NOVPUB
Chapter 337 - Prepare for War, the 'Big Spider' Attacks
Juvia hadn't been able to provide much intel.
The main issue was simple: a massive mobile guild like Phantom Lord's Six-Legged Walker needed an immense source of magical energy to function. Its core energy systems were located in the guildmaster's chamber, meaning they were nearly impossible to reach and destroy directly.
However, she did confirm what Rhodes had suspected about the weapon systems: Jupiter, their magic cluster cannon, was powered by a large magical crystal.
The other, more dangerous weapon required the Element Four to serve as living conductors, using a magic circuit that linked them directly to the guild's weapon core.
That was good news... and bad.
Good, because two of the four elements—Sol and Juvia—had already been defeated. Their absence would definitely disrupt Phantom's magical circuit.
Bad, because Jose might reassign the remaining two slots to himself and Gajeel, the Iron Dragon Slayer. If that happened, the destructive potential would remain high, and the challenge of disabling the weapon systems would become even more difficult.
Still, the goal remained the same:
Take them all down. Including Joseph.
Rhodes quickly reorganized the guild into multiple combat squads based on magical specialty, power level, teamwork potential, and current injury status.
He'd dueled most of them before, so he knew their abilities inside and out. That knowledge helped him form cohesive, efficient strike teams on the fly.
After outlining the plan in detail, he ordered the teams to rest and prepare while they awaited the final coordinates for Phantom's assault route. Minor adjustments would be made once that was confirmed.
Before stepping away, he gave buff to the more heavily wounded members, then clapped once.
"Warren, you're with me. Everyone else, stay on standby."
Warren's Telepathy Magic made him perfect for real-time battlefield coordination. On top of that, he had innate perception and directional awareness, ideal for acting as command relay.
As they stepped out, Rhodes paused, then looked back and added:
"Oh, one more thing. We're the best guild in Fiore. We've got the best mages in the world. And we're more ready than we've ever been. That means one thing, this victory is ours!"
Rhodes raised his fist.
"Fairy Tail!"
Every member in the room echoed with a roar, fists held high: "WE MUST WIN!!!"
...
"Whoa... seriously, this is a bit much, right?" Warren muttered.
They had arrived at a hidden spot along the lakeside behind the guild, roughly a kilometer away.
The lakebank was already swarming with restless Voidmites, their blue-violet bodies hopping and squirming, eager for battle. Every now and then, one would launch itself into the air, snapping at the sky, only to land in place again, corralled by three massive Voidgrubs. The Voidgrubs radiated control, keeping the smaller ones in check.
A Blue Sentinel followed Rhodes closely, maintaining his Blue buff.
But Rhodes still looked unsatisfied. "Not enough. There wasn't enough time. We've only built up... what, less than 3,000?"
Even so, with a rough estimate of ten Voidmites per target, it could completely flip the enemy's numbers advantage. And just the sight of them swarming into battle would be enough to terrify any opponent.
Suddenly, Rhodes narrowed his eyes. He placed a hand on Warren's shoulder. "Patch me in to everyone."
"On it." Warren pressed two fingers to his temple.
"All teams, incoming message from the command unit," he announced telepathically.
Across the guild grounds and surrounding area, every member froze and focused.
Rhodes' voice rang clearly in their minds:
"We've located the Six-Legged Walker. Phantom is moving in from the northeast, across the lake. Estimated distance: 15 kilometers. Everyone, prepare for combat."
"Assault teams, deploy now. Mobile teams, follow the route we discussed. Execute as planned. And Natsu, don't go charging ahead like last time."
"Got it!"
"Understood!"
"Hey, why'd you single me out?!"
"Aye! Because Rhodes said Natsu gets motion sickness."
Phantom's 'big spider' was definitely not a place for Natsu to be, Rhodes didn't want him rushing in headfirst and handing himself over as a free meal.
Several figures shot out of the guild yard like arrows loosed from a bow.
Upon reaching the lake, Gray stepped forward and pressed his hand to the surface. "Ice-Make: Lakeside Promenade!"
A wide path of shimmering ice stretched out before them, broad enough for ten mages to walk side by side. The slick surface was intricately patterned with anti-slip ridges, like a work of art forged in frost.
"Gray, you're a man!" Elfman bellowed, charging ahead across the icy road with Cana, Loke, and Gray close behind.
Natsu scowled and jogged to catch up, Happy flapping after him. He'd been banned from boarding the 'big spider'Phantom's mobile fortress, until the last moment. Without air support from Happy, there was a risk he'd just punch one of the legs and fall straight into the lake.
Finding and destroying the central magic crystal was left to others. Natsu's only assignment was aerial backup if needed.
Erza, Mira, and Lucy set off shortly after.
Lucy puffed her cheeks, muttering, "He actually put me on a team with Erza and Mira. Does Rhodes really think I'm that strong?"
Erza nodded gravely. "You're the one who took down the gorilla mercenary Duke. Rhodes must believe in your potential."
"That was a rumor! And the story keeps getting worse!" Lucy whined.
Mira chuckled softly. She could tell Rhodes had placed Lucy here not just because of her potential, but because this team could best protect her, and use her skills at the right time.
"Sniper team, move out! Gray, make sure the supply point is prepped!"
"Got it!"
Alzack and Bisca led a handful of long-range specialists down a separate path, headed for high ground to form a sniper nest.
Waiting for the enemy inside the guild would have been foolish. With the kind of firepower Phantom had, even a single stray blast could level half the town.
Instead, Fairy Tail had resolved to take the fight outside. Their goal: stop the enemy before they could reach the city. Turn Phantom's weapon against itself. Fight them inside their own fortress.
While sprinting along the icy path, Gray spotted a blue flag planted by the shore.
"You guys go ahead," he called.
He conjured a separate, narrow ice slide for himself and glided smoothly toward the lakeside.
The so-called supply point? A massive Blue Sentinel standing silently at Rhodes' side.
As soon as Gray arrived at the supply point, he was enveloped in a swirl of glowing blue streamers.
"It's really not necessary," Gray muttered as the magic settled on him. "Making a path across the lake is easier than doing it on land."
"I still think it's necessary," Rhodes replied, handing him a parchment. "I need you to build a few more routes. We're creating a basic transport network on the lake."
Gray raised a brow.
"Two reasons," Rhodes continued. "One, it gives us multiple fallback routes. Two, it hides the true position of the Voidmites. We can't let the enemy spot them too soon."
This was Rhodes' first time commanding an operation of this scale. He didn't have the luxury of experience, and he knew some of this should've been arranged earlier. Still, better to fix it now than not at all.
"Well, if you think it's important..." Gray didn't argue. With a generous supply of magic power thanks to the buff, he was fine with being a little overworked.
"I'll handle it. You take care of whatever's next."
Rhodes gave a nod, his green takeover armor forming around him in a glimmer of light. Without hesitation, he dove into the lake.
...
Roughly five kilometers away, across the lake's far side, a massive walking fortress lumbered forward.
The structure looked like a castle suspended above six gigantic mechanical legs.
With every step, the ground shook. Deep pits formed underfoot, cracks splintering out in jagged lines across the soil.
Though the shock-absorption systems reduced vibration, the sheer weight of the Phantom Guild's mobile fortress still sent rumbling tremors echoing across the land.
At the top floor of the fortress, deep within the castle-like main building, stood Phantom Lord's guildmaster: Jose Porla.
From the window of his office, he raised a magically enhanced monocular telescope to his eye. A small violet magic circle glowed around the lens, clearly a custom-made intelligence-gathering tool.
As expected of a man who loved flair and theatrics, Jose always carried enchanted gadgets for information-gathering.
"What's this...?" he murmured, narrowing his eyes. He spotted icy walkways forming atop the lake, with several figures racing along them toward shore.
"So they've decided to come to us first?" Jose lowered the telescope and snapped his fingers. "Prepare Jupiter for loading."
No matter what Fairy Tail planned, it didn't matter. As long as they entered range, the guild's main weapon, Jupiter, the Magic Converging Cannon would obliterate them in a single shot.
