After leaving the guild, Irene went to the Western Continent, while Acnologia came to the Dragnof Kingdom.
It was still exactly the same as the kingdom four hundred years ago, with the architecture continuing the traditional style.
"Who goes there?"
Two guards blocked Acnologia's path, their hands resting on the hilts of their swords as if ready to draw them at the slightest provocation.
Acnologia said, "I wish to see Number One. Please inform him."
One guard looked stern. "State your name, your origin, and your purpose for wanting to see Lord Number One. Be thorough."
Acnologia's temperament had mellowed considerably compared to four hundred years ago. Though finding this slightly troublesome, he patiently replied, "Acnologia, from the Fairy Tail Guild in the Fiore Kingdom. My purpose is to deliver a message about a crisis threatening the continent."
The guard nodded and pointed to a long line of people nearby. "Alright, go queue up!"
"Queue up?"
Acnologia looked at the hundreds of people there and asked, puzzled, "They all want to see Number One?"
"That's right!"
The guard explained, "Those are all former ministers of the kingdom whose homes were confiscated. They queue up every day. They see him one by one, and they die one by one. You'd better have a truly urgent matter."
As he spoke, a corpse covered with a white cloth was carried out from the palace, blood staining the ground.
The ministers showed no fear at all. Having been dismissed and stripped of their property, they felt life was worse than death. Rather than being killed outside, they'd rather take a desperate gamble.
Perhaps General Number One might have a sudden moment of mercy and spare them. Who knows.
"Hey, you! Come over here and queue up!"
Suddenly, a young man with blond hair shouted at Acnologia, his face full of arrogance.
Acnologia looked at him with an expression that said 'you idiot'. "You're asking me to queue up with you to die?"
This guy was about to go to his death yet wore such a haughty expression. It was impossible to know what was going on in his head.
The blond-haired man was furious. "What's with that look? My father is the Minister of Finance! You'd better get on your knees and apologize!"
Acnologia said calmly, "Weren't you just stripped of your property? Your father is now just a commoner. What authority does he have to make me kneel?"
The blond-haired man was unwilling to accept this. "My father is only temporarily dismissed! Once we see Lord Number One, he will surely be reinstated!"
"Also, you bastard better kneel and beg for forgiveness, otherwise when my father is reinstated, he'll definitely have your head chopped off!"
Acnologia knew this guy was just a spoiled young master. He couldn't be bothered with him any longer. Raising his hand, a black blade of light severed the young man's head, which rolled with a thud to the ground, blood flowing everywhere.
If anyone dared to demand he kneel, even a king wouldn't live to see the next day.
"Dead?"
"Who is this guy?"
The people in the queue were shocked and horrified, scrambling back.
The guards drew their swords, pointing them at Acnologia and sternly reprimanding, "What are you doing? How dare you take action in front of the palace?"
"Enough, I don't have time to waste with you!"
Acnologia strode forward, raising his hand and waving it. A fierce gust of wind sent the two guards flying.
"There's a troublemaker! Everyone, attack together!"
Over twenty Mages rushed over from nearby, immediately unleashing magical attacks.
More than ten magic circles unfolded. In an instant, sand and stones flew, ice and fire filled the sky, completely engulfing the area.
Acnologia opened his mouth and swallowed all the magic. Then, he raised his hand and pressed down: "Enchantment Magic, Gravity!"
Boom!
Terrifying Gravity instantly crushed everyone to the ground, even shattering the surface beneath them.
General Number One instantly rushed out of the palace, shouting angrily, "Who dares to cause trouble at the palace? You are..."
He was about to spew curses when he caught sight of a familiar figure. He slid into a kneeling position before Acnologia, his face full of excitement.
"Lord Acnologia, you've returned!"
The guards pressed to the ground were somewhat incredulous. "Lord Number One?"
Seeing the chaotic scene and the traces of various magical attacks, Number One flew into a rage. "All of you, go die! You don't even recognize Lord Acnologia? What's the point of you living?"
He was about to move to kill these worthless dogs when Acnologia stopped him the next moment, a look of confusion on his face.
Acnologia said, "Forget it. They weren't really at fault."
Ultimately, they were just guarding the palace, doing their duty.
Number One was somewhat surprised. "My Lord, you have become much kinder than four hundred years ago. Back then, these people wouldn't have deserved to live."
Back during the alliance of nations, a king was executed on Acnologia's orders just for having a wrong look in his eye. For these guards to attack and still survive now was nothing short of a miracle.
"People can change..."
Acnologia thought of his companions in the Fairy Tail Guild. Being with them, he felt as if he had forgotten his past.
Perhaps this was the 'weakening effect of redemption' – he had lost some of his past cruelty.
"Stop kneeling. You are now the king of the Dragnof Kingdom."
Number One stood up. Hearing his words, he immediately shook his head like a rattle-drum. "No, no, no! You and Queen Irene are the true rulers of the kingdom! I am merely General Number One, managing affairs in your stead!"
This was his original purpose for founding the kingdom, and he would never change it. In the future, he would still seek out the descendants of Princess Erza and ask them, believing that one day, a prince or princess would be willing to return.
Acnologia felt somewhat helpless. He skipped over the topic and said, "Number One, I need your help with something this time."
Number One said earnestly, "My Lord, please speak. Whatever your command, the kingdom will spare no effort to fulfill it."
Acnologia explained the situation, focusing on the Eclipse Gate and the King of Red Dragons, Osta. He needed clues related to these.
At the same time, he needed Number One to contact the kings of other kingdoms, halt all magical battles, and mobilize the entire continent's forces to investigate.
"You mean, the King of Red Dragons, Osta, wants to use the Eclipse Gate to summon all the Evil Dragons from four hundred years ago?"
"It's uncertain, but as long as there's a possibility, we must nip it in the bud early. You don't need to take action yourselves, just find me any clues related to this."
Number One said without hesitation, "No problem!"
Even a Ten Wizard Saints-level Mage would be instantly killed by the King of Red Dragons, Osta. It was better to inform Acnologia to handle it.
This era was beautiful now, and he absolutely would not allow those Evil Dragons who had been dead for centuries to reappear. Those monsters were better off staying in hell where they belonged.
Acnologia nodded slightly and waved his hand. "If there's nothing else, I'll take my leave."
Knowing the urgency of the situation, Number One did not try to keep him. He knelt on one knee respectfully. "We bid you farewell, My Lord!"
"Enough. Irene, Little Erza, and I have no intention of returning to rule. My command to you now is this: become the King of Dragunov!"
Seeing Number One about to refuse, Acnologia's expression turned serious. "Remember, this is an order. I hope the next time I come to the Dragnof Kingdom, you will already be the king."
With that, his figure vanished.
"My Lord..."
Number One's face showed distress and hesitation. This was going to be a bit troublesome...
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