"What's wrong, is Aina busy?"
"Yes, Mother is not available right now."
"What is she doing?" Warren De was a bit surprised; he had never encountered such a situation when he visited before.
Mida thought for a moment, then replied, "She's doing what she loves."
Warren De paused slightly, a large question mark seemingly appearing above his head: "Aina... she actually has hobbies?"
Warren De truly couldn't imagine any expression of joy on that being's face.
In his impression, ever since he was a child, Aina's expression had never seemed to change.
"In short, you can't go up now... Of course, if you want to die, you can try it." Mida said very seriously, looking not at all like she was joking. "I'm telling you upfront, I wouldn't dare collect your corpse in front of Mother."
"Alright, I understand, I'll just wait here." Warren De shrugged helplessly, then unconcernedly sat down cross-legged directly on the snow.
"But... what exactly is Aina doing? A forbidden magic experiment?"
"If you want to die, you can keep asking."
An Anna's sausages were very substantial, as thick as a forearm. Mida, like a hamster, gnawed on the sausage with her small hands, her words a bit muffled.
However, Mida gnawed very quickly, slurp, slurp, slurp, a large section disappeared in the blink of an eye.
It seems I guessed correctly, Warren De thought to himself.
Since she couldn't tell him... it must be something quite taboo, perhaps dealing with evil gods from beyond the world... After all, with Aina's power, Warren De couldn't imagine what else would be considered taboo for her.
...
The decadent life lasted for three days.
Although Xia Lun didn't want to use that word to describe himself—as a former hero, he still had some image to maintain—he truly couldn't think of a more fitting word.
"You are truly wonderful... Xia Lun... I am very satisfied." Aina presented everything to Xia Lun without reservation. "As expected of... my hero."
"Is there... someone outside?" Xia Lun gently stroked Aina's bat wings. The wing membranes were real flesh, covered with sensitive nerves, causing Aina to let out an alluring soft moan.
Since yesterday, Xia Lun had felt a consciousness cautiously touching the barrier Aina had set up outside the wooden house.
Aina must have known what he could perceive, so Xia Lun didn't think much of it. His task was to keep Aina pleased.
"Ah, are you talking about Mida?" Aina yawned lightly. "She's a child I adopted; she lives here with me... I've already told her not to disturb me these past few days... Since she's come to find me, there must be something, but her divine sense hasn't passed through the barrier, which means it's just some trivial matter."
Aina snapped her fingers, her bat wings retracted, and a magnificent black gown appeared on her.
Xia Lun also had an exquisite robe draped over him. The inside of the robe was outlined with fire-attribute magic circles, continuously providing a suitable temperature.
Amidst the swirling snow, there was a knock at the door.
"Come in," Aina responded.
A girl with long, light blue hair pushed the door open and then obediently closed it.
The girl looked about twelve or thirteen years old, with a delicate, doll-like face, still a bit chubby, but her expression was as stiff as a doll's.
The girl's long dress was blue and white, shimmering with a mother-of-pearl luster, and decorated with ice crystals and snowflakes in its folds.
"Mother," the girl softly called out.
"This child is Mida, the last of the Chaos Dragon Race in the world," Aina explained to Xia Lun.
"Hello, Mida." Xia Lun extended his hand.
Mida looked at Aina, as if seeking permission.
"Call him Father."
"Father."
Mida did not shake Xia Lun's hand. Instead, she held Xia Lun's arm with both hands and placed his palm on her head.
Mida's hair was cool and comfortable.
"Should I give the child a gift?" Xia Lun instinctively blurted out.
But then he felt a bit awkward.
After all, he was currently penniless, even the clothes he was wearing belonged to Aina... Even a freezing beggar on the street would have more assets than him.
"You don't need to be so formal with her." Aina smiled, but still casually took out a cerulean ice crystal and gave it to Mida. "This is your Father's welcome gift for you."
Mida's eyes immediately lit up. She hugged the ice crystal and gnawed on it like a biscuit, mumbling, "Thank you, Father..."
"Knock, knock, knock—"
A moment later, there was another knock at the door.
"Come in," Aina responded again.
Warren De pushed the door open.
"Mida, why did you lock me out? And I don't know why, but the wind and snow outside suddenly intensified..." Warren De complained.
Mida was happily gnawing on the ice crystal. She looked up at Warren De: "I don't know..."
Warren De ignored Mida; his attention was clearly entirely on the other man on the bed.
He... resurrected?
He actually resurrected!
A monstrous wave surged in Warren De's heart, and he stood frozen, not knowing what to say.
As Warren De scrutinized Xia Lun, Xia Lun was also scrutinizing him.
Short flaxen hair, handsome face, looking about thirty years old, though he should actually be older.
"Aina... Is he..." Warren De looked at Aina in disbelief.
"Xia Lun, let me introduce you... This is Warren De." Aina ignored the man and spoke to Xia Lun. "These past years... he occasionally comes here to keep me company."
Xia Lun's gaze immediately sharpened.
What was this man's relationship with Aina? He actually called Aina by her name?
Although Xia Lun didn't think Aina would betray him... a thousand years had passed, and his time accompanying Aina back then was less than a hundred years...
A hint of bitterness suddenly rose in Xia Lun's heart.
Aina had sacrificed so much for him; even if something unexpected had truly happened, he didn't seem to have the right to blame her.
But...
Although Xia Lun thought this way, it didn't mean he could actually accept it.
Warren De suddenly felt his body stiffen, as if an invisible longsword was placed before his heart, with no way to avoid it.
Warren De's legs trembled slightly, and he almost fell to the ground, but he immediately stabilized himself to avoid embarrassment.
"Xia Lun, what are you doing? Reign in your aura a bit, don't scare the child." Aina's eyes held a hint of mischievous amusement, as if she had guessed something, and she gently stroked Xia Lun's hand.
"Child?" Xia Lun paused slightly.
"Yes." Aina counted on her fingers and said, "Warren De is our eleventh-generation descendant."