Chapter 354: Recovery
"So, to keep it simple, after all that happened, Qiong Xing collapsed, right? While still holding Cari."
He certainly had.
He remembered it clearly, which was exactly why waking up beside Roan had been such a surprise.
"Right. And while trying to save Cari, you were sending him your magic power. The thing is, that didn’t stop even after you lost consciousness."
Apparently, the flow of magic Qiong Xing had been using to help Cari had continued unconsciously even after he had passed out.
"But neither I nor Cari can store up unlimited amounts of magic power. We couldn’t keep absorbing it forever, so everyone took turns accepting your magic."
"I see."
That explained why Roan had been there when he woke up.
It must simply have been Roan’s turn.
And the reason Qiong Xing had been clinging to him was probably because, while asleep, he had mistaken him for Cari.
"...I understand that part. But fundamentally speaking, couldn’t everyone have just left the magic flowing on its own?"
Wouldn’t it have been fine to simply let it continue leaking out instead of having everyone take turns absorbing it?
The moment he said that...
"What are you talking about!? It’s magic power! Magic power! You’re saying we should just let something as essential as magic power go to waste!? Are you kidding me!?"
He was scolded with remarkable intensity.
To Qiong Xing, magic was something that was nice to have.
But for demons like Albe and the others, and dragons like Iseul and Roan, it was an indispensable resource.
The idea of simply letting it pour away unused was apparently unacceptable.
Realizing his mistake, Qiong Xing honestly apologized for suggesting it so casually.
"Well, I wouldn’t want anyone else’s magic power either. But since it’s Qiong Xing’s, that’s different. Thanks to that, I feel amazing right now."
Now that it was mentioned, Qiong Xing could see it.
Albe’s complexion looked healthier than usual, and he seemed so full of energy that it was almost overflowing.
The healthy glow Roan had when Qiong Xing woke up was probably because of that as well.
Cari already seemed to have fully recovered too, smiling as he declared that he was feeling much better.
...Thank goodness.
"Albe, Cari."
When Qiong Xing called their names, he beckoned them over.
The two obediently approached him.
Smiling softly, Qiong Xing pulled them both into a tight embrace.
"I’m glad you’re safe. I’m sorry you had to go through something so painful. And thank you for doing your best. I love both of you very much."
"I love Mama too."
"...I do too."
Cari’s bright smile and Albe’s shy but sincere confession that he loved him as well were both incredibly adorable and precious.
A lot had happened, but Qiong Xing was truly grateful that he had been able to protect his beloved family.
Then he noticed his younger children behind them, puffing out their cheeks as if jealous.
Laughing, he opened his arms and called them over.
The moment he did, the children rushed forward and tackled him to the floor in a group hug.
"By the way, where was Lingxiao during all that?"
He had not seemed to participate in the battle, but at the same time, it did not look like he had stayed with Lian and the others either.
"Ah... well... He was unconscious. On Iseul’s back."
"...Well, he is still a child after all."
For a dragon, Lingxiao was surprisingly timid.
...
At first, it was only a small sense of unease.
After everything settled down and everyone returned safely to their normal lives, Qiong Xing began preparing a meal for the children who were already complaining that they were hungry.
Then his hand trembled.
"Ah."
As he tried to carry a pot filled with water, it slipped from his grasp and spilled across the floor.
Qiong Xing sighed as he looked at the spreading puddle.
The crash had apparently been quite loud.
Albe and the others hurried into the room to see what had happened and Qiong Xing immediately apologized.
"Sorry, my hand slipped a little. I’ll clean it up right away... Cari?"
He was about to tell them not to worry and go back to playing with the younger children when he noticed Cari stepping forward.
Qiong Xing tilted his head in confusion, wondered if the boy intended to help wipe up the mess.
Just as he was about to tell him not to bother, the water pooled across the floor suddenly rose into the air.
Qiong Xing could only stare in stunned silence, his mouth hanging open.
"I’ll throw it away."
"Huh? Ah, thank you, Cari."
It was the first time Qiong Xing had seen something like that and he found himself thinking that it was quite an ingenious use of magic.
"Are you hurt? Did you bump into anything?"
Albe who is still worried immediately asked if he had been injured.
When Qiong Xing assured him that he was fine, Albe visibly relaxed and moved to help with preparing the meal.
"Albe? Um, I’ll do it myself, so why don’t you go play with Lian and the others..."
"Alright, alright, playtime’s over. It’s time to make dinner. Come on, everyone, help out."
"Okay!"
"I wanna keep playing."
"I wanna play more."
"Rawr~ Rawr~!"
Lian obediently began helping, while Yue and the others puffed out their cheeks, clearly unhappy that playtime was ending.
Qiong Xing was about to tell them they could go back to playing if they wanted when...
"If you don’t help, then no dinner. I’ll eat Yue and the others’ portions myself."
"N-No!"
The children immediately shook their heads.
Not wanting that to happen, they hurried over and joined Albe in helping with dinner.
Before Qiong Xing even understood what was happening, the matter had already been settled.
Still, he decided it would be faster with everyone’s help than trying to do everything alone.
From that day onward, Albe and the others almost always helped whenever it was time to prepare meals.
