The protector of this sea area actually spoke of wanting to be killed or sealed away.
Everyone was quite curious about this.
Hope, however, had a sudden realization. When he first met Melkobia, he noticed that the guy exuded a slightly melancholic aura, just like Zeref.
For a Black Wizard, melancholy is the helplessness of watching life wither away while being the source of it all, yet unable to do anything.
Could the Water God Dragon also be a contradictory being with self-destructive tendencies?
Melkobia said nothing and instead led everyone on a tour of his palace.
Although located in the deep sea, the interior of the palace was a sealed space, even featuring a complete air circulation system, making it no different from being on land.
Aside from the living quarters, most of the other areas were planted with a wide variety of crops. After harvesting, Melkobia would give these crops to the residents of Ermina.
He had also established medical facilities within the temple specifically for rescuing injured schools of fish.
Additionally, the temple's surveillance tower led directly to the sea surface, allowing for the timely discovery of shipwreck victims so Melkobia could assist them.
This was how Karamiru came to stay with Melkobia; she later became his little stewardess to repay his kindness.
With so many good deeds, it was no wonder the town above once worshipped Melkobia like a god, even holding special sacrificial ceremonies for him.
After touring the palace, everyone felt that the claim of the "Five Dragon Gods" all being evil dragons who brought calamity was somewhat unreliable.
Melkobia appeared completely harmless.
Although his magic power riots caused the sea level to rise and submerge Ermina, he had also promptly developed a magic potion that allowed living beings to breathe underwater and distributed it to the residents.
Furthermore, it seemed the locals of Ermina quite enjoyed their current way of life.
"Securing food for the residents."
"Rescuing living beings in danger."
"It's so moving."
"You're such a good person... no, a good dragon!"
Watching his overly emotional companions, Hope, who didn't find it particularly moving, gave a dry laugh. Were these guys really being this dramatic? It made him feel as if he were emotionally deficient.
Clearing his throat, Hope looked back at the dragon in question. "Melkobia, do you consider yourself a good dragon?"
Unexpectedly, Melkobia gave a gloomy smile. "Don't be fooled by how I care for humans now; in the past, I killed many with my own hands."
"Just like crushing bugs."
Then the gloom on his face dissipated as he looked at his palms, once stained with countless blood. His smile gradually faded. "So, it's only natural that Elefseria would repeatedly call upon Mages to subjugate me."
"His relatives, friends, and companions died under the attacks of the Five Dragon Gods." Melkobia spoke very calmly; he had nothing to defend, as it was all the truth.
Hope could understand; it was just the law of the jungle.
Over four hundred years ago, the evil dragons followed this natural law, treating humans as playthings and snacks, which eventually gave rise to the ultimate catastrophe: the Black Dragon.
Steeped in the ideology of evil dragons, Melkobia naturally believed that his oppression of humans on the continent of Giltina was a perfectly normal behavior.
"Then what caused you to change your mindset and become the way you are now?" Erza asked curiously.
"What was it... it was Karamiru."
Melkobia said frankly, "That was a hundred years ago. I found Karamiru after a shipwreck at sea and intended to bring her back only as bait."
"I didn't expect Karamiru to think I had saved her. She insisted on repaying the favor and stayed to take care of me. Back then, she was just a little thing; it's hard to say who was taking care of whom."
"And then... we just became close, inexplicably."
"By the time I finally realized it, I found myself walking the path of coexistence with humans."
Melkobia sighed. In the past, he hadn't understood those dragons who were willing to engage in internal strife with their own kind for the sake of humans.
Having raised Karamiru like a daughter and seeing the heartfelt gratitude from the residents of Ermina, Melkobia finally understood the significance of what the Coexistence Faction stood for.
Natsu scratched his head. Although he couldn't understand Melkobia's current feelings, he was sincerely happy to know there was another dragon who understood Igneel.
Hope, however, only saw a reformed sinner who hadn't paid any price. "Let's get back to the point. Melkobia, why do you want to disappear from this world?"
Melkobia looked at the palace that had been turned into a vegetable garden because of Karamiru. "You've seen the abnormality of that town, haven't you? The phenomenon where it turns into an underwater world at high tide is entirely because my magic power is gradually spiraling out of control."
"Why not let the residents of Ermina leave?" Mirajane asked, puzzled. "With your status in their hearts, they would surely believe you if you just spoke up, wouldn't they?"
Melkobia shook his head. "Aside from the fact that the people of Ermina are unwilling to leave their homes, my magic will eventually affect other nearby towns as well."
"As long as I am alive, it cannot be contained."
"How can that be..." Lucy clenched her hands in worry.
Gajeel couldn't help but say, "If the residents of Ermina won't leave, then you should just go yourself. What's there to be anxious about?"
Kurnugi interrupted him. "Dragons are territorial. If Melkobia were to leave of his own accord, other dragons would see it as abandoning the area and would immediately come to fight for it."
"And since it's the territory of the 'Water God Dragon,' only other God Dragons of his level would come," Levy added. "The current Melkobia harbors goodwill toward humans, but the other four dragons might not."
Melkobia wanted to protect the humans of Ermina, but he himself was the danger.
The contradiction between his desires and reality caused him, despite having a long lifespan ahead, to harbor the thought of disappearing.
Melkobia had even considered seeking out the Black Dragon to die, but he feared the Black Dragon would follow the scent to the Northern Continent; that guy also didn't care about innocent lives when he fought.
Thus, he could only continue to wait.
He just hadn't expected that someone capable of dealing with him would appear so soon.
The young human's power was sufficient to kill him, and possessing that power, he also had a matching mindset—he wouldn't let Ermina fall into the hands of dragons again.
Feeling Melkobia's pleading gaze, Hope firmly refused. "A mere dragon dares to try moral kidnapping on me? You don't actually think I have much of that stuff, do you?"
Seeing Melkobia's eyes dim, Cana couldn't help but retort, "Don't listen to his nonsense. The only thing this guy lacks is integrity."
"Heh..."
Being undercut in public by one of his own—and his bedmate at that—even the thick-skinned Hope rubbed his nose in some embarrassment.
Erza saw him dawdling and said, "Just say what you have to say. Don't be such a sissy about it."
The women present:...As expected of Erza, she even insulted herself... Hope cleared his throat. "Then I'll just say it straight. Melkobia, I not only have the power to kill you but also the means to seal away part of your magic. However..."
His expression took on a slightly shifty look as he slowly uttered four words.
"It'll cost extra."
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