Entrusting the task of building the prison to Precht, Nate returned to the Magic Council with the nine demon books in tow.

The battle against Tartaros was over, but there were still many follow-up tasks to handle.

The First, Second, Third, and Fourth Enforcement Units—totaling over 500 mages—were teleported to Tartaros’ base on Cube Island.

Their duties included cleaning up the battlefield, securing the castle, and assisting Precht with the construction of the prison.

With the Plutogrim defeated in a single strike by Precht, Cube Island lost its ability to fly.

Relocating an island the size of a city was a logistical nightmare, but it wasn’t urgent. The task could wait until the prison was fully operational.

…

In the Council Chamber

“Gran Doma isn’t dead?” asked Warrod Sequen in surprise.

“That’s something you’ll need to ask her yourself,” Nate replied.

He retrieved the demon book of Kyôka’s friend, Seilah, and infused it with a substantial amount of cursed energy.

The book opened automatically, and red-brown demonic script floated out, coalescing into Seilah’s humanoid form.

The moment she realized several pairs of eyes were fixed on her, her heart sank.

As the first of the Nine Demon Gates to be defeated—falling to Erza—Seilah had no idea what had transpired since.

“Tartaros lost, didn’t it?” she asked, her gaze landing on Nate.

Nate nodded. “You’ve been defeated. Now it’s time for questioning.”

“Ask anything you want,” Seilah said, exhaling in resignation. She had expected this outcome the moment she revealed Tartaros’ location to Nate. Sacrificing Tartaros to protect Kyôka had been her only choice.

“Where is Gran Doma’s soul?” Nate asked directly.

“As per our arrangement, I suggested keeping him alive. His soul is intact and stored in Hell’s Core.”

Everyone except Nate was surprised by this revelation.

“Didn’t Jackal eat him?” Ur asked in shock.

Seilah shook her head. “The attack on the Magic Council was primarily to confirm critical information.”

“What information?” Makarov pressed.

“The locations of all former councilors and the identities of the three who sealed Face,” Seilah explained. “But when Jackal killed him, we had no choice but to retrieve his soul.”

After Jackal was reborn in Hell’s Core, he regurgitated Gran Doma’s soul. Unfortunately, Gran Doma didn’t know who the three sealers of Face were, as he had only been in office for a few months.

“If anyone knows, it would be the previous chairman, Crawford Seam,” she added.

Warrod nodded. “So you planned to track him down next?”

“Yes, but Crawford was smart. He immediately fled to Fairy Tail for protection.”

Since all the councilors were reportedly hiding at Fairy Tail, Tartaros decided to attack the guild. If they couldn’t identify the sealers, they planned to kill all the councilors to break the seal on Face.

Of course, they didn’t anticipate being intercepted and defeated by the assault force before reaching Magnolia.

Seilah looked at Nate with a bitter smile. “When I gave you Tartaros’ location, I already anticipated this outcome.”

Nate chuckled. “I kept my promise. Kyôka hasn’t been harmed.”

“What do you intend to do with us?” she asked.

“Death penalty!” roared Wolfheim, his temper flaring. “You’re demons from Zeref’s books! You’re not protected by human laws!”

While humans like Jellal and the Oración Seis could only be sentenced to life imprisonment despite their crimes, demons weren’t granted the same leniency. They were not even considered human under the law.

With no need for trials, they could be executed on sight.

Hearing this, Seilah smirked, her gaze icy as she glared at the tiny, irate councilor. “You insignificant human, you dare judge us?”

Her disdainful remark froze Wolfheim in place, his anger simmering as he considered retaliating.

“Let’s all calm down,” Ur said, holding back a smile, trying to defuse the situation.

Ignoring the heated exchange, Seilah turned back to Nate. “What will you do with us?”

Nate smirked inwardly. Generate cursed energy for me… forever.

He already envisioned a system where demons like her would continuously produce cursed energy in the newly constructed prison.

“That’s for the Council to decide. We’ll discuss it in tomorrow’s meeting,” Nate replied nonchalantly.

For now, he sealed Seilah back into her demon book, turning his attention to more pressing matters.

“Tomorrow can wait. Tonight, we’re holding a victory banquet for the assault force.”

…

Evening: The Victory Banquet

The banquet was in full swing, celebrating the successful assault on Tartaros.

Despite their victory, many attendees bore the marks of battle. S-class mages from official guilds and members of the Ninth Enforcement Unit, like the Oración Seis, were among the injured. Some were heavily bandaged, like Bacchus from Quatro Cerberus, who still showed up, guzzling alcohol as though afraid his injuries might heal too quickly.

Ultear mingled with a group of women, chatting about the “White God” mode, while Nate sat alone at a corner table, enjoying the feast.

Suddenly, Angel approached him.

“Nate-sama, I have a favor to ask.”

“If it’s about an advance on your salary, the answer is no.”

“…”

Angel rolled her eyes. “It’s about my sister.”

“You found her?” Nate asked, a bit surprised.

“I posted on the forums asking for information, but it’s been two days, and I haven’t received any useful leads.”

Angel sighed in frustration, muttering about the supposed omnipotence of the internet.

“And now you’re asking me?” Nate spread his hands. “How should I know? You’re better off asking Precht.”

Angel’s eyelids twitched. “Hades… I mean, Precht… I’m a little scared of him.”

“He’s a kind old man now. What’s there to be afraid of?” Nate thought to himself, then suddenly had a good idea.

“You could try asking the [Truth Encyclopedia].”

“The what?”

“A god that knows all the truths of the world—but only if you have enough faith.”

Nate smirked. “Want answers? Show me your faith!”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by lotustale.com