Arfrotian chuckled, watching Ice Phoenix blush deep red over something so simple yet so intimate. He couldn't help but find her reactions adorable, but as his laughter faded, he felt an unusual sensation on his forehead. A strange warmth spread across it, followed by an overwhelming surge of power. Confused, he instinctively reached up, pressing his fingers against his forehead.

  “Huh? Is there something on my forehead?” he muttered, feeling an unfamiliar yet profound energy resonating through him. It was unlike anything he had ever felt before—as if he could sense the entire Icy Omniverse breathing through him. The essence of the realm pulsed within the mark, like a celestial crown bestowed upon him.

  Ice Phoenix watched his confusion unfold, unable to contain her amusement. She giggled, her radiant icy blue eyes shimmering with mirth.

  “Guess for a strategist like you, even you have problems figuring out something this simple, huh?” she teased, tilting her head with a smirk.

  Arfrotian blinked, suddenly putting the pieces together. His expression shifted as realization dawned upon him.

  “Wait… don’t tell me… I kind of became this omniverse’s sovereign, didn’t I?”

  Ice Phoenix outright laughed at that, shaking her head at his casual phrasing.

  “Silly, you’re not kind of this omniverse’s sovereign.” She leaned in closer, a proud and almost reverent smile gracing her lips. “You ARE the Sovereign now.”

  Arfrotian remained silent, his gaze darkening with thought. Him, the Sovereign of the Icy Omniverse? It wasn’t something that should have been possible—merely wielding the Eternal Frostheart wouldn’t grant him such authority.

  ‘Then that means…’ His mind flickered to Eterna. Even if it was just a fragment of her power sealed within this Eternal Frostheart, it was still her and her acceptance of him must have played a significant role in this transformation.

  His thoughts trailed back to the teasing encounter he’d had with her in that Dream world, remembering her playful yet cryptic words. He needed to find her real body soon! The calamity on the horizon was no joke, and the pieces of the grand puzzle were starting to align in his mind.

  Ice Phoenix noticed his far-off expression and playfully shook him by the shoulders.

  “What’s the matter? Can’t believe it?” she asked, bringing him back to the present.

  Arfrotian laughed lightly. “No, just taking a moment to process everything.”

  He clenched his fist, suddenly feeling something else stir within him. A resonance. A connection. His ice—his very essence—felt like it had evolved, refined into something far more powerful than before.

  “Huh? Who would’ve thought a simple practice session would have been this beneficial to me?” he mused aloud.

  Ice Phoenix sighed in exasperation, shaking her head with a knowing smile.

  “Guess you’re still the same old Arfrotian, huh?” she teased.

  But then something caught Arfrotian’s eye—the Eternal Frostheart. The divine spear lay on the ground, motionless, its radiant blue crystal pulsing faintly.

  A thought crossed his mind, a simple yet powerful instinct guiding his next move.

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  He extended his hand, palm open, and called out.

  “Come to me, Frostheart!”

  The moment the words left his lips, the divine spear responded.

  The blue crystal embedded within it gleamed brilliantly, as if it had awakened after an eternity of slumber. Its body emitted a magnificent white and blue radiance, the sheer purity of it enough to make the entire temple tremble slightly.

  Both Ice Phoenix and Zenian watched in sheer astonishment.

  For the first time in history, the Eternal Frostheart had truly come to life.

  Zenian, still trapped in his frozen state, felt a wave of sheer disbelief wash over him.

  ‘No… this isn’t possible!’

  The spear lifted into the air, floating horizontally before rapidly spinning, pulsing with divine resonance. It was drawn toward Arfrotian with an undeniable force, like metal being pulled to a magnet.

  Arfrotian remained unfazed as the weapon surged toward him. He merely raised his hand, and the Eternal Frostheart landed perfectly in his grasp.

  The moment his fingers wrapped around its shaft, a shockwave of white and blue energy burst outward, filling the temple with an overwhelming sense of majesty. The spear recognized him.

  Accepted him.

  It had found its true master.

  Arfrotian gave it a few experimental swings, feeling the absolute harmony between him and the weapon.

  Then, in an unexpected move, he turned and handed it over to Ice Phoenix.

  She stared at him in absolute shock. Her hands trembled as she hesitantly reached for the spear, her heart pounding in disbelief.

  “Why… why are you giving this to me?” she asked, her voice laced with confusion.

  Arfrotian smiled.

  “Huh? Isn’t it your duty to protect the Eternal Frostheart? And wasn’t my promise to you to ensure its safety?” he said casually.

  Ice Phoenix clenched her jaw. Was this man serious?

  “But it was only until someone who truly deserved it came along, right?” she countered.

  Arfrotian nodded, completely aware of what she meant.

  “I know. But this is the promise I made to you. That’s the only reason,” he said, his voice unwavering.

  Ice Phoenix’s heart trembled at his words. Even after becoming the Sovereign, even after the Eternal Frostheart had chosen him, he still prioritized the promise he made to her.

  She had assumed for a moment that he was merely showing off, but the sincerity in his eyes told her otherwise.

  She held the spear tightly, her face heating up as emotions surged within her.

  “Even if you keep it, it will be safe,” she murmured. “Because… we will keep it safe together because…”

  She hesitated, realizing what she was about to say. Her face turned scarlet.

  Arfrotian smirked knowingly. He could already tell what she was about to say, but he wanted to hear it from her directly.

  “Because…?” he prompted.

  Ice Phoenix’s heart pounded in her chest. Her mind screamed at her, but she had already come this far.

  She stuttered, “Because… I… belong…” She trailed off again, her embarrassment overtaking her.

  Arfrotian, savoring the moment, leaned in slightly.

  “Yeah? Because you what?” he teased, his voice smooth as silk.

  Ice Phoenix turned even redder than before, her hands tightening around the spear.

  "Because as the rules go, I now belong to you, body, mind and soul....."

  Arfrotian even after hearing, faked, saying,

  "Huh? I didn't hear what you were saying, Ice Phoenix, do you mind repeating and please a little louder, because I might have problem with hearing"

  And then unable to control her embarrassment knowing full well, Arfrotian heard but just wanted to tease her more, she got flustered, built up her courage as she said,

  "Oh, you want to hear it louder right?" Arfrotian nodded

  Unable to hold it in any longer, she took a deep breath and shouted with all her might, her voice echoing throughout the icy temple.

  “I, ICE PHOENIX, NOW SOLELY, WHOLEHEARTEDLY, BODY, MIND, AND SOUL, BELONG TO THE NEW SOVEREIGN OF OUR ICY OMNIVERSE! I BELONG TO ARFROTIAN!!!”

  The declaration was so loud that Arfrotian winced, his ears ringing from the sheer volume.

  For a moment, there was dead silence.

  Then, he burst out laughing.

  “Oh? Is that right, my Ice Phoenix?” he mused, clearly enjoying himself.

  Ice Phoenix, still huffing from her outburst, narrowed her eyes at him.

  “Oh? Should I shout even louder, MASTER?” she threatened, her voice still breathless from yelling.

  Arfrotian laughed again, shaking his head.

  “Oh no! I got that loud and clear, my Ice Phoenix!”

  As the echoes of her voice lingered in the temple, Zenian—still frozen in place—could only watch in silent horror.

  He had lost. Completely.

  And the Icy Omniverse now had its true Sovereign.