Although the competition had ended, the cheers and applause continued for a long time, and the audience was reluctant to leave.
The commentators had no choice but to chat on the stage for a while longer, recalling the exciting moments of today's match.
However, after chatting for a bit, they realized the conversation was mostly highlights of Rhode.
The audience didn't mind at all and listened eagerly.
Meanwhile, the construction team had been ordered to enter the site and began repairing the damaged arena.
Rhode was relieved to find that the organizers were quite generous, as neither the 3D maze from the preliminaries nor today's arena seemed to demand compensation from him.
It seems there was a budget set aside for this from the beginning.
The contestants had all left the stage; those needing healing were getting healed, and those needing rest were resting. It wouldn't be appropriate to make the audience stay longer to watch the repairs.
The clever Pumpkin Man picked up the microphone and began to speak.
He talked about the positive significance of the Great Demon Fighting Martial Arts, thanked the contestants and staff for their efforts, and appreciated the audience for their support every year...
The speech went on endlessly.
And then, in less than three minutes, the audience began to leave voluntarily.
It was foreseeable that all around the Royal Capital, in taverns and on the streets, people would be discussing today's competition.
Terms like Rhode and Fairy Tail would frequently be on people's lips.
At this moment, Fairy Tail was gathering in an unassuming little tavern to celebrate with raised glasses.
Makarov waved his hand generously and booked the whole place.
So everyone treated the tavern just like the guild, making merry in their own way.
The adults drank heartily while the children had juice and snacks, while Mebius... could only drool at Wendy's plate.
Young Wendy could only coax the First Generation like a child, and after coaxing the First Generation, she still had to coax Asuka.
She enjoyed it endlessly.
Teams A and B were all gathered together, with Natsu and Gajeel competing against each other, Jubia competing with Lucy at one moment and clinging to Gray at the next, keeping herself extremely busy.
The others were much more ordinary, engaging in casual conversation.
Rhode was praised by Makarov for a long time until Mira brought Kana over to challenge the president to a drinking contest, finally releasing Rhode from the flattery.
"Are you trying to murder the president?" Rhode watched Kana as she brought a large barrel to the table, suspecting his wife's intentions.
"Don't worry." Mira said with a cheerful smile, "Someone will keep an eye on the president."
Just as he was wondering, a grandmother with pink hair and a red cloak, full of presence, walked into the tavern.
Soon, Makarov's ear was being tugged, and Kana got a scolding as well.
Mira snickered.
Rhode gave a thumbs up, as expected of a demon, she was on the fifth level of this.
Mira explained, "The president was worried about everyone getting hurt, so he specifically invited Granny Porlyusica over, but she doesn't like crowds, so she's been watching the competition from the lounge."
Rhode nodded and chuckled heartlessly, "The president must be regretting it now."
As everyone joked and laughed, they suddenly heard Gray loudly questioning, "What? I've never heard of such a thing?! Old man! What does 'freely disposable' mean?!"
Mira had a look like she was enjoying a show, "Oh dear, you've already found out about that agreement?"
Makarov, just dealt with by Porlyusica, was at his weakest.
Faced with Team A's questioning, he stammered about the rules he had set on his own.
The five members of Team A were thunderstruck.
Now, not only Natsu and Gray, but even Erza and the others were fired up.
Especially Kana: "If Mira chooses you, you're bound to have a hard time! By all means, we have to win!"
Elfman remained silent, shamefully relieved that he hadn't been chosen for Team A by the president.
Lucy encouraged herself, "We're only 4 points behind, we can catch up!"
The others watched the drama unfold.
In the midst of the commotion, Rhode paused and said to Mira, "A friend's here, I'll step out for a bit."
Rhode walked out of the tavern, heading to a nearby empty alley, only to see Hayberion holding a cup of milk in his left hand and waving to a River Crab with his right.
Noticing Rhode, he pointed to the River Crab and smiled, "You still haven't changed this habit."
"Better safe than sorry." Rhode said, "Since you're here, why not come in?"
"I'm leaving now, don't want to interrupt your fun."
"In such a hurry?"
"I originally just wanted to see your battle with Mr. Jura, didn't expect to see it on the first day, it was splendid."
Rhode chuckled, "Mr. Jura should appear again later, why not wait a bit longer? If you appeared as a guest, it could cause a sensation."
"No need, I actually have other things to do, one of my purposes for coming to Fiore is to gather clues."
"Oh? Is there anything you need help with?" Rhode had a hunch, perhaps he too sensed the strange Magic Power?
"It's somewhat related to you." Hayberion said leisurely, "It's about the former chairman."
Rhode nodded in realization. The former chairman was suspected of collusion and fleeing, so Hayberion's investigation made sense.
The two exchanged information about the Saint Dopia incident, then bade each other goodbye.
As Rhode turned to head back to the tavern, someone called out to him:
"Excuse me, I'm looking for Fairy Tail... Mr. Rhode?"
Rhode turned around and was recognized immediately.
He looked carefully at the visitor's face and realized, "Mr. Jude? Oh, you're here to see Lucy?"
Jude replied happily, "Yes, I heard you were celebrating at this tavern."
"Please come in, Lucy is inside." Rhode said, "Did you see Lucy's performance this morning?"
"Of course, but unfortunately, I was caught up with some urgent business matters, so I couldn't make it in time and had to watch the live broadcast outside." Jude said regretfully.
Rhode comforted him, "It's okay, it's the same for everyone, the arena is so large you'd be watching the screens even from the stands. Lucy's performance was excellent."
Jude smiled, "I don't understand much about mages, but Lucy is becoming more like her mother."
As they talked, they entered, and Rhode was still saying, "Lucy will be delighted to know you're here..."
Inside the tavern, a small-scale brawl was unsurprisingly taking place.
The key point was, as they entered, Lucy was lying at their feet with Natsu, who had somehow been punched flying, on top of her.
Rhode: "..."
Jude: "..."
Lucy, lying dazed on the ground, was trying to push Natsu off by his shoulders, then met Jude's complex gaze.
"Dad… Daddy?" Lucy was stunned, initially surprised, but something felt off.
Jude's mind was in chaos too, his face showing disbelief, which slowly turned to sadness, and finally to acceptance.
"Yes, I should've seen this coming, it was bound to happen one day." Jude sighed, speaking gently, "Lucy, you've grown up."
Lucy didn't react for a moment.
Jude continued, somewhat sorrowfully, "I understand this phase, but after all, this isn't private space, so... Ah, it's also my fault, I neglected education in this area..."
Lucy gradually understood what her father was lamenting, her cheeks flushed, and she practically exploded with power, kicking Natsu away with one kick.
"It's not what you think——!!!!"
The tavern was filled with Lucy's angry and despairing shout.