Rhode and Gray didn't know much about the situation anyway.
Carla understood the rule about keeping mission details confidential, but she was a bit unhappy about it.
Is it reasonable for the people from the Dark Guild to be active just a few kilometers outside their guild, and they can't know why?
But since the other side has already been arrested, there shouldn't be any problem, right?
Carla called them for breakfast with a sour face, and then she still had to report the situation to the President.
The three of them rested at the Cat Transformation Inn, and it wasn't until the afternoon that two soldiers from the Strong Detention Team came to find them.
Robin Lu specially hosted them, then chatted privately with Dipudi for a while, and rearranged accommodations for the three.
After resting for another night, Dipudi had recovered a lot and took his leave from Wendy and Robin Lu the following morning.
As they left Robin Lu's tent, Rhode was chatting nearby with Gray:
"Do you think there'll be an increase in the reward since this mission was so dangerous?"
Gray said, "There's no such rule; reward changes only happen when we meet with the client to confirm the mission beforehand."
Or it happens when the mages mess around and destroy things during the mission, which Gray didn't mention.
Rhode said, "But didn't an accident happen this time? Maybe they'll give us some kind of bonus as a reward."
Gray said, "You yourself said it was an accident, dreaming of a bonus, huh."
"But it's the Advisory Council." Rhode thought of the endless reports the President had to write, "Even if there's no commendation, they should at least make things a bit easier for the President."
Gray thought about himself, then about the other unreliable folks, and said sheepishly, "Well, let's hope so."
When Dipudi and his two subordinates came over, Rhode and Gray ceased chatting in time.
Rhode asked, "Leaving so soon?"
Gray also said, "Is your health alright?"
"Ah, Miss Wendy's magic is even more amazing than I thought; she's practically the Sky Witch." Dipudi highly praised Wendy.
Not sure if he overheard their conversation, his expression became a bit awkward:
"I'll always remember your kindness, and as the Deputy Captain of the Third Strong Detention Team, I thank you on behalf of all our members.
And… I will request the Captain to truthfully report your achievements to the members of the Advisory Council. Thank you."
The two subordinates behind him bowed: "Thank you for your help!"
Rhode said, "Well, assisting the Advisory Council in eliminating the Dark Guild is also an obligation of ours, no need to be formal."
Gray felt even more uncomfortable, the Advisory Council thanking him? Hahaha... That's a joke, right?
The Advisory Council's commissions don't get settled immediately after the mission is completed; they wait for Kaptin to submit a report and then send personnel to the guild.
Estimating by the Advisory Council's efficiency, we should receive it in about a week.
However, with Dipudi's current stance, he might help expedite the process once he returns, making it a bit faster.
Overall, the Advisory Council's credibility is pretty decent, and there's no need to worry about not getting paid.
Rhode and Gray stayed at the Cat Transformation Inn for another day to thoroughly experience the customs of the Nirubit race.
Basically, it involved Wendy leading them around the village and frolicking nearby.
Wendy would take them to the woods to find some tasty wild fruits, only to be scolded by Carla for eating without washing them.
Or she'd coax Wendy to sneak honey from the hills, watching as she tripped over roots while running away, then rushing up to lift her while being chased all over the hill by bees.
They'd also compete in fishing in a nearby lake, with Rhode opting to enlist the Swift Crab and claiming the lake as his domain, while Gray froze half the lake at once.
Then Rhode would break through the ice, and he and Gray would battle it out, with Wendy ultimately winning the fishing contest.
In the evening, they'd light a fire by the lake, roasting fish while bickering playfully with Carla, which equated to teasing a cat.
Yet as they argued, Carla ended up laughing; these two days with Rhode and Gray were Wendy's happiest in a long time.
Now she was considering that perhaps the President's suggestion was correct, while the villagers were lovely, Wendy had no peers to play with.
After cleaning up the grilled fish and meticulously putting out the fire, they merrily headed back.
Magna was waiting at the village entrance: "Wendy, you're back. Pepel seems to be feeling unwell; can you check on her at home?"
"I'll go right away!" Wendy hurriedly ran to Pepel's house.
Magna continued, "Mr. Rhode, Mr. Gray, the President asked me to convey that there's something he'd like to discuss with you."
What's something that required sending Wendy away?
Rhode and Gray exchanged a glance and responded, "We'll go over right now."
Carla likely guessed what it was about, hesitated for a moment, but decided to stay with Wendy.
...
"President Robin Lu, you wanted to see us?" Rhode and Gray entered the tent and greeted him.
"Fooling. I have something I want to ask." Robin Lu, true to form, spoke while letting alcohol trickle from the corner of his mouth, "What do you think of Wendy?"
Why did this sound like a father bestowing his daughter? What was with that tone?
Rhode asked, "Why do you want to ask this?"
Robin Lu said, "I'm wondering if she qualifies to join Fairy Tail?"
Gray frowned, "What do you mean? Doesn't Wendy really like the Cat Transformation Inn?"
"The Cat Transformation Inn is too small, too remote; a child as talented as Wendy shouldn't be confined here." Robin Lu said,
"Wendy has been happier these past two days than she has been in a long time. Fooling. I think perhaps Fairy Tail is where she truly belongs."
"So that's how you feel." Gray smiled, "To join Fairy Tail, there's one important requirement."
What? Rhode looked at him in surprise, does the guild have requirements I don't know about?
Robin Lu asked, "Fooling. What is it, mastering rare magic, or reaching a level like yours?"
"No, it's her own willingness; that's the most important criterion. As long as Wendy says she wants to join Fairy Tail, we would go to great lengths to get her, no matter where she is. But if she doesn't wish to..."
Gray laughed, "Old man, even if you're considering Wendy's future, making such decisions without her consent is unfair to her.
With just a few days together, we've already felt that Wendy, like us, sees the guild as her home, and you should know that even better."
Rhode chuckled, it seems we are indeed the kind of rogue guild that could openly take someone, of course, only if the other party is willing.
"Hahaha... fooling." Robin Lu laughed out loud, "Fairy Tail, indeed a wonderful guild."
After laughing for a bit, Robin Lu turned serious:
"So, how about a promise?
If one day, the Cat Transformation Inn can no longer continue, Wendy and Carla... will be entrusted to you."