The three people quietly gossiping had no solutions for Erza's troubles.
But Rhode had an idea to lift Erza's spirits.
The simplest way was to give her a strawberry cake.
Then find a way to set up Natsu, making him knock over Erza's table.
Let Erza rightfully beat up Natsu a bit to vent her emotions.
A perfect plan.
But when Rhode proposed it, Laki looked at him like he was a demon.
No wonder he could draw her the blueprint for a Blood Dripper.
Laki asked, "But why don't you do it yourself?"
"I'm afraid of dying." Rhode replied confidently, "Natsu grew up with her, he shouldn't be beaten to death."
Mira smiled sweetly, "Sounds fun."
Laki pointed at Rhode and Mira separately, "Two demons!"
Rhode waved his hand, "Hey, I'm just saying, how could I set up Natsu like that, we're good friends."
Well, teasing Natsu while he was motion sick on the carriage was because... it was all Hapi's idea!
Mira looked at Rhode, feeling a little happy.
He had joined the Guild two and a half months ago.
From being initially reserved and unfamiliar, to now caring for his companions and occasionally coming up with wicked ideas.
Mira could feel Rhode slowly integrating into the Guild, slowly becoming closer with everyone.
That's great.
"If we don't let Natsu do it, who would be suitable?" Mira asked with a smile, "How about Elfman?"
Laki was shocked, "Are you really his sister?!"
Gotta find a chance to train with Elfman, Rhode thought.
Elfman used Receiving Magic too, although he had some psychological issues, he still had decent combat abilities.
And...
All things considered, it's quite necessary.
Suddenly, a familiar voice sounded:
"Yo, Mira, Rhode, and Laki, everyone's here!"
"Wolian?" Mira smiled, "Long time no see."
Laki thought for a moment, "Feels like you haven't shown up for a long time, haven't run out of money?"
Rhode also said, "You finally decided to show your face."
"Ah, because of that incident." Wolian said sheepishly, "Here's the last job sheet."
Since the last socially-awkward incident, Wolian hadn't dared to show up at the Guild for a long time.
Whenever he needed to take on a job, he'd contact Mira from afar using Telepathy magic to pick one for him, and then Rhode would have the Shadow Wolf quietly deliver it.
Laki usually didn't notice, so she didn't know about this, hence her earlier question.
Now, Wolian had probably mentally prepared to face that situation, or maybe guessed everyone had almost forgotten, so he dared to show up.
Mira took notes, "Hmm, confirmed complete, want to take on the next one?"
Wolian shook his head, "No, I plan to rest for a bit, by the way, our Guild has been really active lately."
Rhode asked, "How so?"
Wolian said, "Every time I've taken a job and revealed the Emblem recently, people have been asking about the 'Fairy Queen'."
Laki said, "Erza has always been quite famous, right?"
"No, it didn't used to be mentioned so often. And..." Wolian pointed at Rhode, "the strongest newcomer, very capable, already made it into 'Sosala'."
Rhode laughed, "That was just a coincidence, a coincidence."
"It's not just you; on my way back this time, I also heard people talking about the 'Fire Dragon'."
Wolian thought for a moment and recounted, "'Defeated a flame-spewing monster atop the volcano, just like a true Fire Dragon,' that must be talking about Natsu."
Mira smiled, "Fire Dragon, that title suits Natsu well."
"Yeah, feels like our Guild is becoming more remarkable."
Wolian looked at the still-noisy tavern and said with some sentiment, "It usually feels noisy, but now I kind of miss it here."
Mira and Laki shared a knowing smile; it's not just Wolian, many people feel that way after being away for a long time.
Because this loud and chaotic place is their home.
But Wolian only watched for a short while before couldn't help but dig at his ears, "It's still so noisy after all!"
Rhode also chuckled; when you're away, you might miss it a bit, but after you return, you're bound to notice some flaws.
That's just how it is.
Wolian casually ordered a drink and carried it off to chat with Marcus.
In this Guild, when you don't know whom to talk to, Marcus is the right choice.
But many times, things don't go as planned.
"Wolian! You bastard, you screwed us over last time!"
Bigda, wearing a tight suit, jumped out, striking a stance very much like Snake Fist, looking intent on settling the score with Wolian.
"Well... there was a reason for that..."
Wolian knew that his 'cry for help' back then had troubled everyone, so he was somewhat guilty.
"This can't be settled just like that!"
"Yeah, yeah!"
A few more people immediately stood up to support.
It's not that they were that angry, but letting it go just like that felt unsatisfying.
"It was my fault last time, I apologize to everyone. But..."
Wolian looked at the pink-haired guy yelling the loudest, "But Natsu, you weren't even there last time, why are you shouting the loudest!"
"Ahahaha..." Natsu laughed heartily, smashing his right fist into his left palm, "What's the use of saying so much? Let's just fight it out first!"
But, despite his words, it wasn't Natsu who started the fight.
"That's right, real men!"
"Why did you hit me!"
Actually, Elfman just swung his fist randomly while shouting slogans, not even noticing who he hit.
Anyhow, a battle broke out like that, a bunch of people got involved, and Wolian wasn't the main focus anymore.
Beer bottles and chairs flew everywhere, and Rhode casually batted one back that flew towards Mira.
Laki raised a platter to block a cup that came her way and complained, "Isn't this favoritism a bit too obvious?"
"Huh? No, how could it be?" Rhode denied outright,
"You know, I haven't been learning magic for long and I'm not good at combat, blocking one is already my limit."
"No one's buying that." Laki rolled her eyes, "I've never seen you get hit by any of these flying objects even once!"
Rhode said, "That's because I stay far away and am always on guard."
Mira just happened to be within my defensive range, Laki was too far.
The fight continued until a beer bottle hit the daydreaming Erza on the head, and Natsu got punched, crashing into the table in front of her.
"Er... Erza, you were here all along... haha, haha..." Sweat started appearing on Natsu's forehead.
"Natsu..." Erza's fist landed on Natsu's head with a thud, giving him the sleep of a baby.
"And you guys!"
This time, Erza didn't stop them with words but instead, after everyone was lying on the ground, a Longsword appeared in her hand:
"Come on then! If you want to fight, bring it on!"
Hapi timidly raised his hand to the side, "Aye! Everyone's already knocked out!"
Mira covered her mouth with a hand, laughing, "Oh my, oh my... seems like she's feeling better."
"Um, I'm off to the library." Rhode chose to sneak away.
They were just joking about who should go provoke Erza, and in the end...
In Fairy Tail, such things don't really require their effort.