https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-67-Will-You-Eat-Your-Own-Jungle-Monsters-/12810282/
Chapter 66: Who is Lisanna?
Chapter 66: Who is Lisanna?
It seems that Natsu and Happy have a really close relationship. Their playful bickering reminded Rod of his own brothers.
He asked, "Happy, when did you first meet Natsu?"
"Ever since I hatched from my egg, back in X778."
"That's already been five years... from an egg?" Rod noticed the odd detail.
"Yeah, Natsu hatched me from the egg, and Elfman and Lisanna helped too."
"Cats are..."
Rod wanted to say that cats are mammals, but this was a magical world where cats could talk and fly, so it made sense.
"...Who is Lisanna?"
Happy's ears drooped, and his eyes welled up with tears.
"Lisanna is Mira and Elfman's younger sister. She... she passed away last year while on a job."
Rod was stunned. Mira's sister? And she had... passed away?
Did Mira even have a sister?
Mira wouldn't bring it up, and the others wouldn't mention it in the guild to avoid hurting Mira and Elfman's feelings.
So Rod had no way of knowing.
Last year... last year...
The girl who always greeted her guildmates with a smile, had she experienced such sorrow not long ago?
Behind that smile, perhaps she hid her pain so as not to worry her friends, and perhaps she had a heart of steel.
"I'm sorry, Happy."
Out of selfishness, Rod wanted to ask more, but Happy's expression made it impossible to continue.
"Natsu says that no matter what happens, we have to keep moving forward. Lisanna is gone, but we'll carry on for her."
Happy rubbed his eyes and shook his head, "I... I'm a mage of Fairy Tail, and I'm strong too."
"Happy, you are strong." Rod patted Happy's head, remembering that this was just a five-year-old child.
And Natsu could say something like that... it was indeed something Natsu would say.
Rod glanced at Natsu, who seemed unresponsive... had he lost consciousness?
"Natsu, Natsu?"
"Ugh..."
He wasn't out cold, but he didn't respond, only making a meaningless groan.
Rod suggested, "Why don't we stop and rest for a bit?"
"We can't. If we don't reach the village before dark, we'll have to camp out in the wild. And even if we stop, he'll just get like this again when we start moving."
Happy objected. He was used to Natsu's condition and thought it better to push through the discomfort all at once rather than endure it multiple times.
Rod asked, "When you fly with him, does he get like this too?"
"Rod, that's mean! I'm not a vehicle!"
"Ah, sorry, that's not what I meant." Rod explained, "I meant, why not just fly Natsu there directly?"
"It's too far, and I don't have enough magic to last that long. Plus, it's exhausting, and my arms get tired."
So the main issue was fatigue? What a good friend.
Rod thought for a moment and summoned one of his river crabs that was on reconnaissance duty: "How about we try this?"
The driver and the horses were well-versed and weren't startled by the sudden appearance of the strange creature.
"A crab!" Happy was excited.
Since Natsu couldn't give an opinion, Happy didn't bother asking and simply lifted Natsu onto the crab's back.
The crab walked alongside the carriage, and within seconds, Natsu perked up, stomping excitedly on the crab's back without fear of falling off:
"Oh wow! Is this for riding? This is awesome!"
"He doesn't get motion sickness on the crab."
Rod leaned out of the carriage window and asked Natsu, "Why did you rent a carriage instead of just a horse?"
Natsu and Happy were taken aback for a moment, then they slapped their palms together in realization. "Ah, of course! We could have done that!"
Rod was genuinely surprised. "You never thought of it!?"
Actually, it wasn't just that. It was also because it was nearly impossible to find someone who rented horses alone. Once a horse was rented out, it was difficult to manage its return. If it took a while, leaving the horse with an inexperienced handler was a risk. Renting a carriage, on the other hand, was much simpler. The carriage driver would take care of everything.
Seeing Natsu and Happy so excited, Rod let them control the crab using its tentacles.
With a shout of "Charge!" from Natsu, the crab took off like a wild beast, using its built-in acceleration skill under Natsu's urging.
"Ahahahaha..."
The crab galloped back and forth, Natsu's and Happy's laughter echoing across the open fields.
The carriage driver began to wonder why they had rented a carriage if they had such magic. The giant crab could easily carry three people, couldn't it?
However, a few minutes later, Happy flew back to the carriage.
Rod asked, "Tired of playing already?"
Happy plopped onto the seat, panting. "It's so hot~ Only Natsu doesn't mind the sun."
That was the real reason they had rented the carriage.
Natsu rode the crab for a while before returning, riding alongside the carriage. He shouted excitedly, "Rod, let's always team up from now on!"
Rod asked, "Just so you can ride the crab?"
"Exactly!"
"But for longer trips, we'll still have to take the train or a boat."
Natsu laughed without a care. "Then we won't team up for those trips."
"You're so practical!"
Rod snapped his fingers, and the crab disappeared, causing Natsu to crash to the ground.
He jumped up and shouted at the carriage, "What was that for, Rod?"
"Oops, my magic's all used up!" Rod said in a deadpan voice.
Happy chimed in, "Used up!"
"Looks like Natsu will have to run behind the carriage!" Rod added, still in the same tone.
"Run behind the carriage!"
Natsu chased after them, roaring, "You two jerks, stop right there!"
Rod and Happy exchanged a glance and couldn't help but laugh.
...
After some more playful banter, Natsu eventually climbed back onto the crab, though he was still sulking.
Rod, that jerk... I need to find his weakness and prank him back.
And Happy, too, for joining in on the prank. Next time, I'll steal his grilled fish.
Rod and Happy chatted amicably, using the travel time to discuss Happy's wing magic. It was a magic Happy had known since birth. Rod asked how long Happy could fly and how much weight he could carry...
Knowing your teammates' capabilities was crucial.
Happy suddenly asked, "Rod, why didn't you call out Worm to play?"
"Worm doesn't like the hot weather, so..." Rod paused, realizing something, "Crap, I left Worm in the guild kitchen."
He had brought Worm to the kitchen earlier to help Mr. Cook with his Poro delicacies but had forgotten to take him along when they left the guild.
Happy sighed, "You're such a forgetful guy."
"..."
It wasn't a big deal, though. Worm would find his way back, and he was probably enjoying the free food in the kitchen, oblivious to the Abyss.
(End of Chapter)
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