Chapter 318: The Deal is Set
Chapter 318: The Deal is Set
Rod's worst fears didn't materialize, and today's inquiry turned out to be a straightforward one.
Elusa and her team provided some details from the battle and the information they had gathered, which could be used to cross-reference the confessions of the Ironwood Forest group.
They also focused on gathering information about Algol, hoping to carefully assess his strength and analyze his whereabouts.
However, after recording the intelligence, the group seemed a little disappointed.
They couldn't help but feel envious of Lahar's previous intelligence report on Loke and Zancrow, which was so meticulous, detailed, and visually rich.
Unfortunately, Mr. Rod had never met Algol.
As for the slip-up about the regrettable incident, it wasn't a big deal. The losses were within the acceptable range for a high-difficulty hunting mission.
Since no one had filed a complaint, the Council Chamber didn't bother to get involved.
The investigators' attitude was quite pleasant, and Elusa's group cooperated, so the overall atmosphere was amicable.
Just before they left, one of them took out two magazines and asked for Elusa's and Mila's autographs.
Rod eyed the magazine with Mila on the cover, wanting to snatch it. It was an old issue he hadn't been able to get his hands on.
He made a mental note to search for it at Mila's house when he had the time.
The investigator who successfully obtained the autographs was in high spirits, but he stared at Rod for a while before sighing and leaving.
Mila tugged at his sleeve, "He's a potential love rival~"
"If this counts as a love rival, then I have love rivals all over the Phore Kingdom," Rod pretended to be troubled, "My girlfriend is so popular, it's such a headache..."
Wakaba, upon hearing this, felt like giving Rod a good beating. What kind of headache was that? He wanted that kind of trouble!
Lucy seemed a bit envious of Mila and Elusa's popularity and whispered to Mila, "Mila, is modeling very difficult?"
Mila smiled and said, "Not at all. Lucy, you're so beautiful and have such a great figure. You'd be very popular as a model. Why don't you give it a try?"
"Oh, you're exaggerating. I'm not that amazing," Lucy blushed, cupping her face. "And I'm not mentally prepared to suddenly become famous."
She wondered if she would have to sign many autographs, take photos with fans, or be interviewed by numerous journalists and paparazzi.
Lucy blushed, "I feel like my peaceful life would be disrupted, so I need to think it over carefully."
"You can do it," Mila smiled, finding Lucy's daydreaming amusing.
"Lucy..."
Rebi looked at Lucy with envy. Although her current expression was silly, her beauty and figure were genuinely impressive.
Rebi considered ending her friendship with this new friend she had just met not long ago.
But when she looked around at the other girls in the guild, she realized that if she broke off friendships over such matters, she'd be left with no friends at all.
It was so unfair!
Jet and Troy noticed a perfect opportunity to encourage Rebi, "Rebi is the cutest!"
Rebi sighed, believing their words were sincere.
However, if given a choice, she would have preferred to be described as sexy rather than cute.
...
As the Council Chamber members walked away, Natsu immediately regained his energy, "Great, now that the nuisance is gone, let's settle this, Elusa!"
"Bring it on," Elusa stood up and headed towards the backyard.
Rod's legacy of using the backyard for sparring continued, although the Guild Master would have preferred them to go to the street in front, which was spacious and without walls.
"Why is Natsu suddenly challenging Erza? Has he caught Rod's fighting spirit?"
"Does Natsu need to catch anyone's spirit?"
"Now that you mention it, it's been a while since Rod challenged anyone, hasn't it?"
The perceptive Elfman had already seen through it all. Rod's reduced frequency in challenging others was because he had found an S-Class sparring partner.
Thanks to him, his sister was able to recover, but precisely because she had recovered, she used the excuse of 'needing to readapt to combat' to beat him up.
Yet, it was also thanks to Rod that he diverted a lot of her energy, reducing the number of times she beat him up.
Elfman wasn't sure if he should thank Rod or not.
An informed source revealed, "It seems Erza made a promise with Natsu and Gray to have a duel when they returned from their team mission."
"Huh? So, is Gray going to fight Erza next?"
"I'm not that stupid," Gray replied.
Natsu had been dealt with by Mira just two months ago, and now he was challenging Erza again. It wouldn't be that easy.
Natsu and Erza quickly faced each other in the guild's backyard.
A crowd gathered, with some of the smarter ones climbing onto the walls for the best view.
Lucy squeezed through the crowd, looking anxious as she saw Natsu and Erza's expressions, "They're not serious, are they?"
"Of course, they have to fight seriously. That's what real men do!" Elfman declared.
"..." Mira was unhappy; Elfman was using the term 'real men' loosely again.
But when describing Erza... his sister was delighted.
"The duel begins! Place your bets!" Cana hung up a large sign and set out a basket for the wagers.
People eagerly placed their bets, and surprisingly, many backed Natsu.
Happy was still undecided, so he sought others' opinions, "Who does Rod think will win?"
"Happy, you're definitely supporting Natsu, right?" Lucy asked.
Rod thought for a moment, "Erza has a higher chance of winning, unless it's a fight to the death."
Happy decisively pulled out his cash, "I'm betting on Erza."
"You heartless cat!"
Mira smiled, "Aren't you going to place a bet?"
"It's hard to choose... and you know me. I don't smoke, drink, or gamble. I have no bad habits."
Rod was strongly against gambling.
Mira asked, "You don't drink? Who's the one who gets drunk at every banquet?"
"It's the atmosphere..." Rod didn't have a particular fondness for alcohol, but the atmosphere...
"Anyway, getting drunk in the guild won't cause any harm."
Mira had an idea. The next time he got drunk, she would draw lipstick marks all over his face and then put on lipstick and pose with Elfman.
Let's see if he dares to say that getting drunk won't cause any harm.
"Alright, get ready!"
Despite concerns about potential damage to the guild, the Guild Master took on the role of referee, as long as everyone was having fun.
"It's been a while since we've seriously used magic against each other, right?" Erza smiled, "By the way, I also promised Rod a match."
"You, Rod, and everyone else, I'll defeat you all!" Natsu's fighting spirit surged, "Mira and Laxus too!"
"Is that so? Then... Transformation - Blazing Emperor Armor!" Erza changed into a red and yellow-themed armor, and her hair transformed into twin tails.
"Give it your all, Natsu!"
(End of Chapter)
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