After Carla left with Rhode and Gray, Wendy began to tell Robin Lu about the sights she had seen along the way.
What Harujion was like, what Magnolia was like, how wonderful the Magical Parade was...
As she spoke about these things, Wendy couldn't hide the happy expression on her face.
And the happier she was, the happier Robin Lu became.
He looked at Wendy's expression: "Fairy Tail, what kind of guild is it? Foolishness."
"Very strong, very interesting, and..." Wendy thought for a moment and continued,
"Although there are some strange people, it feels very warm, and everyone there should be happy every day."
"Does Wendy like it there?"
"I like it, but I like the Cat Transformation Inn even more."
Fairy Tail is a great guild, and it has Grandeeney from another world, whom Wendy likes very much.
But for her, the Cat Transformation Inn is her most beloved and important home where she's lived for six years.
"I see. Foolishness." Robin Lu looked at Wendy's demeanor, feeling a bit indecisive,
"Has Wendy ever thought about leaving the Cat Transformation Inn and joining Fairy Tail?"
Wendy's expression froze, and her eyes started to well up with tears: "Why? Am I holding the guild back?"
Robin Lu feared nothing more than Wendy crying, so he quickly said:
"No, no, everyone loves Wendy. It's just that this place, the Cat Transformation Inn, is too remote, and Hiluwein is too small. You and Carla's future should be in a wider, more expansive place..."
"No! I don't want a future like that; I want to stay at the Cat Transformation Inn! My future is here!" Wendy said as she wiped her tears and ran out of the tent.
Robin Lu sighed helplessly, looking up at the tent's top: "Foolishness... But here, the Cat Transformation Inn, there is no future——"
...
Carla returned with Rhode and Gray to the place she and Wendy lived; their home had a vacant room.
Originally it should have been Carla's room, but since she always slept with Wendy, the room was left to store clothes and bedding.
"Is this okay? If there's not enough space, we can go borrow a place from Past and the others."
"It's enough. Gray can sleep on the bed; I can sleep on the floor." In an unfamiliar place, Rhode felt it was more reassuring to stay together.
Gray didn't want to be a bother either: "I don't mind sleeping on the floor."
Rhode immediately nodded: "Great, then you sleep on the floor."
Gray: "Huh?"
Rhode, a bit cheekily, said: "It's settled then. After all, an Ice Mage doesn't fear the cold, and I'm a bit frail, so the bed suits me fine."
Never heard you say you were frail during fights!
Gray didn't care about sleeping on the floor, but this guy was clearly trying to rile him up.
He couldn't figure out how a courteous, well-mannered newcomer had changed so much in just a few months.
Gray clenched his fists; he felt like fighting.
"You guys really are a handful no matter what you do." Carla didn't bother with them, "Feel free to rest. By noon we will... Wendy?"
Wendy ran back to the room and threw herself onto the bed, burying her head in the pillow.
Carla couldn't bother with Rhode and Gray anymore.
"Wendy, what's wrong? Did that old guy say something too much? I'll go find him now!"
Carla's short temper flared up instantly.
Though she usually criticized Wendy for being soft or timid, no one got angrier than her when someone bullied Wendy.
Even the president wasn't an exception, that old geezer. Carla was ready to pluck him bald.
"Carla..."
Wendy's muffled cry made Carla stop in her tracks.
She looked at Wendy, who slowly sat up and wiped her tears: "What exactly happened?"
"The president said..." Wendy stammered, unable to finish, occasionally sneaking a glance at Rhode and Gray.
Gray, hands in his pockets: "Shall we take a walk outside?"
Rhode nodded: "I was just about to suggest that."
The two perceptive individuals left Wendy's home to stroll outside, using the opportunity to familiarize themselves with the surroundings.
As they walked through the primitive village, Rhode began to ponder life, wondering why he was strolling with another guy.
Gray suddenly asked, "You seem to care a lot about Wendy's affairs."
"Of course, she was crying like that." Rhode said, "Aren't you curious?"
Gray said: "Curiosity won't help; it might be a guild issue or village matter. We can't ask about it."
Though they got along well with Wendy and Carla, regarding village and guild matters, they were outsiders.
Rhode said: "If it were Hapi, he might encourage me to eavesdrop."
Gray added: "If it were Natsu, he might have already barged into President Robin Lu's place."
Nevertheless, both Rhode and Gray couldn't go that far; they'd rather wait and ask later.
Gray said: "Let's talk about the mission. Any discoveries?"
"It's too soon; the destination is still ten kilometers away." Rhode replied, "But the surrounding terrain roughly matches the map, which is good news."
Gray grumbled: "Actually, my biggest worry is... meeting with the client."
"What's there to worry about... Oh~~" Rhode understood.
This time, the client, strictly speaking, was the Magic Council ERA.
Specifically, the client was Captain Kaptin of the Magic Council ERA Fiore Division's third forced restraint unit.
Everyone knew that the unruly Fairy Tail feared the council most.
If they were truly lawless, it would be fine, but their downfall was due to their conscience.
Because they caused too much trouble, they felt guilty when seeing council members.
"I'll do the talking during the meeting then." Rhode considered that since he had no criminal record, he could speak boldly.
"Then please do." Ideally, Gray wouldn't want to go at all.
Unfortunately, this was a team mission, and the president had probably already submitted the task acceptors' names, so Gray had to show his face no matter what.
"Mr. Rhode, Mr. Gray."
An elderly voice sounded from behind, causing Rhode to frown; he hadn't heard any footsteps.
Judging by Gray's appearance, he hadn't noticed anyone approaching either.
"President Robin Lu." They both greeted politely.
"Apologies for the humble village, and the lack of hospitality."
Rhode replied: "Not at all, it was our unannounced visit."
"You are friends of Wendy and Carla, so how could it be considered an unannounced visit? Foolishness." Robin Lu said,
"I'm glad Wendy and Carla made friends outside the village. By the way, the welcome feast is almost ready; please enjoy yourselves at noon."
The two expressed their gratitude: "Thank you for going to the trouble."
The old man seemed as though he wanted to say something, but after some thought, he slowly walked away.
He wanted to observe how these two young men were and learn a bit more about Fairy Tail.
Additionally, he was somewhat concerned about their mission location this time.