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

Chapter 2444: A Wonderful Day

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I watched Svartalf walk away, finally leaving Hel and me alone.

"Sorry about that. The whole family's always been like this with me," I sighed. "How are you feeling?"

"I'm alright... still mourning my children," Hel sighed softly. "The dragons that died... It'll take time to get over it. I knew them all, their names, everything..."

"I... I see..." I muttered, my voice heavy with guilt. "I'm sorry. It's all my fault."

I gently took her large yet delicate hands, covered in fine, smooth black scales.

"Eh? It's not your fault..."

"It is. I failed you. I couldn't fight properly back then. Everything fell apart because I wasn't ready, despite all our training."

"No... Drake, please don't blame yourself. You did everything you could. You saved our world. There's nothing more I could have asked for. What happened... they were casualties of war. As heartbreaking as it is, it was inevitable."

"Still... I'll try to do something for them, maybe find their soul fragments or—"

"That's enough, alright? You don't have to push yourself like this, let alone force it... I already saw their soul fragments fade. They've gone to the Afterlife."

"Really?"

"Yes... Don't worry. It's okay... I was sad, but that doesn't mean you have to carry that sadness too. This is my grief to bear. You should be happy. You should smile... I guess I'm the gloomy one. I've always been... Maybe that's why I never found a mate before."

Hel sighed, looking down. Deep sorrow shadowed her eyes, as if she feared she was ruining this precious moment, even after finally finding someone who loved her.

"No... Hel, that's not true. You're a wonderful woman. I'll mourn with you, and you'll smile and laugh with me. We'll share both our sorrow and our joy."

I held her hands tighter yet gently, gazing into her beautiful red eyes and caressing her face.

"We're family now, right?"

"D-Drake..."

Hel met my glowing golden eyes, so touched that tears welled up and spilled over.

She nodded faintly, pulling me into a hug and crying softly against my shoulder.

I embraced her back, patting her gently and kissing the top of her head.

"It's going to be okay... Everything will be alright."

My soothing voice calmed her, easing the pain in her heart. Only her mother had ever comforted her like this, and only when she was a small pup.

"Thank you... Drake... for being here for me..."

"It's okay. Feeling better now?"

"Hm, yes... I love you, Drake..."

"I love you too."

I kissed her lips, and Hel's happiness returned, blooming into a radiant smile.

Her smile was breathtaking.

"You're such a beautiful woman... Where have you been all my life?"

"Hehe... That's... what I said before..."

"Yeah, we think alike, don't we?"

"I-I guess...? It makes me feel so happy and safe with you. I don't know why."

"That's just the charm of the dragon king, eh?"

I winked, and Hel giggled again.

I had a gift for lifting her spirits, something that surprised her sisters, who rarely managed to coax even a small chuckle from her.

"Wow, Drake's amazing... I've never seen big sister Hel smile like that," Asga whispered, covering her mouth.

"He has that charm. He's truly special," Ran said, crossing her arms. "If anyone deserves our big sister, it's him. The only one I'd ever approve of."

"Yeah, he's the one," Vana nodded.

As her sisters walked away, leaving us alone, I kept making her smile, giggle, and gradually lift her mood.

"Drake... Is this a dream? I still can't believe you love me..." Hel whispered. "I'm... so happy..."

"I know the feeling," I said, my hands resting on her wide hips as we gazed at each other, sharing tender kisses. "But this is real, Hel. The world is saved, and here we are, together."

"Like you promised..." Hel murmured. "Thank you..."

She hugged me again, snuggling close and rubbing her neck and head against my shoulders and neck, the affectionate way dragons showed their love.

"Drake... I..."

"Yes?"

"Would you... let me ask for another favor?"

"Anything. I'll do anything for you."

"I... um... How do I say this?"

Hel sighed, fidgeting with her long claws.

"Hel?"

"I-I want... to have a baby with you."

She whispered into my ear, her pale face flushing bright red.

"T-That soon?!" I blurted, naturally shocked.

"I-Is it?! I'm so sorry! I don't know mortal customs... I just thought once a mate was chosen, we mated, right?" Hel tilted her head.

"O-Of course... I suppose that's how dragons do it," I mused. "I would gladly have a child with you, but let's take it slow, alright? I still want to show you the surface, all the places we'll visit together, and every food I want you to taste."

"Oh! I don't mind taking it slowly... I'm actually a bit scared of mating... I've never done it..." Hel admitted softly. "It's a relief..."

"Ah, then that's fine," I nodded. "Take your time. Don't force anything. I'll never force you either. For me and my wives, mating is special. It's the ultimate expression of love, beyond just creating life. It's a sacred bond of bodies and souls."

"Oooh! Is that how mortals see it? How beautiful..." Hel said, squeezing my hand. "I... I'm so nervous... I'm finally going to have a child with my mate...! But yes, let's save that for later."

"Hahah, I can see you're eager," I laughed warmly. "We'll get there eventually... Can I call you dear?"

"Of course..." Hel nodded shyly. "I'll call you... um... how do wives call their husbands?"

"You could call me honey, or anything you like," I explained.

"I see! Honey sounds perfect," Hel smiled. "My honey..."

She kept rubbing her neck and face against me, marking me with her scent, another loving dragon tradition.

Once I helped her feel truly better, I walked back with everyone, introducing her properly to my family and explaining the quirks of her siblings to my wives and children.

The kids warmed to her quickly. She had always been like an aunt to them, and now they were excited to have her around, especially since such an ancient dragon surely knew countless fascinating stories.

"So that's how it is... Seeing you happy despite everything warms my heart, Hel," Benladann said. "It still feels sudden, but I want to know you better, so it won't anymore. Is that alright?"

"Yeah, I feel the same," Miranda nodded.

"Of course. I'd love that," Hel replied. "I'm eager to learn about all of you too. If Drake loves you so deeply, you must be wonderful people."

"A-Ahahah! I suppose we are!" Miranda giggled.

"Hm, you pass," Benladann nodded. "Good choice again, Drake."

"Uh? Thanks?" I tilted my head, surprised at how easily she won them over.

"Yeah, she's great! I have so many questions, Hel!" Yuki said. "Like about those old dragons over there. Got any funny stories? We can gossip while we eat."

"O-Oh, my sisters? Yes, plenty," Hel chuckled. "They were quite the handful when young. Always giving me and Mother headaches."

"That sounds fun! What was grandma like as a kid?!" Benladra asked excitedly.

"Nifl? A total crybaby. She cried over everything," Hel said, glancing at her sister. "And Svartalf? Terribly spoiled. She'd leave most of her meat and only eat the softest parts. Never touched bones, so her fangs stayed weak and often broke. Then she'd cry and rage..."

"Hahaha! No way!" Yuki burst out laughing. "I thought they were perfect. Guess everyone has their childhood quirks."

"H-Hel! Don't share such embarrassing tales!" Svartalf called from afar.

"I-I wasn't a crybaby!" Nifl protested. "D-Don't listen to her, my son!"

"She's just avoiding her past," Hel teased gently.

"D-Don't you dare mention that time when...!" Muspel groaned, but Hel continued swiftly.

"Ah yes, Muspel once burned an entire forest in Alfheim. The Ancient Fairies were furious. She came back covered in plants and vines. We spent a whole day picking them from her scales while she cried and snapped at us. Mother had to apologize to the fairies... Muspel was grounded for a year."

"Hahaha! Really?!" Surtr roared with laughter. "That sounds exactly like Mother!"

"S-Surtr! Don't laugh at that!" Muspel flushed.

"Raising four dragon kids is tough. I can't imagine over nine! Tiamat must have been incredibly patient," Benladann laughed.

"She was..." Hel nodded, her smile softening with fond memory. "Mother Tiamat... was the best mother we could have ever wished for."

The dragons fell silent for a moment, quietly honoring Tiamat's passing. After giving me her crown, her presence had vanished from the Draconic Records, fully merging with the world alongside Ymir.

"And we'll live for her, ensuring her legacy endures," I said firmly. "Now, let's feast! For a new future, for a new Yggdrasil!"

I raised a large bottle of sake from Oda Nobunaga's treasury, toasting as everyone roared in joy and drank.

"Woah! Real sake! Phew, that hits hard!" I laughed.

This brew, crafted by Zipangu's Kami to intoxicate even Susanoo, certainly worked on me.

"Alright, family! Eat to your hearts' content. Hurry, because I'm starving! Hahahaha!"

"YEAAAAAH!"

Everyone celebrated, devouring the food. I watched Hel eagerly trying the meat, her face lighting up with wonder and delight.

"Ohhh! Ooh! This is... amazing!"

She made the most adorable sounds of surprise, often followed by shy chuckles, discovering flavors she had never known.

I showed her how to dip the meat in spicy sauces, sweet ones, curry, guacamole, sour cream, and more. This was only the start.

"Hmmm! I love the sweet one! The creamy is so refreshing... Oh Drake, the spicy is a bit much for me though..."

"Auntie, you mix them like this!" Drakda demonstrated, dipping a huge piece in sweet sauce, then spicy, sour cream, and ketchup.

"Hmm, got it!" Hel imitated him eagerly. "Ooohh?! I understand now! Drake, your food... it's incredible...! How have I never tried cooked meals before? Mortals create such wonders..."

"Hahaha, yeah, we do," I grinned. "Try these too. There's more than just meat."

"Vegetables? And this brown thing?" Hel asked curiously.

"That's bread," I laughed. "Here, I'll make you a sandwich."

She adored every potato dish: baked with sour cream and cheese, fried slices, mashed, and more.

Then came the sandwiches. She devoured them, marveling at how vegetables, sauces, and meat combined within bread created such harmony of taste and texture.

"I-Impressive...! I can't stop eating!"

Soon, desserts appeared. Kate shared her favorite doughnuts, cheesecakes, and muffins. Hel discovered the joy of pastries.

"Hmm, I love these...! So many flavors! This creamy one, cheesecake, is my favorite."

"Yep, mine too, auntie. Great taste."

"Oh my, do I? Fufu."

Hel glowed with happiness, surrounded by my family, eating and enjoying herself freely for the first time. Her children warmed slowly, guided by the other dragons, until they too savored the feast.

Skeletons and zombies approached tentatively, drawn by the aroma. My Cooking Spirits served everyone hungry, without judgment.

Hundreds of souls joined the meal, chatting and laughing, turning the event into a grand celebration across Helheim.

Hel watched in awe as many souls, filled with bliss from the food, released their lingering regrets and passed on peacefully.

What I planned as a simple lunch stretched into nearly two full days. When it finally ended, most lay on the ground, blissfully asleep with full bellies.

Even the ancient dragon mothers felt satisfyingly stuffed, a rare sensation for their vast appetites.

My family and I drifted off right there among the dragons, with Hel cuddling close, surrounded by her Death Dragons.

It was a truly wonderful day.

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