I Survived.
I survived.
After quite a long sparring session, I blankly stared at Snow's back as she lightly headed into the cave.
Since my fight with Charlotte, I'd gained a fair bit of confidence, but sparring with Snow had taught me humility all over again.
Snow really is strong.
From now on, I'll decide to avoid couple's quarrels as much as possible.
[Still, you've grown quite a bit in the meantime, my dear. It might be hard to go easy on you soon.]
Snow, now in a much brighter mood, said this as if it were nothing, but it offered no comfort to me, already thoroughly deflated.
At my appearance, Snow let out a deliberate ahem.
[That's why you shouldn't do things that could be misunderstood.]
[I thought I'd behaved pretty well, though...]
[Then why didn't you explain it properly to this lady?]
[You didn't even give me a chance to...]
Snow cleared her throat again at my tiny mutter.
[Fine, fine. This lady was wrong. I'll apologize like this, so cheer up.]
And then, just like I did with Suli, she stroked my body.
This felt oddly strange in its own way.
[So, now tell me all about what happened in the meantime. I can't bear the curiosity any longer... Come here, Suli and To Soon-i. Let's listen to Father's story together.]
Snow called Suli and To Soon-i. Embracing the two adeptly, she looked at me expectantly.
At her sight, I let out a quiet sigh.
[Alright... Where should I start? Maybe from the upper floors first? I told you before, right? The upper floors are where red lava flows like rivers. The ruler there is a massive wyvern named Arde...]
Chatter, chatter—
The first night back home passed.
* * *
The next day, I quietly opened my eyes.
A familiar yet long-unseen sight entered my view.
Right. I'm back.
How long had it been since I greeted morning in the cave? Habitually flicking my tongue, I scanned the surroundings once.
Snow, Suli, and To Soon-i were cozily nestled against me.
[Awake, my dear?]
[Ah... Did I wake you?]
Snow, who had just opened her eyes slightly, shook her head lightly.
Then she licked Suli and To Soon-i, still asleep in her embrace, once each.
It was a familiar, natural action.
[More than that, now that you're back, the cave finally feels full.]
[Well, with my size...]
[...That wasn't what I meant... but, well, it's true enough, so no matter.]
Snow carefully rose, mindful not to wake Suli or To Soon-i.
Then she stretched languidly.
[How about a spar after so long? We did it every day before you left.]
[...Didn't we just spar yesterday?]
[That wasn't a spar. It was just a 'conversation.']
I shut my mouth tight at her steadily gazing blue eyes.
If I argued here, I'd suffer from morning onward, no doubt.
[Hmph— So, what about the spar? Will you, or won't you?]
[...I won't refuse.]
I slithered upright.
[But before that, is it okay to call the lizardmen?]
[Them...? Ah. You planned to train them... Fine. Let's include them.]
Heading to the lizardmen's dwelling with Snow, who agreed readily.
Despite the early hour, all the lizardmen were up.
No incidents overnight, it seemed—they all looked in good shape.
Especially the lake we'd made in the cave's center got rave reviews.
The depth and temperature were just right—perfect, they said.
The lizardmen expressed deep gratitude.
Direct it to Snow, not me.
She was the one who made the lake.
The lizardmen bowed in unison.
It was a familiar sight to me, but what about Snow?
Snow received their thanks as if it were natural.
Chin raised proudly, looking down calmly—it seemed awfully familiar.
I'd forgotten, but Snow was this floor's boss.
One close to being an area boss, I suspected.
No wonder she was used to it.
After the lizardmen's thanks, the Surprise Birds suddenly appeared before me.
Here to say good morning too?
Yeah, no issues overnight?
Nothing at all.
In fact, it was so peaceful it was great.
Seeing the Surprise Birds eagerly touting their happiness made me smile warmly.
Glad they're doing well.
After morning greetings with the Surprise Birds and just as we were about to start training with the lizardmen—
The Surprise Birds grabbed me again.
They had more business.
What is it?
The Surprise Birds offered me fresh eggs.
Newly laid, they were piping hot.
No... you don't have to give them...
Sure, I brought you here for the eggs, but...
Still, after all we've been through, I had no intention of taking them carelessly.
These are your kids, after all.
Turns out they were unfertilized eggs, not fertilized ones.
Monsters lay unfertilized eggs too.
A bit surprising.
In the end, I accepted without refusing.
Seemed a bit short, so while at it, the ones in the nest too...
The Surprise Birds frantically stopped me.
Those are fertilized.
No wonder they looked extra tasty.
My right head quietly smacked its lips.
I pocketed the eggs from the Surprise Birds without eating them right away.
Planning to give them to Suli later when she woke.
And a share for To Soon-i too.
Ah, Snow, you can taste one now.
Definitely delicious.
I guarantee it.
The taste of my homeland.
Snow elegantly cracked an egg in half and carefully licked out the contents, then praised it highly.
My shoulders puffed up proudly for no reason.
How's that, the taste of my homeland?
The watching Surprise Birds puffed up too.
Next time, not raw—maybe fried.
Worth looking forward to.
No salt, but it'll be tasty enough.
While Snow and I chatted about the Surprise Birds' eggs, a lizardman approached.
Tilting my head curiously, it suddenly held something out.
An egg.
Several times larger than the Surprise Birds'.
Much bigger than an ostrich egg.
Somehow familiar—I'd seen it before.
Where was it...?
Pretty sure I saw it often in the lizardmen's village...
...Isn't this a lizardman egg?
Glancing at the lizardman who brought it, it grinned and gave a thumbs-up.
A pose that instantly recalled the late Wise Scale.
Truly his descendants.
No, wait—why bring your egg all of a sudden?
What? Not unfertilized, but definitely fertilized?
Bigger than Surprise Birds', more nutritious, tastier?
No, no—that's not the point!
I'd take unfertilized, but fertilized?
This is clearly your child!
Satisfying my taste buds comes before some unborn egg.
You can lay plenty more.
Touching story, but...
...You did tell the others, right?
Glancing over, the watching lizardmen all thumbs-upped in unison.
Undeniable descendants of Wise Scale.
The lizardman who brought the egg grinned at the Surprise Birds.
A clear victor's smile—the Surprise Birds ground their beaks in frustration.
No, even so, I have no intention of eating it.
Lizardmen wailed why, Surprise Birds flapped triumphantly.
No why—monster or not, I don't eat others' offspring.
...Well, I've eaten plenty before... countless times...
Yeah, bad phrasing.
Not others' offspring—friends' offspring I don't eat.
So stop insisting.
Even all together, no use.
I won't even taste and ponder.
Please stop trying to smash eggs on the ground.
I'm sorry...
Thus, decided to stick to Surprise Birds' eggs from now on.
Surprise Birds flapped smugly.
Don't provoke the lizardmen needlessly...
Scary if they bring "unfertilized" fertilized ones later.
Afterward, newly awake Suli tasted her first egg.
[Meat's tastier! Meat! Beef!]
Surprise Birds despaired, I despaired.
Yeah... meat is definitely tastier...
[It's tasty for me, Master!]
To Soon-i seemed to like it, at least.
A bit of pride recovered.
But does anything taste bad to current To Soon-i?
Munching away like a pig, not a rabbit...
My right head quietly smacked its lips.
Felt like To Soon-i could enjoy undead too.
Quite some time later, we finally began proper morning training.
[The lizardmen are mine.]
Snow's sudden words made me tilt my head.
She continued.
[You watch Suli and To Soon-i. They've been lonely without you.]
[...Thanks.]
I thanked her thoughtful consideration.
She chuckled as always.
[After tending the two properly, it's this lady's turn. Not just them were lonely.]
Teasingly said, Snow stepped lightly away.
I blankly watched her swaying tail for a moment.
An oddly ticklish feeling.
[Ebebe— Face is red! He's embarrassed!]
'...Shut up.'
The usual snark from my left head didn't let the feeling last.
Thus, leaving lizardmen to Snow, I stood before Suli and To Soon-i.
Suli crouched neatly before me as if familiar, then cried kyung kyung!
[Daddy! What learn? What learning?]
A nice cry I'd never tire of.
Lingering on "Daddy"'s magic a bit, Suli impatiently patted me kyung kyung!
[Quick! Quiiiick—!]
[...Alright. First, what have you learned so far?]
Snapping to, my question got Suli chattering right away.
[I can do this!]
Tiny mana gathered around Suli.
Not much, but clearly visible mana.
Compared to my E-rank days, incredible.
Back then, I didn't even know the "m" in mana.
Suli's definitely a genius.
[Just barely moved a bit of mana...? Haven't even properly started...? And genius? What nonsense, idiot—]
'So you think Suli's not a genius?'
[...No, she is, but...]
'Then no needless nitpicking. Focus on Suli's actions.'
[......]
My left head fell silent.
Tsking briefly at its reaction, I kept watching Suli.
After quietly gathering mana, Suli exhaled pya!
A small flame appeared before her.
[Made it! I made it!]
Thrilled before her flame, Suli wagged her tail hard.
Watching a bit, I nodded solemnly.
[Well done, Suli.]
[I good?]
[Yes. Very impressive. Our Suli's a genius for sure.]
Kyung kyung! Delighted, Suli cried happily.
I stroked her head vigorously.
[Then you try, To Soon-i. What did Snow teach you?]
[Wait a sec, Master!]
To Soon-i focused like Suli.
And in half the time, made a bigger flame than Suli.
[...Well done.]
[...Isn't the reaction way different from Lady Suli's?]
[Dissatisfied?]
[No... not at all...]
And so training with Suli began like this.