Changes definitely cannot be random.
According to common sense, modifying things like this at will will lead to trouble.
Either Natsu gets into trouble, or the modifier does.
So unless the cost is thoroughly understood, and Natsu's consent is obtained, or unless it's absolutely necessary, Rhode will not act lightly.
But where should we investigate this thing?
Should we ask Zeref? Or call Igneru out?
Thinking of Zeref gives Rhode a stomachache.
The old thing is both Natsu's biological brother, the First President's former lover, and Fairy Tail's four big heads' magic teacher, theoretically an ally.
But the mission Natsu carried with him when 'reborn' was to kill Zeref, like other Etherious Demons.
The First President also said that the current Zeref is a huge danger, and if there's any way to eliminate him, definitely don't show mercy.
Meanwhile, his followers are constantly causing trouble, and the Western Country is continuously expanding military, plotting against Fiore.
From this perspective, he's also an enemy.
But the troublesome point is, the Etherious Demons were created by Zeref, and exist relying on Zeref.
From the magic principle, if Zeref is truly eliminated, then all Etherious Demons will disappear.
Natsu very likely included.
So even if there's a chance, Zeref can't be killed so simply...
Could the correct answer be for Natsu to personally kill Zeref, complete his mission as END, and thus break free from the bindings or whatnot?
Rhode thought all night but couldn't reach a conclusion.
He discovered another suspicious point.
The book never mentioned Natsu establishing the Gate of the Underworld, so why do people from the Netherworld say their guild was founded by END?
When Natsu had memory issues, he was only eight or nine years old, he couldn't have established it during his apprenticeship with Igneru or even earlier?
The next morning, Mira found Rhode with two dark circles under his eyes.
She asked with some concern: "Are things this tricky?"
Rhode shook his head: "Not necessarily tricky, just temporarily no clues."
"Is there anything I can help with?"
"...Actually there might be, but not for now."
Rhode thought that if Natsu faced a situation of transforming into END and losing control, maybe Mira's magic could be a trump card.
One is the strongest demon, the other can naturally receive demons, it's almost a natural enemy relationship, shouldn't be useless, right?
But Rhode touched Mira's bulging belly, with a bit of concern.
It's been five months, looking at Natsu's stable state, shouldn't be any trouble in the near future, right?
"I have to talk to the President." Rhode hurriedly dressed, ready to jump out the window.
Mira chased: "You haven't told me what I'm supposed to do!"
Rhode tossed back: "You're to prepare for maternity leave~"
Mira puffed her cheeks; it's too early to start leave, isn't it?
He's keeping secrets, this husband needs a good talking-to.
...
Makarov arrived at the guild early in the morning.
As soon as he saw Rhode enter, he waved: "Come over, I happen to want to talk to you."
"What's up?"
Rhode followed the President to the review room... oops, the President's office.
Although the main use of the office is for the President to quietly write reviews.
Makarov asked: "You know the current situation of the Council, right?"
Rhode asked: "Which aspect do you mean?"
Makarov said: "Feis and Magical Elf Power."
"...Of course." Rhode nodded.
Feis has been completely destroyed, and although Magical Elf Power still exists, because the ten senior staff holding unlock codes died during the Gate of the Underworld attack, the whole system is now in a locked state.
The Council has been reorganized, but nobody knows the unlock codes.
Org previously expressed concern for this matter, but Hayberion thinks it doesn't matter; the intimidation power of Ten Wizard Saints might not necessarily be weaker than Magical Elf Power.
At least for Ishujal Continent.
But now Makarov is considering external issues.
"I should have told you, ten years ago, the Western Continent's Albarez Empire had plans to attack Fiore."
Rhode nodded: "Yes, they wanted Fairy's Heart... Mest went undercover to gather intelligence on the Western Continent."
Makarov sighed: "Ten years ago, they abandoned their war plans because they were apprehensive about Magical Elf Power and Feis.
"But now, Feis is destroyed, Magical Elf Power is paralyzed, Albarez Empire has nothing to worry about.
"We Ten Wizard Saints are not considered any intimidation for them."
Rhode knew this.
Originally ranked first among Ten Wizard Saints, God Serena went to the Western Continent years ago.
There has been news that he joined the organization responsible for guarding Emperor Sprii, becoming one of the 'shield of twelve'.
Thus, it can be tentatively guessed: in Albarez Empire, there are at least eleven people as strong as Serena.
Hayberion once admitted that if against Serena, his chances of winning were at most ten percent.
This shows how strong the top mages of the Western Continent are.
Rhode asked: "You are worried that, knowing we've lost Feis and Magical Elf Power, Albarez Empire will revisit their war plans?"
Makarov said: "Yes, it's a huge empire that unified an entire continent, even without considering the 12 Shields' power, just counting the army, there might be over a million people.
"Relying on just one guild, trying to contend with them, I'm afraid..."
A million troops is Makarov's conservative estimate, in reality, it could be more. This number already made him feel desperate, more than that he didn't dare even mention.
Makarov has prepared to stake his life for a final Fairy Law at a critical moment.
But the three great Fairy magics' reputation isn't small, he thinks the enemy might not be foolish enough to gather all forces together...
Makarov really can't think of any winning strategies, so he's considering how to save the children while presuming defeat.
But before making a decision, he considered and reconsidered, feeling he should ask Rhode's opinion, to see if he has any good solutions.
"No wonder you've been looking so worried these days, I thought it was because after staying long at the Council, you came back finding the reviews never-ending."
Rhode joked, "I thought that was it."
"..." Makarov thought Rhode might be joking to lighten the mood, but he tried to smile and found he couldn't.
"In any case, the guild's situation is really bad now, and this is to protect the First Generation, we can't involve other guilds. We must start thinking of strategies as quickly as possible."