Rhodes leaned back lazily and said, "Why don't you try bribing me? Maybe you can convince me to bend the rules and let you join in."
Lucy actually paused to think. "It's not impossible… but how exactly am I supposed to bribe you? Money is definitely out. Maybe a gift? Or helping you with something?"
Rhodes burst out laughing. "Use your strongest move, a honey trap. Maybe pull your collar down a little or something."
"No way." Lucy immediately crossed her arms and tugged her collar even tighter. "And can you seriously say stuff like that with Mira right here?"
Rhodes casually wrapped an arm around Mirajane. "It's fine. Mira enjoys watching too."
"No problem at all," Mira added with an angelic smile that absolutely didn't match her words. "Honestly, I'm quite looking forward to it. Lucy's fashion sense is always so cute, especially her underwear."
"You didn't need to say that last part!" Lucy hugged herself protectively. She liked the compliment… but wasn't the focus of it just a bit concerning?
Mira tapped her fingers together like a mischievous imp. "Then, how about letting me admire Lucy's amazing figure? Deal?"
Lucy's face burned. "Don't quote Taurus's lines!"
Mira immediately changed her expression, tilting her head seductively. "Are you going to punish me?"
"And not Virgo's lines either!" Lucy groaned.
Rhodes just laughed, amused by his playful wife.
He'd originally only stepped outside to get some fresh air after sitting too long, but he definitely hadn't expected this kind of "entertainment" as a bonus.
After teasing Lucy together for a while, he happily returned to his book.
—
Around noon, Rhodes carried his book upstairs and pushed open a door.
Makarov was, unsurprisingly, asleep on the table.
Rhodes dropped his book onto the desk with a deliberate thud.
Makarov shot upright instantly, snatched a pen like lightning, and posed as if he'd been diligently working this entire time.
The moment he recognized Rhodes, he exhaled in relief and dropped the act. "Oh, Rhodes. Do you need something?"
"Master," Rhodes said seriously, glancing at the documents, "there are twelve compensation forms here. You only have to sign twelve times. You've been 'working' since morning, and you've only signed one?"
"Heh...haha...well, you know, these things are very important! I have to carefully check every detail… so it's perfectly normal to be slow."
"I see." Rhodes nodded thoughtfully. "Since you're so careful with them, Mira and I will give you the original documents directly from now on."
"No. Don't do that."
If this were any other guild, they might think Rhodes was subtly trying to seize financial control.
But this was Fairy Tail.
Makarov simply wanted to avoid all tedious responsibilities. After two years of Rhodes and Mira handling everything, the old man had grown far too comfortable, lazy, even.
Sensing danger approaching, Makarov quickly changed the subject. "These are the rules for the Grand Magic Games, right? So, have you decided who's competing?"
Rhodes sighed. "You're not even going to ask about the rules first? You're skipping straight to the participants?"
"You said once you read the rules, you'd pick the teams," Makarov mumbled.
"Fine, fine." Rhodes gave up. "The main change this year is that every guild can send up to two teams, ten members total."
"That's wonderful!" Makarov's eyes lit up. More kids on the field meant more chances to shine, and a higher shot at winning.
"Maybe Princess Hisui changed the rules just for us," Rhodes joked. "Why else would they change them this year of all years?" He'd mostly said it because Lucy recently mentioned how much the princess wanted to see her compete.
"Hahaha, don't be ridiculous," Makarov said, waving him off. Still, he immediately began counting on his fingers as he imagined the roster.
"In that case, Natsu and Gray can both participate. Gajeel and Juvia too, and, well, we'll have to rethink the groupings."
Makarov thought for a whole three seconds before looking up at Rhodes. "What do you think?"
"..."
Rhodes waved lazily and turned around. "Try using your brain once in a while. Mira's waiting for me for dinner."
"Hey...!"
Left with no choice, Makarov dropped into his chair and began flipping through the sections Rhodes had already highlighted for him, grumbling as he mulled over the roster.
Downstairs, Mira sat quietly at the table with Lisanna beside her. The bowls and chopsticks were neatly set.
Elfman had temporarily stepped away from the Strauss family team lineup recently, something everyone understood but never pressed.
Mira looked up when Rhodes arrived. "How did it go?"
"Let the Master suffer a little," Rhodes replied shamelessly. "He's eighty or ninety years old, it's the perfect age to work harder."
Both of them burst into mischievous laughter.
Just then, a pigeon fluttered into the guild—flap, flap, flap.
Most people glanced up, then immediately lost interest once they saw the note tied to its leg.
There was a 90% chance the pigeon was here for Rhodes and Mira, a 0.1% chance it was here for the Master, and a 0.9% chance it had simply gotten lost.
Sure enough, the bird flew straight toward Mira, attempting to land gracefully on the tiny bun atop her head.
Rhodes intercepted it with a swift grab, tossed his chopsticks aside, and untied the note from its leg. "This pigeon is unbelievably rude. I wonder who trained it."
The note read:
"Mr. Rhodes, please come to the other side of the lake immediately."
Rhodes frowned and flipped it over. The back was blank.
"Such blunt wording? Sounds like a kidnapping victim sending a warning."
"Who sent it?" Mira asked.
"No signature." Rhodes placed the note on the table for them to see.
Lisanna leaned over. "The handwriting's so delicate… looks like a girl wrote it. Brother-in-law? Who is it?"
Mira tapped her lightly on the head. "Don't jump to conclusions."
"We'll check it out first," Rhodes said. "Mira, stay just behind me. Lisanna, stay in the guild and keep an eye on this pigeon."
"The other side of the lake" meant the large lake behind the guild. It wouldn't take Rhodes long to get there.
But instead of flying, he took the Crab across, using Void Vision to scout ahead as he traveled.
The moment he reached the shore, he immediately sensed the presence of two people hiding in the trees nearby.
Judging by how obvious they were… hiding clearly wasn't their intention.
When they noticed Rhodes approaching, both figures stepped out from the woods.
"Ultear? Meredy?" Rhodes raised an eyebrow. "What are you two doing here?"
"Long time no see," Ultear greeted brightly. "Should I start by congratulating you on your marriage?"
Meredy stood beside her, smiling shyly.
"Your congratulations are a bit late, but appreciated," Rhodes replied with a smile. "Crime Sorcière has been all over the newspapers these past six months."
Ultear chuckled. "The feeling is mutual."
"So?" Rhodes glanced around. "There should be more of you. Did the rest run off and you want my help hunting them down?"
"No," Ultear said. "They're busy with other assignments. We came about the Grand Magic Games."