Chapter Summaries

Rhode and Erza traveled to Morning Glory Town and learned that children were being kidnapped in nearby towns, with a father recently killed trying to stop the kidnappers. They split up to investigate Manjushaka Town and Poppy Town, leaving Rhode disguised and heading toward Poppy Town while Erza went north with Worm.

• Rhode and Erza reached Morning Glory Town by river crab and asked locals about the area.
• Rhode learned from bartender Bob that children had gone missing in Manjushaka Town and Poppy Town, and that a father had been killed the previous day.
• Rhode and Erza decided to investigate the two towns separately, with Erza taking Worm and Rhode arranging for Worm to return if either found the enemy.
• Rhode bought clothes and accessories to disguise himself, sent river crabs ahead as sentries, and left a Sharp Beak Bird near Morning Glory Town before setting out for Poppy Town.

Rhode and Erza learned that a Dark Magic Cult group planned to sacrifice kidnapped children to the demon Caniber that night. After Erza stopped a kidnapping in Manjushaka Town, they headed north toward the cult’s suspected ritual site to rescue the children.

• Rhode entered tense Poppy Town, investigated the crime scene, and gathered clues by having a Shadow Wolf sniff around and collecting clothing from homes that had lost children.
• Rhode sensed Worm returning to Howling Abyss and flew to Manjushaka Town, where Erza had defeated three black-robed kidnappers and rescued a mother and her child.
• The cultists shouted that they would offer their bodies and souls to Lord Caniber and praised Zeref, while parents begged Rhode and Erza to find their missing children.
• Rhode and Erza learned that the cult’s leader was called Ghost Shadow, the ritual site was likely near the mountains and sea to the north, and the summoning was planned for that night.
• Rhode and Erza handed the captives to the security team and hurried north to rescue the children before the ritual began.

A Dark Magic Cult prepared to summon Caniber using kidnapped children as sacrifices while Rhode and Erza tracked them to the altar. The cult moved the ritual ahead and brought the children with them, leaving Rhode and Erza watching from nearby.

• Four black-robed figures waited in a mountain dwelling, eager to begin their ritual and summon Caniber.
• A gray-haired boy comforted his little sister and secretly planned to escape with her, while believing their friend Lis would not return.
• The cultists whipped the children awake and marched them through the snow toward the altar, deciding to begin early because Raven had not returned.
• Rhode and Erza found the blood-drawn Magic Circle by following the scent of blood and watched the altar from a mountainside hiding place.
• Rhode told Erza that the cultists and the children were heading toward the altar, and Erza restrained herself from attacking before they learned where the other children were.

Rhode and Erza rescued fourteen children from Shadow of the Demon, with Erza drawing the cultists’ attention and destroying their altar. Rhode escaped with the children while Erza stayed behind to fight, and the cultists recognized her as Erza Scarlet of Fairy Tail.

• Rhode sent Stone Beetles underground to retrieve the fourteen children while Erza prepared to distract Shadow of the Demon.
• Erza destroyed the cult’s altar with a thrown spear, and Rhode’s beetles carried the children away from the cultists.
• Ghost Shadow ordered his men to attack, but Erza blocked their cursed Magic Bullets and kept them occupied while Rhode fled with the children.
• Erza changed into Tenrou Armor and struck down several attackers with her swords.
• Shadow of the Demon recognized Erza Scarlet as the Fairy Queen and realized she was a Fairy Tail wizard.

Erza and Rhode defeated Ghost Shadow’s black-robed followers at the altar, then secured the survivors and returned with the rescued children. Ghost Shadow’s unfinished ritual left the threat of Lord Caniber’s descent unresolved.

• Erza fought off the black-robed men while Rhode’s Shadow Wolves, Stone Beetles, and Azure Carved Golem disrupted their attacks.
• Erza used the Crown of Insight’s restored magic to overwhelm the remaining enemies with a rain of weapons, pinning Ghost Shadow and his men to the ground.
• Ghost Shadow and several followers began chanting about offering their flesh and souls, but the golem repeatedly punched them silent.
• Rhode arrived, checked on Erza, and helped bind the survivors while leaving Ghost Shadow for the Council to collect.
• Rhode and Erza carried the rescued children back toward town, with Sharp Beak Birds keeping them warm.
• Rhode considered his improved ability to keep summoned monsters active and hesitated to pursue a possible insect-like target in the mist.

Rhode and Erza finished rescuing the children and bringing the Dark Magic Cult members to the Council, then learned that Lis had escaped and returned home safely. After comforting the towns and seeing the children reunited with their parents, they returned to their inn, where Rhode discovered Erza had booked them a shared room.

• Rhode brought the fourteen rescued children to the hospital while Erza took Ghost Shadow to contact the Council, which imprisoned him and the other captives and prepared to arrest the remaining cultists.
• Rhode worried about Lis and the murdered resident, and Erza comforted him before they went to meet the town mayors.
• The mayor of Poppy Town told Rhode and Erza that Lis had escaped and returned home the previous day, easing their fears.
• Rhode and Erza stayed until the children had recovered or left with their parents, then accepted the mayors' thanks and returned to their inn.
• Rhode discovered Erza had booked a room with two beds for them to share and hurried to the bathroom when she offered to scrub his back.

Rhode and Erza returned to the guild after completing their mission, where Erza disciplined Natsu and learned that their reward would be 2.7 million J. Rhode realized his share would let him pay off his debt and began considering buying a house in Magnolia.

• Rhode and Erza traveled back toward Magnolia, stopping in towns overnight while Erza prepared plenty of food for the journey.
• Erza entered the guild and was hit in the face with a plate of noodles, then punched Natsu through a wall for wasting food.
• Rhode watched Erza restore order with Mira and learned that the Master had gone home to speak with Laxus.
• Mira told Erza that the Council branch had praised their mission and that the 2.7 million J reward would arrive in a few days.
• Rhode calculated that his share would clear his debt to the Master and began thinking about saving for a house near the guild.

After returning from a job, Rhode reflected on the dangers beyond Magnolia and trained harder so he could protect those close to him. The next morning, he rushed home after discovering his potted plants were wilting, leaving Mira to excuse his brief absence from work.

• Natsu returned to the guild wet after falling through thin ice, then dried himself with his Fire Dragon Slayer Magic.
• Rhode praised Erza as a reliable and powerful partner, and Mira teased him about enjoying her company.
• Rhode trained with renewed determination after realizing that dangerous people and threats existed beyond peaceful Magnolia.
• Rhode told Mira his three potted plants were wilting because he had been away, then hurried home to ask Troy for help.
• Mira considered marking Rhode absent without leave but crossed it out because he had only stepped out briefly.

Rhode brought Troy three damaged potted plants, and Troy agreed to nurse them back to health while asking Rhode for help with something later. Makarov invited Rhode to the guild alliance meeting next week to introduce him to other guild Masters, but Rhode tried to pass the invitation to Erza.

• Troy found grubs damaging Rhode's plants and used his magic to remove them, then offered to care for the pots for a few days.
• Rhode offered to help Jet recover faster, but Jet refused because he did not want to owe anyone more favors.
• Levy told Rhode that Tono could already handle commissions in Magnolia and was a promising newcomer.
• Makarov said Erza wanted to give Rhode her share of the mission reward, but Rhode learned her mistake was forgetting to bring food, so Makarov kept the reward distribution unchanged.
• Makarov invited Rhode to the guild alliance meeting next week, and Mira explained that he wanted to show off the guild's outstanding newcomer.
• Rhode objected to attending the meeting and suggested that Makarov take Erza instead.

Makarov invited Rhode to accompany him to a regular meeting after Mira explained why Erza avoided them. Later, Troy asked Rhode for advice on winning Levy over, and Rhode agreed to ask around while Troy cared for his potted plants.

• Mira told Rhode that Erza avoided the regular meetings because Ichiya had made her uncomfortable during a mission.
• Makarov recalled getting drunk and fighting Jose, and he invited Rhode to attend the next regular meeting with him.
• Troy asked Rhode how to win Levy over, explaining that he had already asked Loki for advice.
• Rhode noted that Levy might prefer someone mature and dependable, and offered to ask around indirectly.
• Troy thanked Rhode and agreed to nurse Rhode’s potted plants back to health.

Rhode and Erza answered the Council’s questions about the Dark Magic Cult mission, then Rhode and Mira went to the bank to cash the reward. Rhode became a millionaire, transferred most of the money to Erza, and celebrated by treating Mira.

• Rhode asked Mira to discreetly find out what kind of person Levy liked, then spent two days training while waiting for the Council’s reward.
• The Council investigator questioned Erza and Rhode about the Dark Magic Cult’s casualties and the destroyed altar, and Erza and Rhode each drew a sketch of it.
• Mira gave Rhode the check, and she accompanied him to the bank after Erza left to meet a Heart Kreuz designer.
• Rhode opened a bank account, deposited 1 million J, kept 350,000 J in cash, and transferred 1.35 million J to Erza.
• Rhode celebrated his new wealth by offering to treat Mira, who was happy for him.

Rhode met Mira for dessert, then returned to the guild and told Gray about the demon Erza and he had stopped from being summoned. After Mystogan’s magic put the guild to sleep, Rhode woke beside Mira and asked Makarov if he had time.

• Rhode and Mira shared dessert and discussed Levy and Troy, while Mira grew annoyed when Rhode reached for her cake.
• Gray asked Rhode about the demon from his mission with Erza, and Rhode explained that they had stopped a cult from summoning Caniber and arrested its members.
• Mira told Rhode that Gray had lost his family when a demon destroyed his hometown, and she said Erza kept her past private.
• Mystogan’s magic made the guild members fall asleep, and Makarov urged Mystogan to choose a job before he left.
• Rhode pretended to keep sleeping beside Mira, but she pinched his waist after realizing he was awake.
• Rhode asked Makarov whether he had time, intending to go train.

Rhode summoned the Void Larvae in a forest clearing and tested their behavior with Makarov’s help. He discovered they could spawn swarms of Void Worms that devoured defensive magic, and Makarov banned him from summoning them inside the guild.

• Rhode brought Makarov to a clearing outside Magnolia and asked him to create a defensive magic circle before the summoning.
• Rhode summoned three Void Larvae and tested their obedience by having them chase a rabbit.
• The Void Larvae spawned Void Worms that swarmed the rabbit, then regenerated their eggs in about twelve seconds.
• Rhode identified the creatures as Void Larvae and Void Worms and explained that each larva produced four worms every twelve seconds.
• The Void Worms gnawed at Makarov’s Tri-God magic while the Void Larvae corroded it with Magic Bullets, destroying the defensive magic.
• Makarov ordered Rhode never to summon the Void Larvae inside the guild.

Rhode prepared to accompany Makarov to a regional guild alliance meeting, leaving Mira the key to check on his potted plants. They arrived early at the villa hosting the meeting and went to put their luggage in their rooms.

• Rhode asked Mira to check on his plants while he was away and gave her the key to his home.
• Laki mistook Rhode’s reference to his plants as “sons” for a confession that he and Mira had children, and the guild teased Rhode.
• Mira kept the key but returned its protective charm to Rhode, leaving him flustered and pleased.
• Rhode and Makarov traveled by train and Rift Scuttler to the villa outside Croba City for the regional guild alliance meeting.
• Makarov found the meeting hall nearly empty, so he and Rhode went to put their luggage in their rooms.

Rhode accompanied Makarov to the X784 guild Masters’ meeting, inspected the venue, and met several other Masters before the conference began. Goldman opened the meeting by discussing the Kingdom of Fiore’s plans for a major wizard event and how the guilds should respond.

• Rhode used Take Over: Rift Scuttler to scout the venue and its surroundings before joining Makarov for lunch.
• Makarov introduced Rhode to Goldman and Master Bob, then bragged about Rhode’s achievements to the other Masters.
• Rhode worried that Makarov had drunk too much and might make him speak at the meeting, but Makarov dismissed his concern.
• Thirty Masters gathered for the first regular meeting of X784, with Goldman presiding and Rhode observing behind Makarov.
• Goldman raised the kingdom’s proposed grand wizard event and called for discussion of its impact on wizards and the guilds.

Rhode attended a long meeting of guild Masters with Makarov, who slept through much of the discussion. After Makarov accidentally blurted out “All together!” when asked for Fairy Tail’s position, Rhode turned it into a speech about unity, and the meeting ended with Makarov and Goldman trading barbs over dinner.

• Rhode took notes for the dozing Makarov as the Masters discussed the kingdom’s policies and their effects on Mages.
• When asked for Fairy Tail’s position, Makarov woke and shouted, “All together!”
• Rhode explained that Makarov meant the guilds should unite and work together, and Goldman adjourned the meeting.
• At dinner, Goldman teased Makarov about his blunder, and Makarov boasted about Rhode’s promise as an S-Class Mage.
• Bob suggested that Makarov and Goldman might have Rhode compete against Four Hound’s young S-Class Mage, but Rhode objected that he was not ready to challenge one.

Rhode practiced Requip Magic before attending a regional guild meeting that covered cooperation with the Council, rising Dark Guild activity, and disputes between guilds. The meeting ended with Makarov preparing to draw lots for missions, a task he disliked because he often got the worst assignment.

• Rhode carried the drunken Makarov to bed, then practiced Requip Magic and discovered his quick-change attempt still failed.
• Goldman led a discussion about cooperating with the Council and praised Fairy Tail's Erza for helping with difficult assignments.
• The Masters discussed the Balam Alliance and increased Dark Guild activity, shared sightings, and planned guidance for mages who encountered Dark Guilds.
• The Masters discussed precautions and support for smaller guilds, then marked Dark Guild sightings on maps and distributed copies.
• The Masters settled complaints about Fairy Tail's damage, romantic misconduct, and indecent behavior through apologies and compensation.
• The meeting reached its final item, drawing lots to assign missions, which Makarov disliked because he often drew the worst lot.

After Rhode drew the best-fortune task at the routine meeting, he attended the banquet and learned Requip Magic from Makarov on the journey home. Back at Fairy Tail, Makarov involved Rhode and Erza in a contest with another guild, while Rhode shared snacks with Mira.

• Makarov sent Rhode to draw a lot, and Rhode pulled the best-fortune slip for Fairy Tail.
• At the banquet, Makarov told Rhode to socialize while he went drinking with his old friends.
• On the train home, Makarov demonstrated Requip Magic, and Rhode asked to learn it.
• Rhode and Makarov returned to find the guild tavern wrecked, and Mira said Erza had gone to Heart Kreuz.
• Makarov told Rhode to join Erza in a contest against Goldman’s guild, and Rhode explained the situation to Mira.
• Rhode told Mira he was back and offered her snacks he had brought home, prompting her to lightly smack his arm.

Rhode and Erza prepared to investigate a mission near the borders of Fiore, Bosco, and Seven, while Rhode received Wind Chant Glasses from Mira and noticed how carefully she had tidied his home. They departed by train for Croba Grand Canyon, leaving the mission site and its complications ahead.

• Rhode and Erza agreed to take the mission together and planned to leave the next morning.
• Rhode researched the border region and learned that a three-person team from Poison Fang had been injured while investigating the mission.
• Mira gave Rhode Wind Chant Glasses, greatly improving his reading speed and mood.
• Rhode trained with Erza, Mira, and Elfman, then found that Mira had carefully cleaned and arranged his home.
• Rhode met Erza at the guild, said goodbye to Mira, and boarded a train with Erza toward Croba Grand Canyon.

Rhode and Erza traveled to a village to investigate a cursed sword said to haunt an ancient battlefield, only to learn that Four Hound’s team had arrived first. After hearing the village chief’s account of the sword and recent attacks, Erza identified one of their rivals as Drunken Eagle Bacchus.

• Rhode explained to Erza that their mission was to find and recover or destroy a cursed sword, while competing against Four Hound for their guilds’ honor.
• Rhode and Erza discussed reports of hunters attacked by fog and the possibility that someone was using undead rumors to keep people away from the battlefield.
• Rhode and Erza reached the village and learned from the village chief that Four Hound’s Mages had arrived that morning.
• The village chief recounted the legend of a brutal general whose sword became cursed, and described recent attacks that had injured villagers and hunters.
• Erza concluded that the drunk Four Hound Mage was their S-Class rival, Drunken Eagle Bacchus.