Mira couldn't help but take out the note and read it again, then put it away.
Afterwards, she said with a smile, "Lisana, how about sleeping with me tonight?"
"..." No way, Lisana frowned.
"Why that face? Could it be... you've started to dislike your sister?"
Mira blinked her eyes, instantly putting on a pitiful expression, "Yes, it's only natural to dislike your sister. It's all my fault for caring less about my sister after getting married. I'm the worst sister in the world..."
As she spoke, she lowered her head and pretended to wipe nonexistent tears.
"Sister Mira..." Lisana, unable to resist, said to her sister, "I just, just think the room is too messy and you'll scold me."
"Why would I?" Mira hugged Lisana with a bright smile, "If the room is messy, your sister will just help you tidy up."
"Okay." Lisana sighed, resigning to her fate.
It's not that she disliked sleeping with her sister, it's just that her dear Sister Mira had a terrible sleeping posture, and it seemed to have gotten worse after marriage.
If she slept with her, Lisana was sure she'd wake up in the morning locked in some expert grappling technique, unable to move.
She really didn't know how her brother-in-law survived.
If this continues, sooner or later, unable to endure it, he'd have to live separately or even divorce, right?
Lisana began to worry about her sister's married life.
Of course, she herself first had to survive the night—otherwise, when her sister was about to fall asleep, maybe she'd stuff a big stuffed toy in her arms?
...
After finishing the letter, Rhode started flipping through the second-generation Magic Book, trying to find a magic that could target Space Magic.
Unfortunately, although such a magic was recorded, it required some technique foundation to perform.
Learning it now was probably too late.
Then he could only use the most common method—compete with the opponent in reaction speed, or... ambush it.
Rhode pondered tactics for a while and then saw Carla with a towel, Wendy with a towel, and Lucy with a large bath towel enter in order, from low to high.
The scene was quite comical.
He couldn't help but laugh.
Carla glared at him, "What's so funny?"
Lucy was more upset than Carla, "Why is your first reaction to see pretty girls wrapped in towels to laugh like that!"
"Should I have been leering at you instead?" Rhode couldn't understand Lucy's logic; what's special about a towel... it kinda looked nice.
But Rhode was not that kind of person, he laughed, "I just felt, it's fine for Lucy and Wendy to wrap in towels, but what's Carla covering up for?"
Lucy's face darkened, was her post-bath charm not as interesting as a kitten wrapped in a towel?
Carla turned her head, "None of your business! It just helps me dry faster!"
Actually, she was completely unguarded around 'male humans' and didn't mind being naked like Hapi.
Just because she had to look after Wendy, she made it a habit to dress decently as a role model for Wendy since young.
Wendy smiled and took out a hairdryer, "Carla, let me dry you off."
Rhode put away the book and left with bathing supplies, "I'm off to shower too, change into your pajamas."
At night, Rhode slept near the door, next to Carla, with Wendy next to her, and Lucy furthest inside.
Rhode claimed it was to stop Lucy from taking advantage of him, which made Lucy fume.
...
The next morning, Rhode opened his eyes to find a small cat lying on the quilt on his chest, feeling a little disappointed.
Waking up without being entangled felt a bit unusual.
He gently picked up Carla and put her back.
On the other side, Lucy had already rolled into Wendy's quilt, holding Wendy and sleeping soundly.
Wendy moved gently, finally managing to pull her head out, breathing heavily.
Lucy and Carla rubbed their eyes awake.
"Good morning." Rhode greeted cheerfully, "Didn't I say that sleeping next to Lucy would lead to being taken advantage of?"
"Not at all!" Lucy instinctively retorted, paused for a few seconds, then said, "Because being next to Wendy makes me so relaxed!"
Wendy, aggrieved, "Miss Lucy, you hugged too tightly."
"Ah, sorry!" Lucy quickly let go.
Rhode poked Carla's arm and gossiped, "When you guys formed a team before, did Lucy wake up in the morning hugging Natsu or Gray?"
Carla thought for a moment, "No, but Erza would occasionally hug those two."
Speaking of which, she said enthusiastically, "Natsu would complain Erza's strength was suffocating him, while Gray would just blush."
"Erza really treats them as her little brothers." Rhode recalled his own experience teaming with Erza, and became a little uncertain, "Or maybe she doesn't see herself as a woman?"
Anyway, Gray's reaction seemed normal... not surprising if there were thoughts involved, they were childhood friends, after all.
Rhode thought about discussing this gossip with Mira when he returned.
After tidying up and getting ready, they washed up and left the village under the hopeful gaze of the village chief, Xi.
As they approached the meeting point, Carla asked, "So, what's your plan now?"
"Well, actually attracting bees is quite simple." Rhode swiftly pointed at Lucy, "Just have Lucy wear clothing with bee patterns and dress as a beauty in the bee world."
"Me?" Lucy pointed at herself, looking incredulous.
Carla squinted at him, having thought there was a better plan, but it was just this?
"Brother Rhode, are you serious?" Wendy was also in disbelief; it sounded more like something Mr. Natsu would suggest.
However, Rhode nodded affirmatively, "Yes, it's you, Lucy, have confidence in yourself.
"Right now, I'm saying something genuine: among all the females within a ten-kilometer radius, you're the most charming; even those bees will be smitten and come running out."
"Ah-ha, ah ha-ha-ha... It's not that exaggerated!" Lucy, flattered, became flustered and modestly played it down.
Rhode said seriously, "What I say is sincere. Whether today's mission succeeds depends on your charm!"
Lucy bashfully said, "Since Mr. Rhode said so, then I'll..."
Carla looked at Lucy like she was watching a fool.
She glanced around at the surrounding mountains and wilderness; what 'most charming among all females within a ten-kilometer radius'?
Apart from them, were there any other females in the ten-kilometer radius?