"Hasn't the era of dragons already passed?"
"Didn't dragons already go extinct on this continent? How can there be so many dragons? That's not what the books said at all!!"
After hearing Kurnugi's words, Zash widened his eyes, his eyes filled with emptiness. He could not believe what Kurnugi had said.
"Oh? You don't believe it?! The books you read were all written by humans, right? How could humans possibly know the history of dragons?!"
Kurnugi looked at Zash with a somewhat strange gaze.
"These days, no one believes the truth anymore…"
"Today, this great me is in a good mood, so I'll show mercy and let you witness my true form!"
As Kurnugi spoke, his body slowly began to shine with white light and underwent a violent transformation.
In just a short moment, Kurnugi's originally delicate skin began to become rough.
Looking carefully, it seemed that Kurnugi's entire body was covered in countless transparent scales. That was not all. Immediately after, Kurnugi's body began to continuously expand. Dragon horns grew from his head, his face became especially ferocious, his limbs thickened like some kind of reptile, and a long tail casually dragged across the ground, occasionally swaying a few times like a delighted pet dog. However, those bat-like wings that covered the sky were absolutely not something giant canines could possess…
As for Zash, who watched Kurnugi transform into a giant beast, he was already completely stunned. Looking at Kurnugi's appearance, the heart in his chest pounded continuously with 'thump, thump' sounds, because in Zash's memories, creatures like Kurnugi had a unique name, and that name was…
"Dragon! A giant dragon!"
Zash swallowed a mouthful of saliva and spoke in shock as he looked at Kurnugi before him.
Although the Kurnugi before him was somewhat smaller than the giant dragons recorded in books that were dozens of meters long, it did not hinder Kurnugi's identity at all. He was absolutely one of the giant dragons, the supreme beasts that once ruled this world and stood invincible in the world!
"I truly never expected it! Never expected that there would actually still be so many giant dragons in this world…"
"Hahaha, I am going to become invincible! As long as I have so many giant dragons, I can definitely rule this world!"
"O dragons! Become my power! Conquer this world for me!"
Zash burst into loud laughter. He reached out and gently stroked his forehead, his expression filled with madness.
"You little brat are quite interesting!"
"After seeing my great form, you still intend to command me?!"
"Kid, do you not know how the word death is written?"
"A low-level human like you doesn't even need the others here to make a move. I alone can tear your corpse into ten thousand pieces!"
Kurnugi revealed a ferocious smile as he looked at Zash before him. He exhaled a breath of turbid air, and countless violent winds immediately blew toward Zash, making him unable to stand steadily. Only then did Kurnugi slightly raise the corners of his mouth and proudly speak to Zash.
"Is that so?"
"Not necessarily, right?"
Zash staggered up from the ground. He dusted off the dirt on his body, then took out a cigar from his pocket and silently lit it. 'Puff, puff,' he calmly puffed clouds of smoke in front of everyone.
"Dragons, let me show you the power of humans…"
As Zash spoke, his eyes suddenly shone with red light.
"Hmm…"
Originally lying before Zash like a cat teasing a mouse it had caught, Kurnugi, who was toying with Zash, suddenly froze in expression. His mind was instantly bewitched by the light within Zash's eyes.
"This is my magic, Spirit Domination Magic…"
"You dragons should obediently become my pets!"
Zash laughed loudly as he looked at Kurnugi, whose eyes were flickering with red light. This was magic he had learned from an ancient secret manual. It was said to interfere with the minds of dragons, and when cultivated to the extreme, it could even control great dragons.
"Oh? The predecessor of Dragon Control Magic? Or some kind of magic similar to Dragon Control Magic…"
The moment Zash activated his magic, Evan instantly understood it. This was naturally not some Spirit Domination Magic. Even true Spirit Domination Magic could not dominate dragons. This was some kind of hypnotic suggestion magic, essentially giving dragons psychological suggestions that made them mistakenly believe that everything Zash said was correct. The principle was the same as Future Rogue's Dragon Control Magic, both using tricks to manipulate dragons. However, once the dragons noticed it, this magic would become useless…
Speaking of which, its principle was also similar to the Charm Magic the fake Salamander used on Lucy. Both belonged to the category of psychological suggestion magic. It was neither especially strong nor especially weak, but in general, it was a rather troublesome kind of magic…
Unfortunately, it was ineffective against Evan, Irene, and the others…
"Alright, your name is Kurnugi, right? Kurnugi, quickly help me eliminate that guy!"
In just the short few seconds Evan spent analyzing Zash's magic, Zash had already learned Kurnugi's name. At this moment, he intended for Kurnugi to eliminate Evan.
"Roar!!"
Kurnugi roared and walked toward Evan.
"Hmm?"
Facing Kurnugi's provocation, Evan merely frowned slightly and glared at Kurnugi.
"..."
In just an instant, Kurnugi, who had been psychologically suggested by Zash, directly froze stiff in place. His instincts and the suggestion in his mind conflicted with each other.
"Kurnugi, what are you doing?! Kurnugi!"
Zash continuously urged the Kurnugi he had suggested.
"Uh…"
However, no matter how Zash persuaded him, Kurnugi simply lay there motionlessly, not daring to make any disrespectful movement toward Evan. Yes, Kurnugi's fear of Evan had already seeped deep into his bones to the point of being incurable. It was absolutely not something a mere psychological suggestion could alter…
"Foolish…"
Animus coldly sneered as he looked at the crazed Zash. This idiot actually intended to control a young dragon to beat up a Dragon King. Was his brain broken?!
"Bastard, utterly useless…"
"Damn it, if that's the case, then all of you shall accept my domination!"
Zash cursed angrily, then used his suggestion magic on everyone present.
"Hmph~"
Unfortunately, before Zash's suggestion magic could even approach Evan and the others, it was blocked by an invisible spiritual force.
"Enchant, Purification!"
Evan could not be bothered dealing with Zash and directly enchanted everyone present with the Purification attribute.
"Buzz!"
In just a short instant, Kurnugi, whose eyes had originally turned red and who was gradually becoming berserk, instantly calmed down.
"What exactly is happening?"
Zash was stunned by everything before him. He could not understand what exactly was happening.
"Boom!!"
Before Zash could think further, accompanied by a sound of breaking air, a gigantic claw descended from the sky and directly smashed Zash into the ruins.
"You bastard, you actually dared place suggestions on this great me?! Insolence! I think you already have a death wish!"
Kurnugi coldly snorted as he looked at Zash, whom he had smashed into the ruins. Scarlet light flickered within his eyes, representing the boundless rage in his heart.
"Don't kill him. He's a traitor of the Kingdom of Fiore. Later we still have to send him back to Old Thomas. Leave him with one breath so Old Thomas can personally deal with him…"
Evan frowned slightly as he looked at Zash, whose entire body had suffered shattered fractures and who was constantly coughing blood. After all, Zash was a general of the Kingdom of Fiore. Letting him simply die would be far too wasteful. They had to announce it to the world and hold some kind of execution, right?! It could also serve as a warning to others!
This could also tell the entire Kingdom of Fiore exactly what happens when they offend Fairy Tail…
Ahem, no, rather, what kind of miserable ending awaits those who betray their own country!
"Don't worry! Master! I am a dragon who knows moderation…"
Kurnugi grinned at Evan as he looked at the mosaic beneath him that he had nearly smashed into pieces.
"Mm…"
Evan lightly nodded without saying anything. He turned his gaze toward Animus.
"Y-Why are you looking at me…"
The moment Animus sensed Evan's gaze, his body trembled. He knew very well that Evan was a brutal demonic dragon wearing human skin. He absolutely did not dare offend Evan.
"Snap~"
Evan said nothing and merely snapped his fingers lightly.
Instantly, the handsome king wearing luxurious formal clothes and a crown disappeared without a trace, replaced by a cute girl with flaxen long hair and a voluptuous figure.
"You…"
As the king transformed into a girl, his rough voice also became delicate.
"Oh? A man turned into a woman! How amazing…"
Natsu widened his eyes as he looked at Animus, who had transformed into a girl.
"Idiot, the previous man was just a type of Mirror Magic. This woman is the true body!"
Laxus helplessly sighed after hearing Natsu's words.
Natsu clearly had quite high intelligence during battle, so why did he become such a complete idiot once outside of battle?!
"What exactly do you mean by this?!"
After Animus transformed into a girl, his face turned red.
He felt a sense of shame from having his little secret exposed…
If the ones who knew this secret were merely a group of low-level humans, he would not care at all. It would not matter no matter how many humans knew, because Animus never regarded humans as anything significant…
However, if the ones discovering his little secret were dragons of the same kind as himself, then this intense sense of shame directly invaded his entire body. The current situation was simply too embarrassing for a dragon…
"Oh my, so that's how it is. You attached yourself to this human little girl's body, and because your own magic power is insufficient, you cannot come out, correct? In other words, right now you and this human little girl are in a symbiotic relationship, and when you occupy this body, the soul of the body's original owner falls into slumber, right?"
Irene instantly saw through Animus's predicament. She walked before Animus, the corners of her mouth slightly rising.
"That is indeed the case. May I ask for your name?!"
Animus's eyes trembled. He never expected Irene to directly see through his identity in just one meeting. Thus, while lightly bowing to Irene in greeting, he respectfully asked for Irene's name.
"Irene Belserion!"
Irene raised the corners of her mouth and directly stated her full name.
"Belserion…"
Animus's eyes trembled. His gaze flickered back and forth between Evan and Erza behind Irene, as though he had finally understood something.
"As expected of the great Sage Dragon. You actually saw through the hidden problem with my body in an instant."
Animus lightly nodded. Among dragons, Belserion carried the meaning of wisdom, so there was no issue with him addressing Irene as the Sage Dragon.
"Actually, solving the problem with your body is very simple for me~"
"With my Separation and Enchantment Magic, I can let you and the owner of your body both live healthily without interfering with one another~"
After pointing out the problem Animus faced, Irene directly gave a solution.
"What!?"
"You can actually separate me from Sonya?! As long as you can restore my own body, no matter what you want me to do, there will be no problem…"
Animus's pupils trembled as he became wildly overjoyed. He had longed to leave this body for a full four hundred years. Now that the opportunity was right before him, how could he possibly give it up~
"I refuse~"
However, just as Animus became wildly overjoyed, Irene directly rejected him.
"What…"
Animus froze. He blankly looked at Irene, completely unable to believe she had rejected him.
According to the normal flow of events, Irene should first point out his problem, then propose a solution. The next step should be him swearing loyalty to Irene, then Irene helping him solve the issue, and finally everyone being happy, right?!
But what exactly was happening now?! Why was Irene not following the usual script?
"Your name is Animus, right? I think you may have misunderstood something~"
"I merely told you that I can help you, but I never once said that I would help you. I think you're quite fine as you are now~"
"Your current appearance is much cuter than your original one~"
"As for your loyalty, hehe, I don't need a dragon as weak as you to pledge loyalty to me. When trouble appears, I would even have to waste effort protecting you. That's far too troublesome~"
Irene slightly raised the corners of her mouth as she looked at Animus. Her fair white fingers lightly pressed against her sexy red lips, and her deep violet eyes gazing at Animus were filled entirely with amusement.
As someone who enjoyed watching fun unfold, Irene merely wanted to see what kind of expression this foolish dragon before her would reveal after she personally gave him hope, then personally bestowed the greatest despair upon him by shattering that hope…
"Weak…"
"Not needed…"
"I am too feeble…"
Irene's words were like sharp swords directly stabbing into Animus's heart. His expression filled with pain as he continuously stepped backward, despair filling his face…
Irene's words directly destroyed all of Animus's self-esteem built over four hundred years.
One must know that although Animus had lived under Acnologia's shadow for the past four hundred years, it was merely under Acnologia's shadow. After all, he was still the only dragon in four hundred years who had survived after clashing with the Black Dragon King. He still possessed some pride and backbone!
Especially during these four hundred years, Animus had never encountered humans as powerful as Acnologia again. As humanity prospered and countless magics bloomed everywhere, humans no longer had to face dragons devouring them anytime and anywhere, and instead became increasingly weaker. This made Animus more and more arrogant, believing humans to be lowly creatures and only dragons to be noble. He believed that as long as he regained his true body, he could definitely rule the world…
But now, as Irene's words fell, all his pride had been utterly crushed…
"Ah, your expression is truly wonderful~"
Irene nodded in satisfaction as she looked at the despair in Animus's eyes.
"Of course, if you join our Fairy Tail Guild, then helping you is not impossible…"
Just as Irene gave Animus despair, Evan extended a helping hand toward the despairing Animus.
"Help me?!"
Animus froze for a moment before looking toward Evan.
Feeling the majestic power within Evan that rivaled a Dragon King, Animus's eyes flashed with excitement…
That's right, there was not only Irene, a Dragon King-level existence, present here. If Irene would not help him, he could still seek help from another Dragon King-level existence!
"As long as I join your Fairy Tail or whatever it is, you will help me, correct?"
Animus looked at Evan with a pleading expression.
"Of course. After all, once you join Fairy Tail, you and I will be companions. However, my Separation Magic is not as powerful as Irene's and cannot achieve her level of perfect separation, so you will need to give me some time. At the very least, give me a few years~"
Evan smiled slightly as he softly spoke to Animus.
"No problem. What I lack least is time…"
Animus continuously nodded. He had already waited over four hundred years. It was merely a few more years. Even if he had to wait several more decades or even centuries, what did it matter?!
After all, in front of a dragon's lifespan, several decades were merely the blink of an eye…
"Very good~"
Evan slightly raised the corners of his mouth as he looked at the completely fooled Animus.
In a few more years, he would probably already be able to directly brawl with Acnologia head-on. During this period, he would properly use Animus's traits to mass-produce Dragon Slayer Magic Crystals…
In the future, every member of Fairy Tail Guild across the continent of Ishgar, including the warriors of the Magic Council ERA, would each possess a Dragon Slayer Magic Crystal, turning the entire organization into little dragon people!
Although these mass-produced Dragon Slayer Magic Crystals could not compare to those made from actual dragon hearts, they were still sufficient to drastically increase the combat strength of weaker Mages…
At that time, throughout the entire world of Earth-land, whether in terms of the quality of top-tier combat power or the quality of ordinary Mages, Fairy Tail would no longer have any enemies ahead of them…
Speaking of which, at that point, should Fairy Tail Guild rename itself to Cassell Academy?!
"Hahaha…"
Thinking of this, Evan wrapped his arm around Animus's shoulder and laughed extremely cheerfully.
"Then from now on, let us get along well together~ Senior Animus…"
Evan raised the corners of his mouth and smiled at the Animus he had wrapped in his embrace.
"Mm…"
Being held by a monster at the level of a Dragon King, Animus did not dare move at all. He could only continuously nod his head like a pecking chicken. Where was the previous arrogance of King Animus now?!
"Stare..."
Just as Animus felt the majestic power within Evan and secretly trembled in shock, not daring to move at all, scarlet and dangerous light shone from Erza's eyes.
After all, Animus was currently using Sonya's body. No matter how one looked at it, Sonya, with her curvaceous figure and perfect youthful body maintained at eighteen years old, was definitely a beauty…
This made Erza feel an enormous threat.
"Uh…"
However, the current Animus had absolutely no awareness that he had unknowingly offended the strongest daughter in the guild. After sensing Erza's killing intent-filled gaze, he merely froze slightly.
"Did I offend her somewhere?"
Animus's eyes were filled entirely with confusion.