"Lord of the Underworld." Kuanghua answered the call and came before Marlo Jil.
"Ethel and Travessa are already dead."
Although he spoke of his subordinates' deaths, Marlo showed no sign of sorrow. He remained leisurely, reclining in his throne, propping his cheek with his right hand, and even had a smile at the corner of his mouth.
Kuanghua was surprised: "What? But the Core of Hell isn't even..."
"It's not death in the usual sense; it's a true disappearance, a kind that cannot return to the Netherworld."
"Is someone actually capable of truly killing the Nine Ghosts Sect?" Kuanghua realized his tone was not appropriate and quickly added, "I'm not questioning your judgment, just can't imagine how humans could do it."
Marlo, as if expected, said casually:
"17 years ago there were those who could kill Dailola, so naturally, today there are those who can kill the Nine Ghosts Sect—even among a swarm of ants there will be one or two exceptionally strong ones. It's not surprising humanity could do such a thing.
"And this is the true meaning of the Feis plan; we must take away all support from these ants, then awaken END President, and return to Zeref's side."
Kuanghua regretted the loss of two comrades: "You don't seem angry."
Marlo's smile became more pronounced, he tapped his temple with his finger and confidently said:
"I, Marlo Jil, am an extraordinary strategist, Ethel and Travessa were just tiny points in the overall strategy.
"Even without them, new pieces will take their place, irrelevant to the overall situation...
"In fact, losing them just adds a bit of insignificant fun to this perfect but somewhat bland strategy."
Kuanghua remained kneeling on one knee, somewhat perplexedly looking up at him: "I don't understand what you mean."
Compared to those mystical words, Kuanghua wanted to hear something straightforward and comprehensible.
Marlo increasingly felt his subordinates were unworthy of his wisdom; no matter how perfect the strategy, no one appreciates it.
Truly, it's better to quickly return to Zeref's side; if anyone could understand him, it would be their creator.
Marlo shifted his body, resting his chin on the other hand, and said boringly:
"It means a change in plans, clearing some obstacles before Feis is fully deployed, consider it... entertainment."
As soon as he finished speaking, Kuanghua felt a slight vibration under his feet, as if the Netherworld Island's flight direction had changed.
...
"Figured it out!" Reby cheered, "The most likely place they're headed is near the southwestern border of the Bosco Kingdom!"
Lucy added: "To be more precise, it's around the major hollow at Dokuzhery Canyon!"
"Not bad for such a small person."
"Great job, Reby!"
"Lucy too, well done!"
The guild was filled with praises, and Lucy and Reby scratched the back of their heads embarrassedly.
Natsu yelled: "Since we know, let's go to war, old man!"
"Hmm..." Makarov was about to nod but stopped short, turning to Rhode, "What do you think?"
"Let's open the warehouse first, distribute the Magic Crystals, and the guild shouldn't lower its guard, be wary of enemy splits." Rhode said unhurriedly,
"The location is so far, if we miss them, it'll be bad. So I'll go ahead and scout, arrange things, and once I find them, return to fetch everyone."
Although the intel from Shilba was reliable, and Lucy and Reby's abilities trustworthy, calculations were still just calculations.
Rhode believed it necessary to first confirm the Gate of the Underworld's whereabouts with his own eyes; using the Flying Gate to bring everyone back would be more convenient than traveling directly.
Natsu jumped in front of Rhode, crossed his arms, scrutinizingly asking, "You're not planning to handle everything yourself, are you?"
"Good suggestion, but no." Rhode laughed, "I always prefer a more conservative strategy."
"Let's go with that." Makarov called for Wolian, ordering him to command the people outside the guild, "Everyone prepare for battle, defense units continue working, reconnaissance units remain vigilant."
Freed on the town's outskirts replied amidst his busyness: "Understood."
Scattered scouts like Alzack and Bisca also responded: "Got it."
Mira handed the warehouse key to Macao, letting him open the warehouse to distribute items.
She then reminded Rhode: "Be careful."
"No worries." Rhode didn't say much else, afraid of jinxing it.
He sprouted wings of the Cloud Realm on his back, and remembered not eating breakfast before leaving, so he conveniently swiped two patterned loaves from Gray's plate.
Gray was not only unbothered but felt relieved.
Only Jubia felt a bit distressed.
Especially when Rhode bit off the part with Gray's head on the bread.
...
Simple flying was actually quite boring.
Rhode could only fly while nibbling away at the 'Gray bread' to pass time, also biting through the 'Jubia bread'.
Though they weren't together in reality, their chibi versions had already met inside his stomach—it was such a kind act for the day.
"Jubia's craftsmanship is really good, and she has an eye for art too."
In comparison, Mira and Erza's cooking skills might surpass Jubia's a bit, but they'd never create such designs.
He encountered nothing unexpected along the way, and soon saw a noticeable crater on the ground below.
The geography he learned in high school was mostly forgotten, so he couldn't tell what landform it was. It looked like a big pit; whether it was man-made was unknown.
Rhode circled overhead, trying to ascend higher to look around, but found no sign of the Gate of the Underworld, no suspicious flying objects in sight.
"Perhaps they haven't arrived yet?" Rhode landed on the ground, found a concealed spot, and drew the Hex Flying Gate's Magic Array.
He made a 'call' back, informing Mira he'd reached the designated location, but nothing unusual was happening, so there was no need for worry.
However, just after hanging up, the ground started shaking!
Rhode's first reaction was to fly up and observe, checking if it was the Underworld's landing causing the commotion.
Nonetheless, nothing was around.
The only anomaly was the blackened hole on the ground faintly flickering with a weak light.
"..." Rhode landed near the hole, "At such a crucial moment... could it be that coincidental?"
Void Divination!
A barely perceptible fluctuation spread from Rhode as the center, penetrating the soil, reaching into the great hollow.
The scene inside was fully revealed.
The glowing thing inside was a huge human face—specifically, a human face carved on the top of a crystal pillar.
As the ground shook, the crystal pillar continued rising, with fresh earth around it, clearly just unearthed!
Is this thing the Feis?