Fairy Tail: I Don't Want to Be the Guild Master-Chapter 149: Urgent Mission

"This job..." Mira hesitated, holding up the request form.

Rhodes leaned in and read over her shoulder. "Gathering Divotian Grass, reward: 88,600 Jewel. Location: Galantos Snow Mountain. What's the issue?"

"It's a fairly routine gathering mission, but the reward is unusually low for the danger involved," Mira explained. "Galantos is home to some aggressive, carnivorous beasts. A job this risky would normally have a reward of at least 100,000 Jewel. But this one's been flagged as urgent."

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Low pay, high risk, and marked urgent? Something wasn't adding up.

"Think there's more to it?" Rhodes asked. "What's Divotian Grass used for, anyway?"

"Traditionally, it was used to treat common colds and fevers," Mira said, flipping through the details. "But because it only grows in harsh, frozen environments—and alternatives are more accessible—it's rarely used now. However, in recent years it's been rediscovered as an effective treatment for a particular illness."

She pointed to the client info. "Just as I thought—the client's family has been infected and urgently needs the herb."

"He probably spent everything he had on treatment..." Rhodes murmured, noting the oddly precise reward amount—down to the single Jewel. He took the request slip from Mira.

"Rhodes?"

"Do you think Elfman and I can handle the creatures up there?"

"They hunt in packs," Mira warned. "And they're known to trigger avalanches as a defense mechanism, which is especially dangerous in snowy terrain."

Rhodes shrugged. "I don't mind pack battles—and if it comes to an avalanche, we can fly out."

"Alright, but be careful. It's not a very appealing mission, so I doubt anyone else would've taken it. You might be doing this family a real service."

He nodded. He wasn't sure if this technically counted as undercutting the market, but he'd meet the client and judge for himself—whether they truly couldn't afford more, or were just lowballing.

"Yeah," Mira agreed. Rhodes had clearly made up his mind.

As for Elfman, she figured he wouldn't complain about the pay.

"Elfman~"

He approached from the board. "Sis?"

"We've picked a job. Come take a look." Mira handed him the request and summarized the important points.

"No problem, Sis! If you're a real man, you don't worry about the reward!"

If it had been anyone else, Rhodes might've joked, "Then I'll take your share." But since it was Elfman, he simply said,

"Let's go prepare. Meet back here in half an hour—and don't forget your winter gear."

"Manly!" Elfman replied, dashing off without hesitation.

Rhodes headed to the storeroom and library to collect supplies, then swung by his house to pack.

Half an hour later, Mira eyed the two of them as they stood at the guild's entrance, geared and ready.

"Elfman, make sure to listen to Rhodes, alright?"

"Got it, Sis." He meant to challenge Rhodes again soon, but for now, he was all in.

Mira turned to Rhodes and paused, as if wanting to say something more. In the end, she just looked him in the eye.

"Be careful out there."

Rhodes gave her a confident smile. "We will. Let's go."

...

This time, Rhodes had left in a bit of a rush and hadn't had the chance to prepare much. So, he brought a book along to read during the carriage ride.

Elfman glanced over curiously. "What's that?"

"Background on Galantos Snow Mountain," Rhodes replied, holding up the cover. "It's always good to understand the mission terrain."

Then he pulled out another book—a compact spellbook—and handed it to Elfman. "Take this. You might need it."

"Manly..."

"If you're a man," Rhodes said with a grin, "then hold onto it properly. Don't make your sister worry."

Elfman blinked, then narrowed his eyes. "You're really thoughtful. Wait a second—does that mean you're trying to go after my sister?"

Rhodes considered it. Elfman clearly preferred blunt honesty, but this wasn't exactly the moment for a confession. So, he gave an answer that was both truthful and evasive:

"Let's just say, I'm not ready to admit that yet."

Elfman was taken aback for a moment, then huffed indignantly. "What do you mean 'not ready to admit it,' you bastard?!"

"Exactly what I said. And let's not bring this up to Mira just yet."

"Why should I do what you say?"

"Then let's settle it the manly way," Rhodes said. "Whoever wins our next fight gets to decide."

"That's fair. Manly!" Elfman declared, immediately on board with the challenge.

Then he remembered the towering Blue Sentinel Rhodes had summoned the night before.

Should he ban that thing from their duel?

No—no way. That wouldn't be a manly fight.

Still... if only he could fully Take over the Beast King again.

His grip loosened, and the magic book Rhodes had given him slid onto his lap. He instinctively raised both hands to hold his head.

Rhodes watched him quietly. Elfman still carried the scars from that day.

He had forcefully Take over the Beast King to protect his family—an act born of desperation and love. It wasn't his fault. He hadn't even been conscious when it happened.

And yet, he couldn't forgive himself.

'Mira says Elfman's a gentle soul,' Rhodes thought.

Rhodes had seen Elfman's old photos in the guild's album before. Back then, his entire demeanor was different—softer, more reserved.

The more gentle someone is, the harder it is for them to navigate through their pain.

Rhodes gave Elfman a reassuring pat on the shoulder but said nothing more. If words alone could fix something like this, then Master Makarov would've already healed him long ago. Even if there were things to say, timing mattered more.

It took roughly two hours by carriage to reach the village where the client lived.

"Elfman, get ready—we're about to arrive," Rhodes said.

"Huh?" Elfman blinked in surprise. "How can you tell?"

"Because my Scuttle Crab scout's already been here for a while," Rhodes said, tapping the side of his eye. "It saw our carriage approaching."

'Such a useful magic.'

Elfman tucked away the magic book and slung on his backpack.

When they entered the village, the children playing nearby caught a glimpse of Elfman's intense expression and quickly scattered in all directions.

Rhodes asked Elfman to wait while he approached an elderly man who looked particularly kind and approachable.

"Hello, sir. I'm a wizard from Fairy Tail. Could you tell me where Mr. Karut and Mrs. Weiss live?"

"Karut? Ah, yes, I know him. You're here about the illness, aren't you? Poor lad—he's barely hanging on. He used to drive a carriage to deliver goods out of town."

The old man trailed off in a murmur before gesturing down the road.

"It's that house over there—yard with a stable, but no horse. That's the one."

'That's... an unusual way to give directions.'

Rhodes offered a polite thanks, then waved Elfman over and pointed toward the house.

Still, a thought lingered—had Mr. Karut sold his horse just to pay for treatment?