After a thorough reconnaissance using the vision of the Scuttle Crabs, Rhodes confird the presence of more than twenty individuals nearby.
He quickly led the team to hide within a narrow mountain valley he had scouted beforehand and marked the targets' location and direction on the map for Kewpie, the captain of the Council's Custody Enforcent Unit.
"Thanks," Kewpie said, then promptly ordered Rhodes and Gray to remain where they were, making it clear they were not to get involved. He imdiately began strategizing, seemingly preparing to surround the enemy and take them all down in one coordinated strike.
Rhodes simply deployed two Scuttle Crabs to patrol the periter and stood by, waiting for the job to be done and the reward to be claid.
"Are these Custody Enforcers actually strong?" Rhodes asked.
"Not exactly in direct combat," Gray replied. "But they've got specialized tools for dealing with wizards. Once you're on their list, it's pretty hard to slip away."
"Specialized tools? Like Magic Sealing Stones?"
"Magic Sealing Stones are just the basic cuffs," Gray explained. "For full-blown operations like this, they usually rely on sothing called a ritual spell."
"Ritual spell." Rhodes recalled sothing similar—it felt loosely related to Text Magic, though its structure was clearly distinct.
Gray nodded. "It's officially called an Arresting Glyph. A group of rune mages developed it specifically for the Council. Once you know the target's location—or their escape route—you can quietly cast the spell to completely seal their magic. Makes resisting impossible."
"The spell is law," as many rune mages were fond of saying.
This particular branch of magic imposed absolute rules. Anyone caught within the spell's boundaries was forced to obey whatever command was etched into the runes.
For instance, if soone inscribed "No wizard may leave this area" using enchanted script and activated the glyph, no mage within the periter would be able to exit. The barrier would hold them in place without fail.
Even more extre inscriptions like "No magic may be used within this zone" could be applied. Once triggered, the target would be powerless—easy pickings for ranged mages lying in wait outside.
The strength of rune spells was such that even a relatively unskilled mage could theoretically trap a Wizard Saint—provided the glyph was set up correctly.
Of course, such power didn't co without caveats. The most obvious drawback was the casting ti: far longer than typical magic chants. That made it ideal for ambushes or traps but impractical in live combat.
Also, overly complex conditions like "Anyone who enters dies instantly" often failed or required imnse power to sustain. These glyphs needed a constant supply of magic to remain active, aning casual use was out of the question.
In short, rune spells were not sothing just any mage could master.
But in the hands of the Council—especially backed by their manpower and intelligence networks—this kind of magic beca a powerful tool. It was a key reason they remained such a threat to the dark guilds they relentlessly pursued.
"Wait, Gray." Rhodes narrowed his eyes. "You seem to know a lot about this stuff. You sure you haven't been caught in one yourself?"
"How would that even happen?!" Gray retorted indignantly. "I've never been reckless enough to warrant that. I just picked it up while studying, that's all."
"Ohhh, preparing in advance, are we?"
Gray squinted at him. "Have you finally fixed your phrasing in common tongue, or was that a subtle threat about getting caught one day?"
Rhodes didn't answer, instead furrowing his brow. "We're being watched."
Gray raised a brow. "Annoying, but I guess it's expected. This is a confidential mission, after all. Still, makes you wonder what they're trying to hide."
"Exactly," Rhodes said. "But I'm not interested in making a ss of things."
Still, he carefully monitored the two Custody Enforcers nearby using the shared vision of his summoned creatures—just in case soone tried to quietly trap them in a glyph.
While the two mages chatted casually, sudden flashes of magic erupted on the mountain.
Two separate locations lit up, bright magic glyphs flaring to life, and rows of arcane script appeared in midair, weaving into two glowing circular barriers.
Those spots—precisely where mbers of the Naked Bandage n had gathered.
Gray stared at the two glowing barriers forming in the distance and furrowed his brow. "Weren't there supposed to be three locations?"
BOOM!
A sudden explosion rang out from the third spot—where the barrier should have activated. A burst of magical light followed, accompanied by distant shouting and the unmistakable sounds of battle.
"Sothing's gone wrong," Rhodes muttered as he stood up, brushing off his coat. "Can't believe they botched a sneak attack."
"Maybe the enemy noticed them while they were casting the spell," Gray reasoned. "Or maybe they were interrupted by soone new arriving." He stood as well, ready to move.
But Rhodes grabbed his arm. "Let's check on the two guards first."
They approached the nearby guards—mbers of the Magic Council's Custody Enforcent Unit, dressed in the usual white robes. Surprisingly, the soldiers didn't panic at the sounds of battle. Instead, upon seeing Rhodes and Gray approach, they gripped their staffs tightly and barked:
"Do not interfere with the Council's law enforcent operations, Fairy Tail mages."
Gray raised an eyebrow. "That sounded like an explosion to . Are you sure you don't need help?"
Before either could answer, a signal flare shot into the sky—burning bright red.
Gray pointed. "Hey, isn't that your captain's signal?"
The guard's expression changed. "That's... Captain Kewpie's urgent distress call."
The second soldier hesitated. "We... we request that you co with us to assist the captain!"
"Are you insane?! They're not authorized to assist in the arrest!"
"But it's a red flare! That ans mobilize all available combat forces!"
Now it was a stalemate—two conflicting orders, no chain of priority. Rhodes sighed. This bureaucratic ss, they're going to crumble one day at this rate.
"Make a decision quickly," Rhodes urged. "There's dozens of enemy mages involved. Under normal logic, we 'ordinary' wizards should be fleeing right about now."
"Rhodes!" Gray interjected, catching on a little late. He was genuinely concerned for the squad's safety and hadn't picked up on Rhodes' sarcasm.
The guards gritted their teeth. "Please! Help us! We'll take full responsibility!"
"Alright," Rhodes nodded, summoning two Scuttle Crabs. The four of them climbed aboard and charged off toward the flare's location.
When they arrived, it was chaos.
The mages from the Naked Bandage n guild had vanished, leaving behind more than thirty unconscious Council enforcers scattered across the forest floor.
"Captain!"
"What happened!?"
The two soldiers leapt down and helped Kewpie sit up.
"We were exposed," Kewpie gasped. "Zat ambushed us before the spell could completely knocked out two of our casters, and the rest collapsed like dominos."
Despite his injuries, the captain tried to stand. "Forget —go! Reinforce Deputy Commander and the others! The Zat brothers are monsters, they won't last!"
"We'll go." Gray cracked his knuckles, his voice calm but determined. "You guys focus on helping the wounded."
Kewpie looked up in surprise. "Fairy Tail mages... why would you—?"
"Captain," the soldier who brought them said quickly, "we brought them without clearance."
Kewpie took one breath, then made a snap decision. "Then please—help my squad!"
"Leave it to us." Gray gave a thumbs-up. "Right, Rhodes?"
Rhodes let out a long, dramatic sigh. "Yeah, yeah. I got it."
He nudged the Scuttle Crab forward and muttered, "Don't go accepting these pain-in-the-neck requests so casually."
Gray smirked. "Didn't your plan already account for the two of us possibly having to take on the whole guild?"
"That was the worst-case scenario!" Rhodes protested. "And let say this up front—if I can't win, I'm running!"
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