The Mountain Sub-Dragon glanced back at the magic power accumulating behind it, showing a wary expression in its eyes.
Perhaps because of what Rhode said, it cupped the three of them in its hands together.
Mira glanced at Rhode, and seeing him staying silent, she simply dispelled the Receiving Magic, squeezing the three together.
It was quite a surprise to find that squeezing in with Erza didn't feel hard at all.
She gave Rhode another quick look.
Rhode had no time to say anything because the wind immediately roared in their ears, and the Mountain Sub-Dragon obviously flew much faster than Mira.
As soon as the first light from the magic array shone, the trio, already nestled with the Mountain Sub-Dragon, dove sharply, catching up with their retreating comrades.
While those on the boat were still in shock, Rhode shouted down, "Gray, make a cradle! Natsu, get on board!"
Without a word, Gray used Shaping Magic; ice crystals connected the two small boats on either side, forming ice pillars that arched upwards and linked to create a handle.
Natsu, rather reluctantly, could only jump onto the boat.
The Mountain Sub-Dragon immediately understood, grabbing the handle of the ice cradle with its hind claws and flew forward with them.
Those dragon claws looked awfully solid, making one worry if Gray's cradle was sturdy enough.
In an instant, the Magical Elf Power activated, a dazzling white beam of light shot straight down and hit the small island where the Tower of Paradise was located.
The night sky was illuminated for a moment by the blinding white light, the island completely engulfed, thunderous explosion echoed, and massive waves arose on the sea.
The trio in the dragon's palm could only see the dragon's belly and body by looking back, whereas those in the cradle witnessed the catastrophic power of the Magical Elf Power as it descended.
Once the white light vanished, the sea water churned back as if to fill the void, leaving them in the air only to see steam rising, and all traces of the island vanished.
"This… is the Magical Elf Power!!"
They stared in awe, shocked by the power wielded by the Advisory Council.
Despite all the troubles they caused as a guild, it still exists till now, should they be thankful for the Council's mercy by not obliterating them?
The one who should feel the most relieved, Natsu, was now holding his mouth over the edge of the small boat: "Ugh…"
Lucy patted his back: "Even this can make you dizzy?"
"Ugh…" Natsu couldn't even manage a word.
If they hadn't used a cradle, or if he were directly held or riding on the dragon's back, he might not have felt dizzy.
Without mercy, Gray admonished: "So useless, if you're going to vomit, do it away from us."
"Jubia will protect Lord Gray."
Hapi was no longer focused on Natsu, but instead watched Gray and Jubia intently: "Those two are definitely close."
Jubia found herself liking this little cat.
Simon was solely focused on staring up front at Erza being held by the dragon, worrying if she was hurt.
"Get ready, we're speeding up." Rhode signaled and pointed in one direction to his companions below.
The Mountain Sub-Dragon flapped its wings, its flying speed could be described as swift as a hurricane.
"Ahh…" Lucy immediately landed on Natsu, screaming.
The two nearly fell together.
Gray grabbed the back of her collar, and Simon extended a hand to pull on Natsu's scarf.
Jubia wanted to remark on how much trouble it gave Lord Gray, but with her mouth open against the wind, she nearly choked.
They experienced a high-speed flight; the journey that took them all night on a boat was reduced to mere minutes on the return.
The power of the dragon was enviable.
The Mountain Sub-Dragon placed the cradle down on the beach and also let down the trio from its palm.
Mira supported Rhode, while Lucy sensibly went to support Erza.
Everyone carefully observed the enormous creature before them, each with a belly full of questions.
Yet no one spoke lightly, watching the dragon tilt its head from side to side as it seriously observed Rhode.
As silence from them reigned, the Mountain Sub-Dragon surprisingly spoke first, its voice sounded kind yet powerful:
"Not bad. I'll introduce you to a friend sometime."
"It spoke!" Lucy's inner soul of retort couldn't be contained.
The Mountain Sub-Dragon cast her a glance, causing her to swiftly cover her mouth in fright.
A friend's introduction? Is it perhaps another dragon?
Rhode looked at it: "So you can talk, why never speak when I summoned you so many times?"
The Mountain Sub-Dragon answered without hesitation: "Because time's too short, felt like I wouldn't finish a sentence before being sent back due to certain someone's insufficient magic power."
"..." Feeling mocked, Rhode glared, "Calling whose time short, I'm not that exaggerating, right?!"
The Mountain Sub-Dragon didn't look at him anymore, instead, it turned to observe Natsu wobbly walking over.
"Now… just in time… to fight me!"
"What are you saying?! Fighting a dragon, isn't it a friend?" Lucy was startled.
"Annoying… I'm a Dragon Slayer Mage; of course, I fight a dragon!"
The Mountain Sub-Dragon bent down, extended its forepaw in front of Natsu, curling a single finger and flicking softly.
"Wahhh…" Natsu was sent flying, crashing headlong into the sea.
"Natsu…" Hapi chased after him.
Feeling better now.
The Mountain Sub-Dragon silently chuckled, its form gradually fading away.
Mira poked at Rhode's face, curiously asking: "Why are you so puffed up? Are you jealous of Natsu?"
"It said my time's short. Be fair, with all the receiving and summoning today... am I not already very enduring?"
"Yes, you've always been…" Mira felt something was off.
Erza checked her condition: "Lucy, you can release me."
Lucy slowly let go of her arm: "Is it okay?"
"Yeah."
Mira watched her steady stance and movement, asking: "You can move?"
"Yeah, the technique's time is probably up."
Techniques generally have a duration, varying with the magic power reserved by the caster.
This kind of temporarily set binding technique wouldn't last long.
"Simon, why did you…" Erza was still unclear about the situation.
Simon explained to her, sincerely looking at her: "I'm truly glad to see you again, Erza."
"Simon…" Erza hugged Simon, his unconditional trust contrasted sharply with Mirena, Wally, and Xiu's distrust, and Jellal's deceit.
When they released, the big bloke Simon, who was about as tall as Elfman, surprisingly turned a bit red.
Erza didn't notice his expression; instead, she concerned herself with those who remained on the ship: "By the way, how are Xiu and the others?"
Simon replied: "Xiu got knocked out by someone, Mirena and Wally… got taken down during the fight… but they're all fine."
Erza blushed, realizing she had knocked out Xiu a bit too hard when he hadn't woken up yet.
Gray also averted his gaze, the blockhead was the one he hit, and the cat girl was knocked out by Natsu's clever trick using Hapi as a distraction to land a punch.
Then, Simon coughed twice, clutching his chest.
Erza hurriedly asked: "Are you hurt too?"
This time it was Rhode's turn to stare at the sky, having been responsible for that injury.