Vorod understood what "the late President Mebius" meant, so he didn't doubt it at all.
The others also felt a certain amount of shock and curiosity toward the Fairy Tail Strategist from nearly a hundred years ago.
Zeref was an immortal, after all; maybe he'd used the name Sprii many years ago and then got discovered by the Fairy Tail Strategist.
If earlier they thought the chance of the Western Continent starting a war was fifty–fifty,
then now, with the Western Continent ruled by the Black Mage, they felt the likelihood of the enemy launching a war was practically absolute.
That's reputation for you.
Because of this sudden big piece of news, the Evaluators' minds were a complete mess.
Hayberion looked at Rhode. "Got any ideas?"
Rhode said, "On one hand we investigate the enemy, on the other we strengthen ourselves.
"Gathering intel on the Western Continent can't wait. It's hard to beat an enemy we know nothing about.
"I don't know if this Black Magic Sect is connected to them, but if we've got no other leads, starting with them is fine.
"As for getting stronger, I'm planning to recall Guild members and have everyone seize the time to train. The Council's troops can't slack off either.
"Also, we don't know which direction the enemy will come from, so let's inform the Kings of each country to be ready to respond to invaders.
"Unite if we can unite; if we can't, at least don't get caught completely off guard."
Everyone nodded repeatedly, then discussed a bit more and hammered out the upcoming action plan.
At adjournment, Jura said with a bitter smile, "No wonder you said the Mages of those two countries don't need mediation. I think they won't have time for their conflict now."
Rhode said, "Still, keep an eye on them. In times like this, you never know when 'Wu traitors' and 'Spiritual Western Country sympathizers' will show up."
"…" Jura took a moment to barely figure out what those two new terms meant, then said tiredly, "I'll keep watch."
Everyone went their separate ways; only Mest followed after Rhode, while Lahar hesitated and didn't quite have the nerve to tag along.
Seeing Mest's "want to say something but holding back" expression, Rhode asked, "What's up?"
Mest thought for a moment and asked, "That training you mentioned, recalling Guild members—does everyone have to participate?"
"Yeah, though in theory it's voluntary sign-up."
"Mm… I want to stay over here." Mest turned to glance in the direction Lahar had left. "That Black Magic Sect is too dangerous. At least let me help Lahar wrap this up."
Rhode answered readily, "Sure. Staying here is the same—Mr. Uluvheim will be arranging extra training for you all anyway."
"That's true." Remembering how Uluvheim chewed people out before, Mest shuddered a bit.
"Ah, and I'd like to ask Wendy for help too. That disease woman's Magic is too hard to guard against."
"That's fine. Once you track down their whereabouts and are ready to move, contact me—I can bring Wendy over anytime. But you should still go ask her yourself."
...
"Handover work? Now?"
In the office, Reby and Lucy, who had been busy working, stared at Rhode in surprise.
Rhode was puzzled. "Huh? I didn't tell you on the way here?"
Reby crossed her arms in an X. "You didn't say anything at all."
"Oh, then I forgot. There's an important event coming up in the Guild, so I can't stay here all the time."
Lucy muttered under her breath, "If it's important, how do you forget to mention it…"
"Mm… fair point." Rhode praised her once, then instantly put on a serious face. "Lucy, talking loudly about non-work matters during work hours—10% of your allowance docked."
Lucy pointed at him and shouted, "Abusing public power for private revenge!"
Rhode smiled faintly. "20%."
Lucy bowed. "I'm sorry! I was too loud."
"Mm, good attitude in admitting mistakes. I'll hold off on docking it—get back to work." Rhode waved a hand. "If you need help, feel free to call me."
Lucy immediately handed over a file folder. "Perfect timing, this batch just happens to need your signature."
Rhode accepted the folder and thought for one second. "…On second thought, I should dock it."
"Nooo!"
After teasing Lucy a bit, Rhode's mood improved, and only then did he sit down and work seriously.
Lucy flopped onto Reby, crying, "He's bullying us so hard—making us do all the work and still docking my allowance."
Reby patted Lucy's back, comforting her. "He was just kidding…"
On the other side, after talking with Wendy, Mest hurried off.
Wendy and Carla weren't in a rush to have Rhode send them back; instead, they helped the others run errands.
Lucy and Reby were a bit flustered, but in the end they still managed to complete the handover smoothly and were ready to head back to the Guild even before closing time.
After saying a few words to the staff, Rhode took his companions back to the Guild and went to the President first thing to report on today's meeting.
Reby and Lucy asked Wendy and Carla in puzzlement, "Do you two know what important event Rhode was talking about?"
Wendy tilted her head. "Is there an event in the Guild?"
"I've heard nothing about it." Carla thought for a bit. "Didn't the Magical Parade just finish at the start of the month?"
With a belly full of questions, the group had no choice but to go downstairs and ask Mira.
"Oh, that? The President told me this morning." Mira said mysteriously, "But he told me to keep it secret and only announce it once everyone's back."
"What could possibly need to be kept secret at a time like this…" Reby rested her chin on her hand, then suddenly said, "Could it be the participants for the S-Class exam have already been decided?"
Lucy suddenly realized, "Right, tomorrow's November, and another month after that it's the S-Class exam!"
"Mm…" Mira really appreciated their train of thought, but she still shook her head. "Unfortunately, that's not it."
"Then what is it?" Reby begged, "How about telling us in advance? It'll take days for everyone to get back."
Lucy's curiosity was thoroughly piqued, and she chimed in, "Yeah, we won't tell anyone."
Mira blinked, putting on that eager-to-spread-gossip expression. "You promise?"
"We promise." Lucy and Reby swore up and down.
Wendy and Carla didn't say anything, but couldn't help nodding along.
Only then did Mira motion for them to lean in closer and whisper into their ears.
"Huh? Dem—" Lucy couldn't help yelping, but quickly covered her mouth and lowered her voice. "Demon training? And it's going to last for a long time?"
Reby pressed, "Why?"
Mira said half-offhandedly, half-pointedly, "No idea. Anyway, the President said this year's S-Class exam might be canceled.
"At a time like this, Rhode suddenly proposes Demon Training—no idea what he's aiming for. And before sign-ups, no one's allowed to know who's registered. Who would be willing to join something like that?
"In any case, don't spread it, and especially don't tell Natsu and Gajeel that Gray most likely intends to take part."
Wendy and Carla nodded quite earnestly.
But Lucy and Reby exchanged a look, then glanced at Mira's "begging to be hit" eyes, and their gazes drifted away. "As if we'd tell them…"
Mira chatted with them for a while longer, then I watched them leave with a cheerful smile:
"He could just lay it all out honestly for everyone, but he insists I play the liar—and I'm not even allowed to actually lie… My husband's such a schemer.
"Still, I accidentally went above and beyond on the job, so I'm pretty bad too."
She rubbed her belly and whispered, "Baby, don't learn this from Mommy, okay?"