Third place went to Locke, fourth to Ichiya, fifth to Risley, and sixth to Yuka.
These contestants crossed the finish line one after another, leaving only the two Dragon Slayers wobbling on the chariot.
Their motion sickness showed absolutely no signs of improving, in fact, it only grew more severe.
Judging by how pale they were, it looked like they might collapse at any moment.
Everyone else had run on the moving chariot, using their own legs to complete most of the race.
But these two, they had relied almost entirely on the vehicle.
Team B didn't have the time or energy to worry about Natsu's impending death. All of them rushed to celebrate Mira's victory instead.
Rhodes was already walking toward Mira with his arms open, smiling from ear to ear.
Mira took two graceful steps toward him, then suddenly swayed, losing her balance and falling straight into Rhodes's arms.
"What's wrong?" Rhodes immediately tightened his hold on her.
Mira steadied herself, rubbing her temple.
"Just a little dizzy… and nauseous."
Gajeel blinked.
"No way, you're getting motion sickness too?"
Mira ignored him completely.
Her eyes were fixed only on Rhodes.
A sudden thought flashed through Rhodes's mind.
"Could it be…"
Mira's cheeks flushed pink, and she lowered her head shyly. Her voice became so soft it was barely audible:
"Probably, you kept trying so hard."
"..."
Rhodes froze.
Then his mind started racing, calculating dates, remembering Mira's last period, and feeling his heart pound so hard he could hear it in his ears.
He had assumed it was just a delay.
But if Mira was feeling this unwell after only light exertion…
Then;
"Let's go!"
Rhodes instantly swept Mira into his arms and vanished from sight in a burst of speed.
He moved faster than the contestants had during the race.
The commentators caught the scene and immediately shouted dramatic commentary about "a passionate married couple" and "love stronger than Magic."
Gajeel lifted a hand.
"Hey, Rhodes still has a match later."
Laxus put a hand on his shoulder and shook his head.
"Let him go."
Juvia paused, thought for a moment, and suddenly turned bright red.
The Medical Room
Inside the lounge, the Ten Wizard Saints, the Duke of Joya, and the renowned Fairy Tail Mage Rhodes all watched as Porlyusica tapped Rhodes sharply on the head.
He obediently sat down next to her without a word.
Porlyusica began questioning Mira about her symptoms, many of which were, delicate questions between husband and wife.
Mira turned red from her ears to her neck but still answered every question seriously.
Eventually, Porlyusica noticed Mira glancing nervously toward Rhodes.
She paused, then pointed at the door.
"You. Out."
"..."
Honestly, Rhodes was relieved.
Listening to Porlyusica calmly ask about their, "frequency", was enough to make even a demon blush.
He quietly stepped outside.
A moment later, the door opened again.
Rhodes saw Mira sitting on the bed, smiling brightly, and he knew instantly.
Porlyusica nodded.
"Mira is five weeks pregnant."
Rhodes exhaled sharply.
That matched exactly what he had calculated.
Counting back five weeks, somewhere around the time the Duke's mansion was completed.
But none of that mattered.
"What about her health?" Rhodes asked immediately.
"Don't worry," Porlyusica said. "She's fine. The dizziness earlier was likely due to sudden strenuous motion. Just avoid unnecessary impacts and exertion."
"I'll be careful!" Rhodes said instantly, sitting down beside Mira and pulling her into his arms.
Without needing a mirror, he already knew he must be smiling like an idiot.
Mira leaned gently against him, one hand resting protectively on her belly.
She had already developed the habit the moment she heard the news.
Porlyusica had many things she wanted to lecture them about, but after a moment, she decided to give the couple more time alone.
She quietly closed the door behind her.
Inside the Room
"Still dizzy?" Rhodes asked nervously.
"Do you want water? Food? Do you want to lie down? Should I..."
He launched questions like a magic gatling gun.
He knew he was overreacting. But he couldn't stop himself.
Mira smiled.
"It's not that bad. I could still go fight right now."
Rhodes scowled.
"Who would let you fight? I'll smash his head."
Mira tilted her head.
"What if it's Elfman?"
Rhodes paused.
"Then, I'll try not to smash his head."
Mira couldn't help laughing and lightly smacked him on the shoulder.
They held each other quietly for a long moment.
Then Rhodes whispered, breath trembling:
"We're going to have a child."
Mira's voice was soft but certain.
"Mm."
"We're going to have a child!"
"Mm."
Both husband and wife were still a little emotional, quietly discussing whether their child would be a boy or a girl, what name they should give, and all sorts of delightful but impossible-to-answer questions.Eventually, they calmed down.
Mira said softly, "We should go back. Today's matches aren't over yet."
"Mm." Rhodes nodded. "I need to speak to the organizers about a substitution."
Mira didn't object. She really wasn't suitable for combat right now, being chosen for the battle round would be a terrible idea.
Porlyusica was waiting at the door. Seeing they clearly had more to do, she simply gave a few concise reminders.
Rhodes memorized all of them. In truth, he knew: during Mira's pregnancy, the greatest threats weren't outside enemies, it was their unreliable guildmates.
Porlyusica watched the couple walk away, an unintentional smile tugging at her lips.
...
By the time the two returned, the Chariot event had just finished.Natsu somehow crawled into 7th place, earning 1 point.
As for Sting, after learning he had scored 0 points, he simply jumped off the chariot in despair, not even bothering to cross the finish line.
The spectators seemed to have been moved emotionally by something that had just happened. But Rhodes wasn't in the mood to wonder about it.
He guided Mira straight back to Fairy Tail's viewing area.
Makarov blinked.
"Are you two allowed to just leave the waiting area like that?"
"Short trips are fine," Rhodes replied. "Besides, we have something important to announce. Team B is requesting a substitution."
"At this time?"
Mavis looked puzzled. Team B's lineup was already perfectly balanced.
"Why?"
Rhodes put his arm gently around Mira and said with a grin:
"Because Mira is pregnant and not suitable for combat."
"So that's..."
Everyone nodded at the same time.
And then, one collective moment of delayed reaction later.
"EEEEEEEEEEEHHHHHHH??!!"
Their shout was so loud that even the nearby audience turned to look.
Thankfully, Rhodes had the foresight to cover Mira's ears beforehand.
"Sister?!"
"Mira-Nii?!"
As expected, Elfman and Lisanna were the first to jump forward, their faces filled with shock.
Mira smiled warmly.
"It was just confirmed by Porlyusica."
"Ah...uh...this, this...!"
Elfman's brain overloaded instantly. His mouth opened and closed like a fish.
Lisanna, cheeks pink, leaned in with bright curiosity:
"Mira-nee! How long has it been? Is it a boy or a girl? When will it be born? Am I going to be an aunt?!"
Surprise, joy, embarrassment, everyone reacted differently.But naturally, Mira became the shining center of attention.
Rhodes floated in a blissful haze for a while before remembering the actual reason they had come.
"Master, I need to confirm our substitute choice."
"Oh...oh, right, right! Pick anyone you want!!"
Makarov waved excitedly.
He was practically glowing.
Rhodes and Mira's child already felt like a grandchild to him.