Chapter 1054: Husband’s Greatest Challenge

Strax pulled the blanket up to Vex’s shoulders and adjusted a strand of hair that had fallen across his daughter’s face. The little girl lay in a bed far too large for her size, surrounded by pillows and small stuffed animals. A lamp made of ice crystals softly illuminated the room, casting bluish reflections across the walls.

Vex was still holding his hand.

"Daddy, are you leaving tomorrow?" Vex asked, struggling to keep her eyes open.

Strax smiled and sat on the edge of the bed.

"No, princess. I’ll stay for a few more days," Strax replied, gently stroking her hair.

Vex seemed satisfied.

"Then can I show you the magic Mommy still hasn’t let me learn?" Vex asked, squeezing her father’s fingers.

Strax raised an eyebrow.

"That depends. Why hasn’t your mother let you learn it?" Strax asked, watching the innocent smile that appeared on the little girl’s face.

"Because she said freezing an entire mountain is dangerous," Vex replied, making a little face.

Strax stared at her.

Then he laughed.

"Yeah, I think your mother has a pretty good point," Strax remarked, affectionately pinching his daughter’s cheek.

Vex puffed out her cheeks.

"But I’m strong!" Vex protested, raising one of her arms to demonstrate.

"I know you are, my little one. You almost ripped my head off today when you threw yourself into my arms," Strax replied, remembering the absurd speed at which she had slid across the courtyard.

Vex began giggling.

"But you caught me!" Vex replied, apparently considering that sufficient proof that she hadn’t done anything wrong.

Strax shook his head.

"For now. Soon enough, I’ll need to use magic just to keep up with you," Strax joked, leaning down to kiss her forehead.

The little girl finally released his hand.

"Good night, Daddy," Vex murmured, snuggling deeper into her pillow.

"Good night, princess. Sleep well," Strax replied, turning off the small lamp beside the bed, leaving only the crystals near the window illuminated.

He remained seated for a few more moments, watching his daughter close her eyes.

Vex had grown considerably.

Not just physically. Her mana control had improved significantly, and the confidence with which she used ice magic was impressive for someone so young. Mercedes was clearly doing an excellent job raising her.

Strax felt a small pang of guilt.

He had missed part of that progress.

Vex had probably learned dozens of things while he was busy in Asgard, and the only way he could keep up with her growth was through the visits he managed to make.

He stroked her head once more, stood up, and walked silently toward the door.

Before leaving, he glanced back.

The little girl already seemed to be asleep.

Strax smiled and carefully closed the door.

Then he turned around.

Mercedes was standing directly in front of him.

Her arms crossed.

Staring straight at his face.

Strax froze.

His wife didn’t need to say a single word.

He raised both hands.

"I know, I know," Strax said, immediately assuming an expression of surrender.

Mercedes raised an eyebrow.

"Do you really?" Mercedes asked, watching her husband with suspicious calmness.

Strax let out a small sigh.

"I do. But let’s talk for a bit, darling. I have some explanations to give and a few important things to tell you," Strax requested, approaching her and gently taking one of her hands.

Mercedes looked at his hand.

Then at his face.

"I hope one of those explanations involves a railway," Mercedes replied, narrowing her eyes.

Strax smiled.

"Let’s talk in the living room," Strax suggested, beginning to lead her down the corridor.

Mercedes noticed perfectly well that he had avoided answering.

Nevertheless, she decided to follow him.

For now.

The two walked through the quiet corridors of the residence until they reached the living room. A fireplace warmed the space, contrasting with the snow slowly falling outside the windows. On a small table sat a tray of tea, some fruit, and sweets that Mercedes had ordered prepared after dinner.

Strax settled onto a sofa.

Mercedes chose the armchair directly across from him.

She crossed her legs.

Then her arms.

And waited.

Strax watched his wife for a few seconds.

Her expression made it perfectly clear that she was still thinking about the railway.

He decided to start with something else.

"Well, a lot happened in Asgard while I was away," Strax began, leaning back against the sofa.

Mercedes tilted her head slightly.

"I imagine so. There’s always something happening in that kingdom whenever you’re around," Mercedes replied, keeping her eyes fixed on him.

"This time was a little different," Strax remarked, his expression growing more serious.

Mercedes noticed the change.

She slowly uncrossed her arms.

"What happened?" Mercedes asked, adjusting her position in the armchair.

Strax took a deep breath.

"A calamity struck the ocean. I don’t know exactly where it started, but the ocean currents went completely out of control. There were earthquakes, changes in water pressure, and tsunamis large enough to swallow entire cities," Strax explained, watching her reaction.

Mercedes frowned.

"Tsunamis?" Mercedes repeated, straightening her posture.

Strax nodded.

"Enormous ones. Asgard would have been hit directly if we hadn’t managed to react in time," Strax replied, remembering the walls of water advancing toward the coast.

Mercedes remained silent for a few moments.

Then she looked toward the window.

"But that doesn’t make sense. If a calamity of that magnitude occurred, I should have sensed some disturbance in the ocean currents or elemental mana. Even from this far away, something should have reached the north..." Mercedes began, trying to understand how such an enormous event had gone unnoticed.

"Of course you didn’t sense anything. I froze half the ocean to protect you all," Strax interrupted with a shrug, as though he were mentioning something perfectly ordinary.

Mercedes stopped talking.

Slowly, she turned her eyes toward him.

Strax noticed the change almost immediately.

His wife’s expression had gone completely blank.

One of her eyelids began twitching.

He swallowed hard.

"Mercedes..." Strax called, raising one hand.

She remained motionless.

"You froze what?" Mercedes asked, her voice taking on a dangerously calm tone.

Strax smiled nervously.

"A considerable portion of the ocean," Strax replied, carefully choosing his words.

Mercedes narrowed her eyes.

"You just said half," Mercedes reminded him, placing her hands on the armrests.

"It was a figure of speech, darling," Strax replied with a small laugh.

Mercedes continued staring at him.

Strax raised both hands.

"I’m not bragging about anything! I’m just explaining why you didn’t notice the effects of the calamity!" Strax quickly clarified, feeling that he had made some mistake he still couldn’t quite identify.

Mercedes took a deep breath.

Once.

Twice.

Then she closed her eyes and massaged her forehead.

"You really are unbelievable," Mercedes murmured, letting out a long sigh.

Strax remained silent, waiting for her to continue.

Mercedes finally relaxed her shoulders.

"Anyway, if I’d been there, I probably would’ve frozen more than half," Mercedes remarked, leaning back in her armchair.

Strax blinked.

He looked at her.

Then tilted his head.

"Is this a competition?" Strax asked, raising an eyebrow.

Mercedes opened her eyes.

"Shut up and continue," Mercedes replied, pointing at him.

Strax immediately nodded.

"Yes, ma’am," Strax replied, straightening his posture.

Mercedes picked up a cup of tea.

He waited until she took a sip before continuing.

"Anyway, I had to use Black Ice to prevent the waves from reaching Asgard. The barrier became so enormous that we’re still trying to open passages for ships," Strax explained, gesturing subtly.

Mercedes frowned.

"Black Ice? You used that ability on such a large scale?" Mercedes asked, seemingly more interested in the magical details.

"Yes. And I discovered something else that’s strange. My White Fire can’t simply melt Black Ice. The two energies seem to repel each other," Strax replied, watching surprise appear on her face.

Mercedes placed her cup on the table.

"That’s interesting. Normally, two elemental manifestations originating from the same source should display some degree of compatibility," Mercedes remarked, beginning to consider the possibilities.

"That’s what I thought. But so far, I haven’t been able to figure out why," Strax replied, crossing his arms.

Mercedes nodded slowly.

"I want to examine that ice personally later," Mercedes declared, already seeming to plan a few experiments.

Strax smiled.

"I figured you’d say that," Strax remarked, leaning back against the sofa.

She raised an eyebrow.

"Continue. You still haven’t explained what caused the tsunamis," Mercedes requested, returning her attention to him.

Strax grew a little more serious.

"That’s exactly the problem. We still don’t know," Strax replied, interlacing his fingers.

Mercedes waited.

"During the calamity, an absurd amount of energy swept through the ocean. It didn’t feel like ordinary mana, nor was it demonic energy. There was something different about that pressure," Strax explained, remembering the presence he had sensed in the depths.

"Divine?" Mercedes asked, narrowing her eyes.

Strax nodded.

"That’s the most likely possibility," Strax replied, watching her reaction.

Mercedes became thoughtful.

"Did some god decide to attack Asgard?" Mercedes asked, her expression hardening.

"I have no reason to believe Asgard was the target. Actually, everything suggests that the calamity started very far from here," Strax replied, shaking his head.

He paused briefly.

"And it was during that chaos that we found a mermaid," Strax added, apparently considering that the next important detail.

Mercedes froze.

Then she closed her eyes.

Strax noticed.

"Darling?" Strax called, tilting his head.

Mercedes let out a long sigh.

"Of course. A mermaid," Mercedes replied, massaging her forehead.

Strax raised an eyebrow.

"What’s the problem?" Strax asked, looking genuinely confused.

Mercedes opened her eyes.

"Strax, just how many troublesome women can you unconsciously attract?" Mercedes asked, watching her husband with a tired expression.

He thought for a few seconds.

Then shrugged.

"Simple women are boring," Strax replied with a smile.

Mercedes stared at him.

The silence lasted several seconds.

"Are you trying to annoy me?" Mercedes asked, narrowing her eyes.

Strax began laughing.

"I’m joking, darling," Strax replied, raising his hands.

Mercedes shook her head.

"It doesn’t sound like a joke considering your track record," Mercedes remarked, crossing her arms again.

Strax let out a sigh.

"Listen, I have no intentions toward this mermaid. Actually, I’d prefer to keep a certain distance from her," Strax explained, his expression growing more serious.

Mercedes seemed surprised.

"You? Wanting to keep your distance from a beautiful woman?" Mercedes asked, raising an eyebrow.

"I never even said she was beautiful," Strax replied, pointing at his wife.

Mercedes smiled.

"You didn’t have to," Mercedes remarked, taking a small sip of tea.

Strax shook his head.

"Anyway, her name is Ariel. She’s the princess of Atlantis, an underwater kingdom located in a region quite far from the continents," Strax explained, returning to the subject.

Mercedes nodded.

She had heard stories about Atlantis, although she had never visited the kingdom.

"And how did she end up in Asgard?" Mercedes asked curiously.

"A gigantic squid brought her to the coast," Strax replied, remembering Frank.

Mercedes slowly lowered her cup.

"A squid?" Mercedes repeated, looking at him.

"Gigantic. Big enough to cause serious problems if it ever decided to attack our ships," Strax explained, gesturing to indicate the creature’s approximate size.

Mercedes remained silent.

Then she let out a small laugh.

"Sometimes I forget just how absurd your stories can get," Mercedes remarked, shaking her head.

Strax smiled.

"You should meet Frank. He’s quite friendly," Strax replied, seeming genuinely amused by the memory.

"Frank?" Mercedes asked, raising an eyebrow.

"That’s the squid’s name," Strax clarified with a shrug.

Mercedes brought a hand to her face.

"Of course a gigantic squid is named Frank," Mercedes murmured, letting out another laugh.

Strax took advantage of the fact that his wife finally seemed more relaxed.

"When we found Ariel, she was unconscious. She had suffered serious injuries, and her mana channels were badly damaged. Frieren managed to stabilize her, but she remained in a coma for several days," Strax explained, his expression growing serious again.

Mercedes nodded slowly.

"And now?" Mercedes asked, placing her cup on the table.

"She’s awake, but still very weak. She can’t return to her kingdom for the time being, so I allowed her to stay in Asgard until she recovers," Strax replied, crossing his arms.

Mercedes watched her husband for a few seconds.

"That was kind of you," Mercedes remarked, her expression softening.

Strax smiled.

"I can be kind every now and then," Strax replied with a shrug.

Mercedes let out a small laugh.

"Every now and then," Mercedes repeated, shaking her head.

Then she realized something.

"But you said you’d prefer to keep your distance from her. Why?" Mercedes asked, tilting her head.

Strax’s smile slowly faded.

"Because Ariel isn’t an ordinary mermaid," Strax replied, leaning slightly forward.

Mercedes waited.

"She’s a demigoddess," Strax revealed, looking directly into his wife’s eyes.

Mercedes froze.

Her amused expression disappeared completely.

For a few seconds, she seemed unable to comprehend what she had just heard.

"A... demigoddess?" Mercedes repeated, straightening her posture.

Strax nodded.

"Exactly," Strax confirmed, resting his elbows on his knees.

Mercedes remained silent.

Then she frowned.

"You’re telling me that the daughter of a god appeared unconscious on the coast of Asgard, right after a calamity that probably involved divine energy?" Mercedes asked, slowly putting the information together.

"Yes," Strax replied, watching her expression.

Mercedes ran a hand through her hair.

"And you only decided to mention this little detail now?" Mercedes asked, raising an eyebrow.

Strax shrugged.

"I was telling you everything in the order it happened," Strax replied with a small smile.

Mercedes closed her eyes.

"Strax..." Mercedes murmured, taking a deep breath.

He decided to continue before she found another reason to scold him.

"Ariel is the daughter of Poseidon, the God of the Seas," Strax explained, leaning back against the sofa.

Mercedes immediately opened her eyes.

"Poseidon?" Mercedes repeated, her expression showing genuine surprise.

Strax nodded.

"One of the three divine brothers. Zeus, Hades, and Poseidon," Strax replied, raising three fingers.

Mercedes became thoughtful.

She knew those names.

Even among dragons, the ancient gods were figures who rarely went unnoticed.

"I thought Poseidon disappeared a long time ago," Mercedes remarked, resting a hand against her chin.

"He was sealed," Strax corrected, watching her reaction.

Mercedes frowned.

"Sealed? By whom?" Mercedes asked, leaning forward.

"I don’t know. Neither does Ariel," Strax replied, shaking his head.

He paused briefly.

"According to what she told me, Poseidon was sealed before she was even born. Ariel never met her father," Strax explained, remembering the princess’s expression during their conversation.

Mercedes remained silent for a few seconds.

"Then her mother knows more than she’s told her," Mercedes concluded, crossing her arms.

"Probably. Ariel said her mother always avoided explaining what happened to Poseidon," Strax replied with a nod.

Mercedes looked toward the fireplace.

The flames crackled peacefully, but her thoughts were far from that room.

An oceanic calamity.

An enormous amount of divine energy.

Poseidon’s daughter being struck and carried to the coast of Asgard.

And the God of the Seas himself remaining sealed somewhere unknown.

"Do you think his seal is weakening?" Mercedes asked, turning her gaze back toward her husband.

"It’s a possibility. But we don’t have any proof," Strax replied, keeping his voice calm.

Mercedes nodded.

"So you’re trying to find out whether the calamity was caused by Poseidon or by something related to his seal," Mercedes remarked, organizing the information.

"Exactly. And there’s one more thing," Strax replied, raising his right hand.

Mercedes looked at the Gauntlet of Darkness.

The black chains remained motionless, following the surface of the armor.

"We found a sapphire ring trapped in the Black Ice. When I touched it with the Gauntlet, the ring transformed into a divine trident," Strax explained, watching his wife.

Mercedes’s eyes widened slightly.

"A trident?" Mercedes asked, leaning forward.

"It belonged to Poseidon. Ariel recognized it immediately," Strax replied with a nod.

Mercedes stared at him.

Then she let out a long sigh.

"You found a relic belonging to Poseidon, discovered that his daughter is in Asgard, and there’s still the possibility that the seal of an ancient god is weakening," Mercedes summarized, seemingly trying to decide which piece of information was more concerning.

Strax nodded.

"Basically," Strax replied with a shrug.

Mercedes closed her eyes.

"My husband really can’t go a few weeks without getting involved in some divine calamity," Mercedes murmured, massaging her forehead.

Strax began laughing.

"I’d also prefer a slightly quieter life," Strax replied, leaning back comfortably.

Mercedes opened her eyes.

"No, you wouldn’t," Mercedes corrected, pointing at him.

Strax thought for a few seconds.

Then smiled.

"Maybe not entirely," Strax admitted with a small laugh.

Mercedes shook her head.

Despite the jokes, she was genuinely worried.

If Poseidon really was involved in that calamity, the consequences could reach far beyond Asgard. The oceans connected the continents, and a disturbance of that magnitude could endanger entire kingdoms.

She looked at Strax again.

"And the trident? Do you have it?" Mercedes asked, looking at the Gauntlet of Darkness.

"No. I gave it back to Ariel," Strax replied, lowering his hand.

Mercedes raised an eyebrow.

"You returned a divine relic?" Mercedes asked, seemingly surprised by his decision.

"It belonged to her father. I had no reason to keep it," Strax explained with a shrug.

Mercedes smiled faintly.

"Sometimes you can be quite sensible," Mercedes remarked, her expression softening.

Strax raised his chin.

"I’m an extremely sensible man," Strax declared, proudly crossing his arms.

Mercedes began laughing.

"Of course, darling," Mercedes replied, shaking her head.

For a few moments, the two remained silent.

Mercedes picked up her cup of tea again.

Strax watched the flames in the fireplace.

The conversation had been much calmer than he had imagined.

Perhaps he was finally free from that discussion about the railway.

He slowly stood up.

"Well, I think that’s everything I needed to tell you for now," Strax remarked, adjusting his clothes.

Mercedes looked up.

"Is it?" Mercedes asked, placing her cup on the table.

Strax nodded.

"Yes. Tomorrow we can discuss the details of the calamity further. For now, I think we should get some rest," Strax replied, offering her an affectionate smile.

Mercedes remained seated.

Watching him.

Then she smiled.

"Of course, love. We can rest," Mercedes replied, uncrossing her legs.

Strax immediately relaxed.

"Great," Strax remarked, beginning to walk toward her.

Mercedes raised a finger.

"After we talk about the railway," Mercedes added, her smile widening.

Strax stopped.

Slowly, he closed his eyes.

Mercedes let out a small laugh.

"Did you really think I’d forgotten?" Mercedes asked, rising from her armchair.

Strax opened his eyes and looked at his wife.

"I had a little hope," Strax admitted with a sigh.

Mercedes approached him, gently cupped his face, and kissed him.

Strax smiled.

For a moment, he imagined that she had finally decided to forgive him.

Then Mercedes pulled away just enough to look directly into his eyes.

"Now, my dear husband, sit back down and explain to me why our daughter has been waiting so long for a railway you promised to build," Mercedes requested, caressing his cheek with a dangerously sweet smile.

Strax looked at the sofa.

Then at Mercedes.

And finally understood that not even freezing half the ocean would be enough to escape that conversation.