It was very lively early this morning, with everyone gathered in the mission area, looking at the hundreds of newly issued missions.
Immediately after, a scramble began as everyone tried to grab an easy and well-paying job.
Suddenly, someone let out a cry of surprise: "Huh? Is this an ss-class mission?"
"SS-class?"
"Quick, let me see!"
Everyone's curiosity was piqued instantly. They pushed their way through; even s-class missions were rare, let alone SS-class. So, what kind of mission was it exactly?
Happy spread his wings and flew to the top to look. When he saw the contents, he cried out, "It's a mission about dragons!"
"Natsu, Natsu, come here and look!"
Hearing this, Natsu shouted while squeezing through the crowd, "Happy, hurry and grab that mission!"
He had been looking for Igneel all this time. Hearing about a dragon mission now, how could he let it go?
Seeing the chaotic scene, Makarov said crossly, "Stop messing around! This ss-class mission is a bit special; it's not for you guys!"
Natsu didn't listen to him at all. Having already grabbed the mission, his full attention was on it as he read aloud: "A kingdom suffering from the depredations of an evil dragon? A hero's dragon slaying!"
He shouted excitedly, "There really is a dragon!"
Hearing this, Gajeel and Wendy said in unison, "I want to take it!"
They also hoped to get news about the Iron Dragon Metalicana and the Sky Dragon Grandeeney.
Since a kingdom had sent the mission, it couldn't possibly be fake news. They had to go; they couldn't miss something like this.
Makarov shook his head. "You can't. This mission is designated for Erza. Only Erza has the right to choose whether to accept it or not."
Erza was very surprised and pointed at herself. "Me?"
She wasn't a Dragon Slayer Mage, so why designate her for dragon slaying?
Natsu said unwillingly, "I'm the Dragon Slayer Mage! Let me go with Erza!"
Makarov shook his head. "They said only Erza can complete this mission. No specific reason was given. In such an unknown situation, I don't want you to take risks."
Missions involving dragons were at least Ten-Year Quests. Although he didn't understand why they insisted it was an ss-class mission, the danger level was absolute.
"But—!"
Natsu wanted to say more, but Makarov cut him off sternly. "Even Gildarts is no match for a dragon. Do you really think you can face one? If you go and never return, I don't want to be the one collecting your bodies!"
Since ancient times, dragons have been beings at the peak of the world. Even the most ordinary dragon requires the strongest of humans to challenge it.
Although the dragon race is already a legend, their power is beyond doubt!
Gildarts, drinking at the counter, agreed. "I don't suggest you go either. You might have the power to slay dragons in the future, but definitely not now."
That Red Dragon from before still left him with lingering fears. If he hadn't run fast enough, he wouldn't be sitting here drinking leisurely now.
Irene, wearing a casual dress, stepped into the guild. "Let Erza take it. Of course, others who want to go can go together."
As soon as she said this, the whole place was shocked. Makarov was full of confusion. "But... why?"
He didn't understand. Erza was Irene's own daughter. Actively letting her daughter face an evil dragon—wasn't that sending her to her death?
"Yeah, Irene, this mission is too dangerous."
"The Master is right. You mustn't be impulsive!"
"You can't let Erza go!"
Everyone looked at Irene and tried to dissuade her. That was a terrifying dragon; Erza couldn't possibly be its match.
Even if their entire guild went together, they might not be able to win.
Irene looked at Erza and said seriously, "Others might be in danger, but Erza is absolutely safe."
"As for the reason, Erza will find out when she gets there."
Erza looked at Irene, their eyes meeting. She saw a deep complexity and nostalgia in her mother's eyes.
She suddenly said, "Master, I'll take it!"
Makarov was silent for a moment, then sighed. "I won't stop you then. You mother and daughter should think it through."
The next day, Erza had already packed her luggage and was ready to depart. Acnologia and Irene came to see her off.
Acnologia suddenly remembered something and took out a neatly wrapped package. "By the way, I have a gift for you!"
"A gift?"
Erza took the package. After opening it, she found a miniature machine. She asked in confusion, "What's this? A Dragon Knight toy? I'm not a child anymore."
Acnologia said with a smile, "This is the original Dragon Knight from Edolas. Your mother modified it, adding the ability to change size."
"A modified Dragon Knight?"
Erza was shocked. She remembered this Dragon Knight sweeping through everything, with even Gildarts unable to cause damage. Her father had actually brought it back?
"What do you mean?"
"Don't you know Requip Magic?"
Acnologia said as if it were obvious, "Just throw this Dragon Knight into your spatial pocket and use it as one of your armors!"
"The Dragon Knight now has the ability to grow and shrink. As long as you trigger the inscribed magic, it will return to its original size."
"Then I'll try..."
Erza thought for a moment and felt it was feasible. If she could really do it, this would be her strongest armor.
A magic circle expanded in her palm, and spatial power covered it. The Dragon Knight vanished instantly.
The Dragon Knight had the ability to negate magic, but it could be transferred along with space itself.
Erza closed her eyes to sense it and soon showed an excited expression. "It really works!"
Didn't that mean that from today on, she would possess power on the level of the Four Gods of Ishgar?
Erza jumped up and hugged Acnologia and Irene, her face filled with uncontrollable joy. "Thank you, Mom and Dad! I love you so much!"
Acnologia stroked her head and smiled. "We're satisfied just seeing you Happy. Consider this our first gift to you."
Irene laughed. "Now you know your parents are the best, right?"
Seeing Erza Happy, she was also Happy from the bottom of her heart. Although her daughter liked to be stubborn with her, she was still her favorite daughter.
"I know!"
Erza nodded vigorously. Just then, the Magic Train arrived. She said hurriedly, "Then I'm off!"
"Go then, and come back soon!"
"Yeah, you guys should head back now!"
The two watched silently as Erza boarded the train with a suitcase. They gave a final wave, and Erza waved back through the glass until the train rumbled away and disappeared completely.
Irene said softly, "When Erza comes back, she'll know our true identities."
Acnologia stretched and said nonchalantly, "We should have told her long ago."
After all, she was his beloved daughter. It wasn't good to keep hiding it; she would have to find out sooner or later.
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