Rhode and Mira not only don't find Uluvheim rude, but actually think that his tendency to resolve issues through fighting is quite suitable for Fairy Tail.
Since he doesn't get along well with the old man, and both of them can enlarge themselves, if he joins the guild, fighting every day would be good exercise for the body.
——Though it might not be so good for the guild and the town.
Ignoring this issue, Rhode asked, "Is there any news on Serena?"
"..." Hayberion suddenly felt a bit uncomfortable, "Basically, it's been confirmed that he has joined the Alvarez Empire, but the reason hasn't been investigated clearly yet."
"I see..." Rhode had already heard from the First Generation that the Alvarez Empire was founded by Zeref, and had long unified the Western Continent.
Could it be that Serena is also aiming for Zeref?
Now in Rhode's imagination, the Alvarez Empire is a super large sect devoted to worshiping Zeref's black magic.
Who knows when they might launch a crazy action.
Rhode pondered if he had to face an entire continent's enemies alone——even if they stood there for him to hit, he would definitely die of exhaustion.
Still not strong enough, huh.
While contemplating, Hayberion continued, "This matter is still confidential, to avoid unnecessary disturbance, please refrain from revealing it to others."
Rhode nodded, "I understand."
Considering the potential to become enemies, Rhode asked, "What kind of magic does he use?"
Hayberion said seriously, "I haven't seen him go all out, but I know he's using Dragon Slayer Magic, and it's already strong enough to almost exceed human limits."
"Dragon Slayer Magic..." Rhode thought, is this Serena the fated opponent of Natsu?
"If it's said to exceed human limits..." Mira looked at Hayberion, "I've heard that the top four of the Ten Wizard Saints are like that, thus regarded as the Ishujal Four Heavenly Kings."
Rhode silently added a sentence in his heart, but there are only three left now.
"But it's only those who don't know the truth that presumptuously deduce it, this continent has always been full of talent." Hayberion looked at Rhode and said, "Even within Fairy Tail, there are many young people with infinite potential."
"Haha, I'll have to thank you on their behalf for the compliment." Suddenly hearing someone praise his own guild, Rhode felt quite delighted.
The trio chatted for a while about recent happenings in the Magic Realm, naturally talking about the Dark Guild.
Then they also mentioned the Independent Guild which has been in the limelight lately.
Hayberion asked, "What's your view on Sin of the Witch?"
Rhode thought and said, "As it stands, they've destroyed more Dark Guilds in a month than I have in a year. So the Council might as well help them clean up instead of painstakingly trying to catch them."
"Mr. Rhode seems quite fond of them." Hayberion said, "Don't forget that two of them are former members of Demon Heart, and six were rescued convicts taken to jail."
"How to put it, because there are people I know among them… as I understand their guild president, she's definitely not organizing this Independent Guild to run wild."
Rhode didn't conceal his bias at all, "Take the last jailbreak for instance, during the operation, how many people were killed, how many facilities were damaged?"
The answer is zero kills, zero damage.
No one died, the worst injured were those knocked out, with just a bump on the head.
No facilities were destroyed, as every wall and door dismantled was perfectly repaired.
If anything must be said, they took six pairs of Demon Sealing Stone handcuffs while escaping with prisoners.
But it was found during subsequent searches.
Hayberion fell into thought.
Rhode continued, "These outstanding individuals might as well be utilized instead of wasted away in prison.
"In my opinion, the Council should also rethink its treatment of prisoners. Different prisoners deserve different treatment, those with light should be given opportunities for rehabilitation through labor and reduction of sentence for deeds…"
Rhode knows he's just talking big.
The logic is sound, but practically, there will surely be many troubles.
But after all, it's a private talk with a 'colleague', it doesn't hurt to discuss.
Hayberion seems to be really considering the feasibility of this matter.
Using spirit-type magic to try discerning the prisoner's true mindset, and then treating them differently based on it...
This doesn't seem unachievable.
Because mind-reading magic does indeed exist.
This may even provide the Council with quite some good combat power.
Of course, potential risks also need consideration.
Rhode didn't expect his clearly biased remarks to actually provoke thought in Hayberion.
He seems to really intend to propose suggestions to the Council.
Upon parting, Hayberion said, "I'll organize another meeting in a while, just to introduce the newly appointed Ten Wizard Saints."
"No problem, I should be quite free by then." Rhode thought that after the honeymoon trip, there doesn't seem to be anything special to do.
Unless the president actually hands over the review papers for him to write.
Speaking of which, it's been so long, the president should have given up by now?
...
"It's been so long, Rhode should have accepted it by now, right?" Makarov was a bit aggrieved, "Does he really intend to stay in the Gioa Kingdom as a Count?"
A few days ago, upon hearing this news, he was dumbfounded.
A Mage, risking life every day while performing tasks outside, when unlucky can't even afford to eat...
This profession doesn't remotely align with nobility, does it?
How can a mage suddenly become a Count? And a Count with territory!
The most annoying thing was the letter sent a few days ago, extremely formal in language, addressing Makarov with every sentence, not even calling him president!
What does he plan?
The child who was once the least troublesome suddenly became the most troublesome!
"President, there's news about my brother-in-law!" Lisana cheerfully shared with Makarov,
"The newspaper says, my brother-in-law single-handedly quelled the bandit problem in Gioa Kingdom and was promoted by the King to Duke!"
"Puh——" Makarov sprayed out his mouthful of sake, "Duke?"
"Yes, there's quite a big piece of territory." Lisana said somewhat expectantly, "The Duke's mansion is almost finished, it's bigger than our guild! I'd really like to visit."
"..." Makarov fell into deep thought, can pretending to be critically ill work to trick him back?
Marcus suddenly burst in through the back door of the guild, shouting, "Bad news President, Natsu's magic practice has evaporated a large amount of lake water, the water level suddenly dropped, so many fishing boats stranded, some damaged propellers, some made holes in the hull!"
Makarov clutched his heart, I, I must pretend to be sick right now!