The tense atmosphere in the guild suddenly relaxed a lot.
Gajeel crossed his arms unhappily: "That guy, why didn't he say something earlier if he thought of it?"
Reby smiled: "Maybe he was just trying to pass some boring time on the road? It wouldn't have made a difference knowing a few minutes earlier anyway."
Makarov clapped his hands and immediately began choosing people:
"Alright, now Rhode can handle one area by himself, but we need five more helpers who are fast enough, powerful enough, and... don't easily get lost."
Jet looked a bit conflicted; he had the speed, but breaking Feis was still difficult... should he bring a bag of Bursting Magic Crystals?
Hapi, Carla, and Li Li stood up, their flying speed definitely fast enough, with attack power—left entirely to their partners.
Natsu, Wendy, and Gajeel didn't even need to express themselves, they were directly chosen.
Then Laxus, Erza, and Elfman also stepped forward.
The first two need no explanation, they had no shortage of speed or power.
Elfman could fly and had enough power.
But the most impressive part was when Mira tried to step forward, he pulled her back on his own.
Mira glanced at him without objection.
Yet she suddenly felt that her brother had indeed grown up, and thought she could be a bit tougher when hitting him next time.
Makarov looked at them, nodding: "Alright, Erza stays, others..."
"President!" Wolian suddenly ran over a bit flustered, "Bisca discovered something unusual on the west side of Magnolia!"
"What?"
"There's a strange cube in the sky heading towards us!"
Makarov quickly said: "Let me speak with her!"
"Yes!" Wolian helped connect to Bisca.
"Can you hear me, Bisca? What do you see?"
"Yes, President." Bisca was holding a sniper rifle, observing the western sky through the scope, describing the flying object's appearance truthfully.
A small green magic array slowly rotated on the scope, which was magic necessary for snipers, greatly enhancing vision.
So while ordinary people could barely see a small black spot at this distance even with a telescope, Bisca could identify it as a cube with edges and corners.
Alzack had used this trick to track Rhode and Mira before.
"That's how it is, its speed isn't that fast, but it will probably reach the skies over Magnolia in ten minutes, at most twenty."
"Your description matches the characteristics of Netherworld Island completely, keep observing, but be careful and don't act rashly."
"Understood."
Makarov ended the call for now, saying solemnly, "Gate of the Underworld is coming, prepare for battle."
Yajima suggested: "Xiaoma, should we contact other guilds for reinforcements?"
Mikhailo was trembling in fear: "Yes, that's the last corner of the Balram Alliance, just your guild alone..."
"Is there any guild that can arrive within 20 minutes?"
The closest guild is Ghost of Dusk, which is also in Magnolia, but their combat power...
Makarov wasn't planning to rely on others' support, "You three hide for now, leave the rest to us, if anything happens, I'll send someone to escort you away."
Even though Rhode had already seen and destroyed one Feis, that Feis was hidden underground.
They were still not sure if it was already unsealed and ready to activate.
Thus, Makarov believed that Gate of the Underworld might be targeting the three evaluators, and these three must be protected at all costs.
Mira had already contacted Rhode, informing him of the Netherworld news.
"What? Gate of the Underworld is here?" Rhode was shocked yet elated, halting mid-air, "I knew it, there's no avoiding Fairy Tail in such a big event, I'm heading back immediately!"
Makarov quickly said: "Wait, what about Feis if you come back?"
Rhode replied: "There's a more direct way—take down the former chairman and Gate of the Underworld directly! Those Feis can be dealt with slowly later."
"Hey!" The call disconnected, Makarov's voice didn't get through.
Natsu, the battle enthusiast, excitedly said: "As expected of Rhode, this plan is awesome, I'm fired up!"
Gray clenched his right fist: "This is what I was hoping for as well."
"You guys..."
"Grandpa." Laxus patted the old man's shoulder, "This is indeed more efficient, and it solves the problem at its root."
"Exactly." Erza agreed, "Actually, I've been thinking, if there are only 7 Feis discovered by the Netherworld, aren't there likely more?"
Makarov sighed; he had the same worry.
He thought Rhode would follow the most cautious approach, with some destroying Feis and the others defending, starting the final battle once everyone regrouped.
But he didn't expect Rhode's decision to be so decisive.
A few seconds later, Rhode was already on the guild rooftop, skipping the stairs and jumping directly to the front door:
"All members of Fairy Tail, cancel the search and attack plan, launch defensive operations immediately, we will hold them at the gates!
"Target the western mountains of Magnolia, depart as planned!"
"Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh!!!"
Rhode waved his hand, and his guildmates immediately sprang into action, sending messages and moving items.
After Wolian relayed Rhode's orders, the busy Fried outside sped up, and Alzack and the scout team quickly moved towards Bisca's position in the west.
Makarov opened his mouth, I haven't given the official order yet!
Rhode urged: "President, you hurry as well, after settling the three evaluators, take immediate action."
Makarov was amused by him, this brat, you hemmed and hawed when asked to be president, yet giving orders in a situation is no hesitation at all?
And the others, you're faster on his command than when I speak normally! Does his word carry that much weight?
Yajima chuckled, saying: "Congratulations, Xiaoma, Fairy Tail has a great successor."
"..." Makarov felt exhausted, looking up at the ceiling, "Maybe so."
Outside, kids' tense but unafraid voices could still be heard: "Quick, quick, quick, the plan has changed!"
...
"Continue as planned." Maldo calmly said after hearing Franmars' report.
Franmars thought the other didn't hear clearly and quickly repeated: "But, Lord Nether King, Feis has been destroyed."
"No, that's just one point." Maldo confidently smiled,
"Even if the opponent destroys one Feis, two Feis, it's just a little luck before their demise.
"You'll soon understand the reason, return to the control room and execute the orders."
Franmars, confused, said: "Yes..."