"Something's wrong… something is really wrong."
Watching Rain wear such a gentle expression toward her—actually patting her and soothing her—Brandish felt an instinctive chill run up her spine. Every fiber of her being screamed that this was abnormal.
"..."
Seeing the complete disbelief on Brandish's face, as if she were starting to question the very meaning of life itself, the corner of Rain's mouth twitched involuntarily.
"Hahaha."
Off to the side, Erza and Dimaria couldn't help but snicker at the scene.
Brandish's reaction was simply too entertaining.
"I'm telling you right now—if you're planning to punish me, I won't give in!"
Staring at the silent Rain, Brandish felt more certain than ever. No—her eyes sharpened, her expression suddenly serious.
At that moment, she even felt a faint sense of pride.
Witty as she was, she had clearly seen through Rain's bad intentions.
"..."
Rain, who genuinely intended to comfort Brandish, immediately wore an unhappy expression after seeing her reaction.
Since the gentle approach didn't work, there was only one option left.
Routine it was.
In the next moment, Brandish was flipped over again, ending up sprawled across Rain's lap. Rain raised his hand.
Snap! Snap! Snap!
The sound rang out clean and sharp.
"Hmm~!"
The familiar sensation made Brandish let out a shy sound. There was even a faint sting, but to her, it didn't matter at all.
If anything, it was reassuring.
"Hey, hey… that's enough now."
Relieved, Brandish even smiled.
"…This girl is beyond saving."
Rain and the others looked at Brandish for a long moment, completely at a loss for words.
Truly hopeless.
After the noise finally died down, peace returned. Following a long, relaxing soak in the hot spring, Rain and the others returned to their room to rest.
Late into the night, a figure quietly entered Rain's room and lay down beside him.
Sensing the presence, Rain said nothing. The corner of his mouth lifted slightly as he wrapped an arm around the newcomer and went back to sleep.
The next morning—
When Rain opened his eyes, he found a flash of crimson hair resting against his chest.
"Erza…"
Seeing her in his arms, Rain immediately smiled.
"It's time to head back."
After leaving Rain's side, Irene Belserion arrived at a desolate, uninhabited land and stood there quietly, waiting.
"ROAR—!!"
In the distant sky, a massive shadow streaked across the darkness. A colossal dragon, black as night with glowing blue patterns, locked onto Irene and charged toward her at terrifying speed.
Irene's expression remained calm. There was no trace of concern—only a faint, indifferent smile.
Boom!
The enormous figure halted abruptly before her, massive dragon pupils staring straight at Irene.
"Four hundred years have passed, Acnologia."
Irene greeted him calmly.
"Irene Belserion."
Acnologia spoke her name, his voice carrying a hint of complexity—before hardening into cold brutality.
Destroying all dragons was his creed. Even facing the mother of Dragon Slayers, he would not hesitate.
If there is anything to blame,
blame yourself for becoming a dragon.
The magic within Acnologia surged violently.
"Are you going to make your move?"
Irene calmly prepared herself.
"Black Dragon's Roar!"
Facing Irene, Acnologia showed no carelessness at all. He unleashed his attack without hesitation.
"Holy Dragon's Roar!"
In an instant, Irene transformed into a majestic dragon, her size rivaling Acnologia's, and released her own roar.
BOOM—!!
The two attacks collided, erupting into a catastrophic shockwave that tore through the land in all directions.
If this weren't a no-man's land, countless cities would have been annihilated in that single exchange.
"…My raw power is still lacking."
As her roar was gradually pushed back and shattered, Irene immediately understood the gap between them.
She reverted to her human form and leapt backward, narrowly evading Acnologia's remaining attack.
Boom!
Acnologia surged forward, dark claws slashing toward her with murderous force.
Buzz—!
Just as the claws were about to strike, a radiant golden light burst forth from Irene's body.
She assumed her Goddess Form.
"!!"
Acnologia paused for only a fraction of a second before continuing his assault.
Whatever she intended to do, he would tear her apart regardless.
But Irene, now in her goddess state, remained utterly unmoved.
"Enchantment: Galaxy!"
She lightly tapped her staff forward.
Brilliant starlight flooded the air, forming a vast, dazzling galaxy before Acnologia.
BOOM—!!
The Black Dragon's claws crashed into the galaxy, power exploding outward and violently distorting the stars.
Yet every ounce of force was absorbed.
Not a single strike reached Irene.
"…Blocked?"
Acnologia stared, genuine surprise flashing across his face.
To stop his attack so easily—
"It truly lives up to the name of Dragon Slayer Magic."
--------------------------------------
Support me at patreon.com/Arthorain and read upto 50 Advanced Chapters and R-18 Content!
--------------------------------------
Update schedule: 7 chapters/week
Every 100 power stones = 1 Extra Chapter
By voting with [power stones], you can easily get double the number of chapters.