Chapter 76

[Igneel spoke softly.]

["You know me?"]

[Although it was their first meeting, Irene had at least seen many dragons.]

[Therefore, she was very clear that the dragon before her... was very strong!]

[She could feel it from that almost suffocating dragon pressure.]

[Even when facing the Lightning Dragon, or Douglas, or even that massive dragon swarm, Irene had never had this feeling.]

[It was countless times more powerful than Belserion!]

[Added to the fact that it was Black Black Nazi's father, Irene's legs began to tremble slightly.]

[Igneel just stared at Irene without moving.]

[It was unbearable!]

[This was Irene's most genuine feeling at this moment.]

[Being watched by Igneel's scrutinizing gaze, Irene felt as if thousands of ants were crawling all over her body.]

[She was dissatisfied with everything about herself.]

[Her head lowered involuntarily, and her fair hands couldn't help but fiddle with the corner of her clothes.]

[Sweat poured from her forehead like a tide.]

["Hahaha, what are you nervous about?"]

[Finally, as Igneel's hearty laughter rang out, the pressure on Irene seemed to vanish completely in an instant.]

[Her whole body suddenly felt light, and she let out a long sigh of relief.]

["I have been watching that brat all along; I didn't expect him to give me such a big surprise this time."]

[Igneel joked rarely, his gaze looking at Irene with teasing.]

["Ah... that... that, I... I I..."]

["Haha, alright, alright. You make your own decisions about your affairs; I am not some narrow-minded father."]

[Looking at Irene's incoherent appearance, Igneel shook his head with a smile.]

[Then, looking at Irene, he said: "However, the reason I am looking for you this time is indeed because of this matter."]

["This matter? Is it... because of me?"]

[Irene pointed at herself in astonishment.]

["That's right." Igneel nodded.]

[Then, shifting his gaze to look at the calm deep pool again, Igneel's tone also calmed down.]

[He said in a deep voice: "Although I am very happy that someone likes that brat Natsu, and for dragons, age is not a problem."]

["However..."]

[Irene's heart skipped a beat!]

[Igneel didn't keep her in suspense and sighed, saying.]

["However, it is impossible for you and that brat."]

["Why?! Didn't you also say that age is not a problem?"]

[Irene was full of confusion, bit her lip, and asked...]

[Igneel paused, then slowly turned around.]

[Those eyes looked at Irene again.]

["Child, believe me, I have my reasons. That brat carries a mission you cannot imagine; in fact, after this parting, you will never see each other again in this lifetime."]

["What do you mean by that?" Irene frowned tightly.]

[From childhood to adulthood, Black Black Nazi was the first person to make Irene's heart flutter; he was clearly different from everyone else.]

[A brave, kind, responsible, and powerful man—who wouldn't love him?]

[Although Black Black Nazi was not yet a man, that was only a matter of time.]

[Moreover, after spending these few months together, Black Black Nazi's figure had long been imprinted in Irene's heart; this was unforgettable, so Irene did not want to give up just like that.]

[Her persistent eyes met Igneel's without fear, completely devoid of her previous panicked expression.]

[Igneel was also stunned.]

[Blinking his eyes: "Just how much of a love potion did that brat feed you? You're this persistent?"]

["I have always believed that if you don't work hard, you won't get anything. Therefore, I might offend you today, but I still want to ask for the reason!"]

["Why is it impossible!"]

["Sigh..."]

[Igneel was also in a bit of a bind.]

[After pondering for a moment, he said: "Then what if I say that Natsu will go to a place you cannot reach next? What will you do?"]

["There is nothing I cannot reach; it is only a matter of whether I want to or not."]

[Irene said without hesitation.]

["Then, what if you never have a chance to meet again? What will you do?"]

["There is no one I cannot meet. No matter where Natsu goes, I will follow. That way, I will be able to see him, right?"]

["You cannot follow!"]

["Then I will wait!"]

["You cannot afford to wait either, child!"]

["No matter how long, I can afford to wait."]

[Igneel's head began to ache; perhaps it was simple for it to kill enemies.]

[However, dealing with a queen with incomparable eloquence, Igneel found it difficult.]

[Its dragon claw scratched its head in frustration.]

[Then, looking at Irene, it said: "Then let me tell you, this time might even be decades, or even hundreds of years?!"]

["Even if it's thousands of years, I will wait!"]

[Irene's gaze did not dodge, and she spoke with clear, firm words.]

[Igneel rolled his eyes: "How will you wait?"]

["Belserion said that I have begun to dragonize, which is irreversible, but at the same time, I have also gained the lifespan of a giant dragon. I believe Natsu is the same, possessing the lifespan of a giant dragon."]

["In this case, even if I wait for thousands of years, so what?"]

[Irene's words left Igneel speechless.]

[After a long while, it sighed, then straightened its expression and asked seriously.]

["Are you... really willing to wait for hundreds, or even thousands of years?"]

[Irene nodded heavily: "I will absolutely not break my word!"]

[Igneel nodded gently: "In that case, perhaps it really is possible, who knows? But before that, I'm afraid you need to truly understand the person you have set your heart on."]

["Is it Natsu?"]

[Irene asked.]

[Igneel nodded: "Indeed, this is a story about him, and it is also what he will face next, and at the same time, it is also what you will need to face."]

["After listening, decide then, because the facts might exceed your imagination."]

Just as everyone was looking forward to Igneel telling the story about Black Natsu.

The entire screen turned a snowy white.

Immediately after, when the image appeared again, Irene had already bid farewell to Igneel.

And was walking back towards her palace.

Makarov: "Eh? What's going on? This... is the conversation already over?"

Natsu: "Wow! How could this be? Then what is the matter about me?"]

Gajeel: "Friendly reminder, that is about Black Natsu."

Natsu: "It's all the same, anyway, it's very likely to lead to Igneel's whereabouts, or even Metalicana's, aren't you curious?"]

Gajeel: "That's right! Why didn't I think of that?"]

Wendy: "It seems that Brother Natsu is quite quick-witted in some aspects he cares about, not as stupid as usual."

Carla: "That goes without saying, look at Black Natsu in that world and you'll know, this guy is actually not bad in all aspects, it's just unknown why such top-tier talent was used by him in this way."