"Wha-What? Mira is pregnant?!"
The news was a bit late for Team A; they found out at the after-party.
Erza was dumbfounded on the spot, completely lost in a daze.
"Oh dear, oh dear..." Mira said with a smile, "I feel like I shouldn't have hurried to use substitute players. If I faced Erza today, I feel like one sentence could defeat her."
Rhode nodded earnestly, "Hmm, it was too rash of a decision on my part."
Elfman cautiously advised, "You guys should let her off..."
"Gray-sama~ Jubia, Jubia also wants..."
"Hmm? You want to eat too?" Gray took a bite of his hot dog and motioned towards the table, "There's more over there, help yourself."
Jubia deflated, "Okay."
Natsu circled around Mira several times, asking, "Pregnant means... is Mira going to lay an egg?"
Lucy quipped, "Miss Mira is not a dragon."
Natsu said, "But Lisana and Elfman both incubate eggs."
"Aye!" Hapi could attest to that, as he was hatched by Natsu, Lisana, and Elfman taking turns.
He even heard later on that of the three, Natsu's performance was the worst, only knowing how to sleep soundly.
Lisana couldn't help but say, "You two, don't make us sound like we hatched from eggs."
Given the good results achieved by Teams A and B over the past two days (even though some individuals were fooling around, they were still ahead), the companions couldn't help but celebrate loudly.
The joyous news of Rhode and Mira also gave everyone an extra reason to celebrate.
However, it was clear that Mira couldn't drink alcohol, so Rhode naturally stayed with her, and even their younger siblings voluntarily switched to juice, sitting at the kids' table.
Besides, Rhode boldly declared, "I don't care if you all want to fight, but if you drag Mira into it again... *slash hand across neck*"
Rhode's words had a significant intimidation effect, and for a while, the noise in the tavern quieted a lot.
However, after three rounds of drinks, everyone returned to normal. Rhode? Never heard of him! Let's drink first!
Rhode sighed, "These people..."
Mira smiled, "Isn't it nice?"
She felt she wasn't that fragile yet; if anyone got her involved, they'd only bring misfortune upon themselves. Demons don't need extra protection.
However, the manly Elfman stated that he would definitely protect his sister.
Someone from the Thunder God Tribe was also paying extra attention to her.
The banquet ended in a lively manner, and everyone returned happily.
Carla was helping Wendy pack up so she could move into the player lodgings.
Rhode also finished packing up for Mira, taking her to Wendy's former room.
Rhode looked at the little white cat with cat ears and asked, "What's Carla planning to do?"
"Of course, staying here." Carla looked at him strangely, suddenly winking playfully, "Do you mind your wife sharing a room with me?"
Rhode laughed, "A 6-year-old shouldn't say such things."
Carla argued, "I'm 7! No, our time perception as Transcenders is different from humans!"
"Sigh..." Mira sighed deeply, "The wife just got pregnant, and the husband is already flirting with other girls."
Rhode responded helplessly, "She's a cat, and if you're going to be jealous, at least keep the corners of your mouth down first..."
"Just practicing." Mira winked playfully, whispering in Rhode's ear, "Besides, aren't cats what you like best?"
Rhode righteously declared, "Do not slander me; I like more than just cats."
Pure Wendy and Carla didn't understand the couple's secret exchange, packing Wendy's essentials into a small suitcase in an orderly manner.
Carla thought for a moment, "Doesn't seem like we're missing anything, right?"
Rhode said, "It doesn't matter if we are; it's close enough to come and get it anytime."
At this moment, Lisana entered the room, "Brother-in-law, don't worry, Elfman and I switched to the room next door; we'll definitely take good care of my sister."
"There's no need to exaggerate so much." Mira hugged Lisana's neck, placing her face close, suggesting, "But instead of staying next door, why not just sleep with your sister."
Lisana looked troubled, "I'd rather not."
After joking a few lines, Rhode took Wendy out.
Before leaving, he handed Mira a golden key, also leaving his notes on learning Celestial Spirit Magic and Cost Summoning Techniques, reminding Mira to study the magic and to call upon the Star Spirit King if anything happened, not to fight herself.
Mira felt it was unnecessary, but to ease this overly concerned husband's worries, she accepted it.
...
"This bed is now Mira's, and now it belongs to you. Over there is the bathroom, just put your towels and toothbrushes there..."
Rhode admonished Wendy on various small matters, afraid he might forget something.
Gajeel slowly couldn't take it anymore, complaining, "You, today, why are you acting like her dad, nagging and so annoying."
Rhode glanced at Gajeel, casually mocking:
"By the way, Gajeel snores and grinds his teeth, sounding like cutting through iron plates, it's so loud. Wendy, do you need earplugs?"
Wendy seemed a bit frightened, "Is it that scary?"
Gajeel blew up, "Damn it, don't make up stuff! And you, don't believe everything others say!"
Wendy got even more scared.
Gajeel took several deep breaths and said, "Isn't it about time we get to business?"
"What's that?"
"Underground, the Dragon's Tomb, didn't you say yesterday you'd take us there?" Gajeel looked at Rhode, unable to tell if he had truly forgotten or was deliberately annoying him.
"Oh, right, get ready, we'll call Natsu and then set off." Rhode almost forgot, "Laxus, are you coming?"
"No, I'll stay behind." Laxus, unlike Natsu and the rest, didn't have any dragons to care about.
Besides, someone should stay at the hotel.
Wendy was puzzled, "What's going on? What does Dragon's Tomb mean?"
"I'll explain slowly on the way."
...
The trio set off from the hotel, went to where Team A stayed to pick up Natsu, and didn't bring any other irrelevant people.
Lucy and Gray were quite curious but were asked by Rhode to be watched by Erza, not notifying even the three kitties.
—After all, that place wasn't a sightseeing spot, and Rhode didn't like complications.
Taking the three Dragon Slayer Mages, they sneaked out of the city clandestinely, with Rhode meticulously narrating the encounters he had underground yesterday.
Natsu anxiously asked, "Where?!"
Rhode knocked on Natsu's head, "Here's the first thing I want to say, no shouting or fussing, or you wait here for our news."
Natsu was resentful, but he didn't want to be left behind in anything related to dragons, "Got it."
"Besides that, there are things inside that can make monsters disappear silently, don't run around, don't touch anything, when I say to move, immediately come over."
Wendy obediently agreed, and although the other two found it annoying, seeing Rhode so serious, they also understood the importance and nodded along.