The Advisory Council was quite generous this time, promptly settling the 6 million J on the spot. With four people and two cats, the distribution was easy — no share for the President, but Rhode offered to buy him drinks, as long as Mira didn't stop him.
Carla stated she didn't contribute, so she didn't need a share.
But Erza and Natsu remarked that the Fairy Tail guild has always distributed rewards this way.
Hapi said before setting off that he and Natsu could go without rewards, but they couldn't really give them nothing.
After splitting the bounty and bidding farewell, Rhode sent a Two-headed Wolf to escort Wendy and Carla partway.
The area near the Advisory Council wasn't convenient for catching a taxi; they'd have to handle further transportation changes themselves, but there was no worry given Rhode's current Magic Power.
Makarov seemed to want to say something to Wendy, but he ultimately remained silent.
After watching Wendy and Carla head off, the group boarded a River Crab to return to Magnolia.
As for travel comfort, renting a carriage mid-way would be nicer, but Natsu firmly opposed, and everyone just followed his lead.
...
"I'm back… Wow!"
Natsu barely stretched his foot to kick open the guild's door when he got smacked down by the President.
"Don't start wrecking the guild as soon as you return!"
"Aye…" Facing someone he couldn't resist against, Natsu often turned into Hapi.
The atmosphere inside the guild was a bit gloomy, but when the door was pushed open, someone shouted:
"The President and the others are back!"
The place instantly became lively:
"President! Erza! Rhode! Hapi! Are you all okay?"
"Eh? Where's Natsu?"
"What, he fell asleep at the door! Thought the Advisory Council had detained him."
The worrying Mira showed a smile again: "Welcome back, President."
"Yo!" Makarov responded with a laugh, "Everything's all right now, let's celebrate!"
"Oh oh oh!!!"
Makarov found it was nearing dinner time, so it was a good chance to have a mini party for some excitement.
Rhode felt Mira surely wanted to know what had happened, so he quickly moved to her side to talk.
"Don't worry, not only did we avoid any weird charges, we also made some money."
"Made some money?" Mira looked at him, "With only some earnings, would you be this happy?"
"It's not just about the money that makes me this joyful."
Mira rolled her eyes at him disdainfully: "Come help with the party preparations."
"Alright." Rhode sighed, "Not at all cooperative."
Laki joined in teasingly: "Exactly, Sister Mira, at times like this, you should ask 'why is that?'
Then he would answer, 'Of course, because I saw you.'
Then you're supposed to feel touched and shy, saying 'oh~ you're bad~'
Finally, he should embrace you, and the souls' windows reflect each other, exchanging pulses and waves, coming closer and closer... ah~~ so romantic~~~"
Laki hugged her shoulders, falling into self-induced emotion, like she just watched a love scene.
Even Rhode's thick skin was getting warm from her words; this girl's imagination was more vivid than he thought.
Mira looked at Rhode, her face flushed, and patted Laki's head: "Stop talking nonsense, come help quickly."
The group headed towards the kitchen, and Rhode noticed a column full of cracks, seemingly ready to break at any moment.
"Has there been fighting in the guild again? Why hasn't anyone come to repair it?"
"Well…" Mira seemed a bit embarrassed.
Laki explained on her behalf: "It was Sister Mira who did it."
"Huh?"
"Because everyone kept discussing about you being taken by the Advisory Council, and the rumors got exaggerated until some even wanted to form a team to break you out."
"Then in a fit of anger…" Mira lightly touched her own cheek, "Seems like I overdid it."
"You didn't see, bang! The whole guild was shaking. Everyone suddenly quieted down, just like when Erza appears out of nowhere."
Laki exaggeratedly described the scene, then elbowed Rhode: "How about that, are you scared? A demon, you know~"
"What a loss." Rhode's regretful expression made Mira a bit tense.
"Mira must have looked amazing then; I wish I had been there." He looked at Mira and suggested, "Want to do a reenactment?"
It wasn't surprising that Mira could crack a column with a punch; after all, just after meeting, he'd seen her casually lift a full barrel of alcohol.
But this also meant that even with the President and Erza absent, Mira could keep the peace.
Normally she didn't handle it… just liked watching the commotion? Even if she got knocked over by unidentified flying objects, it was okay.
Hearing this, Mira felt a bit relieved, though she still declined Rhode's proposal: "No need for a demonstration."
"Then I'll ask Lidas if it's been drawn."
"I'll get mad."
"Then forget it."
Laki spread her hands: "Sigh~ this person is beyond rescue."
Everything was ready, and the tables in the tavern were combined into a few big tables.
Mira, Rhode, Laki, and Iz, along with other staff, busily moved through the crowd, swiftly delivering drinks and food to each large table.
After finishing their tasks, they raised their glasses, and Makarov invited everyone to raise their glasses together: "To celebrate our safe return, cheers!"
"Cheers!"
Rhode raised his glass and clinked it with everyone's, but just as he was about to drink, a small hand snatched the glass away.
He turned his head, a glass of juice was placed in his hand: "Not until your injuries are healed, no drinking."
"Okay." Rhode nodded with a smile, clinking the juice cup with Mira's glass once more, and took a few big gulps.
Sweet, isn't this tastier than beer?
The festivities lasted quite late into the night again.
It was his first time staying sober until the party's end, but Mira seemed a bit tipsy.
Others were either drunk or tired from revelry, laying their heads on the tables or sprawling on the ground, adhering to the rule of sleeping wherever they collapsed.
Spring had just begun, and the guild's fireplace wasn't removed yet, so as long as doors and windows were closed, there was no worry about catching a cold.
"Are you alright?"
"No problem, I kept my drinking under control."
Today, Mira was dressed in a black off-shoulder long-sleeve knit top, accentuating her graceful curves.
A white scarf diagonally hung around her neck, making the blush on her face under the dim light quite alluring.
"Shouldn't someone be looking after everyone like this?"
"It's always been like this." Mira grabbed Rhode's wrist, "Come with me."
"?" Rhode wondered as she pulled him to the infirmary.
"Sit down, the bandage on your head is loose." Mira straightforwardly removed it, carefully applying iodine, deciding the bandage was needless, and replaced it with a square plaster.
"Anywhere else?"
"A bit."
Rhode took off his shirt, revealing arms and torso almost wrapped like a mummy.
Actually, Natsu had even more bandages than him; the guy fought fiercely, living like he borrowed his life.
Only Erza was slightly better off, although she lost some armors.
Rhode and Natsu were physically injured, Erza's pain was mostly financial.
Mira covered her mouth; the injuries were heavier than she imagined: "How come…"
"Don't worry, it just looks serious." Rhode said,
"Wendy later treated us with Healing Magic; the remaining minor wounds will heal in a few days. Wendy said even scars won't remain."
Mira remained silent, aiding Rhode in taking off the bandages around his back.
The posture was slightly intimate, but neither of them minded.
Because one was worried and the other was worried that she was worried.