Chapter 278: Dragon Egg’s Future

That explanation made sense. If that was how dragon eggs naturally developed, then their behavior was understandable. Even so, it did not change the fact that they were dangerous.

Qiu Nuoya now understood that the egg itself posed a threat to humans. However, that did not make Long’s idea of submerging it in the mana pool any less dangerous. Qiu Nuoya had no idea how to handle the situation. He could not simply allow Long to go ahead with his plan, but he could not even approach the egg without risking his own magical energy and skills being stolen.

Besides, Long himself had complained about struggling with a lack of magical energy while he was still an egg. Yet even so, he had grown powerful enough to defeat a Imoogi with a single blow.

If the egg absorbed the abundant magical energy in the mana pool, who knew what kind of overwhelmingly powerful dragon might emerge from it?

Wouldn’t that create an entirely different problem?

"Is it really safe for Long to hold the egg like that?"

[ Why would my own child put its parent, who is protecting it, in danger? It is still draining my magical energy, but it is doing so in moderation. ]

Long looked perfectly fine, but the egg was still draining his magical energy... Qiu Nuoya had no idea how much magical energy a dragon possessed. However, dragons were often described as the kings of monsters, so perhaps having a little of his magic drained by his own child was no big deal for him.

Long gently returned the egg, his own child, to its pedestal.

Judging from his behavior, at least, it was clear that he was not neglecting the egg...

"Long, if you take the little one to the mana pool, will you really be able to protect it? The magical energy there is incredibly powerful, and people say it can rob monsters of their sense of self, you know?"

At Qiu Nuoya’s question, Long gave a thoughtful nod.

[ Hmm. I just remembered something. ]

"Remembered what?"

[ Places overflowing with abundant magical energy are called dragon veins, and the places where those veins originate are known as dragon’s lairs. Apparently, long ago, dragons used to live in groups in lands where these dragon veins ran. But at some point, humans took those lands away from us and drove us out. Dragons have long lifespans, yet my grandfather told me that the dragons born after our clan was driven from those lands were weaker and shorter lived than the dragons of his generation. Could it be that what humans call a mana pool is actually one of those dragon’s lairs? ]

!?

[ If my theory is correct, then what I am trying to do is the right thing. ]

"Well, that’s..."

Qiu Nuoya struggled to decide whether he should tell Long that he was stretching the argument a little too far.

After all, Long might actually be right. It was entirely possible that immersing the egg in the mana pool was the correct thing to do, and that Qiu Nuoya was mistaken to think it was dangerous.

This was only Qiu Nuoya’s own point of view. He could not simply dismiss Long’s theory as wrong without knowing for certain.

[ Besides, this child is mine, and it has nothing to do with you, Master. You’re worrying far too much about something that isn’t your concern. ]

Whaaaat!? He was really going to say that!?

Sure, at the moment, Qiu Nuoya was basically like a nosy neighbor worrying excessively about someone else’s child. But children were precious treasures! No matter whose child it was, wasn’t it only natural to worry about them?

After all, children couldn’t choose their parents. If a child was being put in danger, then someone had to speak up, even if it meant arguing with the child’s own parents!

"Fine. I won’t say anything more about your child. But our temporary tamed monster contract remains in effect, and you’re coming with us to the mana pool. And if I decide that something is too dangerous, you have to listen to what I say, Long!"

[ I may be your tamed monster, Master, but I am not your servant. ]

"If you keep being so selfish, I’ll never give you alcohol again!"

Long hurriedly protested, clearly alarmed by the prospect of losing his precious drink.

[ All right, all right! Just give me the alcohol! If you want, I’ll even give you some more scales in exchange! ]

He had stubbornly refused to listen no matter how much Qiu Nuoya tried to persuade him, yet the mere mention of alcohol had brought him around.

In a way, Long was surprisingly easy to handle. At the same time, though, Qiu Nuoya couldn’t help worrying about him.

"You don’t need to give away your scales so cheaply. Right now, the most important thing is keeping that egg safe. You’re going to be a father, Long, so make sure you protect your child properly."

Long insisted that protecting his child was only natural, but Qiu Nuoya couldn’t help worrying when he watched him. It was just how things were.

"Don’t forget that I’m the mother, too, you know."

Shangguan Wan’er cut in with a slightly sulky expression.

So this was the papa, and that was the mama.

No, Qiu Nuoya knew perfectly well that both of them were reliable in their own ways! He really did!

Still, wasn’t it understandable that he couldn’t help feeling a little anxious about this child’s future?

...

"I’m exhausted..."

"Thank you for your hard work."

After spending ages discussing things with a group of rather strong willed individuals, they had finally decided to proceed with their expedition to the mana pool. Canceling the expedition had never really been an option, but reaching an agreement on the details had taken far more effort than Qiu Nuoya had expected.

The moment he returned to the room he had been given, he flopped face first onto his bed.

"Even though you took a magical recovery potion, the egg drained so much of your magical energy that you collapsed. You should get some rest early today."