"Rhode, you're back!" Mira looked behind Rhode, "Where's Jubia?"
Rhode pointed upwards: "She's lying down upstairs."
Mira smiled: "She's still feeling uncomfortable, huh?"
"Hmm..." Rhode thought about Jubia's condition, it was hard to say whether she was uncomfortable or enjoying it.
Mira asked: "How did the investigation go?"
Rhode shook his head: "We can almost be certain it has nothing to do with the townspeople."
"So what's next..."
"Let's go with the plan and send commissions to other guilds."
"Okay." Mira took out a few commission forms from the counter and handed Rhode a pen after taking two of them.
Rhode wrote a few lines, and suddenly noticed that today Ginanna was substituting: "Why haven't I seen Laki?"
"Someone in town posted a job for a Molding Mage's help, so Laki went over." Mira also started filling out, "Who should be written as the client?"
"Write me... No, wait, let's ask the president, if possible, it's more noticeable to do it in the guild's name."
Mira left the client's name blank and smiled: "Actually, I think the name of the Ten Wizard Saints would also attract attention."
Rhode shook his head with a wry smile: "Forget it, Demon, small guilds can be easily scared."
[Consultation Task: Inquiry about Celestial Spirit Magic.
Reward: 100,000 J
Requirements: Star Spirit Mage, possessing communicative Star Spirits (Zodiac is best)
Location: Magnolia, Fairy Tail
Commission Date: December 23rd]
The only valid lead Rhode had was that Balrog had once had contact with them, so to find out more, they could inquire with the Star Spirits in the Star Spirit Realm.
From Lucy's previous complaints about the Star Spirits, Rhode had heard some gossip.
For example, Loki often 'flirted' with some female Star Spirits, teaching Balrog and Alyes some strange knowledge.
For example, Aquarius Constellation and Scorpio Constellation often went on dates, sometimes having conflicts—even before Scorpio signed a contract with Lucy, it was like this.
That is to say, even if the holders are not the same person, Star Spirits will communicate with each other.
As long as they could find another Star Spirit Mage and ask their Star Spirits to tell Lucy's Star Spirits something, they could get more leads.
There might even be a whimsical Star Spirit who opens the gate to come by themselves.
The problem is that besides Lucy, there's no second Star Spirit Mage in the guild, and Rhode as a knockoff is of no use.
So they had to ask for help from other guilds.
But they didn't know which guild had a Star Spirit Mage, so they had to cast a wide net.
Luckily, when a client issues a task, it can simultaneously go to multiple guilds, and whoever contacts the client first gets it.
If the client is not a stickler, they can even allow another guild to accept the task even after one has already accepted, rewarding whoever completes it first.
However, doing so frequently causes conflict, and when mages can't target the client, they end up competing with each other. Erza previously had such a conflict with Baggs from the Four-headed Hound.
Rhode did not intend to stir disputes; he planned to withdraw other guilds' commissions immediately once someone accepted the task.
Although it's a bit of a hassle, there's no other way, because he can't straightforwardly ask others 'Does your guild have a Star Spirit Mage, what keys does the Star Spirit Mage have'.
This is an old problem left from that era of mutual resentment centuries ago.
Directly asking would be akin to probing one's military reserves, and although many guilds don't care about it now, it's still somewhat sensitive.
Formally issuing a task makes it much easier.
If they don't accept, it's whatever, if they do, it means they definitely have one, aren't bothered letting you know, and trust you to adhere to personal information protection laws.
The two filled out 10 commission forms, checked each other's work to ensure there were no issues, and then went to find the president.
"Many people already went out to investigate this morning." Makarov thought it wasn't necessary to make a fuss, "... Forget it, do as you like. The commission can be issued in the guild's name, but you guys are responsible for reception."
The two nodded and sent commissions to eight top-ranking large guilds and two small guilds that might have Star Spirit Mages.
...
On the main road from Magnolia to Turnera Town, two people who had seen Rhode earlier were squatting nearby with their companions.
The red-haired girl among them was getting impatient, asking, "Will they really pass through here?"
Black Snake replied: "Of course, Narubudinge and I saw them flying over."
"But we've been here since last night and haven't seen him coming back at all."
"Shut up, Freyja, do you think we'd tell such boring lies?" Narubudinge—the short purple sweet potato—spoke with displeasure.
The expressionless Oprah wearing a black top hat looked at Freyja without saying a word.
"I'm... I'm sorry." The red-haired girl was a bit afraid of her companions, so she quieted down.
Black Snake, however, said: "But that guy seemed to be in a hurry, who knows when he'll be back, waiting like this isn't quite ideal."
Narubudinge said, "What's there to do? It's the president's order."
Although he had little confidence in ambushing a Ten Wizard Saint, combining Black Snake and Oprah's magic offered a chance.
At that time, he and Freyja would only need to handle one Demon.
'Demon Mira' sounds intimidating, but a demon that's been lagging six years behind the times, how tough could they be?
Hearing him bring up the president, the group were just able to continue their ambush patiently.
Although Rhode flew past earlier, they analyzed that he wouldn't be in too much of a hurry on his return, likely choosing a motorcycle or a four-wheeled vehicle.
However, they waited until nightfall.
A small paper doll flew to the group.
"President Ivan?" Narubudinge recognized this as the president's magic, quickly speaking, "The target hasn't appeared, we..."
Ivan's voice came from the paper doll: "No need to wait anymore, plans have changed. You and Black Snake go investigate something; tell Freyja and Oprah to come back."
"Yes, President." The group were somewhat puzzled but had no choice but to comply.
...
Mages' Guild Sabertooth.
"Look at this commission!"
"Consultation about Celestial Spirit Magic... Magic teaching-related tasks are common, what's special about it?"
"The key is the issuer, the issuer!"
"Fairy Tail? Isn't that the one recently making waves, the strongest guild in Fiore six years ago?"
A crowd gathered in front of the bulletin board, it's not unusual for one guild to seek assistance from another, but the former number one seeking help from the current number one...
It gave them a satisfying feeling.
Turns out Sabertooth is the strongest, Fairy Tail is history now.
As for a Ten Wizard Saint defeating five Dark Guilds with one move two days ago... They thought that the top few in Sabertooth might also pull it off.
If it weren't for the higher standards for the Ten Wizard Saints, perhaps the president, the young lady, and Stinger might have a shot, too.
It's not surprising that a washed-up guild has two, or that the strongest guild can produce three, right?
"The limit is a Star Spirit Mage, isn't that exactly what our guild's newcomers are suited for?"