บท 120: Chapter 120: Gray Is Actually Smart!
Rhodes looked over the document and found nothing suspicious. He then asked Gray if there was any chance that the council's emblem was fake. Gray confirmed there wasn't.
However, had Gray actually looked closely at the emblem? Oh, perhaps the fact that he didn't even want to check confirmed that the person was genuine—fair enough.
"So, what's the change in the mission?" Rhodes asked.
Captain Kephtin replied, "It's quite simple. Firstly, there is an additional, higher-level confidentiality clause. You are not to disclose any details about this mission to anyone. Here are the detailed confidentiality terms."
Rhodes and Gray both examined the terms carefully and nodded in agreement.
This wasn't really an issue—many clients demanded confidentiality, and it made sense that a council-related mission would have stricter terms.
Kephtin continued, "Secondly, your mission is now limited to helping us locate the Zat brothers of the Naked Mummy guild. You are not to make contact, arrest, interrogate, or perform any similar actions on your own."
Rhodes asked, "So, we just need to locate them, report their position to you, and then we're done. Is that right?"
"Correct," Kephtin said, "We'll handle everything afterward. Of course, we'll also be conducting our own search, and your payment remains unchanged."
What a great deal! This Captain Kephtin seemed like an honest guy.
But that couldn't be the case.
Rhodes figured there had to be something fishy here. However, as the client was merely reducing their workload without reducing their pay, he felt like he had no grounds to refuse.
He glanced at Gray, who nodded to indicate he had no objections.
"We accept," Rhodes said.
"Great. Then, we'll count on you," Kephtin said. "Please start as soon as possible."
That urgent?
"Understood." Rhodes grasped his pendant, reciting with a solemn expression:
"I am the one who bridges the two realms..."
He deliberately recited the full incantation word for word. The ground glowed with magical light, and a crab and a small shadow wolf appeared.
Though they weren't particularly powerful creatures, Rhodes wanted to give the impression that he was exerting all his power—or at least, creating that illusion.
This was just like playing a game: when teammates were engaged in a fight, no matter how far away you were, you had to tell them, "I'm on my way, I'm on my way!" That way, even if you lost, you could offer some comfort—"If only you had held on for a few more seconds."
"Is this... Celestial Spirit magic? And summoning two spirits at once?" Kephtin marveled. Today, his eyes were opened. Fairy Tail wizards may cause trouble, but they truly had talented individuals.
Unfortunately, he couldn't identify what constellations the spirits belonged to—was the crab Cancer?
"It's a similar kind of magic," Rhodes explained. "They are skilled in searching. If you have anything with the Zat brothers' scent, it would greatly help us."
"Sorry, we have no leads at all," Kephtin said, looking slightly embarrassed.
These skilled wizards had been sent to help, yet he couldn't even offer a trace of assistance.
"No problem. If they have been active in the mountains, there will always be different traces left behind."
Rhodes gestured for the crab and shadow wolf to run off. "However, with the South Mountain range being so large, please allow us some extra time."
"Of course. We'll do our best to assist as well." Kephtin raised his arm and called out, "Begin the search! Keep your spirits up!"
"Yeah!!"
The members of the Custody Enforcement Unit seemed determined not to lose to the Fairy Tail wizards. They quickly formed small groups and set off to work.
Gray, hands in his pockets, watched Rhodes put on his act, then observed the council members leaving. "I have to say..."
"Shh..." Rhodes pulled Gray aside, walking in the opposite direction for a while before motioning for him to continue.
"... I wanted to ask if you were being a bit sneaky," Gray said, but now he was more concerned with another question. "Why did you mislead them?"
"Whoa, whoa... misleading? I just didn't use all my power, that's all. It's wise to keep a reserve of magic when you're outside."
"Also, did I say a single lie? I just used a few lazy shortcuts, that's all," Rhodes replied.
Gray stared at him. Not lying yet still misguiding others like that—that was even scarier.
Rhodes waved his hand dismissively. "Don't look at me like that. Don't you think it's strange that they changed the mission suddenly?"
A reduced workload with unchanged pay was, of course, suspicious. Gray thought for a moment and said, "It might be because the council already knows Naked Mummy's goal."
"They don't want us to know this secret, which is why they modified the mission. Also... this unit likely lacks skilled trackers but is in a hurry to find the Zat brothers. That's why they didn't cancel our mission and instead continued to ask for our help. What's with that look of yours?"
It was a look of admiration!
Rhodes shook Gray's hand up and down, patting him firmly on the back.
Who would've thought—a guild member with a brain who actually used it. Rhodes realized that Gray could be a good person to consult with in the future.
Gray scowled. "I get the feeling you've always underestimated me."
"Not at all. I just never imagined that someone who fights Natsu all day and gets his underwear stolen could have such a high IQ."
Gray's face turned beet red. "What does that have to do with underwear?! Besides, you fight Natsu too, you jerk!"
"I thought you didn't get embarrassed."
"Who'd seriously bring something like that up face-to-face?!"
"Oh, my bad." Rhodes paused, then added, "By the way, when we're staying at Wendy's house tonight, don't do anything weird, okay? The whole village would beat you to death."
"As if I would!"
After "reminding" Gray a few times, Rhodes summoned other shadow wolves to search different areas they had planned earlier.
As for himself and Gray, they found a mosquito-free place to rest.
They still had some snacks bought in Hargeon, and Rhodes suggested Gray create a table with his magic so they could enjoy some food and play cards.
Thinking of the people working hard searching in the mountains, Rhodes felt a tiny pang of guilt. "Did you secretly switch cards?"
Gray scoffed. "I'm not Cana."
Wait, is Cana a cheat?
As dusk approached, the two returned to Cait Shelter to rest after greeting the council members.
Wendy seemed to be in much better spirits. When Rhodes and Gray returned, she was sitting at the entrance, studying that thick magic book under the lamplight.
"Welcome back, Mr. Rhodes, Mr. Gray!" Wendy closed the book and asked, "How was the mission?"
"It went alright, but tomorrow we'll need to venture deeper into the mountains, so we won't be able to stay here," Rhodes said.
"That's a shame." Wendy looked a bit disappointed. She had enjoyed the liveliness at home.
Rhodes added, "Well, it's just because of the mission. How about we come back to trouble you for a couple of days once it's over?"
"Sure!"
Carla stood at the door. "How long are you going to chat outside? The food is getting cold."
Gray casually responded, "Isn't that perfect, then? Cats hate hot food."
"You...!" Carla ran back inside, then threw out a bunch of wooden sticks and coarse rope.
"You can eat out here, and you might as well sleep outside tonight. Here's a tent!"
Wendy said quietly, "That tent is one Carla borrowed from Magna; she said you might need it later."
Oh, she's a tsundere.
Rhodes nodded and whispered in Wendy's ear, "What do you think would happen if I formally thanked Carla right now? Would her reaction be amusing?"
Wendy hesitated. "Maybe don't do that?"
She was actually a little curious herself, but she didn't want to tease Carla too much.
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