Desolate World

Looking at the trust that Geo had shown, Ace's ego as a father was challenged. While patting his son's hair, he thought hard. He then looked at the parasite that became more honest after it had gotten Mars's assurance. Then a thought appeared in his mind. 

He then said, "Hey, parasite. As you tried to provoke us to kill the snake. It means you can live outside of the snake, right?"

Ace thought it would act stubborn again. But, to his surprise, he answered, "Yes. But I need a new monster to be my host. And it is impossible for me to get out of its body, it is just impossible. Except if you want to kill it."

Ace then nodded. He then looked at Mars.

"Boss, do you have something to confine a small monster?" Ace asked.

Mars showed his interest, but he then shook his head. He said, "Unfortunately, no."

As Ace wanted to think of another means, he heard Mars, saying, "But maybe I can make it."

"Huh?" Ace was confused.

Mars didn't answer his question. Additionally, he even asked, "How big do you need?" 

"Uh… Okay, just big enough to contain a little monster like a mouse or rabbit," Ace said. Ace was curious about how the dragon would make it.

Then he saw Mars take a big cage that was made from iron. With its size, it could contain the snake.

"Is this?" Ace said.

"I got it from one of the crystal loot of the skeletons," Mars said.

Then the parasite asked in a panic, "What will you do? You said that you will not harm me.

Mars then grinned. He said, "I only said that I want to know more about your species. I just want you to be alive."

"You, damn lizard. You can't be trusted!" The parasite cursed.

But, Mars ignored it. He then asked Ace, "What is your plan?"

"It's simple actually. I want Geo to make the snake his pet. Then he should be able to enter it into his ring. As the parasite is an intelligent race, it can't enter it. So, they will be separated by the law of the world," Ace said.

"Hmm… I think it is a plausible means. But, don't you think it is too speculative? What if it can not become your son's pet? What if it can't enter the ring?" Mars asked.

"We don't know if we don't try it, right?" Ace said.

"Then, ask your son to make it his pet, first. I don't want to waste my time by making something that will be useless," Mars ordered.

"You have heard what the boss said. You can make it your pet, right?" Ace asked Geo.

Geo was stunned for a second. He then nodded. After that, he seemed to communicate with the snake.

"No, you are not allowed to be his pet. You hear me, stupid snake?" The parasite said.

"Done! He is my pet now," Geo then said.

"You damned kid. I promise to kill you!" Then the parasite yelled.

It seemed Geo had succeeded. He then found it was true by looking at the snake's information.

He then saw Mars nodded. He said, "Then, it's worth trying. By the way, What if we see it first, if he can live without a host or not? That will be more interesting."

"Y-you! You are so cruel. You damned ugly lizard," The parasite said.

Hearing it, Mars seemed to be more determined to experiment with it. Ace also didn't pity it, its mouth was too nasty.

"Kid, try to enter it into your ring. Don't worry if he somehow could escape. I will catch it. If he really couldn't live outside, we can find a little mouse to be its host," Mars added.

Then the 12 meters long snake with a pair of wings and a tail like fish disappeared from all people's sight. From the place it had disappeared, a little bug was floating for several seconds. Then as if he had realized its circumstances, he tried to fly away. 

But How can Ace let it escape? He then dashed and caught it with his hand. He then took a red potion and poured its content to the ground and entered the bug into the bottle. 

However, he didn't have a way to close the bottle's mouth. If he used its original wooden plug, he was afraid it would run off its breath.

"Did you catch it?" Mars asked.

"Yes, however, I'm confused about how to close the bottle mouth," Ace said honestly.

"Give it to me!" Mars order. 

Ace then gave the bottle to Mars. He then looked at its content with a teasing smile, "Now, what can you do, bug? But, don't worry, I will find a perfect host for you. In the meantime, just take a rest."

Mars then took the bottle under his nose. And a red fire covered the bottle's neck. He then manipulated the soft glass to close the open hole. On his other hand, a thin knife appeared. Then he sliced the soft glass to make ventilation on it.

"Done! You can breathe now. Any other requests?" Mars asked.

"You damned lizard, I'm almost burned to death because of you. You, sadist!" The bug said.

"It seems you are fine for the time being," Mars then put the bottle into a cloth bag that was used to put money coins inside it in the medieval era. He then put the bag into his pocket.

"How is the snake?" Mars then asked.

Geo then said, "It is recovering in the ring. It is too tired, so maybe it needs a few days to recover. By the way, thank you, Uncle Mars."

"Hahaha… It feels good to be called uncle Mars. After we come back. Tell other children to call me uncle too, alright?" Mars said.

"Emm," Geo nodded.

Ace smiled while looking at the two's interaction. He felt Mars was not too intimidating, anymore.

"Oh, I almost forgot it. I Promise to give a present to you right? You are already strong with all of your pets. And after getting the snake, I think you are so much stronger than most adults that I knew. I don't know if it is alright to give you this thing," Mars said. 

He then looked at Geo with a thoughtful gaze.

***