Although Rhodes had been on the opposing side earlier and his actions were justified under the circumstances, he still offered a sincere apology to Simon.
Naturally, Simon didn't hold any resentment. For him, rescuing Erza and breaking free from the shadow of the Tower of Heaven were far more important than anything else.
The same held true for the rest of their companions.
As for Jellal, after suffering a direct hit from a dragon's breath and enduring the full blast of the Magic Council's Etherion cannon, it would be difficult to locate him now—let alone confirm if he survived.
Erza felt deep sorrow that she hadn't been able to reach him in time to bring him back. Her heart ached over what he had become and what he had done.
Simon, too, held a silent regret. Despite Jellal's fall from grace, he had once been their friend and a spiritual guide.
Neither of them said his name. They simply stood quietly, gazing toward the sea where the tower once stood, lost in thought.
The image of the meteorite, the roar of the Mountain Dragon, and the blinding power of Etherion still echoed vividly in their minds—along with the look of madness in Jellal's eyes.
Trying to lift the mood, Mira stepped in with a gentle suggestion, "Why don't we head back to the inn first? Everyone's banged up and needs bandages."
"Alright," Erza nodded and gently hoisted Hugh onto her back.
Gray picked up Wally, slinging him over his shoulder.
Natsu, already out of the sea and now dried off by his fire magic, hoisted Milliana like a sack of potatoes.
Rhodes moved down the line, checking on everyone. Then he turned to Simon with a mischievous grin. "So… going by this pattern, do you want me to carry you too?"
Simon gave a weak chuckle and waved it off. "I'll manage. You don't look like you're holding up too well yourself."
"Oh, that's fine," Rhodes said with mock dignity, leaning shamelessly against Mira for support.
Out of earshot from the others, he whispered to Simon, "Just a heads-up—don't let Erza be the one to bandage you."
"Huh? Why not?"
Rhodes sighed like a man who had seen things. "Let's just say... some lessons are paid for in blood and tears."
Mira gave him a gentle slap on the back. "Don't exaggerate. It's been a while—Erza's probably improved."
Simon blinked, still confused.
Juvia, meanwhile, clasped her hands to her chest and lovingly gazed at Gray. "Juvia wants to help Gray-sama with the bandages!"
Lucy blinked. "But he's not even that badly injured, is he?"
Juvia shot her a suspicious glare. "Love rival."
Lucy recoiled slightly. "Wait—what? That's not even related!"
Just ahead, Rhodes turned his head around and called out, "Hey! One of you pick up Gray's pants. They fell off."
Lucy made a face. "Why would I want to help him with that?"
"I'll do it~!" Juvia's eyes sparkled a little too brightly. "Heehee, Gray-sama's pants…"
"She's kind of terrifying," Lucy muttered, quickly speeding up so she didn't have to walk beside Juvia anymore.
...
Back at the inn, things were far from calm.
The earlier chaos had prompted the innkeeper to summon the local security team. After nightfall, the three Tritinty Ravens from earlier were carted away for questioning.
Rhodes had left a note explaining the basics of the situation, but a literal cratered island and massive magical disturbance didn't exactly go unnoticed.
Thankfully, the inn had several rooms available, and the staff—already retired for the night—had prepared beds in advance.
With Mira's room damaged during the earlier commotion, Rhodes, 'very reluctantly', tugged her along into his.
"What are you smirking at?" Mira eyed him suspiciously as she pulled out the first aid kit. "Sit down and give me your arm."
Rhodes had taken two light stabs from Trinity Raven earlier. While the wounds weren't deep, the initial treatment had been rushed. Mira insisted on cleaning and properly re-bandaging him now.
After she finished, Rhodes tested his arm and then glanced down at Mira's stomach. "How about you? Does it still hurt?"
"I'm fine," Mira replied casually.
Still, when she lifted her shirt slightly, a dark bruise stood out starkly against her fair skin.
"You call this 'fine'?" Rhodes frowned and got up. "Hold on. I'll grab a towel."
Mira lay back quietly, letting him tend to her.
He pressed the warm, damp towel gently over her bruise for several minutes. After about ten minutes, as he lifted it away, Mira caught his wrist.
"Rub it for me," she said softly.
"Sure." Rhodes leaned closer, propping himself on one arm while using his free hand to gently massage her bruised stomach.
Mira closed her eyes, visibly relaxed by the warmth of his palm. She liked the feeling—strong but careful, firm but comforting.
Unfortunately, the peaceful moment didn't last.
A knock came at the door.
Though nothing inappropriate had happened, Mira instinctively sat up and adjusted her clothes. Just the idea of someone seeing her come out of the same room as Rhodes this late made her feel oddly self-conscious.
"Who is it?" Rhodes asked.
With his usual lack of tact, he flung the door open, glanced around, and saw no one at eye level.
Then an elderly, cheerful voice called up, "Down here."
Rhodes looked down. "Oh—Master, what are you doing here?"
Mira lightly tapped him on the back. "Don't be rude."
Makarov's white beard curled as he smiled. "What do you mean 'what am I doing here'? Didn't you ask to send for backup from the guild?"
"Right," Rhodes blinked. He had asked for help, but everything had gone so smoothly since then that he'd honestly forgotten.
Judging by the look on his face, Makarov pieced it together but asked anyway, "How's Erza doing?"
"She's hurt, but stable. That room over there." Rhodes pointed. "I'll take you."
Not that he needed to—despite the late hour, everyone was still up and hadn't fully relaxed. The president's knock had already drawn attention, and people were beginning to peek out of their rooms and say hello.
Rhodes, for his part, silently sighed in relief.
Because judging by everyone's reactions… the soundproofing in these rooms clearly wasn't very good.
Makarov's eyes softened as he scanned the group and confirmed none of his children were seriously hurt.
Then, his expression turned more serious.
"So… who exactly had the gall to kidnap Erza?"
Everyone took turns explaining what had happened.
"The R-System? Siegrain? The Etherion cannon?" Makarov's expression darkened as he processed the details. "He actually used Etherion?"
The mere thought sent a chill down his spine. What if that blast had hit the children directly?
And to think... one of the Council's own members had betrayed them?
No wonder Fairy Tail was constantly targeted.
"Wait a minute," Makarov rubbed his beard in confusion. "Didn't Yajima say that Siegrain was usually the one defending Fairy Tail at council meetings…?"
Something didn't add up.
Why would someone like that be working with such dangerous magic?
Still, with a heavy sigh, Makarov chuckled, "Well, at least you're all safe. That's what matters."
It was unbelievable. Something this massive had just... been resolved.
By rights, this ordeal was the kind of thing that would count as an S-Class mission. Maybe even SS-Class.
The only shame was that no one had officially commissioned the request.
But even if someone had, Mira and Rhodes probably wouldn't have accepted it.
What Makarov didn't realize was that Rhode's thoughts had shifted.
After witnessing the power of the Mountain Dragon, he had begun to seriously consider teaming up with Mira for an official S-Class mission.
He'd always refused before, partly because he didn't feel strong enough… and partly because there was never a financial need. But now…
With the savings he and Mira had built up, completing even the lowest-tier S-Class request could give them a real head start on their dreams: building a home together, buying a ring, maybe even holding a wedding ceremony.
For Rhodes, that temptation was real—and growing.
Even when he was tending to Mira's bruises earlier, the idea had taken root in his mind. Still, he reminded himself to wait. At the very least, he wanted to meet the "friend" the Mountain Dragon mentioned before making any big decisions.
And besides… Mira's opinion came first.
Makarov, meanwhile, noticed something else.
Inside one of the rooms, two people were quietly wiping their tears. A dark-skinned boy sat on the ground, sobbing loudly.
"What's going on in there?" the guild master asked.
"They're my old friends," Erza explained softly. "We were all trapped in the Tower of Heaven. They were manipulated for eight long years… They only just learned the truth."
Makarov's eyes softened.
They were all victims.
Children who had suffered far too much.
Then Erza took a deep breath and looked at him seriously. "Master… I'd like to invite them to join Fairy Tail."