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

Chapter 2147: Old Friends

Author’s Note: This Chapter ended being over twice as long (2400+ words) so enjoy!

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Once we had our feast, and Amethyst seemed to have recovered and become… nicer, I guess. We decided to step out of my Divine Realm. Charlotte greeted us, standing on top of the floating ship-shaped ice crystal castle, Fuyu. She was looking a little nervous as we got closer to her home, it wasn’t that far away now, perhaps a day or two of traveling at this pace and we would reach it.

“Charlotte, are we in the coordinates?” I asked her.

“Yeah, it’s here!” Charlotte nodded, her golden locks waving by the strong, arid winds of the desert. “However I can’t see a single thing here, it’s all just flat wastes and a canyon. Are you sure this is the place? There’s no village, or city, nor even a little cabin somewhere.”

“Ah yes, it’s here,” I nodded. “I had visited this place with a Slime before, so I know. Although after my evolution, I lost contact with that old Slime I created because it didn’t “upgrade” with me. It either died or is acting on autopilot.”

“Autopilot…?” Amethyst wondered, glaring at me while raising an eyebrow. “Anyway, so where’s your friend at? Didn’t you said she had like a whole shelter and stuff?”

“Think a bit, Amethyst,” I said. “If she and her friends have been persecuted by someone as powerful as Greenwood, she would obviously not keep a refuge for the people he’s been trying to hunt this entire time right in the open, right? Alma is not dumb enough as to leave it for everyone and their mother to see, and one of the reasons why Greenwood has not found her hideout, aside from them always teleporting around, is because they keep everything underground.”

“Underground, right, I didn’t think about that, now that you mention it…” Amethyst’s eyes glowed. “I can feel something down there. Jord, can you?”

“Yes, I can clearly see it, I am attuned with all earth and sand,” Jord nodded, emerging by Amethyst’s side. “It seems that there’s an immense underground shelter, there’s also cracks near the canyon that lead to an open area… there’s also an underground river and a lake, and a lot of… greenery…?”

“Really?” Yuki wondered. “Well, what are we waiting for, Drake? Let’s go.”

“Yeah,” I nodded. “Let’s move.”

We quickly took off into the skies, using Jord’s help, we flew towards the canyon, where we found the secret entrance she mentioned, large cracks in the stone, faintly covered by grass and flowers.

Once we reached that area, we slowly walked forward, sneaking through the cracks in the stone as best as we could, I barely could squeeze myself inside, but that also meant that everyone could enter easily because I was the largest.

The plants, which only seemed like some grass and flowers here and there only became more and more, covering the walls, ceiling, and floor, and once we started seeing trees with big fruits and other spiritual herbs, we quickly realized this wasn’t “natural”, someone had used magic to create this underground ecosystem.

Sunlight entered through various cracks in the ceiling, the floor that from above, didn’t seem at all like anything out of the ordinary, these near invisible cracks brought faint, relaxing sunlight, creating a really unique environment.

“I can hear someone, no, something,” I said, looking into the distance.

“People?” Benladra asked.

“Yes,” I nodded.

We moved forward, the path quickly opening into a large cavern, a spiritual barrier blocking our way through, fueled by all the spiritual plants everywhere.

“It’s blocked…” Amethyst said. “How do we get inside now?!”

“It’s obviously blocked but… they already know I’m here,” I said, as I knocked the barrier. “It’s me, I’ve brought my family. Open up.”

There was silence for several minutes, before the barrier suddenly began trembling, transforming into a giant door made of semi-transparent ethereal energies of gold and green light, and opening.

FLASH!

A bright flash of light came from the open door, as we moved forward, being greeted by a large underground village, the caves, faintly illuminated by the cracks in the ceiling and the sunlight coming through them, were full of houses made out of scrapped pieces of metal and wood.

Several people greeted us with strange expressions in their faces. Most panicked, running away, there were many children among them. Some screamed, calling for help, believing it was an enemy attack.

“Wow, so many people!” Benladra said happily. “There’s elves, dwarves, humans, ice giants… is that a mountain giant too?! Wow!”

“W-Who are you people?!”

“Lord Root’s Barrier opened on its own?!”

“D-Die we had guests?”

“We never have guests!”

“C-Call Alma, quickly!”

The refugees living here panicked, many of them stepping forward to defend their shelter, their auras surging as they tried to intimidate us.

“I have come to see an old friend, I have no intention to harm anybody,” I said. “I am the Dragon King, Drake, and I am Greenwood’s sworn enemy.”

“G-Greenwood’s enemy..?”

“Wait, I’ve heard that name before…”

“Is he really him?!”

“It could be an illusion made by that bastard though, it wouldn’t be the first time it happens!”

Wow, they were also very paranoid, just how much shit has these people gone through?

This is not okay, I don’t want them to live like this either.

It’s a nice shelter and all, but Alma has to do something else than just keep them here.

“Wait, wait a second, everyone calm down!”

Suddenly, I heard a familiar voice, as I saw a slender elf woman step forward, with long blonde hair tied into a ponytail, emerald eyes, and wearing a white dress.

It was her!

“Alma! It’s nice to see you once more, it has been years.”

“Drake! Indeed, it has been quite a while…”

She walked to my side, greeting me with a handshake, which I gave very gently, her hand was too small compared to mine.

“Mama! Who’s the big guy?”

“Hm?!”

I gasped, opening my eyes wide as I saw a little elf girl running in between Alma’s legs, hiding beneath her dress until now. She had short red hair, and emerald eyes like her mother, wearing a pink dress.

I also happened to notice she had a very large belly… She was pregnant!

Wait did the kid just call her mama?!

“I see you have not wasted your time…” I muttered. “One kid and another on the way?!”

“Uuhh… well…” Alma blushed as she looked nervous, before another child ran downstairs, this one was a blonde boy, a little older than the girl, wearing black shorts and a white shirt, carrying a wooden staff.

“Mama! I’m ready to fight! I-I’ll do my best- Eek! They’re giants!” the boy screamed.

“Two?!” I wondered. “Wait, what?!”

This is even more shocking when I remember a conversation we had about past lives, and Alma told me her previous life on Earth was… well, she used to be a man on his early thirties.

Well, damn, I guess she has completely embraced her new body and identity…

I’m happy for her, I guess?

But this is too sudden!

It seems he… or rather she, enjoyed having the body of a woman quite a lot.

Well, I have no comments.

“Yeaaaah…” Alma sighed. “I’m a mother now…”

“Hahah, well, I’m glad for you!” I laughed. “I see you’ve completely embraced your new body… and identity…”

“That’s been years ago already, you know?!” Alma got grumpier. “And don’t you dare mention that again! I shouldn’t have even said any of that, damn it, I was drunk…”

“Haha, calm down, I won’t judge, it’s all good Alma, I’m happy that you’ve built your own family,” I smiled, patting her shoulders. “And these two look like quite the wonderful little beansprouts! How old are they?”

“Aragorn over there is four, Rina is almost three,” Alma smiled, as both of her children hid behind her, while she gently patted their heads. “They’re my treasures now… I named them after their grandparents, my mother and my father…”

“I see!” I nodded. “Well, there’s a lot to talk about, is your brother and everyone else alright?”

“Yes they are, they’re on their way- Oh! Everyone, welcome. Sorry for not even greeting you properly, I was caught on Drake’s nonsense,” Alma giggled. “Benladann, Miranda, Yuki, all of you look quite stronger than before… Ah, your kids look much bigger now! Is that Benladra and Kate?! I can hardly believe it! They sure have grown.”

“Hello Alma, it’s great to see you again,” Benladann said, hugging her and kissing her cheek. “I see you’ve made a little family of your own in this nest! They’re wonderful children.”

“Really cute little ones!” Miranda giggled. “Don’t be scared, kids, we don’t bite! Heheh. Well, maybe my boy bites a little.”

“Mama and papa friends?” Drakda wondered, as Miranda carried him in her arms.

“Ohhh! Wait a second, and who is this?!” Alma asked. “You had a third one?”

“Yep, Miranda’s child, he’s called Drakda,” I said. “My first son after two daughters, haha.”

“Well damn, you’re really living the whole Isekai harem life… I’m jealous~” Alma teased me, laughing.

“I-It’s nothing like that!” I screamed, feeling slightly flustered. “Ah right, this is Amethyst, a dragon… you could say she’s my… uh, cousin? I guess she is. I’ve been training her. She lives here. You don’t know each other by any chance?”

“Amethyst? I’ve heard that name,” Alma said. “The dwarves call her the Lonely Diamond. Is this her humanoid form?”

“L-Lonely Diamond?! What sort of dumb title is that?!” Amethyst grew redder in embarrassment.

“Don’t worry she does look the part in her dragon form, all dazzling and covered on crystals,” I said. “Ah, there they are.”

As we talked, the rest of Alma’s friends arrived, two tall elven men, one her brother, Callon, and the other… I would assume it was her husband now, the father of her three children, Hermes.

And by their side there were also two young elven women, I remember they were the twins, they looked like children before, but I guess not anymore. It has been years, so they grew up. I believe they were named Elma and Elena.

And lastly, there was a young teenager, another elf girl, she had short blonde hair and emerald eyes, and looked a lot like Alma… Is this Aria, her young sister?

“Alma! We heard what was happening and came as quickly as we could!” Callon said, looking around. “Ah! Oh wait, it’s really Drake?! And the whole family…!”

“Yo! Drake! Welcome, my good friend!” Hermes said, greeting me casually, he was now a father and still acted the same way as before. I don’t know if I should be concerned or happy for him.

“Welcome back.”

“It has been a long while.”

Both twins smiled at us, their voices were gentle and synchronized, like before.

“Sis! Are these the people you told me about? Oh wow, they’re strong! Their auras are full of divinity!” Aria said, flying towards her sister, I noticed she had fairy wings hidden beneath her dress.

“Yes, Aria, they’re them,” Alma nodded. “Hermes! Where were you?! I had to come alone to greet our guests!”

Alma started nagging at Hermes, hitting his head with a karate chop.

Wait, I think I’ve seen her doing that to him even before they got together.

I guess some things never change.

“Hahah, sorry, I was really busy dealing with the Spirit Farm, but I cam as quickly as possible,” Hermes said, placing his hands around Alma’s waist and slowly approaching her face, kissing her a few times. “I’m really sorry, please don’t get mad, alright?”

“Hmph…” Alma blushed, although she acted grumpily, crossing her arms and glaring back at us. “W-What are you looking at?!” she looked embarrassed.

“Oho~ They really got together, huh?” Miranda giggled.

“Yep, they look cute together…” Benladann nodded.

“Indeed, they’re adorable,” Andromeda said.

“Woah, well, they were made for one another anyway,” Yuki smiled, crossing her arms.

The ladies were enjoying their interaction quite a lot, it seemed.

“Hahaha, I guess we should explain?” Hermes wondered. “Yeah, we got married a few years ago… Uh, it started one night when I got her pregnant by accident and then we decided to just get married anyway… I-“

“Shut up! Why are you telling them such important stuff, you idiot?!” Alma cried, growing as red as a tomato. “Those are our personal memories! Not to be shared with people!”

“What’s wrong with just saying them, we’ve been together for years now, dear,” Hermes sighed. “You know I love you more than anything right? Don’t be grumpy, you’re cuter when you smile.”

“Uugh…” Alma sighed, crossing her arms. “You’re so hopeless…”

“Idiot dad! Idiot! Dumdum!” little Rina started calling her dad names, learning bad language.

“Hey, who’s teaching her to say such stuff?” Hermes cried, as everyone else ended up laughing a little. “Rina you have to respect your dad!”

“But you make mama angry! Dumdum dad!” Rina said while furrowing her eyebrows, slapping his leg with her little hand.

The tension in the air rapidly faded away, as the people that had panicked about our arrival realized we were indeed just good friends.

“So where’s Root at?” I wondered.

“Root is currently slumbering,” Alma said. “He’s at the center of this village… it’s thanks to him that we haven’t had to move out of here for five years. His powerful Spirit Barriers isolate us from the world and make it very hard to be found.”

“I see,” I nodded. “I wish I could see him, before we talk more.”

“Sure? He’ll wake up once you walk towards him,” Alma said. “And about your slime… well, he kind of evaporated.”

“Ah…” I gasped.

“Yeeah, it was a little atraumatic for the kids, they considered it a pet,” Alma sighed.

“Sorry about that,” I said.

“Eh, you didn’t have any way to stop that,” Alma shrugged. “Come, I’ll lead you to where Root’s Sanctuary is. Our home is there as well.”

“I see, thank you,” I nodded.

Alma guided us through the village, as we saw all kinds of people everywhere, she seemed quite happy we noticed this.

“It hasn’t been easy, but these were all people we rescued from Greenwood’s facilities, or at least those that wanted to cooperate with us,” Alma said.

“A lot of them also just ran away to live on their own, can’t blame them,” Hermes shrugged. “But some also stayed with us, and we built this community.”

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