The security work for the routine meeting was terribly poor, it could be said there was essentially no security at all.
Although I know many of these presidents are very strong, especially our own old man who can fight supremely well, but he drinks himself drunk every day, making Rhode utterly worried.
Thus, he had no choice but to substitute a bit for the security department, letting more wild creatures patrol around.
After all, the venue for the routine meeting is in the mountainous area and forest outskirts of Kroba City, so the appearance of some wolves, birds, and large crabs is reasonable and won't frighten people.
Using the vision of two crabs, Rhode not only saw a man covered in bandages driving a magic four-wheeled vehicle rushing over.
But also saw Erza and others chasing from behind.
Rhode described the appearance of the person to the president, coincidentally finding on him the emblem of the Iron Forest that was discussed yesterday.
Rhode asked, "President, have you ever seen such a strange magic wand, it looks like a branch with a three-eyed skull attached... I feel like I've seen its picture somewhere."
Before Makarov could speak, President Goldman got nervous first: "What did you say it was?"
Rhode repeated, "A three-eyed skull magic wand?"
President Goldman, looking serious, said: "No, that should be a flute. If your description is right, it should be the group curse killing magic created by Zeref - Lalabai (Curse Song, Lullaby)!"
"What?"
"Are you saying that as long as it's played, it can curse kill all the people who hear the flute sound... Lalabai?"
"Shouldn't it have already been sealed by the Advisory Council?"
The news spread from the banquet hall, causing a bit of commotion.
Presidents from some small guilds were shocked, and young mages who came to see the world wore expressions of terror.
Mira, surprised, said: "Does he intend to use that to attack the venue of the routine meeting?"
Rhode also found it unbelievable, what kind of fearless person can do such a thing?
He stood up: "I'll go deal with him."
Makarov stopped him: "No need, you all go join Erza, leave the rest to me."
Now he understood why Erza wanted to team up with Natsu and Gray, it seemed she discovered Iron Forest's plot and made the decisive decision to eliminate them.
Taking three people to take down the entire Iron Forest? That is indeed Erza's style.
...
Erza, Natsu, Gray, and Lucy were sprinting wildly through the mountains and forests, with Hapi now out of magic power being held by Lucy.
The few learned that Kagayama intended to attack the venue of the routine meeting with Lalabai and chased all the way here.
Anxiety filled their hearts; both the president and Rhode were here, if Lalabai was suddenly played outside the venue... the consequences would be unimaginable!
Absolutely nothing must happen!
"Hm?" Natsu, leading the front, suddenly came to an abrupt stop.
Lucy reacted too late, crashing into Natsu's back with Hapi in her arms, almost squashing Hapi.
Erza followed and bumped into Lucy, with Gray crashing into Erza.
"Woah!" The group tumbles into a heap.
"Ow!" Lucy sat up rubbing the back of her head. She got jabbed by Erza's armor, directly feeling Erza's defense power.
Gray was much more agitated: "Why stop suddenly at a time like this, idiot Natsu!"
Erza was much calmer than them, she saw a familiar big crab and smiled in relief:
"Because there's someone here who makes people feel at ease."
"Heh heh..." Natsu flashed a mouthful of white teeth, "Rhode, that guy, is super reliable at times like this."
Rhode walked over from the side: "I seem to hear someone complimenting my handsomeness from behind?"
Mira, cheerfully waving beside him, said: "Everyone seems spirited."
The group exclaimed in joy: "Rhode! Even Mira is here!"
Mira said: "You few sure worried the president greatly."
Rhode glanced at her, wasn't it you who informed the president?
Natsu, Gray, and Lucy appeared somewhat guilty.
Erza, anxiously, said: "Now's not the time to say these things... Hurry and stop him!"
Rhode waved his hand: "No need, the president said he'd handle it personally."
Lucy worriedly said: "But that's a very dangerous curse killing magic, even if the president... blows the flute..."
Rhode said: "Give the old man some confidence."
Mira with a laugh said: "You're the one lacking confidence the most, aren't you?"
She had just seen Rhode recalling all summoned beasts patrolling outside, ambushing nearby en masse.
"I just want to be prudent."
The president is among the most important people to Rhode, he doesn't wish for the old man to encounter any mishap.
Now there are four stone beetles under Kagayama's and the president's feet, twelve beaked birds perched in nearby trees, and six shadow wolves hidden in the shadows of stones and trees.
As long as the person holding the flute dares to make the motion of blowing hard, these creatures would swarm upon him without hesitation, killing him.
Everyone took a few steps forward, spotting President Goldman and President Bob hiding behind the bushes.
Erza wanted to greet them, but President Bob raised a finger to signal quiet and beckoned them closer.
"Erza-chan~♡, you seem to have grown taller."
"President Bob." Due to One Night, Erza felt a bit unnatural when facing people from Blue Pegasus.
Lucy, encountering this visual shock for the first time, felt somewhat uncomfortable: "She? He? Is..."
"Is a male." Rhode glanced at her, "What's with you always holding onto your skirt?"
"B-Because..." Lucy glanced at the big crab behind her, her gaze wandering.
Rhode gave Mira a glare, wasn't it your doing that got me seen as a pervert who peeks under skirts anytime?
Mira covered her mouth, laughing.
President Goldman reminded, "Alright, quiet down and watch properly."
Not far away, Kagayama chatted with Makarov a bit, expressing his wish to play a tune, inviting Makarov to appreciate it.
For a long time, he had believed that these legitimate guilds forced them into darkness, those people had poor abilities but high arrogance.
With Lalabai, he could eliminate all of those legitimate guild fellows, further seeking revenge against the entire magic realm!
In this way, the status of their dark guilds would be improved, allowing them to return to the light once more...
Now, as long as this flute is played, everything will change!
As long as this flute is played!
Kagayama moved his lips close to the flute hole, though sweat began to form on his forehead, and his body trembled.
There wasn't time to think during the previous efforts to remove the seal, nor while fighting desperately.
With the flute in hand now, the ones to curse kill standing before him, only a blowing action away, Kagayama realized he couldn't do it.
Could such a small flute truly bring change?