When he followed that suspicious Magic Power presence into the Royal Capital, Rhode basically gave up.
Magic Power perception is not an accurate way of sensing things in the first place. Trying to find a specific person on these bustling streets was really too hard.
However, holding on to the hope of a slim chance, he had to give it a try.
He hovered invisible over the street, observing the people below.
Some people were stopping to watch the large screen on the street, some were rushing, and some... were picking someone else's pocket.
Rhode flicked his finger, and a blue lightning bolt struck the sneaky thief. The person fell to the ground convulsing, and Rhode immediately changed his position.
After observing a few streets, Rhode finally spotted a strange person wearing a hooded robe.
He lowered his altitude to get a closer look and was greatly disappointed.
"Ultear?"
Swish!
The person spun around deftly, moving backward while at the same time shooting out a Crystal Ball from their hand.
It really was Ultear.
Rhode casually caught the Crystal Ball, revealing his presence, and spun the Crystal Ball on his fingertip as if twirling a basketball: "Such a big reaction just from calling your name, aren't you afraid of hitting the wrong person?"
Ultear lowered her guard and smiled: "Ordinary people can't recognize me."
After speaking, she gestured, and the Crystal Ball, which was spinning on Rhode's fingertip, floated away and returned to her hand.
"Shouldn't you be at the venue now?" Ultear asked, "Did you sense it too?"
"Yeah, being able to sense it from such a distance is quite strange." Rhode activated Requip Magic and put on a cloak, "Any findings?"
"Because that Magic Power was too strong." Ultear said heavily, "I suspect that someone just activated some grand Magic, but the strange thing is, there were no obvious anomalies appearing in the Royal Capital."
To avoid attracting attention, the two of them walked forward while talking.
Fortunately, there were quite a few people in strange costumes on the street, even some children dressed like the Pumpkin Man from the arena.
During their conversation, the Crystal Ball in Ultear's hand suddenly lit up.
She led Rhode to an inconspicuous corner, holding the Crystal Ball in her left hand while her right hand brushed over it. Melty's face appeared in the Crystal Ball.
"Ultear, I just saw the target."
Ultear hurriedly asked: "Where?"
Melty replied: "Directly north of Mercury's Magnificent Lamp Palace, but the person is already gone."
"Wait for me there, be careful!" Ultear ended the communication, put away the Crystal Ball, and gestured for Rhode to follow her.
"Running is too slow." Rhode caught up in two steps, grabbed Ultear's arm, and took off.
"Hey..." Ultear was about to say that this was too conspicuous, but she quickly realized that she and Rhode had merged into a vague mist.
The people below seemed completely unaware that there were people flying in the sky.
They quickly arrived at the north side of the Royal Capital—what's called Mercury's Magnificent Lamp Palace is actually the name of the Imperial Palace.
Ultear found Melty's location using a special method and reminded Rhode to land at an alley entrance.
The three met and briefly explained the situation, Ultear asked: "What kind of person was it?"
"I saw a person in a black cloak running back and forth from the direction of the Royal Palace, and after observing closely, I found that Zeref's aura was indeed emanating from that person.
"But maybe because my staring was too obvious and got noticed, that person immediately disappeared, vanished right here."
Melty was somewhat frustrated, letting such a suspicious person disappear right under her nose.
Rhode asked: "Did you notice what Magic they used? Or any characteristics when they disappeared?"
Melty thought carefully: "It should be of the Dark Attribute? It seemed to turn pitch black for a moment before disappearing."
Rhode nodded, then added: "It could also be 'Shadow'."
Because Mira knows this move, Rogue from Sabertooth knows this move, and Shadow Wolf has a partial version, it's Magic related to shadows.
Ultear professionally squatted down to examine the ground, scanning around with the Crystal Ball in her hand.
Rhode also summoned Shadow Wolf, trying to get it to track the scent, but unfortunately, after sniffing around for a while, the Shadow Wolves looked bewildered.
"No good, the 'trace' disappeared completely." Ultear, an expert in trace examination, found herself stumped.
Melty asked: "Should we infiltrate the Royal Palace to investigate? That person might have been in the Royal Palace."
Ultear frowned: "It's risky, but it's the only lead."
"There's an unknown mechanism in the Royal Palace that can make my Summoned Beasts 'disappear' silently." Rhode said, "I don't recommend reckless actions."
About to say something, the three heard enthusiastic cheers, the sound coming from all directions, on the streets and from places like taverns.
Puzzled, they found a place to take a look at the large screen.
They saw Erza wearing the slightly damaged Clothes of Pure Heart, her body bearing some scrapes, her chest rising and falling as she breathed somewhat tiredly.
But her spirit was excellent, her right hand holding the Demon Blade Hongying high, her face brimming with confidence and joy.
And at her feet lay a massive beast.
The cheers were obviously for her.
A few seconds later, the monster and the Demon Suppression Hall disappeared together, and Mirena and Simon, one lively and the other steady, greeted her to celebrate.
Gajeel grumbled about the 'monster', then also said a word of congratulations.
The reactions of the other contestants varied, but aside from Jura, they all looked at Erza with a degree of reverence.
The Pumpkin Man held his face in awe and exclaimed: "She actually did it..."
Ultear looked at Mirena and Simon with mixed emotions.
Seeing those who emerged from the Tower of Paradise living the lives they want was a solace for her.
This is what she now wants to protect.
Ultear silently vowed in her heart never to let anyone ruin these 'children's' futures.
"I think you should go back." Ultear said softly, "Leave the search to us. I'll gather the people, that person will definitely appear again."
Rhode sensed that Ultear's attitude seemed to have changed a bit, thinking she might be upset about not catching the person at the scene.
It's not to the point where comfort was needed now, so Rhode briefly mentioned the Royal Capital's underground tunnels, explained the 'restricted zone' locations, and prepared to return to the competition.
The Sin of the Witch should have enough manpower, even the five former Oracion Seis members each have their unique skills...
Thinking of this, Rhode added: "Please pass a message to Miss Kono, tell her Yukino is currently working with the Kingdom Knight Order to ensure Princess Jade's safety, and Yukino really wants to see her."
Ultear nodded: "I'll let her know."
But she knew in her heart, Kono might not be willing to see her sister.
She was also a rather stubborn older sister, who didn't want to trouble her sister anymore.