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

Chapter 2458: One Last Stop Before Home

-----

"So what exactly happened? What did you spend so much time talking about?" Miranda asked, raising an eyebrow as we shared breakfast with Ruby.

Our little vampire savored a rich cocktail of blood from several Divine Beasts, purified of all impurities and brimming with deep flavor. I had decided to stop offering her my own blood, worried it might overwhelm her with too much energy.

I also prepared divine monster meat for her. Vampires relish meat as much as blood, and now she happily dug into ice cream topped with strawberry sauce and fresh strawberries—a sweet reward. Vampires can consume milk and dairy without issue, having nursed from their mothers alongside separate blood feedings.

In truth, vampires are a subspecies of humans. Despite their unique traits, their tastes remain remarkably similar.

"Nothing serious. We sorted out a small issue and resolved it," I said. "Right, Ruby?"

"Yeah, don't worry, Miranda. Thanks for asking, though," Ruby replied with a nod, sipping her blood. "Hmm, this one's delicious. What is it?"

"From a massive crocodile-like beast," I explained. "I hunted one in Vanaheim's forests. I think it was called a Tree Crusher."

"T-Tree Crusher?" Ruby sighed. "I'd rather not picture it, or it might ruin the taste."

"Haha, yeah. Can't exactly serve human blood here," I said. Then a thought struck me. "Wait—couldn't I just create blood?"

I hadn't considered that before.

"Don't waste your power on that, Drake. This is perfect," Ruby shrugged.

"Fair enough," I agreed, glancing outside through a small slime I had left on Fuyu's surface. "Looks like the Aquarius Archipelago is just ahead!"

"Really?!" Triton exclaimed. "Can I see?"

"Of course. Let's go!" I said.

We hurried to Fuyu's deck. Triton gazed into the distance with shining eyes, taking in his home—a vast island cradled by gentle azure waves.

Seagulls wheeled overhead, their cries evoking lazy beach days, while the sharp scent of sea salt brought a deep sense of calm.

Perhaps we could linger here a few days, unwind a little. Why not?

"I'm finally home! Everyone!"

Triton's voice boomed across the water, carrying the full power of a dragon. They must have heard him miles away.

Fuyu descended slowly toward the nearby beach, sending sunbathers into a brief panic as an enormous ice ship hovered above the waves, lightly frosting the sea around it.

"What is that?!"

"A giant flying ship of ice?!"

"Wait—that's Drake's vessel!"

"Our hero has returned!"

"Does that mean the prince is back too?!"

Crowds from the kingdom quickly gathered along the shore, murmuring excitedly as they pointed toward us.

Triton didn't wait for the ramp. He leaped straight into the ocean, swimming swiftly to the beach to greet his people.

"Everyone! I'm home!"

"Prince Triton!"

Cheers erupted for their prince. I hadn't realized how deeply beloved he was—likely because he was the son of Aquarius, their guardian and savior.

Yet they also knew he had fought to protect the entire world. His return made him a true hero in their eyes.

"You're back!"

"Prince Triton, you're a hero of the world!"

"We felt the disturbance—even a tsunami threatened us, but your mother calmed the seas and shielded us!"

"She told us you were battling to save everyone!"

"For someone so young, you've done so much!"

"Hahaha! I didn't know you'd miss me this much!" Triton laughed as the crowd hoisted him onto their shoulders, cheering wildly.

We approached quietly, watching from a distance. This was Triton's moment, and we didn't want to steal it.

"Triton!"

"You're back!"

Then a familiar voice rang out. Triton turned to see his mother, aunt, and friends racing toward him.

Rose, Coral, Eleanor.

They were close friends of my own children too, so Benladra, Kate, and Drakda rushed forward with bright smiles. Benladra seemed fully cheered up now, and relief washed over me.

It had only been a fleeting shadow, after all.

"Oh, my dear son!" Sapphire cried tears of joy, scooping Triton into her arms and covering his face with kisses. "I missed you terribly. I was so worried!"

"Mom!" Triton beamed, returning the fierce hug.

For all his rebellious streak and bravado, he was still very much a mama's boy. He had missed her deeply and melted into her embrace.

"Welcome back, Triton!" Coral called.

"You're finally here, prince!" Rose added with a wide grin.

"Yeah, everyone... Thank you for coming," Triton said warmly, his gaze landing on Eleanor lingering behind her friends. "Ah, Eleanor...!"

"Triton... I'm so glad you've returned," the long black-haired girl murmured shyly. "I-I made something for you."

"Eh?" Triton blinked in surprise as she held out a large heart-shaped chocolate.

It was roughly crafted, a swirling mix of dark and white chocolate, imperfect, yet clearly made with care.

"Benladra told me girls give these to boys on special days, and that you'd like it," Eleanor explained softly. "Welcome home."

"Eleanor..." Triton took the gift, visibly touched.

"I-Is it strange?" she asked, fidgeting. "I tried my best, but it looks a bit..."

"No, it's perfect! Thank you!" Triton immediately took a bite. "It's delicious...!"

"R-Really? I'm glad," Eleanor smiled, a faint blush rising. "I filled it with fruit jam too."

"It's incredible! Thanks!" Triton said, beaming. "Eleanor, I wanted to tell you something too... I didn't bring a souvenir or anything, but..."

"Yes?" Eleanor asked, her large red eyes sparkling.

"I... I like you," Triton managed, scratching his cheek with a nervous laugh. "Hah... I finally said it!"

Rose, Coral, Sapphire, and Eleanor's mother exchanged knowing smiles—they had all seen this coming.

Even Eleanor herself.

"I already knew..." she whispered, making Triton flush deeper.

"E-Eh?!"

"And I like you too..." she added, twisting a strand of her long black hair—hair that doubled as sleek tentacles.

As a mermaid, her body had changed after bonding with the Void Squid spirit within her Rune. Though the Deep One's corruption no longer held her, the transformation remained.

It was why she often felt self-conscious, so different from everyone else.

Yet Triton had never once minded.

"Really?!" he exclaimed, eyes wide with joy. "I didn't expect... You do?!"

"Is it that surprising?" Eleanor tilted her head. "I'm sorry if I wasn't clear before... I got too embarrassed— Ah! Everyone's watching! Oh no..." She hid behind her hair, mortified.

"It's okay! Let's go somewhere quieter!" Triton grinned, summoning wings of shimmering water and lifting her into the sky.

"Kyaa! Triton?! We're too high! Since when can you fly like this?!" Eleanor yelped as he carried her away, the crowd watching with warm smiles.

"I guess that's their first date," I chuckled. "He can be rowdy at times, but he helped us immensely. Without him, we wouldn't have won."

"Lord Drake!" Sapphire approached, eyes shining. "Thank you for bringing my son home safe, just as you promised!"

"He's not entirely unscathed—he's far stronger now," I said. "Almost unrecognizable. He has fully inherited his father's legacy and surpassed it in every way."

"Truly? I can't wait to hear everything you and my boy accomplished to save our world!" Sapphire said. "Please join us at the castle. He'll return soon—he always has his little adventures."

"Sounds good," I nodded. "Family, let's go!"

"Rose! Coral! We're back!" Benladra called. "It was really intense!"

"Pretty dangerous," Kate added quietly. "But Daddy and Mommy helped, and everyone worked together..."

"I wish I could've seen it!" Rose exclaimed. "I'm just glad you're all safe!"

"Sounds wild," Coral said. "You've got to tell us everything."

"Yeah!" Drakda chimed in. "Look, we have a new sister!"

"Sister?" Coral blinked, noticing little Yudra shyly joining the group.

"Hewo! I... Yudwa!" Yudra managed to speak a little, beaming proudly.

"Awww..."

Her fluffy dragon charm melted every heart nearby. She was simply too precious—especially when she tried so hard to speak.

Drakda had been the same once. Even now, some words still tripped him up.

But he had grown so much.

"She's your new child?!" Sapphire asked in surprise.

"Yes, with my wife Yuki," I confirmed.

"Hey," Yuki waved casually. "Sorry for intruding."

"Not at all! Bring everyone—friends included!" Sapphire insisted. "We'll hold a grand festival for my son's return and your victory over the evil that threatened our world!"

"OOOHHHH!"

The crowd roared in celebration. Their warmth and joy wrapped around us like the ocean breeze.

...

Leaving Drake and the others to their reunions, Triton carried Eleanor across the skies of the archipelago before gently descending onto a secluded island. There they swam through vibrant coral reefs, hands intertwined.

Watching her laugh and smile beneath the waves filled him with quiet happiness. He already dreamed of countless moments they would share in the future.

When they grew tired, Triton kindled a small fire and grilled fresh crabs, clams, and fish on sticks. They ate slowly, savoring the gifts of the sea as night fell.

In comfortable silence, they gazed at the silver moon and endless stars.

"Did you know there are dragons living on the moon, Eleanor?"

"Eh? Really?"

"Yeah, moonlight dragons. I only learned about them while traveling with Drake."

"That's amazing... Are there star dragons too?"

"I'm not sure. But I know you're my star."

"Triton..."

Eleanor smiled softly, resting her head on his shoulder as he wrapped an arm around her.

In that tender moment with the girl he loved, Triton thought of his father—of the sacrifice that had made all this possible.

"Thank you for my life, Dad. I'll never forget what you gave... or what you built with it."

For an instant, he could almost see his father's silhouette swimming among the constellations, heading toward distant, unknown seas.

-----