— — — — — —
Inside Gildarts's house
"Guildmaster, I'm sorry. I failed this mission and brought shame to the guild."
Gildarts sat on a chair and let out a long sigh, his face full of guilt. He cared deeply about the guild's reputation.
"It's fine," Kazuma said calmly. "Compared to the mission failing, the fact that you made it back alive matters far more. Old man Makarvo would say the same."
"Still... Tell me exactly what happened."
Kazuma looked at him closely. The man before him was battered beyond belief. One arm gone, one leg gone, and his internal organs severely damaged.
With injuries like that, surviving at all was a miracle. Yet Gildarts had walked back on his own.
He even still had enough strength left to casually fling Natsu into the air earlier. That alone said everything.
"I ran into a dragon," Gildarts said in a low voice. "A black dragon. I was in the middle of the Hundred Years Quest when I crossed paths with it by accident."
"It only took an instant. I went down. Lost an arm, a leg, and my insides were completely wrecked."
"When that dragon left… it didn't even bother to look at me."
As he spoke, Gildarts' expression grew serious. He pulled open his clothes, revealing wounds that were still seeping blood even now.
"Black Dragon Acnologia," Kazuma said slowly. "Centuries ago, he slaughtered every dragon in this world."
"Being able to see him and come back alive already makes you a legend. Most people don't even get the chance to survive."
What Kazuma referred to was a being once hailed as the strongest on the continent, ranked first among the Ten Wizard Saints. A godlike Dragon Slayer who wielded eight different Dragon Slayer magics at once.
And yet, in front of the Black Dragon, even that kind of existence was killed in a heartbeat. Acnologia couldn't even be bothered to spare him a glance.
It was like standing before Frieza and still managing to walk away alive.
"Acnologia…" Gildarts muttered. "Terrifyingly strong. What's even scarier is that will of his, like he exists solely to destroy everything."
He looked genuinely surprised. He hadn't expected Kazuma to know about the Black Dragon, much less know his name.
"Gildarts," Kazuma suddenly asked, "based on your feeling, between me and that Black Dragon, who's stronger?"
"I don't know," Gildarts replied honestly. "That dragon's strength is way beyond anything I can comprehend. And as for you, I still can't see your limits even now."
"All I can say is that you're both stronger than me. As for who's stronger between the two of you… no clue. Hahaha."
He scratched his head and laughed.
"Alright, I get it," Kazuma said with a smile. "I'll arrange for someone to help you regenerate your arm, leg, and internal organs. Until then, just rest properly."
"And while you're at it, enjoy some family time. Enjoy life with a daughter."
Kazuma smiled faintly. Even though he didn't get a clear answer, it didn't matter. He was confident he could handle the Black Dragon when the time came.
He still had time to grow stronger. In the end, victory would be his.
"If you can really restore my arm and leg, that'd be amazing," Gildarts said excitedly, having only processed the first half of what was said. "Honestly, without them, and with my organs messed up, I can't even fight at half strength."
"Oh, and if possible, make it one of those high-end magic prosthetic arms. Ordinary ones won't be able to handle my magic power."
At the moment, one of his arms was missing, one leg was literally a wooden stick, and half his internal organs were basically ruined. Just moving a little left him exhausted.
"A prosthetic arm?" Kazuma snorted. "You're really underestimating me. I'll find someone incredible and have your arm fully regenerated."
"For people at our level, no matter how advanced a magic tool is, it can't compare to your own body."
With that, Kazuma turned and left. For most people, regrowing limbs was nearly impossible. For him, it was trivial.
After Kazuma left, Gildarts sat there and let out a long breath.
"This new guild master really is insanely strong," he muttered. "And he's always so calm. With power and composure like that, no wonder Makarov chose him."
"Sigh… if only I'd come back earlier. If I hadn't been injured, I'd definitely want to go all out with that guy... And if what he said about restoring my limbs and organs is true, that would be incredible."
He stared at his missing arm, lost in thought. Then suddenly, something clicked.
"Wait a second," he said aloud. "Didn't he just mention 'family time'? A daughter?"
"What daughter? I don't have a daughter."
Gildarts wasn't a scumbag. The real reason he never acknowledged Cana was simple. He genuinely didn't know he even had a daughter.
---
Meanwhile, Kazuma returned to the guild, found Cana, and bluntly told her that Gildarts was gravely injured and might die at any moment.
Cana's stubborn resolve collapsed instantly. Her mind went blank, and she rushed over on instinct.
The moment the door opened, their eyes met.
Both of them froze.
"Ca… Cana? Y-you're my daughter?!"
"Hmph. Aren't you supposed to be dying?! Why do you look so lively?!"
The instant those words left their mouths, both of them were even more stunned.
For three full seconds, the room sank into a deathly silence.
.
.
.