The name Dragon's Treasure did sound grand and traditional, the sort of thing you'd expect from a guild emblem etched on banners. Still, something about it felt a little unusual to Rhodes.
"What kind of guild is that?" he asked, curiosity piqued. He even wondered briefly, if the Kingdom allowed it, maybe Fairy Tail could also open a small branch office in the capital.
Hisui folded her hands, speaking softly, "It's considered a new-style Earth Magic guild, though it isn't quite the same as the older ones. Dragon's Treasure was rebuilt from a mercenary guild. From what I've heard, their goal is to win this year's Grand Magic Games..."
BOOM!
A sudden explosion ripped through the evening air. A nearby restaurant's windows shattered outward as fire and smoke billowed skyward.
Panic swept the street. People screamed, some running, others cowering. A few unlucky bystanders had been caught in the blast.
Four of the disguised guards immediately broke cover, surrounding Hisui protectively, while two more prepared to investigate.
Hisui's emerald eyes widened. "Quickly, save the injured! And contact the law enforcement team at once!"
But the guards hesitated. "Your Highness, the situation is unclear. We cannot leave your side unguarded.."
"Saving lives comes first!" Hisui's voice shook with urgency. When they still didn't move, she clenched her fists and ran toward the smoke herself. "Then I'll go!"
"Princess!" The guards scrambled after her.
Fortunately, Mira caught her wrist gently. "Don't worry. Those people will be fine."
For Rhodes was already there. A green glow enveloped his hands as he crouched beside the wounded, streams of healing light flowing into their bodies. Cries of pain quieted into weak but relieved sighs.
The Royal Capital's law enforcement was swift. Within moments, a small aircraft descended, uniformed officers leaping out and rushing toward the scene. Seeing them take charge, Rhodes finished binding a man's burned arm and rose to his feet.
"No fatal injuries," he announced calmly. "A few might scar, but if they're worried, they can come to our guild later. Wendy can help remove the marks."
He said it almost casually, but Mira recognized the subtle sales pitch. Rhodes had just given Wendy a few future clients.
Hisui pressed a hand to her chest, relief softening her features. "Thank you, Mr. Rhodes. Truly."
The captain of the law enforcement squad hurried over, bowing. "Your Highness, we've identified the culprits. It was Baron Cooper's eldest son and Baron Eluan's second son. They quarreled over a girl and recklessly activated their self-defense magic tools. We lack authority to punish nobility, but they've agreed to double-compensate for damages and medical costs."
He stopped himself, unwilling to repeat the crude words the young men had actually used.
"Nobles?" Hisui's voice sharpened. "By the authority of the crown, I order you to arrest them immediately and carry out a full investigation. Treat all victims with respect."
The captain's back straightened, confidence restored. "Yes, Princess!"
Soon, the two well-dressed young men were dragged off in cuffs, their curses turning to whines of protest. Behind them trailed a thin girl in ragged clothes, the source of their quarrel, following the officers with bowed head.
Hisui's expression darkened at the sight.
Turning to Rhodes and Mira, she lowered her voice apologetically. "I'm so sorry. I had hoped to host you properly tonight, but… this needs my attention. Please forgive me if I excuse myself."
Mira shook her head gently. "It's alright. We were planning to return to the inn soon anyway."
The couple and the princess exchanged polite farewells. As Hisui walked back toward her guards, she sighed inwardly.
Only moments earlier, she had proudly claimed that Crocus was one of the safest places in Fiore. Now an incident that looked almost like terrorism had erupted in front of her foreign guests.
The image of the Royal Capital…
But Rhodes and Mira simply clasped hands and walked on, unconcerned. To them, chaos and explosions were practically part of everyday life.
It was only two young nobles brawling and blowing up a restaurant, and only a single private room at that. In Fairy Tail, such an incident wouldn't even earn a written apology, let alone count as a serious matter.
Back at the inn, Rhodes and Mira unpacked their shopping bags.
Mira slipped off her coat, picked up a bath token, and headed for the bathroom. Just as she was about to close the door, Rhode's hand pressed against it.
She paused, tilting her head. "What's wrong?"
Rhode's grin was mischievous. "I think the bathtub in there is pretty big."
Mira blinked, then her cheeks flushed scarlet.
Mist swirled, water gurgled.
As everyone knows, when two people bathe together, the time it takes is not double, but closer to triple. By the time the young couple finally emerged, their faces were still pink from the hot water, and perhaps for other reasons.
Mira yanked off her bath towel and threw it over Rhode's head. "I'm never bathing with you again!"
By the time he pulled it off, she was already safely wrapped in her nightgown.
"How can a wife treat her husband like some kind of intruder?" Rhodes teased, staring at her. The soft fabric clung just enough to make him lose focus, but Mira cupped his face firmly between her palms.
"Don't look. We still need to train today."
The mention of training snapped Rhodes back to seriousness. "Alright then. Sit properly."
Mira folded her legs on the bed, closed her eyes, and focused on sensing the flow of magic within her. She deliberately ignored her most familiar and obvious source of power, searching instead for the faint pulse of her Second Origin.
Rhodes, now dressed in his pajamas, sat across from her. While activating his own Second Origin, he patiently shared his insights and the theories he'd gleaned from the Second Master's notes.
Both of them had already unconsciously awakened their Second Origins, they simply hadn't trained them systematically. Rhode's years of experience gave him finer control, so once theory aligned with practice, his progress accelerated naturally. Mira, however, still needed to take things step by step, first sensing the Second Origin, then learning to channel it actively.
Once upon a time, Mira had taught Rhodes how to fight hand-to-hand. Now, it was Rhode's turn to guide her hand-in-hand in magic.
While the couple trained sweetly in their room, the rest of the guild wasn't idle either.
Before leaving, Rhodes had posted detailed notes on the Second Origin in the guild hall, complete with recommended reference materials. The methodical, thoughtful style was reminiscent of the Second Master himself.
With clear guidance to grow stronger, everyone had thrown themselves into practice. Gajeel, free from money troubles, focused on training wholeheartedly. Natsu and Gray, perpetually strapped for cash, experimented with the method during missions.
Lucy, however, enjoyed a stroke of good fortune. Not only did she have Rhode's notes, but also personal guidance from Capricorn of the Celestial Spirit Capricornus.
This reliable, butler-like spirit had once served her mother and carried with him the accumulated knowledge of Star Spirit Magic from the previous generation. After just a few sessions with him, Lucy was nearly moved to tears.
At last, she had a dependable spirit!
Steady personality, sharp ability, impressive combat power, unmatched knowledge, he excelled in every way.
Compared to her usual partners, a hotheaded mermaid, a lecherous bull, a masochistic maid, mischievous Gemini, Capricorn truly was a blessing.
The Goat Butler was amazing!
...
Stones Plzz
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