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

Chapter 2448: Overprotective Mother

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As everyone savored breakfast under the warm sun, a gentle breeze carrying the scent of fresh fruits and cooked meat, I leaned back on my throne and sighed in deep relief.

"Dada...!"

A soft, fluffy little figure quickly caught my attention. Little Yudra was crawling up my leg. She settled onto my lap, gazing up at me with those big, innocent eyes, clearly seeking affection.

"What's wrong? Did you eat well, Yudra?"

"Hm!"

She nodded happily, resting her small head against my stomach. Her belly was round and full from the meal. Her mouth was a bit messy, so I gently wiped it clean.

Her tiny paws were caked in mud, so I decided a bath was in order later—perhaps a relaxing family bath with everyone.

"Look at these paws, all covered in mud!"

"Hehehe!"

Yudra giggled joyfully as I tickled her little hands and feet. She was a bundle of pure laughter, always beaming with bright, innocent smiles.

This little girl was truly a ray of sunshine for us all, bringing warmth and happiness to everyone without even trying.

Once breakfast ended, we prepared to set off. We returned to Fuyu first—her interior now linked to the ice castle in my Divine Realm through a special door—for a family bath.

Hel joined us without hesitation. She wore no clothes anyway, and her black scales modestly covered her private areas, leaving her completely unshy.

"Ooh, this water is so warm..." she murmured, sinking in with a contented sigh. "I feel so relaxed..."

"You have such long, beautiful hair, Hel!" Benladann said admiringly.

"Yeah, let me wash your back and those old scales," Miranda offered.

"Oh! Thank you," Hel replied warmly. "Is this a family custom? Should I wash yours afterward?"

"Haha, no need," Miranda laughed lightly.

With the children helping alongside Yuki, we tackled washing Yudra, whose white fur was thoroughly smeared with mud.

"Wawah! Heheh! Waaahh!"

She splashed energetically, waving her tiny arms and sending water everywhere. She was such a playful little creature.

"C-Come on, Yudra! Hold still!" Yuki groaned. "Let us clean your fur properly! There!"

Yuki scooped her up firmly, holding her in place. Yudra mistook it for a hug and wrapped her arms around her mama, giving us the perfect chance to scrub her clean.

Andromeda didn't need baths, but she joined anyway to bond with the family. She helped Hel with her long hair and scales, then assisted us with the wriggling Yudra.

"So you like this shampoo, Benladra?"

After handling our little troublemaker, I finally relaxed and washed my princess's long hair, now a beautiful blonde after her recent evolution.

"Yeah, I love this one, Dad. It smells so nice, like fruit."

"It does, doesn't it? I made it from fruits we harvested in the Divine Realm. Alchemy is handy for things like this."

"I smell honey too! Did you add some from my Bee Spirit?"

"You noticed, huh? It keeps your hair soft and shiny."

"You always think of everything, Dad. Thanks!"

"No problem, my princess. Just doing what any father should."

SPLASH!

She poured a large bucket of warm water over herself, shaking her head and spraying droplets everywhere.

"Phew! All done!"

"Ha ha ha ha, alright. We're finished here. Let's go."

After the bath, I used wind magic to dry us all quickly. We dressed and prepared to start the day properly.

"I've never taken a warm bath like this before. I feel so refreshed," Hel said with a relieved sigh.

"Here, please wear some clothes," Yuki said, handing her a beautiful kimono-style dress in black and white. "We wear clothes in this family. I'd prefer my daughter not see you naked... if possible."

"A-Ah! Of course... I'm so sorry," Hel apologized quickly, slipping into the kimono. "Hm? Oh, these clothes are quite lovely."

"And these shoes too. I knew they'd suit you," Yuki added, offering black wooden sandals. They made Hel look like an elegant female Kami from Zipangu.

"D-Do I?" Hel asked, a faint blush coloring her cheeks.

"Yeah!" I said warmly. "Great job, Yuki. Thank you."

"Don't mention it. Sewing clothes was one of my favorite hobbies in my first life, and even as Amaterasu. I made garments for all my Kami back then," Yuki explained.

"Alright then, let's get going," I said. "Should we explore Vanaheim a bit before heading elsewhere?"

"I want to visit the beast people!" Benladra exclaimed. "Auntie, don't you want to meet more like you? Yudra does, right?"

"I woo!" Yudra nodded eagerly, trying her best to speak.

Probably "I do!" or something close. This girl was learning words remarkably fast.

"I suppose we could, but I was never originally a beast person..." Yuki said hesitantly. "They might sniff me out, and that could get really embarrassing."

"Nah, it'll be fine," I reassured her with a shrug. "Let's go! I also want to push some Yggdrasil roots back down and check if everyone's safe."

And so, our journey across Vanaheim began. We soared through the clear blue skies, free from any immediate threats.

Though worries about this universe's future lingered in the back of my mind, I knew the danger wasn't imminent. We had plenty of time to prepare.

For now, I wanted to explore the world with my family, watch my children grow into strong adult dragons, and teach them everything I could so they would become remarkable individuals.

FLASH!

It didn't take long to reach our first destination: a large village of beast people encircled by towering crystals rising from the earth.

"Drake! We found a village!" Charlotte's voice rang out behind me. "Shall we check it out?"

"Sure! Let's go," I nodded.

We leaped from Fuyu, leaving her in invisible mode high above, and approached the village on foot.

"I was born in Jotunheim, but my roots trace back to Vanaheim," Pekora said, glancing around excitedly while holding Tisha's hand. "I'm eager to see if there are more rabbit-kin—or maybe hare-kin too. Either would be wonderful."

"Me too. I bet they're as cute as you," Tisha giggled, kissing her nose.

"Shhh, we're close," I whispered.

The village was impressive, easily twice the size of the Jungle Lizardmen settlement in Muspelheim, sprawling over hundreds of meters. Houses were built around and between massive trees, some perched atop branches.

A large wooden hall stood at the center, surrounded by torch-lit wooden walls. The main gate was guarded by two imposing lion beast men.

"Looks like the village is closed off," I observed. "They seem wary of outsiders. Maybe we shouldn't disturb them. Let's head back for now."

"Waaauuhh!"

But Yudra suddenly darted toward the guards, ignoring my words completely, greeting them with a bright, innocent smile.

"What...?!"

"Who are you?!"

The guards startled at first, spears raised at the flying child but quickly relaxed when they saw she was harmless.

"Are you lost? Where did you come from, little one?"

"Awahh... Papa?" Yudra glanced back, beckoning us to join her.

"She's looking for her father? Did she wander out of the village?"

"Possibly. Though I've never seen a white bat girl before."

"She's a bat?"

"I think so... Big ears, wings, white fur..."

"But she has horns and scales too."

"Hmm, never seen her kind. What tribe is she from?"

"Uwuuhhh! Aweh."

Yudra babbled cutely, melting the hearts of the tall, muscular guards. They lowered their weapons, chuckling softly.

"Hahaha, well, if she came from a destroyed village, we should offer her refuge."

"If she survived the cataclysm and the jungle, she's tougher than she looks."

"But she can barely talk. She must be very young."

"Come on in, little one. Someone will surely take you in."

The guards opened the gate for Yudra, who zipped inside without a backward glance.

"Hey, Yudra! Come back here!"

Yuki dashed after her, startling the guards again as they leveled their spears.

"That's my daughter! Let me in!"

"She is?!"

"She does resemble her."

"Okay, I'm coming through!"

Yuki pushed past them without waiting, effortlessly breaking through the wooden gate.

"Yudra, come here!"

I rushed in right behind her, the rest of the family following close.

Inside, we found Yudra surrounded by several beast-kin mothers and their children—some toddlers, others still infants.

"Where did you come from, sweetie?"

"Look how cute you are!"

"I've never seen anyone like you. What tribe are you from?"

"You're so beautiful!"

"Dwagon!" Yudra declared proudly. "Mwe... a dwagon! Hehe."

"Dwagon? Must be some unknown tribe."

"Yeah, never heard of it."

"Are you lost? An orphan?"

"Hungry? Want some fruit?"

The women were incredibly warm and nurturing, clearly accustomed to caring for orphaned children after disasters—a heartfelt tradition in their community.

"Wait! I'm her mother! That girl has a mother—me! Right here!"

Yuki hurried over, startling the women as she scooped up our daughter. I arrived a moment later.

I couldn't help but smile at how fiercely protective she was, desperate to keep Yudra from being adopted by the kind strangers.

Haha, she was truly an devoted, overprotective mom.

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