Mix-Up Again
"What are you guys doing? Why aren't you following the plan?"
Seeing that the bushes were still motionless, several red comma-shaped marks and orange-yellow flames appeared on the leader's head, while at the same time, the sound of popping beans came from his fist.
"You little brats, how dare you ignore me! I'll teach you a lesson you won't forget!"
After saying this, the leader gritted his teeth, brandished his fists, and charged into the bushes.
"Yahoo!"
Looking at the silver-haired boy standing under the trees in front of him, waving at him, the leader blinked his triangular eyes, and then froze on the spot.
"This... Waaah!"
Before the leader could finish speaking, a unique force appeared on his body, completely isolating him from the outside world.
After sealing the leader, the silver-haired boy gave a wink to the opposite side. The next second, two figures hidden in the bushes stepped forward, tied the leader's hands and feet, gagged him, and dragged him into the depths of the jungle.
Because the leader was usually extremely authoritative, the Old Hunters dared not take action without his orders, and thus the fierce ambush fell into a strange stalemate.
Deep in the dense forest, in a cave
"Da da"
"Da da"
Hearing footsteps outside the cave, the three people who were sitting on the ground with their eyes closed in meditation opened their eyes.
"This feeling... it's like Old Suo and the others are back! (Laxus)"
"Really? (Kana)"
"Yes! It can't be wrong! (Laxus)"
After receiving an affirmative answer, Kana immediately abandoned the two of them and ran out of the cave.
Shaking his head at the girl's retreating figure, Laxus said, "Let's hurry over there too!"
"Okay! (Lidas)"
When Laxus and his companion chased after them, Little Octopus Kana was clinging to the silver coral, acting all cute.
"Old Suo, why did it take you so long to come back? I was so worried about you!"
After removing the missiles from the aircraft, Mi-28 Sordil (here borrowing the name Mi-28 Havoc) explained, "The enemy's reaction speed is too slow, so we wasted a lot of time! By the way, why are there only three of you? Where is Josephine?"
"I just fell asleep and haven't woken up yet! (Laxus)"
"I see! And what about our guests? (Old Suo)"
"They're all in the cave next door. I just checked, and they're all behaving themselves, no one's causing trouble!" (Lidas tearful guests: Still trying to escape? Do you think we're stupid? If we get caught again, it won't just be a matter of gaining weight and breaking a few bones, will it?)
In the brief moment of nodding to Lidas, the captain inadvertently caught sight of the bewildered leader, so the understanding His Majesty the Emperor decided to let him lose clearly (actually, just to show off a bit). (PS: Actually... the one who really wanted to show off was Great Owl, because I was afraid you guys would complain online that I was digging a hole and not filling it.)
"What? Can't figure it out?"
Although he was very unwilling, in order not to look foolish, the leader nodded in agreement.
Just as His Majesty the Emperor was about to demonstrate his intellectual superiority, Thunder Scissors- Laxus seized the opportunity while he struck a pose and preemptively said, "It's actually quite simple. Before we even entered your ambush zone, Old Suo already knew our exact location and your plans, and devised a corresponding solution." (Great Owl: Trying to show off? Dream on!)
Seeing the dejected man, the leader's eyes instantly turned into two large Communication Magic Crystal.
"This... this... this..."
"That's certainly possible, because Old Suo is a master of Mind Magic and can easily read anyone's mind. (Kana)"
"Mind... Mind Magic? You... you are mages?"
"Of course! (Laxus)"
As Laxus spoke, Sordil and the others lifted their clothes, revealing the guild emblems hidden on their bodies.
As they gazed at the emblems, which were different in color but identical in shape, waves of emotion surged through the hearts of the leader and his captors, Shirley and Yuka.
"This emblem... wait, are they mages from a legitimate guild? (The leader's inner thoughts)"
"Wow! So handsome!" (Shirley's inner thoughts)
"Guilds? Strong players? Heh! I think I've found my path forward! (Yuka's inner thoughts)"
After thirty seconds to process the information, the captain, having emerged from the shadow of defeat, stared at the leader and asked, "Alright, we've revealed our identities. Now it's your turn!"
Sensing Old Suo's gaze, the leader puffed out his chest and said in a solemn tone, "I am Jagamba Hildeman, Brigade Commander the Third Division, Second Brigade the Royal Army of Isban's army. Do with me as you please, but don't expect to get any valuable information from me!"
Looking at the dignified and imposing Brigade Commander, Old Suo asked in bewilderment, "We don't have any deep-seated hatred, why would I kill you?"
"Hmph! Hypocrite!"
Hearing the opponent's cold snort, while His Majesty the Emperor was still processing the intelligence, his teammates on one side had already launched a counterattack.
"What's wrong with you? Old Suo was trying to explain things to you kindly, why are you yelling at him?" (Laxus)
"Exactly! (Kana)"
"Hmph! A guy who can ruthlessly kill innocent villagers says he won't hurt us. What is this if not hypocrisy?"
Upon hearing the leader's accusations (well, it seems we should call him Brigade Commander now), everyone standing around couldn't stand it anymore.
"What nonsense are you talking about? It was that dark blue monster that destroyed the village, not the silver-haired big brother!" (Shirley)
"Brigade Commander, although this may cause you some trouble, that's truly the case. (Yuka)"
"You big idiots, didn't you hear me? You've got it wrong!" (Laxus)
"Ugh! It's infuriating! (Kana)"
"Brigade Commander, you've got it all wrong. We're here to hand over a mission; we haven't harmed anyone." (Lidas)
"Hmph! Do you think I'd be stupid enough to trust you accomplices?"
The moment the Brigade Commander finished speaking, a crisp slap echoed in the air.
Under the astonished gaze of the Brigade Commander, the slap maker ran crying into the cave ahead. Just then, the slap witness beside him timely explained, "Brigade Commander, do you think someone who has just lost his parents would speak up for his enemy?"
"You... you mean... she... she is..."
"Not only her, but the Blue-haired boy next to you is also a victim of this incident. (Old Suo)"
Upon hearing Old Suo's explanation, the Brigade Commander turned his head in astonishment.
"I... I'm sorry, I... I didn't know you were..."
"Brigade Commander, the people who should be apologizing the most are not us, but these mages in front of you. If it weren't for them, everyone in the town would have died at the hands of that monster."
After Yuka finished speaking, the Brigade Commander, bound hand and foot like a giant rice dumpling, bowed deeply to the front.
"We apologize and ask for your forgiveness for our mistake!"
"Call out!"
A flash of white light suddenly appeared, and then the ropes binding the Brigade Commander slipped off. The next second, a hand as white as jade appeared on his shoulder and pulled his body back to its original position.
"Everyone makes mistakes, don't take it to heart!" (Old Suo)
Seeing the bigwig's statement, others quickly followed suit and posted their own comments.
"Hmph! I'll let it slide this time, but if they dare to do it again, it won't be so easy!" (Laxus)
"Please, you guys really need to improve your IQs! Not everyone who gets wronged is as capable as us of clearing their name!" (Kana)
"Brigade Commander, please be more careful next time!" (Lidas)
"Um... now that the misunderstanding has been cleared up, shouldn't we invite the guests out? (Yuka)"
After Yuka's reminder, everyone realized that there were still several guests staying in the cave.
"Oh, right, right! It's time to invite the guests out!"
The moment he finished speaking, Old Suo disappeared on the spot, riding on Silver light.
After the misunderstanding was cleared up, Old Suo and the others, along with the Brigade Commander and the guests, returned to the battlefield where they had been locked in a standoff. Then, the assembled Old Hunters marched in orderly steps toward the town.
Thanks to everyone's efforts, the fire was eventually extinguished, and many survivors were rescued. Unfortunately, the client was not among the survivors, so Old Suo and his team's request fell through.
"Sigh! I never expected my first mission to end like this!"
Seeing the dejected Lidas, the old man (Laxus) patted him on the shoulder and comforted him, "Alright, alright... don't be sad, this kind of thing happens often, take it easy!"
"Yes!" (The hidden thought in Kana's mind: Of course, the others made a mess of things because they caused a lot of trouble and angered the client!)
With the comfort of his two seniors, Lidas's mood gradually improved. Just then, the captain walked over slowly.
"Alright, that's all settled. We should head back now!"
Hearing their captain's words, the three nodded and stood beside him.
Just as Old Suo was about to activate the silver ring beneath his feet, a shout suddenly came from behind him.
"Wait a minute!"
A moment later, a beautiful red-haired young woman was reflected in four pairs of eyes that had turned 180 degrees.
"Josephine?! (Quartet)"
Not long after the surprised and doubtful voices subsided, the beautiful scholar, now back to normal, arrived breathlessly in front of the four.
"Mr. Sordil, thank you for saving my life. This book was found by the three of us in the Underground Magic Palace. We hope you will accept it."
"Miss Josephine, this is something you risked your lives for, we cannot accept it!"
"Mr. Sordil, without you, it would have rotted away in the Underground Magic Palace with the three of us, so you are more suitable to be its master. Besides, you have successfully completed the mission and deserve a reward."
Old Suo was originally prepared to continue refusing, but when he saw the big words on the cover, he instantly changed his mind.
"Since you put it that way, then we won't stand on ceremony!"
"That's exactly right!"
After handing over the book, Josephine waved to the four of them and watched them disappear into the silvery light.