Fairy Tail: The Faint Smile in Earthland

The heavy doors groaned open as a Council attendant returned. "The Grand Chamber is ready. You may enter."

Macao, Warren, and Teresa followed in silence, their footsteps echoing along the polished marble corridor. Enchanted torches cast cold, unwavering light, illuminating runes of suppression etched deep into the stone. At the corridor's end, two enormous doors engraved with ancient glyphs swung open as they approached.

The Grand Council Chamber revealed itself.

A circular hall, towering and austere, ringed with marble pillars. High above, elevated rows of Councilors sat behind ornate desks—observers, judges, power brokers. Their gazes are fixed on the platform below.

At the center, the trio stopped.

"State your business," came the voice of Councilor Belno, one of the elder representatives. Her gaze was sharp, calculated — not openly hostile, but wary.

Macao stepped forward, keeping his voice even. "Macao Conbolt, Acting Guild Master of Fairy Tail. We present the evidence as summoned. This is Warren Rocko, administrative support, and Teresa, Fairy Tail's agent responsible for dismantling the Nexus Consortium."

"Acknowledged," another Councilor intoned.

Teresa remained silent, her silver eyes calmly scanning the chamber. She read their faces: some studying her clinically, others concealing quiet unease. No fear — yet — but caution.

Councilor Org, massive and severe, leaned forward. "Teresa of Fairy Tail." His voice carried like a hammer striking stone. "You acted independently against Nexus Consortium assets. Why?"

Teresa answered without hesitation. "Their operations endangered Earthland civilians. They trafficked corrupted relics, destabilized trade, and fueled black markets." Her voice was smooth, emotionless. "They required elimination."

A ripple of discomfort shifted through the Council seats.

Org's brows tightened. "The Council determines threats, not lone guild agents."

"The Council delayed." Teresa's calm never wavered. "Action was necessary."

Whispers stirred behind the elevated desks. Even Macao shifted slightly at her directness.

Councilor Yajima, seated farther left, spoke next, his tone softer. "You claim personal judgment. Yet you bear Fairy Tail's emblem. Do you speak as their representative?"

"No," Teresa answered evenly. "I speak for myself. Fairy Tail acknowledges my actions. They do not command them."

Belno's gaze narrowed. "You understand the precedent this sets. If guild members operate beyond Council sanction, balance collapses."

"Stability collapses under corruption," Teresa said. "I act when others hesitate."

The room stirred again.

Councilor Crawford Seam, seated farther right, smiled thinly. "You see yourself as judge and executioner."

"No," Teresa corrected softly. "I see myself as a solution."

The silence thickened.

Macao stepped forward carefully, raising one hand. "The evidence speaks for itself." He placed the sealed ledgers on the center pedestal. "The Nexus Consortium violated Council law repeatedly. Their corruption reached across multiple regions. Teresa neutralized the immediate threat before greater damage unfolded."

Belno gestured to the attendants, who retrieved the documents for inspection. The Councilors leaned in as pages circulated, murmuring.

Org's voice boomed again. "Your strength is not in question. But unchecked power unsettles this chamber."

"I do not seek your comfort," Teresa replied evenly.

Several sharp intakes of breath rippled across the upper rows.

Seam's smile stiffened. "Do you respect Council authority?"

"I respect purpose," Teresa answered. "Authority without purpose is noise."

Macao exhaled softly, maintaining his composure.

Yajima leaned forward, voice measured. "Your arrival remains… anomalous. Your abilities—foreign. Yet you've chosen to align with a guild when personal gain was an option."

"I require no advantage," Teresa replied. "Only stability."

Belno's fingers steepled. "And yet, your presence threatens equilibrium. The Nexus investigation confirms your actions have attracted interest from certain underground factions."

"Corruption flourished long before my arrival," Teresa answered. "I simply exposed its layers."

A longer silence followed.

Then Seam pressed forward, lowering his voice with pointed weight: "Would you submit to Council oversight?"

"No."

The refusal came instantly, echoing coldly through the chamber.

"I submit to no one," she continued, her tone perfectly calm. "I walk my path. Fairy Tail offers recognition. Not command."

Belno exchanged glances with her peers.

"You leave us few alternatives," Org rumbled.

"Options are illusions," Teresa whispered.

The chamber hung in tense silence.

Finally, Yajima's voice broke the stillness. "The Council acknowledges that Teresa of Fairy Tail has exposed significant criminal operations. The Nexus Consortium will be dismantled under Council jurisdiction. No charges shall be filed against Fairy Tail or its representative."

Several Councilors showed open displeasure but did not speak.

Yajima continued, "However, the Council reserves the right to observe Teresa's activities closely, given the... potential ramifications of unsanctioned power."

Belno added gravely, "We will not tolerate unmonitored warfare, no matter how efficient."

Teresa tilted her head slightly. "Observe as you will. Your eyes do not alter my choices."

Seam's thin smile finally vanished.

Macao exhaled, sensing the outcome had settled—for now.

Belno's voice cut through to formally conclude: "This session is adjourned."

The massive doors creaked open once more.