"speaking"

"Thinking"

On with the story

It was in the middle of the night of the next day as the moon was in its full form and the stars filled the sky

The Empire was silence and there was no conflict or harm whatsoever that was until a brothel exploded into flames

The bells rang loudly as the empire soldiers ran to the scene while some people were running in fear

"what's going on?!" "a fire!?" "take it out!" the soldiers ran to the scene before black mist started to come out of nowhere and clouded the streets "what is this!? Black mist?!"

Soon from the mist arises out many beastmen, all having weapons in hands

"it's them! The Hundred Demon Parade!" one soldier shouted before his head was cut off from his neck from behind as Ikaruga holds a Katana dripping in blood

"now it is the time! The time for the Hundred Demon Parade to rid this empire! Once and for all!" Ikaruga exclaimed as the other beastmen roared in agreeing with her before the Nurarihyon girl swings her blade forward "charge!"

All the beastmen charged as they started taking out Empire Soldiers while chasing away some humans

Explosions rang out everywhere as fire started to spread from the kingdom

"free our brethren from their shackles! Kill those who oppose us!" Ikaruga exclaimed as the enslaved Beastmen were getting freed from their slavery and their shackles

"Ikaruga-san! The Empire Soldiers!" one beastmen shouted as rains of arrows flew to the sky

"take cover!" Ikaruga exclaimed as the beastmen ran for cover but for those who weren't able had arrows pierced their body and killing them in an instant "charge! Avenge our fallen brethren!"

Another rain of arrows soon came to the sky as they started to fall down to the ground, but a torrent of flames burst out from the side, incinerating them all

Ikaruga looks at the torrent of flames before it disappears, and she looks to the side and sees Natsu standing on top of a cliff near the empire with a hand out that was steaming

The Dragon King summons his armor on before he flies away

"what power.." Ikaruga muttered out before she focuses on the raid

Natsu flied in the sky as he watched the Empire being destroyed from the inside out

"not surprising to how long this empire has been around for" Natsu said in seeing the Empire's falling just like how Dragnof once fall decades ago "but this is for the greater good"

Natsu soon landed on the Empire's broken wall as Ryu was there, watching the Empire in flames

"was this really the only way?" Natsu said as his faceplate slides open "the humans here, they did not harm to you"

"yet they sided to the light and not the dark. True humans are the ones who live in the center, the balance world" Ryu stated as he sees explosions everywhere "those who only sided in one side do not have the meaning of innocent or not. You should know that"

"yeah" Natsu said as he had a flashback of him being surrounded by a group of adventurers and the Dragon King had a look that is filled with betrayal "I know"

"but still, you made such a very challenging contract for me" Ryu said as he sighs "in assistance in aiding the attack on the Empire's fall, you ask for my Granddaughter's hands…I'm growing too old for this"

"you are, and besides I'll keep her safe and protected at all times" Natsu said to him

Flashback

"y-you want my Granddaugther's hand!?" Ryu stated in surprise to Natsu who holds a contract in hand "in exchange to help us in bringing the Empire to the ground?!"

"you should know by now of Dragnof, haven't you?" Natsu asked as he throws the contract paper to Ryu who caught it before he opens it, looking at its description with Ikaruga "my kingdom is no ordinary kingdom after all"

"yes, I have heard that it is a kingdom that is like the Marashita Empire. Peaceful and living in harmony" Ryu said looking at the contract before to Natsu "b-but why my Granddaughter?"

"you could say that i.." Natsu said before awkwardly scratch his chin "…her beauty bewitched me"

Flashback

"that was the first time" Ryu said letting out a long sigh "that was the first time I have ever seen my granddaughter having a blush on her. You young men these days are just too.."

"sorry. But I will know for sure that she will love living in Dragnof" Natsu said "and be with my other mates"

"I see" Ryu said before he looks at Natsu with his eyes wide "MATES?!"

At the Empire's castle home of the emperor, everything was going into flames as the Hundred Demon Parade attacked the castle

Dead soldiers littered the ground as there was no one spared

Ikaruga came out of the burning castle with the head of the emperor that had blood dripping bellow it

"the Emperor is now dead!" Ikaruga exclaimed holding the head up as the beastmen cheered in victory for the Emperor's death and that would mean that the Empire will soon fall

"sounds like your granddaughter finally took out the Emperor's own head" Natsu said looking to the castle of the Emperor as it was going down in flames

"she has her father's fire and determination after all" Ryu said "I always wondered how my daughter in law managed to even give birth to her"

"eh? You had a son?" Natsu said with a question mark appearing on top of his head

"just because I am a Nurarihyon does not mean that I cannot have a child" Ryu said with a tick mark appearing on his forehead

"anyway, with the Empire falling the rest of the contract should be cleared right?" Natsu said changing the subject

"yes, but the distance from Pazingua to Ishgar is nearly 3 days sail on the ocean" Ryu said "if you have something else as a mean of transportation"

"another mean of transportation" Natus said before he looks at the giant hammer that he had used to destroy the Empire's wall that made him grin "I think I got our ride"

That's a wrap!

bye-bye