Jubia couldn't reveal much useful information either.
The main issue is that a structure this huge must have a powerful energy supply system when it starts moving.
The most critical component is in Joseph's guild master's office, making it hard to destroy directly.
However, the weapon energy supply system is indeed as Rhode analyzed; the magic-guided cluster cannon is powered by a large magic crystal.
The other more powerful weapon requires living magic connections from the Four Elements to power it.
That's good news because two of the Four Elements have already been defeated, surely causing some difficulties for the opponent.
It's also bad news because Joseph might assign those two spots to himself and Iron Dragon Gajeel, raising the difficulty in completely destroying the weapon system for the team.
However, the ultimate goal is the same, to defeat everyone, including Joseph!
Rhode divided everyone into multiple combat groups based on the guild members' magic effects, combat abilities, compatibility, and injury conditions.
Thanks to his usual one-on-ones with others, he was quite familiar with everyone's magic; otherwise, it would be quite challenging.
After detailing the battle plan, Rhode had each group gather for preparations; the implementation would have to wait for some adjustments upon clarifying the Ghost's attack route.
After providing an additional Crown of Embers to those with heavier injuries, Rhode stood up: "Wolian, come with me, everyone else rest and stand by."
With the convenience of Telepathy as a communication magic, it ought to be used for command, especially since Wolian also had the perception positioning ability attached to telepathy.
"Oh, one more thing, we are the best guild, we have the greatest companions in the world, and we've made the most thorough preparations, so victory is certainly ours!"
Rhode raised his right fist: "Fairy Tail!"
Everyone raised their right fists together, and their shouting almost made the guild tremble: "Victory!!!"
...
"Hey... Isn't this a bit over the top?"
Wolian followed Rhode to a concealed spot by the lakeside behind the guild, about a kilometer away.
The lake shore was already crowded with blue-purple Void Worms, jumping at times and looking around eagerly, wanting to bite something.
With the restraint of three Nest Insects, they could only hop and squeeze around within a limited area.
A Cyan Engraved Golem was following Rhode step by step, maintaining the Crown of Insight on him.
Rhode still felt it wasn't enough: "The time was too short, barely gathered under three thousand."
Assuming ten of them could handle one person, it was enough to reverse the numerical disadvantage, and the dense swarm rushing out would indeed be intimidating.
Suddenly, Rhode furrowed his brows, placing his hand on Wolian's shoulder: "Communicate with everyone."
"Okay." Wolian brought his index and middle fingers together, placing them on his forehead, "Everyone, attention, this is a communication from the command group."
Everyone inside and outside the guild became alert.
Rhode spoke directly, his voice echoing in everyone's minds:
「Discovered the Six-legged Walker Guild, they plan to cross the lake from the northeast side, currently about fifteen kilometers away; everyone prepare for battle.」
「Assault team depart, maneuver team follow! Act according to the plan, Natsu, don't act recklessly.」
"Roger!"
"Understood!"
"Why did you specifically mention me?"
"Well, because Rhode said Natsu gets motion sick."
The Ghost's 'Big Spider' was definitely a vehicle for Natsu, and Rhode didn't want Natsu to rush in and get into trouble.
Several silhouettes dashed out from the guild yard.
Upon reaching the lakeside, Gray pressed his hand on the water's surface: "Ice-Make: Lake Heart Walkway!"
A road wide enough for ten people to walk alongside each other extended forward, with special anti-slip grooves carefully carved on the ice surface.
"Gray, the man's man!" Elfman was the first to step on the ice, and Kana, Loki, and Gray quickly followed.
Natsu, looking displeased, lagged one step behind with Hapi.
Before the 'Big Spider' halts, he could only fight spider legs; the task of finding and destroying the magic crystal was left to several others. He and Hapi are only allowed to engage in aerial combat in emergencies.
Erza, Mira, and Lucy set off after them.
Lucy held her cheeks: "To be placed in this group, does that mean Mr. Rhode thinks I'm as strong as Erza?"
Erza nodded seriously: "After all, you did take down the Gorilla Mercenary Duke, Rhode must have seen your potential."
Lucy collapsed: "It's all just a rumor, and the versions keep changing!"
Mira was laughing on the side, Rhode surely thought Lucy would be safer with them, and there were tasks suitable for her too.
「Sniper team, proceed, Gray, keep an eye on the supply point!」
"Roger that!"
Alzack and Bisca led a few companions who also used sniper rifles to set off, searching for suitable sniper positions, taking a different route from those ahead.
In a defensive battle, waiting passively in the guild for the enemy to strike is just too disadvantageous.
Not to mention their weapons, even the ordinary battle remnants could destroy the guild and might even affect innocent residents.
Therefore, everyone decided on external line combat, to defeat the enemies outside the town, with the final main battlefield directly set inside Ghost, destroying it during the battle.
As the assault team ran, they saw a blue flag raised on the shore, and Gray stopped: "You go ahead."
He created a separate ice crystal slide for himself, with a gentle slope but smooth enough to slide all the way to the supply point.
The so-called supply point was actually the golem beside Rhode himself.
As soon as Gray arrived, a blue radiance wrapped around him.
"There's really no need for this; creating simple appearances on the lake is easier than elsewhere."
"I think it's necessary, as you have a few more to make." Rhode handed Gray a blueprint.
He needed to set up a rudimentary transportation network on the lake, to leave some retreat routes and also to conceal the real location of the Nest Insects, avoiding being found.
This was Rhode's first time commanding, lacking experience, these jobs should have been done in advance.
"Alright then, if you think it's necessary." Gray went to work, plenty of Magic Power available; a bit of extra work was fine.
"It's up to you, I have another task as well."
Rhode, clad in green armor, leapt into the water, aiming to reach the Gorge Swift Crab; traveling in the lake was more convenient this way.
...
About five kilometers across the large lake, a huge castle with a suspended base supported by six thick mechanical legs on the exterior was taking steps forward.
Each mechanical leg was as thick as the spire-like structures inside the castle.
With every step taken, the mechanical legs left a large pit on the ground, with several cracks extending out.
Although the legs had shock absorption designs, the massive weight still made them roar as they moved.
The Ghost's guild master Joseph was at this moment standing at the top of the guild's building window, holding a monocular to check the situation.
The telescope's tube flickered with a small purple magic array, evidently a magic tool.
Being someone who enjoys playing tricks, he'd always have some intelligence-gathering awareness.
"What kind of trickery is that?" He saw something strange with the ice paths on the lake as a few figures ran towards the shore.
"Coming right to us?" Joseph waved his hand, "Jupiter, begin loading."
Whatever they're up to, just defeating them would suffice; once in range, Jupiter would fire immediately.