Alzack and Bisca couldn't imagine how the First Generation President commanded battles.
But just by looking at the key points that Rhode outlined after listing the intel, it was already a big help to them, especially Bisca.
As a sniper, being able to quickly find a suitable sniping position is already half the battle won.
And Rhode swiftly marked one inconspicuous position after another just by deploying wild monsters.
"Got it!" Rhode sensed a Shadow Wolf voluntarily returning to Summoner's Rift.
He immediately resummoned this Shadow Wolf and began to inquire:
"Did you find people or a base?"
As he said "people," he extended his left hand, and when he said "base," he extended his right hand.
The Shadow Wolf extended a paw, tapping the right hand first, then the left.
"?" Rhode thought for a moment, "Did you find a base with people in it?"
The Shadow Wolf nodded its head.
Alright, it's fairly meticulous.
He simply asked which mountaintop it was on; for more complex questions, it couldn't describe them.
Rhode contemplated whether to try teaching the Shadow Wolf to write.
He called back all the wild creatures searching the mountains and resummoned the River Crab, letting the two River Crabs follow the Shadow Wolf ahead.
Alzack asked, "Aren't we going?"
Rhode thought for a moment and said, "Yes, we're going too. I can connect to the Gorge Swift Crab's vision to lead the way ahead, and you two can guard the flanks and rear, is that alright?"
Alzack nodded, "No problem."
Bisca raised her sniper rifle and scanned the surroundings: "This is exactly my specialty."
With two professional marksmen responsible for guarding, Rhode felt reassured.
Thinking of Natsu's combat intuition, Gray's modeling speed, Wolian's citywide "announcements," Rhode wondered if perhaps everyone in the guild had their own unique skills.
Such skills might not necessarily manifest in combat, but in their respective professional fields, they might be among the best in the country.
Speaking of which, our Fairy Tail is already one of the strongest guilds in the country.
Rhode contemplated whether he should also develop a specialty.
He couldn't just respond, "My wife is the most beautiful in the country," when asked, "What is your national specialty?"
That wouldn't be appropriate.
But it seemed quite satisfying.
...
Before coming here, Mira said the terrain was "rugged," and she wasn't exaggerating. Although it wasn't to the extent of cliffs, it was indeed very difficult to traverse.
Fortunately, the three of them weren't ordinary individuals; even if they couldn't climb vines and branches, they would always find a way.
Rhode led the way while also being responsible for clearing the path.
When encountering difficult-to-climb areas, he could use Partial Reception·Shadow Wolf to create a wolf claw and dig convenient footholds for the two behind him.
Occasionally, he would also try Partial Reception·Ancient Stone Beetle to see whether the wolf claw or stone hand armor was better for clawing out footholds.
Alzack and Bisca followed behind Rhode at a short distance.
Bisca increasingly felt that teaming up with Rhode was great, as he even took care of such small matters.
Alzack also thought teaming up with Rhode was great because during the climb, there were occasions where mutual assistance was needed.
And since Rhode deliberately maintained a distance from them, the only ones helping each other were him and Bisca.
After all, climbing is one of the best outdoor activities to bring people closer together.
The three of them quickly crossed the mountaintop and cautiously passed through the saddle between peaks; the bandits' lair wasn't far off.
"There's something up ahead!" Bisca, holding her sniper rifle, observed through the scope at the distance.
Rhode and Alzack stopped advancing, guarding her sides.
Alzack looked in the direction Bisca was observing: "Is that... a carriage, a merchant?"
Rhode gazed into the distance: mountaintops, trees of yellow and green, a winding road at the base, not the road they came on, but another on the other side.
From this distance, the roadside trees blurred into a patch of yellow; where was the carriage?
"It's bandits waylaying travelers." Bisca frowned, ready to act, but still asked, "Rhode?"
"I can't see that far; you decide." At such a distance, Rhode could only summon the Beaked Bird to fly over as quickly as possible; before it arrived, they had to rely on their companions.
Bisca focused on the target location, "The bandits number ten. A wide-range attack could harm innocents. Using 'Sniper,' I can take out six in one go, but..."
"Leave the rest to me. A handgun might struggle at this range, but you have spare sniper rifles, right?"
When it came to tasks, Alzack spoke more confidently than when on the carriage, brimming with assurance.
"Change equipment!" Bisca didn't move a muscle, a sniper rifle materialized beside her.
Alzack caught it accurately, raising it beside her.
"Respond to the call, Ancient Stone Beetle." Rhode summoned a group of Stone Beetles and had them lie on the ground.
"A great help." The two rested their sniper rifles on the Stone Beetles, providing excellent stability.
"I'll take the six on the right."
"I'll handle the four on the left."
They quickly divided their tasks, counting down in unison from three, and pulled the triggers together.
"Sniper·Sharpshooter!"
A green magic array appeared at the muzzle of Bisca's gun, and six magic bullets simultaneously fired, hitting the targets precisely.
"Sniper·Electric Shock Combo!"
Alzack's magic was slightly different, firing four times, but using magic to reload rapidly; as one bullet left the barrel, another was loaded.
Four bandits were hit one after another, collapsing with golden electric arcs shimmering over them.
"All set!" Alzack and Bisca high-fived with a snap.
Then immediately blushed.
"Bisca, y-your marksmanship is really impressive."
"Y-you too."
Rhode felt like handing them a bottle of Yida gum.
"I'll go check on the carriage owner, at least escort them safely out of this area," Rhode said, "You two handle the guard duty here? If enemies appear…"
"No problem." Alzack patted the back of a Stone Beetle, "With them here, we can handle any number of enemies!"
Bisca added, "That's right. Is this called the Ancient Stone Beetle? It's fantastic partnering with them as a gunner."
Who doesn't love a command-following, mobile, potentially harder-than-stone shield?
Not to mention they can use a bit of Earth Magic to burrow underground for an escape if needed.
Both genuinely envied Rhode for having such convenient summoned beasts.
They even considered forming a fixed team with Rhode, not needing him to do much; just lending the Stone Beetles for battles and observing from the back would suffice.
"Alright, you be careful." Rhode extended his arm, "Reception·Shadow Wolf!"
Rhode transformed into a werewolf, quickly leaping through the forest towards the carriage.
He actually wanted to transform into Beaked Bird form to fly there, but his flying skills were equivalent to a domesticated hen.
He felt that even tying fake wings to a cat would outdo his flying, so he'd better not embarrass himself.