The little demon struggled to look up at Rhode and flashed a vivid mocking smile, yet still kept silent.
"Hah..." Rhode's right fist tightened a bit more.
The golden ring tightened along with it and began to scorch the little demon's body, smoke started rising from the burnt spots.
"Squeak!" The little demon summoned some unknown strength to scream in pain and struggle.
Rhode continued questioning, but whether it was about its abilities or information on Zeref, it maintained a resolute silence.
"This is definitely not an ordinary demon." Rhode speculated that this little creature might be fiercely loyal to Zeref, or perhaps it thought Fairy Radiance couldn't kill it?
"Let me give it a try." Mira's hand transformed into a Devil Claw, its fingertips glowing with black energy balls, as she offered a gentle smile to the little guy.
"Squeak squeak~ Squeak!!!"
After a harmonious and friendly exchange.
The little demon finally spoke, albeit weakly, "Since you're a demon... why stand by his side?"
Mira felt tempted to increase the pressure upon hearing herself called a demon, but then she thought better of it, held Rhode's arm, and smiled:
"Because he's strong and handsome, so I sided with him. You're so adorable, how about being my pet?"
"Heh~" The little demon snorted, "Traitor, Lord Zeref won't let you get away with it, you won't be triumphant for long."
Is this a threat or does Zeref really have some plan? Rhode recalled the mysterious dark-haired youth on Celestial Wolf Island.
Although that person didn't seem strong, he could easily snuff out lives, extremely eerie.
If he indeed decided to act, it would likely be as dangerous as facing the Black Dragon.
Rhode asked, "Do you know where he is?"
"Hehe~ Don't expect to get any information about Lord Zeref from me. Even if the torture is ten times worse, I won't disclose anything."
Rhode and Mira believed its words.
The demons created by Zeref are like fanatics of the Black Magic Sect, perhaps even more devout.
Using harsh means or gentle persuasion is likely futile.
The two discussed with the President and finally decided to just eliminate the creature directly.
As for handing it over to the Council... they heard recently that the Council once considered using Magical Elf Power on Celestial Wolf Island.
This would have wiped out the Black Dragon, Zeref, and Demon's Heart all at once.
But just before a decision was made, Celestial Wolf Island was no more.
If they knew about capturing Zeref's demon now, who knows what bizarre demands or actions they might propose.
So it's better to handle it themselves.
Mira had already learned enough about this little guy and effortlessly activated the Receiving Magic.
"You..." The little demon finally showed a terrified expression, realizing that dying this way might mean it can't come back!
Violet-black light flashed, and the little demon vanished without a trace.
"Be careful, be careful!" Makarov was a bit nervous, not because of Mira, but because of Rhode.
Because Fairy Radiance is still present, if it explodes like this, the Guild will be history.
"Don't worry, when have I ever dismantled the Guild?" Rhode swung his right arm horizontally, the small light ring crashed through the courtyard wall and flew toward the lake.
The ring gradually expanded into specks of light and disintegrated, leaving just a trace of energy on the lake flashing brightly and causing waves.
Makarov looked at the breach in the courtyard wall: "..."
Who said they wouldn't dismantle the Guild?
Hasn't someone dismantled that spot before?
Though it was the old Guild back then.
"A minor accident, I'll fix it later." Rhode awkwardly smiled, "Mira, how's it looking, any new form?"
Mira sensed herself a bit and said, "Not really, I'll show you."
Receiving Magic activated, Mira's body was enveloped in white light, then... nothing seemed to change.
At least her appearance remained unchanged, except she gained a hat made of twigs and leaves and a thin black cloak with white edges at the back.
Rhode looked around and noticed Mira's cloak seemed to bulge: "What is that?"
Mira turned her head and glanced back, calmly said, "Tail."
The Satan's Soul also has a tail, nothing unusual.
But Rhode lifted the cloak to look, the tail was different from Satan's Soul form, it was a slender arrow-tipped tail.
He had a bold idea… save it for home tonight.
"Feels like magic power hasn't increased at all?"
Mira nodded, "Yeah, almost no different from when not using Receiving Magic."
Generally, using Receiving Magic would enhance power even if the received creature was weak compared to its normal state.
Like Beast King, Satan's Soul, Dragon Soul, these significantly explode in growth.
But this little demon's form barely enhances magic power.
Makarov asked, "Did you gain any special abilities?"
Mira looked at her hands, uncertainly said, "Feels like... I can erase others' magic power."
"!" Makarov was all too familiar with such magic, "Like Aliya from Ghost Four Elements?"
"Yes, but I must directly contact the enemy." Mira said, "That's why they wanted Oprah to ambush Rhode."
"Does that mean I was quite in danger today?" Rhode questioned, "No limit to the ability?"
"I'm not certain." Mira bitterly smiled, this ability is too dangerous, utterly impossible to test.
Erasing magic power practically equates to killing.
To test the limit, should it be on the President or Rhode?
Mira would absolutely not do it.
Makarov pondered: "To require direct contact is already a significant limitation, if used amidst close combat..."
Rhode said, "Then Mira would get hurt."
An enemy capable of close combat with Mira surely wouldn't be weak, facing such foes suddenly switching to this weak form risks disaster.
For enemies not strong enough to seriously harm Mira, there's no need to use this trick and add unnecessary unpredictability.
So, it seems specifically designed for sneak attacks.
Makarov thought similarly, "If so, let's categorize it under magic forbidden for non-essential use."
Too easy to accidentally kill someone, used improperly could endanger oneself, better to ban it.
"Alright." Mira wasn't particularly attached, just observed Rhode's odd gaze towards her tail.
He surely has another curious thought. Mira glared at Rhode.
"President, Laxus and the Thunder God Tribe are back!"