The Lucy in front of him probably wasn't the Lucy he knew, and naturally Jet and Troy weren't either.
The main issue was Mira; if it were his Mira, she would have already flown over upon his sudden disappearance and reappearance.
While it's not out of the question that everyone has had their memories and personalities altered by magic, the likelihood of a parallel world is greater.
Because Rhode had already encountered Mystogan and Porlyusica.
Wendy once said that Granny Porlyusica's voice and scent were the same as those of The Sky Dragon Grandeeney, so it was possible for there to be a Mira in this world with the same scent as his 'Mira'.
The Shadow Wolf must have picked up on this 'Mira's' scent, which is why it brought him here.
This place... is Edolas.
This Fairy Tail is Edolas' Fairy Tail.
While it's unclear why even the guild's name and emblem are the same, given Mystogan and Porlyusica, it's not so hard to accept.
Though these people weren't his companions, encountering familiar faces in an otherworld can be considered a stroke of luck.
Judging by the questions they were asking, it seemed that this Fairy Tail's situation wasn't ideal.
Now, the primary task was to dissolve any hostility, try to gather more information from them, find the real Mira, and figure out a way back to Aslan.
So Rhode immediately had the Shadow Wolves back off and showed the emblem on his arm; even though they weren't in the same world, they were both Fairy Tail, so they ought to be somewhat amicable.
But since there might still be a chance he'd be considered an enemy, he didn't have the wild creatures return.
"Are you from our Fairy Tail?" Jet questioned skeptically, "Why have I never seen you?"
Troy said, "Maybe it's a plan from the King's Army."
Lucy stared at Rhode blankly, unable to place him either, and turned to call into the guild, "Does anyone know this guy? What's your name?"
"Rhode."
"He says his name is Rhode. Anyone in the guild heard that name before?"
Rhode was curious if there might be a version of himself in this otherworld, but after waiting, it seemed no one came to 'claim' him.
It looks like either he doesn't exist, or he's not part of the guild.
He figured he likely didn't exist here.
Troy said, "He's obviously a fraud, trying to infiltrate our guild or something."
Jet said, "But that emblem doesn't look fake."
It seemed like he needed to explain things quickly. Rhode said, "Is this place called Edolas? I'm from Aslan, have you ever heard of Aslan?"
The three at the door exchanged glances but clearly were unaware.
But the short-haired girl in the guild who resembled Lisana gradually furrowed her brows. She hesitated for a moment, then asked:
"Let's temporarily set aside what you mentioned about Aslan, what are those wolves and ghost-like things? Aren't they the army?"
Rhode took a second look at the girl and replied, "That's just my magic. You should be aware of how many dangerous beasts there are outside."
As his words fell, Rhode noticed the Lisana-lookalike's eyes became evasive, and everyone else had a shocked expression.
"Magic?!"
"Did he actually say magic!"
"Is he serious?!"
Rhode slightly frowned, was magic really such a rare thing here? Or was it something entirely unspeakable?
However, Mystogan clearly used magic, and he was very powerful. He wasn't banished to this world because he could use magic, right?
Just the word 'magic' threw the entire guild into chaos, but 'Lisana' remained composed: "If you mean no harm, could you please put away your magic? It's too conspicuous. We don't wish to attract too much attention."
This isn't Fairy Tail.
Our guild is so infamous it's hard not to attract attention.
Thinking this way, Rhode decided to take her advice; when negotiating, showing some sincerity was always good.
He waved his hand, and all six Shadow Wolves and six Ghosts disappeared.
"…" Lisana covered her mouth, even more reluctant to meet Rhode's eyes.
But everyone else grew even more unsettled: "It really was magic!"
"Exactly what kind of magic can instantly create such terrifying soldiers and wolf packs?"
Rhode cautiously monitored for any possible attacks and observed their shocked reactions.
He attempted to ask: "Could you explain why you react so strongly to magic?"
"Isn't it obvious? In this country, trading magic is banned, even just possessing magic privately is a crime." Lucy crossed her arms, her face showing discontent, resembling the delinquent days of Mira a bit.
She looked at Rhode and added, "I'm starting to believe you're not from Edolas. Even if it's not Aslan, you're at least from some remote backwoods somewhere."
"Banning the trade and possession of magic... Can such things really be prohibited?" Rhode was puzzled, "Wait, what's your definition of magic here?"
'Lisana' suggested, "Lucy, maybe we should talk inside. If we're outside too long..."
She really is called Lucy… well, that makes sense, Mystogan was originally called Jellal, and Granny Porlyusica also originally had a different name.
Lucy casually gestured for him to enter: "Come on in, but don't try anything funny."
I'm more worried about you trying something... Rhode thought to himself.
The current Rhode is one lacking in security.
In pursuit of more information, he had no choice but to follow them inside.
The treehouse was actually quite spacious, resembling the guild before it was rebuilt, with tables, a counter, a bulletin board—everything you'd expect in a guild that accepts commissions.
Inside were many familiar faces, albeit somewhat different.
Apart from the ones he had just seen, Rhode immediately spotted Gray, but he was wearing so many clothes that he looked like a walking ball—without seeing his face, you'd think he was Lidas.
There was also the English lady Kana sipping tea, the bespectacled, middle-aged gentleman Macao, the clingy Alzack and Bisca, Reby tinkering with some machinery, and Elfman freshly scolded, with tears not yet dried.
There was even a blue-haired beauty with a face quite like Wendy's, looking taller and more curvaceous than Mira.
Mira was the least different, still as gentle as ever, offering Rhode a kind smile once it seemed he wasn't hostile.
For a moment, Rhode was reminded of the first time he met Mira.
But in some respects, it could be said there were significant differences.