SS-Rank Mission

"What?!"

"Kill the Demon Dragon?!"

Qi Yan and Erza were both stunned by the king's bold idea.

That was a dragon. Even the most ordinary dragons in legend were said to be capable of easily destroying an entire country.

Erza was not surprised by the existence of dragons. After all, Natsu had been raised by the Fire Dragon Igneel, which meant dragons truly existed.

Qi Yan was different. Having seen more of the Fairy Tail anime, he knew that Giant Dragons, even ordinary ones, were beings humanity found difficult to defeat. Other than Dragon Slayer Magic, human magic was nearly useless against dragons. Giant Dragons were the world's most favored creatures.

They were born with long lives, powerful bodies, and the ability to wield mighty dragon magic.

Powerful Dragon Slayers might be able to kill dragons, but it was exceedingly difficult for non-Dragon Slayers to do so.

The biggest reason was that Giant Dragons possessed an innate and overwhelming resistance to human magic. Most magic was ineffective against dragons, and even when it worked, the damage was drastically reduced.

"That's right! Kill the Demon Dragon! After four hundred years of sealing, its strength must have weakened considerably. Rather than wait for it to break free and slowly recover its power, we should strike first, break the seal ourselves, then kill it once and for all!"

The king spoke with a grave, serious expression.

Qi Yan and Erza were both somewhat taken aback by the king's audacity and resolve.

Erza said, "Your Majesty, slaying a dragon has completely exceeded the scope of an S-Rank Mission."

The king nodded. "I know, which is why I intend to raise the mission to SS-Rank. The reward will also be increased from 15 million J to 30 million J!"

"Thirty million!"

Qi Yan could not help opening his mouth in shock as his mind rapidly calculated. Ten million J was equivalent to 500,000 yuan, so 30 million J was equivalent to 1.5 million yuan.

He could earn 1.5 million yuan from a single mission. Even if he split it evenly with Erza, he would still get 750,000.

He had thought the 6 million J he earned last time was already a lot, but there was an even bigger payout.

Sure enough, the greater the risk, the greater the reward.

Of course, the most important part was that for an SS-Rank commission, the system's reward was two ten-pulls.

If he normally took A-Rank Missions and worked nonstop, it would take at least half a year to earn that much. That would waste far too much time.

Erza said, "I need to discuss this with my companion."

The king nodded and gestured for them to proceed.

Erza said to Qi Yan, "Qi Yan, this mission is far too dangerous. I never expected they were not simply looking for a legendary sword, but actually wanted to fight a Giant Dragon. My suggestion is that we give up."

She could attempt an S-Rank Mission, but an SS-Rank Mission was different. Courage and recklessness were not the same thing.

Giant Dragons were creatures of legend. No matter how weakened one was, it was not something humans could contend with. Whether for her own safety or Qi Yan's, abandoning this mission was the wise choice.

Qi Yan looked at the king and said, "Since Your Majesty has such a plan, you surely haven't come unprepared, have you?"

The king was slightly surprised upon hearing Qi Yan's words, then looked at him with approval. "You're right. This concerns the life and death of our kingdom, so naturally I would not be unprepared. But how did you figure it out?"

"Because Your Majesty's tone earlier was not one of asking for our opinion. It sounded more like you were describing something that was about to happen."

The king nodded. "Correct! Even if the two of you had not come, I still intended to launch a campaign against the Demon Dragon."

As he spoke, the king twisted the armrest.

Crack!

The floor beneath the king's feet split apart, and an ornate longsword slowly rose from below. A fiery red gemstone was embedded in its crossguard.

"A sword?!"

Qi Yan and Erza were somewhat puzzled. So the preparation was a sword? That certainly suited the Kingdom of Swords.

"This is no ordinary sword. It is a Dragon-Slaying Sword forged by master craftsmen. You see this gemstone, don't you? It is no ordinary gem. It is a Dragon-Slayer Lacrima."

"Dragon-Slayer Lacrima?!"

Qi Yan's eyes widened involuntarily. So this was a Dragon-Slayer Lacrima.

"Qi Yan, you know about Dragon-Slayer Lacrima?"

Seeing Qi Yan so surprised, Erza could tell that he knew what it was.

Qi Yan nodded. "Yes. This is a Dragon-Slayer Lacrima made from a dragon's heart. As long as it is implanted into one's body, it allows the user to wield Dragon Slayer Magic corresponding to that dragon's attribute."

"Young man, you truly are knowledgeable. That's right! This is a Fire Dragon-Slayer Lacrima. I purchased it at a great price from the northern continent, Guiltina Continent. If implanted into a human mage's body, it grants the use of Dragon Slayer Magic. But Dragon Slayer Magic requires long-term training. Who knows how long one would have to train before being able to slay a dragon?"

"And human magic cannot harm dragons at all. Therefore, I ordered the kingdom's craftsmen to forge this Dragon-Slaying Sword. Only attacks made against the Demon Dragon with this sword can harm it."

As the king spoke, he gripped the hilt. Roaring flames suddenly ignited along the blade, and the terrifying heat made the entire royal hall feel as though it had been thrown into a furnace.

"So hot!"

The flames soon went out, and the king sheathed the sword once more.

Qi Yan frowned and asked, "Such an important weapon surely won't be handed over for just anyone to use, right?"

"Of course not! It is the key to defeating the Demon Dragon, and it also determines the survival of this country. Naturally, it cannot be casually entrusted to others. Only the strongest swordsman is worthy of wielding this sword."

"The strongest swordsman?"

"That's right! Your arrival is quite timely. For this operation, in my name as king, I have convened the World's Strongest Swordsman Tournament to select the strongest swordsman on Ishgar Continent."

"The World's Strongest Swordsman Tournament?!"

Qi Yan and Erza were both dumbfounded. This king really did enjoy catching people off guard.

Then the king turned his approving gaze toward Erza. "This young mage is also an outstanding swordsman, isn't she? Defeating a five-star Flame Boar in a single strike means she is at least a six-star, perhaps even a seven-star swordsman. Don't you want to give it a try?"

Erza was immediately tempted upon hearing those words. As a swordsman, who would not desire to become the strongest?