"If that's the case, it proves Lucy is innocent," Rhode said, "because it only means that Taurus and Cancer have changed owners, hence the change in appearance."
Princess Jade nodded, agreeing it made sense.
But Lucy honestly said, "Besides Gemini being able to transform, the only Star Spirit I know who can change appearance is Balrog."
Yukino didn't say anything. Her Pisces can transform between human and fish, but that's because they naturally have two forms.
Rhode asked, "Did you, Yukino, fight with those two people last night?"
Yukino replied, "Yes, because of the princess's trust, I was positioned very close to her room."
"Thanks to Yukino, I am unscathed," Princess Jade said. "She even got injured to protect me."
"That was my duty."
Rhode said, "What I want to ask is, did you use Star Spirits while fighting last night? Did you summon Lebra or Bisques?"
Yukino said, "Those two were very strong, so I summoned both."
Rhode was puzzled, "If that's the case, how did Lebra and Bisques not recognize they weren't Taurus and Kyansa?"
Yukino said, "Well, the situation was urgent, we were focused on the battle, and once it ended, Lebra and Bisques hurried back.
"After confirming safety, we carefully analyzed those two people's images and magic, and determined they were Taurus and Cancer, so..."
So they captured Lucy this morning.
Rhode wanted to criticize their rough handling, but those two assassins really did look similar, so it's not entirely their fault for the mistake.
He suggested, "In that case, why not call Lebra or Bisques to ask them?"
"That can't be done," Yukino said reluctantly. "Today is Lebra's day off, and before leaving, Bisques mentioned he has important matters to attend to, possibly needing about a week."
"Important... Oh." Rhode remembered, Gemini seemed to have mentioned yesterday that the Star Spirit King wants to gather the Star Spirits for a meeting about the abandoned Star Spirits.
For such an important matter, naturally, it couldn't just be Lucy's Star Spirits being summoned; the whole Zodiac likely needs to be present.
A week's time in the Star Spirit Realm is approximately equivalent to two hours in the Human Realm... The timing seems to match.
Tch, doesn't that mean Lucy also can't summon her Star Spirits?
Troublesome.
"I got it!" Lucy suddenly said, "That person is a 'Taurus' Star Spirit, but it's not Taurus!"
"What do you mean?" Yukino said. "Except for Pisces and Gemini, there shouldn't be any dual-bodied spirits in the Zodiac. How could Taurus have a second one?"
Lucy showed a knowing smile, "The official Taurus, of course, doesn't have a second, but historically there was a constellation called Poniatowski's Taurus."
Yukino and Jade's knowledge of constellations was limited to the current 88 constellations, and they possibly knew even less than Rhode about other matters.
While they were still puzzled, Rhode quickly asked, "Is it another abandoned one?"
"Yes, it's a Star Spirit abandoned many years ago," Lucy said.
"Although its astronomical position doesn't overlap with Taurus, since it's also named Taurus, the Star Spirit's power should be of a similar attribute, and it's not surprising its appearance is similar!"
Rhode said, "So this means, the one that looks like Kyansa, could it also be some other kind of Cancer?"
"Yes, I guess it might be the Little Crab Constellation, abandoned around 300 years ago; its star chart looks very much like a giant lobster!" Lucy said happily, affirming that Taurus and Kyansa wouldn't do such things.
Rhode agreed, "In that case, using 'shrimp' as a catchphrase makes sense."
Lucy nodded, "Yes! In fact, Cancer's star chart once also resembled a lobster, it was only later that it evolved to its current form; Kyansa's catchphrase comes from that."
Rhode replied, "Oh~ then @#%X..."
The two discussed constellation-related knowledge excitedly like they had cracked the mystery.
Terms like 'Gemini 68', 'Gemini 74', 'Libra 67', 'Dark Star', 'Bright Star' popped out one after another.
But to Natsu, it all sounded like a series of '@#%*'.
His pupils gradually enlarged, and his expression slowly became dazed. Eventually, he couldn't take it anymore and asked irritably, "What are you two talking about? Speak in common language!"
This statement echoed the feelings of both Jade and Yukino.
Though they were both Star Spirit Mages, one wasn't professional enough, and the other didn't have enough resources to study, so they knew little about abandoned Star Spirits.
Lucy had to explain once more the relationship between constellations and Star Spirits, the evolution of the Star Spirit Realm from ancient times to now and its impact on astronomical observations in the Human Realm, and the recent activities of abandoned Star Spirits...
Jade and Yukino were greatly shaken, their gazes towards Lucy gradually turned to admiration — as expected of Lady Reela's daughter (a Star Spirit Mage with ten Zodiac keys).
Only Natsu's gaze still revealed clear ignorance.
He propped his chin up, thinking hard, and finally slammed his palm down, "I got it! There's a group of bad Star Spirits, right!"
"They're abandoned Star Spirits," Lucy still hesitated to call those Star Spirits 'bad'.
Even though some had caused her all sorts of troubles.
Lucy firmly believed there were reasons behind their behavior, and it might not be their true intentions.
Once all these Star Spirits were sent back to the Star Spirit Realm and Bearded Dad came up with a strategy, there must be a way to restore the Star Spirits' goodness.
After seriously considering Lucy's words, Princess Jade sighed with relief, "If this is the truth, then that's all the better."
She genuinely didn't want to do anything to Lady Reela's daughter.
Emotionally and rationally, she also didn't wish for Fairy Tail to become enemies.
Jade smiled, "Then next, could you give me some time? I need to convince the king, and find enough evidence as proof.
"But before that, Miss Lucy needs to stay here for a while... Of course, apart from temporarily limiting activities, everything else will be treated as a guest."
Yukino said, "I will also help, and I will make sure to do it as quickly as possible."
Without hesitation, Lucy agreed, "Of course, no problem. If there's any way I can help, just say."
Jade smiled without saying a word; it's certain that this evidence couldn't let Lucy provide it herself.
She then turned to Natsu, "This arrest was our mistake initially, but Natsu's attack on the Knight Order, injuring many, was also somewhat inappropriate, so..."
Natsu was taken aback and felt a little guilty immediately.