Fairy Tail: I Don't Want to Be the Guild Master-Chapter 288: Let’s go out of town tonight

Erza didn't return until three days later.

During that time, Rhodes and Mira even went to check on her once, worried that something might've gone wrong.

When they arrived, Erza was bustling around with commanding energy, directing people to adjust the lights, flipping through back issues of magazines for reference, demanding different styles of clothing, completely taking over the entire editorial department.

It honestly looked like she'd turned the place into her personal kingdom.

Mira's original editor spotted the two like they were her saviors, practically begging them with her eyes to help rescue the team from Erza's iron grip.

Rhodes tried to act serious: "Don't push them too hard."

But Mira only smiled and cheered, "Keep it up, Erza!"

The poor editor nearly fainted on the spot. freёwebnoѵel.com

Luckily, Erza eventually agreed to allow proper break times, sparing the lives of the exhausted workers.

"They're so lazy," Erza complained when she finally returned to the guild, shaking her head. "I was working so hard to boost the magazine's sales, but they just couldn't keep up."

Rhodes sighed. "You do realize most of them are just normal people, right? Not battle-hardened wizards?"

"Oh... right." Erza paused, then nodded seriously. "I guess I overlooked that. I just thought that passion for one's work could unlock infinite stamina."

"Maybe for some," Rhodes said. "But most people work to make a living, not because they're passionate."

"I understand now," Erza said, reflecting deeply. "I'll have to apologize properly next time I see them."

Rhodes had a feeling the magazine might never invite her back, unless that issue somehow shattered sales records and everyone got a bonus.

"By the way," Erza added, "I need to take a day off. Can you keep an eye out for any high-paying missions? I still have rent due this month."

Mira smiled sweetly. "Okay~"

Rhodes blinked. "Wait, don't you get paid for modeling?"

Mira explained, "Since Erza's a newcomer, even with the little fame boost from her name, the pay isn't very high."

"She worked overtime for three days... for basically nothing?" Rhodes muttered, aghast.

"This is what you call passion!" Erza said, practically glowing.

'A boss's dream employee,' Rhodes thought — someone who happily worked three days straight for pennies.

He patted his chest solemnly. "Don't worry, we'll help you find the perfect job."

With Erza, Natsu, Gray, and Cana all out, the guild was definitely a little quieter.

But—

"MANLINESS!"

"Elfman! Feel the strength of my muscles!!"

"Animal Possession: Bear!!"

"Isn't that a little extreme for an arm-wrestling match?!"

Chaos still reigned inside the tavern, no matter who was around.

Rhodes set his pen down and squeezed into the bench next to Mira. "Even with half the troublemakers gone, it's still loud."

Mira smiled and playfully nudged him back. "That's just how Fairy Tail is."

Rhodes fought back for a second, but then he suddenly let go, making Mira lose balance and stumble right into his arms.

He hugged her tightly. "I'm planning to head out of town tonight. Want to come with me?"

Mira gave him a little tap on the chest. "Is it because of that?"

Rhodes gently ran his fingers through her soft white hair. "Yeah. I was thinking of asking the Master to come like before... but now I have an amazing girlfriend I can rely on."

Mira's cheeks warmed, and she smiled softly. "Okay."

She was so happy that Rhodes trusted her like this.

"And the Master?" she asked.

"I'll ask him to come too. If anything unexpected happens, you can grab me and run using Satan Soul, and we'll let the Master clean up the mess," Rhodes said with a wicked grin.

"You're terrible," Mira laughed, leaning against his chest and closing her eyes.

Honestly, she just wanted to stay like this for a while. But it was still the guild, not the same as when they were traveling alone.

She sighed a little, rubbing her cheek against Rhodes' chest.

She missed those carefree days they spent together, hugging him whenever she wanted.

It seemed like, for now, the Master wouldn't allow them another long vacation anytime soon.

Rhodes suddenly felt a little wronged.

Why was it that Mira could freely rub against his chest, but if he tried to return the favor, he might get beaten?

"It feels like you're thinking about something bad," Mira said, eyeing him suspiciously.

"How could that be?" Rhodes answered seriously. "I'm obviously thinking about something good."

"Oh? Then it must definitely be something bad," Mira teased.

"You're slandering me!" Rhodes protested. "Your punishment, no moving for ten minutes!"

Mira rolled her eyes and sat back down properly. There was no way she could get carried away like that in the guild.

Just then, Levy approached, holding a mission request. She leaned close and whispered mischievously behind one hand,

"Sister Mira~ I didn't see anything just now~"

Mira's face flushed bright red. She kept her composure as best she could and calmly handed the mission request over to Rhodes:

"Rhodes, can you check if this mission is appropriate for Levy and the others?"

Rhodes accepted the sheet and looked over it seriously. "Hmm. Actually... it's not just this one. I don't think any of the missions on the board are suitable for Levy right now."

Levy gasped, pretending to clutch her heart.

"Public revenge!"

Mira nodded solemnly. "Exactly."

"Sister Mira~!" Levy whined, playfully tugging on Mira's sleeve as they squabbled.

Meanwhile, Rhodes stayed focused, studying the mission details.

"But really," he said, "why are you guys picking a job so far from the guild?"

Levy huffed, crossing her arms.

"Jet and Droy said they've been bored sticking close to home lately. They want to go on a longer trip for a change."

Rhodes glanced over at Jet and Droy, only to catch the two guilty parties quickly looking away, whistling innocently.

'Oh, so that was it.'

Those two saw how close he and Mira had gotten after traveling together, and now they wanted to give it a shot too.

Jet and Droy shot him pleading puppy-dog eyes, silently begging for his approval.

Rhodes sighed internally but carefully reviewed the mission again.

Fortunately, it was just a simple escort into the mountains to gather herbs. Nothing too dangerous, even for a lovestruck pair of fools.

He helped them finish the registration.

Mira leaned over the counter, smiling sweetly:

"Do your best, Levy~ And Jet and Droy, try not to slow her down, okay?"

Jet and Droy both staggered as if they'd been hit straight through the heart.

"Why is her evaluation of us so harsh...?"

Mira simply smiled mysteriously without answering.

Rhodes, meanwhile, had other things on his mind.

He wasn't sure exactly how big the real Mountain Dragon would be, or what strange phenomena might occur during his first attempt at summoning it.

Either way, it was clear, trying it in the city in broad daylight was a terrible idea.

Even if he didn't want to scare the townspeople or cause a panic, basic caution alone made it obvious.

So, that night, Rhodes and Mira waited until the streets were quiet.

Under the cover of darkness, they left Magnolia with Master Makarov alongside them.

The three of them rode the Scuttle Crab for nearly twenty kilometers before finally coming to a stop beneath a small grassy hill.

Makarov and Mira exchanged a nod with Rhodes, then stepped back to give him space at the center.

Taking a deep breath, Rhodes summoned the Blue Sentinel. A soft azure glow pulsed across the grass as the sturdy golem appeared beside him, ready to guard.

He activated the Blue buff to quickly restore his magic reserves. Once he was ready, Rhodes raised his hand toward the sky and began chanting, reciting an incantation he hadn't spoken fully aloud in a long time:

"I am the bridge between two worlds.

Creatures of the Summoner's Rift — hear my call, and pass through the gateway!

Mountain Dragon!"

The earth beneath his feet began to glow with a deep ochre light, bright and wild, as if a sleeping mountain itself was awakening.

The glow gathered and churned, condensing into three massive forms, towering shapes like stone mountains, radiating a powerful pressure.

And then, from the heart of that light, a colossal creature emerged.

Wings like cliffs unfurled with a thunderous crack.

A broad chest heaved as it rose higher, scales the color of ancient rock gleaming under the starlight. Its head lifted proudly to the sky—

And it roared.

"Raawwar—!!"