Chapter 218 – Return to the Fold

Chapter 218 – Return to the Fold

---FYI, if the images aren't showing, just right click the image and open it up in a new tab. Sounds obvious but you never know, not a single image is showing up for me right now.

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“Urghhh... everything aches... except my head”

“Heh, even when we’re unconscious, you still end up in my arms Ikarus. Still loving breasts I presume?”

“*Yawnnn*... you knew that when you married me wifey. Just... where the hell are we?”

Walking up on Petra’s ample bosom after destroying the finale pillar, things are a little confusing despite the fact by head and neck is in a world of comfort. Only thing better than this is feathers or se-, getting sidetracked. Right now, we’re on a sandy beach, overlooking the ocean as well as gigantic mountain range off in the distance. Those cliffs look surprisingly familiar but I’m not sure why...

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“So wait... have we won the fight then? Destroying the world of the Gods, does this mean our jobs are done?”

[<Please tell Aesa Ikarus really isn’t that stupid>]

And of course, I’m immediately scolded by the robotic wife even if I don’t truly believe what I just said. I was just trying to be optimistic but it’s obvious there’s still more that’ll happen. In a perfect world, we ride off on horseback into the sunset and cowboy music begins to play...

“Aesaaa, we’re home! Back in our world I mean... you have any idea where we are? We need to meet up asap!”

“Heh, tell her I say hi Ikarus”

“Shh wifey, I’m on the phone here...”

[<Turn around and Ikarus will understand. The location you two have arrived at isn’t that far away>]

Listening to her response despite my system sounding slightly stressed, I do as she says and... huh. That’s awfully familiar... I think I know where we are!

“Climb on me one second Petra and let’s get a better view of things!”

“Heh, okay Ikarus”

‘Finally getting to carry the wife again and back home. Life really can be great sometimes...’

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“This can’t be what Penelope’s area is looking like nowadays!”

“Heh, it is pretty cute, isn’t it Ikarus? Almost like the bird I’m riding upon”

“Yeah yeah, enough of your lovely compliments already! We’ve got some shit to do”

Looking down from above with the phoenix bod and performing my sworn duty carrying the wife, we can see the area Penelope renovated long ago and it’s turned into quite the sight. The beach we arrived on must be to the east of the mining island of Lesbos... why are we still going with that name? I bet it’s gotten even worse since we’ve been gone...

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---FYI, the spire doesn’t actually look like that. That building on the left is just a good template for its size.

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The beach must’ve been handcrafted because we’ve never had anything other than stony beaches around here. I would’ve preferred if the sand from the mermaid Pearl had been used for something more worthwhile, but what do you do with ships and ships worth of fine sand though? Guess we can have a party or a beach volleyball episode someday...

‘Yo Aesa... just how long have we been gone? Everything okay as well? You seem a little annoyed’

[<Aesa is fine Ikarus, just something is playing on Aesa’s mind. Regardless, welcome home...>]

I’ve learnt more than enough from my experiences so if she doesn’t want to talk about it, then fair enough. I’ll always be here to listen if there’s something the robotic wife wants... not like I have any say in it. I couldn’t mute her even if I wanted to.

[<...Wife and Ikarus have officially been gone for a total of 5 years, 22 days. If Ikarus would like the total amount of time since entering this world... 8 years, 338 days have passed>]

“Just over five years!? Eh, could be worse... and nearly nine years? That would put me in my thirties!?”

I will admit, there was a fear that in the time we’re gone, the entire settlement develops so far to a point where we end up in modern times or maybe everything is wiped out in an atomic war. Thankfully, everything still appears normal-ish, albeit new buildings are popping all over the place. It’s inevitable I’m going to have a midlife crisis now because I’d already be thirty... even if immortality kinda ruins that plan.

[<Before Ikarus finds a place to land, Aesa would like it if we sort out some system stuff first. If possible, could Ikarus potentially upgrade -doppelganger-? Aesa isn’t sure if it’ll be useful or not though>]

[Name: Ikarus | Species: Phoenix (Demon Lord) | Level: 1000]

[Health 166,666/166,666]

[Stamina 166,321/166,666]

[Magicka 166,666/166,666]

[You currently have 300001 unassigned points]

‘Oh right, we’ve still got some system shit to get through

Unlike the usual when it comes to upgrading stuff, I do have a rough idea on what I’d like and if Aesa’s making suggestion, that somewhat helps. I’ve got six things I can potentially upgrade and with not knowing when the next potential God I can kill comes by, it makes sense not to waste anything right now so I’m limiting the buys.

‘If possible, let’s upgrade my storage ability and... invisibility perhaps? We don’t use it much but maybe it being upgraded could work’

[<Aesa will upgrade 3 abilities then... all now confirmed. Ability -subspace mark 2- storage space has been quadrupled to now hold up to the weight of 4 phoenixes. Ability -undead fiend mark 2- now can be used while attacking for up to 15 minutes or infinitely, if attacks are not detected...>]

Okay, I know I was supposed to be taking this seriously but can you imagine the amount of cake, booze and gold I can now carry!?! Four phoenixes are comparable to four elephants or sixteen tons... of number nine coal! Heh... get it? No? I was a fan of all music so the old timey stuff works just as well. This will be hella useful though.

As for the other one since Aesa hasn’t mentioned otherwise, I presume the cooldown timer is the same but attacking while invisible definitely sounds worth the investment.

[<...Huh, that’s interesting. When Ikarus meets with Aesa next, we’ll see what -doppelganger mark 2- can do in person>]

‘Look at you doing an Asmodeus! Suspenseful much, I want to know now!’

[<...>}

She’ll happily tell me the other two but on this one, nooo. You just know it’s going to be underwhelming if there’s any build up whatsoever. Guess my robotic wife can be annoying as the other...

Anyways, getting back to the real wife because she’s now starting to kick... she’s not but I like making her out to be crazy, we need to make precautions before fully returning.

On my back coming out of my improved storage ring, appears two cloaks. Of course, it’s not like I can put one on just yet but she’ll hold both of them for now.

“Before we land Petra, put this on. We’re finally back after being up there, the last thing I want is the cultists fainting at the sight of us. Freaking idiots...”

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“Hey Petra... is it just me or are people speaking a little different?”

“Heh, what do you mean Ikarus? The translator sounds the exact same to me”

“That’s the thing though! It’s almost as if I can tell my translator isn’t being used yet I can understand everything everyone is saying. It just sounds a little... off”

After finding a secluded spot to land in the town back on our first island being the hot springs one, we pass by multiple groups of people speaking, which begin to confuse me the further we walk. Thankfully, they’re unaware the two queens have returned but this thing I just can’t get over. It’s really weird...

“Did you hear about the dude who kept trying to pawn his vehicle off to me? Such an asshole”

“I know right! That guy was a douchbag trying to ditch his carriage like that!”

“Why anyone would want to buy that piece of crap is beyond me. Belongs in the garbage, I say”

‘See? There it is again, everything sounds weird...’

Anyways, despite me now going crazy, the town looks as good as ever... not sure what else to say. Sure, things have slightly changed and there’s way more buildings than usual so it’s more like a city now, what do you actually want me to say though? We’ve somehow skipped generations and we’re now in the modern era? Five years ain’t that long!

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‘Eh, I guess there is more towers around now-... da fuck? We are walking here!’

As we continue to hide our faces under the cloaks, some idiot decides to ignore said rules of walking etiquette and charges right into us!

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(Loki) “What the heck is wrong with you lot!?! All this time you were working with Asmodeus and not attacking blindly... why couldn’t you tell me!? We could’ve done it all together!”

‘Has Loki got a maid outfit fetish as well as a genital removal one as well?’

(Odin) “You really want to ask that brother? Take one look in the mirror and you may understand why you’re not reliable”

(Thor) “You really thought we spent all that time pointlessly attacking with no end goal in sight? Aye brother, just who do you take us for?”

(Freyja) “Where’s my love Artemis gone? I can’t spot her firm like chest anywhere!”

Surprisingly out of the Gods in the crowd, the lot I’m failing to see are the Underworld group and my parents, at least out of the lot who don’t hate us. I’d ask Asmodeus on this but this is chaos enough right now.

“I don’t mean to speak out of turn queens but, what are we going to do about this problem?”

Marcus can’t help but ask the million-dollar question. The fuck do I know?

“I guess this can work as... heavenly immigration? Or does it count as asylum seeking? Regardless, I think we may have to take these lot in now, at least until they get accustomed to this world”

I can’t get but frown at Asmodeus as I say that. He set us on this stupid course of dislodging all the Gods so now it’s on our shoulders to take them in. Defeating Zeus is one thing but I come from a commoner background, that means we must detest any form of immigration as they come over and steal all our jobs! Fuck the government and their insistence on bringing diversity into the world... it should be very obvious when I’m being sarcastic by this point.

(Petra) “What about the Gods who aren’t on our side?”

Petra tries her best to ask that quietly to Asmodeus but that grinning madman doesn’t seem to care about secrecy today. Everything is fucked!

“Heh, they’ll attack us dark one when they also get accustomed to this world. Give it a few days and they’ll launch a full-scale invasion... that funnily enough is why those two are here”

‘Well, that’s not freaking ominous at all!’

Pointing back to Nat x Lotte, this seems like a perfect segue, or an excuse to listen in on their conversation. With everything else going on right now, I need to eavesdrop.

‘Hmmm... I wonder what this looks like now... Status’

[Name: Nathan (Apollo) | Species: Human (Olympian) | Level: 500]

[Health 25,000/25,000]

[Stamina 23,685/25,000]

[Magicka 0/0]

[Name: Charlotte | Species: Succubus | Level: 500]

[Health 12,500/12,500]

[Stamina 17,921/20,000]

[Magicka 30,000/30,000]

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[Name: Artemis | Species: Olympian | Level: 750]

[Health 50,000/50,000]

[Stamina 69,190/80,000]

[Magicka 20,000/20,000]

‘And least that confirms it that Gods are actually mortal now. Artemis keeps getting in the way though... and Apollo has human like multipliers? I guess he still has his human body after all’

“...Lotte. This is the exact problem I was talking about”

“What’s the problem, my lordship?”

“This! Why are you changing the way you speak to me? It doesn’t matter if somehow Dionysus found some of my radiant energy, I’m still the same exact person I was yesterday”

“I can’t help it! If my original lord’s power came from you, then it’s only fair I pay you the same amount of respect. It’s just showing my gratitude really and worshiping those who deserve it”

“*Sigh*... seriously Lotte, calling Dionysus lord is fine but I can’t take it if this is how it’s going to be. We’ll have to stop hand holding if you can’t stop it”

“But that’s evil! My lor-, Nat... I mean. Hand holding is as good as... you know what I’m talking about”

‘Those two are so freaking cute together at times, both of them can’t help but blush!’

(Artemis) “Oi, you two idiots, look at me! I’m trying to reconcile with my twin brother here! I don’t care for your boring loving crap”

(Freyja) “Artemis my love, I’ve finally found you!”

“S-Shit!”

Even I can’t help but facepalm and quietly chuckle from the chaos unfolding. So long story short, Nathan is apparently the God Apollo and Artemis is his twin. I’ll ask Asmodeus more on this later because there’s still the need for boring professional stuff...

“Right everybody, shut up and listen! I’m not exactly sure why or what’s happening, but you’re all welcome to live here among us like mortals. Our rules are simple enough so just don’t steal or hurt people and things will be fine... you can leave the islands but I doubt most of you have any clue where to go”

After addressing the unsure crowd and mumbling that last bit, I’m honestly a little shocked some of these Gods aren’t more concerned on the fact they are now apparently mortal. Maybe it hasn’t full set it yet? Or that they just don’t believe it? Irrelevant of how that shit works, Asmodeus seems confident so best just deal with things as they come and go. It’s not like this hasn’t been crazy enough already.

Just as I feel like things are finally about to get under control, albeit and makeshift as we possibly can, someone else enters the fun and games. As much as I normally love Mute’s company, she couldn’t have picked a worser time.

<...!>

“Yeah yeah Mute, I’ll fly next time. I promise”

As she finds an empty place to land, mostly because the market clears to give her space, she immediately changes form and rushes to hug Petra. I’d love the cute sister reuniting moment if it wasn’t for who was up on her back riding her...

‘That freaking can’t be him... status’

[Name: Mute | Species: Dragon | Level: 381]

[Health 50,000/50,000]

[Stamina 29,237/32,750]

[Magicka 10,000/10,000]

[Name: Minos | Species: Dragon | Level: 147]

[Health 11,000/11,000]

[Stamina 12,691/14,750]

[Magicka 11,000/11,000]

My little brother... is no longer little! In human form, my younger bro basically looks like an edgy teenager. Although... he is rocking my twintail hairstyle, so I’m not exactly sure what to make of that. It’s supposed to be a compliment and not feel like my identity is being stolen, I think...

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“How the hell have you grown this much in five years bruv!? You’re like an adult already, even taller than me no less!”

“Greetings sister, it’s been quite a long time. You wouldn’t know where mom and dad are, right?”

‘He even sounds like he’s right on the cusp of puberty! I know our parents are built differently, but a dragon who’s not even nine shouldn’t grow up this quickly’

“Sorry bruv... yo Asmodeus? You any idea?”

I don’t know what it is but I can’t help but start going into common lingo around my brothers! Blame my idiot brother back on Earth, Connor, for my idiocy on this.

“Heh, wouldn’t worry on that too much sister. They are just spending some personal time with the Underworld couple first”

‘So, mother and father get to screw while we’re sorting out all thi-... just forget it Ikarus. We’re nearly sorted now...’

[<If possible when time allows it, Aesa would like it if we could get all the phoenixes together. Might be something that you might like to see Ikarus>]

And of course, no, we aren’t because Aesa wants something else done. The chances are, we’ll probably have to call a council meeting and figure out all this mundane shit out shortly. There’s no way things can go smoothly when this many Gods become one with us mortals...

‘Yeah yeah, put it on the list. You know... there’s something funny I’ve just realized. This could be the grand prophecy. Instead of the me destroying our world, it was always the world of the Gods. Let’s just hope it can’t be interpreted to mean this world is now doomed as well...’