Chapter 162 - Travel
"So interesting Ikarus! You two really have been busy"
"That place is a dragon's worst nightmare to hunt in, jungles are immensely frustrating little one. I assume you two are going to return today?"
"I wanted sister to stay a little longer, can I come as well?"
Having breakfast with my fiancé and the dragon fam in our dining room, me and Petra have been giving a slight update to what we've been up to while chowing down on a good ol'fashioned fry up. Even the dragons seem to be enjoying the fried food, I swear our maid was a Brit in a pervious life with how gross looking but amazing the food is!
Oh, there was also the fact me and Petra forgot to mention the marriage thing again, luckily dragons don't seem to care about that at all. Even mother who likes to know about our life seems to not understand the concept of marriage really. Eh, I guess marriage is a human thing after all, I'm not even sure if Desmond and Esmerelda are technically married despite it seeming that way.
"Yeah, sorry Minos, that's not happening I'm afraid"
"Heh, no chance little guy. It could be too dangerous even for you"
"Cu..."
Athena did give us a slight hint on who may own the next dungeon so bringing Minos along would be irresponsible as hell. If it is someone like Ares, blood is guaranteed to be spilt since he's supposed to be the God of war. Can't remember too many myths about him but don't remember hearing good things.
Anyways, eating the rest of breakfast in mostly silence, and now that we're all finished, a familiar large chested blonde elf arrives to clean the plates and do her role.
"Thanks for breakfast Eve, nice as always"
"No worries Queen Ikarus! When you two have a second, could we have a quick chat?"
"What's it about and is it important?"
"There's little ears here right now so it needs to wait. I was just going to give you two some more ideas on you know what"
...
And of course, this pervy goddamn maid of ours must've heard everything yesterday. Thought we got away with it but obviously not, what is it with her and sex anyways!? Why does she have to give pointers and tips about stuff!?
"Heh, we made good use of that thing you gave us Eve, Ikarus really seemed to like it"
"Did she!? I've got some even heavier ones if you want!"
For fuck's sake Petra, my parents are literally right there! Even if they have no clue what's being referred to, I know what small item of 'clothing' is being spoken about. This fucking maid is corrupting Petra man...
"Both of you, just please stop with this! *Sighhh*..."
What is with this maid wanting to discuss our sex life!? Petra only seems to humour her because it brings me embarrassment, this is not the sort of Ikarus teasing I can get behind!
"...Imma go round everyone up and wait till we're ready to go. I'm not sticking around if this is the 'intelligent' topic of conversation..."
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"Erk, can't believe I'm flying right now, my stomach is still churning"
"Kid, please just stop moaning about it, we all know you get sick already!"
"Have you no sympathy for people with motion sickness orangey? Your TP shit makes me feel like my balls are twisted... if I had any right now"
(Ariza) "Uh huh, Ikarus has a point Zeki, all you do is complain... That's really not a pleasant thought"
"Heh, Ikarus could always take your shift Zeki but she will have to demand payment in return"
"Yeah, we've still got that skimpy costume or Ria's bikini, right? Putting that on seems like a reasonable payment"
"Erk, I hate you all..."
Eventually getting to the point where I can peacefully leave without having to listen to pointers or tips about how we can make our love making sessions even more pervy, our party of six is now back on the grind and heading towards the next dungeon. The other couple are both hugging each on top of Ariza right now hence the reason why they're not getting on the bitching at Zeki train.
We teleported just outside of the jungle city we came across, waited a little so that Zeki could spew up his stomach and then set off. I do wonder if his female body may cause that sickness to be worse but then again, I'm gender bent to hell and I've got no problems with it. It's hard to have sympathy for someone like Zeki after all.
"What's the plan anyways Ikarus-sama?"
"Yeah Ikarus, this dungeon was supposed to be really far away, right?"
It appears the other couple have finally stopped being lovey dovey and are joining the conversation. It still a shame that's the most they'll do in front of anyone, that being hugging but I guess even me and Petra don't kiss that often in public. Actually, we kinda do but shouldn't really be comparing relationships.
"The plan is to keep flying at a reasonable pace, maybe for the next four or five days and see how things pan out. It could be combat heavy so try to prepare for anything really"
"Heh, with Zeki being around, make it a week Ikarus"
"I heard that sis"
Best just ignore him. With Zeki, we're guaranteed to be making more stops just because everyone will need a break from the moaning.
"Anyways, we should be looking for a lighthouse on the coast. Apparently, the dungeon location is close to the Bones of the Ancients as well"
"Bones of the Ancients Ikarus-sama? What does that mean?"
"Ah, it's the region to the south of Maladonia filled with gigantic bones and ruins, we shouldn't be going that far south but it is kinda close by"
Believe it or not, I do sometimes read when I've got nothing else to do and I heard of it in some 'Places to see before you die' kind of book. The only reason I read it to begin with is that the front picture was misleading, thought it was erotica...
"Ikarus is right, I've even been over there a lifetime ago with Mel. It's mostly just a gigantic graveyard anyways"
At least Petra doesn't sound sad referring to her ex this time around, maybe that was way before the vampirism turned her? Any jealously on my part gets overwritten when Petra's able to not sound depressed about her history.
"You've been over there Petra? Is it worth seeing then?"
"Honestly Ikarus, not really. I guess there is some appeal seeing the gigantic skeletal remains there, but it's not worth spending days or weeks flying to. Nothing lives on those cliffs or in the nearby area so you do have to go prepared for survival as well"
You know, I'd kinda like to see the huge creatures but at the same time, we've got no reason to go visit, this trip will already take enough time as it is. Eh, I'll just imagine there's loads of dinosaur bones over there and call it a day, it can't be that impressive, right?
"Well regardless, let's continue onwards..."
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"Hey Ariza, you got a sec?"
"Uh huh Ikarus, what is it you want?"
Currently chilling around a campfire on one of our preplanned stops, all six of us have finished a hearty meal of meat and are currently settling down for the night.
"I'm oddly curious about something. The rest of us here clear tastes when it comes to a partner, but what about you? Do you need a little bit of lovebird matchmaking to help? I mean, I'm not even sure what way you swing"
I know it's a little abrupt and out of nowhere but I've never known what Ariza's even into. If we can try setting her up with a partner or something, then that could be nice, right?
"Orangey, you four are in WILLING relationships, I'm basically a hostage to that cow so don't include me"
...
And of course, we all just Zeki's little outburst and Ariza gives me an answer. I'm happy she took that question seriously and didn't get offended or something, I am genially interested in helping if she's a lovestruck idiot like how I used to be back on Earth. It proves it really, if someone like me can be wrapped up in the arms of the perfect waifu, anyone can find love.
"Honestly Ikarus... I don't think I'm anything. I've never had a crush in the four hundred years I've been here and don't remember caring that much about it all even back on Earth. It's slightly ironic considering my system"
'So, Ariza's asexual? Huh, I guess I could see that but it does seem awfully lonely I guess'
"That's just not true! Brother's got a thing for that wyvern prince and you won't tell me otherwise!"
"Uh! For the love of the Gods Zeki! You seriously are bringing this shit up again!?"
Ariza looks like she wants to hit the planet wielder right now and can't say I blame her, no one liked being teased on who they may or may not like. It's childish, sure but Zeki's not exactly the most functioning of adults.
(Ikarus) "What even is this wyvern story thing about anyways?"
Way back when we were first getting to know each other, I remember Zeki making a comment to Ariza about her having a crush on a wyvern, don't remember it coming up again though.
"There's not even that much to tell Ikarus, I came across him in the woods and he was hurt needing medical treatment. It also turns out he is a prince and his father is the wyvern king, that's really all there is to tell"
The wyvern king, another old story that got brought up a while ago when father was going about his genocidal stage. I still have no idea if the ol'lizard even managed to complete his task of ridding the world of the evil wyvern king, it never really came up again so I assumed he may have won the fight. Knowing father's blatant wyvern racism, the 'evil' wyvern king was probably as sweet as a cake though.
"What brother fails to mention is that wyvern dickhead offered brother's hand in marriage, he wasn't just hurt as she even saved his life. Would've been better off letting that blue haired dick bleed out, fucking flying rats ma-... ouch!"
Zeki rightfully receives a punch from Ariza on his shoulder, I guess she's pretty touchy about this subject but always two sides to a story. Wouldn't surprise me if Zeki has been really obnoxious about this to her and it keeps going on and on. He really is like that annoying younger sibling you just want to punch at times... Of course, you don't act on those feelings! It's not like I ever had a little brother back on Earth or wanted to do it to Minos when he's being annoying, but you get my point!
Wait, that wyvern prince is also blue haired as well? Guess we know what colour hair the kids would have then, even if the infertility makes all my pregnancy jokes irrelevant.
"Let's continue this conversation another time, it's starting to get late... Petra?"
"..."
What the fuck!? Petra's managed to fall asleep while I'm still in her arms! It's not even that body gathering ki thing she used to do ages ago, she's basically just sleeping upright. Fair play to her if our cuddles can put her to sleep, unsure if should feel good or bad about it.
"Imma put her to bed, to think my fiancé was so knackered tonight"
Priestess and the knight give me a smile while I try to claw my way out of Petra's grasp, she's surprisingly clingy when asleep this time around.
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---Couldn't get Petra's kimono to be white so best I can do.
https://i.ibb.co/JvJv4gk/Ikarus-Petra-Cuddle2.jpg
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'She does struggle with sleep at times I suppose so this is good. She's so freaking adorable like this though...'
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"Finally, the lighthouse is in sight"
"Heh, not much further to go Ikarus"
"Five long, boring days now over, let's hope the next dungeon involves spilling lots of blood"
(Ariza) "You really make me worry at times Zeki"
"Agreed Ariza-sama, Zeki could really benefit turning to religion"
"Fuck no nun, there's more chance of me staying like this permanently than worshiping some bullshit being. I couldn't stand the south because of the fanatics back at home"
'The south? Oh, Zeki's talking about America'
(Nathan) "Actually agree with him Lotte, religion isn't for everyone"
Finally arriving at the final dungeon, what presents us is a huge but unoccupied lighthouse that can be seen from miles around. It's pretty earie all things considered; I'm getting quite the sinister feeling from the place as well.
(Beware! You will regret entering this place! Leave immediately or face severe consequences)
Before we all enter, a sign presumably painted from blood adorns the door and makes several of us gulp from the anticipation of what to expect. It's obvious this dungeon is going to involve blood now.
'That's not ominous at all...'
Regardless, we all ignore the sign and open up the door...
Entering the lighthouse, almost instantly a sense of nausea and dizziness infects me like a disease. I'm guessing it could be the inevitable dungeon pass out that sometimes occurs but before that happens, there's something in this abandoned place that's caught my eye.
Piles and piles of corpses and skeletons adorn the completely run down interior of the place and the smell of blood lingers for all to smell. This place looks like horror movie or serial killer's dream, it's disgusting even for my lack of care over things like death.
Everyone else has the same sort of reaction, even Zeki to this 'art' but right now, I'm more focused on making sure we're safe.
'Aesa, this dizziness is definitely the dungeon, right?'
[<Aesa senses no signs of gas or other harmful substances so Ikarus should be safe. Presumably, it is the dungeon taking effect>]
'At least that's one fear gone...'
"...Everyone! Get ready for anything, this place could be sickening so be ready"
(Petra) "..."
"You don't have to tell me orangey, this place is disturbing as hell"
"Yes Ikarus-sama, we're all ready"
"Stay by my side Lotte and we can get through this"
(Ariza) "Let's just hope we all arrive together"
One by one, my party members start to drop like flies until it's just us lovebirds left. The dreaded dungeon sleep is about to happen.
"See you on other side Petra"
"Heh, you too Ikar-..."
...
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---For anyone who missed that I'm doing a advanced chapter patreon thing now. Still always free if you can't.
https://www.patreon.com/ACFoster99