There's no need for Rhode and his group to worry about waking Gray, because the guild's disciplinary committee has returned just in time.
Erza efficiently lectured these guys and ordered them to clean up the guild immediately.
And Gray's lack of propriety hardly needs mentioning.
Under Erza's threat, "If you don't put on proper clothes, I'll make you wear a skirt," he found his shorts and trousers within three seconds and grabbed Jet's shirt to wear.
—His own shirt was really nowhere to be found, it was likely lost on the way to the guild.
Considering this behavior, Rhode thought that if he ever became too broke to afford food, he'd just follow Gray around.
Collecting all the barely worn clothes he dropped, then open a men's clothing store.
He'd surely make a fortune.
"Hey, why are you looking at me like that?" Gray felt uncomfortable, as Rhode's gaze seemed to want to strip him of his clothes.
Even though he liked undressing himself, he didn't like being undressed by others.
"Nothing, I just wanted to ask you something about this task." Rhode pointed to a task record to show Gray.
"..." Gray found it hard to believe but could only weakly say, "I've already reflected on it and got scolded by the president. I didn't have to pay any less compensation..."
Gray didn't understand, once past matters are resolved, shouldn't they be water under the bridge? Why bring it up again?
"I'm not trying to pick on you... but you're surprisingly proficient at this." Rhode looked at him curiously. Why would anyone be so well-versed in such matters?
This guild is beyond salvation.
Gray breathed a sigh of relief, "So what do you want to ask?"
Rhode said, "About the appearance, abilities, and the way the reindeer disappeared after being defeated."
Gray described everything in detail.
Lucy nodded towards Rhode. Based solely on appearance and abilities, it was hard to judge, but the way it disappeared, it should be the reindeer constellation's star spirit.
Gray felt this matter could be important, so he added:
"After I defeated it, I stayed around for two more days and indeed heard no news of it appearing again. Only then did I return after confirming the task was completed.
"I also asked Qico afterwards; she said ghost dissipations don't usually happen that way, but it can't be ruled out that it was a special case."
Rhode nodded; Gray was a meticulous and careful person in most situations.
Lucy asked, "Did you encounter any Star Spirit Mages nearby?"
"Rival in love."
"Eek——!!"
The ever-elusive Jubia startled Lucy.
However, Erza quickly appeared, grabbed Jubia by the back collar, and dragged her away: "The president and others are discussing important matters, no eavesdropping."
"Important matters! Could it be Gray-sama's wedding?" Jubia struggled, "With who? Lucy? Or perhaps Wendy, maybe Carla?"
"It can't possibly be something like that." Erza didn't go easy at all.
Lucy patted her chest, feeling very reassured by Erza.
Gray said, "I didn't see any Star Spirit Mages, but I found a Star Spirit Key."
Lucy quickly asked, "Really? Where? Which constellation?"
Gray thought for a moment and said, "It's called Orion, I think. It was dropped by a Star Spirit Mage from a nearby guild, so I handed the key back to them.
"I heard it was dropped when he was attacked by a reindeer, and at that time, the person was still in the hospital, so I didn't see him."
Was it really targeting Star Spirit Mages? Lucy suddenly felt a bit unsafe.
She said dryly, "I don't want to go out for work recently."
Rhode chuckled, "If you don't feel like going out, just take a break. Are you short on money?"
Oh right! Suddenly, she realized she wasn't short of money at the moment!
Lucy became excited.
However, thinking about Star Spirit King's words through Gemini, she hesitated again.
Inevitably, she still had to go out, actively searching for tasks that might involve star spirits causing trouble.
Now's not the time to fear danger.
Lucy sighed, "I should decide after thoroughly investigating."
Rhode felt that his guess was almost confirmed: "So for now, Lucy, spend some time organizing information on abandoned star spirits and also keep an eye on information coming from the Star Spirit Realm."
"Okay." Lucy nodded. However, there seemed to be a lot of this sort of data, and it was quite scattered. She didn't know if the guild could gather it all.
She asked, "Can I ask Reby for help?"
Rhode said, "Of course, Reby is best at this kind of work. The two of you working together will surely be efficient."
Mira smilingly said, "Reby may not be free though."
Lucy asked, "Why?"
Mira, excited to share gossip, said, "Reby went out with Gajeel yesterday, without bringing Jet or Troy."
"Eh~~~ Just the two of them?!" Lucy was shocked, since when did this start happening?
Mira and Lucy started whispering among themselves, and Wendy and Carla couldn't help joining in the fun.
Rhode didn't want to interrupt his wife's 'fun', so he turned and said, "President, please handle the contact with other guilds and remember to remind them to have Star Spirit Mages stay safe."
Makarov wasn't displeased at being given a task by Rhode. In fact, he was quite happy: "I will pass the message through the Local Guild Alliance."
Makarov walked halfway, then suddenly returned, saying: "Oh, by the way, there's a Ten Wizard Saints gathering next month, and they said they're going to introduce the new member to us."
Rhode said, "I met Hayberion before, and he already told me. Have the time and place been set?"
"You actually ran into him?" Makarov was surprised but didn't ask more, only providing the time and place details to Rhode so he could prepare.
Rhode noted the time, inwardly thinking it'd be best to resolve the star spirit issue before then.
But a month in the Human Realm is only a few hours as per Star Spirit Realm's time, not knowing if they'd be that efficient over there.
...
That evening, Mira received a 'gift' from Rhode.
A bee costume.
Mira could immediately tell what Rhode was thinking. After rolling her eyes, she still decided to put it on.
"Feels a bit tight." Mira tugged at the chest area, then gently wrapped her arms around Rhode's neck,
"Dear husband, did you misremember my size? Also, why does the outfit smell like the perfume Lucy uses?"
There's a murderous aura!
"Actually, um... Gemini turned into Lucy and tried it on once." Rhode honestly confessed that it was clothing from the Star Spirit Realm.
Mira felt that Rhode had definitely seen something he shouldn't have, but with Lucy involved, she couldn't really get angry.
She lowered her head to look at herself and wondered, "I recall Lucy and I are about the same size."
Rhode measured with his hands, smiling as he said, "It's definitely my contribution."
"Hmph, pervert." Mira hushed him.
Though it had only been two days since they'd last seen each other, it still felt like a newlywed reunion.