Chương 54: Chapter 51: Waking Up

Elizabeth's composure shattered as she heard her mother's words. She lowered her head, cheeks flushed with embarrassment.

"I know… I'm sorry for being reckless." Even though she was an adult in her mind, her young body affected her mentality more than she cared to admit. It made her more energetic, which in turn made her more reckless than she should be. Perhaps the sheer excitement of finally living in the fantasy world she had created had left her somewhat disconnected from reality. Deep down, her subconscious still believed this was all just a game. But it wasn't. Dying here meant true death.

There was no continue button, no respawn points. She had to be far more careful from now on. She also needed to grow stronger so she would never be caught off guard again. Above all, she had to swallow her pride a little and ask for her parents' help when needed, instead of shouldering everything alone. Even if doing so had earned her their praise.

"For the time being, we're done here. Shall we return to the palace?" her father asked.

"You've slept for far too long. Once we return, try not to sleep again, even if your soul feels exhausted. The fatigue will fade as you move around."

"Okay, let's go have breakfast!" Elizabeth nodded enthusiastically.

"Ah! Auntie, Grandma, thank you for everything!"

"Oh no, thank you for everything, my dear," Nifl replied warmly.

"Hrymdra already gave you the Ice Dragon Path, so… Hm! How about this?" Nifl opened her palm and conjured a surge of ice, rapidly compressing it into a long, sharp divine spear forged from the strongest primordial ice she could summon.

"Here. This is a Primordial Dragon Ice Lance," she said.

"You can give it a name. I've noticed you're good with swords, but you're still a child. You should learn how to wield spears as well. It will give you a safe distance from your foes. Also, your father is an excellent spearman. This will give him a good excuse to spend more time teaching you."

"Oh, you're better with swords?" King Louis wondered.

"I guess Drake could teach you, but he's gone…" Queen Mirai stared at King Louis with a slightly annoyed expression.

"Hey, dear, I am also quite skilled with katanas, you know? I'm sure it translates well to other types of swords!"

"Uh, of course! Sorry, I didn't think about it… Why are you mad?" King Louis began sweating under his wife's judgmental gaze.

"Thanks, Grandma!" Elizabeth said brightly as she accepted the lance.

"Oh? What's this? Just holding it makes my Ice Element stronger! My Ice Spells feel more powerful too, like with the bracelet…"

"Indeed," Nifl said.

"It is a precious divine treasure, so keep it with you and treat it well. If you evolve it enough, it might eventually gain sentience."

"To think that mere ice produced by a Primordial Dragon can create such a weapon… Thank you!" Elizabeth hugged her grandmother tightly before finally departing with her parents. As she flew through the skies with them, she saw every Ice Dragon below waving and calling out their farewells, clearly grateful for the tree she had left behind.

"Thank you, Elizabeth!"

"See you soon!"

"Please come back!"

"We'll miss you!"

"Come visit us one day!" You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.

"We have a big city at the center of the realm. Come check on us whenever you can!"

"Byeeeee!"

"Thanks for this amazing tree. It's keeping the realm stabilized!"

"Bye, everyone!" Elizabeth called back cutely, waving her small hand at them. FLASH! In a mere second, she opened her eyes and gasped for air. She found herself lying on her bed, surrounded by several pieces of hospital equipment. Some were still attached to her arms, supplying nutrients, mana, and spirit energy to keep her healthy while she had been in a coma.

"Elizabeth!"

"Welcome back." Her mother jumped forward and pulled her into a tight hug, overwhelmed with joy at seeing her daughter awake after so many days. Her father stood behind them, smiling warmly with a silent, relieved nod.

"Yeah, sorry about that, Mom. I'm back!" Elizabeth said with a confident grin as her mother showered her face with kisses.

"So, what now?"

"What now? Your soul has eaten, but your body hasn't. Don't you feel hungry at all?" her mother asked in disbelief.

"Hungry?" Elizabeth wondered.

"Hmm… Ugh?!" RUMBLE! Her stomach roared like a wild beast, making the entire room tremble. She gasped and covered her mouth, feeling deeply embarrassed. She felt an incredibly deep void in her stomach. She was starving.

"I-I guess I am hungry, yeah…"

"Alright then," King Louis said.

"Let's go. A feast has been prepared for a proper morning breakfast."

"Let's go!" her mother said, gently holding her small hand and guiding her outside. The family made their way to the large dining room in the castle, where all the maids and butlers greeted her with happy smiles.

"Lady Elizabeth, you're awake!" Gigantia's loud footsteps echoed as she stumbled clumsily and fell to the ground, making the castle tremble.

"Ouch… Hahaha, I'm so happy you're awake, young lady!"

"Gigantia, I missed you! Maybe I should have brought you along next time," Elizabeth said, giggling.

"Princess Elizabeth, I was so worried!" Vlad emerged from the shadows. The tall Vampire Butler lowered his head in reverence and relief.

"Are you okay?! Did something bad happen?! Is your soul fine?! Do you need more rest?" He was always a worrywart.

"I'm fine, Vlad! Heh, but thanks for worrying," Elizabeth replied with a playful sneer. Behind them stood the Head Maid and King Louis's personal maid since his younger days, a tall ice giantess named Catrise.

"Young lady, I am glad you've returned," she said with a kind and caring smile. As part of her grandmother's church—the main religion of the region—she had been especially concerned.

"Your grandmother and grandfather were quite busy but also very worried. They are on their way as we speak."

"Really?" Elizabeth asked.

"Ah, let's eat while we wait—" BOOOM! Before they could even sit down, the ceiling broke open. A giantess stumbled through and crashed clumsily onto the floor, hitting the table full of food and sending everything flying.

"Ouch, ouch, I fell badly… Heheh… Um, Gustaf, are you okay?" she muttered. In her hand was her husband, a human Esper.

"Yes, dear, but please don't do this again! Look at the disaster we made!" Gustaf panicked.

"A-Ah! Louis, Mirai, Elizabeth! Hello. Sorry… sorry for this."

"Elizabeth!!!" her grandmother cried, rushing forward and gently scooping her up in her large hands before covering her with kisses.

"I was so worried about youuuu! Your dad insisted I didn't need to get involved, but I almost went there myself!" She rubbed Elizabeth affectionately against her cheek.

"Are you okay? Does anything hurt? Was there a mean dragon keeping you there?! Or a Nightmare? I've heard of them! Are they the new bad guys? Baby, are you okay?"

"G-Grandma, calm down!" Elizabeth cried, struggling slightly in her grasp.

"I-I'm fine! Ugh, you're so overbearing… Give me some space to breathe, please!"

"O-Overbearing?!" Benladra gasped, her heart shattering into countless pieces.

"L-Louis! She said I am overbearing! Is that right? I am not, right?!"

"You are, mother," King Louis sighed.

"Please let the girl breathe. She's fine. We saved her. We fought a Nightmare King's Fragment, and that was the end of it. Hrymdra was cursed, and Elizabeth went out of her way to clear the nightmares in their nest to save her without telling us beforehand."

"So that's what happened…" Benladra nodded.

"Wow, Elizabeth, you were in so much danger, but you were also super brave and strong! I can't believe it! But you're still such a cute little baby! How is this possible?!"

"Grandma, I am not a baby… Well, I am," Elizabeth muttered.

"But not too much of a baby anymore!"

"Heheh, to me, all of you will always be my babies," Benladra giggled.

"Alright, sorry about this! I will fix it." She snapped her fingers, instantly restoring everything to its original state. The mess on the floor vanished, leaving the room pristine as if nothing had happened.

"Let's have a nice family breakfast!" Benladra, the former Queen of Frostbane, declared cheerfully.

"I can already sense that your Class and your Human Path are already at Max Level! This is an amazing feat at your age! What classes are you planning to choose next? And I wonder what the Human Path evolves into… Ah, right, dear. You know, right?"

"Esper…!" Gustaf gasped.

"Elizabeth, my dear granddaughter! Y-You've awakened as an Esper?! And what is this Ability?! It's so immensely bright!"

"Heheh, well… uh, yeah," Elizabeth giggled nervously.

"A lot happened." Thus, Elizabeth's life with her wonderful family continued. What sort of adventures and shenanigans would she get involved in next? Only time would tell.