After discussing the most important matters, Rhode called for the wild creatures to bring out about a dozen people.
It was Ailiger and his subordinates.
"This is Ailiger from Iron Forest, and members of the New Iron Forest he formed." Rhode handed the task sheet to Lahar, "The bounty previously issued by the Council, I wonder if it still counts now."
"Well… it should count." Lahar said, "But I need to go back and consult, and the finances of the Freshman Council… the reward might take about a month."
The bounty-type tasks previously issued by the Council weren't limited to Ailiger, they can't suddenly go back on their word.
They just changed the leaders, not completely started anew.
"Then please take them back with you as well." Rhode wasn't worried about them defaulting, he could afford to wait a month.
This trip back, he could start choosing a house, quite a harvest.
Wonder how the rewards from the allied forces will be... not just working for nothing, right?
Anyway, Rhode didn't officially team up with them and didn't plan to share the reward. Mr. Luo now had saved enough money, all he thought about was the happy life of a warm hearth with wife and kids.
Lahar greeted President Robin Lu, who came to check the situation, and soon left with his people.
He wanted to join up with the subordinates searching for the Red Headscarf and White-tailed Eagle.
Also planned to investigate the battle traces for a more accurate assessment of the combat power of Rhode's two Giant Dragons.
Unexpectedly, Rhode was so powerful, just had been hiding such... No!
Lahar suddenly woke up, the incident where Rhode and Elfman were chased by two cadres from Demon Heart just happened a few months ago...
He carefully calculated, it seemed it had been half a year.
If he could summon Giant Dragons then, he definitely wouldn't have been so miserable!
Which means—he only recently acquired this ability.
Progress speed represents his potential, those two dragons represent his destructive power.
There are still vacant positions among the Ten Wizard Saints. Could it be he already has the qualifications for the title?
Lahar was shocked at the chance to witness the growth of a Ten Wizard Saint firsthand, but soon dismissed his thoughts.
Since Joseph and Jellal were stripped of their titles, the selection criteria for the Ten Wizard Saints became much stricter, magic power is necessary but no longer the decisive factor.
With magic power meeting the mark, character, reputation, contributions to the Ishujal Continent, etc., have all become evaluation standards. For someone this young, becoming a Ten Wizard Saint is likely increasingly difficult.
"Report!"
The subordinate's voice interrupted Lahar's thoughts, he asked: "What's the matter?"
"Captain, we can't find it."
"Can't find what?"
"Nirvana, it's gone. The city walls created by the earth element dragon also disappeared."
"How is that possible?" Lahar found it hard to believe.
Such a large city, even if burned by Dragon Flame, can't possibly leave no remnants behind?
But even when he personally checked, all he found was a large expanse of barren hillside.
If it weren't for yesterday's distant glimpse of this place and the burned-out trees and such, it would be hard to even confirm it was where Nirvana had once stayed.
Did the allied forces clean up the battlefield after destroying Nirvana?
This is too clean, isn't it?
...
As soon as the Council's people left, Natsu revived with full energy: "Finally gone!"
Gray held himself back a bit, didn't cheer along with him, but Hapi didn't have such concerns, directly echoing: "Gone!"
Only when he saw Carla's gaze, did he quickly fall silent, acting all 'so mature'.
Lucy bent down, patting his head: "That's the spirit~"
Hapi took a fish from his small bag: "Lucy, can you help me deliver the fish to Carla?"
"Eh~~~ but this fish originally came from Cat Transformation Inn, didn't it?"
"But it wasn't at Carla's house."
"No way, such things should be done by yourself, boys should…" Lucy refused Hapi's request, rattling off a bunch of dating tips.
Even though she hasn't ever dated, only read romance novels.
One Night crossed his arms before him, posing in what he considered a cool stance: "MEN—now, with matters resolved, the next obvious step is…"
The three handsome clowns echoed: "The obvious step is…"
One Night loudly proposed: "A banquet!"
"A banquet!"
Six voices joined in, since Natsu, Gray, and Lucy joined in.
Rhode saw Lucy twisting her body in a strange pose and chuckled softly.
She always mocked others for being weird, as if she were very normal. But whenever something weird happened, she was the most excited.
Wendy really liked such lively scenes, but was too shy to join in for the moment.
One Night seemed quite pleased with his influence, eagerly pointing to Robin Lu's direction: "Everyone at Cat Transformation Inn, join us too!"
The villagers, having quietly gathered behind Robin Lu at some point, remained silent in face of One Night's invitation.
The scene turned slightly awkward.
President Robin Lu stepped forward, voice solemnly speaking: "Thank you all for defeating Oracion Seis and destroying Nirvana, tricked. Thank you very much. Now, I must apologize to everyone, actually… we are the Nirubit Race that created Nirvana."
Worried that everyone would misunderstand as Rhode did last night, he specially emphasized: "Not descendants of the Nirubit Race, but the Nirubit Race. I… am the one who created the magic of Nirvana 400 years ago."