"Those aren't important. What matters is that when I got caught, Mira and Elfman were with me, so they might have ended up in this world as well.
"And they probably can't use magic, which means they could be in danger. So I want to ask if you guys have any ideas about the weird magic that pulled me over, if there's any way to locate them, and... how do I get back?"
The gossip was lively, but when Rhode asked a series of practical questions, no one had anything to say.
Most of them had never even heard of Aslan before, so how could they know about magic that connects Edolas and Aslan?
'Lucy' looked at everyone's expressions and had a rough idea of the answer: "As much as we'd like to help, it's the first time we've heard of such magic."
"I see..." Rhode was a bit disappointed, but he also figured he'd investigate slowly.
'Lucy' added, "I can tell you one thing: if anyone could have unleashed that kind of magic, it must be someone from the Royal Capital. Maybe they were developing some strange magic that affected you all."
"The Royal Capital?"
"That's right, even though we aren't allowed to use magic, the people in the Royal Capital have no restrictions. No matter how difficult it is for those outside, they can still enjoy the most convenient lifestyle."
'Lucy' and the others showed expressions of discontent. Magic is supposed to be a resource and a cultural belonging to the entire world, yet it has all been seized by the King and concentrated in the Royal Capital.
They merely use magic to solve their troubles, and they are branded as a Dark Guild, constantly pursued by the King's army's Magic War Team. It's unfair.
The crowd started discussing vehemently, and Rhode gathered important information from their conversation:
This is a very powerful country. The king of Edolas has nearly unified the world.
Except for Fairy Tail, all the Mages' Guilds around the world that refused to disband have been eradicated by the Magic War Team.
Fairy Tail lost half its members while on the run, and even the President was killed.
This implies that, unlike Aslan, the kingdom's military power here is extraordinarily strong, and the Mages' Guilds worldwide stand no chance against them.
Rhode vaguely felt that the situation was rather serious.
The magic resources here are nonrenewable and face the danger of exhaustion. On the other hand, their magic resources are almost inexhaustible.
And there's a possibility that here they can open a passage connecting the two worlds...
A resource war? He was reluctant to think further, just hoping the situation hadn't reached the worst.
'Mira' warned Rhode with a somewhat nuanced mood, "If you're heading to the Royal Capital to investigate, be cautious, and never reveal that you can use magic; don't show your emblem either."
"I understand, thank you all." Rhode got up, ready to leave, "May I ask in which direction the Royal Capital is?"
'Lucy' shouted back, "Reby, get him a map!"
"Don't boss me around, you idiot, Lucy!" 'Reby' cursed while she dropped the wrench and went looking for a map.
Although the people here have different personalities, they are all kind-hearted.
Rhode took the map and smiled at 'Reby': "Thank you, in our world, Reby and Lucy are best friends, and we usually call her 'Lu'."
"Lu?"
'Reby' tried to repeat it, then exchanged a glance with 'Lucy', turning their faces to the sides and making a retching gesture, saying in unison, "Disgusting!"
"Well, I'll be off then. It's a pity there's not much I can do to repay you... right," Rhode took out his wallet and removed the cash inside, around 80,000 J, "Is the currency here the same as ours?"
'Lucy' said, "It looks the same, but we just chatted with you; there's no reason to take your money."
'Reby' pointed to the notice board: "Stupid Lucy is right. We make money by solving troubles for others, and even though we're constantly on the run, we still have ways to earn money."
Rhode thought about it and put back a few thousand J in loose change, leaving the rest of the tens of thousands of J bills on the table:
"If that's the case, I'll commission you to help find clues about Mira and Elfman, as long as it doesn't put you at risk. Is that okay?"
'Lucy' smiled, "If it's a formal commission, then there's no way to refuse. But don't underestimate us."
"Of course not."
"I mean the part about 'not putting you at risk'," 'Lucy' showed a suave smile, "Mages risking their lives for a mission is a given; don't underestimate our resolve!"
"I see..." Rhode laughed, "As expected of Fairy Tail."
"Hee..." the onlookers all laughed.
'Lucy' reached out to pick up the money, "Then this task is mine..."
'Mira' stopped her, "Wait a minute, Lucy!"
"What's wrong?"
'Mira' bit her lip and looked at Rhode, "Can you tell me more about Lisana?"
'Lucy' was puzzled, "What are you talking about, Mira? At a time like this, this guy must be anxious, right?"
"Please, it's important." 'Mira's eyes were full of pleading.
Rhode didn't understand what this 'Mira' meant, but with those eyes, despite repeatedly reminding himself that this wasn't Mira, it was hard to refuse such a small request.
"I don't know much, so I'll briefly summarize it."
Rhode told her the story of the three siblings losing their parents early, relying on each other, being forced to leave the village, joining the guild, and who they became close to, along with some little things Mira had mentioned about the sisters.
"Sister Mira..." Lisana, who was hiding, increasingly felt something was wrong.
'Mira' and 'Elfman's tears began to overflow.
The two looked at each other and nodded with difficulty.
"Lucy, let Lisana take on this task."
'Mira' spoke to Lucy, but her eyes were fixed on Lisana.
"Lisana? I don't mind, but why suddenly..."
"No way!"
Lisana's reaction was somewhat intense, she shouted and then lowered her head, bolting out of the guild.
But she collided with someone with a thud.
"Whoa!"
"Ouch!"
Both cried out in pain, Lisana sat on the ground holding her head, and the one she bumped into also clutched their head.
The person who got bumped into erupted first, "Who is it?! Damn it!"
The nearby blue cat wearing a mask and cloak was glaring at the person who suddenly bumped into them along with Natsu.
"I'm sorry..." Lisana apologized with tears, and when she saw the familiar face, she was a little stunned, "Natsu?"
Rhode heard Lisana say the name Natsu and thought it was the Natsu from here. But upon looking back, it seemed different, not only wearing a hood but also with a strangely dressed creature that might be a cat.
Even Hapi has a counterpart here?