After hearing the Number One Dragon Slayer General's plan, Erza sneered, "You've certainly thought of everything, even arranging a prophecy!"
If she hadn't found the historical records in the library, she might have actually been deceived. But even if she were, she would never become the ruler of the Dragnof Kingdom.
The Number One Dragon Slayer General said bitterly, "But I have truly waited for too long; I am really quite exhausted."
For over four hundred years, he had never stopped hoping for the return of Lord Acnologia and Queen Irene. He had no interest in being a king; he only wished to be a lowly general serving under the two of them.
He had been rejected when he begged Queen Irene to return, but he hadn't completely lost hope because there was still the Little Princess. As long as the Princess succeeded the throne, it would be no different from Her Majesty Queen Irene returning.
Thus, he searched for the Little Princess for four hundred years, only finding the Fairy Tail Guild in the Fiore Kingdom in recent years.
He knew from a single glance from afar that the scarlet-haired girl, with her seventy-percent resemblance to Queen Irene, was definitely the one.
From that moment on, he began to think about how to have the Princess succeed the throne, until today.
If he were rejected again today, he would truly fall into despair.
Was he supposed to wait for the Little Princess to marry and have children?
Erza shook her head and said, "I am not suited to be a ruler. You, who have led the Dragnof Kingdom for four hundred years, are already the rightful King!"
The Number One Dragon Slayer General said with some reluctance, "But this is Queen Irene's kingdom!"
Erza said seriously, "It was her kingdom before it was disbanded. After its reconstruction, it has nothing to do with her. This is also why Mother chose not to return."
"Regardless, your ability to lead the kingdom's development to its current state is beyond question. I have never dealt with such matters; if you really make me the ruler, I would turn the kingdom into a mess."
"You must realize that the citizens of the kingdom truly acknowledge you, not my mother Irene, and certainly not me!"
Looking at the exhausted man, Erza said softly, "If you really don't want to be the ruler, then let Number Two do it. I see the qualities of a king in him."
At that moment, Number Two ran over quickly, half-kneeling with a face full of respect. "Number Two greets the Princess!"
"I also hope the Princess will be the kingdom's ruler. My father has always educated me this way; my life exists to serve the Princess!"
Erza felt an immense headache as she helped Number Two up. Why couldn't she make them understand?
She said with utmost gravity, "Do not mention this matter again. Whether you become the ruler or your father does, neither my mother nor I will have any objection."
"Do you really want the kingdom to fall into decline under the leadership of someone who knows nothing of government affairs?"
"Also, there's no need to call me Princess. Just call me Big Sister!"
Number Two shook his head. "That won't do. The Princess is the Princess."
Number One said seriously, "Please rest assured, I will assist you and ensure you quickly understand how the kingdom operates. If the kingdom truly declines, then it can only be said to be fate!"
Number Two: "My dad is right!"
Watching this father and son duo playing off each other, Erza felt that dying would be a quicker relief. Her deadbeat parents must have anticipated this situation; otherwise, why wouldn't they come themselves?
Suddenly, a roar that shook the heavens echoed from the sky. In an instant, a terrifying Dragon's Might descended, followed by a red mist that blotted out the sun.
Everyone felt their bodies grow heavy, nearly losing their footing. The Number One Dragon Slayer General's expression changed drastically. "This pressure... the Might of a Dragon King!"
"Damn it, it's the King of Red Dragons, Osta!"
As the ruler of a nation, he naturally possessed an intelligence network that spanned the continent.
Four hundred years ago, the King of Red Dragons, Osta, had his body torn apart by Lord Acnologia, but he did not die. He possessed a mysterious power to turn his body into red mist and was resurrected after the Human-Dragon War ended. He had been hiding ever since, only recently reappearing in the world.
Erza was slightly confused. "The King of Evil Dragons from four hundred years ago?"
Number One gritted his teeth. "Yes, it's him! If he hadn't led the Evil Dragons to attack the human race back then, how could our Dragnof Kingdom have been disbanded!"
"Damned vermin, does he no longer fear Lord Acnologia?"
Number One didn't have time to explain much. He grabbed Erza and Number Two and dashed straight for the Royal City. The moment they stepped into the Royal City, the Defense Array immediately activated, forming a massive protective shield to guard the city.
Number Eleven had already gathered all combat units. This time it was serious; besides the forces at the border, all Mages were assembled, numbering one hundred thousand, and that number was still increasing.
Facing a former King of Evil Dragons, no amount of preparation was too much.
Erza had someone fetch Natsu and Gajeel. Both had been beaten to a near-crippled state by Number Eleven and were receiving emergency treatment.
Previously, the medical staff might have thought about taking their time, but now they couldn't delay. They immediately used their full power, and in a short while, Natsu and Gajeel were fully recovered and rushed excitedly to the city wall.
"Is this another Evil Dragon?"
Natsu and Gajeel were shocked. Usually, they couldn't find one no matter how hard they looked, but two Evil Dragons had appeared in this single ss-class mission?
Moreover, this red Evil Dragon felt far more vicious than the previous purple one.
Natsu felt that this Red Dragon seemed even a size larger than the Fire Dragon King Igneel, and its aura was stronger; he wondered if it was just an illusion.
No!
There could absolutely be no dragon more powerful than Igneel!
The King of Red Dragons, Osta, flew through the heavens, looking down at the Royal City below. His voice was domineering and cold: "The scent of Dragon Slayer Mages... the human kingdom shall be destroyed!"
Magic power gathered in his mouth, a terrifying red pillar of light distorting space. Before it was even released, it dyed a portion of the sky blood-red.
"Everyone, release your magic power! Bolster the Defense Array, maximum output!"
General Number Eleven roared urgently. All the Mages desperately poured out their magic power, and the entire Royal City's protective shield turned a solid purple, so dense that not a single ray of light could penetrate it.
However, even through the protective shield, everyone could still feel the world-destroying magic power in the sky.
The Number One Dragon Slayer General's expression was very grim. "The King of Red Dragons, Osta's magic power is exceptionally powerful. The Defense Array can only block one attack."
He looked at Erza and the others and said, "After the first strike, I will hold back the King of Red Dragons, Osta. You all must flee the kingdom as quickly as possible! I can hold him off for five minutes at most!"
Natsu was furious. "What are you saying? We are Dragon Slayer Mages! We came specifically to slay dragons; how can we run away?"
Gajeel wore a confident smile. "We will definitely defeat the Evil Dragon. If we flee, the kingdom will only face destruction."
Erza also said seriously, "This is our mission: to eliminate the Evil Dragon invading the kingdom. Only this level of difficulty is worthy of an ss-class mission!"
The Number One Dragon Slayer General immediately became anxious. "What are you talking about? To tell you the truth, I don't even need thirty percent of my strength to defeat you. Even if the entire kingdom fights together, we absolutely cannot stand against the King of Red Dragons, Osta!"
He hadn't expected his plan to lead the Princess into such a dangerous situation. In his heart, even if the entire kingdom were wiped out, he could not allow the Princess to suffer the slightest harm.
Although the three of them—Erza, Natsu, and Gajeel—along with the two cats were somewhat shocked by the Number One Dragon Slayer General's words, their eyes became even more determined. No matter what, they had to protect the Dragnof Kingdom!
Because they were Fairy Tail Mages, and they never feared any powerful enemy!
----------------------------------
I've already posted 70 new chapters on Patreon!
If you like the story and want to reaad more, please visit my patreon. Every support is very meaningful!
[patreon.com/Kazenova223]
Thank you very much!
"And If you're enjoying it, drop a Power Stone for me!"