It's already mid-April.
Since the end of last month, a variety of reports about rebellious Star Spirits being defeated have been pouring in, adding up to nearly fifty.
However, comparing with the Star Spirit Realm, only less than thirty have actually returned.
This indicates that a considerable number were merely repelled.
It seems that the rebellious Star Spirits have realized that the Star Spirit Realm and the Human Realm have taken measures, so they have temporarily laid low.
Search operations for their whereabouts continue, but they are now harder to find than before.
The mission with Lucy and Laxus went quite smoothly.
The Great Cloud Constellation and Little Cloud Constellation are adept at hiding and fleeing, and don't have exaggerated combat abilities.
After Lucy cracked their magic principles using her knowledge and wits, Laxus quickly finished them off.
After returning from that mission, Lucy noticed that Laxus always had a look like he wanted to laugh but didn't dare.
When Laxus saw Lucy, he would occasionally look like he wanted to say something, but then left with a straight face.
The unusual situation made everyone think something was really going on between them, and they all questioned Lucy, asking if sparks flew between her and Laxus during the mission.
Lucy staunchly denied that anything like that happened, saying it was just an ordinary mission.
Only the Thunder God Tribe dared to ask Laxus, but after they asked, they refused to reveal anything, which was quite infuriating.
The most exasperated was Mira. First, she 'interrogated' Lucy but got no answer.
Then she interrogated her younger brother to probe the Thunder God Tribe, but even then got nothing.
This hit Mira, the Guild's most well-informed (gossipy) person, quite hard.
She was so distressed that she could only go home at night and 'interrogate' her husband.
Rhode: Increase the intensity.
To 'uncover the truth', a few days later, Mira even teamed up with Lucy for a mission involving suspected Star Spirit mischief.
But when she returned, she was still downcast.
Rhode, half-amused, poured a cup of tea for his travel-worn wife: "Are you really that curious?"
"I just want to know." Mira took a sip of tea, put down the cup dejectedly, and spread her hands, "Look, I know Qico likes Laxus, and I know Sally used to have a crush on him, as well as the daughter of a men's clothing store owner on the shopping street, and..."
"Isn't that enough?" Rhode said, watching Mira count on her fingers and taking her hand, "There are so many people who like Laxus."
Unexpectedly, Mira rolled her eyes at Rhode: "Do you think there are fewer girls who like you?"
"?" Rhode was momentarily stunned, "How did this become about me?"
"Of course it's about you." Mira withdrew her hand from Rhode's grasp and poked his chest repeatedly,
"Not counting those who liked you after you became one of the Ten Wizard Saints, there were already many girls with a crush on you seven years ago, both outside the Guild and within."
"If it weren't for..." Mira couldn't help but smile, the force of her poking gentling, "If it weren't for how obvious your attitude towards me was back then, hm~"
"I honestly didn't notice at all…" After a brief shock, Rhode wrapped his arms around his wife's waist and looked into her eyes, "It must have been because someone captivated most of my attention back then. Hmm… who was that again?"
Though they were already a 'long-time married couple,' Mira was still blushing under Rhode's gaze, feeling an urge to tiptoe and kiss him.
But this was the Guild, and she couldn't act recklessly.
This rascal, still as smooth-tongued as before marriage.
"Cut it out, your mouth is still the most impressive." Mira pushed him away, "Get back to work."
"Oh." Rhode attempted to focus on work, but a few seconds later, he curiously asked, "Who were all those people you mentioned?"
Mira used the Death Gaze: "Why are you asking?"
Rhode put on a cheeky smile, temporarily immune to the Death Gaze: "Because now I understand your previous feelings, I'm curious~"
Mira blinked and smiled: "Then I won't tell you, so you can understand me even more."
"Did you 'ka~~' all of them?" Rhode gestured at his neck.
Mira used her Magic Power to create a dark aura, like a grudge, behind her, her mouth curled into a cruel smile: "Perhaps~"
"..." Rhode pursed his lips. Forget it, he'd wait to be interrogated at night.
At this moment, Makarov came downstairs: "Rhode, come with me."
"What's the matter?"
"Routine meeting."
"Oh..." Rhode said with a face full of 'trouble', "I can't, President, too many things are going on lately, Mira is too exhausted handling them alone.
And an unknown powerful Star Spirit is watching us from the shadows, who knows if it'll retaliate against us. I have to stay to protect the Guild and arrange Lucy's escort work."
"I see…" Although Makarov wanted Rhode to come and help reduce the trouble, the safety of the Guild and Lucy was also important.
He could only nod: "Alright, we'll talk again after this period. Also, don't forget to free up time for the Ten Wizard Saints gathering after the meeting."
Rhode agreed: "Okay, I'll try my best to arrange it."
Feeling satisfied, Makarov left, realizing that this situation was also good; at least he could leave without worry.
It wasn't until Makarov left Magnolia in the carriage that he suddenly realized something:
Doesn't Rhode have Subspace Magic that can return to the Guild in seconds?
If anything happens, he could use the Communication Magic Crystal to contact, and return straight from the venue, so there was no need to deliberately stay behind!
Makarov closed his eyes and leaned back against the carriage seat, laughing in exasperation: "That rascal! He actually tricked the old man!"
...
Until the day Rhode set off to attend the Ten Wizard Saints meeting, the rebellious Star Spirits seemed to have completely given up, showing no further actions.
Even if there were similar events, they were like the one where Mira and Lucy teamed up, just ordinary Magical Beast disturbances, though the types of beasts were rarer.
The calm situation made some Star Spirit Mages uneasy, while others felt the matter had already passed.
Such an attitude could easily lead to trouble, but Rhode had no way of knowing, and naturally couldn't advise them.
All he could do was keep a close watch on Lucy with his companions; anyone daring to attack would face their demise.
After organizing everything at the Guild, Rhode and Makarov boarded a small flying ship heading to the Kingdom of Bosco.
This year's meeting was at the same old place.
Hayberion probably thought the hotel had witnessed a big scene last time, and this time would be calmer, with even better service.
This time, the two of them arrived first, aside from the host Hayberion, and were immediately assigned a room to rest.
Makarov carefreely grabbed a bottle and glass to drink with Hayberion — though the latter still drank milk.
Meanwhile, Rhode as usual let the River Crab out to run around and see if anyone would stir up trouble at the meeting this time.