Millianna looked around the guild, then asked Rhodes, "Where's Erza?"
"Oh, she's a bridesmaid, so she's with the bride right now."
"Huh? Erza's going to wear a bridesmaid dress?" Millianna's eyes sparkled with excitement. She nudged Simon, whispering eagerly, "I really want to see!"
"Haha…" Rhodes laughed awkwardly. Honestly, he wasn't sure what Erza was wearing at the moment, or if Mira had already swapped her into something unexpected.
Knowing Mira, if she got a sudden whim, she might even do something outrageous like blindfolding both herself and Erza, then forcing Rhodes into a ridiculous "guess the bride" game.
Guests continued to arrive one after another: friends from other guilds, old clients, and even people who had shown up without invitations, drawn in by the buzz of Fairy Tail's festivities.
The guild welcomed them all warmly. After all, Fairy Tail was always at its best when the hall was crowded with laughter, cheer, and friends.
Rhodes never imagined that someone like him, who had once been rootless in this world, would stand here, surrounded by so many people, on the day of his wedding.
Of course, it meant poor Master Cook would have his hands full today. Fortunately, extra chefs had been hired to help in the kitchen.
Just as Rhodes felt his face going numb from smiling at so many greetings, a voice suddenly echoed in his mind:
"Congratulations. Do you have time to come up to the roof?"
Rhodes narrowed his eyes. That voice belonged to none other than Precht.
Making a quick excuse about going to the restroom, he slipped away and climbed up to the rooftop.
The rooftop looked empty, save for the large clock tower.
Rhodes activated his Crab detection technique, releasing a circle of mist around him. Only then did he notice a figure leaning against one of the clock's pillars.
It was indeed Precht.
"Second Master?" Rhodes called.
"Hmph. You've grown much stronger," Precht replied with a faint smile. Purple magic cubes shimmered across his body, gradually 'assembling' his form as he released his invisibility magic.
Rhodes frowned. "Just so-so. But… is it really safe for you to appear here ?"
After all, though Grimoire Heart had long since disbanded, Precht remained a wanted criminal.
"I was only passing nearby, so I came to take a look," Precht answered calmly. He pulled out a large, purple-bound book and tossed it toward Rhodes.
Rhodes caught it. It was surprisingly heavy. There was no title, only Precht's name etched onto the cover. "This isn't… dangerous, is it?"
Precht smirked. "If you insist, perhaps. This book records my magic. I heard you have a fondness for magical knowledge." Tʜe sourcᴇ of thɪs content ɪs 𝔫𝔬𝔳𝔢𝔩⚫𝔣𝔦𝔯𝔢⚫𝔫𝔢𝔱
"Your magic?" Rhodes raised a brow. The Second Master's magic was infamous for its danger. "Why give this to me?"
"Knowledge must be passed down," Precht said. "Consider it a wedding gift. Besides… I don't believe you'll follow my path."
He turned away, raising a hand in farewell.
"Wait," Rhodes called quickly. "The First is here as well. Don't you want to see her?"
Precht paused. For a moment, silence lingered. Then he chuckled, his voice carrying a trace of freedom: "No need. Knowing she's here is enough. I can already sense her emotions. That's more than enough for me."
He waved, his form breaking apart into countless glowing purple cubes that scattered into the wind.
"Goodbye. I hope that when Makarov steps down, you'll lead Fairy Tail to even greater heights."
As his voice faded completely, Rhodes looked down at the book in his hands and sighed helplessly. "Why saddle me with that? On my wedding day of all times, you had to say something so inauspicious…"
Rhodes froze, then turned, and found Mavis standing behind him, wide-eyed, her expression shimmering with a kind of profound 'wisdom.'
Rhodes nearly jumped. "First?!"
Mavis placed a finger gently to her lips, the little wings by her ears fluttering as she studied Rhodes for a long moment. "You've learned Makarov's magic, haven't you?"
Rhodes nodded. "Yes, I've studied some Light Magic, the same type the Third uses."
Mavis tilted her head. "Then… are you going to learn Precht's magic as well?"
Rhodes answered honestly, "I'll probably flip through it, see if there's anything useful for me."
Mavis immediately pouted, puffing out her cheeks like a sulking child. "Then you must learn my magic too."
Rhodes almost laughed. Was she feeling left out? "Didn't you already entrust me with Fairy Glitter?"
Mavis shook her head firmly. "That belongs to the guild. I'm talking about my original magic."
Rhodes blinked in surprise. "You mean… Illusion Magic?"
Mavis's face lit up, her emerald eyes sparkling as she leaned in close. "Someone from the younger generation actually remembers my magic! I'd love to see it carried on. I want to see someone use it the way I once did!"
"Alright, alright, I'll learn it soon," Rhodes relented, helpless against her enthusiasm. He didn't have the heart to tell her that someone had indeed mastered it before… and had ended up in prison.
Mavis beamed, skipping in the air like a child who'd just been promised candy.
Rhodes held up the heavy book in his hands. "Aren't you going to ask about the Second Master?"
Mavis smiled softly. "Precht? He's chosen his own path again. That's fine. Everyone has their road to walk."
Rhodes couldn't tell whether she was being broad-minded… or simply dodging the thought.
There was no time to dwell on it. He tucked the book away and headed downstairs.
The timing was perfect. Just as he entered the hall, Happy came flying in with exaggerated panic, shouting, "Oh no! The bride's been captured by a terrifying monster!"
"What?!" Gasps rippled through the crowd of guests, some genuinely startled. How could the bride be kidnapped at such a crucial moment?
The Fairy Tail members immediately threw themselves into the act, dramatically chorusing their scripted lines: "What, exactly, happened?"
Afterwards, they leaned toward the guests who looked worried and whispered reassurances: this was all part of the wedding's Magic Parade theme.
Rhodes, on cue, erupted with mock fury, magic flaring around him. His hair and clothes whipped as if caught in a storm. He threw out his line with forced passion, voice echoing through the hall:
"Who dares to steal away my beautiful bride?! My beloved Mirajane!"
The moment the words left his mouth, Rhodes wanted to bury his face in his hands.
'What kind of nonsense had Laki come up with? What sort of terrible script had Lucy and Levy cooked up together?'
If Mira hadn't been so delighted by the idea, he never would have agreed to play along.
Carla fluttered beside Happy, her little face pink with embarrassment as she delivered her line in the most dignified voice she could muster:
"B-Brave scout! Please tell us, what terrible fate has befallen the bride?"
Clearly, even she found this play awkward.
Happy, however, was in heaven. Carla had just called him brave! His chest puffed up like a balloon, his wings flapping proudly as he proclaimed:
"It's monsters, unspeakable monsters! They've kidnapped the bride and taken her to the lair of the Monster King, plotting to plunge the world into chaos! And," his voice dropped dramatically, "the Monster King has also fallen for the blonde bridesmaid's beauty, so he captured all the bridesmaids!"
Rhodes's smile twitched. He could already tell Lucy had slipped her own grievances into this script.
The groomsmen lined up behind him, puffing out their chests as they shouted in unison:
"What did you say?! Protecting the bridesmaids is the sacred duty of us groomsmen! O noble Groom, lead us forth, let's rescue them together!"
Elfman clenched his fists, roaring with full spirit, "This is what it means to be a man!"
Rhodes glanced sideways and nearly snorted. Laxus and Gajeel both wore stiff expressions, beads of sweat running down their foreheads. At least he wasn't the only one suffering through this absurd play.
With a flash of light, Rhodes's clothing transformed into a dazzling blue prince's suit, a cape flowing dramatically behind him, and a gleaming longsword appearing in his hand.
He raised the blade, shouting with theatrical gusto. "Brave companions! March with me to strike down the Monster King and his minions, and rescue the beautiful ladies! Forward!"
"Manly Man!" Elfman howled, throwing both fists in the air.
Thankfully, the script didn't call for more speeches. Rhodes strode forward with as much dignity as he could muster, the groomsmen following behind like an eager parade.
Some guests chose to remain inside the guild, watching the action through a crystal projection spell, while others hurried after them, eager to enjoy the spectacle live.
Suddenly, from above came a shrill cry. A whole flock of Raptors swooped down, each one decked out with ridiculous fake horns, spiky shoulder pads, and painted fangs, terrifying decorations slapped on with more enthusiasm than skill.
Happy pointed dramatically from the sky, his tail lashing like a commander spotting enemy troops.
"They've appeared! The Monster King's Herald Army!"