Chapter 294: A Chance Encounter
Chapter 294: A Chance Encounter
Mira brought the grilled fish that Happy had ordered to Natsu and placed it in front of Worm.
"It's a bit cruel to Natsu, but... I think it's probably fake. If it were real, it would have been in the newspapers by now, and we wouldn't need Niki to spread rumors."
Rod reached out and tore off a piece of the fish to taste it. It was delicious, no wonder Happy loved it.
He reached out again, but Mira smacked his hand away, "We're about to have dinner soon, and you're still fighting with Worm over food, getting oil all over your hands."
"Ruff~" Worm rubbed his head against Mira's palm, feeling immense gratitude for his kind mistress.
"Were you talking about me?" Niki had just finished chatting with the others and came over to submit his quest.
Niki watched as Rod extended his oily hand towards Mira, asking her to wipe it clean, and then glanced at Worm, who was eating intently. It felt like a scene from a happy family of three.
He felt a twinge of envy.
Rod took out his quest sheet and said as he looked it over, "We were talking about how you might get beaten up for spreading false rumors."
Niki was confused, "Why would they beat me up? I heard it from someone else."
Mira meticulously wiped Rod's fingers clean and smiled at Niki, "Think about Natsu's personality."
"I... I guess he'd think I'm lying to him," Niki felt a bit guilty, "It's fine, I'll explain everything to him as soon as he's back."
Mira offered him words of encouragement, "Good luck."
Niki felt even more uncertain, "Maybe I should take on another quest instead?"
Rod sensed that Mira wanted to see a fight, so he decided to fan the flames, "Are you that afraid of Natsu? If it were me, I'd fight him, like a real man."
"Why copy Elfman?" Niki stiffened his neck, "And who's afraid of him? I'll wait for him at the guild!"
Rod sighed, if everyone was this straightforward, this guild would be in trouble sooner or later.
"When Natsu returns, let's go to the Cat's Lodging and visit Wendy, shall we?"
"Why are you suddenly thinking of Wendy?"
"I promised to tell her when I could summon dragons, and I also promised to visit her when I had the time."
"Sigh~ Rod really likes making promises with girls," Mira cupped her face, looking melancholy, "Poor me."
Rod sighed helplessly, "Stop it, Wendy's just a kid..."
Mira couldn't help but laugh, wanting to play the jealous role, but the target wasn't quite right, "Let's wait a few more days, at least until after the beginning of the month."
"Alright, then I can take Natsu to see the Mountain Wyvern and leave him behind when we go out."
"Okay~"
Visiting Wendy could be considered a trip, and of course, it's best to travel as a couple.
On the anniversary of their first meeting, Rod presented Mira with a bouquet of pink roses.
It was to commemorate the day they met and celebrate their love.
Mira was filled with surprise, having spent the entire day together, she had no idea how Rod had managed to secretly buy a bouquet of flowers.
If he wanted to keep secrets from her in the future, he'd better watch out! So, to warn Rod, Mira gave him a long, passionate kiss.
They kissed until they were both breathless before finally parting.
...
July 2nd was an ordinary day.
If there was anything special about it, it was that it was a Wednesday, the day the new issue of Mage Weekly was released.
However, the cover of this particular issue shocked many people.
What was initially thought to be a regular red-haired swimsuit model, upon closer inspection, revealed a delicate face, a crest on her arm, and a stunning font beside her...
The Fairy Queen - Elusa!
The famous Fairy Queen had released a swimsuit photo book! This excited the old gentlemen who hadn't seen Mira's swimsuit photos in a long time.
The magazine's sales skyrocketed.
Newsstands, bookstores, and other places were almost overwhelmed by the crowds.
This also caused a certain Fairy Tail fan in Harugion to miss out on buying the new issue of the magazine.
Even when she used her 'Seduction Tactics', no one was willing to give up their spot.
"Ahhh... What's wrong with these people!" The golden-haired girl lay on a bench by the roadside, flailing her arms and legs in frustration.
"The shop owner only agreed to a 1000J discount, and the people buying the magazine won't even give up their spots! Is my sexiness so insignificant?"
Lucy pouted, resting her right forearm on her forehead. She was eager to read the latest issue of Sosera, rumored to feature the Fairy Queen. "Damn it, I'll try another bookstore. I must get my hands on it this time!"
Just then, a group of girls ran past her, shouting excitedly.
"The Fire Dragon is in Harugion!"
"The Fire Dragon! That famous Archmage!"
"Let's go get his autograph!"
"The Fire Dragon? Isn't he from Fairy Tail...?" Lucy hurried after the girls, a pleasant surprise on her face.
Natsu and Happy, drawn by the mention of the Fire Dragon, followed the crowd's direction.
...
Over the next two days, the problem children of the guild returned one by one from their missions.
Kana, Rebi, Elfman, and others filed in, each with a look of accomplishment and innocence, as if they hadn't caused any trouble.
But with Makarov's experience, he knew better; their mistakes were likely less obvious this time.
As the guild bustled with activity, he decided to let things slide for now; he could write the self-reflection later.
In his eyes, the changing nature of their mischief indicated their growth.
Makarov felt that many of the children had matured significantly over the past year.
He savored the fine wine that Mira and Rod had gifted him, a rare treat as Mira usually restricted his drinking.
Was this Rod's doing?
As he sipped from the small cups, a rosy hue crept onto Makarov's face.
He watched the playful banter between the couple and burped, "You two... burp~"
Rod and Mira exchanged a glance.
Makarov continued, "...When are you two getting married?"
Mira's face flushed, and she snatched the bottle from Makarov, "Guild Master, you've had too much to drink!"
"It's still a long way off... Why take my wine? Don't you want to marry Rod...?"
"Of course, I do..." Mira grabbed the cup as well, "No more drinking this month!"
Makarov, now slightly sober, pleaded, "Please, no..."
Rod secretly gave the Guild Master a thumbs up for his effort.
All that was left was a little money and a direct victory over her, and the proposal would be complete.
"You're not allowed to laugh!"
"I won't, I promise."
But it was impossible to hold back.
Just as the elderly man was enjoying the playful bickering of the couple, a postman delivered a thick package.
The large characters on the package, addressed to 'Makarov Guild Master', struck him like a bolt of lightning.
He was all too familiar with this, but the thickness was beyond excessive!
Mira recognized it too, and a gentle smile graced her face. "Guild Master, aren't you going to open it?"
Rod waved his hand in front of Makarov, "Guild Master, are you alright?"
"I'm... I'm fine."
Makarov tucked the package under his arm, hopped off the counter, and began the arduous climb upstairs. He needed to prepare himself mentally before slowly opening the package.
Before he could reach the second floor, Marcus burst in, his voice booming with excitement, "Did you hear? The news this morning said Natsu destroyed half of Harugion's port!"
"Is that true?"
"That Natsu, he's something else!"
Makarov's vision darkened, and he forced himself to climb upstairs.
"Oh dear, more trouble..."
"Why don't you go check on the Guild Master?" Rod suggested, "I'm worried he might get sick from anger."
As he couldn't go upstairs, he had to send Mira.
"I think the Guild Master doesn't want us to see him right now," Mira said, noticing Rod's concern. "I'll go take a quick look."
(End of Chapter)
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