Rhode didn't recognize these two people, but judging by the emblem on the flying ship, he could guess their identity and know why they were here.
He didn't speak, just silently locked eyes with Jerman.
This person's Magic Power felt okay to him, but it was a bit underwhelming compared to his expectations, certainly not fitting for the president of the 'First Guild.'
The woman, on the other hand, seemed pretty good, somewhat on par with Erza—though Rhode hadn't seen Erza in over two months now.
Lucy recognized the Sabertooth emblem, but Jerman's gaze felt a bit intimidating, so she didn't dare speak casually.
Hapi felt pretty much the same.
Only Natsu, who neither recognized the people nor the emblem, rudely opened his mouth to ask, "Who the heck are you?"
He probably sensed the malice from the two blocking the way, so his wording was quite deliberate; a proper translation should be: "Who the hell are you?"
Jerman was initially staring at Rhode, but when he heard Natsu's voice, he glanced at him and continued to look at Rhode, saying:
"Your guild brats are really rude. Is that the attitude you should have when talking to a strong person?"
"What did you say?!" Natsu was so angry that he almost literally burst into flames.
"Not being included in the 'brats' category by you—should I consider that an honor?" Rhode chuckled, "I must remind you, compared to Natsu, whether you count as a strong person is really hard to say."
Hearing this made Natsu happy, and Jerman silent.
"I merely offer the most basic respect to the position of the Ten Wizard Saints, not an acknowledgment of you, brat."
Magic Power emitted from Jerman, gently stirring the large beard on his chin and causing his wide sleeves to flutter in the breeze; it was clear that Rhode's words had angered him.
He was already the president of Fiore Kingdom's First Guild, and his next goal was to become one of the Ten Wizard Saints, and then the president of the world's number one guild.
But the Council had yet to nominate him as one of the Ten Wizard Saints; it was said that the president of Rays of the Rising Sun was given qualification instead.
Why should someone who only uses Magic Tools matter?
Jerman was very displeased.
He never expected that his first summons by the Council wouldn't be because of being awarded the Ten Wizard Saints title, but because his own mages caused trouble?
What was more frustrating was, even though Sabertooth was the one who suffered losses, the Council summoned him on the grounds that Sabertooth provoked trouble!
Jerman suspected the Council was biased towards Rhode, the current member of the Ten Wizard Saints.
Though he was furious, he didn't have much resentment.
Because in his conception, the strong naturally possess privileges.
Both of his guild's aces had been defeated easily by the opposition, indicating that the opponent was indeed a formidable person worth regarding seriously.
Jerman was determined to let people know he was stronger than Rhode, taking away all of the opponent's privileges and making them his own.
Rhode could sense that Jerman's gaze turned extremely aggressive, seemingly intending to go for a fight right then and there.
Minerva, smiling, reminded him, "Father, I understand your sentiments and believe in your strength, but the current situation and timing aren't right."
"Hmm." Jerman snorted coldly, withdrew his aura, with an air of "you're lucky."
Rhode was dumbfounded, was this guy really this confident?
The woman beside him also seemed a bit off, why did it feel like she was conning her dad, and appeared quite skilled at it?
Isn't this daughter afraid that continuing to play like this will get her dad into trouble?
"Mr. Rhode, Miss Minerva, Destinger, Rogue, and Oroga extend their apologies, and also deeply regret the poor hospitality by Sabertooth last time."
"Furthermore, my father has only heard of your strength just now and is keenly interested, not intentionally offensive, please don't take it to heart. If you ever have the leisure, please be sure to visit again along with your esteemed spouse."
Minerva placed her right hand on her left abdomen and bowed slightly, making an apologetic gesture.
Her phrasing and etiquette were impeccable, though it seemed there's a hint of arrogance in her tone, perhaps due to habit.
"Compared to your father, your demeanor is more fitting for a guild leader." Rhode replied, neither harsh nor gentle, "I'll certainly call on you if the opportunity arises."
Minerva's eyebrows rose slightly, this chap doesn't seem like a hot-headed fool?
At this moment, two guards from the Council came running over, looking a bit flustered: "President Jerman, please head inside soon, the scheduled time is almost here."
Jerman nodded nearly imperceptibly.
The two guards stood on either side of Jerman and Minerva, preparing to escort them inside.
Minerva laughed and said, "Could I trouble Lord Rhode to step aside?"
Though she switched to a more respectful address, her tone seemed more like a challenge.
Rhode grabbed Lucy, who was about to step aside, with his left hand, and held Natsu, who was getting ready to pounce, with his right hand, and smiled, "Alright, I'll let you through."
As soon as the words fell, everyone present felt a terrifying surge of Magic Power emanating from Rhode.
Jerman and Minerva's expressions changed, instinctively taking a defensive posture.
"Mr. Rhode..." the two Council guards stepped back repeatedly.
A flash of blue light, and a massive blue-purple Giant Dragon appeared before them.
The Giant Dragon's back and joints were covered with golden metal, embedded with pieces of azure Magic Crystal.
It shook its neck, flapped its wings, and the simple motion created a strong wind, forcing the few people in front to retreat.
At that moment, Rhode and others were standing on the back of the Hex-Tech Sub-Dragon, with Lucy and Hapi looking terrified, and Natsu was full of excitement after his initial shock.
The two guards, having unconsciously retreated dozens of meters, shouted loudly, "Mr. Rhode, this is the Council, please stay calm!"
"Calm down for what? I just summoned a means of transportation." Rhode patted the golden protrusion on the neck of the Hex-Tech Sub-Dragon, "Haven't you guys at the Council been curious about it? Let me show you. Now, goodbye!"
The Hex-Tech Sub-Dragon didn't leap forcefully with its legs but took off purely by flapping its wings, as Rhode instructed.
The resulting winds were imaginable.
The two guards, standing further away, were slightly better off, while Jerman and Minerva embarrassed themselves as they braced against it.
Finally, it was Minerva's use of Space Magic for defense that prevented them from being completely disheveled.
Jerman absent-mindedly looked up at the Giant Dragon in the sky, which had a distinctly technological feel, different from the Fire Dragon described by Stinger and others.
Rhode had just mentioned terms like "transportation."
Could it be that owning a Giant Dragon actually means possessing some advanced Magic Technology-created machinery?
Minerva's expression was not good either; this wasn't the method of stepping aside she had anticipated.
If the opponent could manipulate such a behemoth at will, and there were more than one, then Sabertooth was no match for Fairy Tail.
No, except for her magic.
She possessed the strongest Space Magic, even a Giant Dragon can...