Rhode returned alive to the counter.
Mira asked with a smile, "How was it? Erza's hug?"
Rhode rubbed his forehead, "…As solid as a rock."
"Ah, I can't tell if you're using that term incorrectly or just stating a fact." Mira covered her mouth, unable to hide the laughter in her eyes.
"Why is she always wearing armor?" Rhode wondered if Erza hadn't worn armor today…
It might have been a bit awkward, but at least it wouldn't be a headache.
"Erza's been like that since she was little. Except for bathing and sleeping, she almost never takes off her armor."
Mira slowed her movements of wiping the table, "Probably… because of insecurity."
"Even someone as strong as her can feel insecure?"
Rhode always thought he was the most insecure, not daring to leave Magnolia's city limits until he learned magic.
"Such things depend on the heart, unrelated to strength." Mira grasped her left arm with her right hand, her expression turning sorrowful,
"Our Fairy Tail companions, many carry heavy burdens, trauma, pain, deep concerns…"
"Even I… No, even you, Rhode… At our first meeting, the confusion and panic in your eyes, I will never forget."
"…" Rhode looked into Mira's eyes, and the pale blue pupils revealed not mockery or ridicule, nor the usual mischievous amusement, but… a kind of sympathetic sadness.
Had she also experienced a panic that left her at a loss?
Or, as she said, was it a deeper pain and trauma?
"I don't wish to leave you with such an impression, even though I'm not very strong."
Rhode said this, then awkwardly changed the subject, "Is the President not here today?"
"He's here." Mira collected herself, "The President is upstairs writing an apology letter."
"Oh." Rhode responded absentmindedly, then realized something was off, "An apology letter? The President is writing an apology? To whom?"
"Of course, to the Council." Mira finally regained her smile, "Because Gray was complained about for 'sexual harassment.'"
"Gray couldn't possibly…"
Rhode instinctively wanted to refute that Gray couldn't be such a person, but considering his habit of stripping, maybe it wasn't impossible.
"So did he actually do it?"
"Of course, there was no substantial action." Mira laughed, "He only, while escorting a city official's carriage, accidentally stripped himself completely."
Rhode glanced at Gray, who was chatting with others in just a pair of big shorts—it was just like him.
"The client's wife and daughter were in that carriage too." Mira seemed to be gloating happily once more,
"If Gray hadn't defeated a group of bandits midway and perfectly protected them, it wouldn't have ended with just a complaint."
"Then why is the President writing for him?" Rhode felt a bit sorry for the President, the old man was always taking care of him, and now he had to cover for Gray.
"Because Gray is a member of the Guild, and all his actions during a mission represent the Guild."
"That's why the Guild has to handle the aftermath, apologies, and such. Of course, how to discipline Gray afterward is also up to the President."
Mira looked gently to the second floor, "The President is like a father to us all, especially to the children without a home."
"A responsible patriarch…" Rhode showed a look of longing.
"You too, Rhode… huh?"
Rhode didn't catch Mira's last words, suddenly feeling dazed, and he fainted with his eyes closed.
Mira hurried to support Rhode, but then she too fell down.
"Strange, suddenly feeling so sleepy."
After them, the people eating, drinking, and chatting in the tavern also started collapsing, some slumping over tables, others falling directly to the ground.
Warm, who had somehow ended up playing with Hapi, also lay on his back on the table, revealing his heart-shaped belly.
"This feeling… Is it Mystogan…" Erusado held on for a few seconds before finally falling asleep on the table.
Even Makarov upstairs swayed slightly, feeling a bit sleepy.
The President jumped over the railing to the floor below, "How long are you going to keep this up?"
A man wearing a black headscarf, black cloak, and with a face cover strode in.
"Apologies, I'll find an opportunity to apologize to everyone."
He picked a task sheet from the bulletin board for himself, handed it to the President for confirmation, then turned and left immediately.
"Really, quickly lift the magic."
"Understood."
The moment Mystogan stepped out of the Guild's door, his figure disappeared as if erased by a rubber.
At the same time, everyone asleep in the Guild suddenly awoke.
"Damn! It was Mystogan, right?"
"That guy, his sleep magic is still this exaggerated."
The crowd started complaining, Natsu dashed outside, "Mystogan! Come and duel with me! That damn guy, always like this!"
"…" Rhode woke up to find himself lying on the floor, with a bit of weight on his chest.
"Sorry, I'll get up now." Mira gently got up, not forgetting to extend a hand to help Rhode up,
"I was initially trying to support you, didn't expect it to be Mystogan's sleep magic."
"…" Rhode took her hand and stood up, his eyes vacant.
"It's okay, Rhode, this is the Guild, Mystogan is a friend, he meant no harm."
Mira's gentle tone soothed Rhode's nerves, noticing that his hand had become cold and sweaty.
This must be a sign of great unease, could the sudden sleep magic frighten him this much?
Mira grasped Rhode's right hand with both of her hands, hoping he would calm down.
Rhode pursed his lips, lightly withdrawing his hand to clench it into a fist, "I know, I'm fine."
But he wasn't fine, suddenly losing consciousness without any defense, unable to resist at all, was terrifying for Rhode.
His heart, which had slightly calmed due to the Guild's joyful and lively atmosphere these past few days, was now unsettled again.
—This world probably still holds many scary things he doesn't know about.
Mystogan is an ally, but there must be equally strong enemies out there, right?
Rhode took several deep breaths, attempting to calm his heart.
Warm seemed to sense something and ran over to hug Rhode's leg.
The reassuring warmth from Warm's heart-shaped belly was transmitted, and Rhode bent over to pick him up.
The soft Poro surprisingly gave Rhode a bit of security.
All fears stem from the unknown and weakness, as long as he strives to become strong, the unease can be overcome.
Besides, there's always an extra boost.