Chapter 1051 The Horse and the Mermaid

Ouroboros and Tiamat were walking through one of the corridors of Asgard’s main residence when they found Kali leaving a training room. The dragoness had a towel draped over her shoulders and looked as though she had just taken a shower, although some signs of exhaustion were still visible on her face.

As soon as she recognized the two, Kali smiled.

"Well, look who finally decided to show up! You two have been gone for weeks. Why did you take so long to come back?" Kali asked while approaching and hugging Ouroboros, repeating the gesture with Tiamat shortly afterward.

Ouroboros let out an exaggerated sigh.

"Because dealing with Strax’s father is a pain in the ass." Ouroboros replied while adjusting her hair and leaning against the wall.

Kali started laughing.

"Is he really that complicated?" Kali asked while observing her friend’s tired expression.

"Complicated doesn’t even begin to describe it, darling. That man can turn a simple question into a three-hour conversation." Ouroboros complained while crossing her arms. "And when we finally got to the subject that mattered, he decided to explain another twenty things nobody asked about."

Tiamat immediately agreed.

"I almost fell asleep while he was talking. And we were asking about Zeus, not the entire history of the family." Tiamat commented while shaking her head, remembering the long conversations they had been forced to endure.

Kali smiled.

"At least you managed to find out something?" Kali asked while beginning to walk with them down the corridor.

"We did. And it looks like the problems are going to start appearing very soon." Tiamat replied while her expression became slightly more serious.

She looked Kali up and down.

"But enough about those gods for now. What about you, darling? Did your dragon body evolve while we were away?" Tiamat asked while curiously touching her friend’s shoulder.

Kali shrugged.

"A little. Training with the others has been quite profitable, especially now that I can control my strength better." Kali replied while smiling with satisfaction at her own progress.

Then her expression changed slightly.

"Although that horse is a little brutal." Kali added while discreetly massaging one of her shoulders.

Ouroboros blinked.

Tiamat did too.

The two looked at each other.

"Horse?" Ouroboros repeated while frowning.

"What horse?" Tiamat asked while trying to remember any horse that could offer resistance to a dragoness.

Kali stopped.

Then brought one hand to her forehead.

"Ah, you weren’t here when it happened." Kali commented while letting out a small laugh.

The two continued waiting.

"Remember that crazy horse we used to call Apocalypse? Strax’s mount?" Kali asked while observing their expressions.

Ouroboros slowly nodded.

"Of course. That mare who seemed to understand absolutely everything and was always looking at people as if they were idiots." Ouroboros replied while remembering the animal perfectly.

Tiamat laughed.

"She almost bit me once because I tried to pet her head without warning." Tiamat commented while crossing her arms.

Kali smiled even more.

"Well. It turns out she managed to evolve through cultivation and assumed a human form. Now she’s called Zi Bai." Kali explained while discreetly pointing toward the common room ahead.

The two froze.

Ouroboros opened her mouth.

Tiamat frowned.

"Wait. Apocalypse became a woman?" Tiamat asked while trying to process that information.

"A very beautiful woman, by the way." Kali replied while shrugging.

Ouroboros let out an incredulous laugh.

"So Strax’s horse also decided to turn into a woman while we were away?" Ouroboros asked while running a hand over her face.

Kali was about to answer when calm footsteps began approaching through the corridor.

A woman appeared at the entrance of the room.

She had long white hair that flowed gently down her back, piercing golden eyes and a refined beauty that contrasted with the visibly tired expression on her face. She wore comfortable training clothes, and a sword rested inside the sheath secured at her waist.

Ouroboros and Tiamat watched her approach.

The woman walked past the three without greeting anyone.

She did not even slow down.

She simply entered the common room, walked over to one of the sofas and let herself fall onto it. Then she raised one arm over her face and remained staring at the ceiling, as if she had just survived a particularly unpleasant day.

Ouroboros kept watching.

Tiamat did too.

Kali discreetly pointed toward the woman.

"That’s Zi Bai." Kali introduced while trying to hide her amusement at the expressions on their faces.

Ouroboros looked back at the white-haired woman.

"She didn’t even look at us." Ouroboros commented while tilting her head.

"She’s just like that. Essentially, she’s still a horse. She doesn’t exactly have much awareness of the other people around her." Kali explained while entering the room with the two women.

From the sofa, a female voice immediately replied.

"I am aware, I’m just too tired to talk." Zi Bai corrected while keeping her arm over her face.

Kali let out a laugh.

Zi Bai continued without even looking at them.

"I’m already starting to get irritated because everyone wants to duel me. My beautiful sword is completely worn out." Zi Bai complained while removing the weapon from her waist and carefully placing it on the table.

Ouroboros looked at the sword.

The sheath showed several recent marks, and the hilt looked as though it had been heavily used.

Tiamat moved a little closer.

"Are you really Apocalypse?" Tiamat asked while examining the woman with obvious curiosity.

Zi Bai finally moved her arm away from her face.

Her golden eyes met Tiamat’s.

"I was. Now I’m Zi Bai." Zi Bai replied while observing the dragoness for a few seconds.

Then she added:

"And I remember you trying to touch my head without permission." Zi Bai commented while settling her arm back over her eyes.

Tiamat froze.

Ouroboros started laughing.

"So it really is her!" Ouroboros concluded while bringing one hand to her mouth.

Tiamat crossed her arms.

"I just wanted to pet you!" Tiamat complained while watching Zi Bai remain completely indifferent.

"I didn’t want to be petted." Zi Bai replied while letting out a long sigh.

Kali had to lean against the back of a chair to keep herself from laughing even harder.

Ouroboros approached the sofa and took a better look at the former mare.

"You really did become beautiful, darling. Strax must have been quite surprised when he saw your transformation." Ouroboros commented while smiling at her.

"He was." Zi Bai replied while discreetly moving one hand.

Tiamat looked at the sword.

"So you’re the one training everyone?" Tiamat asked while sitting down in a nearby armchair.

"Unfortunately." Zi Bai replied while her expression showed that the word perfectly summarized her feelings.

Kali crossed her arms.

"She’s exaggerating. Zi Bai is an excellent swordswoman. Samira has improved quite a lot since she started training with her." Kali explained while sitting on the arm of the sofa.

Zi Bai moved her arm away from her face again.

"Samira is one of the few who actually listens when I explain something. The problem is everyone else who thinks they can simply challenge me every five minutes." Zi Bai complained while looking at the sword on the table.

Tiamat smiled.

"Now I’m curious to see how you fight." Tiamat commented while resting her chin on one hand.

Zi Bai slowly turned her face.

"No." Zi Bai replied immediately while closing her eyes again.

Ouroboros started laughing.

"She didn’t even let you finish!" Ouroboros commented while watching Tiamat’s indignant expression.

"I wasn’t even asking for a duel!" Tiamat protested while spreading her hands.

"Yet." Zi Bai added while remaining lying down.

Kali shook her head, amused.

"You’ll get used to her. She doesn’t talk much, but she manages to be harder to deal with than half the dragons here." Kali commented while standing up to get something to drink.

Ouroboros looked at Zi Bai again.

A former mare who had cultivated until assuming human form, become a skilled swordswoman and now spent her days complaining about duels.

A lot had definitely changed in Asgard.

"Darling, I think we’re going to need a few days to catch up on all the new things." Ouroboros commented while looking at Tiamat.

The other dragoness nodded.

"Especially because it looks like Strax managed to turn this house into an even stranger place." Tiamat replied while smiling.

From the sofa, Zi Bai discreetly raised one finger.

"If you find Strax, tell him to get me a new sword." Zi Bai asked while keeping her eyes closed.

Kali looked at her.

"You could ask him yourself." Kali commented while picking up a glass of water.

"I’m tired." Zi Bai replied while letting her hand fall back onto the sofa.

Ouroboros and Tiamat exchanged another look.

Then started laughing.

In another part of the residence, Samira was sitting in front of Xenovia, Krissia and Bellatrix.

The four had gathered to talk during the afternoon, but the subject had quickly turned into something none of them seemed particularly pleased to discuss.

Ariel.

The princess of Atlantis who had appeared unconscious on Asgard’s coast.

"So it’s true that she’s Poseidon’s daughter?" Bellatrix asked while leaning against one of the armchairs and observing Samira.

"That’s what Strax discovered." Samira replied while crossing her legs and resting one arm on the back of the sofa.

Xenovia frowned.

"A demigoddess appearing out of nowhere, carried by a giant squid, right after that calamity in the ocean." Xenovia commented while shaking her head. "That would already be problematic enough without considering the rest."

Krissia, who was still fully recovering her mana reserves, remained thoughtful.

"At least she doesn’t seem hostile. Frieren said she’s cooperating with the examinations." Krissia replied while holding a cup of tea between her hands.

Samira let out a small sigh.

"I’m not only worried about her being hostile." Samira commented while looking at the others.

Bellatrix raised an eyebrow.

"Then what are you worried about?" Bellatrix asked while seeming to already imagine the answer.

Samira looked directly at her.

"Strax." Samira replied while her expression showed a very familiar irritation.

Xenovia let out a small laugh.

"Ah, then we’re thinking the same thing." Xenovia commented while crossing her arms.

Krissia looked from one to the other.

"You’re worried because he brought another woman to Asgard?" Krissia asked while seeming to think that conclusion was a little premature.

"Not exactly." Samira replied while leaning forward to pick up her cup.

She took a small sip before continuing.

"I’m worried because my husband has an impressive ability to find extremely powerful women in absurd situations, help them and then act as if he doesn’t understand why they start liking him." Samira explained while placing the cup back on the table.

Bellatrix started laughing.

"When you put it that way, it really does sound like a pattern." Bellatrix commented while shaking her head.

"Because it is a pattern." Xenovia replied while discreetly pointing toward Samira.

Krissia let out a sigh.

"But Ariel just woke up from a coma. Maybe we’re exaggerating a little." Krissia reasoned while adjusting the cup between her hands.

Samira nodded.

"I know. I have nothing against the girl. She was found injured and needed help." Samira clarified while her expression softened slightly.

Then she crossed her arms.

"But I know Strax." Samira added while looking at the others.

Bellatrix slowly agreed.

"That’s exactly the worrying part." Bellatrix commented while an amused smile appeared on her face.

Before the conversation could continue, the door opened.

Agnes entered accompanied by Rogue.

The two seemed to be talking about something when they noticed the expressions of the women gathered there.

Agnes immediately stopped.

"Why the long faces?" Agnes asked while looking from Samira to Xenovia and then Bellatrix.

Rogue also examined the group.

"Did someone die?" Rogue asked while approaching the table and pulling out a chair.

"No." Samira replied while watching the two sit down.

Agnes raised an eyebrow.

"Then what happened?" Agnes asked while crossing her arms.

Bellatrix smiled.

"A mermaid princess appeared on Asgard’s coast." Bellatrix explained while observing the newcomers’ reaction.

Agnes blinked.

Rogue tilted her head.

"A mermaid princess?" Rogue repeated while seeming not to have heard anything about it.

"Poseidon’s daughter." Xenovia added while leaning back in the armchair.

The two froze.

Agnes opened her mouth.

Rogue looked at Samira.

"And where is she now?" Rogue asked while her expression began to change.

"In the infirmary. Strax ordered them to take care of her and has gone to visit her a few times." Samira replied while observing the two.

Agnes fell silent.

Rogue did too.

Then, almost at the same time, both frowned.

Bellatrix started laughing.

"There. Now we have two more." Bellatrix commented while discreetly pointing toward their identical expressions.

Agnes crossed her arms.

"No. We need to start setting some limits for Strax." Agnes declared while shaking her head.

Rogue immediately agreed.

"He already has too many wives. This isn’t going to work if he keeps bringing a new woman home every time something happens." Rogue commented while resting her hands on the table.

Krissia let out a small laugh.

"You’re talking as if he already asked the mermaid to marry him." Krissia observed while trying to keep the conversation reasonable.

"He hasn’t." Samira agreed while looking at her.

Then added:

"Yet." Samira murmured while Bellatrix started laughing again.

Agnes pointed toward Samira.

"Exactly! That’s what I’m talking about!" Agnes replied while seeming satisfied that someone understood her concern.

Xenovia brought one hand to her face.

"I just think we should wait until we meet the girl before deciding she’s going to become another wife." Xenovia commented while trying to contain her smile.

Rogue let out a sigh.

"Fine. But we need to talk to him about this at some point." Rogue replied while crossing her legs.

The door opened again.

Albedo appeared first, accompanied by Lithara.

The Succubus Queen observed the number of women gathered and raised an eyebrow.

"Is this a meeting?" Lithara asked while entering the room with a curious smile.

Albedo looked at Samira.

"If it is, why didn’t anyone tell us?" Albedo questioned while approaching the table.

Samira let out a sigh.

"It’s not a meeting." Samira replied while watching the two look for places to sit.

Lithara looked at Agnes.

Then at Rogue.

Then at Bellatrix.

"Those expressions say otherwise." Lithara commented while elegantly sitting in an armchair.

Albedo remained standing.

"What’s the problem?" Albedo asked while crossing her arms.

"Strax found another princess." Rogue replied while seeming to consider that explanation sufficient.

Lithara blinked.

Then began to smile.

"Ah, the mermaid." Lithara commented while resting her chin on one hand.

Everyone looked at her.

"You already know?" Agnes asked while frowning.

"Of course. Frieren mentioned her. A rather beautiful young woman, from what I heard." Lithara replied while observing the collective reaction.

Samira closed her eyes.

"That’s exactly what we were missing." Samira murmured while resting her forehead on one hand.

Albedo let out a small sigh.

"She’s a patient. Strax hasn’t shown any romantic intention toward her." Albedo explained while trying to bring some logic to the discussion.

Lithara smiled mischievously.

"For now." Lithara added while receiving a disapproving look from Albedo.

"You’re not helping." Albedo commented while finally sitting down.

"I know, darling." Lithara replied while letting out a small giggle.

Before any of them could continue, hurried footsteps came from the corridor.

Monica appeared carrying an enormous stack of papers.

Beatrice came right behind her, holding more documents and trying to prevent several sheets from slipping away.

The two stopped when they noticed how many women were gathered.

Monica looked at the room.

Then at the papers.

Then back at the room.

"Please tell me you’re not organizing something that’s going to require more money." Monica asked while pressing the stack of documents against her chest.

Bellatrix started laughing.

"It’s not that kind of meeting." Bellatrix replied while watching Monica approach.

Beatrice looked at the women.

"Then what’s the meeting about?" Beatrice asked while placing the documents on a side table.

Samira let out a sigh.

"It’s not a meeting!" Samira repeated while beginning to regret choosing that place to talk.

Monica looked around.

There were eight women sitting or standing, all apparently discussing something important.

"Of course." Monica replied while her expression made it clear she did not believe that statement in the slightest.

She placed the papers on the table.

"Whatever you’re discussing, I hope someone can help me afterward. We still need to reorganize the coastal resources because of that absurd ice." Monica commented while discreetly massaging her wrist.

Beatrice nodded.

"And revise the supply routes. Some vessels still can’t leave." Beatrice added while organizing the documents.

Lithara smiled.

"We can help later, darling. Right now we’re discussing Strax’s marital habits." Lithara explained while elegantly crossing her legs.

Monica froze.

Beatrice did too.

Agnes pointed toward Lithara.

"Finally someone summarized it properly!" Agnes declared while seeming satisfied.

Monica closed her eyes.

"I don’t want to know." Monica replied while sitting in the nearest chair.

Beatrice let out a small laugh.

"Does that mean something new happened?" Beatrice asked while looking at Samira.

"A mermaid." Rogue replied while crossing her arms.

Monica opened her eyes.

"Ah, the patient." Monica commented while finally seeming to understand the subject.

Samira pointed at her.

"You already knew too?" Samira asked while raising an eyebrow.

"I handle the administration of this city. Of course I know when a gigantic squid appears on the coast carrying an unconscious princess." Monica replied while seeming to consider that perfectly obvious.

Bellatrix started laughing again.

The room was already becoming quite crowded when a shadow passed across the window.

An instant later, an enormous black phoenix appeared outside.

Xyn carefully landed on the windowsill, folding her wings so she would not knock over any nearby objects.

Several women turned their heads.

The phoenix observed the group for a few seconds.

"Do any of you know where Frieren is?" Xyn asked while tilting her head slightly and examining the gathered faces.

Albedo raised an eyebrow.

"Probably in the medical wing. She was overseeing the princess’s recovery." Albedo replied while watching Xyn settle her talons on the stone.

The phoenix seemed satisfied.

"Great. I’ve been looking for her for a while." Xyn replied while subtly moving her wings.

Then she looked back into the room.

Women were scattered across practically every available space.

Xyn tilted her head.

"Is something happening?" Xyn asked while observing some of their expressions.

Lithara smiled.

"We’re discussing whether Strax needs more wives." Lithara replied while seeming increasingly amused by the situation.

Xyn remained still.

Then looked at Samira.

"More wives?" Xyn repeated while her expression suggested she had not understood properly.

Samira let out a long sigh.

"We are not discussing that." Samira corrected while giving Lithara a tired look.

Agnes immediately raised her hand.

"Actually, we are." Agnes replied while Rogue nodded beside her.

"I just want to meet the mermaid." Bellatrix commented while shrugging.

"I want them to let the girl recover first." Krissia added while finishing her tea.

"And I want to finish my reports." Monica murmured while looking at the stack of documents on the table.

Beatrice smiled faintly.

Albedo ran a hand over her face.

Lithara continued laughing.

Xyn remained on the windowsill for a few more seconds, observing the chaos.

Then she slightly opened her wings.

"I’m going to find Frieren before you actually start arguing." Xyn commented while preparing to fly away.

"Good choice." Albedo replied while watching the phoenix leave the window.

Samira leaned back on the sofa and observed the women scattered around the room.

Xenovia was quietly talking with Krissia. Bellatrix seemed amused by the situation, while Agnes and Rogue continued discussing the need to establish limits. Lithara teased Albedo, and Monica tried to explain some administrative matter to Beatrice.

Samira let out a small laugh.

"It’s been a while since I’ve seen this many people together." Samira murmured while crossing her arms and observing that completely improvised gathering.

Lithara heard her.

"That’s true, darling. We should do this more often." Lithara commented while smiling at her.

Monica immediately raised her head.

"As long as it’s not in my office and no one asks me to organize anything." Monica replied while drawing several laughs.

Agnes rested her elbows on the table.

"Then since we’re all here, we can finally decide what to do with Strax." Agnes suggested while looking at the others.

Samira closed her eyes.

Xenovia started laughing.

Albedo let out another sigh.

And Lithara’s smile grew even wider.

Apparently, that conversation was far from over.