Atop the highest peak of Saint Dopia stands an ancient temple.
In front of the temple's main gate stand two towering figures, both over three meters tall, with glaring eyes that seem to pierce through the fog.
One of them has a cobra coiled around him, supporting the snake's body with his left hand and holding its neck seven inches down with his right hand, as the snake hisses.
The other stands barefoot, with both hands crossed over a wooden stick that tapers from head to tail.
The stick appears crudely made, without any special features, but there are several noticeable cracks on the ground beneath its head.
Entering the main gate, two more guards stand at the entrance to the inner gate. One is bare-chested, revealing knotted muscles and a fierce countenance.
The other wears light armor with a cross decoration hanging from his chest, exuding a gentle and compassionate demeanor.
Inside the inner gate, the temple's interior is fully visible because it is quite simple and empty. Besides the huge throne on a high platform backed against the north wall, only a few stone pillars can be considered decoration.
A person with a physique similar to the Star Spirit King is sitting leisurely on the throne with eyes closed, resting.
He wears a dazzlingly gold crown embellished with gems, dressed in a black noble robe, with a gold belt around the waist, a red cloak draped behind, and a splendid scepter slanting next to his hand.
Compared to him, the Star Spirit King's outfit seems more like a warrior than a sovereign.
At this moment, a handsome young man approached.
His appearance surpassed most men, and even most women. Even men with normal orientations might find themselves bent at the sight of his face.
This absolute beauty bowed, his voice as melodious as a oriole's:
"My King, although all the Star Spirit Mages haven't gathered, the two mages holding all the Zodiac keys have arrived."
The person on the throne opened his eyes: "Can you confirm it's those two?"
"The eyesight of the Reflector Telescope Constellation is reliable, and the data from the Northern Cross matches what that person provided, so... there's no doubt."
"And the clear-out plan?"
The handsome youth respectfully responded: "In the past two days, the Comet Hunter Constellation and the Bear Constellation worked together, driving mountain beasts to hunt and kill 51 Star Spirit Mages, along with several companions, recovering 194 Star Spirit Keys.
"The Tiger Constellation and Vulture Constellation led teams to kill 21 Star Spirit Mages, recovering 60 Star Spirit Keys.
"Additionally, the Charles Oak Constellation killed three for pastime, but did not recover any keys. The clear-out plan is nearly halfway done."
The person on the throne nodded slightly: "Having you as an assistant proved correct, Antinous."
The youth called Antinous smiled humbly, his true identity was Antinous Constellation, with a not-so-glamorous background.
So compared to being appreciated for his appearance, having his talent recognized made him happier, which is why he willingly follows this 'king'.
"My King, your plan is foolproof, but I must remind you, there's a troublesome person here too." Antinous cautiously said:
"It's the person who was specifically warned against, one of the top ten mages on this continent, known as a Beast Tamer, Demon, and the New Age Fairy Tail Strategist, Rhode."
The person on the throne had some impression of this name: "Is he the human who disrupted our plans?"
"Yes, by human Mage standards, he's considered a rare sage, and it's rumored he's closely linked to the Dragon Race."
"Hmph." The person on the throne snorted, "Just a human, he'll merely be sand under the wheels of the king's chariot at this point.
"No need to wait for those scattered Star Spirit Mages to arrive, notify everyone to enter the final stage."
"In accordance with your will, the glory of the Star Spirit befalls Frederick the Great!" Antinous bowed, retreated a few steps, turned, and exited the door.
Truthfully, now isn't the best time, but he understood the king's actions.
Acting before being discovered by humans should be optimal, as things could worsen with that Fairy Tail Strategist around.
--- Although the king spoke disdainfully, his actions showed ample regard.
...
"Open the gate, Pisces Constellation, Bisques!"
When Rhode and his companions arrived, Yukino had already summoned the mother and child Star Spirits of the Pisces Constellation, swiftly dispatching the bear, wolf, and tiger-type magical beasts suppressed by Lebra's Gravity Magic.
As an exceptional Star Spirit Mage capable of opening two gates simultaneously, the synergy between the Libra Constellation and Pisces Constellation has always been Yukino's trump card, never once failing.
Compared to the three disheveled individuals lying on the ground, Yukino looked rather gallant at this moment.
"Yukino!" Lucy waved at her.
"Lady Lucy? As expected, you've come too." Yukino seemed unsurprised, "Lord Rhode, Lord Natsu, and everyone from Fairy Tail..."
Wendy immediately rushed to check the injuries of the three people on the ground, urgently treating the most severely injured one.
Rhode, in passing, cast the Crown of Embers and Healing of the Ocean on them, before greeting Yukino.
Without much small talk, Rhode went straight to the point: "The task shouldn't have been assigned by the royal palace, right? How did you end up here?"
Yukino replied: "Because the princess has always paid attention to news in this area, knowing that many guilds received the same mystery-solving task.
"Originally, the princess wanted to investigate with me, but Lord Arcadios would not consent to the princess taking risks, so I only brought a small team here."
The whereabouts of that small team didn't need much questioning, as the clothing on the three lying on the ground was very familiar.
Rhode asked again: "Any discoveries?"
Yukino gently shook her head: "On the way, we encountered slain mages and some strange magical beasts, allowing us to suspect it's a conspiracy.
"To understand more specifically, I think we need to take a look at the temple on the mountain."
Upon hearing this, everyone glanced towards the mountain, only to find their view completely obstructed by fog.
Rhode, with a thought, manifested the blue and white dragon scales of the Cloud Sub-Dragon on his body.
A whirlwind centered around him formed, gently brushing over everyone, before the wind abruptly strengthened, rolling away the surrounding fog into the distance.
The thick fog at the mountain's base cleared, and they gradually saw a winding path on the mountainside.
But the next moment, the fog rolled back, immediately filling its original place.
Strangely, Rhode's released Wind Magic had not ceased; the fog was still churning, but each time a little was blown away, it promptly re-formed.
Lucy exclaimed in surprise: "Why is this happening?"
Gray speculated: "Perhaps this isn't ordinary fog, but rather fog created by someone using magic."