An ordinary profession creates the world's strongest

That evening.

To bid farewell to the group, Tragudi and many other dragons gathered in the hall, surrounding Meredi and the others. Sarus and the others, who would continue to use the Dragon Kingdom as a temporary base, were also among the farewell crowd.

"You need to leave, Ben."

"Yes...I'm sorry."

Some distance away from the crowd, Nesika's shoulders drooped in a dejected manner. Facing her like this, Bandu didn't know what to do, and could only look away. Then, a hand as solid as a rock rested on his shoulder.

"You must come back again."

Grace said this. Although his expression was serious, his eyes were gentle. This made Bandu feel even more sad.

"But... I still have my own people..."

Bandu has other family members. They are not related to the true Shuni clan, but inherited the surname from Bandu's mother. Bandu believes that Margaret and her family are where he should go.

"Silly child."

The hand on his shoulder tightened, even causing pain to Bandu. But...

"Your family is our family. Bring your family back here next time. That's what I'm saying."

The hand was so warm and reassuring that Bandhu couldn't help but want to lean on his grandfather's arms.

"Ben. From now on, stop blaming yourself for that child... stop blaming yourself for Sasilika."

Nesika comes and holds Bandhu’s hand.

"That child, of her own free will, chose to go out into the world. Seeing the world as an investigator was a choice she made of her own will. Furthermore, giving birth to you, raising you, and having your own family were all choices made by that child. Tell me, has that child ever lost her own glory?"

Nesika asked kindly. Bandu shook his head quietly.

"My mother has always been a noble person, and she never lost her roots as a dragon."

Bandu replied firmly. Nesica and Grace closed their eyes, as if to ingrain his words deeply into their hearts.

"Then you too must hold your head high. Prove that the sacrifice made by the glorious dragon-woman Saslika Schnee was righteous."

"We are proud of her. Also, you have not been defeated by the difficult circumstances and have grown up to be so strong. You are also our pride. Do you understand?"

Bandhu was on the verge of tears. However, he did not want to embarrass himself before leaving. So, he held back his tears.

"I'm leaving. And then, I'll definitely come back. Bring my family with me... Grandpa, Grandma."

He looked them in the eyes and addressed them as such for the first time.

After hearing this, Grace and Nesica's faces were filled with smiles, like blooming flowers.

"Your Majesty, I'm deeply sorry. I'll have to trouble you to take care of my family."

"Don't worry, Lord Rouse. I guarantee your family's safety in the name of the Dragon King. I also believe that one day you will understand each other."

"Thank you very much."

Rolls and Tragudi shook hands firmly. Kem and the others would remain here. In a few days, Sharon and Ryanhead would arrive to take Rolls' place.

"Well then, let's set off. Your Majesty, Tragudi, thank you very much for your assistance."

"Ms. Meredith. May your future be bright."

They both smiled and nodded at each other. Then, Nizu opened the door of time and space.

Inspired by the hospitality of those who saw them off, Miledi and the others took another step forward.

To grasp uncertain hope.

Prequel 6 Chapter 3: The Land of Vampires and the Lost Magic

Located in the mountainous area north of the Demon Kingdom territory on the southern continent.

Miredi and others camped by the stream.

The Kingdom of Vampires—the Kingdom of Dustia, also known as the "Ghost Kingdom"—is located diagonally opposite the Dragon Kingdom on the continent. The Dragon Kingdom lies at the northeastern end of the continent, while the Ghost Kingdom lies at the southwestern end.

The distance between the two was enormous. If possible, the group would definitely want to head straight southwest.

The reason they went south first was because they had made an appointment with someone to meet here.

Amidst the gurgling stream and the chirping of insects, Meredith and the others sat around the campfire, enjoying their after-dinner tea. Suddenly, Royce looked up. It seemed the person they were waiting for had arrived.

About five minutes later, a figure emerged from among the moss-covered rocks.

"...Are we late?"

Two men in black emerged. They appeared to be in their early twenties, both sporting black hair, styled one slicked back and the other in seaweed-like curls. Their presence was completely concealed, their black attire blending seamlessly into the darkness. However, their faces were as pale as porcelain, their eyes a bright red. From a distance, they looked as if two faces were floating in the air, a rather eerie sight.

"No, we just arrived."

Oscar replied, not seeming to be particularly wary, and at the same time transformed it into rock for them to sit on.

"I thought we'd arrive early."

"That's right. It's quite far from the northern mountains to here..."

The two of them said this half-admiringly and half-helplessly, and sat down at the same time.

"We still have dinner, would you like some?" Natsu asked. However, both of them shook their heads in defiance.

Both of them looked a little nervous. "Are you really okay?" Meredith asked with a concerned smile. Bandu also spoke.

"...I'm not in a position to say this, but please don't force yourself. Although Rouse has eased your mental burden, the torture you endured in the Demon King's Castle is unimaginable."

Bandu's expression was tense, and he looked distressed and apologetic.

That's right, these two were the vampire duo from the "Chimera, the Anti-Age of Gods Magician Unit" who had given Meredy and the others a hard time.

The one with the slicked-back hair is Morgan Katis, the "Black Assassin Sword".

The one with curly hair is Niberai Fister, the "Black Gauntlet".

Before setting off, Meredi and his group informed their companions via Skynet that they were heading to Ghost Country. The two individuals, then recuperating in the Virgin Mary Village, volunteered to accompany them. After all, Ghost Country was their homeland, and having them along was reassuring.

However, they had been subjected to cruel experiments and physical transformations, and their wills had been restrained for a long time, leaving them mentally weakened.

"There's no need to worry about us. The liberators didn't just do us a favor, we also owe them atonement."

Morgan said so. "Yeah, I feel a little bad about that," Niberai agreed with a wry smile.

"But... because of my transformation magic, it's inconvenient for you to return to your homeland..."

Pandu said this hesitantly.

"You said that since your body is a combination of the characteristics of the Demon and Beastmen, there is no place for you in your homeland, right?"

"And vampires are a race that values ​​bloodline and tends to be closed off."

Ross and Lutilis looked at the two of them and confirmed this.

After being taken out of the Demon King's Castle along with the other test subjects and the Gray-clad Men, they spent about a month recuperating in the forests at the border of the Ice and Snow Zone. At that time, Meredy and the others offered to send them back to the Ghost Kingdom if they wished. However, the two declined, citing the two aforementioned reasons.

Hearing Ross and the others mention such superficial knowledge, Bandu's face became serious.

But for some reason, Morgan's expression became even more embarrassed.

"About this... I'm sorry, half of it is false."

Everyone was stunned. "Huh? Fake?" Meredith asked in confusion.

"I'm referring to the fact that I can't return to my home country."

"And the story about being unable to fight due to psychological trauma is also false."

To be honest, Miledi and others were not completely without vigilance against the Chimera troops.

After all, they possess superhuman physiques, capable of hindering or neutralizing gravity, space, regeneration, and soul magic, and possessing the physical strength of an orc and the magical adaptability of a demon. Furthermore, through bloodsucking, they can perform highly efficient healing, achieving effects similar to limit-breaking.

It would be very dangerous if they lost control of their minds and became violent, or if, after recovering physically, they developed vampire supremacist ideas—for example, viewing other races as a source of blood, or, to put it bluntly, food—and attacked other residents of the village.

Therefore, when the group stayed in the southern forest, they often looked for opportunities to test their words and actions.

Of course, the two of them noticed this subtle precaution.

So one day, the two of them took the initiative to make a request.

"Vampires are not a shameless race that repays kindness with enmity. If you want to drive us away, we will definitely leave. But we have nowhere else to go. Due to mental factors, we are also unable to fight. So, please let us stay if possible."

At the time, they looked incredibly exhausted, just as they had described. Even the slightest noise would frighten them. But with the selfless care of Colleen and the others, they gradually opened up.

In the end, the fact that Meredi and the others left the village without worry when the war with the Republic began was enough to prove their trust in them.

After receiving psychiatric treatment from Rouse, their mental state improved significantly, but they seemed to have no desire to return home, and only wanted a life away from war.

"What!? Are you guys who worship Colleen as a saint also lying?!"

"Of course not. That child is undoubtedly the Virgin."

"The only thing we're sad about is leaving her. It's not good. Just thinking about it makes my addiction come back."

The two men refuted Oscar seriously. They were both devout believers of the Virgin Mary (Colleen).

"My son, Sharon, is also completely bewitched by that girl. Could she be a seductress or something?"

““““She’s clearly the Virgin Mary!””””

Ban brother also refuted in unison. The girls all looked disgusted, which made them feel unconvinced.

Morgan's cheeks flushed slightly and he coughed dryly.

"In short, we can fight. As for our situation in our homeland, it's true that we're bound to suffer injustice, but we have connections and we still have a place to stay."

"So, there's no reason for us not to go back."

Niberai nodded.

"Actually, we two embarked on a long journey abroad under secret orders from a noble. Our mission was to search. That was about three years ago. However, not long after we left, we were attacked by the Demon King's army."

"Searching? Looking for someone?" asked Meredith.

Niberai nodded and turned his gaze to Mei'er. Their remarkably similar red eyes met. Oscar and the others seemed to suddenly remember something.

"Eh? Could it be me?"

"Yes, it's most likely you."

"possible?"

"He's around twenty years old. He probably has both seaman and vampire characteristics."

"Also, he should be able to use magic. Judging from his bloodline, there's a high probability that he can use healing magic. These are the characteristics of our search target."

It sounds like Mei'er does meet the requirements.

But what is more concerning than this is that the tone of the two people's speech has become particularly serious.

"...I once heard my mother say that my father was a man of high status. Could it be that he was the one who sent you out?"

"No, our master...is not His Majesty."

Mei'er's expression was one of surprise. "Your Majesty!?" Meredith and the others also looked surprised.

This is no wonder. The two of them said this, indicating that

"Could it be that my father is the king of Dastia?"

"If the master's guess is correct, it should be. Our master is Alford Ilu Dastia."

"You are the daughter of King Alexander Ilu Dastia, and the direct heir to the royal family."

Morgan and Niberai spoke one after another. Their eyes were so sincere that everyone was speechless for a moment.

At this moment, Oscar seemed to have suddenly thought of something, and asked Natsu tremblingly:

"...Natsu, are you actually a high-ranking official of the Shard Alliance?"

"Why are you suddenly saying that? I'm just a nobody from a border village. Didn't I say that a long time ago?"

"My dearest friend!"

"What the hell is wrong with you!?"

It was no wonder Oscar said that. The others present were either the Demon Kingdom's prince, the Republic's queen, the head of the most prestigious family in the Divine Kingdom, the daughter of a former earl of the Empire, and now, a member of the Ghost Kingdom's royal family.

The gap in status between the orphans and villagers in Slum Street and these people is too great.

"Natsu. Even though Mei betrayed us, we'll always be good friends!"

"This sentence should be joyful, but for some reason, it makes me feel sad."