After walking out of the palace, Erza walked alone along the streets, her mind filled with a thousand thoughts as she looked at the bustling capital.
She hadn't expected the Number One Dragon Slayer General, whom she had never met before, to trust her so implicitly. This trust even exceeded that of her comrades in Fairy Tail, reaching an unprecedented level by placing the survival of a nation on her shoulders... as if as long as it was her, the Evil Dragons would surely be slain.
"Why?"
Erza asked herself. Even she didn't have that much confidence, yet a stranger believed in her so much. Was it really just because of a prophecy?
Looking at the lively and prosperous royal city, she felt a sense of unreality. Despite being frequently attacked by Evil Dragons, she didn't see any fear on the faces of the common people.
Even after being attacked by Evil Dragons, they could immediately resume various commercial activities, regain their good moods, and greet everyone with smiles and gentle politeness.
It was as if they were deliberately showing her the best side of the kingdom... This was far too strange.
Erza sighed. On one hand, her mother spoke of absolute safety, while on the other, she was tasked with killing Evil Dragons. She felt that this place was full of contradictions.
Evil Dragons... Are they really Evil Dragons?
"Erza, you are Lady Erza, right!"
A richly dressed child ran over excitedly, followed by two guards who looked unfathomably strong.
Erza was slightly puzzled. "And you are?"
The child said happily, "Hello, Lady Erza. My name is Number Two, the son of the Number One Dragon Slayer General."
Erza said with a smile, "Then you shouldn't be so polite. It is I who should address you as Lord Young General."
Number Two shook his head stubbornly. "You are the great hero of the kingdom. Please, you must not call me 'Lord'."
Erza nodded slightly. "Then you call me Erza, and I'll call you Number Two."
"Is 'Number Two' your name?"
Number Two said seriously, "My father said our family is ranked as Number One, Number Two, Number Three, and so on. I am the eldest in the family, so I am called Number Two. I also have younger brothers and sisters called Number Three and Number Four."
Erza nodded. Although she was curious, she didn't ask why, as it would be embarrassing if there was some hidden reason.
Number Two was very enthusiastic, taking Erza around to wander and constantly buying various gifts for her.
Eating a dessert, Erza asked, "Number Two, how are your father's injuries?"
Hearing this, a trace of sadness appeared on Number Two's face, but it quickly vanished. He said seriously, "Thank you for your concern. My father probably won't make it. However, being able to die in the battle to protect the kingdom is an honor for my father. If it's my turn one day, I am also willing to sacrifice myself for the kingdom."
Looking at his determined eyes, Erza said earnestly, "You have a great father. I believe you will become an excellent leader of the kingdom in the future, just like him."
These were her sincere words. Leaders like the Number One Dragon Slayer General and Number Two, who were willing to sacrifice themselves for the kingdom, would surely lead the kingdom to a better future.
And the subjects would surely love them from the bottom of their hearts.
Hearing Erza's words, Number Two didn't nod. Instead, he asked with a serious face, "Lady Erza, would you be willing to become the King of the Dragunov Kingdom?"
Erza was startled and hurriedly waved her hand. "Number Two, you can't say things like that. I'm just an outsider. That sort of thing is absolutely out of the question."
Such words were almost tantamount to rebellion. She didn't expect Number Two, whose status was equivalent to a prince, to say such a thing.
If anyone were to become the King, shouldn't it be the Number One Dragon Slayer General or you, Number Two?
Number Two continued, "If my father and the people of the kingdom all agree, would you be willing?"
Erza saw expectation in Number Two's eyes and was puzzled. Was he expecting her to agree?
She said with a very serious expression, "I am a Fairy Tail Mage. I will never become the King of the kingdom. Number One should be the King of the Dragunov Kingdom."
"Don't call me 'Lady'. I'm a bit older than you, so you can call me Big Sister."
Hearing this, Number Two didn't press further. He nodded with a smile, "Big Sister Erza, I should head back. Thank you for your company. You really are a very gentle person."
Erza looked at the sky; it was almost sunset. She smiled and said, "Then, goodbye, Number Two."
"Goodbye, Big Sister Erza!"
Watching Number Two and the guards leave, Erza also turned and walked toward her residence.
At this moment, she had even more doubts. She felt that Number Two had come specifically to test her... Erza thought for a moment and turned toward the Kingdom Library; perhaps there would be clues there.
"Erza!"
Suddenly, a voice came. It was Natsu and Happy running over excitedly.
Erza knew that whenever these two were Happy, it usually meant trouble. She said flatly, "What are you two up to now?"
Happy said happily, "Gajeel just went to the Coliseum with Number Eleven. Let's go watch!"
Natsu was a bit annoyed. "That guy didn't even call me! I love this kind of thing!"
Erza was puzzled. "Why do something that consumes magic power at a time like this? Aren't you afraid the Evil Dragons will suddenly attack the city?"
"What's there to be afraid of? If we can beat back the Evil Dragons once, we can beat them back a second time!"
Natsu looked fearless, completely forgetting how he had been beaten to a pulp by the Evil Dragons before.
He felt that everyone here was a good person. Two days ago, when he and Gajeel got drunk and fought, destroying many palaces and streets, no one even asked him for compensation. Such a thing was completely unimaginable in Magnolia Town.
Erza frowned slightly. "Don't be too careless. Don't you think you're being too relaxed? We are currently on an ss-class mission."
Over the past few days, the two humans and two cats had done nothing but eat and drink, getting drunk and stumbling around every day. She even wondered if these four had become useless.
Natsu laughed. "It's not just us fighting the Evil Dragons. We have the whole kingdom as our backup. We don't need to worry at all."
Happy said excitedly, "Natsu, let's go quickly, or else Gajeel will be finished."
Just then, Gajeel, covered in injuries, was lying on a stretcher being carried away by two guards to receive treatment.
Erza, Natsu, and Happy were all dumbfounded. What was the situation? He was beaten like this so quickly?
Lilly walked over and explained, "That General Number Eleven is too strong. He's at least at the level of the Ten Wizard Saints, and he was a bit heavy-handed. He beat Gajeel like this in just a few moves."
When they fought the Evil Dragons before, this General Number Eleven had been instant-killed by an Evil Dragon in one move, making them think he was weak. They hadn't expected him to be so ridiculously strong.
Natsu looked excited. "That guy is too weak. I'll go try!"
Just as Erza was about to stop him, Natsu grabbed the two cats and dashed away, disappearing in the blink of an eye.
"Still as reckless as ever."
She sighed. Instead of going to the Coliseum, she headed toward the library. The two humans and two cats were completely unreliable; she had to find the clues herself when it mattered most.
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