Chapter 381 - Give Him Time

"That's right," Ivan confirmed. "It's a good thing we arrived on time. You nearly attacked it."

Alinea smiled sheepishly at this. "Well, I thought it was a good idea when I saw it."

"But if you destroyed it before we went to see Czernobog then it's useless," he reminded her and she sweated at the close call.

Indeed, if she destroyed the spawn, then it was useless to go and seek the Black God. The only reason why she was the only one who could kill him was because of the piece of Czernobog's soul attached to her. He couldn't use his power to be intangible on her. If she destroyed the spawn then her ability to hurt the Black God would be gone.

"I know. I'm glad you stopped me," she confessed.

If the two what would have happened if those two didn't break through her meditation and called her back.

"In any case, good job today, my love," Ryuu said softly, making Alinea smile back.

"Urgh… You two. I will leave for my own quarters now. This poor soul already had too much saccharine goodness from you," Ivan said in mocked disgust before excusing himself.

Alinea stuck out her tongue at the door as soon as he went out.

"Still like a little child,"Ryuu commented as he took his place next to his wife on the bed.

Alinea quickly snuggled closer to her husband, inhaling his familiar scent that made her feel warm in her heart. The two of them would have an early rest as she was not allowed to eat anything after her mediation. It would take time for her soul to adjust to the powers integrated into it. If she ate, she would just feel motion sickness and feel awful again like earlier. Since she couldn't eat, Ryuu said he wouldn't either.

Technically, as a Returner to Ancestry, Ryuu didn't need food for sustenance. He just ate for pŀėȧsurė and not necessity. This little fasting wouldn't do anything to him.

"Rest up, my love. Tomorrow is going to be another busy day for you," he continued as he gathered her in his arms.

They lay facing the same side with Ryuu spooning his wife as he played with her hair. His fingers ċȧrėssed her scalp making her feel relaxed, and she purred like a satisfied cat.

"I've finished integration today. What do I have to do tomorrow?" she asked.

"You will practice variation with Ivan tomorrow," he said.

"Variation?" she asked in surprise. "I will mix skills?"

"Why are you shocked? You're considered a multiple-element caster now,"Ryuu reminded her. "Even if you are going with Ivan and that man called Fredek and an army, it's still going to be a very difficult journey for you. You've experienced the Immortal War yourself. Czernobog has thousands of minions. You need to learn everything you can to have an advantage in battle."

As he spoke, his hold on Alinea tightened, and she understood that her husband was upset. He was upset about the fact that he couldn't go with her because of the seal. The condition Perun set when he placed the seal was to not allow any S level and above to pass through on its weakened state until the Black God was defeated.

It was a total Mexican Standoff because Czernobog couldn't go out, and Perun and the other deities couldn't go in.

"I know. But can I really do it? I mean even Ivan had to practice variation since young," she said worriedly.

Ivan was a descendant of Kresnik, but his mother was from Ovid. Even if he was a fire caster, he could also use some wind attributes. Fredek was similar. He was a wind caster, but and earth caster as well. Alinea had seen him practice with the other soldiers back in Ritz. Variation was something that took time to accomplish.

"You can. Your uncle will help you too. He will adjust the dimension tomorrow to enhance your practice,"Ryuu ȧssured her.

"I will do my best then," she promised although she still felt a bit skeptical. But she felt if her husband said she'd be okay then that's the truth. She decided not to think about it anymore.

Silence fell between them as they each fell into their thoughts. Alinea reflected about the events of the day and couldn't help but wonder about her parents.

"Ryuu?"she called softly.

"Yes, my love?"

"Do you agree with what my father did?"

She was talking about Perun letting Yuuka forget about everything when things settled down. Even if she already promised that she wouldn't meddle with her father's decision, she still couldn't help but brood about it. After all, she was the daughter! Her father should have at least asked her what she thought. But she knew it was useless. If she could do that, Perun wouldn't have placed the decree as the King of Heaven's will.

Disagreeing was futile.

"He must have his reasons,"Ryuu answered, and Alinea sighed.

She was already expecting that answer. Ryuu was after all, Kresnik. He was friends with her father long before she was born. He wouldn't give his opinion carelessly since he knew Perun well.

Alinea let out another sigh. She was not satisfied but she knew it's the best she could get. Still she couldn't resist asking another question.

"Do… Do you think my father would tell me about it? About her?" she asked in a smaller voice.

Her weak, vulnerable tone made the man next to her smile against her hair and Ryuu placed a kiss on her head as he hugged her tight. She had no idea that at this moment, her husband found her so endearing.

"I don't think so," he answered making her stiff. "I know he would," he continued and she let out a breath to finally relax.

"He would?"

"Of course. You are his child – the child of his flesh and heart. He knows that even if you do not speak about your mother that you would want to know about her. Just give him time. He would tell you about her."