Rhode said sympathetically, "We're still okay, Lucy's birthday was a few days ago, and as soon as it hit midnight, it was the preliminaries, and at dawn, the official match began. She probably already forgot about it."
"Oh~" Mira looked at Rhode with a smile, "You remember Lucy's birthday so clearly, dear~"
Rhode was unfazed: "Because Mr. Jude gave Lucy and Future Lucy each a belated birthday gift yesterday, along with a personal birthday wish. I just happened to see it while passing by."
At that time, Future Lucy cried so miserably but also smiled happily.
"Is that so…" Mira felt sorry for Future Lucy again.
Rhode, not wanting her to be down, quickly said, "At least it made up a bit for her regret. And if we resolve things smoothly here, time-space on her side might also change. According to space-time magic interference theory, that's entirely possible."
Mira thought seriously for a moment and finally regained a bit of a smile, "True. But if…"
Rhode interrupted, "If things can't change over there, then we'll activate the Eclipse Gate again to help her change it. No matter which side of Fairy Tail it is, they shouldn't be drowning in sorrow."
As for if things can't be resolved smoothly, that's not possible. Fairy Tail promised a happy ending. That Zhang Daye Bilibili user shouldn't deceive him.
Uh… he shouldn't.
Thinking about the time he was tricked into watching something downbeat, Rhode suddenly had a slight suspicion, but it shouldn't happen a second time.
He also wondered how those few people were doing. If they crossed over into another world like him… he hoped they could find happiness too.
Rhode recalled his several near-death experiences and coldly chuckled to himself:
'Heh, best if they go through some hardships, a few life-or-death crises, but never actually die, not missing an arm or leg, and then find happiness.'
Mira sensed that Rhode's mood suddenly became a bit low, feeling he probably didn't like such heavy topics.
So she suggested, "Why don't you accompany me to buy a few clothes?"
Rhode nodded, "Sure, autumn or winter wear?"
Mira touched her belly, both happy and distressed, "Maternity wear."
Rhode was taken aback, then laughed, "That's surely something to be prepared."
Mira had discussed this with Bisca. It had to be comfortable, breathable, loose, and warm.
Aesthetic aspects could be put aside for now, but Bisca still suggested a few good-looking outfits.
The couple went in and out of clothing stores, enthusiastically selecting clothes.
"This color's not good, this one…" Mira unknowingly picked up an oversized one.
"This one's too loose," Rhode commented, "I feel even Elfman could wear it if he were pregnant."
"Nonsense!" Mira slapped Rhode, but she couldn't help but imagine Elfman being pregnant and burst into laughter.
She often couldn't control her imagination.
And the stranger the scene, the clearer she imagined it.
Rhode chuckled, pointing to a dress on the rack, "That one's nice… hmm?"
Mira saw Rhode suddenly look back and asked puzzledly, "What's wrong?"
Rhode glanced around, "I feel like someone's watching me."
Mira looked at the surrounding crowd; indeed, many were turning their heads to see her and Rhode, but she felt nothing strange, "Maybe it's fans?"
Even without mentioning his past identity, just his performance at the Great Demon Fighting Martial Arts made Rhode a nationally famous star contender. Many are naturally curious about him.
Rhode was aware of this, but this time, the gaze felt different, as if carrying malice.
Moreover, just now, there was a strange magic power fluctuation, unfortunately hidden in some way, unable to pinpoint the position or sense its nature.
Rhode waved his hand to perform Void Divination, and the faces of the surrounding passersby flashed through his mind; most were unfamiliar.
"That person…" Rhode noticed a figure that seemed like a woman hurriedly leaving, "Isn't she the one from Dragon's Treasure who rides a skateboard?"
"Miss Voya?" Mira still remembered competing with her, with her most notable feature being a smaller chest than hers.
Rhode said, "Feels like you're thinking something mean."
"Nope, is she avoiding us because their guild lost to us?" Mira speculated, "Shouldn't be to the extent of intentionally avoiding us, right?"
Rhode looked at Mira, "Maybe it's because someone dealt a severe blow to her during the matches?"
Mira thoughtfully nodded, "So that's it, it's from the water battle, Lucy's fault."
"..." The wife truly is a master of feigning ignorance, Rhode didn't expose her, "It's a bit odd; let's discreetly keep an eye on her. Dragon's Treasure already sounds like it could be related to dragons."
He said this, but Rhode didn't take it too seriously.
After all, in Future Lucy's time, there's no Dragon's Treasure guild at all.
He was just being a bit cautious, confirming for safety's sake.
Rhode and Mira casually checked out and left the clothing store, soon blending into the crowd.
Then, using Illusion Magic, they quietly altered their appearances, trailing distantly behind Voya.
The thrill of tailing a beauty was real, especially with his wife.
"She seems sneaky; could there really be a problem?" Mira felt it strange, "Didn't they say Dragon's Treasure people were mercenaries before? Even if avoiding, they shouldn't be this flustered."
"Hmm." Rhode nodded, "This shows she probably genuinely doesn't wish to see us, this kind of behavior is genuine emotion."
"Ahh…" Mira touched her cheek, "Should we find an opportunity to apologize to Miss Voya?"
"...Up to you." Rhode thought, if you really did, would it count as an apology or rubbing salt in the wound?
Seeing Mira's expression, hmm, maybe both.
Until Voya returned to the hotel where Dragon's Treasure contenders were staying, no more abnormality had occurred.
Rhode and Mira observed for a while, then quietly left.
Meanwhile, in a distant corner, a shadow transformed into a young man with black and white hair, muttering with lingering fear: "I should've already masked that aura… As expected of the Ten Wizard Saints, more perceptive than imagined."
He then turned his head towards a certain direction: "The Poison Dragon is also a troublesome guy, it wouldn't be good if he overheard my thoughts… The Advisory Council is truly a bunch of fools, letting such a person escape."
The young man swiftly turned into a shadow again and sank into the ground, rapidly departing.
A moment later, Eric jumped over the wall into the alley, punching the ground.
The stone pavement shattered, brownish-red poison contaminating a patch of soil.
"Damn, I clearly heard him just now, that damn rat!"