Dragon Ball: Reborn as King Cold

With a faux-sorrowful expression, I let out a sigh, turning my gaze toward Vegeta, who stood not far off.

"This was for the good of us all."

My voice was calm, almost weary, as though I had simply carried out a necessary but regrettable duty.

I glanced back at Paragus' lifeless body, feeling no emotion. Then, with a final look at Vegeta, I added, my words clear and cutting.

"Now I can leave. We won't be seeing each other anytime soon."

But in my mind, the thought echoed.

'Because for most of you, you won't be around much longer.'

Vegeta didn't say a word but the relief was evident in the way his shoulders relaxed, the tension that had gripped him slowly ebbing away. He didn't need to speak, his silence spoke volumes.

Perhaps he had expected something worse, or maybe he understood the necessity of my actions. After all for him, Paragus had been a potential threat, and without him, the future of his people would be more secure.

I offered no further words. Instead, I turned and began my slow walk toward the exit. My footsteps echoed in the silent throne room as I passed by the still form of Paragus, leaving him behind like a forgotten pawn.

Once outside I climbed aboard my personal vessel, the cold metal of the ship's hull almost comforting in its familiarity. The engines hummed to life as I settled into the command seat, fingers grazing over the controls with ease.

The planet below me grew smaller, shrinking as I ascended and didn't look back.

The stars stretched out before me like an endless sea, and I punched in the coordinates. My mission on this planet was complete, but the greater task still awaited.

I was already planning my next move, and as my vessel shot into the vastness of space, I couldn't help but feel a slight thrill.

For now, the galaxy would remain just as it had been, but change was coming. And I would be at the center of it.

As my ship cut through the vast emptiness of space, I couldn't help but reflect on the vast array of possibilities before me. So many things to do, so many paths to follow, and yet, the decisions would not be made in haste.

The first thought that crossed my mind was training.

As a Frost Demon, our natural power was enough. We didn't need to train in the traditional sense. Our abilities were inherent, refined through years of instinctual growth rather than disciplined effort. My own memories as King Cold reflected this mindset. We didn't train because we didn't have to. Our power was built into us, our strength, our dominance, were simply a part of our essence.

But now, with my perspective, I could feel the potential inside me, waiting to be unleashed. The raw, untapped power of my true form, my final form was waiting for me to embrace it fully. This form represented the pinnacle of my power for the moment.

But there was another temptation, I could go to Earth. I could use the Dragon Balls to gain whatever I desired. The very thought sent a shiver of excitement down my spine. But would I be too hasty? Would it be smarter to wait, to prepare before making such a move?

The more I thought about it, the more I realized that there were many paths I could take, each with its own risks and rewards.

I made my decision. For now, I would return to Planet Cold, the homeworld of my species, the place where I had first awakened in the body of King Cold.

The journey through space was uneventful, just the hum of my vessel cutting through the quiet void. Planet Cold soon loomed in the distance, its frozen surface shimmering with a cold, almost unforgiving beauty.

As my ship touched down on the frozen surface. Some Frost Demons, were gathering at the landing site.

The moment the ship's hatch opened, I was greeted by the cold air of my planet, but the chill didn't bother me. As I stepped out, the subjects bowed their heads in respect. There were no grand ceremonies, no overwhelming fanfare, just the way things were on Planet Cold. The Frost Demons were a proud people, but they knew their place, and their place was to serve.

"Welcome back, King Cold" one of them spoke up, his voice reverberating slightly. There was a mix of reverence and a tinge of wariness in his tone.

"I'm heading to my palace. Ensure that a dinner is prepared for me upon my arrival." I responded to the guards.

As expected, they obeyed without question, immediately relaying my orders. I continued my path toward my palace.

By the time I arrived, the preparations had already been completed. 

The banquet was unlike what most species would expect. There were no roasted meats, no vibrant fruits or vegetables, our biology had no need for such things. Instead, the meal reflected the ancient and unique dietary customs of the Frost Demon race.

At the heart of the table was a selection of pure mineral platters, glistening like polished gemstones. Refined crystalline formations, deep blue, violet, and silver, had been carefully arranged on obsidian trays. These minerals, extracted from the planet's frozen depths, were rich in the necessary energy that sustained our kind.

Alongside them were containers filled with carbonic gas-based components, a delicacy that only our species could consume. These gaseous compounds, harvested from distant planetary atmospheres, were stored in transparent spheres, their contents swirling and bubbling within, waiting to be inhaled and absorbed into our systems.

To accompany the meal, an assortment of alcoholic infusions had been prepared. Frost Demons held a particular fondness for alcohol, though ours was far stronger than what most mortal species could handle. The drinks were stored in tall, frost-covered chalices, containing a translucent liquid with a faint luminescent glow. Each sip sent a chilling yet invigorating sensation through the body, a sensation that only enhanced the sharpness of the mind rather than dulling it.

Honestly, the meal wasn't bad, actually, it was quite good, I had to admit. The minerals had a satisfying crunch, and the alcohol was pleasantly strong it was everything a Frost Demon would consider a proper feast.

And yet…

I couldn't help but compare it to the meals of my past life. Human food, now that was something else entirely. The variety, the textures, the flavors, the sheer artistry behind certain dishes was on a different level. The food of my species, for all its efficiency and refinement, lacked a little bit.

Taking another sip of the glacial water, I leaned back in my seat, staring at the grand, icy dining hall around me.

Even though I was King Cold now, with all the power and status that came with it… some things from my old life still lingered.

I smirked to myself.

Not far from me stood the servant who had guided me on my first day in this body. She remained silent and composed, her posture straight, her expression unreadable, as was typical of our species. 

Between bites of crystalline minerals, I glanced in her direction and casually asked,

"How long have you been serving me?"

For a brief moment, she seemed taken aback by the question, as if she hadn't expected me to care about such a detail. But she quickly regained her composure, lowering her head slightly in respect before responding.

"It has been a little over a hundred years, my king."

A century. Of course, for our species, that wasn't much. Frost Demons could live for thousands of years if not killed, and time flowed differently for us than it did for most races.

I placed my drink down and looked at her with a bit more interest.