Chapter 115: Chapter 115: Traveling with a Pervert
"Wow, amazing!" Wendy looked at the plan in Gray's hand, full of admiration. "So mages from big guilds complete their tasks like this."
Carla shook her head. "No, I now think this guy isn't a typical mage at all."
Gray, as if to confirm, asked, "Rhodes, are you serious about this?"
"Of course," Rhodes replied, then remembered something. "Oh, since it's an investigation, it's natural for the intel to be incomplete. We can gradually improve it as we go."
"No, that's not what I meant, I..." Gray hesitated before reluctantly saying, "Forget it, I'll take a serious look at it."
Rhodes sighed in relief. It seemed that while Gray often fought with Natsu, he was much more level-headed. At least, in normal situations.
Rhodes rummaged through his backpack and took out a small pouch with the Fairy Tail insignia on it, handing it to Wendy and Carla:
"Here, try this. It's a Fairy Tail specialty—miniature Pororo snacks. They're a popular treat lately."
It was basically like a small cookie that Mr. Cook had modified to have the flavor of Pororo's cooking. It went well with alcohol or as a snack for tea time.
"So cute!" Wendy was immediately attracted by the cute little cookies. "And it tastes great."
Carla reluctantly said, "It's... passable."
Both of them were quite adorable.
Rhodes smiled and turned to look out the window at the moving scenery. Since coming to this world, this was the first time he'd taken a train. Previously, he had only walked around the station, observing the layout of the city while getting familiar with it.
As the train pulled out of the station and settled into a steady speed, Rhodes felt it was probably similar to riding an old-style "green train." Given this world's chaotic technological development, it was impressive. He hadn't noticed earlier if this train was powered by magic or ran on coal or oil.
Carla looked at the excited Wendy and then at the curious Rhodes. "Why do you seem even more curious than Wendy?"
Rhodes explained, "Because this is only my third time leaving Magnolia, and the previous two times were in different directions."
"What???"
Wendy and Carla were both surprised, and even Gray seemed a bit taken aback. He only knew that Rhodes took on few missions, but he didn't expect it to be so few.
"Why are you surprised too?" Carla seemed unsure of where to start. "And hold on, why is an experienced mage following a rookie mage's plan?"
"That's not about experience," Gray said without any "senior" airs. He waved the plan in his hand, saying, "Since the Master trusts Rhodes' abilities, I just have to trust him as well. Plus, Rhodes is strong."
"Oh, you complimenting me to my face like that is a bit embarrassing."
Rhodes thought back; last time, Natsu and Happy had trusted him unconditionally. Though there was that bit about bribing Happy with a fish, Natsu had never questioned him due to a lack of trust, only found him a bit naggy.
If that was because Natsu was simple-minded, then more mature Gray clearly wasn't. Rhodes was secretly touched. He said, "Why don't you say a few more compliments?"
Gray frowned. "Get lost, you're disgusting."
"How wonderful." Wendy's eyes sparkled, "The atmosphere at Fairy Tail is amazing."
Carla huffed and turned her head away. Yesterday it was idiots and their friends; today it was perverts and their friends. Plus... still idiots.
The train clattered along, and Rhodes and Wendy were equally excited, watching the autumn scenery outside the window.
Sometimes Wendy would spot a line of geese flying in the sky and eagerly point them out to Rhodes. Sometimes it was Rhodes spotting an oddly shaped tree and hurriedly pointing it out to Wendy.
Occasionally, they'd miss what the other mentioned, and they'd both express regret.
Despite their seven or eight-year age difference, the two of them somehow found common ground on the train. Perhaps it was because neither of them had traveled far before.
By comparison, Carla and Gray seemed to dislike each other. Carla didn't appreciate the pervert who could strip at any moment, and Gray thought he couldn't get along with the "female Happy."
In the blend of harmony on one side and aloofness on the other, the train finally arrived at Hargeon Station. Rhodes gathered his belongings. "Time to get off, Wendy. Don't forget your things."
"Okay~" Wendy turned around and showed Rhodes her small backpack.
"Do you want me to carry it for you?"
"I can carry it myself."
Gray put away the plan he'd been reading the whole way and asked Carla, "When did those two get so close?"
"Who knows?" Carla answered. "Maybe he's just a smooth-talker with girls."
Gray shook his head. "No way, he's not like Loki."
Though, he'd heard rumors about Rhodes and Mira... Gray wondered what would have happened if it were two years earlier.
Rhodes patted Wendy on the shoulder and motioned behind her.
Wendy turned around, delighted. "Carla, you're getting along well with Mr. Gray too. That's great."
"Who's getting along with this pervert?!"
"Who's getting along with someone who keeps calling me a pervert?!"
The two were at it again, leaving Wendy a little troubled.
"Hahaha..." Rhodes laughed. He realized Gray's personality had its own stubborn streak.
"Alright, let's go buy the boat tickets."
Gray strode ahead while Carla, still pouting, sped up to pass Rhodes and Wendy, only to end up walking alongside Gray again.
They glanced at each other, slowed down, sped up, then stopped to let the other go ahead...
"What do you want, anyway?"
"What about you?!"
Carla, irritated, took flight and landed in Wendy's arms.
Gray seemed equally frustrated and crab-walked to buy three tickets.
Rhodes pointed at the ticket counter, indicating for Gray to retrieve his clothes. Rhodes examined the tickets, "The boat doesn't leave for another hour. Shall we buy some stuff in the meantime?"
It was clear they'd be having lunch on the boat, and Gray's bag didn't look like it had any food, while Rhodes' rations weren't enough to share. So he suggested they shop around.
Magic wasn't as prevalent in Hargeon as it was in Magnolia, and it was rare to see a mage around here.
Gray was quite familiar with the area, leading them efficiently through shopping. He mentioned he'd been here before on a mission.
According to him, the entire city only had one shop dealing in magical tools.
Being a port town, Hargeon's fishing and shipping industries were the most developed. It was a different kind of prosperity compared to Magnolia.
With Gray leading the way, they shopped inefficiently, mostly because the others—curious cats, literally—wanted to see everything.
Rhodes had genuinely never been here, while Wendy hadn't had much time to explore last time due to worries about catching the magical parade.
Carla was curious but didn't want to look too obviously interested.
Seeing Carla ask Wendy to buy two fish, Rhodes silently mourned Happy for a moment. It seemed she didn't dislike fish—she just didn't like the fish Happy gave her. This kid's romantic journey might be tougher than Rhodes'.
"Let's buy some more snacks—pine nuts, almonds, sweet potato chips, um... how about some preserved plums..." Rhodes picked up a bright red plum and saw Wendy retreating ten meters away, peeking from behind a wall.
Wendy stammered, "I'm... I'm fine!"
Got it—clearly not fine. Rhodes put the plum back and only bought the other dried fruits and nuts.
Is she scared of sour things, or does she just dislike plums?
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