Ermina was located to the southwest of the Magia Dragon guild. Traveling there on foot would also take about four to five days.
"So, are we going?"
Darwin didn't answer immediately. Instead, he turned back to Chris and Erza to ask for their thoughts. Their three-person team had no official leader; they always discussed things and decided by vote.
"Of course we're going!" Chris said without a moment's hesitation. "If we miss this, who knows when we'll get another chance!"
Erza agreed as well. "Field study practice lasts for a whole year. We have plenty of time to travel around Guiltina at our leisure. There's no rush to go home!"
A smile blossomed on Darwin's face. "Then it's settled. Our next stop is Ermina!"
"But before that... Senior, could I trouble you with one more thing?"
"What is it?"
Darwin tapped the package he was carrying. "Help us send this back to Fairy Tail!"
"A dragon's heart is a vital material for creating Dragon Slayer Lacrima. I want to send it back to the guild so my dad can help process it."
Currently, Darwin only had Eclixion's heart temporarily sealed in ice. However, ice eventually melts, and no one could guarantee that freezing it for too long wouldn't lower the success rate of creating the Lacrima. Furthermore, he wasn't sure how much longer the three of them would stay in Guiltina or what they might encounter. If they kept the heart on them and it spoiled along the way, the loss would outweigh the gain!
"I understand. Leave the teleportation to me!"
"Then wait a moment, I'll let my dad know so he can receive it."
Darwin took out his Magic Mobile Phone and clicked on the contact for "Dad." "Dad, where are you right now?"
Two seconds later, he received Weston's reply: "Working. Something up?"
Like hell I believe you! Darwin thought. Replying that fast? Does that look like someone who's working? You're probably playing games!
Darwin complained internally but didn't call him out. "Give me your specific location. I have a delivery for you to pick up."
Weston replied: "At the guild."
Darwin set the package down, opened the wooden box, snapped a photo to send, and then repacked it. He looked up at Elefseria. "Please send it to 'Fairy Tail,' Senior!"
Elefseria naturally knew the exact location of Fairy Tail. With a wave of his hand, the package on the ground vanished instantly.
Two seconds later, Darwin's phone buzzed with a message from Weston. It contained a photo of the package, a "received" emoji, and a sentence: "The stuff arrived. Senior Elefseria helped send it, right? Say hello to him for me."
Darwin looked up. "My dad told me to say thank you."
"Ho ho, it's the least I could do."
Elefseria had watched the entire process of Darwin using the Magic Mobile Phone and marveled silently. This Magic Mobile Phone is indeed much easier to use than communicating via the Super Archive chat software back in the day! The technological level of Ishgar has developed at an astonishing rate...
Beep beep.
Weston sent another message: "What is this?" (In a questioning tone).
Beep beep.
Weston messaged again: "WHAT IS THIS?!!!" (In a shocked tone).
Beep beep.
Weston sent a video call request. Darwin smiled and pressed accept, and a familiar face immediately appeared on the screen.
"Kid, how did you stray so far off the path the moment you hit Guiltina? Are you in the business of trafficking organs now?!"
"Don't you know that's illegal?!"
"Son, doing this is breaking your father's and mother's hearts..."
Darwin's mouth twitched. He couldn't help but interrupt. "This is a dragon's heart! Can't you tell?! You ignorant, stupid old man!!"
Weston actually froze. "A dragon's heart? Where'd it come from?"
"Chris, Erza, and I teamed up to defeat a dragon a few days ago, then we took its heart!"
"According to Senior Elefseria, it was the 'Thunder Dragon King' Eclixion. I want you to help turn this heart into a Dragon Slayer Lacrima..."
Weston was silent on the other end for a long while, so long that Darwin wondered if there was a signal issue. Finally, he spoke again: "And the meat?"
"Huh?"
"Didn't you say you defeated the Thunder Dragon King? Where is its meat?"
"We ate it, of course!"
Weston was furious. "Unfilial son! You find something delicious and don't even think to share some with your parents?!"
Darwin wasn't scared at all. "I'll have the Senior send the bones back for you to make soup, how about that?"
"Send them! Send them now! If you don't send them, you're not my son!"
"What are you saying? I am your son anyway..."
Weston's expression stiffened, looking as uncomfortable as if he'd thrown a punch into thin air. "Fine, my heart is hurting right now, I don't want to talk to you anymore. Where are Chris and Erza?"
The two girls immediately crowded in front of the screen. "Dad (Guild Master), we're here!"
Weston smiled brilliantly. "Good, it's good that you're all safe! Continue to explore, eat well, and have fun in Guiltina. No rush to come back."
"We understand!!"
"Right, one more thing..."
The parties chatted about family matters for ten minutes before hanging up.
With that settled, Darwin and the others rested at Magia Dragon for the night. That evening, Elefseria sought them out again to give them some final advice before their departure.
"There's something I need to tell you in advance. Once you reach Ermina, you must prioritize your safety!"
Erza keenly caught the trace of apprehension in the old man's voice and felt surprised. "Why emphasize that specifically? Is there something there even more powerful than the Thunder Dragon King?"
"Exactly!" Elefseria sighed. "I actually shouldn't be telling you this, because it concerns the reason 'Magia Dragon' was founded—the request that has hung in this guild for decades, which no one has been able to complete."
"I helped your parents back then hoping they would one day help me."
"Who knew that after so many years, there would be no word from them, and in the end, they've sent you here instead..."
"Since it's come to this, I can only assume it is the will of heaven."
At this point, Elefseria's expression turned slightly regretful.
Chris gave a small, awkward laugh. "So what exactly is the request that even you can't solve, Senior?"
"It is... several dragons that have plagued Guiltina for hundreds of years, known as the 'Five Dragon Gods'!"
Dragon Gods?!
Hearing a title even more resonant than "Dragon King," the three perked up again.
"These Dragon Gods you mentioned, how does their strength compare to the Thunder Dragon King?"
"They are worlds apart!"