Lucy thought for a moment and asked, "Are you talking about a mountain area?"
"Yes, it's surrounded by mountains, with many peaks towering into the clouds."
"Of course, I've heard of it!" Lucy said dreamily. "It's the birthplace of astronomy, and it can also be considered the origin of Celestial Spirit Magic! When I was little, I dreamed of going there."
"If you want to go, you can go anytime, right?" Rhode asked, "Why haven't you mentioned it before?"
"Because it's too far, and the area is deserted, with many dangerous Magical Beasts. Only professional astronomers and enthusiastic astronomy lovers would hire Mages to escort them up the mountains."
Lucy said regretfully, "If there's no suitable commission, it would be strange to go there rashly."
Besides, Lucy felt that she was probably the only one in the Guild interested in going there... eh?
She looked at Rhode with bright eyes: "Why did you suddenly mention Saint Dopia?"
"Because there's a task here, and the destination is Saint Dopia." Rhode handed Lucy the task sheet he had just copied.
The original commission was mailed to the Guild the day before yesterday, but no one was there at the time. It was only today that Rhode and Mira found the letter while sorting out the commissions from the past two days.
Lucy looked closely at it and recited in a low voice: "Puzzle-solving & Treasure Hunt Task... Among the Saint Dopia Mountains, there is a secret left by the Star Spirit King for human Mages.
"Find the temple among the mountains, solve the mystery within, and you will receive 3 million J, or an Ancient Magic Book recording the essence of Celestial Spirit Magic, along with a key surpassing the Twelve Zodiac Gates..."
Upon reading this, Lucy pushed the task sheet a bit further away and reread that line: "The essence of Celestial Spirit Magic... and a key surpassing the Twelve Zodiac Gates?!"
She subconsciously exclaimed, "Really?!"
Although a bit incredulous, her tone carried a hint of expectation and excitement.
Rhode observed Lucy's reaction throughout and couldn't help frowning: "Now I understand the appeal of this commission to Star Spirit Mages, it's troublesome."
Lucy was taken aback: "Why do you say that... Are you suggesting the commission is fake?"
In fact, just based on the mission itself, it should have no problems. The commissioner is an astronomer from the Pegrandi Kingdom.
Astronomy is closely related to Celestial Spirit Science and Celestial Spirit Magic. It is normal to ask Mages to help solve puzzles at the birthplace or Holy Land.
It's logical to require Mages to understand Celestial Spirit Magic.
Since the commissioner is not a Mage, using potential 'by-products' after solving the puzzle—keys and magic books—as rewards is also in line with regulations.
The only problem is the timing and that unknown key.
"I do have such a suspicion," Rhode said. "I've heard of a rumored power surpassing the Twelve Zodiac Gates' Star Spirit, it's the Ophiuchus Constellation.
"Even if we temporarily disregard the authenticity of the legend, that key is already in Yukino's possession. You've seen it before, right? The thirteenth Zodiac Spirit, there shouldn't be a second key in the world."
"If you put it that way..." Lucy was initially overwhelmed by the generous reward, but Rhode's clarification made her start to doubt it as well.
Before, due to an involvement in a case of attempted assassination on the Princess, she stayed at the Royal Palace for a week and got familiar with Yukino, even seeing that somewhat ominous-looking key.
Rhode added, "Apart from a few of us, other Star Spirit Mages might not know that Ophiuchus already has an owner. If they see the same commission, they would inevitably misunderstand.
"I've already asked the President to contact other Guilds. It would be fine if only we received the commission, but if this is one of those tasks issued to many Guilds at once..."
"Then it's very likely another bait targeted at all Star Spirit Mages." Lucy finally thought of the long-dormant rebel Star Spirits.
Rhode nodded; although everyone knows malicious commissioners do exist, they are rare encounters in a Mage's lifetime.
Most Guilds have very simple task review procedures, as long as they can roughly confirm the commissioner's existence, it's enough.
They don't even necessarily investigate the commissioner's ability to pay, let alone their true intentions.
Using a commission to set a trap can lower Mages' guard to its lowest point, basically.
Plus, with generous rewards—the way Lucy was earlier shows the reward's allure.
Even someone like her, possessing ten Golden Keys, couldn't help but be tempted, unwilling to suspect a trap. How many Star Spirit Mages who only have Silver Keys can maintain their rationality?
A secret left by the Star Spirit King in the origin of Celestial Spirit Magic, isn't that a given?
How could anyone pass up on such a good opportunity to see for themselves?
"What should we do..." Lucy worried, "Oh, right, can't we just ask the Star Spirits about this?"
"The Star Spirits outside of the Zodiac, many can't even speak, they're hard to communicate with. Even if they can communicate..."
Rhode looked at this girl who often seemed a bit dull and sighed, "How many Star Spirit Mages can casually ask the Star Spirit King questions like you, even calling him 'Bearded Dad'?"
"..." Lucy never consciously thought about it before, but today being pointed out, she had to admit she was a bit special.
It must be that her mother, or an ancestor of the Heartfilia family, did something special, making the Bearded Dad so kind to her, right?
Lucy asked, "What should I do? Should I take on this task and meet the commissioner?"
Rhode said, "Call Loki over and ask him, and wait for news from the President."
"Okay." Lucy immediately took out the Leo Constellation key, "Open up, Gate of the Leo Constellation, Loki!"
A flash of gold, and a pink-haired maid in shackles appeared before Lucy: "Princess, training time again?"
"Why do you say 'again'?" Lucy subconsciously retorted.
Rhode wondered, "Wasn't it supposed to be Loki? How could you grab the wrong key?"
Lucy realized and glanced at the key in her hand: "It is the Leo Constellation key! Balrog, why did you come instead?"
Balrog said, "Big Brother had something to do, meeting the Star Spirit King, and asked me to take over. So, will you punish me?"
"No way!" Lucy felt a headache, the 'big brother' term was something Loki specifically asked for after both signed contracts with Lucy, and she couldn't be bothered to complain.
"Never mind, it's the same if Balrog is here, there's something I want to ask you..."
Lucy relayed the Saint Dopia matters to Balrog and inquired, "Did the Star Spirit King really leave treasure or something in the Human Realm?"
"I've never heard of such a thing, but if it's a secret, we Zodiac Spirits wouldn't be able to know." Balrog said, "I can immediately go back and ask."