Despite Rhode repeatedly emphasizing that he was merely speculating, he couldn't stop everyone's gossiping.
Everybody discussed various possibilities, and even a person unwilling to reveal her name, Kana, sharply condemned the second generation's behavior.
It wasn't until Rhode shouted loudly for the training project to continue that the discussions came to a halt.
However, Makarov's brows were constantly furrowed, pondering when exactly his esteemed teacher made a mistake.
If it was more than ninety years ago, then the child's age would be similar to his.
Once time was up, evening training ended.
Everyone returned home, but on the road, the topic still revolved around this matter.
Unfortunately, everyone knew too little about the previous generation in the guild to discuss anything conclusive.
Precht would never have imagined that a mere lack of precision in his wording would lead to his reputation suffering in such a peculiar way.
"What kind of woman would the second generation's wife be?" Mira was still dwelling on this question at home.
Rhode helplessly said, "Maybe I misunderstood, and there's no such thing at all..."
Saying this, Rhode suddenly looked up towards the window.
Mira asked, "What's wrong?"
"Someone is looking for me." Rhode furrowed his brow, "A fiery presence."
Mira asked without hesitation, "Natsu?"
"Natsu shouldn't know this kind of telepathy magic... I'll go check it out." Rhode shouted downstairs, "Lisana—come keep your sister company."
"Okay~~"
After Lisana ran upstairs, Rhode waved his hand and jumped out the window.
The fiery presence was indeed somewhat similar to Natsu, giving Rhode a familiar feeling.
Recalling what the second generation mentioned earlier, that the Book of END might attract strange people, Rhode became secretly vigilant.
Following the guidance of that voice, Rhode cautiously left the city, stopping halfway to Natsu's house.
In the vision from the Void Divination, a small fiery ball floated quietly in mid-air.
That was a state similar to a thought body, yet not a complete thought body.
"This presence..."
It was similar to Natsu, but even more intense, while paradoxically also somewhat introverted.
Could it really be that END, hiding in Natsu's body, quietly popped out?
Rhode guessed wildly.
"Natsu's friend, why do you stop moving forward?"
A deep voice entered Rhode's ear, the fiery presence seeming to follow closely with the voice.
That feeling was both hot and frenzied, yet contained gentleness. It was unclear what kind of being could have such peculiar magic power.
No, not a person, this was more like dragon magic power.
Rhode had an uncertain guess: "Who are you?"
"I am Igneru."
Rhode almost immediately believed, such fiery power was purer than the Purgatory Sub-Dragon, more overwhelming than the Fire Dragon from Giant Village.
Having such fiery power should only belong to the legendary Fire Dragon King.
"You... appearing this way, is it alright?"
After all, the other party was Natsu's adoptive father, so Rhode ultimately used a respectful term.
The deep voice echoed again, "What do you mean?"
Rhode felt as if there were eyes within that light orb watching him.
He said in a deep voice, "Soul Dragon Technique."
"As expected, you already know," Igneru confidently said, "You must have finished reading that book?"
Rhode nodded, "When I got that book, you should have already known. Why did you wait so long to find me?"
When Rhode got the Book of END, Natsu was also present, so Igneru hidden within Natsu's body should have sensed the book's presence.
Igneru said, "I thought to give you some time, also needed to give myself some time... Anyway, do you already know Natsu's identity?"
"Yes, it's safe to say that I now understand him better than he does himself."
"What are your thoughts?"
"Though it sounds ridiculous, it's not that hard to accept... I just haven't figured out how to tell Natsu."
Igneru seemed surprised, "You want to tell him?"
"Of course, do you think it shouldn't be told?"
Igneru paused for a moment, "I've always believed that temporarily hiding the truth would be better for him."
Rhode shook his head, "Natsu is not a child anymore, he has the right to know his origins and has the ability to determine his future path."
Clearly, only a ball of light was before him, yet Rhode seemed to see a smiling dragon face.
Igneru said with some satisfaction, "He's made some great friends."
"Thanks for the compliment. By the way, do you know how to break that ultra-living link magic?"
"If the link target is me, then I can directly burn this magic away."
Rhode exclaimed in shock, "Burn away an almost undetectable magic with flames? Is that possible?"
If it were an enemy's magic attack, burning it away or countering it, Rhode could still accept.
But how to burn such curse-like magic, invisible and intangible?
"Never underestimate the fire magic practiced to its extreme. This can be done with my Flame of the Fire Dragon King."
"Then Natsu learned your magic..."
"Natsu is my son, he'll be able to do it one day. However, his flames are still quite far off now... Well, your training camp does help him somewhat, but it's too gentle."
"Ah..." Rhode didn't know what to say, his training standards set to maximum intensity, recently being labeled a devil by everyone, was this still gentle?
"You mean, I should push him hard beyond the limits that ordinary people can endure?"
"As long as it's not fatal, it's fine."
"..." Rhode nodded silently; truly... much like a parent, even if not by blood.
"Besides, there might be another way."
"What is it?"
"Seek the root source of the Demon Path, solve it from the origin."
Seeking the root of the Demon Path... this was something the second generation was more familiar with.
But Rhode felt Igneru certainly wasn't suggesting he pursue something like the Great Magic Realm.
He must have meant the true origin of magic.
"About this, I've heard many theories, some have even formed into doctrines... What exactly is the root of the Demon Path that you're referring to?"
Yet Igneru calmly said, "I don't know."
"You don't know?"
"This is a matter for you to strive for, only you can achieve it."
"This description is too abstract."
Rhode hoped for a more accurate answer, but Igneru didn't plan to continue discussing this topic.
"I've already gotten the answers I wanted. Anyway, I'll leave my foolish son to you."
With those words, the fiery ball began to fade in color, scattering countless light dots into the surroundings.
Rhode hurriedly said, "Won't you see Natsu one more time? He's been looking for you for years. Wendy and Gajeel too, they want to see Grandeeney and Medalikana, even a conversation like ours!"
"It's not time for us to meet yet, also I ask you not to mention that you've seen me, the cost of Soul Dragon Technique... We must preserve as much power as possible... To face the final..."
The light orb completely disappeared, Igneru's intermittent voice dissipating into the night sky.
Though not complete, Rhode understood his meaning.
Once the Soul Dragon Technique is undone, the dragons hidden within the Dragon Slayer Mages' bodies won't be able to last long before completely fading.
Their power is meant for the final battle; it cannot be wasted merely to meet the children.
But why Igneru specifically spent his power to meet him...
Perhaps to know Rhode's view on Natsu, or maybe to remind him how to resolve the ultra-living link magic.
Rhode whispered, "Thank you... It's already enough."
Knowing there is a solution is enough.
Moreover, if the final battle with Acronologia does not require their power, perhaps it can buy more time for Natsu, for Wendy, to be with their parents, right?
Rhode thought this way.