The three who were quietly gossiping had no solution to Erza's troubles. But Rhodes had an idea to lighten her mood.
The simplest way was to give her a strawberry cake.
Then find a way to set up Natsu, making him knock over Erza's table.
Let Erza naturally beat up Natsu to vent her emotions.
A perfect plan.
However, when Rhodes mentioned this, Laki looked at him as if he were a devil.
As expected from someone who could draw up blueprints for a guillotine.
Laki asked, "But why don't you go yourself?"
"Because I'm afraid of dying," Rhodes said matter-of-factly. "Natsu grew up with her; he probably won't get beaten to death."
Mira smiled sweetly, "Sounds interesting."
Laki pointed at Rhodes and Mira respectively, "You two devils!"
Rhodes waved his hand, "Hey, I'm just saying. How could I set up Natsu like that? We're good friends."
Hmm, teasing Natsu when he's motion-sick on a carriage was because... it was all Happy's idea!
Mira looked at Rhodes and felt a bit pleased.
He had joined the guild two and a half months ago.
From being reserved and unfamiliar at first, to now caring about his companions and occasionally coming up with mischievous ideas.
Mira could feel that Rhodes was gradually integrating into the guild, slowly becoming close to everyone.
That's wonderful.
"If we don't send Natsu, who else would be suitable?" Mira asked with a smile. "How about Elfman?"
Laki was shocked, "Are you really his sister?!"
Gotta find time to spar with Elfman, Rhodes thought.
Elfman also used Take Over magic. Although he had some psychological issues, he still had decent combat power.
Moreover...
Anyway, from various aspects, it was necessary.
Suddenly, a familiar voice sounded:
"Hey, Mira, Rhodes, and Laki, everyone's here!"
"Warren?" Mira smiled, "Long time no see."
Laki thought for a moment, "Feels like you haven't shown up for a long time. Don't you ever run out of money?"
Rhodes also said, "You finally decided to show up, huh."
"Ah, because of that incident..." Warren said embarrassedly. "Here's the mission sheet from last time."
Since that embarrassing incident happened last time, Warren hadn't dared to show up at the guild for a long time.
When he had to take a mission, he would contact Mira from afar using his Thought Projection magic to ask for help in choosing, and then Rhodes would have Shadow Wolf deliver it quietly.
Laki hadn't noticed this usually, so she didn't know about it and that's why she asked.
Now, Warren had probably prepared himself to face that matter, or maybe he figured everyone had almost forgotten, so he finally decided to show up.
Mira made a note, "Okay, confirmed completion. Do you want to take the next one?"
Warren shook his head, "No, I plan to take a break. By the way, our guild has been really active lately."
Rhodes asked, "How so?"
Warren said, "Recently, every time I take a mission and show my guild mark, people ask me about the 'Fairy Queen.'"
Laki said, "Erza has always been famous, right?"
"No, before, people didn't bring her up so frequently. Also..." Warren pointed at Rhodes, "The strongest newcomer, quite capable—already featured in 'Sorcerer' magazine."
Rhodes laughed, "That was just a coincidence, a coincidence."
"Not just you guys. On my way back this time, I also heard people talking about the 'Fire Dragon.'"
Warren thought for a moment and repeated, "'Defeated a fire-breathing monster atop a volcano, just like a real fire dragon'—that was probably about Natsu."
Mira smiled, "Fire Dragon—that title suits Natsu quite well."
"Yeah, feels like our guild is becoming more and more remarkable."
Warren looked at the still noisy tavern and said with some emotion, "Usually it feels so noisy, but now I kind of miss this place."
Mira and Laki exchanged knowing smiles. Not just Warren—many people felt this way after being away for a long time.
Because this noisy place was their home.
However, after watching for a little while, Warren couldn't help but dig in his ears, "It's still so loud!"
Rhodes also laughed. When you're out and about, you might miss it a bit, but after coming back, you can find flaws anytime.
That's more like it.
Warren casually ordered a drink and took it himself, planning to find Max for a chat.
In this guild, when you want to talk to someone but don't know who to find, seeking out Max is always a good choice.
But many things often turn out differently than expected.
"Warren! You jerk, you really messed with us last time!"
Vijeeter, wearing tight-fitting clothes, jumped out, posing like a snake fist, looking like he wanted to settle accounts with Warren.
"Well... there was a reason for that..."
Warren knew that his 'call for help' last time had caused trouble for everyone, so he felt a bit guilty.
"We can't just let this go!"
"Yeah, that's right!"
Several others immediately stood up to back him up.
They weren't necessarily very angry, but just letting it go felt unsatisfying.
"Last time was my fault; I apologize to everyone. But..."
Warren looked at the pink-haired guy who was shouting the loudest, "But Natsu, you weren't even there last time. Why are you the loudest?"
"Ahahaha..." Natsu laughed loudly, pressing his right fist into his left palm, "Enough talk! Let's fight first!"
Though he said that, the first to make a move wasn't Natsu.
"That's right, be a man!"
"Why are you hitting me?!"
Actually, Elfman just swung a punch casually while shouting slogans, without even noticing who he hit.
Anyway, the brawl started just like that; a group of people got involved, and Warren ended up not being the main target.
Wine bottles and chairs flew around. Rhodes casually deflected a bottle flying towards Mira.
Laki raised a tray to block a cup flying at her, complaining, "Isn't your favoritism a bit too obvious?"
"Huh? No way!" Rhodes denied flatly.
"You know I haven't been learning magic for long; I'm not good at fighting at all. Being able to block one is already my limit."
"Who would believe you?" Laki rolled her eyes, "I've never seen you get hit by any of these things!"
Rhodes said, "That's because I stay far away and always stay alert."
It's just that Mira happens to be within my defensive range, and Laki is too far away.
The fight continued until a wine bottle hit the dazed Erza on the head, and Natsu was sent flying by someone, crashing into the table in front of her.
"Er... Erza, so you're here... haha, haha..." Natsu began to sweat profusely.
"Natsu..." Erza's fist landed on Natsu's head with a thud, granting him baby-like sleep.
"And you all!"
This time, Erza didn't stop them with words. Instead, after everyone was lying on the ground, a long sword appeared in her hand:
"Come on! If you want to fight, bring it on!"
Happy weakly raised his hand from the side, "Aye! They're already wiped out!"
Mira covered her mouth with one hand, smiling, "Oh my, seems like she's recovered her spirits."
"Well, I'm off to the library," Rhodes chose to slip away.
Just now, they were jokingly discussing who to send to provoke Erza, but in the end...
In Fairy Tail, such things don't require them to worry at all.