Ankh finally understood why the request was for a pair of male and female Mages; wasn't it to have them pose as a couple and infiltrate?
But this only confused Ankh, who asked, "Since the location is known, why not just send in the army directly?"
Karteos's smile faded, and he explained, "The Firework Hotel has a complex flow of people, with important dignitaries from various countries staying there. If we surround it rashly, I'm afraid the criminals might act desperately..."
Ankh pouted, saying, "To put it bluntly, isn't it because the Fiore Royal Palace can't find a Mage capable of taking charge? Otherwise, why would they need to entrust Ankh and us?"
Karteos pulled a photo from his inner suit pocket and placed it on the table, saying, "The blueprint is on this person."
The photo was clearly a candid shot. The person was dressed completely, but from the half-exposed face, it was clear this was an ordinary-looking man with a somewhat gloomy demeanor.
Ankh picked up the photo, looked at it for a couple of seconds, then handed it to Mirajane, summarizing carefully, "Infiltrate the hotel, find him, and steal the blueprint back. Is that right?"
Karteos nodded, saying with some concern, "This person is very cunning. We're afraid he might have accomplices who could secretly take the blueprint out, so please, both of you, act quickly."
Ankh stood up from the sofa and said, "Understood. We'll leave immediately."
Karteos bowed to the two of them, and only then did Ankh take Mirajane and leave the general's villa.
After leaving Karteos, Mirajane let out a sigh of relief, looking at Ankh curiously and asking, "What are we doing now? Are we going directly to Hargeon?"
Ankh nodded, but his peripheral vision suddenly glanced to the side.
Then he immediately saw Mirajane's provocative 'weapon' brazenly challenging him, and Ankh frowned with a hint of difficulty.
Mirajane was supposed to pretend to be his girlfriend.
But her taste in clothes... even if she was pretty, she shouldn't ruin it like this! Mirajane seemed to sense something. When she saw where Ankh's gaze was directed, she quickly raised her arm to hug her chest, scolding, "What are you looking at?"
Ankh's captivating red eyes were unfathomable. He subtly scrutinized Mirajane with a deep gaze, then let out a long sigh.
Huh? Why did she feel like she was being looked down upon?!
Mirajane, flushed with indignation, put her hands on her hips and exclaimed, "You... what do you mean? Looking down on me?! I'm quite big, you know!"
She wasn't wrong. Although still young, Mirajane's figure already possessed a voluptuous allure. However... Ankh helplessly pressed her head down and whispered, "I'm looking at the clothes. This outfit isn't suitable for a high-class hotel like Firework."
Mirajane stood frozen in place, "Huh?"
Is that so?
"Let's go, I'll take you to buy clothes," Ankh said, walking ahead. Mirajane, her face a mess, started overthinking again.
He was really just looking at the clothes? How could that be? Then what she had just shouted at him...
Mirajane felt her cheeks growing hotter and quickly covered her face, chasing after Ankh, who had walked further ahead...
As dusk fell, Hargeon, a port city for overseas trade, transformed under the night sky, like a lady dressed in splendid attire, revealing herself under the lights, appearing so enchanting and captivating.
In Hargeon's bustling entertainment district, a hotel with an area far exceeding that of the Fairy Tail Guild stood prosperously, attracting a continuous stream of guests who came because of its reputation.
The doormen at the entrance, greeting couples of noble guests dressed in elegant attire, maintained sincere smiles without daring to relax, fearing they might offend someone if they were momentarily inattentive.
Just as the doorman's expression was almost stiff and his nerves somewhat numb, an extremely dazzling brilliance suddenly appeared before his eyes, almost overshadowing the colors of all the surrounding couples.
He saw a man like an immortal, with perfect features meticulously sculpted as if by a benevolent creator. Other men, who considered themselves handsome, couldn't even muster the courage to look him directly in the eye.
And in his slightly red eyes, a gentle smile shone through. His sword-like eyebrows slanted upwards, yet they accentuated a cold pride, as if no one could enter his sight except for the beautiful woman beside him.
And that woman, with a refined and captivating face, smiled sweetly, dressed in a luxurious snow-white gown, clinging affectionately to the man's arm. With bright eyes and white teeth, her fair skin showed a faint blush, revealing a pair of shallow dimples. Anyone who saw her couldn't help but sigh at her exquisite beauty...
The two walked hand in hand to the entrance. Only then did the doorman recover, his smile becoming even more sincere and respectful, bowing deeply to welcome them.
The surrounding people looked at this divine couple, their eyes filled with envy and jealousy.
After the doorman led the two inside, he looked at the guests coming and going in front of him and couldn't help but sigh.
He had worked here for so long, and he had finally seen a truly good couple.
In the past, the "couples" he had seen were either greasy old men embracing heavily made-up, flirtatious women, or obese rich women leading effeminate young men...
It's so good that such a couple exists in this world.
The doorman's heart inexplicably filled with joy, and he once again believed in the existence of love.
Under the astonished and envious gazes inside and outside the establishment, Ankh and Mirajane, who had come to fulfill their mission, successfully checked into a room, and the "young couple" entered the luxurious suite together.
As the small door closed and the small light turned on...
"Oh my god, we're finally in!"
Mirajane kicked off her high heels, uncomfortably tugged at the straps of her evening gown on her shoulders, and, disregarding all notions of being a lady, jumped onto the bed and crossed her legs.
Ankh also tugged at his suit tie. His previously affectionate expression reverted to his usual indifference, and then he rather irritably threw his clothes aside.
This "couple," who appeared to be a match made in heaven to outsiders, only discovered a serious problem before entering the hotel.
The Firework Hotel had surprisingly strict requirements for entry attire and etiquette, forcing Ankh to arrange for Mirajane and himself to get very expensive outfits and re-learn a set of noble etiquette...
What was more troublesome was that Ankh also had to use magic to make their physiques and appearances more mature. After all, no matter how strong their magic was, they were still just innocent teenagers, and checking into a room was not encouraged...
Later, these kinds of clothes worn by young masters were not only ridiculously expensive, but also incredibly uncomfortable to wear.
It was incredibly difficult for two uncivilized "country bumpkins" to pretend to be elegant people.
After entering the suite, they were finally free from others' observation and scrutiny.
Mirajane in the room didn't treat Ankh as an outsider and unreservedly began to take off her designer gown.
She only left on the tight-fitting undergarments beneath the gown. Without the constraints of the dress, Mirajane immediately felt completely relaxed.
Then her eyes lit up, and she scurried across the room, wiggling her pert bottom, bringing out a plate of complimentary fruits from the room. After tossing an apple to Ankh, she began to take large bites of her own.
"How do we find that person next?" Mirajane asked vaguely, swallowing fruit.
Ankh took the apple, looked at the starry sky outside the window where the moonlight was growing stronger, and said thoughtfully, "This place is crowded and has many eyes. It's best to observe for a while longer."