Chapter 26. Return to the guild.

Eros until the morning dealt with the objects found in the demon's lair.

- Here is a shit, even after death decided to spoil, - with a sigh, said Eros.

Almost all of the items were tied to the demon. That is, only he can dress and use them. And Eros doesn't have the skill to unbind yet. Only two items were free, a book and a simple silver ring.

For what the book, Eros did not understand, but the ring was interesting. With the help of Analyzing Magic, he learned the properties of the ring, it protected the mind, not allowing it to penetrate the head and read minds, or in any other way influence the mind. He decided to put on the ring immediately, after a full check.

All the rest of the "good" Eros took away from the city in the morning and hid, while putting a couple of runes on the ground, hiding magical power.

***

* Two days later, the rune knights arrived in the city.*

A column of people dressed in the same uniform, somewhat reminiscent of that of the priests, passed through the gates of the city. The uniform consisted of a sleeveless dark robe with the Magic Council emblem in the form of a white cross on the front, worn over a light shirt with wide sleeves below the elbows. A light cloak with the same emblem of the Magic Council, but on the back, is fixed on the robe with a large diamond-shaped clasp. Their outfit was also complemented by simple boots with vertical stripes at the front; each knight carried a metal staff, surmounted by a crystal sphere with a small cross.

A middle-aged man walked in front of the whole procession. He wore a dark jacket with sparse stripes on the cuffs over a light shirt with a large Council symbol, loose trousers with a massive belt, light gloves and boots. And also a white cloak with the emblem of the magic council was fixed on a diamond-shaped clasp.

Gildarts came forward.

"Hmm… Fairy Tail," the man who walked in front of the column said with dislike, "Glad to meet you," he held out his hand to the magician.

"I'm so glad, division commander Jerry," Gildarts replied with a slight smile, shaking his hand.

Both people looked into each other's eyes with disgust ... Only lightning from the eyes was not enough to complete this whole picture.

- Hmm… I don't have much time, let's finish it all quickly.

- If so, then let's go, I'll take you.

- Really, Gildarts himself decided to cheat me, what an honor, - Jerry said with a mockery.

- What are you, I'm just worried about you, otherwise you will stumble, bruise your head and, as usual, blame the fairy tail for everything, - the magician answered with the same intonation, without turning to the enraged man.

- Watch your tongue, otherwise ...

- Will you complain to the council again?

- YOU…! The division commander growled in an inhuman voice.

The soldiers following them did not react in any way to this sweet conversation, because it is not the first time for them to see such a thing. Since every meeting of these two people almost always ended in a conflict.

After that, both fell silent and the rest of the road passed in silence.

- And why am I not surprised? - Reaching the remains of the mansion, said Jerry, with the intonation of a man who has seen a lot, - When will your guild finally learn to carry out its tasks without destruction? But praise, the city is still intact.

Gildarts this time decided to remain silent, he had nothing to cover it with.

Approaching the hole, the magician grabbed Eros and jumped into it, followed by Jerry with five soldiers. The divisional commander used wind magic and calmly began to descend.

- Teacher, at least warn me! - the titan was not afraid to jump down, but it was too sharp.

- Scared?

- No, but warn in advance!

- Okay, okay, - the magician grinned, patting Eros on the head.

A minute later the Rune Knights also came down to them.

- Apparently I was wrong, - Jerry said with a sigh, having examined Astaroth's "laboratory", - You destroyed everything, - he looked at the titan with disappointment, - Boy, do not follow in the footsteps of this idiot.

Gildarts frowned at Jerry, who chuckled in response and turned to the knights.

- Comb through everything! Any items related to dark magic should be sealed for further research.

- There is!

He himself, along with Gildarts and Eros, approached the demon's body.

- Why is he naked? Jerry asked with a twitching eye, looking at Gildarts.

The demon was not wearing a piece of clothing, only a small white handkerchief covered the most secret place.

- Magic ... - with a very serious face, the magician answered, looking at Eros.

- He's not naked, you see, the most important place is covered! - Yes, the titan could not resist taking the robe.

- Are you kidding me? Jerry hissed.

- No, the demon himself burned his clothes when he used his strongest spell, - Gildarts lied without batting an eye.

The division commander stared at the magician for a very long time, but he was holding the poker face.

- To hell with you, - waving his hand to the two knights, he pointed to the body, - Take the body.

- There is!

- For the two of you, written explanations about this incident, in duplicate, and as soon as you write, you can go in all four directions.

***

- You should have left at least some clothes on it, - Gildarts said with a slight smile, leaving the territory of the former mansion of the late Duke of Everly.

- Teacher, you know that I want to become an Artifactor? - he nodded, - Well, and the things on this demon, these are some artifacts and I want to study them as best as possible.

- Though out of respect for a strong enemy, I could at least leave something.

- I left him my handkerchief, his beloved by the way!

- Is that the one you bought in the market yesterday?

- ...

Eros, embarrassed, looked away.

- I won't say anything, it's your choice, but be careful with those things, - said Gildarts in a more serious voice, - Still, these are the things of a demon and not a weak one, he definitely could have done something with them.

- I know, I checked them back the day I brought all this.

- If so, then it's good ... - sighing and remembering something, he asked in bewilderment, - Why do you need a horn? - one of the horns was also missing from the demon's corpse.

- Well ... Perhaps something interesting can be made of it, after all, a demon horn with the power of an S-rank magician ... - he drawled dreamily, and in his head, Eros already made a throwing dagger from the horn, put a couple of runes, inserted the wind lacrima into handle…

***

They finished all business only in the evening. By signing all documents, confirming the completion of the task and taking the reward. The next day, both magicians left Shirotsumi and even Jerry decided to see them off. Although it would be more correct to say, infuriate Gildarts in the end. But he did not react to his jokes and, on the contrary, made Jerry mad. The rune knights still paid no attention to it.

- Teacher, have you known that rune knight for a long time?

- You mean Jerry?

Eros nodded.

- Yes, you just get along well with him, straight bosom friends!

Gildarts laughed at the titan's words.

- Indeed, we are "good "friends", - the magician drawled with a grain of nostalgia, - "We have known each other for ten years, because after each of my assignments, it is he who comes to pick up the criminals.

- Apparently he "loves" you very much.

- We have a mutual "love" with him, after all, how many times he has already tried to unbalance me, anger, offend ... - a sly smile appeared on his face.

- Still, you are a sadistic teacher.

***

Returning to the guild, handing over the task and listening to the lecture from Makarov, which lasted for an hour. Both were able to breathe a sigh of relief.

- Master, then I'll go home, today I want to rest.

- Well, - a very idiotic, happy expression appeared on his face, - I will go to Kanochka, I haven't seen her for almost a whole week, so in three days I'm waiting for you in our place.

- D ... - before he could answer, as Gildarts had already disappeared, - Hmm ...

- Welcome back Eros, - Rick and Lily walked up to him.

- Thank you.

- Well, how is it on an S-rank mission ?! The boy asked excitedly, but got a slap on the head from Lily.

- I almost died, - the titan replied with a slight smile.

- Was it so dangerous? Rick asked in a more serious voice.

- Very much, there is nothing for an A-rank mage to do there.

- You weren't hurt? The girl asked excitedly.

- Don't worry, I'm fine.

Both breathed a sigh of relief.

- How are you, where is Roni?

- It's okay, Lily recently got B-rank.

- Wow! You're doing fine! - she just nodded embarrassedly, - you are growing very quickly.

- Who would say, "little monster" - Rick drawled with a mockery.

- Roni is out hunting with the Fairy Tail Mages right now. The guild doors opened abruptly and the just discussed Roni and several members of the guild entered the hall. Each of them had some kind of animal on their backs.

- And here he is.

Seeing Eros, he smiled cheerfully and approached them.

- Welcome back, how's the assignment?

- Everything is fine, I just passed it and was about to go home to rest a little.

- Okay, but tomorrow night, so as a bayonet was in the guild!

- What for? Eros asked in bewilderment.

- You have to appreciate my new dishes, I have even prepared the ingredients, and we will just celebrate the completion of your first mission," exclaimed Roni with a proud smile.

- If so, then it's good - whoever says anything, but it's very nice to have those who care about you ... - Thank you ...