The dragon's power is still too strong.
Even with Rhode and Wendy's various buffs, Elfman almost exhausted his Magic Power after receiving the Rock Spirit Dragon.
He didn't even enter the 'Complete Form'; he simply transformed into a tall, mighty stone man before collapsing with a thud, creating a dent in the street.
The Purgatory Sub-Dragon looked on disappointedly as Elfman reverted from a stone man to an ordinary brawny man, realizing there was no fight to be had and could only look eagerly at Lisana.
Lisana shivered and went to check on her brother's condition first.
Rhode applied Healing Magic to Elfman and placed the Crown of Insight on him, allowing him to slowly recover, and then said to Mira, "It's fine, he's just fainted. Your brother needs more practice."
Mira was relieved and smiled, "I'll make sure to keep a close eye on him."
Rhode turned to his sister-in-law, "Next is Lisana."
"I can't do it," Lisana said bitterly. "Even Brother Elfman struggled so much, my Magic Power is not even as strong as his, and Animal Soul doesn't quite fit this sort of target."
Despite saying that, with such a good opportunity, she had to give it a try.
Rhode took her to see the Life Prison Dragon, which had obvious fish-like features.
Lisana tried several times, wearing herself out, but still couldn't do it.
She apologetically said, "Sorry, brother-in-law, I made you waste your efforts."
"It's okay, you don't need to force it if it's not possible," Rhode said. "We'll keep this Dragon-Slaying Magic Crystal, so you can consider becoming a Dragon Slayer Mage whenever you want in the future."
"Eh???", Lisana was surprised that there was such an option, "Then why did you let Brother Elfman receive the Rock Spirit Dragon?"
Rhode explained, "Because, if the reception is successful, it can immediately form combat power. Even if Magic Power is insufficient, you can usually use part of the reception form, and in critical moments use full-body reception as a trump card.
"But implanting a Dragon-Slaying Magic Crystal just gives you an opportunity to learn Dragon Slayer Magic, and how much power you can master in the end depends on your own efforts."
Even with the same Dragon-Slaying Magic Crystal, the effect of implanting it in Laxus versus Marcus would definitely be different.
Initially, there might be quite a considerable enhancement, but the future potential depends on the individual.
Moreover, Rhode recently heard from the residual soul of the Emerald Dragon that there is a risk of turning into a dragon with Dragon Slayer Magic.
He's not sure if the second generation of Dragon Slayer Mages has this side effect, but for now, there's no need to consider this problem until Lisana reaches Laxus's level of strength.
"I see..." Lisana nodded, thinking it might not be a bad idea to become a Dragon Slayer Mage?
If it's about training, there are so many Dragon Slayer Mages in the Guild, she could ask any of them.
Rhode patted her shoulder, "Don't worry, your sister will be quite free soon and can watch over you and Elfman as you train to pass the time."
"Ah..." Lisana suddenly felt like giving up.
With the crystal making task not helping, everyone dispersed to clear the remaining small dinosaurs in the city.
The Purgatory Sub-Dragon and the others were also sent out by Rhode, mainly to protect the Mages.
Since the battle started, they have been consuming quite a bit of Magic Power and are prone to danger.
When Mira was leaving, Rhode stopped her, "Go back and tell Erza, the dragon corpses are located at... If interested, you can take some scales, teeth, and other materials to make weapons and armor.
"Because their hearts have been made into Magic Crystals, the Magic Power will deplete rather quickly, if you go too late, the quality will deteriorate."
Mira nodded, "Okay."
Rhode continued, "Also, I remember the Emerald Dragon mentioned that Acronologia became stronger by bathing in dragon blood, tell Natsu and the others, if interested, they can find a way to preserve some dragon blood.
"It might not necessarily be about bathing in blood, but more about figuring out how to absorb the special Magic Power within, thereby enhancing the power of Dragon Slayer Magic, but of course, they need to be wary of any side effects… let those Dragon Slayer Mages research this themselves."
"Mm." Mira noted it down.
Rhode added, "Tell Future Lucy not to worry, after we interrogate Future Rogue, if there's useful information, we will send it back with her.
"Someone should also keep an eye on the Eclipse Gate, let the President arrange that. And tell Wendy not to overdo it, the Marine Sub-Dragon has already taken care of most of the wounded, the rest can be handled by the Royal Capital's medical team."
Mira sighed and gently touched Rhode's face with concern, "You worry about too many things, you're clearly the most tired one, yet you're telling others not to overdo it."
"..." Rhode smiled, "I'll finish up the last bit and then rest."
Rhodes kept his word, focused on completing the Magic Crystal, and then went to meet up with his companions.
Along the way, when encountering other guilds, he couldn't help but lend a hand, and in return often received looks filled with reverence.
When he returned to the guild's previous campsite, Mebius, Qico, Asuka, Future Lucy, and Mira were standing in the most prominent spot in the square — the old, weak, young and pregnant were all there.
Others like Romeo, Ginanna, Marcus, and Lidas, those who weren't strong or had exhausted their strength, also stayed here to rest.
Wolian, serving as the liaison officer, stayed by Mebius's side, ready for orders.
Behind him lay Future Rogue, along with three Void Nest Insects still spawning.
Rhode cheerfully waved, "Is everyone okay?"
"It's Rhode!"
"You're back!"
"After fighting all night, we're about to drop dead!"
"It's amazing they still have the strength to support other guilds."
"You, you're just too incredible, aren't you?"
A single comment drew various responses, Rhode surveyed their state and, though tired, their spirits were evidently high.
Finally, Mebius summarized the situation for him, "It's good you're back, there's no one in the guild seriously injured, the King's Army has increased its search efforts, and now the remaining enemies are basically resolved.
"And…tell them to stop, there's feedback that many enhanced worms have started gnawing on buildings because they can't find enemies."
"Uh, okay." Rhode waved his hand, and all the Nest Insects and countless worms in the Royal Capital vanished.
He then asked, "So, the dragons aren't needed anymore either, right?"
"Correct." Mebius nodded, "There's no more enemies that require the dragons to deal with.
"Atlas Frey promised Natsu that he would leave the Royal Capital and find a place far from humans to live. As long as humans don't disturb him, he won't attack humans in the future.
"Natsu finds his words credible, so there's no need to be vigilant against him."
Rhode nodded in acknowledgment, the First Generation truly anticipated what he was worried about.
However…
"Doesn't he want to return?"
"He seems to think that life here can be more stable, at least no wars between dragons," Mebius said, "Are you concerned about the disturbance of history?"
Rhode nodded and then shook his head, "I was worried before, but after killing the Emerald Dragon, I realized it doesn't seem to have much impact."