Rhode felt a bit tired and summoned another Tree Monster to finish them off, then carefully checked the Hawk and Owl.
These three were notorious assassins, well-known figures in the Dark Realm, and couldn't be taken lightly.
After confirming everything was correct, Rhode finally breathed a sigh of relief and sent out two River Crabs to patrol.
This battle almost wiped out all his little wild beasts, making him feel a bit insecure.
Moreover, both he and Mira were injured—though not seriously.
Rhode briefly reviewed the battle: "Does this count as being too despicable?"
"Who would call themselves despicable? To protect those important to you, it should be called resourceful," said Mira. "They came specifically to kill us."
"Hmm." Rhode nodded, then asked in confusion, "Important people, who?"
Mira raised her fist, indicating whether this person deserved a beating.
The beachgoers had already fled far away when the battle began, leaving only two standing and three lying on the ground.
Rhode glanced around and said, "Something's wrong, we need to check the hotel. With such a ruckus, Erza and the others couldn't have missed it."
Mira also noticed something amiss: "They might have encountered enemies too!"
The two hurriedly ran towards the hotel.
A black vortex suddenly appeared before them, and a tall man with a bare right arm emerged from it.
He wore a white headscarf, a black eyepatch over his left eye, and had a circle of iron around his chin.
As soon as he appeared, he flattered, "As expected of the Fairy Tail Strategist and Demon Mira, even capable of dealing with the Three-Plumed Crow."
Rhode could immediately tell that this entry Magic, the black vortex, was created by the same person responsible for the Dark Magic they saw earlier in the room.
"Receiving·Mountain Dragon Soul!"
"Wait, I'm not your enemy!"
"Roar of the Mountain Dragon!"
Not an enemy? This guy was the one who created the opportunity for the Three-Plumed Crow to ambush Mira!
Oh, helping the enemy before the fight, staying hidden during the fight, and then jumping out afterward claiming not to be an enemy, who would believe that?
Whoever wins, you help them?
Simon didn't expect Rhode's attack to come so decisively, and barely put up a defensive stance, with a black vortex forming a shield in front of him.
Only for the rock storm to easily break through the thin shield, sending Simon flying.
"Whoa!" Simon's headscarf was blown away, his clothes torn, and countless bruises appeared on his body as he fell heavily to the ground, coughing.
Rhode frowned, thinking his introductory lines sounded like those taunting lines from a final boss, yet his strength was so lacking?
"I... cough, cough... I was once Erza's companion..."
Rhode looked at Mira, questioning.
Mira gently shook her head: "I don't know him, maybe he's talking about Erza before she joined the Guild?"
"Yes, yes." Simon clutched his chest and managed to sit up.
Rhode, still skeptical, asked, "If you're Erza's companion, why help the Three-Plumed Crow attack us?"
"That Magic wasn't to attack you." Simon caught his breath and spoke a bit more fluently,
"It was to kidnap Erza, and the Three-Plumed Crow's task was to hinder you two."
"???"
Rhode summoned a Tree Monster and let it grip the strange man in its claws, prepared to crush him at any moment.
Though it sounded like there might be more to the story, you can't trust a stranger based on just a few words.
"You better explain it clearly."
"Please, let me explain slowly..."
Suddenly, four people rushed out of the hotel, with Natsu at the front: "Rhode! Mira! Erza and Hapi have been kidnapped!"
Lucy was half a step behind: "Mr. Rhode! Miss Mira!"
"Are you okay?" Gray followed, accompanied by a girl with blue hair dressed in a formal suit.
— Former member of the Ghost's Four Elements, Jubia.
This was not surprising, as this girl had been secretly watching Gray since being released by the Advisory Council.
A few days ago, she even secretly bought a Fairy Tail Badge shaped pendant to wear as a necklace, just a step away from finding the courage to apply to join the Guild.
Her transformation was so significant that unfamiliar people would hardly recognize her.
Rhode and Mira's attention wasn't on Jubia but on Natsu's shout: "Erza and Hapi were kidnapped?!"
"A cube guy suddenly attacked me and took Hapi away!" Natsu said furiously, "Damn, we've been set up!"
"Yes!" Lucy said urgently, "I saw the cube person, Erza and I were attacked by a blonde with black skin who used Card Magic, and also a cat female! Besides them, there was..."
Lucy suddenly pointed at Simon, caught by the Tree Monster: "Ah, it's him!"
Gray recognized Simon's appearance and angrily said: "Bastard, he's the one who attacked me! If I hadn't made a substitute..."
He rushed up to question: "Who the hell are you people?"
"Lord Gray, wait! He might not be an enemy." Jubia stopped Gray, explaining, "A Dark Magic user couldn't have been unaware of his surroundings. This person knew Lord Gray had used Shaping Magic to make a substitute but still chose to attack the substitute, even helping to fake the scene."
Natsu clenched his fists in fury: "Bastard, give Erza and Hapi back!"
The companions' words were chaotic, but Rhode quickly organized the information.
Now, while he and Mira were attacked by the Three-Plumed Crow, his companions were also attacked by the Crow's accomplices.
Erza and Hapi were kidnapped, but Natsu, Gray, Lucy, and Jubia were unharmed.
Jubia now wore a Fairy Tail necklace, which could make anyone consider her part of Fairy Tail, so if the attack was against the Guild, she would be targeted as well.
This is strange, everyone is fine, how could Erza be kidnapped?
Is there some special Magic?
This iron-chinned guy is also peculiar, helping them attack and simultaneously covering for Gray;
Facilitating Erza's abduction but claiming to be Erza's companion, seemingly wanting to inform...
A double agent?
"Calm down, listen to me first!" In such situations, Rhode's words carried significant weight, "Do we know which direction they went?"
"That way!" Natsu pointed to a direction, leading to the vast ocean with no sign of a ship.
"Mira, find two boats—big enough for all of us, we're heading out to sea immediately. Lucy, summon a reliable Star Spirit to go to a nearby town to find a Communication Magic Crystal and report back to the President. Natsu and Gray, tell me about the people who attacked you."
Anyone targeting Erza isn't a common foe, so they must call for backup when necessary.
Yet, not knowing their motives, Erza and Hapi could be in danger at any moment, so they must act immediately, preparing for the possibility of receiving no reinforcements.
Listening to Rhode's clear arrangements for the next steps, the group's chaotic thoughts and anxiety slightly eased.
"Jubia, you..." Rhode was unsure how to handle this former enemy.
The safest option would be to have her leave, but she's a powerful ally, and recent observations confirm she has no hostile intent.
Jubia stated without hesitation: "Jubia wants to help, Jubia wants to join Fairy Tail."
The desire to join Fairy Tail was something she had expressed to Gray once, making it easier to say it again now.
Even in front of Mira, who once defeated her severely.
Rhode looked at Gray.
"Take her with us, Jubia protected me just now." Gray said, "I think we can trust her."
Lord Gray spoke up for her!
"Jubi~~~" Jubia made a cute sound, her eyes turning into hearts, "Lord Gray!"
Gray sighed: "Maybe we shouldn't, after all."
"Enough, Jubia will keep an eye on this guy. Temporarily, I can't trust him; we'll interrogate him on the way. Move out!"