Freeman shook his head quickly.
"Ten years is too short, at least fifteen."
"Hiss— Is war really this close?"
We need to consider moving assets.
Freeman didn't believe the Fiore Kingdom could win.
If they could attack from within a kilometer now, who knows how far they could attack in the future?
Fiore's armies are still wielding spears and shields—how will they fight with this?
They can't.
Best to establish good relations with the Alvarez Empire and move immediately if things get serious.
Freeman was already considering reporting this matter, offering discounts when doing business with the Alvarez Empire to leave a good impression.
Meanwhile, Gaal was unaware and uninterested in Freeman's thoughts, slowly reviewing the intelligence on the Alvarez Empire.
It took him a while, but eventually, Gaal closed the hefty report and massaged his temples.
"It's really massive."
Just the standing army alone has three hundred units, with over a million soldiers.
Coupled with their Magic Equipment, they're practically the prototype of a modern army, albeit one with Magic.
Comparing the combat strengths...
Alvarez Empire's Emperor, Zeref. Fiore Kingdom's King, the pumpkin-headed judge from the Grand Magic Games...
Never mind, there's no need to compare.
No point relying on those guys, anyway.
Freeman asked uncertainly: "Will they really start a war? I haven't seen the Alvarez Empire doing much these years."
Gaal replied: "Don't worry about it. It won't happen for a few more years, at least."
Freeman's lips twitched: "I can't even focus on selling things."
Gaal smiled and shook his head.
Not long after, the auction house finished appraising all the items with full efforts.
Freeman received the inventory list, handed it to Gaal, along with a card.
"Based on the value of the materials you've provided, after deducting the cost of those rare materials, we'll pay you 137,601,010 Jewels. This is a deposit card for 100 million, and we've prepared the remainder in coins. How does that sound?"
The auction staff outside brought in boxes of coins. Gaal scanned the list briefly and nodded: "No problem."
With a wave, he stored all the boxes of coins into his space, and Freeman smiled broadly as he escorted Gaal out.
Once Gaal had completely left, Freeman exhaled deeply, relaxing and thinking about clearing out the inventory today. With those materials, his national performance this year is bound to be first.
A smile crept onto his face.
His earlier worries about an invasion from the Alvarez Empire faded, and he planned to enjoy the evening.
Gaal, having left the Kaelman Auction House not long ago, suddenly felt the hostile gaze of some people focused on him.
Despite this, he didn't interrupt his steps and used his Psychic Power to discern the source of the malice.
It puzzled him slightly because those expressing their open hostility towards him came in all ages, and were just average folks chatting away.
This piqued Gaal's interest.
He didn't recall offending people from this area. With a thought, Gaal used his Illusion Magic.
In the eyes of those people, Gaal seemed to walk away normally, but in reality, Gaal had already approached them leisurely.
Once 'Gaal' was out of sight, the group gathered in the courtyard chatting turned grim-faced and murmured curses.
"It's that damn Mage from Fairy Tail."
"There's no mistaking that emblem."
"How unlucky."
"How did he end up here?"
"It's all because of them."
"I wanted to resurrect my wife and child, but now I have to wait another ten years."
"Damn it."
"I've already saved up 200,000 Jewels, enough to bring two people back, and now I have to wait who knows how long."
"Right?"
"I saved up 100,000 Jewels to resurrect my brother."
"But because of those Fairy Tail guys, they destroyed the R-System, and now we need to rebuild it."
"Just recently, the priest collected the money again."
"I just set aside 100,000 Jewels for my brother's resurrection and donated everything."
"This is intolerable!!!"
Listening from the side, Gaal quickly understood.
They were all believers of the Black Magic Order, and the more remote the location, the more such beliefs thrived.
But he hadn't thought they'd have so many followers, running into them just by walking.
100,000 Jewels to resurrect a person...
What a lucrative business.
And yet... if it were too expensive, it would deter too many people.
100,000 Jewels is just right—not too much, not too little.
For an average person, making money isn't as easy as it is for a Mage, so 100,000 Jewels is a considerable amount.
Gaal squinted.
He had been troubled about not finding the Black Magic Order's headquarters—not anymore.
Thinking of this, Gaal looked at the thirteen Black Magic Order followers in the courtyard and summoned thirteen Gastly, commanding them to merge into the shadows of these believers.
The order was to switch to the shadow of a higher-ranking believer or priest when encountered.
Gaal could track the Gastlys' locations at any time, subsequently taking his leave.
With this, it was only a matter of time before he found the Black Magic Order's headquarters.
That night.
Back in his inn room, Gaal's communicator suddenly lit up.
Gaal picked it up, hearing Makarov's voice: "Gaal, where are you?"
Gaal answered: "I'm in Vinidel City. Why, Guild Master?"
Makarov's voice sounded grave: "Grimoire Heart is up to something again, be careful over there. Those guys have no boundaries."
Gaal frowned slightly: "Has something happened to the guild?"
Makarov acknowledged softly: "Thanks to your Pidgey, we caught two Western Region Mages today. They were hired by Grimoire Heart, their task was to assassinate the guild children. The troubling thing is, we don't know how many took the task since those two assassins had no idea how widespread the mission was.
They each carried a Magic sniper rifle. They admitted those were discarded weapons from the Alvarez Empire, capable of killing an A-level Magical Beast from 4,000 meters away. I tested it out; the sound is minimal, and most Mages wouldn't react fast enough."
Gaal furrowed his brows: "As expected..."
Before, they said replaced weaponry could kill a C-level Magical Beast from a kilometer, but now they're boasting about killing A-level Magical Beasts from four.
Makarov paused: "As expected of what?"
Gaal simply replied: "Nothing, I'm not worried here—inform Gildarts... actually, don't bother. Let other guilds know, I've heard many guilds have been attacked recently. The attackers left notes saying they suffered calamity due to Fairy Tail, ae you aware of this?"
Makarov sighed heavily: "Ah, this... The Magic Council brought it up numerous times, there's nothing I can do. Just hang in there, our numbers are limited; I need to step up sometime. Otherwise, I'd take care of them myself."
Gaal narrowed his eyes, determination in his voice: "But I won't let this insult slide..."