"Roar! Roar! Roar! Haha!"
A large group of people formed a circle, using their chest cavity to create rhythmic, resounding roars in a special way.
At the same time, their bodies swayed up and down with squats.
This was probably a customary practice of the Nirubit Race, where celebrations and rituals were in a similar format, with only slight differences in procedure and tone.
It's said that these gathered roars could also scare away wild beasts—a ritual passed down from ancient hunting activities.
This seemingly ancient sound, symbolizing humanity's primal fight against nature, gives modern people a unique sense of awe.
Using such a special ritual itself signifies respect and welcome.
Though Gray and Rhode didn't understand much about the Nirubit, they could feel their warmth.
After a while, some made way for others to take the stage, and two people came to invite Gray and Rhode inside.
The enthusiasm couldn't be refused, so Gray and Rhode awkwardly stood amidst the circle of people, shouting aimlessly to match the others' rhythm.
Shouting until their throats were parched, they finally found some technique and managed to blend into the roaring chorus of the Nirubit people.
The roar and laughter seemed capable of penetrating the mountains and valleys, scaring off wild beasts in the hills.
Participating throughout the event, Rhode and Gray felt an exhilarating sense of satisfaction.
If there was any regret, it was that Wendy sulked in the corner the entire time, hugging her knees.
Even when Robin Lu called her, she merely puffed out her cheeks and looked the other way.
Carla resolutely stood by Wendy's side, refusing to help speak on her behalf.
After the banquet ended, Rhode went to talk to Wendy, asking why she was upset.
Yet Wendy, young as she was, had learned to evade the question:
"It's nothing, Mr. Rhode. Are you starting the mission? Carla and I can help anytime."
"Hmm, thank you." It's clear 'nothing' meant something, but it was hard to ask further. Following her words, Rhode took out a map,
"We need to meet the client here before 5 PM. Do you know this place?"
"It's far. To get there, you must go around the back of the village, then..."
Wendy, familiar with the paths near the village, suggested a shortcut over a mountain and avoiding some beast-infested forests.
"Thanks, that's a big help."
Although the River Crab had explored part of a suitable path, their efficiency had significantly increased.
Wendy added, "Carla and I can take you there."
"Thank you, but taking unauthorized people to meet the client might displease them,"
Rhode said, "Besides, Wendy, don't you have things to do here?"
"Things to do?"
"Yeah, it's normal to be angry; it's a way to vent emotions and show dissatisfaction, but it can't solve problems."
Rhode patted Wendy's head and watched her puff her cheeks. "When you're less angry, go and properly tell the person who upset you about your feelings."
"Hmph!" Carla glared at him, "You don't know anything, and yet you talk so lightly."
"Haha, I couldn't help but speak up. You handle it in your way." Rhode turned and waved, "See you tonight."
"Though it seemed a bit pretentious, he had a slight point, see you tonight."
Gray waved as well, feeling Rhode resembled the President and a bit like Natsu just now.
Carla complained, "What a presumptuous guy."
...
"Of course, I learned from them. Don't you think the President is good at comforting people?"
"No wonder he had a fatherly way of advising his daughter," Gray, sitting with him on the River Crab's back, commented, "Learning from the boss is one thing, but why learn from Natsu too?"
"You don't know, last time on a mission we encountered a sad little girl, about this high."
Rhode gestured, continuing, "When Natsu comforted her, his head-patting, speaking, and turning-with-a-wave style was so cool.
...I also want to look cool once."
"Heh, heh—" Gray made a disgusted face.
Rhode threatened, "Believe it or not, I'll kick you off!"
Gray wasn't afraid, "Try me; if you can, I might as well skate away!"
When it involves fighting, usually calm Gray becomes belligerent, ready for a brawl.
Their noisy bickering echoed through valleys and jungles, startling birds and scattering pheasants and hares.
However, closer to the meeting point, Gray's voice grew quieter.
It was evident he really didn't want to meet the Advisory Council members.
About two kilometers away, Rhode suddenly told the River Crab to stop.
"What's wrong?"
"Gray, do you think the Advisory Council might be setting a trap using the mission as an excuse to arrest us?"
"No way it would reach the point of arrest, right?" Gray said, "Why ask that?"
"Because there are too many people, a team in white robes, setting a cordon, almost a hundred people."
Gray pondered: "Maybe the task has changed. If they wanted to trap us, they would have ambushed instead."
Rhode thought, "Let's get off the crab and walk over, keep alert."
Gray paused, not quite understanding what 'get off the crab' meant. Alert for what? Could the two of them take on the Advisory Council?
"Halt, this is the third Strong Detention Team of the Fiore branch of the Advisory Council. No passage beyond this point."
"We're mages from Fairy Tail, here under the Council's mission."
Rhode produced the Delegation Letter and pulled up his sleeve to reveal the Emblem.
Gray also tugged his collar to show the emblem on his chest.
Rhode glanced at Gray, thinking that displaying the emblem this way was inconvenient...
Oh, he likes stripping; he's just restraining himself in front of Council people.
Rhode mused on what he'd do in winter, wondering if he should print another emblem elsewhere.
"Please wait a moment." A white-robed soldier holding a magic wand left, soon returning with a short-haired, full-bearded man.
"Fairy Tail mages, I am the Captain of the third Strong Detention Team, Kaptin.
Apologies, as the target's actions have changed, our plans have been adjusted, slightly altering the delegation for you two."
Changing requirements on the fly, it's said many workers dislike this.
Rhode calmly said, "May I ask... do you have identification?"
"Huh?"
Rhode explained, "I mean proof of your identity, or evidence that you have the authority to modify the Council's delegation."
Kaptin obviously didn't expect such a question.
Even Gray was momentarily taken aback—did people without criminal records speak so sternly?
One of the soldiers behind Kaptin chided in a low voice:
"Too rude, Fairy Tail mages! Who would dare impersonate a Council identity?"
Rhode glanced at him, thinking, of course, someone from our guild might dare.
This man apparently took pride in being part of the Council, so Rhode let it slide.
Kaptin, however, gestured for his subordinates to stand down, pointing to the cross symbol on his outfit:
"This is the Council's proof, and regarding delegation change rights... here is the formal document authorizing the arrest of 'Naked Bandage Man' members, and I'm the full authority in charge."
As he spoke, Kaptin chuckled, realizing this time Fairy Tail seemed a bit different.