Pigeon made another move, slicing through the Magic Swamp Frog and the Two-headed Wolf with a single stroke each.
Although the Magic Swamp Frog vanished, Eagle's face had turned a deep purplish-red. He collapsed to the ground, coughing violently, desperately trying to absorb the poison on his neck with his hair.
At this moment, Eagle looked utterly bedraggled. His guitar was almost bitten in two, and four deep bloodied holes were gushing blood on his shoulder.
The spot on his abdomen hit by the Tree Monster was aching faintly, uncertain if it had damaged his internal organs.
Meanwhile, a swarm of Mini Stone Beetles continued to persistently gnaw at every joint in his legs.
This death metal singer looked genuinely on the brink of death.
The Golem with a severed hand was sent back by Rhode, who summoned another one. It's okay if a buff monster is slightly injured, but it's troublesome if it's completely defeated.
Just after successfully attacking, the Tree Monster coaxed vines to impede Pigeon and Eagle's movements, while its main body caught up and raised a claw to attack Eagle.
Pigeon's blade shimmered as it sliced through the Tree Monster's left foreclaw at the base—its defense was not as strong as the Golem's.
Based on her previous experience slicing through numerous wild beasts, Pigeon instinctively thought this Tree Monster would also vanish immediately.
Unexpectedly, vines began to grow rapidly from the Tree Monster's wound, seemingly aiming for limb regeneration.
Moreover, before the leg could grow back completely, the Tree Monster staggered toward its attack.
"Regenerative type?"
Pigeon reluctantly dashed forward again, slashing upwards, planning to cleave the Tree Monster's red bulbous 'core' on its back.
That thing was too conspicuous, obviously the 'core'.
This time, however, her slash hit nothing but air.
The Tree Monster suddenly vanished, and Rhode appeared behind it, swinging his fist towards Pigeon's face.
This fist, besides being transformed into dragon-claw-like hard scales, was also encased in a thick layer of rock 'gloves' by Rhode, resembling a massive hammer swinging at Pigeon.
Naturally, Pigeon wasn't so easy to catch. Despite the seemingly outdated move, she was still able to maneuver the blade, slashing towards Rhode's fist.
Clang!
The sound of metal clashing resounded as the two figures crossed paths. The stone encasing Rhode's fist shattered in two, the dragon scale was cleaved open, leaving a bloody line on the back of his hand.
"Fairy Tail Strategist, stronger than the rumors, but this little girl..."
"Ah!!!"
Pigeon hadn't finished her sentence when she heard Eagle's anguished scream, she looked over in astonishment.
Under Mira's fist engulfed in red flame, Eagle's face had become deformed, a few teeth flying out of his mouth with blood.
He flew further than his teeth, with two Mini Stone Beetles stubbornly clinging to his leg joints, creating a comical sight.
Concentrate superior forces, choose the enemy's weakness, striking one by one, swiftly and decisively eliminating them, then choose the next target.
This is the key to winning with a small force against a larger one.
Though numerically, Rhode's side had more advantages.
"Only one of Three-Plumed Crow is left~" Mira leisurely stood next to Rhode, waving to signal the Golem to take care of the displaced Eagle.
The Golem scratched its head, its blue eyes looked at Rhode.
Rhode gestured for it to proceed.
This kid had potential, doing work only under the boss's orders, disregarding the boss lady's.
The Golem ran towards Eagle, creating sand pits with each step.
Pigeon, who initially appeared composed with her pink hair and mature demeanor, finally showed a serious expression: "Since joining the Guild, this girl has never been defeated. I've gained quite a bit of insight today."
"Reveal your client's identity now, and we can cease fighting."
After all, they were enemies, and Rhode was prepared to be untrustworthy before he spoke.
"No comment." Conveniently, Pigeon didn't believe him either, she turned slightly, gripping the sword handle, assuming the stance for Iaido.
The back of Rhode's hand and wings throbbed with pain; this move wasn't easy to counter, and he didn't want to engage head-on.
"Mountain Dragon's Iron-Walled Fortress!"
Rhode placed both hands on the sandy ground, causing it to rumble as a circular wall several tens of meters high rose around Pigeon.
Rhode and Mira were lifted high atop the walls, while Pigeon was trapped within a space less than twenty meters in diameter.
"Earth Magic? This can't trap this girl." Pigeon confidently drew her sword.
A flash of white light cut through the air, causing fragments of stones to burst from the wall, a horizontal sword mark delving over ten meters deep into it.
Then… nothing happened.
Standing atop the wall, Rhode had returned to his original form:
"Sorry, this is a specially tailored ultra-hard and thick version for you. With another ten attacks like that, you might just slice through—but…"
"Activate: Demon Lala Bai." Mira transformed into a three-eyed demon visage.
This move had previously been confirmed effective against Pigeon, and Rhode had specifically constructed the Echoing Cliff; it would be a waste not to use it.
"Last chance to tell us: who is your client, and why are you here to kill us?"
Pigeon responded by taking a few running steps, trying to scale the wall.
Yet her speed in climbing couldn't match that of the sound.
Mira gently began to sing with soothing lyrics:
"The sweet flowers bloom~ soothing the shadows and wounds of my heart~ in the barren bush, the flowers still blossom~ ♪"
Such a calming and beautiful tune sounded like a demon whispering in Pigeon's ears, ringing loud alarms in her mind.
Despite her precautions, the drowsiness still swept over her uncontrollably.
So much so that an action like wall climbing, which would be simple for a Mage, caused Pigeon to momentarily slip and suddenly plummet from the wall.
Pigeon resolutely thrust her Samurai Sword into the wall, barely halting her fall.
"Damn..."
Faced with hypnosis-like Spirit Magic, Pigeon would usually choose to self-inflict a cut in a non-critical spot, using pain as a stimulant to swiftly advance and tackle the foe.
But that required one-on-one combat with favorable or at least equal terrain.
Currently, the terrain was highly disadvantageous to her, not aiding in her advancement, and the surrounding walls seemed to amplify the sound.
Adding to her woes, the hypnosis caster had a troublesome ally.
Pigeon watched as Rhode transformed from a handsome young man into an ugly, sinister form, resembling a toad-man.
Rhode's cheeks puffed up as he expelled purple poisonous liquid balls, like cannonballs, relentlessly towards Pigeon.
Pigeon had to fight the immense drowsiness, constantly dodging or reluctantly slicing through the poisonous liquid bombs.
While evading and retreating, Pigeon was forced back to the ground.
But Mira's song continued non-stop, while Rhode's poison barrage persisted relentlessly, and a continually growing weariness made Pigeon eventually show an opening.
Completing their task, two Mini Stone Beetles burrowed from the ground, catching Pigeon off guard and biting her wrist.
Though instantly crushed by Pigeon, the first poisonous liquid bomb nevertheless struck her.
"Ah ah!!!"
Pigeon's scream wouldn't garner Rhode's sympathy, only more vigorous attacks.
Despite her exceptional Swordsmanship, Pigeon ultimately had no opportunity to showcase her skills.
Three-Plumed Crow, completely wiped out.