One of the founders of Fairy Tail, Mr. Vorod, has made outstanding contributions to Fairy Tail's reputation in the Bosco Kingdom.
Because the people from the Advisory Council found that even though both are among the Ten Wizard Saints, they feel Lord Rhode is easier to get along with compared to Lord Vorod.
They wearily picked up all the fainted people and started searching the area again to prevent any escapees.
After assigning the tasks, the Captain returned to the hotel with Vorod, who had completed the greening work, planning to learn more about the attack.
In fact, he also braced himself to ask Vorod a few questions on the mountain, but when Rhode clearly explained the events, the Captain was somewhat moved.
It turns out that talking to a Wizard Saint who communicates smoothly is such a rare and pleasant experience.
Rhode looked curiously at this Captain, feeling that he had seen eyes like his somewhere recently.
It seemed that the journalist named Jason had also shown similar eyes...
Could it be that this Captain is a fan of our Fairy Tail?
Good taste.
"That's pretty much it. When you guys interrogate them, could you also find out how they learned about our meeting here?"
At this, Rhode suddenly paused and asked the senior members: "By the way, was our meeting supposed to be secret?"
Hayberion said: "We didn't take special secrecy measures. Although it's a private gathering, I mentioned my schedule to friends before coming, so it's basically something one could find out if they wanted to."
Uluvheim also said: "We're just having a normal gathering. It's not the first time we've gathered. What's there to keep secret about this?"
Jura smiled and explained for Rhode: "Lord Rhode's personality is rather comprehensive and stable, probably worried about safety issues."
However, in the eyes of those present, safety is the least of their worries.
Jura probably thought Rhode was participating in this kind of gathering for the first time and wasn't very familiar with the situation, so he continued:
"To my shame, before I left, I also mentioned it in the Guild, and quite a number of people heard it. I also went out this morning to deal with a task before coming here, so it's not hard to track my whereabouts if someone wanted to."
Rhode: "..."
He found that Mr. Jura was particularly articulate, both explaining the 'casualness' of the meeting to him and using his own example to keep him from resenting the actions of the other two.
After discussing such high-level topics, like the movements of the Western Continent, the sacrifices of the Ten Wizard Saints, and the Gate of the Underworld...
He thought it must be a highly confidential and important meeting.
Turns out it was really just casual chatting at a gathering?
Let alone anything else, just the disappearance of God Serena, with a chance of defecting, would cause a huge stir if word got out, right?
Why does it feel like the Ten Wizard Saints are like a strawman group...
No, to be fair, the title of the Ten Wizard Saints is just granted by the Advisory Council to the continent's most outstanding mages, but these people may not be related.
Even if they gathered together, voluntarily taking up some responsibilities, or actively providing intelligence exchange and cooperation with other members of the Ten Wizard Saints, it might just be out of their own sense of duty rather than an organized effort.
Though they wield significant influence in the Magic Realm and can give weighty opinions to the Council, they don't actually hold any authority.
What they have is merely fame and prestige.
So calling it a strawman group when they gather isn't wrong either.
Rhode rubbed his brow, realizing his expectations had been off.
"Alright, I misunderstood." He no longer dwelled on how the meeting's details leaked and decided that if he attended such gatherings again, he'd arrange for more guards.
The Captain, seeing that they seemed to have finished discussing important matters, finally spoke up:
"After we bring these people back, we will interrogate them strictly and report to headquarters. For the young individuals who can be saved, we will try to educate them and give them a chance to change.
"Additionally, I have a list here, documenting all the magical tools they carried. According to regulations, some curse magic, charm magic, and restraint magic items must be confiscated and destroyed.
"As for the other tools that comply with the regulations, those damaged need not be mentioned, but the intact and repairable ones should be handed over to you, or purchased by the Council. May I ask..."
He looked towards Hayberion, sitting at the head, intending to ask for his opinion.
But Uluvheim, finding him verbose, answered for him: "Whoever fought them can take those."
Hayberion nodded: "All of them were captured by Mr. Rhode, so naturally, he should handle them."
Jura and Vorod had a nonchalant attitude, as they weren't in need of that bit of money.
Rhode glanced at Makarov and saw his eyes had already turned into money signs.
Alright, no need to ask any further.
Rhode said: "I'll pick a few items to take away, and the rest can be exchanged for money. Mmm... Once you've processed everything, just send the money to Fairy Tail."
Just as well, he didn't know what gifts to bring from Bosco, so taking a few interesting tools back as 'regional specialties' seemed nice.
He even understood the need to follow formal procedures!
Such an excellent and considerate member of the Ten Wizard Saints returning safely was truly a relief. The Captain nodded, moved, and politely took his leave.
Makarov was also touched, as Rhode seemed to be getting more understanding, not only thinking about raising the Guild's reputation but also about earning money for them!
...
While Rhode and several members of the Ten Wizard Saints were 'casually' gathering, the new issue of Wizard Weekly had already gone on sale.
The theme of this issue was the return of Fairy Tail.
The cover directly used a group photo of the Celestial Wolf Group.
During the photo shoot, even the stay-behind group snuck into the background, although this bunch of oddballs didn't photobomb nicely.
Apart from Laki and Ginanna poking their heads in to appear, none of the others did it normally.
Some struck a cool pose showing only their back, some stretched out a hand or a foot, but those familiar with them could still recognize who was who from those 'broken limbs'.
This added a bit of fun to Fairy Tail.
Members of Sabertooth also purchased this issue of the magazine.
A young man wearing a large red-brimmed hat leaned coolly against a pillar, standing on one foot, gently tapping his temple with his index finger: "Fairy Tail, huh, I remember them, they were once the first Guild in Fiore."
A green-haired muscular man, uninterested, said: "They've been all over the news these past few days, and now there's even a special report. What's so interesting about an outdated Guild? We're number one now."
"Don't be like that, they do have two members of the Ten Wizard Saints, plus those two..." A blonde youth stared at Natsu and Gajeel in the group photo, "I really look forward to meeting them, right, Rogue?"
A black-haired youth wearing a black cloak responded: "Not interested."
"You're not being honest. Didn't you use to admire them a lot?"
"That person's title of 'Wizard Saint' is just posthumous recognition. Since they're still alive, it might be revoked. And the Fire Dragon and Iron Dragon... admiring them was a long time ago, now—it's us who are stronger."
A small red cat chimed in confidently: "The Twin Dragons of Sabertooth are the strongest!"
Another small cat in a pink frog outfit agreed: "Fro thinks so too!"