The barriers formed by the techniques emitted a glowing magic power, standing out amidst the densely wooded mountain.
Rhode and Gray were rushing toward the closer location, yet when they arrived, the technique had already vanished.
"First team, attack! Second team, prepare!"
The soldiers of the Strong Detention Team waved their magic staffs under the command of Deputy Captain Dipudi.
Magic bullets flew towards the members of Naked Bandage Man.
Due to the unexpected sudden attack, the technique was dispelled, and their supposed numerical advantage was nearly erased, as they got sandwiched from both sides.
The mages of Naked Bandage Man lifted their spirits after the technique's disappearance.
"Damn Council!"
"It's you who forced us to hide everywhere!"
"Die!"
These people's combat styles were far richer than those of the Strong Detention Team.
Some used tools like magic staffs and magic guns for distant attacks;
Some directly employed elemental magic such as flames;
Others, belonging to the Demon Warriors, dodged magic bullets while advancing forward, intending to engage in close combat.
The diverse combat styles left the Strong Detention Team exhausted, both sides suffering damages in the fierce battle.
This was the normal combat scene for mages.
Except the Naked Bandage Man side also had the Zatkat brothers, along with a bald head, making the three individuals outstanding in power.
After these three joined the battle, the Strong Detention Team gradually fell into a disadvantage.
"Damn, at this rate..." Dipudi felt immense pressure.
If things continued like this, not only would the teams he brought suffer severe damage, but his colleagues at another technique location might also be in trouble.
"Ice-Make: Lance!"
"Deep Red Beaked Bird - Flying Feathers!"
Dozens of ice long spears and hundreds of feathered throwing knives suddenly descended, immediately toppling the enemies.
"It's Fairy Tail's mages! Hold on, our reinforcements have arrived!"
Dipudi couldn't bother questioning their unauthorized participation now; boosting morale was the top priority.
But since it was Rhode who came, he would naturally try to avoid misunderstandings.
Thus, after a surprise attack, he shouted, "Invited by Captain Ying Keping, here to support Deputy Captain Dipudi!"
Dipudi immediately relaxed: "Gather your spirits, attack!"
"Oh!!!" The soldiers of the Strong Detention Team were invigorated, fighting with full force.
"It's the mages from the Legitimate Guild!"
"Damn, those guys, already standing in the light, they still bother to interfere with us?"
The bald man beside the Zat brothers said disdainfully, "It's just two people, you few come with me to deal with them."
"Yes, Brother Bao Jia!"
Amid his assistance, Dipudi didn't forget to remind, "Be careful, that guy's gun is tough to deal with!"
"Magic Shotgun!" The bald headed guy called Bao Jia pulled the trigger, "Die!"
"Ice-Make: Ice Shield!"
Dozens of magic bullets exploded on the ice shield surface, adding layers of cracks to it.
"That Ice Mage, such fast shaping speed!"
"That shield is really strong!"
"Is Gray's magic really this powerful?"
"Why are you so surprised?" Gray couldn't understand Rhode. This wasn't the first time he had seen Ice-Shaping Magic.
"I just never had a reference!"
Rhode usually knew Gray was pretty strong, but never had a concrete idea.
This trip revealed to him that Carla marveled at Gray's shaping speed and precision, and even the enemies were amazed at his shaping speed and the strength of the ice shield.
This realization made Rhode aware that Gray's level might be quite high, and it would be perfect if an Ice Mage from the opposing side appeared for comparison.
The comparison arrived quickly; behind Bao Jia, there was indeed an Ice Mage preparing for several seconds before shooting out an ice cone at Gray's ice shield, creating a small dent.
Rhode exclaimed, "Oh~~~ Gray is too strong!"
Gray created a javelin and threw it toward a mage firing magic bullets, angrily saying, "Fight properly!"
"My surprise doesn't impact combat, just focus!" Rhode waved his hand, "Sharpbeak Bird: Soaring Feather."
Five small Sharpbeak Birds each shot out a feather, then flapped their wings and rushed forward to attack.
A large Sharpbeak Bird shot a wave of feathered throwing knives before charging at the leading Zat.
A few unlucky guys immediately hit, clutching their arms and screaming in pain.
"Don't panic!" Bao Jia fired another shot, hitting a small Sharpbeak Bird, "One is Ice element, the other is Summoning element, their close combat is surely weak, Demon Swordsman, charge them!"
"Yes!"
Four people with longswords covered each other, pushing forward, defeated five small Sharpbeak Birds at the cost of two heavily injured.
The two remaining ones charged at Gray and Rhode.
However, Gray produced an ice sword, the first move knocking the opponent's longsword away, the second striking them down.
Rhode noticed the Deep Red Beaked Bird was also defeated by Zat's magic, and he summoned a group of Stone Beetles.
The Demon Swordsman charging at him struck the back of an Ancient Stone Beetle, creating tiny cracks.
An Ancient Stone Beetle bit the opponent's waist and dragged him underground, leaving only his head exposed.
Another Stone Beetle raised a leg and knocked him unconscious.
"Escape!" Rhode waved his hand, the Stone Beetles burrowed underground, one emerging beneath Bao Jia's feet lifted him up, another came out and bit him.
Gray swung the ice sword, severing his magic gun, and slashed a dramatic wound in front of him, then the cold air froze his arms to his body.
He snatched the kill.
But Rhode didn't care because the toughest Zat brothers were approaching them.
The combat power of the Strong Detention Team was really hard to describe, despite having similar numbers, executing orders precisely under good command, yet still achieving only a stalemate.
Deputy Captain Dipudi took a direct hit from Zat, and a stick from Carter to his forehead, unable to stand.
He could only see the Zat brothers confronting Rhode and Gray in his blurred vision, placing all hope on the two reinforcements.
"What did you bastards do to my subordinates, huh?" Explosive-headed Zat said, "Carter, how about breaking their bones?"
Crest-headed Carter spoke a bit silly, "Alright, should we do it now, Zat?"
Rhode declined engaging in useless communication with the enemy.
So he ignored the guys calling each other "brother" and quickly shared the information he just gathered with Gray:
"The explosive head uses invisible attacks similar to air cannons. The sign of activation might be glaring, or possibly lifting his hand using the rings. Pay close attention to his small movements.
The crest head excels at close combat, his weapon is a short staff. He's very strong, and the armor on him might be a tool similar to Erza's magic armor, with high defense strength."
Gray clenched his fists and took a combat stance: "So you have been observing these two all along."
"What else? Besides commanding animals, I can't just watch." Rhode waved his hand, "Ancient Stone Beetle!"