"Phantom Lord?" Mira frowned. "Is anyone hurt?"
"No injuries," Erza replied. "They attacked the guild at night while it was empty."
That was the best news they could have hoped for. Still, Rhodes couldn't help the cold anxiety creeping into his chest as he imagined what state the guild had been left in.
"Was it because of sothing I did?"
He rembered running into Phantom Lord mbers twice, once with Mira and again with Erza and Natsu. But they had only clashed with branch mbers, not the core.
"The exact reason is unclear," Erza said. "Our relationship with Phantom Lord has always been tense. Maybe the animosity just built up over ti? I don't think this is solely your fault, so don't dwell on it."
Rhodes wasn't the only one who'd had run-ins with Phantom Lord. Most of the ti, Fairy Tail ca out on top, but there were a few cases where they hadn't. Those mbers rarely admitted it though, making it hard to say who was winning the rivalry overall.
"We'll return imdiately," Mira said. "What did the Master say?"
"He said that since no one was hurt, it's not worth getting worked up over a bunch of cowards who only dare to strike when no one's around."
"That's not good enough," Mira said firmly. "If we don't respond, they'll only grow bolder."
"I know," Erza said, frustration bubbling beneath her composed expression. "But it's what the Master decided. Still, you two should return quickly. There's a lot of work to do. The guild may need to be completely rebuilt."
"We'll leave tonight and arrive by morning," Rhodes said, glancing at the ti.
Erza was about to insist there was no need to rush. The Master had mainly called them back to help manage the reconstruction. But she knew Mira and Rhodes wouldn't rest easy until they returned.
"Please talk to the Master again," Rhodes added. "Today it's buildings. Tomorrow it could be lives. We need to understand their intentions as soon as possible and then—"
He paused. He wasn't sure what ca next.
The smart approach would be to involve the Magic Council. The satisfying one would be to fight back.
Knowing Fairy Tail, they'd probably choose the latter.
He'd have to think carefully about how to navigate the Council's response.
If things escalated into open war, one of the two guilds would be disbanded. The "Guild Prohibition on Ard Conflict" wasn't just for show. And as a Wizard Saint, Master Makarov had to weigh the stability of the entire magic world.
But attacking empty buildings didn't cross the Council's bottom line. Not yet.
"I understand," Erza nodded. "Even if Master hadn't said anything, I'd keep everyone on high alert. That's all I can do for now."
"We'll see you back at the guild."
"See you soon."
The magic communication crystal flickered and dimd, returning to its dormant state. It now looked like nothing more than an oversized, polished orb. Their reflections shimred faintly in its surface.
Rhodes and Mira looked at one another. Then, without speaking, they reached out and took each other's hand. In their eyes, there was no fear—only quiet determination.
"Let's go," they said together.
Whether angry, hurt, or shaken, it didn't matter. They were going ho.
Rhodes gently placed a hand on Wendy's head and smiled.
"Sorry, Wendy. Carla. Sothing's happened back at the guild. We have to go imdiately."
"Do you need our help?" Wendy asked quickly, concern bright in her voice.
Mira smiled warmly. "It's okay. We've got this. But we'll co back to visit again soon, I promise."
This kind of trouble couldn't be allowed to implicate Cait Shelter.
After saying their goodbyes, Rhodes and Mira quickly packed up and departed in haste, riding a Scuttle Crab toward Magnolia.
Mira didn't even have ti to change out of her current outfit.
They didn't plan to take the usual route via train or ship around the coastline. This ti, they would travel through the night and cut straight across terrain, no matter how difficult to reach the guild as quickly as possible.
On flat plains, they used crabs. On rocky paths, they switched to Raptors. When crossing mountains, they relied on Krugs and Murk Wolves.
Neither spoke much along the way. But the sweat on their palms, as they held each other tightly, said more than words ever could.
The best news was that no one had been injured. But the fact that the guild had been damaged to the point of needing a complete rebuild.
They pressed on at high speed, crossing varied terrain and switching summoned mounts multiple tis. As night gradually fell, they chewed on dry bread for a bit of energy—just enough to keep going. Neither of them cared for taste or comfort.
Rhodes took out a blanket and spread it across the crab's broad back.
"There's a flat stretch ahead," he said. "Try to rest for a bit. We'll be there by morning."
"What about you?"
"I'm not tired. I need to keep watch."
Mira hesitated for a mont, then leaned into his chest and closed her eyes. She pulled his arms around her like a blanket, wrapping herself in his warmth.
In truth, Mira wasn't sleepy either. She simply planned to switch with him during the second half of the night so he could rest too.
Rhodes' mind was a swirl of thoughts.
He tried to recall everything he knew about Phantom Lord, comparing strengths, numbers, tactics.
Dozens of branches, and a main guild with no fixed location. Rumor had it their headquarters could move, a "Six-Legged Wandering Guild" designed to uproot and strike wherever they pleased.
Numbers weren't the biggest concern. But their technical power was unmatched in so areas.
Both Makarov and Joseph were Wizard Saints—but Makarov was ranked higher and had even defeated Joseph in the past.
Phantom's aces included the Elent Four and Gajeel Redfox, the Iron Dragon Slayer. All of them on par with S-Class mages.
But Fairy Tail had Erza, Mira, Laxus and Mystogan. Natsu may not be officially S-Class, but against another Dragon Slayer, he wouldn't go down easily.
Then again, Mystogan had recently left the guild on one of his solo journeys, and his whereabouts were always vague.
Laxus... had his own personality issues.
Rhodes didn't know what Laxus would do once he found out.
Maybe Laxus would show up, throw out a sarcastic remark or two, and help them fight, turning this ss into an opportunity to nd strained bonds. Or maybe he'd charge into Phantom Lord alone in a fit of rage and challenge their entire guild.
Rhodes wanted to believe in Makarov's grandson, that deep down, Laxus wasn't a bad person. But he also had to prepare for the worst. If Laxus chose not to involve himself at all... or worse, if he turned on them... then they'd have to be ready to deal with an S-Class threat.
When estimating battle strength, Rhodes naturally used Mira as a benchmark, but if things escalated into all-out war, there was no need to rely solely on Mira to match their enemies.
His thoughts spiraled, as if full-scale war was already inevitable.
They'd need reinforcents.
Once back, maybe the best move was to deploy summons and even the odds with numbers.
The night deepened. A crescent moon floated high overhead. Though it was sumr, the wind between the crabs' shell-like ridges turned brisk.
Rhodes pulled out a coat and draped it gently over Mira, then sprayed it lightly with insect repellent.
Normally, he would've done this at sunset, but his mind had been scattered since the call.
Then again, under normal circumstances, they wouldn't be racing across the wilderness at midnight.
Later that night, Mira stirred, rubbed her eyes, and sat up. "My turn," she said softly.
Rhodes blinked up at her. "Are you sure you slept at all?"
"I did," she replied, voice serious. "Even if I was only pretending, it still counts. Now switch."
"...Alright, alright."
Rhodes summoned another crab to relieve the current one and then climbed onto the blanket where Mira had been resting. As they resud moving, he leaned into her warmth, pulling the coat tighter around his shoulders.
"Try to get so real sleep," Mira murmured, lighting a soft pink glow at her fingertips, the beginnings of a sleep magic spell. "I can handle watch."
"No thanks," Rhodes replied quickly, pushing her hand away before she could wave it in front of his eyes. "If you do that, I'll feel like I've died and you're performing a ritual."
She smiled at the comparison but didn't insist.
Rhodes lay still for a while, eyes closed, body jostling gently with the River Crab's movent. But his mind was far from quiet.
Then Mira's hand tapped him lightly on the forehead.
"Don't link with the crab's vision," she said firmly. "Let handle the patrol."
Busted. He sighed and reluctantly disconnected his sensory magic from the summoned creature.
Too sharp, as always.
Even so, he made a conscious effort to relax.
No matter what tomorrow brought, he'd need to face it fully rested and clear-headed.
...
The next morning, dawn painted the sky in soft hues of gold.
The Scuttle Crab skittered swiftly through Magnolia's gates, heading straight for the Fairy Tail guildhall.
Even though Rhodes had ntally prepared himself, the sight that greeted them still sent a wave of fury crashing through him.
The once-proud three-story building, so full of laughter, fights, and guild spirit—was now in ruins. More than a dozen massive iron rods had pierced through its walls and roof. The damage was grotesque and deliberate. Fairy Tail looked like it had been impaled by a giant's spear.
Rhodes' hand tightened into a fist, until Mira quietly reached out and squeezed it.
Her grip was gentle, but firm. And it trembled slightly.
She wasn't as calm as she appeared either.
They didn't speak. Rage simred just beneath their skin as they entered the remnants of the guild. They made their way down to the basent, expecting to find soone, anyone.
But it was empty.
"Master?" Rhodes called.
"Erza?" Mira added quickly.
"Elfman? Cana? Natsu? Gray?"
No answer.
...
Bonus @400
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