The crowd instantly panicked.
They turned and saw a giant, four-meter-tall boar-like beast at the edge of the forest. Flames burned along its hooves and across its back, leaving scorched marks where it stepped.
The guard's expression changed.
"Oh no! It's a five-star beast! A Blazing Boar!"
"Prepare to attack!"
The guards moved quickly, forming up with practiced speed.
"ROAR!"
The Blazing Boar roared and charged straight at them.
BANG!
"Aaagh!"
"Waaah!"
It crashed into the guards like a battering ram, sending several of them flying. The ground shook under its weight.
And just as it was about to barrel into the crowd--
A figure shot forward.
Slash!
She passed the Blazing Boar in a single blur. A massive cut opened across its side, and blood sprayed out.
Thud!
The five-star beast collapsed to the ground, motionless.
Erza calmly sheathed her sword. She had attacked the instant she saw the crowd was about to get caught in the charge.
"Amazing!"
"That was a five-star Blazing Boar! She took it down in one hit! Who is she?!"
"Is she a six-star, or even seven-star, swordsman?"
The crowd burst into cheers when they realized the monster was dead.
The guards ran over, their eyes full of respect.
"Ma'am, thank you so much for stepping in. That could have been a disaster."
Erza answered politely. "I only acted because people were about to get hurt. I hope I didn't interfere with your duties."
The guard waved his hands in panic.
"No! Not at all!"
Erza gestured toward the line at the gate.
"If you don't mind, please hurry the inspection. We need to enter the city."
"No, no! Welcome to Sword City! Please go right in! Enjoy your stay!"
He didn't even check their bags. He just let them pass immediately.
"Thank you," Erza said.
Kael Vane glanced back at the guards and the crowd.
"It looks like people here really respect swordsmen."
Erza nodded. "This is Sword City. Everyone here values swordsmanship. The higher your star rank, the higher your status. I've always wanted to visit, but I never had the chance."
They walked through the main gate.
The first thing they saw was a massive statue standing in the city center, at least two hundred meters tall.
It was a statue of a man in armor, leaning both hands on a greatsword. His eyes were angled upward, as if he were watching the sky.
"That's a huge statue!" Kael said honestly.
Today was the first time he truly felt like he was standing inside a fantasy world.
He looked at Erza. "Who is he?"
"Noah, the Sword Saint," Erza replied, gazing up at the statue. "It's said his swordsmanship was so great that people gave him the title 'Sword Saint.'"
Her eyes held genuine admiration. Even though she wasn't purely a swordsman, she used swords most of the time, and she respected true skill.
"A Sword Saint, huh..." Kael murmured.
He didn't know how strong this "Saint" really was, but when it came to sword skill alone, he didn't believe anyone could surpass Yoriichi Tsugikuni.
Erza turned forward. "Let's go."
They walked down the main street.
The street was crowded, and almost everyone carried a sword--even children.
Weapon shops were everywhere. They even passed a school with a sign that read: "Swordsman Academy."
The whole city carried an atmosphere of the blade. It truly deserved the name Sword City.
Following the main street, they arrived at the royal palace of Sorbear--the client's location.
"Halt!"
Royal guards stopped them at the entrance.
Erza stepped forward. "We are wizards from Fairy Tail. We're here on a request."
"Wizards? Please wait!"
One of the guards left to confirm.
A moment later, a minister in his fifties walked out.
"You are the wizards from Fairy Tail?"
"Yes," Erza answered.
"I am Minister Ramon of the Sorbear Kingdom. Please, this way."
Kael and Erza followed Minister Ramon into the palace.
The palace wasn't very fancy. For a royal palace, it was actually quite simple--clean, functional, and built more like a fortress than a showpiece.
Soon, they arrived in the main throne room.
"Your Majesty! The wizards from Fairy Tail are here," Minister Ramon announced, bowing to the king.
Kael and Erza looked toward the throne.
The king appeared to be in his forties or fifties. His gaze was sharp, and his body was muscular, like someone who had lived through real battles. He looked more like a general than a monarch.
King Reno smiled.
"Welcome to our kingdom, wizards of Fairy Tail."
"Your Majesty, we are here for the request," Erza said.
King Reno nodded. "Yes. I have been notified."
Kael spoke next, keeping his tone respectful.
"Can you please explain the mission in detail? The request form is limited. The more we know, the better our chances of success."
"Of course," King Reno said. "I was just about to do that. But first, let me tell you a story."
"You both know who founded this city, correct?"
Erza nodded. "It was Noah, the Sword Saint."
"Yes. Sword Saint Noah--my ancestor," King Reno said. "Four hundred years ago, my ancestor faced the magic dragon, Alazam, and founded Sword City. The people call him Hero Noah."
Erza answered, "Yes, that is the legend."
The king's smile faded slightly.
"But the legend is not entirely true. My ancestor did not kill Alazam. He sealed him."
"Then he founded this city to guard the seal for generations."
Kael and Erza both listened closely.
"Now, four hundred years have passed. The seal is weakening," King Reno continued. "We don't know when the dragon will break free. But when it does, the entire Sorbear Kingdom could be destroyed."
"That is why I planned to use my ancestor's treasured sword to strengthen the seal."
His eyes hardened.
"But that monster seems to know our plan. It controls a massive number of beasts to guard the temple. It kills anyone who gets close."
"Countless people have already died to those monsters."
Kael Vane summarized carefully. "So, you want us to break through the monsters, go to the temple, and bring back the sword, right?"
King Reno shook his head slowly, his expression turning fully serious.
"No."
He looked them straight in the eyes.
"I want you to kill the magic dragon."