How did this suddenly become a chain quest... Back when Hope played single-player games, he hated this kind of one-after-another design the most. To prolong playtime, developers would intentionally design task systems into endless loops of nesting quests.
What a hassle.
Maybe I should just fire a massive Dragon Slayer Magic spell into the sky and lure the Black Dragon over.
With his complex attribute and special magic power, it would be impossible for Acnologia to ignore it.
Seeing that Hope was getting a bit impatient, Mirajane spoke up as if soothing a child, "Be good, Hope. Let's just go to the Dragon of the Magic Array and take a look. Gildarts' Hundred Year Quest was issued by the Dragon of the Magic Array."
Hope twitched his lips. "I'm not the First Generation, don't treat me like a child..."
"However, Gildarts did indeed ask me to go to the Dragon of the Magic Array to tell the client of the Hundred Year Quest that his mission failed."
Due to professional ethics, Gildarts hadn't revealed the details of the Hundred Year Quest to everyone back then, only mentioning that the enemy was a dragon.
But there was nothing to hide about the client's location. After all, for a mission of this level, understanding the details and signing the contract had to be done in person with the client.
Hope's slight irritation dissipated. A chain quest is a chain quest then; they were out to have fun and gain experience anyway, so he'd just treat it as enjoying the scenery along the way.
"It's decided then. We'll go to the Dragon of the Magic Array to gather information. If it's on the way, it's not impossible to finish the Hundred Year Quest that Gildarts failed."
Hope's words immediately drew enthusiastic cheers from his companions.
That was the Hundred Year Quest, the highest difficulty commission that no one had been able to complete for over a hundred years since its posting; even someone as strong as Gildarts ended in failure.
But if Hope took over, the situation would be different.
Could a mere Hundred Year Quest be harder to deal with than Zeref?
"Hope, you must count me in for the Hundred Year Quest!" Cana leaned over and hugged Hope's arm, her eyes full of the desire to ride his coattails.
"And me!"
"Count me in too!"
"Plus one, don't make this great one get on his knees and beg you!"
"I'm fired up!"
"..."
With Hope leading the way, the Hundred Year Quest that seemed out of reach for everyone would surely be completed. When the time came, they could have a good boast back at the guild.
That would certainly give them face.
Watching the exchange meeting suddenly become lively, Councilors Selena and Lano were not only not displeased, but instead had looks of envy on their faces.
Because of the existence of the Five Dragon Gods, these councilors who were trying to reclaim human dignity were under immense pressure; they hadn't laughed heartily like these young people in a long time.
But this was a serious meeting room after all. Selena pinched the bridge of her nose. "Sorry, listening to your conversation... are you planning to take on that mission from the Dragon of the Magic Array?"
"I suppose so." Hope had only mentioned it in passing, but he hadn't expected such a strong reaction from his companions. If he didn't agree, it would spoil the atmosphere.
Selena smiled. "Actually, the content of the Dragon of the Magic Array's Hundred Year Quest is exactly the same as the mission our Council commissioned you for."
This was indeed surprising news.
Looking at everyone's expressions, Selena said with some emotion, "The Guild Master of the Dragon of the Magic Array is a like-minded person to us, and he used to be a very powerful Dragon Slayer Mage."
"How powerful?" Natsu couldn't help but ask.
Selena raised her finger and pointed at the shadow of the Five Dragon Gods on the magic light screen. "Actually, there were six of the Five Dragon Gods, but the extra Earth God Dragon was defeated by that Guild Master. Only then did the Five Dragon Gods finally settle down a bit, allowing us to pass a relatively peaceful 100 years until now."
"It's just that the Guild Master's body suffered injuries and he can no longer use his full strength, so he issued a commission to the whole world, hoping that someone else could confront the Five Dragon Gods."
"Who would have thought..."
At this point, Selena gave a deep sigh and did not continue. However, everyone understood that the commission had now become the Hundred Year Quest.
A Dragon Slayer Mage who has lived for over a hundred years.
This should be the longest-living Dragon Slayer Mage besides Acnologia and Irene.
Hope's gaze swept over the youngsters like Erza and Natsu behind the meeting table. Compared to the old-school powerhouses, their Dragon Slayer Magic was still not quite there.
Compared to the cold-hearted Acnologia and Irene who was trapped in her obsessions, perhaps that mentally stable Guild Master could serve as an experienced Dragon Slayer mentor to guide the young people.
Now there was another reason to go to the Dragon of the Magic Array.
Since they couldn't get any more useful information from the councilors, it was time to leave.
Borrowing a Magic Airship from Councilor Lano, Hope followed the navigation of the Magic Map and, in only about half a day, led the group to the Dragon of the Magic Array.
It was a dilapidated castle in a remote place. Perched atop the castle was a very majestic stone statue of a giant dragon, giving the overall architecture a somewhat domineering look.
"So this is the 'Dragon of the Magic Array'."
"Look! It's a dragon!"
"That's just a stone statue, okay..."
"..."
Getting off the airship, the group chatted as they walked toward the castle building. They didn't look like Mages coming to visit, but rather like tourists on a tour.
With a creak, the main door opened.
What met their eyes was an empty hall and magic power so dense it turned into snowflake-like points of light.
"Such abundant magic energy." Lucy caught a speck of magic light with her hand.
Gray looked around. "By the way, is there no one here?"
"No, this feeling..."
Erza, Natsu, Gajeel, and Wendy almost simultaneously looked up.
In the darkness, a pair of huge eyes was looking down at everyone. Then, the lights came on, illuminating the entire interior of the castle.
Everyone finally saw clearly what was above.
That was... a dragon!
Although it looked a bit scary, the giant dragon gave off a kind feeling. He lay on the high platform. "You have come, the 99th team of heroes."
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