It was at that time that Acnologia truly stepped onto the stage of history. Starting with a force of two thousand, he expanded without cease. Through his personal charisma, he gathered a group of trusted followers whose loyalty to Acnologia was unwavering unto death. Since Acnologia had started from nothing, there were often times when he could not even pay military wages, yet even under such circumstances, not a single person was willing to leave him.
Later, Acnologia unified all the human nations on the continent and began waging wars abroad. It was then that Infinite City, the ruler of the Ishgar continent, ran into trouble. The unchecked spread of white magic led to the collapse of the entire civilization. Acnologia decisively launched an expedition across the sea and pacified Ishgar. Relying on his formidable methods—making distant alliances while attacking nearby foes—he soon drove numerous races out of the Western and Northern Continents, namely Ishgar. Later, by chance, he discovered the Eastern Continent as well.
At the time, the Eastern Continent was completely closed off from the outside world. Drawing upon the strength of himself and the clans of his dragon friends, Acnologia began invading the Eastern Continent.
And at that very time, a voice arose within the dragon race...
"Humans have become too powerful. Wipe them out."
In fact, at the beginning, the dragons had merely watched the wars between humans and the other races. Or, more simply put, it was like watching two—or several—different kinds of insects fighting each other.
They did not intervene, or they would only lend one side a little help according to their own preferences. But humanity's growing power had now made even the dragons wary.
Thus, one faction of dragons prepared to exterminate humanity. After all, insects could not be allowed to stand