Elfman didn't expect Rhode to be so brutal: "Is this Hypnosis Magic?"
"I haven't had the chance to learn Hypnosis Magic from your sister, so for now, it's just physical hypnosis."
Rhode felt no guilt; having caused such a big scene and only received three punches in return was a bargain, "Go back, I'll be leaving too."
Inside the church:
"Ibarglin has lost her combat ability."
Laxus's face turned ashen as he read these words; Ibarglin was defeated so quickly.
She was supposed to be one of the candidates to help him build the 'truly' strongest guild, Fairy Tail.
"Ibarglin, when did you become so weak... actually..."
Though the hostage is gone, Laxus is not panicked, because now there are only about 30 people left, and even without a hostage, they will come looking for him.
But just a few minutes later, his expression became even more grim, with golden arcs of lightning flickering around him.
Because a new bulletin arrived:
"Erza vs. Biguslo."
"Winner: Erza."
"Biguslo has lost combat ability."
"Why? Why would Biguslo lose to someone like Erza? Can't you follow in my footsteps anymore!"
...
"Amazing, Erza." Rhode heard from Wolian that Erza plans to cause trouble for Laxus.
But it's only been a few minutes, did she just handle Biguslo while on the road after leaving?
When Rhode arrived near Mira, a pillar of ice suddenly shot up, propelling a black-clad figure into the air more than a dozen stories high.
Judging by what's left of his clothes and his green long hair, this must be Fried?
The pillar of ice didn't seem to defeat Fried directly, as he just vibrated the strange wings behind him and was about to take flight again.
But Mira suddenly appeared above, swinging her fist down towards Fried's head.
Rhode quickly summoned a Tree Monster and a Golem, giving Mira red and blue buffs.
Fried managed to turn over, crossing his arms in front of him for defense.
But Mira's punch came down, pinning Fried's arms to his chest, sending him plummeting downwards.
Fried's body smashed into the top of the ice pillar but wasn't stopped; instead, he crashed through the pillar.
The ice pillar began to shatter and collapse inch by inch, and Fried's body kept moving downwards until it completely passed through the pillar and hit the ground.
The pillar collapsed entirely, burying Fried beneath it.
Mira's form slowed slightly but seemed to sense the magic power fluctuation below the ice pile, knowing the opponent intended to continue fighting.
She flew directly above the ice pile, hands clawed, palms facing each other, placed at her left shoulder, building power sideways.
A purple-black magic ball formed between her hands, and Mira thrust her hands down sharply: "Soul... Extinction!"
Furious magic power gathered into a torrent of darkness, rushing towards the ice pile.
Just as there was some movement beneath the ice, it was engulfed entirely by the dark torrent.
Massive ice chunks evaporated instantly, the area enveloped in white mist, but the mist was quickly blown away by the wind, and the ground shook like thunder.
Gray, below, had to raise an arm to shield his face, the strong wind messing up his hair, blowing away the shirt he had somehow shed.
"Indeed, compared to Erza, don't make Mira angry."
Erza may leave someone half-dead, but Mira would beat someone to death.
Rhode leisurely walked over to Gray's side, asked slowly: "Were you badmouthing my fiancée?"
"I never said anything bad..." Gray had already heard the 'quick news' from Wolian earlier and wasn't surprised by Rhode's arrival.
He just glanced at Mira in the sky, then at Rhode beside him, sighed suddenly, and patted Rhode's shoulder sympathetically.
A good person, why is he going to marry Mira?
Rhode ignored him, just waiting to see the outcome.
The strong wind subsided, the dust settled, and the ground revealed a large pit, Fried lying at the bottom, his demonic black form returning to normal.
His clothes were tattered, his long hair full of dust, and scars covered his body.
However, Fried's strength was quite formidable, having taken such a direct attack without losing consciousness.
Mira dove down from the air, her fist stopping at Fried's nose tip, the fierce punch wind causing his cheeks to ache.
This punch ultimately didn't land.
Mira flapped her wings, landed beside him, and released her Satan's Soul state, returning to her gentle demeanor.
"Why not give me the finishing blow?"
Mira smiled wryly: "Because such fighting is useless."
"Is that arrogance of the victor?"
Mira shook her head: "We're companions, members of the same guild... We laugh together, quarrel together, strive so hard to move forward together..."
"My only companion is Laxus!" Fried trembled, speaking sorrowfully:
"But I lost, couldn't complete Laxus's task, I have no right to follow him anymore, nor do I have value, so, end me!"
"It's not just him!" Mira countered, "Even if he's the only one you rely on, just look around."
Mira extended her hand, displaying a bright, gentle smile, "See, there are people willing to reach out to you, so close, you can easily touch it."
Though people call her demon, she is excessively gentle.
Gray approached, stretching his hand out as well, but avoided making eye contact with Fried: "It's troublesome, but whenever you need, you'll have companions."
"Since you've said all the lines, let me say something unpleasant." Rhode, standing beside Mira, extended his hand, too,
"Don't think a beating is the end, obediently return with me, accept punishment, and work overtime to compensate today's losses."
Fried's lips quivered, as Natsu, Kana, Alzack, Erza, the President... faces of his companions appeared before him, forming tears, gathering at his eye corners.
He raised a hand to cover his eyes, but couldn't stop the tears, "Sob... sorry... sorry, I... don't want to do this kind of thing... sob sob..."
Fried wept bitterly, incapable of containing his sobs.
Rhode, having been here briefly, might not fully understand, but Mira and Gray knew this person seems cold on the outside, hard to approach, yet inside is overly gentle.
Many girls in the guild might not possess more femininity than Fried.
As Fried's tears fell, all techniques in the city became ineffective.
In the guild, Reby had just started her first attempt at modifying the technique, and Natsu, constantly trying to squeeze forward, suddenly stumbled face-first.
Gajeel exclaimed: "Turns out the little pipsqueak is quite impressive!"
Natsu growled, "Why didn't you say anything earlier, Reby!"
Reby replied in confusion, "Eh? But I haven't even started... Also, what's 'little pipsqueak' supposed to mean?"
Gajeel pretended not to hear, "Heh~ Anyway, now we can go settle things with that lightning bastard, right?"
Wolian exclaimed excitedly, "Gray and Mira defeated Fried, Rhode joined them, and they're heading to the church to find Laxus now!"
Although the hostage is fine and the technique dissipated, the President's health now seems incapable of intervening, leaving it to everyone else to educate the grandson on his behalf.
Upon hearing this, Natsu dashed out, "Damn, sneaking off while we're stuck, I'm joining the fight, Fairy Tail's strongest is me!"
"Does that Fire Dragon idiot even get it? With that insidious guy and two terrifying women, we don't even need to step in?"
Gajeel derided Natsu's intelligence, but still chased after him honestly.