Regarding these two Ghost mages, Rhode's assessment is:
A bit stronger in battle awareness than Jenny, at least they were able to immediately respond with an attack after being bitten by the Ancient Stone Beetle, trying to break free.
Moreover, solely relying on Holding Magic is really not safe; if the items fail, you're left powerless.
We must make backup plans; first, get a sturdier chain and sleep with the necklace on.
Second, hurry to find an appropriate Ability Magic; as a Summoner, having the strength to tear apart a Giant Dragon barehanded seems essential.
"What's up, Rhode?" Mira noticed Rhode's changing expressions and asked, "You look unwell. Are the plans not going smoothly?"
"No, it's going too smoothly, actually a bit unbelievably so."
"Isn't that great? Rhode really is strong, after all."
Mira remembered that the President sent Rhode out to boost his confidence.
Perhaps to some extent, thanks should be given to those two unlucky fellows?
The question is, how can you suppress a smile and maintain a calm demeanor when being complimented by a girl?
Well, Rhode couldn't hold back.
Luckily, he was just happily acknowledging it without losing focus:
"A sneak attack shouldn't count; those two had issues … Do we bring them back to the guild for Laki to interrogate?"
"Laki only enjoys collecting torture devices, not using them."
Mira tried to correct Rhode's thinking, "Don't get strange ideas about her."
"Oh." Rhode chose to believe this firmly, mainly because Mira emphasized it seriously.
"Then we'll do the questioning, but I'm worried they won't speak the truth, otherwise hand them over to Wolian?"
"Wolian can only read intense thoughts and can't completely read others' minds." Mira said, "And recently…you know Wolian's situation."
"Right." The aftermath of the last incident hasn't completely subsided.
"Actually, there's a simpler way." Mira thought for a moment and used Transformation Magic, "Just go and ask them like this."
Rhode looked at the man Mira transformed into: "This is…one of Ghost's ace mages, Gajeel?"
Mira said, "I've seen his picture in a magazine; it should take a while for them to realize."
Rhode was delighted to witness Mira's cleverness and adaptability; the only concern was:
"But letting you face dangerous figures like this, isn't it unsafe…"
Mira's eyes seemed a bit resigned:
"This matter affects the conflict between two guilds, and concerns everyone's future missions; the sooner we clarify it, the better."
Once it involves comrades, it can't be ignored.
Rhode could only nod: "Then…let me prepare a bit."
...
Ten minutes later, 'Gajeel' and his masked follower appeared before Sta and Faru.
At the moment, Sta and Faru's bodies were completely buried in the ground, leaving only their heads visible on the surface.
The creatures guarding them fled 'frightened' upon seeing 'Gajeel.'
'Gajeel' turned back and gave Rhode, his subordinate, a look, as if asking 'Is this what you mean by preparing?'
The subordinate's smile was covered by a mask, so he shrugged slightly, all for safety's sake.
"Ga…Gajeel sir!"
Sta wondered if he was dreaming; in a moment when his life nearly ended, he was saved by his idol!
The subordinate cleverly stepped forward and provocatively asked, "Do you know Gajeel sir? Are you from Ghost?"
In a guild as vast as Ghost, with even branches, it's normal for members not to know each other.
Sta hurriedly replied, "We're from the Kekets branch, Gajeel sir, please save us!"
The subordinate continued asking for Gajeel: "Why are Kekets branch members in such a place?"
Sta had no doubt about the masked subordinate and even admired the opportunity he had to ask on Gajeel's behalf:
"Because we had a request to handle in Flower City, and yesterday we just happened to see Fairy Tail members showing off in the commercial street…
Such a pretend guild could actually be on par with our Ghost!
So… we decided to wait here today and teach them a lesson, make them look foolish!"
Sta angrily recounted Fairy Tail's antics and stupidity while praising Ghost's power and professionalism.
'Gajeel' and his subordinate exchanged glances; were these two present during yesterday's event with Jenny?
Going to such lengths, risking conflict, forceful confrontation, and the Council's scrutiny, just for something so simple?
The subordinate frowned: "Just to teach them a lesson over such trivial matters?"
Sta was stunned; how could teaching Fairy Tail be deemed trivial? Opposing Fairy Tail is something Ghost does whenever possible.
Due to his extreme admiration for Ghost, Sta had looked into the guild's history before joining, knowing that Ghost's founding was largely to rival Fairy Tail!
How could someone from Ghost say such a thing is trivial? This masked person is suspicious!
He…
He's totally unworthy of being beside Gajeel!
That position should be mine!
'The subordinate' thought he misspoke and got suspected, ready to compensate with a few words.
Unexpectedly, Sta angrily shouted:
"How did someone like you get into the main guild! Gajeel sir, he doesn't deserve to be around you, let me follow you!"
Oh dear, it's confirmed; this man's motives are indeed that simple.
'Gajeel' finally spoke: "If he's unworthy, then are you worthy after ambushing Fairy Tail and ending up so embarrassed?"
"I… Gajeel sir…" Sta mumbled, he hadn't even met any Fairy Tail members.
'Gajeel' delivered the final blow:
"Hm? From your expression, isn't it possible that it wasn't Fairy Tail's doing, but mere ordinary beasts attacking you two?"
Sta's face turned red, it couldn't have been ordinary beasts; surely, they weren't ordinary beasts.
But as soon as Gajeel sir arrived, the beasts fled in fear, so maybe both of them were just too weak?
"Don't embarrass yourself anymore!"
Sta was utterly ashamed.
'Gajeel' squatted in front of him, pointed a finger at his temple, and Sta fell asleep immediately.
Sleep Magic, one of the little magics Mira mastered, far less powerful than Mystogan's, but decent for self-defense.
Beside him, already asleep Faru got another tap—taking influence from someone and playing it safe.
'Gajeel' stood up, reverting to Mira's form amidst flickering lights, rubbing her throat: "Speaking in a gruff voice is tiring."
Mira looked up to find Rhode staring at her: "What's wrong, is there something amiss?"
"No, I'm just refreshing my eyes, getting Gajeel's face out of my mind."
Mira slyly smiled, her head transforming to Gajeel's face: "Is it this face?"
"Pfft…"