The news of the destruction of the Advisory Council headquarters dominated the front pages of major newspapers. Not just those of the Fiore Kingdom, but the entire Ishujal Continent.
Because such a thing truly affects the lives of ordinary people.
Recently, townspeople are more cautious when going out, and even Goodman stops Rhode with questions whenever he leaves.
But fortunately, this is Magnolia. Whenever people see two or three carefree mages chatting on the streets and suddenly breaking into a fight, they feel particularly reassured.
We have Fairy Tail here, the number one guild in Fiore.
Perhaps it's in search of a sense of security that residents love to visit Fairy Tail's tavern for no particular reason.
As a result, the tavern's business is booming.
Rhode has officially taken the position of manager. Makarov even gave him and Mira the day off to pick out a suitable outfit.
A righteous man like Rhode was unexpectedly compelled to go on a paid shopping spree with his girlfriend, and since the clothes counted as uniforms, the expenses could even be covered by the guild.
His conscience is truly... without any trouble.
And he's quite enjoying it.
Mira had already decided to take him to choose a suit, so they were browsing stores of that type.
"Why do I feel like the president is more excited than we are?"
"What? Are you not excited to go shopping with me?"
"How could that be? I'd love to shop all day."
Rhode straightened his back and stood tall as Mira took a shirt, holding it against him along with the hanger.
She tugged at the sleeve, signaling for Rhode to extend his hand. After scrutinizing for a while, she hung the jacket back and began selecting another.
"It seems like shopping all day isn't a bad idea. We can just tell the president we're helping the guild with procurement." Mira laughed, realizing she's getting a bit naughty, unconsciously thinking about how to get around the president.
"Try this one on." After a lot of comparing, Mira finally found a set she liked and pushed Rhode into the fitting room.
Rhode asked, "If I say I don't know how to wear it, will you come in to help me?"
Mira swiftly drew the curtain shut, "Hurry up."
A man has to change clothes quickly...
Mira spoke to him through the curtain, "Actually, the president got word this morning that some reporters will come tomorrow for an interview, so he wants us to make everything look more presentable."
"It's just an interview; is all this really necessary?"
"Because the guild was just rebuilt, the president hopes to show everyone our new image, to change the past perceptions."
"I think he's overthinking it."
While speaking, Rhode had already changed and opened the curtain.
Mira looked him up and down, "Change the shirt again, and let's see if a tie or bow tie looks better."
After working for a while, Mira tied the bow tie for Rhode and stepped back to look carefully, finally nodding in satisfaction.
However, she came forward again to adjust Rhode's waist, pressing on his stomach, "Have them alter this part a bit, taking in the waist for a sharper look."
Rhode reasonably suspected she was stealthily feeling his abs.
"Wearing a white suit now, what'll I wear at the wedding?"
"Who cares about you!" Mira pouted her mouth and pushed him back into the fitting room.
Stalling and still not proposing, yet daring to mention a wedding.
Give him one more month, if he doesn't propose, then forget it!
Hmm... two months!
Three... three months? Mira hesitated, thinking she might have to take matters into her own hands if he doesn't propose.
When Rhode came out, he immediately sensed he was given a sharp look.
Rhode watched as Mira took the clothes to pay and offer alteration suggestions, confused. Had he kept her waiting too long?
No, he had changed very quickly.
Walking side by side, the store clerk promised them the clothes could be altered by the afternoon for pickup later.
Actually, for this type of clothing, custom tailoring at a seamstress is better, but it's urgent now.
On their way back, passing by a store, Mira suddenly stopped, staring inside without blinking.
Rhode looked; it was a bridal store.
Unknowingly, Mira had walked closer to the glass window, looking inside, murmuring to herself, "I wonder which one I'd look best in."
'You'd look good in any of them.' Rhode felt saying this now would be the end of him.
He asked, "Want to go in and try them on?"
Mira was obviously tempted, but in the end, gave him a blank look and turned away, "No, let's just go back to the guild."
Rhode quickly followed, quietly considering whether he should adjust the priorities in his short-term plans.
...
As soon as they returned to the guild, they saw the president crying.
Because the newly rebuilt guild couldn't escape the fate of being wrecked.
Apparently, Natsu heard that Gajeel had joined the guild, specifically came to cause trouble, and also wanted to ask where he learned his Dragon Slayer Magic and if he had any news about dragons.
But Gajeel was already out on a job, and Natsu couldn't find him.
Natsu also felt something was off about the new guild, so he 'naturally' made a ruckus.
Now the guild was a complete mess, and both of them had to carefully watch their steps walking in.
Lucy was crouched under a table in the corner with her hands on her head, her posture looked very enticing, no, very scared, yet with a smile on her face.
Apparently, only when she saw Rhode and Mira coming back did Lucy shyly crawl out, heading towards the guild entrance.
Rhode asked, "How did it end up like this again, did Erza not try to calm things down?"
"Erza was the one fighting the hardest," Lucy said, "because the uniforms that were soon to be hers got ruined."
"What about the president? Hasn't he been here all day?"
"Don't mention it, the president suddenly turned into a giant. Although he stopped Natsu, he was also very destructive."
No wonder he didn't get mad but was crying instead.
"Elfman!" Mira rushed to the wall, seeing her brother was alive, came back relieved, "Why are you hung up on the wall again?"
"...Because he was KO'd right from the start." Lucy found it quite easy to deal with big guy Elfman.
Just before, during the fight with the Ghost, he was super capable in battle.
Perhaps it's like Natsu, very strong but always easily subdued by Erza and Mira when challenged.
"Rhode! Mira! What do we do... a reporter from Sosala is coming for an interview tomorrow, and it's a top reporter!"
Makarov wailed, "I told them to keep it quiet for these two days, but they ended up wrecking the guild again!"
"Like you're in a position to accuse others?" Lucy softly retorted, "And Sosala coming for an interview is a huge opportunity for fame!"
Underneath Lucy's adorable appearance lies a heart yearning for the spotlight.
Recalling how Rhode became 'the strongest rookie' after an interview last year, Lucy cheered herself up.
She also wanted to make a name nationwide as the best rookie!