October 4, 783, sunny.
The sun is still strong, but it's no longer scorching like before. Not a cloud in the sky, making it appear remarkably blue and vast.
Often, a gentle breeze passes by, not only stirring up the various flags and balloons on the street but also refreshing the mind.
The so-called crisp autumn air must be something like this.
Today, the guild is unusually full.
Like Erza, Natsu, and Gray, who haven't traveled far since returning from the last task.
Erza's good friend Bisca, and Alzack who quietly pays attention to Bisca, are present too.
Macao and Wakaba, those who have attachments, generally don't favor tasks that take them far from home.
And Nabu and Marcus, who don't much care for tasks as long as life is decent.
Add to that Reby's 'Drive Engine' team, Mickey's 'Youth of a Million Deaths' team, and Loki, who usually avoids Rhode.
Plus familiar faces like Wolian, Lidas, and Bigda are all around.
Everyone is present to the point where Rhode worries the guild might be torn down.
Oddly enough, the President went out early, saying he had things to discuss with the mayor.
In such circumstances, the absence of the President makes people feel uneasy.
"Finally made it back!" Kana plunks down at the counter, "Mira! Give me a drink!"
"Welcome back, Kana." Mira pours Kana a drink.
Kana drinks it heartily: "Ah! That's amazing, just what I needed! Another round!"
"Oh my, not watching your alcohol intake today?" Mira smiles as she refills her glass.
Kana hesitated for a moment, then immediately said:
"Because the festival is coming up, the festival! How can you not drink at a time like this!"
After another drink, she took out the task order to complete it.
"Kana, you're back?" Rhode had just finished serving food, "Wasn't the place you went to quite far?"
"Rhode, you look more spirited than before," Kana said leisurely,
"Because after setting off, I remembered the Harvest Festival was coming, so I solved the task as quickly as possible and rushed back."
"As quickly as possible?" Rhode thought about it and asked,
"You didn't get the client drunk and then trick them into signing while they were disoriented, did you?"
Mira's writing hand shook a bit, it really seemed like something Kana would do.
"I would never do something like that!" Kana resented Rhode's malicious speculation, but then laughed and said,
"But that's a good idea, definitely worth a try next time, hahaha!"
"Well, well, well…" Mira didn't quite know what to say.
It seems combining Rhode's thought process with the guild's problematic children might cause even bigger trouble.
Fortunately, Rhode's character is quite reliable.
Kana waved it off: "Just joking, naturally I'd hurry back at a time like this.
I just saw the Thunder God Tribe on the street, even Laxus rushed back, didn't he?"
"Really? The President would be happy knowing Laxus is back, right?"
Mira knew the relationship between the President and Laxus was tense and felt the festival might be a good chance for the grandfather and grandson to mend things.
Hearing them mention Laxus, Rhode remembered another person: "Will Mystogan show up at the Magical Parade?"
"Of course not," Kana said, "That guy would sneak back at most and blend into the crowd to watch us perform."
Mira added, "The President might even ask him to release some magic to enhance the atmosphere, as long as he hides and doesn't need to show up."
Hiding backstage to cast magic to enhance the atmosphere... Is Mystogan a special effects artist?
Using an S-Class Mage as a special effects artist, Fairy Tail is really extravagant, but...
"A troublesome person." Rhode wondered if Mystogan's personality might be even steadier than his own and not merely as conflicted as the President said.
Kana played with the empty glass, seemingly unintentionally saying:
"So all the S-Class mages in the guild have returned."
"I remember Laki mentioning our guild has another super strong uncle?" Rhode recalled that or someone was also S-Class, "Will we see him this time?"
Kana was secretly pleased, silently liked Rhode, and almost held her breath waiting for Mira's answer.
Mira thought for a moment and said, "Kildas, huh, not sure about him, haven't heard anything at all."
Kana clenched her empty glass, her head lowered so her expression was unclear:
"It's been two years, right? What kind of task did that guy take on?"
Mira shook her head: "Just know it's more difficult than regular S-Class tasks, the task content is confidential, even I don't know.
And the task location seems to be on another continent, probably because it's so far away, that no news has come back."
Rhode asked: "Do people from another continent know about our guild?"
"Maybe," Mira asked, "Rhode, are you interested in other continents?"
Rhode nodded: "A little, I'd like to see them if there's a chance, though it's too early for this, I haven't even left the Fiore Kingdom yet."
"Mira, another drink, no, make it a barrel!" Kana raised her head, smiling, "Today I'll drink to my heart's content!"
"Alright~" Mira assumed she was just happy about the upcoming celebration. Kana had oddly started moderating her drinking to the point of being strange.
Rhode felt there might be something happening.
Could pay a little attention, but the main priority is solving Mira's issues.
Kana hugged the barrel, drinking large gulps, occasionally someone came up to chat, they'd talk a bit and drink together.
Rhode also got busy with his work.
Before long, the guild's doors swung wide open.
Laxus was back.
Followed by the three from the Thunder God Tribe.
The tavern quieted down a bit, some looked at Laxus with admiration, some glanced and continued what they were doing, while others wanted to greet but couldn't open their mouths.
But the most eager one would have to be Natsu, who jumped up first, itching to fight:
"You're finally back, Laxus! I've been waiting, let's duel!"
Fried, with his long green hair, drew out part of his longsword:
"To challenge Laxus, you must get through us, the Thunder God Tribe first!"
"Daring to challenge Laxus, what an overconfident fool," Ibarglin opened her furry folding fan, looking quite the lady.
"Overconfident, overconfident…" Biguslo had several strange dolls floating around him.
The dolls spoke with him, creating a lively effect.
Natsu ignored them, focused on his target: "How about it, Laxus, afraid you'll lose to me?"
Laxus nonchalantly replied to his provocation: "Oh, Natsu, if you want to fight, then come on."
"Laxus?" The three from the Thunder God Tribe were somewhat puzzled.
"Just happens to be free, before that boring festival starts, finding a bit of fun wouldn't be bad."
Laxus's indifferent attitude was slightly arrogant, "Come on, Natsu, let me show you the gap between us."