"I understand why you’re still mad at me for the past..."
"Forcing you to give Isha up."
"But what I did helped her. That’s not something you can’t deny."
"When she came in, Isha was very weak... skill-wise."
"In a game of skills, all the other Frost Wyverns were toying with her, and she was rendered pretty helpless. "
"The only thing she could do was rely on her physical might, which was quite extraordinary, and her incredibly pure Frost energy that could brute-force its way through the majority of skills."
"But the results were that those were her only abilities. She lacked the skills, and now, I could say—even I, when it comes to pure skill alone—would be outmatched by Isha. None can take her head-on in a battle of skills."
"She’s the second strongest Frost Wyvern in the family, and the only way I can defeat her now is by brute-forcing her with a sheer amount of Ice Essence."
"That is a massive improvement."
"And the fact that she has gained human form is also something to be considered." Wild Frost Wyverns will never gain a human form. They will always remain in a bestial form, as to gain a human form is to mix in with the cultures and traditions, and also to feel safe."
"Without safety, Frost Wyverns don’t shift to that form."
"Isha achieved her human form six months ago, and we all agreed you were dead seven months ago. It at least showed that even after you were gone, she still felt safe here—a sign of being treated right."
"She grew stronger and got to stay for a year around her own race."
"I think when you look at things from that side, you would be less mad about her being forcefully yanked away in the first place." Elder Celine recounted as Ryuk’s eyebrows creased, looking at the lady.
But when he saw the suspicious lights in those blue eyes of hers fade, and when he pondered her words.
He eventually took a deep breath in, exhaling it slowly before his eyes regained their calm.
"You’re right."
’Looking at the past will do nothing but make me hate them, and that blinds me from seeing the good that they have done for Isha while I was away.’
’Letting it go will be the best,’ Ryuk silently thought to himself, and Elder Celine and Queen Snowardo witnessed the thick pressure that had filled the room begin to fade away, until it disappeared completely.
"I’m sorry for my actions, Queen Snowardo. It was quite disrespectful in your presence..." he whispered, but she shook her head.
"The reason behind it is well understood."
"If you don’t mind me asking though, once you leave here, where did you plan on going next with Isha?" she asked, as Ryuk’s eyes flashed.
The fact that she said he will be leaving with Isha showed they had finally agreed. And when he turned to look at Elder Celine, he found her expression normal.
Seems like she had agreed too.
And that way, he felt more confident to answer.
"I’m not sure yet."
"If there’s one thing I know though, it’s that I want to settle down back on Endearth."
"I’m strong, I think—but I’m homeless here..."
"And bitchless too!" the sound suddenly rang out as a new presence appeared—none other than a black cat sitting on Ryuk’s shoulder.
"Shut it, Void."
"What? It’s the truth. That’s important too, and you’re lacking it..." he argued back as Ryuk reached for it, only for it to teleport away and appear on the table where his cup was.
Immediately, it stuck out its tongue and took a lick, only to back off.
"Eww, this is too cold."
"You have a Void Cat as a pet?"
"And it talks too?" Elder Celine muttered as she looked at Void, who furrowed his gaze at her—clearly offended—before he turned to look at her chest.
His offended expression immediately faded away as he replied.
"You see My Lady, I am quite the special one amongst cats. Hence, the reason for my speech ability. I’ve been learning that this is defective in the majority of cats..." Void said, as Elder Celine raised an eyebrow at it, catching it swerving skillfully between the cups before it appeared right before her.
"If you don’t mind, may I ask what the beautiful name is?" he said, but then yelped loudly as Ryuk grabbed at his tummy and pulled him into the pet space with one swift yank.
"I’m very sorry about that."
"Hey! You gotta warn me if you want to throw me back there! I’m helping us both out here."
"You’re bitchless, remember," Void fired back as it appeared instantly on Ryuk’s shoulder, who could only ignore it.
"If you’re worried about a place to stay, there are more than enough places here with us Frost Wyverns. We could build you anything you want, however you want it," Queen Snowardo said, as Ryuk shook his head.
"No, I want something that is truly mine. So, I’m thinking of joining the Adventurer Guild. Becoming an adventurer, getting some money, and using it."
"With my strength, it should be pretty easy to rank up."
"The next Knull War won’t be happening anytime soon. Maybe two months?" he asked, as Queen Snowardo nodded.
"It will take two to three months in between if we consider the past rhythm so far."
"Good. I guess I won’t be needed before that time. So now, I’ll focus on integrating back into Endearth’s society. It’s feeling a bit alien right now," Ryuk said to himself, and Queen Snowardo nodded her head.
"I understand your point. You want your own independence and comfort. Not something to be given by others, but something you feel like you earned through your own hard work."
"It’s fine to want that. And I don’t think it will be that difficult either."
"But keeping a low profile will be hard. I think most will be able to recognize you just with those horns alone," Queen Snowardo said, as Ryuk shrugged.
"I’ll find a way."
GRUUUUUMMM
In the next instant, the door opened up, and coming into the throne room was none other than Isha—and a mature young lady.
Seraphis.