"Haha, that's quite a bold opening, Mr. Lahar."
Chapati flipped his wig dramatically and continued with theatrical cheer:
"Well then, let me bring up a suspicious incident to start us off!"
"In the first day's competition, someone privately reported that Mr. Rhodes used forbidden magic, and demanded Fairy Tail's immediate disqualification.
Mr. Lahar, what are your thoughts?"
The entire arena burst into uproar.
Forbidden magic? Rhodes?
Was this a joke?
Among all the competitors, Rhodes was the only one who consistently made sure the audience wasn't harmed.
Who was so bored they actually wrote a complaint letter?
And more importantly, if Fairy Tail got kicked out… what would they watch for the rest of the Games?
Lahar internally regretted accepting the invitation.
This was exactly the kind of mess he wanted to avoid.
But as the captain of the Council's Enforcement Unit, now that he was here, he had to act like a professional.
He cleared his throat.
"Regarding this matter," he said sternly, "although Mr. Rhodes's magic bears some similarity to the attributes of forbidden magic, its method of use is completely different."
"And more importantly, he demonstrated neither intention nor attempt to harm innocents."
He continued firmly:
"Additionally, Mr. Rhodes once stated he would fully cooperate with Council investigations. His attitude was sincere. To disqualify Fairy Tail based solely on an anonymous accusation would be highly unreasonable."
Gajeel leaned over to Rhodes, confused.
"When did you ever say that? About cooperating with the investigation?"
Rhodes tapped his chin.
"Hmm… seven or eight years ago? When it involved Grimoire Heart or Oración Seis. I remember saying I'd cooperate."
He smiled.
"I really can't tell if Lahar has an excellent memory, or if he's just good at public relations."
Still, someone actually reported him? Was it a hostile spectator? Or a hostile competitor?
The commentators exchanged a few more light remarks before returning to the event.
"Today's competition, Day 3 of the Grand Magic Games, includes the usual arena segment followed by the battle segment! Today's arena event is, Demon Subjugation Hall! Each team, send one mage!"
"Demon Subjugation Hall, huh?"
Rhodes felt the name suited Mira perfectly, though also slightly ominous, given her current situation.
"It should be my turn today, right?" Gajeel said immediately. "With a name like that, it has to be a combat event."
Juvia and Laxus had no objections.
Wendy trembled slightly at the word Demon.
Rhodes nodded.
"Alright. I'll leave it to you."
Gajeel swaggered forward, until he saw the red-haired armored woman stepping out from Team A.
His footsteps faltered.
"It's Miss Erza," Juvia said. "Maybe, switch to Mr. Laxus?"
"No need!!"
If he backed out now, his pride would die instantly. Gajeel puffed up his chest and strode out determinedly.
Everyone also noticed that Orga, who was beaten half to death by Laxus yesterday, was missing.
Likely still recovering.
In his place stood a black-haired woman in a blue cheongsam with heavy makeup, clearly a substitute, just like Team B had used.
Rhodes knew she was the Sabertooth guild master's daughter,but he still had no idea what magic she used.
Also, much like how Sting reacted to Natsu's appearance, Sabertooth sent out Rogue the moment they saw Gajeel.
Simon from Blue Pegasus and Millianna from Mermaid Heel were practically sparkling with eagerness.
Both clearly wanted to fight Erza.
Outside the arena, Jellal, who had been searching for signs of Zeref, caught sight of the trio gathered together.
His heart twisted painfully.
He tugged his hood lower, hiding his hair and the markings on his face, then turned away. At this moment, even looking at them for a second longer felt like a luxury he didn't deserve.
Shining Sun sent their "Big Sister" Yerol, arriving empty-handed as always. Her weapons were a mystery.
Dragon's Treasure fielded Refus.
From Lamia Scale, Jura stepped forward, wooden clogs echoing against the arena floor.
Gajeel stared at him, expression twisting.
"Old man! Your injuries healed already?"
The words slipped out instinctively, but to everyone else, it sounded like he was taunting a veteran mage.
Fortunately, Jura was a gentle man by nature, and his relationship with Fairy Tail was good.
He simply smiled and said,
"Thanks to Mr. Rhodes showing mercy. And of course, I must thank Sherria and Wendy as well."
Before Gajeel could respond, Yerol suddenly leaned over.
"That reminds me, why was Miss Mirajane moved to the audience? Shouldn't she be competing this round?"
"Huh?"
Gajeel narrowed his eyes. Why was this woman so interested in Mirajane?
His expression instinctively turned aggressive.
Yerol blinked.
'Did he think I'm provoking her?'
Beside her, Erza silently looked away.
"…"
She had heard before that Fairy Tail and Shining Sun had some connections, and originally wanted to help explain, but she absolutely could not bring herself to say it.
At that moment, Pumpkin Man descended onto the stage with his usual flourish.
"Now, I will explain the rules of Demon Subjugation Hall! First, Demon Subjugation Hall refers to a temple in which evil monsters gather!"
A massive palace appeared in the arena, decorated with skulls, demonic faces, eerie torches, and other ominous elements.
Just like the city field on Day 1, it had been materialized entirely by magic.
"There are a total of 100 monsters inside this palace," Pumpkin Man explained.
"They are divided into five ranks: S, A, B, C, and D, in quantities of 1, 4, 15, 30, and 50."
"To demonstrate, let us first show a D-rank monster!"
The large screen lit up.
A mechanical beast resembling a giant wolf prowled through an empty corridor.
After a few casual steps, it suddenly lunged at a stone statue.
The statue, taller than a person, was torn apart instantly by its claws.
Rhodes silently compared it.
Its destructive power… roughly equivalent to Romeo's flame beasts. In real combat, considering resistances and structure, it was somewhere between an ordinary Murk Wolf and a two-headed Murk Wolf.
Pumpkin Man continued:
"Each rank above D roughly doubles in power! If it is an S-rank monster, then even a Ten Wizard Saint..."
His words abruptly cut off.
Because Jura and Rhodes were both staring at him.
He had originally wanted to say: "Even a Ten Wizard Saint may not win."
But after remembering what he'd witnessed two days ago…
He quickly changed his line:
"Even a Ten Wizard Saint would need to put in considerable effort to defeat it!"
The audience gasped. If even a Ten Wizard Saint struggled… what kind of monsters were hidden in there?
Pumpkin Man hurriedly added:
"Of course, these monsters are materialized by our magic. They will never leave the boundaries of the hall or harm the audience!"
Rhodes nearly rolled his eyes.
He could tell the man was boasting.
Materialization magic creating monsters on the level of a Ten Wizard Saint?
Impossible. That violated magical common sense.
If materialization magic could really generate entities that powerful, the Kingdom of Fiore would've become a superpower long ago.