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

Chapter 2459: The End Of A Journey

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The week we spent in the Aquarius Archipelago became one we would never forget. We swam everywhere, explored uncharted islands, chatted with locals from the small Zipangu villages that had sprung up in these waters, and devoured so much seafood that we swore we never wanted to see the ocean again for the rest of the year.

When the time came to leave, Triton surprised me with his emotions. He was actually crying a little. Despite how often he acted like he did not care much about us, he truly did, and it seemed he would miss us far more than I had expected.

"Do you have to leave so soon, Drake? Can't you stay another week?" he pleaded.

"Haha, sorry, son. No can do," I replied. "I need to head back home to Jotunheim. But I'll return, don't worry. You can call me anytime you need help... though you're all grown up now, right? You said so yourself. So I'm counting on you to handle things on your own, heh."

"I-I will... It's not like I need your help or anything, hmph..." Triton crossed his arms, fighting back tears. Eleanor giggled softly, patting his shoulders and gently stroking his head.

"There, there. It's going to be okay," she comforted him. "Good luck on your journey, everyone. I hope you all return home safely."

"Thank you, Eleanor!" Benladra beamed. "I wish I could stay longer... but I really want to see Jotunheim again. I haven't been there since I was a baby."

"Yeah, please come back at least by the end of the year! And stay for a month or two!" Rose begged. "I want to spend more time with you!"

"Yeah!" Coral agreed eagerly.

"We'll try," Kate said. "It depends on Dad."

"Maybe we can sneak back on our own?" Benladra suggested with a mischievous grin.

"We're big, strong dragons! We can do whatever we want!" Drakda roared proudly.

"No, you cannot, young man," Miranda scolded gently. "You are still an infant. You will keep obeying your parents until you reach full adulthood at twenty-one years old!"

"T-That long?!" Drakda gasped in disbelief.

"Awuuh... Rowse, Corawl..." Yudra cooed, fluttering toward them. "Awwuh... Wawah!"

She held out two necklaces she had made from tiny shells and glittering beach stones. I had helped her craft them with Yuki's assistance.

"Aw, for me?" Rose asked, eyes lighting up. "Thank you, Yudra! You're so sweet."

"I will treasure this forever," Coral smiled warmly, clasping the necklace.

"Heheh!" Yudra giggled adorably.

"Ah, right! Here!" Rose exclaimed, offering Yudra one of her own ribbons decorated with pink shells. "This cute ribbon is for a cute girl like you!"

"Oooohhh!" Yudra grabbed it eagerly, trying to place it on her head, but it kept slipping off. "Awaahh? Papa? Papa?"

"Okay, okay, I'll help," I chuckled, tying it carefully into her hair. "There you go!"

"Aaaahh!" Yudra beamed, spinning around happily.

She knew exactly how adorable she was.

"One for Kate too! I noticed you watching, hehe!" Rose giggled, handing another ribbon to Kate. Her usually expressionless face softened into genuine joy.

"Thanks," Kate said quietly. "Here, I made this for you just now."

She gave Rose a delicate silver bracelet engraved with a subtle protection ward.

"Thank you, Kate!"

As the children exchanged their heartfelt goodbyes, most of my family and friends were already boarding Fuyu.

"Thank you for everything once again, Lord Drake," Sapphire said graciously. "Please return whenever you wish. You will always be welcome here."

"Thank you," I nodded. "We'll be off then. See you later, Sapphire, Triton!"

"Yeah..." Triton murmured, watching us depart with misty eyes.

Slowly, the island grew smaller in the distance as Fuyu surged forward. Soon, the familiar continent rose from the horizon amid the vast ocean.

Jotunheim.

We passed over places rich with memories: the bustling port city, the quirky organ town, the scattered sects and villages. Each held echoes of the people we had met and who had helped us reach this point.

A gathering of gods awaited us high in the skies, exactly where I had chosen to build our home. It was the nameless snow mountains where my egg had hatched—the sacred place where my adventure truly began.

They were all the Gods of Jotunheim, united in a secret alliance. They welcomed me with open arms, celebrating my victory and expressing profound gratitude for my return. With warm blessings, they granted me full permission to live upon the continent they had long protected.

Among them stood a particular woman I knew well: a tall ice giant unlike the others, her eyes brimming with ancient wisdom and a commanding presence.

"Oh, Ice Queen. You came to greet me too?"

"Hello, Drake. Yes, I hurried here when I heard you had chosen to settle. I expected you to wander the world for centuries before returning to your roots. What brought you back so soon?"

"Well, I was once human. Humans from Earth often crave a single place to call home, somewhere to return after all the journeys."

"Heh, I see. You are most welcome. It will be good to have you here."

"Don't expect us to stay put forever, though. We'll travel plenty too! Haha."

"I assumed as much. You dragons do love soaring unfettered through the skies."

"You're damn right we do."

I glanced back at my family and nodded firmly.

"Alright, everyone! It's time. This will be our home. No more chasing enemies, no more fleeing from them. We can finally settle and live as we deserve."

I extended my hand downward and swiftly wove the laws of this world together with my Divine Realm.

The ground trembled briefly. Skadi and the other gods watched in silent awe as a fragment of my Divine Realm materialized from nothing, merging perfectly with the landscape.

Lush grasslands spread across the mountains, followed by frozen forests and dreamy woodlands stretching to the horizon. Vast farms appeared, along with small villages housing the people I had sheltered within.

"Wow! We don't have to stay inside Dad's divine realm anymore!" Drakda cried joyfully, racing across the grass. "And it still feels just like home!"

"Yeah, it's really nice..." Benladra smiled softly, kicking off her shoes to feel the earth beneath her bare feet. "It was so cold before, but now it's warm and gentle..."

"Waauuh! Buwefly!" Yudra squealed, fluttering after colorful butterflies.

"Yudra, don't eat too many bugs..." Kate warned gently. "Remember what happened last time..."

As our children played freely and our friends returned to their homes with relieved sighs, as though a long journey had reached its perfect end, I remained with my wives.

"I never thought it would feel this easy, but we did it," Miranda said, her smile radiant. "I love this new life..."

"Yes..." Benladann whispered, eyes shining. "Thank you for everything, my love. I love you."

"I love you too," I replied, drawing her into a tender kiss. "I love all of you."

"We know," Andromeda giggled, gently caressing her rounded belly. "Now we can rest here in peace and welcome the babies safely."

"Right, three more on the way," I chuckled warmly.

"I... well, I didn't want to say it too soon, but it might be four very soon," Hel murmured, a soft blush coloring her cheeks as she took my hand.

"Oh! Our family just keeps growing. Thank you, Hel, for loving me."

"No, dear... thank you for showing me this beautiful world and loving me so deeply," Hel replied, her voice trembling with emotion. "Let's raise our child together, all of us. I'll help raise yours too, because we are family, aren't we?"

"Of course," Benladann said, squeezing my hand tightly.

"Aaagh! Why are you all so damn cute?" Yuki exclaimed, wiping at happy tears. "I'm so glad to be here. We really do make an amazing family..."

"Yeah, despite all my flaws, you still accepted and loved me," Miranda added quietly. "Thank you for always believing in me, Drake. I was once a monster, but now I truly feel like a woman, your wife, and Drakda's mother."

"There's nothing to thank me for," I said softly. "I am the one who is blessed to have you all by my side. Let's face whatever the future brings, together."

I pulled them all into a tight embrace, my heart full with the warmth of their presence.

No more running. No more fear.

We were finally free to live as we wished, free to savor every moment.

And we would. Happily.

As a family.

And as dragons.

THE END.

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