It was just finished but was snatched away by Rhode.
Such a beautiful poster should be posted where it belongs, like on the wall of Rhode's bedroom.
So in the end, everyone only saw a ranking list.
Even though she already knew the result, Lucy was still disappointed. The 500,000J prize money was really out of reach.
A few minutes later, Rhode came over with a stack of task sheets, posting them one by one on the bulletin board.
As he posted each one, Lucy read them one by one:
"Capture fugitive… Capture suspect… Capture criminal… Why are there so many tasks for capturing fugitives?"
Rhode explained: "Because a lot of prisoners escaped from prison when the Advisory Council was in chaos recently. Now the Council is too busy to deal with it, so local city halls and towns have no choice but to seek help from major guilds.
If you're interested, just try taking one. All of these have definite eyewitness reports and sightings, so they're relatively easier to find.
I also have detailed information, like criminal records and the magic they're skilled at, so ask us if you need it."
These fugitives don't seem to know if they're bold or foolish, causing trouble everywhere as soon as they escape, as if no one can rein them in now that the Council is in disarray.
Of course, it's also possible that some escaped and then quietly hid, which is why they weren't seen.
Natsu didn't think twice and tore one with the highest reward: "Let's choose this one, capture the fugitive Belbeno, reward is 2 million J!"
"2 million!" Lucy was very tempted, but as she stared at the task sheet highlighting the bold red word 'dangerous', she hesitated, "Could it be too dangerous?"
Hapi confidently said: "No problem because there's also Erza and Gray. No need to worry."
Natsu argued with Hapi: "Why is it because Erza and Gray are here that there's no need to worry? Isn't it because I'm here?"
Hearing that, Lucy also gained confidence:
"Let's choose this one. I'll go talk to Erza, and you guys find Gray… Let's prepare today and set off tomorrow!"
Rhode quickly stamped it for them, confident their squad could easily handle a fugitive.
Just uncertain how much of the reward they would get.
"Oh, by the way." Rhode suddenly asked, "That competition didn't even have an award ceremony?"
"No, it didn't have one last year either," Mira said, "They just distribute the prize money directly once the result is confirmed."
"Who distributes it?"
"Of course, I'm the one who distributes it."
"How casual…" Even though it was legitimate prize money, Rhode felt like there was some favoritism involved.
"Or do you want it like this?" Mira cleared her throat and said formally, "Congratulations to Miss Mirajane for winning the championship, now let's welcome Miss Mirajane to present the prize money to Miss Mirajane!"
She diligently counted out 50 bills, handing them forward with both hands: "Congratulations, Miss Mirajane."
After saying this, she turned to the opposite side, took the money back with both hands, and made a gesture of receiving the prize: "Thank you, Miss Mirajane."
She bowed to herself, then blinked at Rhode: "How's that?"
Rhode was amused by her cuteness but pretended to be troubled:
"Oh no, my fiancée has a dual personality, what should I do… Huh? Luckily, she's only a fiancée, not married yet…"
Mira laughed at Rhode's act and looked at him with a dangerous gaze: "And then, what do you want to do?"
"I want to give her double the care so she's happy no matter how many personalities she has."
"Good answer." Mira laughed, shaking the money in her hand, "I'll reward you with a delicious dinner tonight."
Mira kept her word and found a restaurant for a candlelight dinner with Rhode that night.
It wasn't overly expensive, and the taste might not beat Mr. Cook's, but the atmosphere was great.
They say that beauty under the moonlight far exceeds that seen in daylight.
With Mira's special preparation, her fair skin, delicate features, pretty lip gloss, and a lock of hair hanging by her ear… one might feel full even before eating.
"It's already October." Mira propped her chin, gazing at Rhode without blinking.
"Yeah, and October is nearly halfway over."
Rhode wasn't sure if Mira saw him with rose-colored glasses, but he only knew those eyes looked more beautiful by candlelight, and those crystalline lips more alluring.
Both chuckled softly and didn't say anything further.
After settling the bill, Rhode, as usual, escorted Mira to her doorstep, and just embraced her waist without speaking, gazing at her intensely.
Mira asked knowingly: "Why are you looking at me like that?"
"I want to have something delicious."
"Didn't we just have dinner?"
Rhode lowered his head: "Because there's something even more delicious here."
"Mmm…"
...
The next morning, the Strongest Squad assembled at the guild.
Erza asked seriously for the details of the fugitive they needed to capture, listening together with Lucy.
Natsu idly waited on the side, and Gray looked somewhat irritated, gazing at the sky from the guild entrance.
"Why is it raining again, such a hassle."
Jubia cautiously explained: "Master Gray… Jubia… Even though it's saddening not to team up with Master Gray, Jubia is controlling her magic well; she definitely didn't make it rain intentionally…"
Gray casually said: "Huh? No one said it's your fault."
"Jubia! Master Gray is so considerate, Jubia will immediately make a Sunny Day Doll!" Jubia dashed off in a blur of blue.
Gray wanted to ridicule: "A Rain Woman making a Sunny Day Doll…"
Hapi, riding Warm, passed by: "Romantic intrigue."
Pururu chimed in: "Puru puru…"
Warm added: "Hulu hulu~"
"You guys are annoying… and Warm, why is your size getting more exaggerated?"
"Hulu…" Warm's little horn drooped, its size was a troubling issue because it couldn't fit into the kitchen anymore.
Back then the owner would throw it in through the serving hatch to Mr. Cook, but now it couldn't even enter through the door.
It just ate a bit of food, so why is it growing so fast? Warm really doesn't want to grow up.
"So that's that, this person's magic is quite dangerous, be careful not to get caught." Rhode told Erza and Lucy the critical information, then handed them the material for them to review.
"Alright, nothing will go wrong." Erza nodded, "Natsu, Gray, get ready to depart."
"Ready to go anytime."
"Been waiting for ages!"
Hapi complained: "Getting ignored again…"
Lucy excitedly calculated: "2 million J, each person can get 400,000, almost half a year's rent!"
This time, she must keep an eye on Natsu! Also…
"Gray, do you want to put on a shirt?"
"Huh? When did I take it off?" Gray looked down at himself and then ran around the guild frantically looking for clothes.
"I just can't with him…" As she spoke, Lucy suddenly turned her head toward the guild entrance, seeing just the fine rain curtain.
"Who?" But Rhode clearly saw a figure flash by, and he dashed out of the guild.
Sneaky-looking, definitely suspicious.
Moreover, Lucy mentioned feeling like someone was watching her recently, it might even be a creep who saw Lucy at the beauty contest or the Magical Parade and started stalking her.
But this person was a bit slow, and Rhode caught up with him in a few strides, placing a hand on the person's shoulder.
He had a tattered cloak with a hood, a tattered pack on his back, dirty shoes on his feet, and his pants were loose and tattered…
The more Rhode looked, the more suspicious it seemed, but he didn't feel any magic power.
It was just an ordinary person, Rhode concluded, although he couldn't confirm if the person had any ill intent.
He tried his best to be polite as he probed: "I've seen you around several times already, do you have a task to assign to us?"
The person's body visibly tensed for a moment, hesitated for a few seconds, then as if making up his mind, removed his hood and slowly turned around:
"I'm looking for Lucy, she's in this guild, right? Can I speak to her alone for a few words?"
So he's really here for Lucy!
"This… huh? You…"
Rhode suddenly found the person's brows somewhat familiar, but with that head of golden hair and a face full of dense golden beard, he couldn't recall who among those he knew had such characteristics.
By this time, Lucy had already caught up, looking at the person's face.
"Dad…" She couldn't bring herself to call out to him, Lucy was shocked, covering her mouth, "How could it be?"