https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-145-Azure-Engraved-Golem-Happy-Mid-Autumn-Festival-/12810379/
Chapter 146: A Special Day
Chapter 146: A Special Day
Thanks to the Insight Crown's enhanced endurance, Rod spent some extra time in the guild's backyard playing with the golem. The massive rocky fists swung with great force, but the golem's enormous body was too cumbersome to move around in the small yard.
"Come on, let's try that move again," Rod said, intrigued by the golem's earth magic. It was worth studying.
Makarov's eyes twitched as he watched. "Don't break the walls again."
After a brief reminder, he returned to the bar. Aside from the initial summoning and receiving, Rod's magic practice rarely gave him much to worry about.
"Got it," Rod replied, already thinking about where he could find a larger practice area for the golem and his League of Legends monsters to play. The forest outside the city seemed perfect, but considering his limited stamina, it might be too risky for him to go alone.
When his magic was about to run out, Rod stopped and did some physical training before returning to the bar. He noticed Natsu looking particularly listless, not even bothering to provoke Gray, who was sitting nearby.
Canal sat with her usual group of friends, Makao and Wakaba, sipping from a wine glass and rolling her eyes as they discussed young girls.
Erza had just returned from an S-Class mission the day before and was now talking to the Master at the counter.
Mira, however, was nowhere to be seen.
Rod looked around the room, but there was no sign of her. He walked to the counter, wondering if she had gone to the storage room, the kitchen, or perhaps was out shopping.
"Good work," Makarov said to Erza. "Rod, you're here just in time. Help Erza finish the final paperwork."
"Sure thing," Rod said, pulling out the register and a pen. As he wrote, he asked casually, "Erza, what about your armor?"
"Oh, this is the Emperor's Armor," Erza replied. "My usual set is being repaired. Does this look strange?"
Rod shook his head. "No, just a bit different."
Erza's armor and weapons were magical items, most of which could be worn like ordinary clothes without draining her magic, as long as they weren't used in battle or attacked. A few, however, came with a burden just by being worn, but these were often the most powerful.
The fact that Erza's armor had been damaged suggested that her mission was particularly challenging. S-Class missions were supposed to be difficult, and the reward, a long string of zeros on the request form, made Rod's mouth water.
As he wrote, Rod's pen paused. "Wait, Master, this is an S-Class mission. Is it okay for me to handle the paperwork?"
"It doesn't matter, it's already completed. Just keep it confidential," Makarov said, glancing at Rod.
The reason they didn't let others see the S-Class missions on the second floor was to prevent them from overestimating their abilities or being tempted by the high rewards. But you, my boy... if I allowed you to take an S-Class mission, would you?
"Time flies, doesn't it? Rod is already helping Mira with her work," Erza said with a mature tone, seriously commenting on Rod's progress.
"I only help when she's not around or too busy," Rod replied, thinking for a moment before asking, "By the way, where is Mira?"
"She and Elfman went to the church," Makarov said softly. "Today... is Lisanna's anniversary."
Rod was taken aback and looked up.
"Has it really been a whole year?" Erza's tone was somber.
When Mira first joined the guild, Erza had approached her, hoping to get along. But for some reason, they always ended up at odds. After Lisanna's incident, they managed to get along better, but it wasn't the relationship Erza had wanted.
"Go ahead if you're worried," Makarov said. "But also have a little faith in Mira and Elfman."
Rod silently finished his work, neatly putting away the ledger and pen before saying, "Master, I'm stepping out for a bit."
Erza watched his retreating back and remarked, "Rod really cares about his comrades, doesn't he?"
Makarov replied, "Because he's a part of Fairy Tail, too."
...
Now it all makes sense. No wonder Mira didn't go to see the new monster he summoned—she was upset that he didn't call her last time when he summoned a Treant.
No wonder Natsu was listless today, and everyone's laughter and antics were more subdued...
Rod quickened his pace toward the city center's cathedral, but his steps gradually slowed.
"Maybe I should buy some flowers."
He went to a flower shop, explained the purpose of the bouquet, and the shopkeeper wrapped a bundle of white lilies for him.
Holding the flowers, Rod took a few steps before stopping to look at his clothes. "I should probably change into something black..."
He hurried home to change, then rushed back to the Cardia Cathedral.
On the way, Rod carefully thought about what he would say to comfort Mira and encourage Elfman.
He hadn't felt this anxious in a long time.
Entering the cathedral, Rod encountered an elderly man dressed as a priest. He asked carefully, "Excuse me, where is the cemetery?"
"It's just behind here."
"Thank you."
As they passed each other, the old man suddenly spoke, "Stay calm, my child."
Rod stopped and looked at him in confusion.
"Restless thoughts and too many distractions will not help you express your condolences to the departed." The old priest smiled kindly, "Before you enter the cemetery, take a moment to think about why you are here."
"I..." Rod paused.
Was it for Mira? For Elfman? For... himself?
He looked at the flowers in his hands. If he went there with that mindset, he wouldn't have the right to stand before that child's grave.
"Thank you for your advice," Rod bowed slightly to the elderly man and watched him leave.
He took a deep breath and stepped into the cemetery. I am Rod, a mage of Fairy Tail, and I am here today to pay my respects to my fallen comrade, Lisanna.
That's all.
The cemetery was silent, with tombstones standing quietly. People who entered always walked softly.
Rod easily found the spot he was looking for, as Elfman was standing in front of the tombstone, and Mira was crouching beside him.
Even though there were two people, Rod felt they looked so alone.
He slowly approached, deliberately making his steps heavier as he neared the siblings.
When they turned around, he spoke softly, "I'm sorry to disturb you."
"Rod?" Elfman was surprised. "Why are you here?"
"I heard from Master that today is Lisanna's anniversary, so I came to bring some flowers."
Mira didn't seem surprised. She stood up and moved to the side, bowing slightly to Rod.
Elfman quickly followed suit.
Rod nodded to them and then looked down at the tombstone.
The tombstone was simple, with the Fairy Tail emblem carved into it, Lisanna's name, and her birth and death dates.
He bent down and placed the flowers, remembering the photo of Lisanna he had seen, and mourned silently for a moment.
After saying a few words in his heart to Lisanna, Rod looked at Mira and Elfman. "I'm sorry for intruding on such a day."
"No, thank you for coming to see her," Mira said, her eyes on the tombstone. "Lisanna would be happy to know that the guild has new, talented members joining."
"Yeah, that's just how Lisanna was," Elfman added.
(End of Chapter)
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