Rhode heard a whistling sound behind his head and raised his right arm to block it. The iron rod clashed with the giant pincers, producing a clanging sound.
The force was strong, and it was an attack from above; Rhode felt like he was blocking a lump of iron.
"I knew someone would come to interfere." Through the smoke and dust, he could barely make out Gajeel's face.
Gajeel jumped back, landing on the back of the Canyon Vanguard, his right hand returning to normal:
"Tch~ Even in such poor visibility, you managed to block that. Is this the wit of the Fairy Tail Strategist?"
"To be honest, I'm just somewhat experienced in dealing with various flying objects."
Rhode took a step forward and leaped into the air.
Gajeel was about to prepare for an attack when he suddenly felt his footing disappear, losing balance instantly: "Disappeared?!"
Rhode spun around in the air, his tail, as fierce as an iron whip, striking Gajeel's waist hard:
"Don't stand on someone's Summoned Beast without permission. Don't you even understand such a simple rule?"
"Whoa!"
Gajeel was struck heavily on the waist, bending into a bow shape and flying sideways.
The yellow-brown dust in the air was driven and surged by a strong air pressure. Rhode heard the sound of a heavy object hitting the ground but couldn't see any figure.
A few seconds later, a jagged large sword slashed over horizontally: "Iron Dragon Sword!"
Rhode raised his pincers, catching the uniquely shaped iron sword between their snapping movements.
Under the immense force, the jagged edge of the pincers embedded into the iron sword. Rhode's arms exerted strength abruptly, swinging Gajeel up and slamming him heavily onto the ground.
"This is completely useless!" The iron sword disappeared, Gajeel flipped and jumped up, his arms and face already covered with scales.
He showed off his arm: "The Iron Dragon's scales can neutralize all attacks!"
Hapi had also mentioned that Natsu's magic, Fire Dragon's scales, could dissolve flames, but wasn't it once burnt by black fire?
Rhode swung his giant claws to attack, and Gajeel retaliated with his arms covered with iron scales.
The state covering his body with iron scales seemed to significantly enhance Gajeel's strength.
Every punch his fists collided with Rhode's giant pincers caused a strong wind pressure, making his clothes flutter and scattering the nearby dust.
Punching, kicking, the two exchanged several rounds. Once again, Rhode turned around, sweeping his tail across.
Gajeel raised his arm to block, stumbling back several steps, with many iron fragments falling from his arm.
"Aren't you supposed to neutralize attacks? Why's your arm shaking?
Could it be... it neutralizes your attacks?"
Rhode had to admit the kid's punches and kicks were heavy, but compared to Mira, he still had a lot to learn.
Gajeel clenched his fists, trying hard to stop the shaking: "Tch~ You're indeed a famous figure, not like those three weaklings easily knocked down."
His entire body was as hard as iron, especially that mouth.
Rhode laughed: "Save your attempts to anger me. I don't have time to play with you."
Although he wanted to take the Mountain Dragon Soul and press this kid into the ground, that wasn't his task.
Rhode saw through the River Crab that the two mechanical legs of the "Walker" had bifurcated slightly, barely maintaining the structure's balance.
Moreover, it seemed still intending to move forward, indicating Joseph wouldn't be satisfied without firing a shot at Fairy Tail Guild.
It was time to get busy with demolition, and Rhode turned to leave.
Gajeel taunted: "Are you scared? Of my power!"
Rhode ignored it; the mocking skill was too amateurish.
"Damn it!" Being ignored was infuriating. Gajeel took a deep breath, cheeks puffing: "Iron Dragon's....roar...bah!"
"Satan's Soul!"
A high-heeled shoe stamped on Gajeel's face, shattering the iron scales, caving his cheek inward.
Not only did it forcibly turn his breath into vomiting blood and teeth but also sent him spinning away.
"Requip: Black Wing Armor!"
Even before landing, a crescent-shaped slash hit Gajeel's body.
"Ah!!!" The clothing on Gajeel's upper body shattered instantly, with iron scales clattering to the ground. The blade broke through the scales' defense, leaving terrifying scars on his body.
Gajeel's body landed heavily on the ground not far away, with blood mixed with scales coating the dust, falling down together.
Despite this, he was indeed tough, managing to stand after taking such unexpected heavy blows.
"Tch!" He spat out a mouthful of blood-threaded saliva, looking at Mira and Erza, not only unfazed but even more excited, "Fairy Queen and Demon Mirajane, just in time!"
"I'll leave it to you two." Rhode summoned a golem to renew the Crown of Insight for himself and add one for Mira, then leisurely left.
Before leaving, he said: "This person is the Iron Dragon Slayer Mage who destroyed the Guild and attacked Reby. Don't hold back, finish it quickly."
"Who do you think you're underestimating!" Gajeel felt belittled. As one of Ghost's proud aces, what did it matter even if it was one-on-two, one-on-three?
Quick finish? Dream on!
Only then did he realize the eyes of the two women in front of him had changed. Their fierce looks seemed like they wanted to tear him apart.
"Requip: Fairy Armor!"
"Receive: Demon Hutley!"
"Ahhhhh!!!" For an instant, Gajeel couldn't distinguish how many times he was attacked.
Iron scales? Even if made of iron, bones would be smashed.
"Yaaah!"
Rhode heard Gajeel's screams from afar, seemingly mixed with Lucy's cries of surprise. It was probably Lucy's first time witnessing those two go all out?
If too close, even she might be blown away by the combat's aftermath.
So far, everything was proceeding smoothly, concentrating superior forces to encircle enemy small units for swift decisive battles to eliminate them.
It was a crucial tactic for executing exterior line operations.
Strictly speaking, just now could be considered encircling and attacking aid, encircling the mechanical leg and attacking Gajeel as the aid.
That's why Erza and Mira were made the mobile group. With the capability to execute such battles, who would foolishly duel them?
"Wolian, position of the assault team."
"Climbed along the mechanical leg. Natsu seems to have gone up too, now complaining about feeling nauseous."
"This idiot...where's the Worm Squadron?" No need to worry about Natsu for now; if enemies appear, Hapi will fly him away.
"Already landed and continuing to generate."
Rhode looked at the mechanical leg right in front of him: "Very well, let me talk to the assault team."
Wolian promptly connected the communication.
"Assault team, any leads on Jupiter's magic crystal?"
Kana's voice came through: "People continually pour out beneath the barrel; Ghost has many troops; we can't break through."
"Ugh... I have a good idea... feels terrible, Hapi..."
"Hapi, do as Natsu says, and let Gray act with them." Rhode decided to put enough trust in Natsu.
'Shift the machine gun position left by five centimeters' wasn't a task for him.
"Aye!"
"Got it."
"Before that, be ready for an earthquake. I'll count to five, 5, 4..."
"Wait, wait...ready!" The communication channel was slightly busy for a moment, but then everyone seemed to find a way to secure themselves.
Rhode's wings vibrated a few times, transforming into a streak of purple light, colliding heavily with the second mechanical leg.
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