The Star Spirits have all retreated, returning to the Star Spirit Realm to handle the aftermath and ensure that the rebellious Star Spirits don't escape again.
Only the Star Spirit Mages and their companions remained.
A considerable number of people gathered around Rhode, wanting to hear what he had to say.
Others were previously not very familiar with Rhode, but having seen the exaggerated size of Ophiuchus earlier and now two 'Mechanical Dragons', they finally had a rather inaccurate understanding of the Ten Wizard Saints.
So they gathered as well, just as Lucy asked, "What should we do next, Mr. Rhode?"
Rhode surveyed the people around him and said loudly, "With such a big event, the Council will definitely show up, and the Pegrandi Kingdom's army will likely visit as well, so we'll wait for them here."
Erza casually grabbed Natsu's collar.
Natsu looked puzzled, "What for?"
Erza smiled, "I thought you'd be scared and run away when you heard the Council is coming again."
Natsu mumbled without confidence, "We didn't do anything bad... probably."
The whole mountain range was almost destroyed, and there was a new grand canyon, yet talking like this feels lacking in conviction.
Even though this wasn't his doing.
Rhode continued to address everyone, "Those who are seriously injured, come to us for healing. Everyone else... if possible, help with the burial of the victims."
At the mention of this, even Natsu and Hapi put away their playful attitudes and went out to work quietly.
Today marked the third day since Frederick's plan began. When Rhode and his companions arrived, some people had already been killed.
Although their appearance greatly reduced the casualties, when everyone gathered the bodies and placed them together, the scene was too sad to bear.
The number hadn't been tallied yet when Lahar, with the Council's team, arrived.
"Mr. Rhode, this..." Lahar naturally found Rhode first, but nearly 200 bodies laid out before him left him at a loss for words.
Rhode briefly summarized the cause and effect of the incident.
"Basically, this task was the catalyst for today's event." Rhode handed the commission slip to Lahar, "Please send someone to visit Mr. Miruto Stick and ask him to cooperate with the investigation."
"I'll arrange it right away." Lahar called in a messenger to relay the orders and then said, "The detailed process, we hope you and your team..."
"No problem, we'll cooperate with the investigation. If necessary, Lucy and Yukino can also summon Zodiac Spirits to answer questions."
Rhode said, "However, everyone's been fighting all day, injured and exhausted, so please set up camp first, and it's best to have the medical and logistics teams provide some medicine and food.
"Oh, these might not be all the victims on the ground, and if you need a thorough search, I do have a few summoned creatures that can help.
"I'll leave it to you to contact the major guilds, and please negotiate with the Pegrandi Kingdom, too. I've also sent a few people out earlier, and I'll write the list for you shortly."
"Yes, yes... Thank you." Lahar kept nodding, and then, like a messenger himself, he passed down the instructions one after another.
Once the information was relayed, the subordinates busied themselves, while Lahar fell into deep thought: Isn't the title of Ten Wizard Saints merely honorary, without real power?
And why is he so familiar with our Strong Detention Team's setup and procedures?
The mages followed the Council soldiers for rest and healing, talking as they walked:
"As expected of Mr. Rhode, he had the Council people running in circles."
"I feel like he's more of a Council than the Council itself."
"So the Ten Wizard Saints have to be knowledgeable about these things too."
Lucy silently mocked: No, it's just that we 'cooperate' with the Council too many times.
Natsu clasped his hands behind his head, seeming a bit at ease, "Feels like that time we just finished fighting Ghost."
Gray said, "But the treatment is much better this time, right?"
Erza watched Gray's pants fly away in disbelief and put her hand on his shoulder, "If you keep stripping, you won't get such good treatment."
"Eh?!"
...
"Yes, it's basically resolved."
"Not injured, lively and kicking. I'll let you check thoroughly when I return."
"Yes, the Council is already here. I'm using their Communication Magic Crystal."
"The investigation... will probably take a while. I don't think we'll be able to return today, unless sneaking back... (turns head) Hey, young brother, don't be nervous, I'm just joking with my wife, not really trying to run."
"You even laugh—I'm telling you, I'm sleeping with Erza tonight."
"What do you mean, 'so you're relieved'? Do you not see Erza as a threat? I could cheat on you at any moment!"
"Lucy? Lucy's the comic relief, mixing in with the girls is odd, tell her to sleep with Natsu and Gray."
"Hmm, hmm, of course the Council's food isn't as good as at home. It's enough to fill the stomach, but tonight I'm planning to convince Erza to cook."
"Hehe, at most I'm one-tenth as evil as you, dark-hearted demon."
"Who's bothering you again?"
"Laki? If she has something to handle, let her do it herself, it's not like she can't. Talk for ten more minutes, I'm about to die from not seeing my wife all day."
"By the way, how's the lady from Mermaid's Heel I sent back?"
"Oh, good, then. The Council might contact her later, she just has to truthfully recount her experience."
"When I'm done here, should I bring you over to visit? The largest kingdom in Ishujar has quite a few places worth visiting."
"No worries, I'll sneak out without telling the President."
"Then I'll take some gifts back, see if Lisana wants anything... Forget it, she'll definitely ask for a doll."
"That's right, she's like a sister to me now."
Rhode happily chatted with Mira on the 'phone' when suddenly someone coughed behind him.
He turned around to find that apart from the person guarding the Communication Magic Crystal, there was now also Lahar.
The soldiers who were initially a bit wary were now looking at Rhode with eyes full of envy.
Lahar awkwardly said, "Sorry to interrupt you, but we need to contact headquarters."
"Oh, alright." Rhode turned back, waving to Mira inside the crystal ball, "Gotta return the magic crystal to them now, so for now, bye~"
The image inside the crystal ball disappeared, and Rhode apologized, "Sorry for hogging it for so long."
Lahar waved it off, "It's no problem."
Rhode checked the time, then walked out while softly muttering, "Not even two hours and they need to contact headquarters again, definitely a sign that the work wasn't organized well, process needs improvement..."
"..." Lahar could only pretend not to hear.
Lacking in strength is one thing, but even work capabilities seem outmatched.
Even reports aren't as good as theirs, how frustrating.