Chapter 299: A Book
"Eighteen Vulcans?" Rhodes blinked in disbelief. "Didn't you say there were only three?"
"W-Well..." Macao scratched the back of his head, sheepish. "Counting the two Natsu took down, it turns out we encountered a total of twenty. I, uh... might've accidentally wandered into their nesting grounds."
"You're incredible," Rhodes muttered, not sure whether to be impressed or horrified.
"But I definitely defeated three!" Natsu said proudly, tilting his head.
Lucy shouted, her hands clenched in frustration, "That was my Celestial Spirit. I have to apologize to him the next time I summon him!"
"Anyway," Macao said, exhaling deeply, "I really have to thank you all. I owe you one."
By the time he had taken down eighteen Vulcans, Macao had been completely spent. He could have holed up in the cave for a bit longer, but with the cold, hunger, and exhaustion mounting, the odds of lasting much longer were slim. If Natsu and Lucy hadn't shown up when they did, he'd been ready to go down swinging.
Natsu just grinned. "That's what we do, we're all guildmates."
Romeo bowed politely. "Thank you, Natsu, Happy, Lucy. Brother Rhodes, Sister Mira."
"Let's save the rest for tomorrow," Mira said kindly. "Right now, your dad needs rest."
Rhodes passed the medicine box to Macao. "Here. The crab will take you back to town."