Guild Master, I believe you understand how I feel.”
Makarov’s eyes shifted slightly.
“If you knew trouble was coming for your guild and you had the ability to deal with it yourself, would you really hand the responsibility to someone else?
“When the previous Master entrusted Fairy Tail to you, I’m sure you resolved to protect it at any cost so they would never have to worry about what became of it.”
Ron met his gaze without wavering.
“I believe I can reach an agreement with the law firm myself.
As long as one of your Mages ensures that no third party interferes, I can settle this.”
He glanced toward Wes, who was now staring at him in amazement.
“This is how I intend to protect the Pure White Theatre Troupe as its director.”
After hearing those words, Wes felt nothing but admiration for the boy before him.
‘As expected of the director’s son.
He has the same presence his father did!’
Makarov stared deeply at the ten-year-old across from him and fell silent.
Ron’s words had struck directly at his feelings for Fairy Tail.
They made it clear that the young director cared for his theatre troupe in much the same way Makarov cared for his guild.
After a moment, Makarov returned to himself and smiled as he shook his head.
“I understand.
Fairy Tail will accept your bodyguard commission.”
With that determined look in Ron’s eyes, there was little point trying to dissuade him.
“And what is your second commission?”
Ron smiled.
“The second concerns the future of the Pure White Theatre Troupe.
But if we can’t resolve the immediate crisis, there won’t be any future to discuss.”
“So let’s save that commission until the bodyguard job is finished and I’ve successfully protected my assets.”
“After all, you can protect us for a day, but not forever.
Isn’t that right?”
Makarov’s smile widened.
The boy had clearly come prepared.
“Your name is Ron White, correct?
I like you!
I’ll accompany you personally.”
Then he pointed at Ron’s outfit.
“One more thing.
You really shouldn’t go around dressed like that.
You’ll give people the wrong impression.”
Ron narrowed his eyes and slowly looked Makarov up and down, taking in the orange sweatshirt and striped jester cap.
‘You’re seriously telling me that?’