Chapter 254: No Drinking While Driving
Chapter 254: No Drinking While Driving
"Oh, that's hard to say." Mira covered her eyes. "I forgot if I changed it for you or not."
"I might believe you if you didn't have your fingers spread so wide." Rod lifted the covers and got up, revealing a rather indecent scene.
"What's with that regretful expression?" Mira patted his arm.
"Great, now I'm broken. I won't be able to eat without someone feeding me."
"Alright, I'll have Elfman feed you." Mira said with a smile. "Don't let his appearance fool you; he's actually very good at taking care of people."
Rod thought about the scenario and shook his head. "Actually, I have innate divine strength, so I'll recover quickly."
The two of them laughed and made their way to the dining room.
Elfman and Happy were already stuffing their faces, while Natsu, having finished his meal, was trying to figure out how to eat the black fire as a dessert.
Canas had only arrived a few seconds earlier and was just sitting down, raising her wine Glass and taking a swig: "Ah! Finally some free time!"
Mira asked, "Where's Erza?"
"She went to take my place," Cana replied.
She glanced at Rod, who had started eating without a word, and then asked with a mischievous grin, "How was it? Sleeping with your head on Mira's legs must have been very comfortable, right?"
"Cough, cough, cough..." Rod pounded his chest, almost choking, "Who? Whose legs?"
Mira also looked surprised, not remembering when he had done that.
Cana, not even bothering to hide her lie, said, "You didn't know? You slept with your head on Mira's legs the whole way."
"Is, is that true?" Rod looked at Mira for confirmation.
Mira wanted to see his reaction and didn't answer directly: "Yes, is it true?"
Rod's ears turned slightly red, and then he looked deeply pained. How could he have slept so soundly!
Mira gave him a glare, thinking he was shameless.
After a while, Rod finally came to his senses.
The compartment was so narrow; unless Elfman had made a special effort to give them space, it would have been impossible to lie down.
"Ha ha ha..." Cana laughed loudly, patting Rod's back. "It's been a while since I've seen you like this. You were even more amusing when you first joined the guild!"
"Heh heh." Rod tore off a chicken leg and, looking at Cana as he bit into it, said with a muffled mouth, "Just wait. When we get back to the guild, don't expect to drink any undiluted wine."
"Don't try to scare me. The guild's wine isn't under your control," Cana replied, thinking that Mira hadn't denied it, so she must be in on it.
Mira smiled. "But I think Rod's idea isn't bad."
"Right? And I happen to know text magic, making it easy to dilute the wine."
Cana shouted, "You two are just as bad as each other!"
Happy added, "They're in cahoots!"
...
The next day, Vena finally woke up.
She hadn't expected to survive. When Elfman and Rod came to visit, Vena thanked them solemnly.
Rod actually didn't feel worthy of the gratitude. Strictly speaking, this mission should be considered a failure.
Not only had they failed to protect the Tear of Kres, but the village had also been destroyed.
If they had set out earlier... even then, it was hard to say.
Perhaps preparing in advance would have improved the situation, or perhaps he and Elfman would have been caught up in it too.
So Rod didn't know whether to feel relieved or guilty.
But it was all over now. There was no point in dwelling on what could have been.
Later, Mar found his way here.
The siblings had gone through a 'near-death experience' and were both blaming themselves and trying to comfort each other.
After a while, Vena asked about the village.
Mar finally brought a little good news: a dozen or so children had survived, as their parents had hidden them before the battle.
Though the number was small, it meant their clan still had hope, and the siblings were not alone.
It was a fortunate turn of events in the midst of misfortune. The two of them chatted alone in the room for a while, and then Mar helped Vena come out to say goodbye.
Mira said, "Miss Vena, your injuries should be rested for a while longer."
Vena shook her head: "At a time like this, the children need me."
Rod gave her a Remnant Flame Crown: "What are your plans from here?"
"Of course, we will rebuild the village. But it's no longer safe here, so we plan to... temporarily seek the protection of the Council and settle elsewhere. Once we figure out the Demon Heart's purpose, we will definitely return here."
Mar seemed to have matured a lot overnight. His tone was firm and steady, unlike his previous rashness.
Judging by his demeanor, it seemed he had some plans for the future.
"By the way, this is your reward," Mar said, taking out a cloth bag and handing it to Rod.
Rod and Elfman exchanged a glance, neither of them reaching out to take it.
"Our mission has already failed, and we should be the ones apologizing to you. Besides, your current situation must be in need of money."
Mar shook his head: "No, Father revised the mission requirements before he passed away. You have already saved us and fulfilled his request.
Don't worry about the money; there are still some assets from the village that will last us a long time."
Vena also said: "Consider it as a token of gratitude or as a payment for medical expenses. Please accept it; it will help us fulfill one of Father's last wishes."
With that, accepting the reward wasn't just about the money.
Rod was silent for a moment before deciding to accept it:
"If there's anything I can help with, feel free to visit Fairy Tail. I will also keep an eye out for information about the Demon Heart and the Tear of Kres."
The siblings supported each other as they left. From now on, the future of Monotropa rested on their shoulders.
...
After resting at the inn for a while, the group set off to return to the guild.
Rod wanted to take the opportunity to experience the magic-powered car.
He had never driven one after passing his driving test, and now he could finally indulge himself.
No one objected; after all, they were all mages, so the worst that could happen was a few bumps and bruises.
Rod sat in the driver's seat confidently, but he was taken aback when he saw there was no steering wheel, just a control lever.
There seemed to be something like a brake pedal under his feet...
He turned around sheepishly: "Mira, can you show me how to drive this thing?"
Happy flew out of the car window: "I'm going to keep Natsu company on the crab."
The driver couldn't lock the doors or windows, which was a big minus.
Mira got out of the car and taught him how to channel magic and start the vehicle.
Rod pulled her down to sit with him.
The driver's seat was like a single-person sofa, but they managed to squeeze in together.
Rod didn't mind at all.
Mira, sitting close to him, wondered if Rod really didn't know how to drive.
But she didn't mind either.
The car started moving, swaying and jerking, speeding up and slowing down, swerving left and right, clearly showing that Rod was still getting used to the control lever.
It got a bit better once they left the town.
But Cana, seeing that Mira had no intention of returning, pounded on the window: "That's outrageous! You're driving dangerously!"
"You were driving drunk yesterday!"
[Note: Don't drink and drive. Mages may survive falls, but ordinary people should not try this.]
The reason the Demon Heart had destroyed many villages was: "Who told them to live on the land where the Key of Zeref rests?"
(End of Chapter)
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