[Visiting Dragon].
It was a calamity that had existed on this continent since ancient times. Its source pointed directly to the [Black Dragon]—the entity sealed at the Northern End, the target of the three great quests for adventurers, the only one yet to be subjugated, and the beast that annihilated the Zeus and Hera Familias, the strongest factions of the last millennium.
Legend had it that when the Great Hero Albert wounded the Black Dragon just as it crawled out of the Great Hole, it fled rapidly to the north. It let out a roar that nearly shook the world, summoning all the Great Dragons of the era to its side to protect it while it healed.
The Great Spirits seized this opportunity to seal the multitude of dragon-type monsters along with the [Black Dragon] in the Dragon Valley.
However.
The seal was not stable. From time to time, accompanied by a phenomenon known as the "Dragon's Slumber," dragon-type monsters would breach the seal and enter the outside world. This was the calamity known as the [Visiting Dragon].
For reasons unknown, the Great Dragons in the Dragon Valley did not grow weaker despite thousands of years of reproduction. Instead, they maintained their combat power from their prime. This resulted in the dragons escaping from within being at least Level 3, with no shortage of Level 5 and Level 6 entities among them.
For nations and cities outside of Orario, this was simply an irresistible natural disaster.
Countless villages and towns had been ravaged and destroyed by these Great Dragons.
Isagi and Ryuu had both heard of this.
Bete of the Loki Familia, as well as Miss Alicia, had seen their hometowns suffer the calamity of the [Visiting Dragon].
In the Werewolf youth's tribe, he was the only survivor. His family, lover, friends... everyone died an unnatural death. The Elf maiden's forest was also put to the torch, her entire village thoroughly erased from the world.
Such experiences were not uncommon among the adventurers of Orario.
This was also the reason why many adventurers harbored an extreme hatred for the [Black Dragon]. Even though it was sealed in the Dragon Valley, over the millennium, it was unknown just how much death and grief it had caused.
"Aside from that, [Behemoth] and [Leviathan] weren't much better."
Amidst the bright canopy of the spring sky.
A four-person squad consisting of Isagi, Ryuu-senpai, Lefiya, and Miss Asfi rode a Wyvern mount tamed by the Ganesha Familia, soaring through the heavens and heading into the distance.
This was the city's fastest "mode of transport."
More than half a day had passed since their morning departure. According to the schedule, it would likely take several more days to reach the border of the Magical Powerhouse Nation.
"Look over there."
Following Miss Asfi's guidance, Isagi and the girls saw the massive "sore" located amidst the distant grasslands and mountain forests.
It was at least a hundred meters in diameter, like an endless canyon. It cut across plains, hills, and forests, continuing endlessly forward as if some colossal object had plowed through it.
And that was indeed the case.
That was the indelible wound inflicted upon this world by the [Land King · Behemoth].
Everything had vanished completely, leaving only scorched earth turned a deep purple, and a drifting, thick mist that looked unmistakably venomous.
[Traces of Calamitous Poison].
"In the past, the Thor Familia was responsible for suppressing [Behemoth]. But though we say suppressing, in reality, they merely tried their best to guide it outside the sphere of human habitation.
"An unsealed Land King was completely impossible to subjugate with the city's combat power at the time. Therefore, they could only use such a poor strategy.
"Through constant sacrifice, the Thor Familia strove to attract its attention, preventing it from going to places where people lived. Aside from them, there were numerous other Familias, as well as Elven and Dwarven sages...
"Through their joint efforts, they barely managed to survive a thousand years, finally waiting until the Zeus Familia subjugated it. But even so, the traces it left behind still exist, turning vast swathes of land into barren wastelands. It is unknown how many years it will take for them to dissipate."
"Let's stay further away. That place is highly toxic," Miss Asfi continued softly. "Even a First-Class Adventurer would find it hard to resist, and even Miss Amid cannot cure it completely."
"Is that so..."
Isagi looked at the deep purple mist in the distance. He thought to himself, Is that the 'trace' left behind by one of the monsters that was originally the strongest in this world?
Indeed, it was a terrifying fellow.
"What about [Leviathan]?"
Since the Land King was that formidable, the guy known as the Hegemon of the Seas shouldn't be losing face, right?
However, Isagi's question did not receive an answer from Asfi.
The blue-haired woman lowered her eyes, seemingly recalling a very distant past. Rarely, a somewhat sorrowful expression appeared on her face.
Heading to the Magical Powerhouse Nation to handle the [Visiting Dragon] commission was a request sent from the School District.
It was said to be part of a "transaction" with the Guild.
Because a large amount of the hardest metal, [Orichalcum], was needed to construct the elevator in the Artificial Labyrinth leading directly to the Deep Levels of the Dungeon, the School District had also put forward their demands.
Normally, the School District was the one dealing with the issue of the [Visiting Dragon].
Traveling around the world, they not only recruited students everywhere but also helped deal with local monster calamities. Of course, the most important task was subjugating the Great Dragons that escaped from the Dragon Valley.
For this reason, the School District possessed not only high-level students but also many teachers who were Level 5 or higher First-Class Adventurers.
Of course, most dangerous Great Dragons were not left for the students to solve.
At this moment, Isagi and Ryuu heard Lefiya say that she had participated in similar subjugations a few times before. However, the students dealt with some low-level small wyverns or other monsters accompanying the Great Dragon.
The Great Dragon, which was the main target, was taken out by her homeroom teacher, Leon.
It felt terrifying just recalling it.
To the girl whose level was still very low at the time, the dragon's roar coming from afar was enough to scare everyone into immobility.
"The target this time is estimated to be at least Level 5, but there is a high probability it could be higher."
Miss Asfi changed the subject; that was why Isagi and the others were asked to come and solve it.
The Astrea Familia had mobilized almost its entire force—since Ais hadn't successfully transferred yet, and Tiona was nominally still with the Loki Familia!
Soon, several days passed.
The four arrived at a certain small town located on the border of the Magical Powerhouse Nation, as agreed.
They met an adventurer at the inn, who informed them that the Moon Goddess Artemis, who was originally waiting here to rendezvous with everyone, had already gone out to "scout" the situation again.
As a Goddess who also governed hunting, Isagi had heard rumors about her when he was in the city, simply because she was too unique.
Not only did she prohibit males from joining her Familia, but she also strictly restricted her members from falling in love. She was the absolute "Disciplinary Committee" Goddess!
Moreover, hers was one of the few Familias that barely operated in the city at all, executing commissions all over the world instead.
It was said that her Familia members rarely stayed together. They usually had their own commissions and tasks, gathering only for a few large-scale commissions. The same applied to the Goddess herself.
Artemis possessed archery skills not inferior to a Level 4 adventurer, and she often traveled alone everywhere, hunting monsters.
This time, the members of the Moon Goddess's Familia didn't come either.
It wasn't because the mission wasn't large enough, but because it would be useless if they came. After all, in the Artemis Familia, only the Captain, Rethusa, was Level 3. Most of the others were Level 1 and Level 2, so they wouldn't be of any help at all.
So only the Goddess herself was keeping a close watch on the whereabouts of the Great Dragon that had left the Dragon Valley and was heading this way.
The adventurer waiting for everyone at the inn was a local "mercenary" of the town, usually responsible for defending against attacks from ordinary monsters.
Hearing that a Great Dragon was coming this time, he also wanted to run. But as luck would have it, he was "threatened" by the Moon Goddess and could only stay behind.
He could only comfort himself that the city had sent First-Class Adventurers over.
However, seeing how young Isagi and Ryuu were, the mercenary, who was already a middle-aged uncle, immediately pulled a bitter face, feeling that his life was probably over.
Under the dim spring night, the small town still scattered the warm glow of Magic Stone Lamps.
The residents here did not know that a Great Dragon was arriving, nor did anyone organize evacuation work. The reason was simple—lack of organization.
The local sheriff and nobles wouldn't come to summon the commoners to leave at all. If the news of the impending Great Dragon spread, it would instead trigger large-scale chaos and riots.
Therefore, Artemis's idea was also very simple: subjugate and kill it before the Great Dragon arrived here.
Inexplicably full of bold spirit. Very good, very energetic!
Isagi nodded, feeling that this idea suited his taste very well. Instantly, he had a lot of goodwill toward the Moon Goddess he had never met. As a result, this attracted high vigilance from Ryuu and Lefiya at his side!
"By the way, does the Magical Powerhouse Nation have no reaction?"
"Hmm..."
Asfi remained noncommittal, simply shaking her head and saying she didn't know either.
The deity ruling this country was Odin.
The one-eyed Old God was the leader of the Aesir gods. Speaking of which, Loki and Freya should know him better, but the relationship between the Magical Powerhouse Nation and the city seemed not to be very good.
Before coming here this time, both Fels and Miss Riveria had reminded him: [Keep a close watch on Lefiya.]
If the Elf maiden's talent were discovered by the Magical Powerhouse Nation, it might cause some accidents.
Regarding this, Asfi also indicated that they should minimize contact with official personnel, and leave directly after subjugating the Great Dragon without staying too long.
Feels very subtle, Isagi thought to himself.
After booking a room at the inn and washing up, finally, before going to sleep, they waited for the returning Goddess Artemis—
Unexpectedly, she turned out to be a tall, slender, and beautiful young maiden with a face full of seriousness. Isagi had thought she would be the big sister type of Goddess.
But aside from her, there was another Goddess present as well.
"Oh?"
The golden-haired maiden deity narrowed her eyes slightly.
Whether male or female, it was difficult to move one's gaze away from that peerlessly beautiful face... except for Isagi. So, just like that Beauty Goddess in the city, she instantly noticed this point.
"Heheh~"
The corners of Aphrodite's mouth curled into a smile. The Beauty Goddess, who had absolutely no interest in subjugating Great Dragons or the like, suddenly sniffed the scent of her favorite "love" between the boy and the girls.
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