Epic Of Ice Dragon: Reborn As An Ice Dragon With A System

Chapter 2443: Bringing Him Back

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Yudra clung to Drake's back like a tiny chinchilla monkey. He chuckled softly, stepping through the portal into his Divine Realm.

The fresh grasslands greeted him. He inhaled deeply, a wave of relief washing over him.

"It's peaceful here, isn't it, Yudra?"

"Waaahh!"

Yudra fluttered off, chasing butterflies that danced across the blooming fields. Spring had arrived in the realm. Vibrant flowers carpeted the grass, drawing swarms of butterflies and bees.

The little girl snatched bugs mid-flight, devouring them in one bite. Her half-monkey, half-chinchilla nature craved insects occasionally. She happily snacked on whatever she caught.

Drake remembered his other children doing similar things when younger. Benladra and Drakda had hunted rats as toddlers, though they hated reminders of it now.

Kate was the exception. As a former spirit sustained by his Mana, she never needed solid food early on. She quickly developed a love for pastries and fruit instead.

"Guh… Cough, cough!"

Yudra choked on a large, sparkling dragonfly—likely a minor Divine Monster. Drake rushed over, helping her spit it out. The bug flew away, drenched in drool.

"Yudra, be careful, okay? Don't swallow big bugs whole. If you want them, catch and nibble slowly."

Drake wasn't disgusted. He understood his daughter's instincts. He recalled Yuki doing the same before gaining her Beast-kin form—snacking on bugs when fruit wasn't enough.

"Oway… Uwuh…"

Yudra looked dizzy. Drake cradled her gently until she recovered, then grew sleepy and nestled against his stomach.

"Haha, this girl…"

He caressed her warm little head as he walked into the castle. Jake's sealed body and soul rested in a spherical crystal in an empty room.

He sensed Helena, Lucia, and Chris sleeping nearby and decided not to disturb them.

"All right, what now?"

Drake gazed at his palm. Ethereal rainbow energy manifested, resembling watercolor paint.

It was the Concept of Fantasy, capable of reshaping reality.

He had barely explored its potential.

It was the very power that birthed all life in Yggdrasil.

"What are you planning, Drake?" Andromeda asked.

"Oberon stole his Concept of Life. I'll give him mine," Drake replied. Andromeda took Yudra, freeing his hands.

"You're giving him your own life?!" Andromeda gasped. "Wait, that's too reckless— Ah!"

CRASH!

Drake plunged his hands into his chest, reaching deep into his soul where his Concepts resided.

His Concept of Life shone brightest. With gritted teeth, he tore off a piece.

Intense pain surged, but it faded quickly as the fragment regenerated.

"Here, Jake… I don't know what my niece sees in you, but she cares deeply—perhaps even loves you," Drake sighed. "When you return, tell her how you feel. Don't waste this second chance."

He placed the glowing sphere into Jake's body. The sealing barrier dissolved.

FLASH!

Light enveloped Jake. His soul settled within. The massive chest wound finally healed.

The young man slumped to the floor, opening sleepy, weary eyes.

"Ugh… Ahh… My chest hurts…"

He groaned, slowly realizing he wasn't in the old laboratory. He was inside Drake's Ice Castle.

And Drake stood before him.

"Hey, feeling better?"

"Ugh… Drake? What… what happened?"

"Long story short—you died, buddy."

"I died?!"

"Yeah. We couldn't save you because Oberon ripped out your Concept of Life."

"That's… bad?"

"It was. I had to defeat him, then Loki, then the Crimson Queen to gain the power to revive you… You're lucky to have a brother-in-law like me, or you'd stay dead."

"I-I… I don't know what to say… Thanks. Yeah… thank you."

"You're welcome, son. Now, want to wake Helena? She's upstairs."

"Helena?! You found her?!"

"Sure did! It was tough. I'll explain on the way. Come on—exercise those legs so you don't cramp."

"Okay…"

Drake recounted rescuing Helena and defeating Oberon as they climbed the stairs.

Jake tired quickly—the steps were built for dragons, after all.

They reached Helena's room. Drake knocked gently until she stirred.

"Who… Who is it?"

"It's me, Helena."

"Ah! Uncle! You're awake!"

Helena flung the door open, eyes widening at Drake—and Jake.

"H-Huh?! Jake?! Jake!"

She gasped in disbelief, tears welling as she ran into his arms.

"Helena…! I'm sorry for dying… I couldn't do anything."

"That doesn't matter! I'm so happy you're back!"

Helena sobbed against his chest. Jake smiled softly, holding her close.

"I revived him with the power I gained," Drake explained. "And that's that! I'm making barbecue outside in Helheim before we leave. Want to join?"

"I could eat," Jake nodded.

"Barbecue?! I've missed yours for years, uncle!" Helena beamed through tears.

"Haha, easy now," Drake laughed warmly. "I know you're starving. Let's wake Lucia and Chris. Fuyu? How long have they slept?"

Fuyu materialized beside him.

"Ten hours," she said. "They should wake easily."

"I'll get them!" Helena volunteered. "Come on, Jake!"

"A-Ah, yeah!" Jake blushed as she grabbed his hand.

"Hahah, she's overjoyed," Drake chuckled, heart light. "But… our family's still on Earth… I wonder if they're safe."

"You can check easily," Andromeda said. "But later."

"Right, I guess I could check now… Earth and Zipangu have almost fully merged," Drake said, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. "Only invisible dimensional barriers separate the three worlds now, though gates are everywhere. I'll manage that later. Hmm, there's also Spiritias, right?"

"Yes," Andromeda nodded. "That world has resurfaced at last. It's releasing vast amounts of Spiritual Energy… helping Yggdrasil recover."

"Is that so? I sensed a strong presence from there," Drake murmured. "I hope they're reasonable and don't demand more battles. Honestly, I'm tired of fighting for a while."

"I don't think they are, or they would have invaded like Nobunaga," Andromeda replied. "They're sharing their Spirit Energy with us… I believe they're genuinely concerned for our world."

"Hmm, that's intriguing," Drake agreed, hearing Lucia and Chris's joyful voices. They were overjoyed to see Jake alive.

He stepped out of the room, heart swelling at the sight of the four finally reunited. A relieved sigh escaped him. This long ordeal was truly over.

"All right, who's hungry? We're having barbecue outside to celebrate!" Drake announced. "Come on, let's go."

He opened a portal from his Divine Realm, leading everyone outside to join the others.

His children had already finished cutting the meat, preparing it with help from their mothers and Yuki.

Yudra, asleep in Andromeda's arms, woke instantly at the mouthwatering scent of roasted meat. She drooled, opening her big eyes wide.

"Waaoohhh!" she cooed.

"Hungry, baby girl?" Yuki cradled her now, gently stroking her head. "Food's almost ready, right, Drake?"

"Yeah, first batch is nearly done!" Drake confirmed.

He roasted enormous quantities—not just for family and friends, but for thousands of dragons.

To feed them all, he summoned hundreds of powerful Divine Cooking Spirits to assist.

He prepared gigantic Divine Beasts for the Mother Dragons too, sourced mostly from Muspelheim's underground realms governed by Ignisefer.

Yet he gently insisted most dragons shrink into Dragonoid forms. Their appetites remained huge, but smaller dishes would be easier to serve—and more enjoyable.

Truth be told, it was also a perfect excuse to see the Mother Dragons in their Dragonoid forms.

And it worked beautifully.

"God damn…"

Drake stared in quiet awe as each Mother Dragon transformed. He had expected some like Ran or Jotun to resemble stout grandmothers based on their voices.

Instead, they were tall, curvaceous, and breathtakingly beautiful. His weakness for mature women—mildly stirred by Andromeda, fully awakened by Hel—flared briefly. He had to admit they were stunning.

Of course, appreciating beauty and feeling love were entirely different. Though his wives shot him jealous glances, he knew the line well enough to offer sincere praise.

Elder women like them often felt insecure about age. Compliments from their young, handsome king clearly lifted their spirits.

"You all look gorgeous. I told you this form was a good idea, aunties."

"Well, I have to admit it's not bad! Haha!" Jotun laughed heartily. "First time I've ever shrunk this small! The world feels so much bigger now! Wow!"

"So now you find us gorgeous, Drake? Still prefer smaller humanoids, huh?" Ran teased, lifting his chin with a playful smile.

"Hey, that's enough, Ran! Don't tease my son," Nifl scolded gently. Tall with pale white skin, long pale blue hair, and large yellow eyes, her crystal horns gleamed. She wore a dress of shimmering ice shards. "What do you think of your mother now, dear?"

"You look gorgeous, Mother. You were always beautiful," Drake said sincerely. Nifl blushed and giggled.

"Haha! Oh my, you're too kind with your words!" She hugged him tightly, kissing his forehead. "I'm starving. Let's eat! Oh, Fafnir! You shrank too?"

"Couldn't miss the chance," Fafnir replied. He resembled a tall, muscular, handsome elder with a short black beard, long black hair, three sharp crimson eyes, black horns, claws, and scales. "What do you think of your father now?"

"Woah, I see where Drakda gets some traits!" Drake grinned. "You look cool, Dad."

"Heh, right? You're lucky to have me as your father, Drake! Hahaha!" Fafnir flexed his impressive arms. Nifl blushed and clapped delightedly.

As Drake watched his parents chat, snack, and drink with his brothers, another tall, stunning dragon lady approached. She seized him in an enthusiastic hug.

"My grandson! I can finally hug you properly! Why didn't I take this form sooner?!"

She had pale skin and long black hair resembling swirling shadow clouds that formed a shadowy dress. Traits mirrored Fafnir's but grander—glowing red eyes and long black horns.

It was Svartalf, whose generous figure nearly smothered Drake as she hugged and kissed his face.

"G-Gaaah! Grandma—wait! Wait! Ugh…!"

Drake finally escaped her overwhelming embrace. Svartalf laughed heartily and patted his head.

"Hahaha! Come on, don't be shy. I'm your dear grandmother, right?"

"Yeah, but Hel's been waiting to talk, and you just… pushed me into your chest…"

"O-Oh… I'm so sorry, Hel. I couldn't resist. He's such a handsome young man, isn't he? I'm jealous… but happy for you. Enjoy."

"T-Thank you, Svartalf…"

Svartalf walked away, finally giving Drake and Hel some privacy.

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