Chapter 103: Don't Roar, Speak Like a Person!
"Here we go!" Dino threw his fist downward.
The white spherical shockwave descended after he released it, the translucent bubble of compressed air expanding as it fell.
When it made complete contact with the ground—
"BOOM BOOM BOOM!!!"
The earth below erupted in violent tremors. Massive fissures split across the landscape like spiderwebs.
The vibrations rippled through the air itself. Even aboard the airship, everyone could feel the terrifying power of the quake.
Arcadios stood slack-jawed, eyes wide as dinner plates as he stared at the devastated terrain below.
He'd always assumed the Ten Wizard Saints were overrated—that despite their fearsome reputations, they weren't really all that powerful.
This… this was on another level entirely.
Erza stepped beside Dino. "Dino, what exactly are we dealing with here?"
Based on what he'd said earlier, he clearly knew their opponent. She wanted to know too—better to be mentally prepared.
"Don't worry, you'll find out soon enough."
Suddenly—"ROOOAAARRR!!!"
A bone-rattling roar shook the air. Everyone clapped hands over their ears, faces twisted in pain as the very atmosphere seemed to vibrate. The sound continued for several agonizing seconds before finally cutting off.
"What the hell was that?!"
"What's going on?!"
"What kind of creature makes a sound like that?!"
"I feel like my insides are gonna burst!"
The Holy Knights who'd accompanied them on the airship broke into panicked chatter.
"Hey! Look! Something's moving over there—it's flying this way!"
One sharp-eyed soldier spotted it first. In the distance, beyond the area saturated with strange magical energy, a silhouette was rapidly growing larger.
From first sighting to clear view took less than three seconds.
Everyone got a perfect look at the creature bearing down on them.
First, the massive muscular body covered in deep purple scales—like a small mountain given form and flight. Then the wings that could blot out the sun, the long serpentine tail thick as an ancient tree, and talons that looked capable of shredding steel. Finally, the enormous head with eyes that burned with ancient intelligence.
"Oh gods… oh gods above! A DRAGON!!!"
Everyone aboard the airship froze in terror. Wasn't this one of the legendary dragons that could rival gods themselves? Weren't they supposed to be extinct?! How could one still exist in this world?!
Arcadios stared at the dragon in complete shock, his mind shutting down entirely.
Dino spread his hands toward Arcadios with a casual shrug. "See? I wasn't trying to rip off the King. Sixty million Jewels is honestly a bargain. If the Fairy Tail guild wasn't also located in Fiore, I wouldn't take this job for six hundred million, let alone sixty."
What could Arcadios possibly say now? He was so terrified he'd nearly lost the ability to speak. All he could manage was a jerky nod.
"ROOOAAARRR~~!!!" The purple dragon flew directly toward the magic airship, unleashing another deafening roar.
From a distance, the dragon had seemed large. Up close, it was absolutely colossal—inspiring not just fear but complete despair at the impossibility of resistance.
"QUIT YOUR ROARING~!!! I KNOW YOU CAN TALK!!!"
Dino's voice rang out, somehow louder than even the dragon's roar—as if the very world itself was speaking.
Everyone on the airship had already been terrified, but they were shocked all over again by Dino's words. Someone was actually yelling at a dragon? Was he insane?!
"DAMN YOU! It's that BASTARD! How dare you show your face before me again!!!"
"ARE YOU LOOKING TO DIE?!!!"
The dragon actually responded in human speech because of Dino's outburst. A dragon that could speak their language?!
And more than that, this dragon clearly knew the young mage the King had hired. The fury in that draconic voice made it obvious their relationship was… not friendly.
Wait—why did this dragon's voice sound distinctly feminine? Was this dragon a female?!
Dino grimaced, rubbing his temple. "Trust me, I didn't want to come either! But who told you to spread this much magic pollution everywhere? Can't you find somewhere uninhabited to set up?"
"Why do you dragons always build your lairs in populated areas?"
That's right—this dragon was the strongest enemy Dino had ever faced in this world. She was also the target of his ten-year S-Class mission.
The last time they'd fought, Dino had given everything he had just to drive her away. Not defeat her—just make her hurt enough to retreat. After all, it had only been about three years since he'd eaten the Tremor-Tremor Fruit back then. His strength had been limited.
At the time, Dino's confidence had been… inflated. He'd accepted the quest and challenged her immediately. Ever since that humbling experience, Dino had kept his head down and focused on getting stronger.
He'd gotten lucky that time—his opponent had been like a sheltered princess who'd never been truly hurt before. The devastating power of the Tremor-Tremor Fruit had caused her such shocking pain that she'd actually fled.
"I don't need to inform ANY human where I choose to build my nest! Don't get arrogant, human!" the dragon roared.
"I'm not saying you need permission, but could you maybe relocate? I can recommend some great spots—secluded, beautiful scenery, plenty of space…"
"SILENCE! You want to destroy the nest I worked so hard to build—AGAIN! You dare try to drive me away?! You're trampling on the dignity of dragonkind itself!"
"I was already planning to hunt you down for revenge! Now that you've appeared before me~! It's time to settle both old grudges and new!"
"HAAA!" The dragon's massive tail whipped through the air, swinging toward the airship like a battering ram.
Dino had clearly anticipated this. He stomped on the airship deck, and the entire vessel dropped like a stone—perfectly dodging the tail strike.
Listening to the dragon's tail whistle past overhead, no one doubted for a second that if it had connected, the airship would've been smashed to splinters and everyone aboard killed instantly.
"You guys stay back. I'll handle her!"
"I'm coming too!" Erza declared.
Dino stopped her with a raised hand. "The reason dragons are so powerful is their resistance to magic. Except for Dragon Slayer Magic, very few spells can actually hurt them. You should stay with the airship."
"But…!" This was a legendary creature—a dragon! The overwhelming magical pressure alone was nearly suffocating.
Even with her faith in Dino's strength, Erza couldn't quite believe he could actually defeat a dragon.
Dino pulled Erza close by the waist and kissed her firmly on the lips before grinning. "Don't worry! I drove her off five years ago, and I'm way stronger now. She can't touch me."