A World Moving Forward

In a certain jungle on the Western Continent

Sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting dappled patterns of white light onto the grass, creating spots of varying sizes and shapes. A boy dressed in a Black Robe with a white ribbon tied around his neck emerged slowly from the depths of the forest, stepping on the unevenly spaced white specks of light. The sunlight shone on his face, making him appear so radiant and cheerful.

On the meadow, the small animals, who were enjoying their leisurely time, were startled by this uninvited guest and scattered in all directions. Suddenly, the once quiet and tranquil forest became somewhat lively. However, this liveliness shifted constantly with the boy's movements. Just then, a gentle, warm breeze swept through the entire forest, awakening the golden spirits lying quietly at the foot of the trees and bringing them before the boy.

The boy reached out and gently pinched a golden sprite in his palm, playing with it and admiring it. Suddenly, a wisp of black smoke emanated from the boy's body, quickly enveloping the entire forest. Under the Black Mist, the once lush and verdant trees withered and died one by one, finally turning black. The golden sprite and the emerald sprites hanging on the trees turned to ashes, drifting away on the wind. The forest creatures, their lives disturbed, fell to the ground one after another, their eyes still reflecting the panic of the previous moment.

After all life in the forest vanished, the dissipated Black Mist returned to the boy's body, and the red light in his pupils gradually disappeared, his eyes returning to their former deep blackness. The boy's hands slowly fell to his sides, and he resumed his aimless journey. Soon after, the boy's figure disappeared into the distant fog.

Time passed, and the boy suddenly realized his surroundings were familiar, as if he had been there before. After careful observation, he finally located the place in his mind— Wind Chirping Valley. Along with this place, a friend he had almost forgotten also appeared in his mind. Looking down into the valley, where fiery red giant birds were flying everywhere, scenes from the past gradually flooded his vision. After his old friend's figure disappeared from his sight, two streams of scalding hot water gushed out, washing over the pinkish-brown 'earth'. Wiping away the tears on his face, the boy turned and hurried towards a place that was both familiar and somewhat strange.

Just as the boy was reminiscing about his old friends in Wind Chirping Valley, Sordil, who was lying in the middle of the delegation's caravan, seemed to sense something. He suddenly raised his head and stared unblinkingly in the direction of the Western Continent.

"Teacher, what's wrong?"

"Nothing, I just suddenly remembered an Old Friend. Ugh!"

"Teacher, you'd better not say anything, or our caravan will turn into a fleet of ships!"

"Okay! You... Ugh!"

Ishgar, Dragon Clan Secret Realm

"Atlas Flame, is that news true?"

"It's absolutely true! Igneel, what should we do now?"

Upon hearing his friend's question, Igneel clenched his right fist and slammed it into the ground, coldly saying, "What to do? Of course, we should answer the call of the Wise Dragon Belserion and drive those brainless Western Continent dragons out of Ishgar."

"Very well, I will immediately send someone to contact Belserion and tell him that my Flame Dragon lineage has decided to join the war!"

Seeing Atlas Flame about to turn and leave, Igneel quickly stopped him and asked in a low voice, "Yate, did you find out about the person I asked you to inquire about?"

Atlas Flame was taken aback for a moment before realizing who Igneel was referring to. However, considering the man's identity and Igneel's temperament, Atlas Flame hesitated, unsure whether to tell the truth. Seeing his old friend's indecisiveness, Igneel knew he had been misunderstood again, so he stepped in to explain, "Yate, don't misunderstand. I have no Contradiction with that person. The reason I asked you to investigate him is because I forgot to ask for his address when we parted ways last time."

"Real?"

Igneel was exasperated by his old friend's skeptical look. However, since he needed his friend's help, he had no choice but to be patient. Igneel said sincerely, "Really!"

"Alright! I might as well tell you. The Sordil you asked me to investigate comes from the Dragon Clan Secret Realm that recently appeared in Ishgar — Fostadu. Moreover, he is the crown prince of Fostadu and is deeply respected by all the members of Fostadu. He's definitely going to be a dragon king in the future."

"Where does he live?"

"Um..."

Seeing Yate deep in thought and silent, Igneel said helplessly, "Alright! State your conditions!"

"Hehe! The conditions are simple: for the next six months, you'll stay in the secret realm to handle official business, while I go out to travel and relax. How about it?"

Igneel sized up Yate, noticing his smug expression. Then Igneel turned and flew into the sky, muttering to himself, "It's just that kid Sordil's place. If you won't tell me, I'll ask someone else!"

Faced with Igneel's outrageous maneuver, Yate stood there dumbfounded. By the time he tried to stop Igneel, the other's figure had already disappeared into the sky.

Philiers, Royal Palace

Council Hall

A month later, finally able to meet His Majesty the King again, the Prime Minister could finally breathe a sigh of relief. However, thinking of the message he had received not long ago, the Prime Minister hesitated, wondering whether he should report to His Majesty the King. Just as the Prime Minister was hesitating, footsteps echoed in the hall's corridor.

A moment later, King Belmod, supported by a group of attendants, walked with difficulty into the hall. Upon seeing the king's condition, the prime minister's heart, which had just settled, jumped again.

"Ahem! Prime Minister, why are you in such a hurry to see me? Has something important happened? Ahem!"

Belmod wiped the saliva remaining around her mouth and nose from coughing with a handkerchief as she inquired about the reason for the Prime Minister's audience. Although the Prime Minister worried that the news he brought would further frighten the King, he dared not refuse the King's question, so he could only steel himself and say, "Your Majesty, we have just received reports from spies and the Western Border Army that Langu, dissatisfied with Your Majesty's orders, has led a rebellion!"

"What? Langu really rebelled?"

Seeing Belmod's face flush red as she abruptly stood up from her throne, the Prime Minister silently lowered his head and respectfully replied, "Yes, Your Majesty! But Your Majesty need not worry, the rebellion was quickly quelled by General Oddek, and that villain Langu has already been killed by the Western Border Army."

Hearing this, Belmod sat down quietly and nodded. After a moment, Belmod asked, "Where is the Peace Negotiation Delegation located? Has there been any action from Fostadu?"

"Your Majesty, a few days ago, the Peace Negotiation Delegation departed from West City for the Kingdom of Donagunov. According to the timeline, they should arrive in the Kingdom of Donagunov in the next few days. As for Fostadu, they have remained calm and have not made any moves."

"That's good! However, we must not let our guard down and keep a close watch on Fostadu's every move. Alright, I'm tired! If there's nothing else, Prime Minister, you may leave now!"

"Yes, Your Majesty, I shall take my leave!"