Erza sat on the train, gazing out the window at the verdant mountains and winding rivers, her thoughts surging like a tide.
Looking back, the times I grew up with those lovely friends, the times we laughed, cried, and struggled together, these scenes play back in my mind like a movie, every moment is an invaluable memory.
She still has loving parents, and she has no regrets in her life.
She unfolded the SS-level mission in her hand, looked at it again, and rested her chin on her left hand in deep thought.
Although this mission is related to dragons, she can sense that dragons are not the main focus of this mission.
Because Mom said this mission is absolutely safe, and fighting a dragon is obviously not safe, so the problem is...
"The Kingdom of Doragunov..."
Erza murmured softly, perhaps this was a very important opportunity for her to truly understand her parents.
Just then, a gentle voice interrupted her thoughts: "Hello, is this your companion?"
Erza looked around and saw a gentle and dignified flight attendant in front of her, and behind her were Natsu, Happy, Gajeel, and Lily, who were so dizzy that their eyes rolled back.
Happy rushed over in surprise: "Erza!"
Erza hugged Happy, a helpless expression on her face: "I knew you guys would come."
The two guys are so obsessed with dragons that they won't listen to the president's strict orders.
As for why Wendy didn't come, it can only be said that she is a good girl and is quite obedient.
Natsu lay on the ground, his hand trembling as he reached out: "Help me, Erza..."
Erza nodded: "Understood!"
She knocked both men unconscious with a single punch each, then grabbed their clothes and threw them onto the opposite seat.
Lili was astonished. Was this the kind of help Nazgajeru wanted? He should have said he could fight too.
Happy, on the other hand, seemed unfazed. After all, Erin hadn't come, so they went on missions together—that was Erza's usual routine.
He looked at the quest in Erza's hand and asked doubtfully, "Are we really going to slay a dragon?"
Erza looked out the window at the scenery and said softly, "Perhaps..."
...
Kingdom of Doragunov
In the royal palace, a man clad in black armor sat on the steps below the throne, his entire body wreathed in purple magic, emanating an extremely terrifying aura.
At this moment, a tall man strode over, bowed, and said, "My Lord, the plan is proceeding as scheduled, and the people have unwavering faith in the prophecy."
The man in black armor nodded slightly: "Number 11, you did a good job. Make sure the people are prepared. As the kingdom's protector general, I have been severely injured by the evil dragon and am on the verge of death. I will not appear again."
Number Eleven's gaze fell, and he said with some resentment, "Are you really ready? This kingdom is..."
Number One frowned slightly: "There's no need to question my resolve; you simply need to obey!"
"Remember this moment, I have waited four hundred years for it. I will not forgive anyone who disrupts my plans, not even you!"
"Understood!"
...
Three days passed in the blink of an eye. In the faint light of dawn, Erza and the others finally stepped into the royal city of Dorakunov.
The royal city was bustling with activity, with people coming and going, vendors hawking their wares on the streets, and a dazzling array of restaurants. In the distance stood many classically beautiful magic guild buildings, shimmering brilliantly in the morning light.
The royal palace is the tallest building in the entire royal city, towering above the magic guild and reaching into the clouds, standing like a guardian deity in the rear.
The three people and two cats walked along the road, watching mages in gorgeous costumes pass by from time to time. Everyone's face was filled with confidence and pride, as if they were showing the world the prosperity and flourishing of the kingdom.
Natsu, however, did not see the kingdom's prosperity. Instead, he looked at the clothes of the passersby with a puzzled expression: "They are dressed so retroly, as if they are out of touch with the times."
The clothes here are not as novel in style as those in other kingdoms; instead, they have a conservative and elegant classical style.
"Not only does the architecture have an ancient style, but even these magical runes seem to have stepped out of history."
Erza's eyes widened in surprise as she reached out to touch the intricate magical runes carved into the city wall, each stroke imbued with profound ancient power and wisdom.
Gajeel, however, preferred to plan before acting. He had inquired about the kingdom before coming and explained, "It is said that this kingdom does not even have a king, and therefore does not like to communicate with the outside world."
"The person currently in charge of the kingdom is known as the Dragon Slayer General Number One. As for why he is not called king, that remains a mystery."
Gajeel said seriously, "Most importantly, that number one Dragon Slayer General is very likely an ancient being who has lived from four hundred years ago to the present day, and has been living in the world since the establishment of the Kingdom of Dolagunov."
Upon hearing this, everyone was shocked: "He's lived for four hundred years?"
What kind of being could have such a long lifespan?
Gajeel nodded: "Perhaps it's just a rumor, but historical records show that the highest authority in this kingdom has always been the number one Dragon Slayer General."
Erza wondered, "Perhaps this title has been inherited by all those who have held power throughout history."
The crowd seemed to be deep in thought; this conclusion seemed the most plausible, as they found it hard to imagine anyone living for four hundred years.
Natsu laughed and said, "Since he's called the Number One Dragon Slayer General, he must be a Dragon Slayer Mage or someone who has slain dragons. I must have a match with him."
Erza punched him on the head, burying Natsu in the ground, and instructed him, "When you see that person, don't be rude. Even if you call him General, his status is almost equivalent to that of a king."
She was there to complete a mission and didn't want to be arrested and imprisoned for offending such an important figure.
Happy forcefully pulled Natsu out of the ground, declaring confidently, "Let me keep a close eye on Natsu!"
"Your guarantee isn't very credible," Erza said, pursing her lips.
This guy is in cahoots with Natsu; otherwise, why would they hang out together every day?
Gajeel suddenly asked, "By the way, did you check what the mission rewards are?"
Erza said, "The reward is 1 billion J, plus the ability to make any request to the kingdom."
Natsu laughed loudly, "Any request is too outrageous. Isn't he afraid we'll take the entire kingdom?"
Harpy exclaimed excitedly, "I want ten thousand fish!"
Gajeel scoffed, "What a ridiculous wish! I want to take all the iron in the kingdom with me!"
Lili asked, puzzled, "Is iron so delicious?"
"Fish is the best!"
"It's delicious!"
"Iron tastes better!"
The two people and the cat instantly started fighting.
Erza, hearing the argument, also felt it was a bit exaggerated and pondered, "Perhaps there are some restrictions that haven't been explicitly stated. We'll find out when we meet the number one Dragon Slayer General."
She kicked the two men and the cat away, yelling angrily, "Shut up, you bastards!"