The battle between the two sides was devastating. Apart from the defensive formation protecting the capital city of Dorakunov, the surrounding land was riddled with holes, and even the mountains and rivers were smashed and melted.
"Is the evil dragon dead?"
Erza's gaze turned serious. She sheathed her dragon knight, leaned her longsword against the ground, and supported her weary body.
That attack just now not only exhausted all of the dragon knight's magic power, but also drained her own magic power, making it very difficult for her to move.
"How is the purple dragon?"
"That attack just now was practically capable of destroying the heavens and the earth. No matter how strong the evil dragon is, it wouldn't survive, right?"
Everyone watched the eye of the storm with bated breath, eager to see what the evil dragon was really like. Unlike Natsu and the others' excitement, many soldiers had a strange, complicated look in their eyes.
Erza noticed the expressions on the soldiers' faces and became suspicious. From the beginning until now, she had not sensed any hatred or anger from these soldiers towards the purple dragon. Although they cursed fiercely, they did not actually act on it.
Moreover, after General Eleven's entire thousand-man squad was wiped out, no other squads went into battle.
Is it reasonable for a kingdom to mobilize such a small number of troops?
"hateful!"
With a roar, the purple dragon flapped its wings, creating a whirlwind that instantly dispersed the dust and sent Natsu, Gajeel, Erza, and the others tumbling to the ground.
Seeing the three struggling to their feet, he did not continue his attack. Instead, he spread his wings and flew into the sky: "When I descend again, I will destroy you along with the human kingdom!"
After uttering those harsh words, the purple dragon vanished into the sky.
Natsu looked at the sky, filled with resentment: "Damn it, that evil dragon took Erza's strongest attack and still managed to escape!"
Gajeel plopped down on the ground and sighed, "Don't be angry. That was beyond our ability to fight. Luckily, the dragon didn't realize that our magic was exhausted, otherwise it would have given us a fatal blow before leaving."
Lili nodded: "You're right, it's already lucky to have survived."
He had tried to finish off Gajeel earlier, but it had no effect. So he focused on assisting Gajeel. It's no exaggeration to say that, apart from Dragon Slayer Magic, other magic is basically ineffective against dragons.
Erza was lost in thought, feeling a strange feeling she couldn't quite put her finger on.
Thank you!
"Heroes! You have defeated the evil dragon!"
At this moment, all the kingdom's generals and soldiers ran out, cheering and jumping for joy around Erza and the others, showering them with praise.
General Number Eleven, who was thought to be dead, actually came out again and exclaimed, "Fairy Tail Mages, you are truly amazing! You saved the royal city of Dolagunov!"
Natsu looked at General Number Eleven in surprise: "Weren't you killed by the dragon's breath?"
Not only that, but even that thousand-man squad is still alive.
General Number Eleven explained, "We have space mages here who can set up teleportation spells for us, so that when our lives are in danger, we can be teleported back to the royal city in an instant."
"So that's how it is."
Natsu nodded. That explained it. Otherwise, who could survive such a terrorist attack?
General Number Eleven looked at Erza, examined her carefully, and thanked her again, saying, "You are heroes of the Kingdom of Dorakunov. Now, let me properly receive you."
Erza said somewhat embarrassedly, "Actually, we can't be considered heroes. Without your help, we wouldn't have been able to defeat the dragon at all."
"Moreover, we are already at our last gasp, and that evil dragon is beyond our ability to defeat."
Natsu, Happy, Gajeel, and Lily nodded in admiration, saying, "We can't bear the title of hero."
General Number Eleven laughed heartily: "That's alright. You are all benefactors of the kingdom for helping to defeat the evil dragon. We have been oppressed by the evil dragon for too long. This is the first time that the evil dragon has retreated on its own initiative."
Because General Eleven was too enthusiastic, the three people and two cats couldn't refuse and were ushered into the royal city by the soldiers, where a banquet was held to celebrate.
The palace was famous for its fine wines and delicacies, as well as fire, which Natsu liked; iron, which Gajeel liked; fish, which Happy liked; and sweets, which Erza liked. Everyone was served several portions of each.
There are thousands of delicious and juicy dishes, and even if Natsu and his big eaters ate for three days and three nights, they still couldn't finish them all.
At the same time, there are beautiful women singing and dancing, and all kinds of entertainment programs are available.
Natsu and the others were incredibly excited. As expected of a kingdom even larger than Fiore, this was the first time they had received such a warm welcome after completing dozens or even hundreds of missions.
Moreover, everyone here is talented and speaks very nicely. They often call them heroes and warriors, which makes the group of people a little conceited.
Erza managed to maintain some composure, but Natsu, Gajeel, and the two cats, drunk and unable to walk, started making grand pronouncements, saying they absolutely had to slay the evil dragon and save the Kingdom of Dragunov from its peril.
"General Number Eleven, don't listen to their nonsense. That evil dragon isn't as easy to deal with as you think..."
Erza blushed and asked, "Where is the Number One Dragon Slayer General? As the one who issued the quest, shouldn't he come out and see us?"
Upon hearing this, Number Eleven's smile vanished, and he said with a heavy expression, "To be honest, the Number One Dragon Slayer General was seriously injured in the battle with the evil dragon and is on the verge of death. In order to prevent the people of the kingdom from falling into fear and chaos, he chose to remain hidden behind the scenes."
"That evil dragon was too powerful. Even with the First Dragon Slayer General giving it his all, he could only barely leave a wound!"
At this point, General Number Eleven pointed to his heart and whispered, "The dragon has a fatal wound right here. No dragon-slaying magic is needed, just..."
He paused for a moment, then continued, "As long as you pierce this spot with your sword, the evil dragon will surely die."
He gave Erza a deep look, his gaze complex and unfathomable: "The First Dragon Slayer General firmly believes you can do it!"
Erza frowned slightly, that strange feeling returning, and she couldn't figure out what was going on: "Why me?"
General Number Eleven explained, "Our kingdom has a well-known saying: when the kingdom was attacked by an evil dragon and was about to be destroyed, a scarlet-haired girl stepped forward, killed the dragon, and became the hero who saved the kingdom."
He looked into Erza's eyes and said seriously, "The First Dragon Slayer General believes that person is you!"
"I had some doubts before, but after seeing your battle with the dragon, I now believe that you can definitely do it!"
"You are the hero foretold in the prophecy!"
My mission is to keep this hero and make him the new king of the Kingdom of Doragunov!