After the long day of serious discussion, it was finally time for the best part of the gathering, the meal.
This was the segment Makarov enjoyed the most.
Especially after a few drinks, he would loosen up completely, laughing, dancing, and cracking jokes that would've gotten him banned from any formal banquet.
Just like Macao and the others back home, he had a fondness for dirty humor, particularly the kind that involved complimenting the figures of the beautiful women in his guild.
At first, Rhodes found it amusing. It was, after all, just Makarov being Makarov.
But the moment the old man, with a drunk's wistful expression, sighed and said,
"What a shame that Mira retired from modeling…"
Rhodes decided the Guild Master had officially crossed the line, and that it was time for intervention.
The sixth-ranked Wizard Saint swiftly subdued the seventh-ranked Wizard Saint in one clean motion.
Yes, that was their relationship in a nutshell.
Of course, "subdued" might be a bit disrespectful. so Rhodes changed tactics, slinging the old man onto his back instead.
With a polite bow, he said to the others, "It's getting late, and there's still plenty of work at the guild. We'll be heading off now."
"Have a safe journey," Hyberion replied smoothly, pretending he hadn't just witnessed the Saint Ten equivalent of elder abuse.
"Please visit Lamia Scale when you have time," Jura added courteously.
Wolfheim didn't even bother to look their way, he'd long given up expecting dignity from these two.
Bryliens, meanwhile, had somehow removed the door lock from the conference room and was busily taking it apart on the table, mumbling to himself about hinge design. He didn't even notice their departure.
Outside, Rhodes didn't bother with a carriage or teleportation circle.After sending the two Crabs home ahead of him, he stepped into the Hex Gate, feeling that familiar lurch of subspace travel, like being in an elevator moving too fast for comfort.
Makarov, still out cold, snored on his back the whole way.
When Rhodes materialized back at Fairy Tail, he carried the Guild Master down the stairs, only to meet Laxus halfway on the second floor.
For a moment, both men froze in mutual awkwardness.
"What happened to Gramps?" Laxus asked flatly.
"Nothing. He just drank too much," Rhodes replied, turning to leave. "Perfect timing, I'll hand him over to you."
"Mm." Laxus took his grandfather from Rhodes's shoulders with practiced ease, and the strong scent of alcohol hit him instantly.
Rhodes barely managed to suppress a laugh. The sight of the mighty Laxus holding Makarov like a toddler was pure comedy gold.Keeping a straight face, he waved and continued down to the first floor.
At the counter, Mira was helping Warren fill out a quest registration form.
She didn't even look up as Rhodes approached.
Warren had a backpack slung over one shoulder and a small suitcase beside him.
"A long-term quest?" Rhodes asked, curious.
"Yes," Warren said cheerfully. "The Magic Research Lab in the capital is developing a smaller, portable version of the communication magic crystal. They invited a few experts in telepathy magic to join, and, well, I thought I could help. I've been full of inspiration lately."
"A research project, huh?" Rhodes mused. "That's pretty rare for us."
"Heh, this time, I might actually strike it rich." Warren grinned, signing the last of the paperwork.
"All set." Mira handed him a sealed letter of introduction.
"Since it's an official research quest, you'll need this to get through the capital's checkpoints."
"Thanks. Not sure how long I'll be gone this time, so… goodbye for now." Warren waved as he rolled his suitcase toward the door.
Along the way, he greeted everyone he passed.
Long journeys and extended missions were normal for Fairy Tail mages, no one got sentimental about goodbyes. Home was always here.
Mira watched him go, smiling softly… until she turned back toward Rhodes.
Then her smile faded.
Her lips pursed. Her eyes narrowed.
After coming back from a Saint Ten meeting, the first person her husband talked to wasn't her, but Warren.
Unforgivable.
She decided to be angry for exactly one minute.
The smooth shift from warmth to "wife mode" left Rhodes speechless.
He knew Mira was dramatic, but this was a new record, she wasn't even pretending not to act anymore.
Rhodes thought for a moment, then casually picked up a wineglass, poured himself a drink, and leaned against the counter.With an exaggeratedly suave tone, he said,
"Beautiful lady, are you alone tonight?"
"So what if I am?" Mira shot back, folding her arms.
Rhodes took a small sip, set the glass down, and slid it toward her.
"What a coincidence. I'm alone too. How about we share a drink? Or better yet… I'll drink with you."
"Fine," Mira said, tilting her chin up with mock arrogance.
"But here's the rule, if you finish the drink, what happens next is up to you.
If you don't finish it, it's up to me."
"Deal." Rhodes smiled. It's just a little playful banter, he thought. What could go wrong?
Then he saw her reach for the cocktail shaker, the one she used maybe once a year.
She started pulling bottles from the back shelf: one, two, three… every one of them a high-proof spirit.
Then came soda water, lemon, and, an egg.
Mira smiled sweetly.
"Let's begin~ The drink I'm about to make is called, Memory Black Hole."
The moment he heard that name, Rhodes had a very bad feeling.
"Don't worry," Mira said sweetly, swirling the shaker like a seasoned bartender. "At worst, you'll just lose a tiny segment of your memory after drinking it. It's completely harmless to the body."
Her lips curved into a smile. "And I promise it tastes good."
Wasn't that just a blackout drink?!
Rhodes's instincts screamed danger. He knew his wife too well. That smile definitely meant trouble.
Mira wasn't bluffing, either, she actually could mix drinks, and his alcohol tolerance was… well, "moderate" at best. If she really made him black out, she wouldn't do anything outrageous.
No, she'd do something worse, something clever enough that the entire guild would be laughing about it the next morning.
He raised both hands in surrender. "Alright, I give up. What do you want to do?"
Mira gestured toward the stool. "Sit."
As he obeyed, she walked around behind him, leaned close, her chest pressing lightly against his back, and whispered by his ear, her voice low and teasing:
"My husband's been away on a long trip today. Why don't you come over to my place tonight? We can… talk about something interesting."
Rhodes smirked, playing along immediately. He caught her hand like a shameless rogue and said in an exaggerated tone,
"Alright. How many times?"
Mira blinked innocently. "Hmm… ten?"
Rhodes stood up, clapped his hands together, and declared solemnly,
"Farewell."
Mira's laugh was like the ring of crystal glasses. After a moment, she pressed a hand to her cheek, her face felt warm.
Acting was fun, but she had to admit she'd gone a little overboard with that line.
Honestly, it was his fault for being so smooth-tongued at home.
She shot him a glare for good measure, then pulled him back down beside her. While tidying up the counter, she asked casually,
"So, how was the meeting?"
"It was alright," Rhodes replied, summarizing briefly, especially the part about his rank getting swapped with the Guild Master's.
"Oh my, oh my." Mira's eyes sparkled with mischief.
"I know what's bothering you," she said. "Why not just follow the Guild Master's suggestion and officially become the Fourth Guild Master yourself?"
She clasped her hands together, warming to the idea. "Then, once he starts feeling bored, you can pass the title back to him, let him be the Fifth Guild Master!"
She beamed proudly, convinced she'd just come up with the perfect solution.
"That way, the Guild Master will be your junior forever, and no one can complain about ranks again!"
Rhodes could only stare at her, wide-eyed, before breaking into helpless laughter.
"You really are a genius."
...
Stones Plzzz
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