"Is this right?"
Rhode compared his passbook to the account balance reported by the bank employee, suspecting that he might have encountered a shady place.
Logically speaking, it shouldn't be the case; the bank must have a loose screw if they're trying to scam these mages out of their money.
Mira didn't think anything was out of the ordinary and asked, "Is something the matter?"
"Not only was there no interest on our money, but we're also short over 2 million." Rhode showed her the passbook and then looked at the employee opposite him, trying to ask calmly, "Could you tell me where this money went?"
The other was an old employee, already recognizing him as one of the Fairy Tail members missing for six years.
She checked the records and answered politely with a smile, "Because during the six years you were missing, a management fee was charged annually.
"Additionally, there were several years with negative interest rates; after deducting these, the balance you see now is correct."
"...Negative interest?" Rhode was stunned for a moment, such an unfamiliar term, interest rate can actually be negative? He looked at Mira puzzled, "Is there such a thing?"
Mira nodded: "Occasionally, yes, but I've never encountered so much money missing all of a sudden."
"If there's any doubt, you can query the entire interest rate adjustment record for the six years, and also generate a record of your account changes."
The employee provided the necessary services candidly, as everything was handled according to regulations, and interest rate adjustments were well-known, with no hidden operations whatsoever.
Rhode stubbornly calculated based on the interest rates, indeed it was about right.
Unintentionally, they lost a third of a standard S-Class task, such heartache.
Mira patted Rhode on the back, comforting him: "It's okay, think positively; if we had kept it all at home, it might have all been stolen."
"Guess you have to think that way." Rhode accepted reality, fortunately, external price changes weren't too drastic, so their household assets were still quite substantial.
The two first withdrew 2 million J for backup, and then scheduled a full withdrawal with the bank three days later, planning to store it directly in the Requip space.
I previously thought space wasn't enough to warrant such a move, but now it seems quite worthwhile to squeeze out a small corner.
Rhode generously gave his siblings some pocket money and then listed two shopping lists, suggesting they split up for actions.
Lisana dutifully pulled Elfman away, while Rhode linked arms with Mira, strolling until dinner time.
The four brought their purchased items home to arrange them, then decided to have dinner at the guild, also checking on everyone else's situation.
Opening the guild door, sure enough, inside was a sea of lamentation.
Rhode asked Laki about the Celestial Wolf Group's situation.
She said besides the President, Laxus, Kildas, and Kana, everyone with savings had emptied them, and those without savings were in debt.
Erza had already taken an extermination task and left at noon, she appeared with murderous intent, seemingly wanting to earn repair fees.
Gajeel and Jubia also took tasks and left separately, but Gajeel didn't take Li Li, while Jubia intended to find Gray.
Natsu and Hapi came to the guild at noon.
After lunch, Hapi left with Li Li and Carla in search of the same tribe.
Natsu shouting about catching thieves.
The Thunder God Tribe had assembled, tearing away the last task sheet from the bulletin board, ready to set out overnight to earn meal money.
Reby was currently troubling over her blue short hair, turning it into a tangled mess.
Wendy was sitting beside Reby, feebly lying on the table, snugly tight.
After briefly asking about everyone's situation, Mira stayed by Laki's side to inquire about various gossip over the past six years, while Lisana listened with great interest.
Elfman went to wrestle with 'idle' Nabu.
Rhode sat opposite Reby and Wendy, ordered a meal, also ordered juices for them, and asked, "Is the situation very bad?"
Wendy pouted in grievance, "My savings..."
Before joining the guild, she had already shared bonus and task rewards with Rhode when at the Cat Transformation Inn, inheriting some legacy when it disappeared.
Originally, Wendy could be considered a little rich lady, yet now her savings were almost completely emptied.
Reby said miserably, "What's worse is, now there are no tasks to take even if we want to earn money..."
Her situation was inferior to Wendy's because she used any extra money to buy various books, and suddenly facing such a large payment, she simply couldn't come up with.
After getting used to the previous life where tasks were so plentiful they dazzled the eyes, today's bulletin board offerings were really not ideal.
Then Reby hesitated slightly, and the available tasks were gone.
This was with the reserve group taking care of returning companions and not joining the party.
Rhode rubbed Wendy's head in comfort, "The situation is worse than imagined."
If lack of money is the issue, it's easy to handle; just work harder and spend more time. But with lack of tasks, there's nowhere to exert effort.
Can't exactly redefine Fairy Tail as a business guild to engage in commerce.
"Do you need to borrow some money?"
Though there's a guild rule against lending money to each other, Makarov did lend money to Rhode back then.
So Rhode never felt it's an inflexible rule.
However, Wendy and Reby both refused.
Wendy said she still had a few big bills in her little wallet, sustaining life temporarily wasn't a problem.
Reby said, "If you want to help, think of a way to gain more trust from clients."
Rhode said, "That requires the guild's reputation to become well-known again in a short period."
Based on Rhode's understanding of the new era recently, the best way to make a name is naturally through the Great Demon Fighting Martial Arts, a hot celebration broadcast nationwide using Magic Crystals.
But distant water can't quench immediate thirst, the yellow blossoms will be cool by next July.
Thus, it requires other means to make a big move, like aggressively solving that century-long task or something...
If not for that commission sheet being too unreliable and its task content and reward all obscured, Rhode would really consider it seriously.
While pondering, suddenly Lucy's urgent voice came from the entrance, "Wendy! Are you here? Please, help!"
"Miss Lucy?" Wendy stood up puzzled, looking at the hurriedly rushing in, still catching her breath Lucy.
Reby moved over to support her, soothingly said, "Lu-chan? What's happened, speak slowly."
"I... my father he..." Lucy stuttered out her experiences today.
After the guild's banquet dispersed, she returned alone to the rented apartment, met that grumpy landlady.
After being hauled back by the landlady, Lucy learned she had been helping with room cleaning all those six years.
She also saw 6 birthday gifts and a pile of letters her father sent her over those years.
Lucy remembered she used to do the same, continually writing letters to her deceased mother.
After reading the letters, Lucy knew her father had been missing her and believed she wasn't dead.
So she couldn't hold back, wanting to meet her father.
Then, amidst touching emotions, she received a bill from the landlady.
Lucy: "..."
The rent originally 70,000 J per month, from X786, was raised to 80,000 J, totaling 5,640,000 J.
Lucy obviously couldn't afford it.
So she set out immediately to find her father - initially intended just to visit, realized the need to seek his help by departure.
Finally, upon reaching the Agarifa Business Association, after much inquiry finding Jude's residence, discovered he was seriously ill.
Seeing Lucy, Jude was thrilled, feeling his body won't last long, immediately began to articulate his last will.
Lucy of course couldn't accept this outcome, instantly rented the latest Magic Four-Wheeled Vehicle, took her father back to the guild for assistance.