"Let's see..." Rolotia hummed, tapping her chin as she recalled the records. "Argon was born in the year X335. His birthplace was Montes Secreta. Back then, he lived by a simple philosophy: that coexistence between dragons and humans was the natural order of the world."
She paused, a small smile playing on her lips. "Because of that belief, he chose his profession. He was a doctor."
The silence that followed was deafening.
"Wait, Rolotia... can you repeat that?" Lucy asked, her voice hitching. She stared at her companion, certain she had misheard.
Rolotia tilted her head innocently. "Which part?"
"What was his profession again?" Lucy pressed, her eyes wide.
"A doctor," Rolotia repeated clearly.
"EEEEEEEEHHHHH—?!"
The scream echoed through the clearing. Lucy gripped her head, her mind reeling. "A DOCTOR?! Argon—or rather, Acnologia—was a doctor?!"
It was the most absurd thing she had ever heard. The Dragon King. The Wings of Despair. The symbol of ultimate destruction... was once a man dedicated to saving lives? The jump from 'Healer' to 'Destroyer' was a leap so drastic it defied logic. If she told anyone else this, they would likely ask if she'd hit her head or needed immediate therapy.
"You know... that is the most mind-blowing thing I've ever heard," Lucy sighed, her shoulders slumping. She let out a long breath, physically tossing her common sense out the window. "Anyway, please... continue."
Rolotia cleared her throat. "Ehem. Right. Argon was a doctor who treated humans and dragons alike. His dream was to be the bridge between the two species."
"A bridge..." Lucy whispered.
It was too different. This man was the polar opposite of the Acnologia the world feared today. "Something must have happened, right? A person doesn't just change like that for no reason."
"You're right, Lucy," Rolotia's expression darkened. "At that time, the dragons residing at Montes Secreta heard rumors of 'Dragon Slayer Magic.' They wanted to investigate it because it threatened the peace they had built."
Rolotia's voice grew heavy. "But when they returned from their investigation... they suddenly attacked. They slaughtered everyone in the village."
Lucy's blood ran cold. "Wait... why? Why would they slaughter their own people? Isn't that strange?"
"It is beyond strange," Rolotia agreed. "Why would dragons who lived in harmony for years suddenly turn into monsters after one journey? That is why I say Argon—Acnologia—is just as pitiful as Zeref. His fate was never supposed to be like this."
"What do you mean by that?" Lucy asked, leaning in. "His fate wasn't supposed to be like that?"
"I can't give you the full details yet," Rolotia said, her eyes shimmering with a trace of sadness. "But the dragon that led the slaughter at Montes Secreta... his name was Acnologia."
Lucy blinked, confused. "Wait... you mean Argon took that dragon's name later? He threw away his own name?"
"Because that Acnologia was the one who killed everyone," Rolotia explained softly. "And the most tragic part? That dragon was the Guardian of Montes Secreta. He was the one Argon respected and loved most in the world. Seeing his idol become a murderer... it broke Argon's mind."
Lucy fell silent. For the first time in her life, she felt a pang of genuine pity for the world's greatest monster.
"There was someone stirring the shadows back then—someone who caused the dragons to attack," Rolotia added. "But I'm sorry, I can't tell you who yet."
"No... it's okay," Lucy replied, looking down at her hands. "At least now I know. Acnologia wasn't always evil."