Rhode looked at the document and felt the problem wasn't significant. He then asked Gray if the Advisory Council's badge was genuine.
Gray said it was fine.
But, brother, did you actually look at that badge?
Oh, precisely because he didn't want to look, it proves the other party is real, reasonable.
"So, what is the mission change about?"
Kaptin said, "It's simple. First, we add a higher-level confidentiality agreement. You are not allowed to disclose any details of this mission to anyone. Here are the detailed confidentiality terms."
Rhode and Gray looked carefully and nodded.
This isn't a big issue; many clients ask for confidentiality. It's understandable the Advisory Council demands a higher level of secrecy.
Kaptin continued, "Second, your mission this time is limited to assisting us in finding the Naked Bandage Man Zat Brothers, but you must not contact them independently or perform arrests, interrogations, or any such work."
Rhode asked, "So, as long as we find them and tell you their location, it has nothing to do with us, right?"
Kaptin said, "That's right. We'll handle everything afterward, and of course, we'll be searching as well. Your reward remains the same."
Such a good deal? This Kaptin guy is an honest one.
That's impossible.
Rhode pondered about the possible hidden agenda here, but since the other party is the client, and the workload is reduced without reducing the reward, he seemed to have no reason to refuse.
He glanced at Gray, who nodded, indicating no objection.
Rhode said, "We accept."
"Great, then please start as soon as possible," Kaptin said.
So urgent?
"Okay." Rhode gripped the pendant, solemnly chanting:
"I am the person who communicates the path between two realms..."
He meticulously recited the full version of the Chanting Words.
Magical light appeared on the ground, followed by a River Crab and a small Shadow Wolf.
Although they weren't strong creatures, they had to give the other party the illusion that he was putting in his full effort, ah no, the feeling.
It's like playing a game; when teammates are fighting, no matter how far you are, you must tell them, 'I'm on my way, I'm on my way!'
This way, if you lose, you can provide emotional value to your teammates — 'If only you could hold on for a few more seconds.'
"Is this... Celestial Spirit Magic? And summoning two Star Spirits simultaneously?"
Kaptin expressed that today's experience was eye-opening; Fairy Tail, although capable of causing trouble, indeed has real talents.
Unfortunately, he couldn't recognize which constellation the two were. Was the crab Cancer Constellation?
Rhode said, "It's a similar magic. They are quite good at searching, and if there are items with the Zat Brothers' scent, it could greatly enhance efficiency."
"I'm sorry, we have no clues at all," Kaptin felt a bit ashamed.
The other party sent such capable mages, yet he couldn't provide any help.
"It's okay; as long as they are active in the mountains, they'll leave different scents."
Rhode waved to let the River Crab and Shadow Wolf run out, "But the Southern Mountain Range is so large; please give us more time."
"Of course, and we will also strive to search," Kaptin raised his arm, "Search begins, let's keep the spirits high!"
"Oh!!!"
The members of the Strong Detention Team, probably not wanting to lose to Fairy Tail's mages, were invigorated, formed small teams, and began to move.
Gray, hands in pockets, watched Rhode's performance and also watched the Advisory Council people walk away: "Hey, you..."
"Shhh..." Rhode dragged him to walk some distance in the opposite direction, then signaled him to continue.
"..." Gray wanted to say if he was being sneaky, but now he was more concerned about another question, "Why lie to them?"
"Hey, hey, hey... what's called lying, I just didn't give my full effort, that's all. Keeping some Magic Power in hand when you're away from home isn't wrong.
Besides, did I say a single false word just now? Just used a bit of lazy slacking trick."
Gray looked at him; not saying a single false word but misleading people like that—isn't that even scarier?
Rhode waved his hand, "Don't look at me like that. Don't you find it strange how they suddenly changed the mission content?"
Reward remains the same, but the tasks become lesser, of course, strange.
Gray thought for a moment and said, "Probably because the Advisory Council already knows the Naked Bandage Man's target.
They believe it is a secret that we cannot know, so they specially changed the mission content. And...
This team probably doesn't have people adept at searching, and they're eager to find the Zat Brothers, so they didn't cancel the mission directly but continue asking for our help... What's that look?"
It's a moved expression!
Rhode held Gray's hand and shook it up and down, even patted his back hard.
Unexpected, unimaginable, that there is someone in this guild who has a brain and also uses it.
From now on, anything can be discussed with Gray.
Gray sulked, "Feel like I've been underestimated by you all along."
"No, no, just can't believe someone who's fighting Natsu all day and even gets his underwear stolen by him has such a high IQ."
Gray's face flushed instantly, "What does that have to do with underwear? You jerk also often fight with Natsu!"
"I thought you wouldn't blush."
"Who would seriously say something like that face to face!"
"Oh, sorry." Rhode thought for a moment, then said, "Staying at Wendy's house tonight, you better behave, or the entire village might beat you up."
"I won't!"
After "advising" Gray for a few more terms, Rhode called out other Shadow Wolves to search in separate directions, focusing on the previously planned scope.
As for him and Gray, finding a mosquito-free spot to rest is good.
The snacks they bought in Harujion still had some left, good enough to call Gray to make a table, eat some food, play some cards.
Thinking about people working hard and searching in the mountains, Rhode's conscience felt a tinge of guilt: "Did you secretly swap cards?"
Gray pouted, "I am not Kana."
Ho ho? So, Kana is a cheater?
As dusk fell, the two greeted the people of the Advisory Council and returned to the Cat Transformation Inn to rest.
Wendy's mood had improved quite a bit, and when Rhode and Gray returned, she was holding that thick Magic Book, studying by the lamp at the door.
"Mr. Rhode, Mr. Gray, welcome back!" Wendy closed the book and asked, "Was the task successful?"
Rhode said, "Not bad, but tomorrow we need to go deeper, so we probably won't be staying here."
"Why so," Wendy seemed a little down, hoping her place would be livelier.
Rhode said, "It's a mission, can't help it. How about coming back to bother you for a few days when the mission is over?"
"Sure!"
Carla stood in the doorway, "How long are you going to chat outside? The food is getting cold."
Gray said offhandedly, "Isn't it just right then, cat tongues fear heat."
"You rascal!" Carla ran inside, throwing out a pile of wooden sticks, coarse cloth ropes, and such,
"You can dine outside and best sleep outside tonight, here's a tent!"
Wendy whispered, "The tent is borrowed from Magna by Carla; she thought you might need it later."
Oh~ a tsundere.
Rhode nodded and whispered in Wendy's ear, "Say, if I formally thank Carla now, wouldn't her expression be amusing?"
Wendy hesitantly said, "Please don't do that?"
Actually, she was sort of looking forward to it, but didn't want to tease Carla like that.