The name of the Ten Wizard Saints is quite useful; the mayor immediately dispelled all his concerns, not only speaking openly and thoroughly but also adopting a much better attitude.
Rhode decided that from now on, he'll dress in the Ten Wizard Saints outfit when handling affairs outside, and if that's not possible, at least wear the emblem.
According to the mayor, the Black Knight Bandit Group consists of six men and two women, each time they move out, they wear full black armor, including face masks.
The only reason their gender can be distinguished is thanks to the two women's great figures, with chest armor like two "bowls."
The eight use different weapons, including sword and shield, knight's lance, large hammer, great saber, bow and arrows, firearms, and a clarinet.
The clarinet among them sounds a bit odd; obviously, it's also a magic tool, and the mayor mentioned that anyone who hears it playing falls asleep.
Besides, their armor also seems to contain magic, though the mayor is unclear on specifics, but said earlier mages commented that they were excellent in both offense and defense.
These eight have been entrenched in the Parson Flower Mountain for a long time, starting with small robberies and gradually switching to magic equipment.
Since last year, they've started robbing passing caravans and occasionally extorting from the town.
Initially, the amounts weren't large, and they'd leave after getting the money, so they endured when possible.
Later their appetite grew, and the caravans between towns became scarce, severely affecting life.
Especially two months ago, they disrupted the harvest festival and took a large amount of supplies, and the mayor and townsfolk could no longer bear it, finally deciding to hire mages from the Earth Spirit Wheel to handle the problem.
However, before hiring mages, they only knew the bandits were strong; after hiring, they realized how formidable they were.
This time they commissioned Fairy Tail because recently they had been in the news a lot.
Unexpectedly, the first batch of mages lost contact, while the second batch brought along a Ten Wizard Saint.
Although they worried for two extra days, it seemed like it was not in vain; it turns out this Guild's reputation is quite good.
Rhode and Mira each asked a few questions and were respectfully escorted out by the secretary.
After walking a distance, Rhode first used the Void Swift Crab's skill to confirm no one was deliberately following them, then asked, "What do you think?"
Mira thought for a moment and said, "It doesn't seem like they're lying... Do we need to suspect Mr. Mayor?"
"With missing comrades, it's natural to first suspect the client." Rhode found it reasonable; what if it's the client's conspiracy?
Rhode's focus on the client seemed entirely different from a typical mage. Mira, helpless, said, "In any case, we can rule them out for now. Should we check out the Pomelo Hotel?"
"Of course."
After a little inquiry, they found the hotel where Erza and the others initially planned to stay.
Rhode described the features of their comrades to the service desk and asked if they had checked in.
The service clerk looked at the Fairy Tail Badge on Rhode's clothing, hesitated, and asked, "May I ask what your relation to them is..."
"..." That surely meant they've seen them. Rhode prepared his defense, cautiously responding, "We're comrades."
"Great!" The service clerk happily took out a small booklet, turned two pages, and showed them to Rhode.
This thing seemed like a bill, and it gave Rhode an ominous feeling.
As expected, the clerk said, "They booked a room the evening before yesterday but haven't checked out yet, and at some point, they made a large hole in the floor and haven't appeared since..."
Rhode's face grew darker by the moment. This bunch of troublemakers.
Mira covered her mouth in amusement, feeling it was less like an accident and more like a bill dodging.
Could it be they left without money?
"Since you're their comrades, could you pay for the room and the damages?"
The service clerk carefully said to Rhode, signaling to a colleague at the door to block them in case they tried to escape while he was checking the bill.
Rhode said helplessly, "I'll pay for the room, but as for the compensation... Can you take us to see the room?"
The clerk thought he wanted to verify if the room was indeed damaged and took a spare key to lead them there.
Mira took the opportunity to ask, "Do you know where they went?"
The clerk shook his head, "Not sure, after returning to their room, no one saw them come out. But when we went for regular cleaning, there was no one in the room.
"Yesterday morning, the window was open, and we guessed they may have climbed out of the window."
Since these guests were quite odd, she thought it was normal for them to like climbing out of windows, considering it was on the first floor.
The door opened into a large living room, with the bathroom and four rooms connected to it.
In the middle of the living room floor was an obvious large hole, looking... somewhat strangely familiar.
Rhode asked, "Besides the hotel staff, has anyone else been to this suite?"
"Probably not," the clerk confirmed she hadn't seen anyone use the front door, "the guests' luggage is still in the room. We haven't touched it, and it doesn't look like anyone else has either."
Rhode and Mira casually checked the rooms, finding Erza's set of luggage, Lucy's rolling suitcase, Natsu's bundle, Gray's crossbody bag, and Wendy's small backpack all present.
Except for not seeing Hapi's little green bag, which he should have with him.