Chapter 200: The Pregnant Firebird (10)

Chapter 200: 200: The Pregnant Firebird (10)

Cedric whispered, "She is giving the egg her remaining power."

Lucard watched the red light move from the Crimson Sunwing’s beak into the egg. The golden patterns across the shell became brighter, and a gentle wave of fire mana spread through the surrounding air.

However, something about the process made him frown.

The mother was transferring energy into the shell, but very little of it was entering the creature inside. Most of the power remained around the egg, forming a protective layer.

Why is she protecting the shell instead of feeding the life inside?

Lucard waited until the transfer ended before stepping forward.

The Crimson Sunwing lifted its head again. Its golden eyes moved toward Lucard, then toward the egg.

He understood what it wanted.

Lucard approached the egg and placed one hand against its shell. The surface was extremely warm, but his Bloodfire resistance allowed him to touch it without discomfort.

He carefully extended his blood-sense through the shell.

A faint heartbeat answered him.

Then another.

Lucard concentrated harder.

His blood-sense passed through the fire mana surrounding the egg and reached the small creature inside.

What he discovered made his expression change.

The creature was alive, but its life force was extremely weak. The energy inside its body was barely enough to maintain its heartbeat. Several parts of its developing body had not finished forming, and the fire mana that should have supported its growth was almost completely exhausted.

Lucard immediately understood the problem.

The egg was not ready to be laid.

A Crimson Sunwing normally carried its egg until it had absorbed enough energy from the mother. Only then would the egg be laid in a suitable environment, where rich fire mana could support its final development.

But this egg had been forced out too early.

The mother had been badly injured, and the violent impact against her belly had also damaged the flow of energy to the egg.

Although its shell had survived, the creature inside had not received enough energy to develop properly.

Lucard examined the faint life force again.

This is worse than I expected.

He withdrew his blood-sense and looked toward the dying bird.

Elowen immediately noticed his expression.

"Lucard? What happened?"

"The egg is alive," he answered.

Elowen smiled with relief, but her happiness disappeared when Lucard continued.

"However, it is very weak. The creature inside has not finished developing, and it does not have enough energy to survive on its own."

Cedric approached the egg and examined the glowing patterns.

"But the mother just gave it her remaining power. Should that not be enough?"

Lucard shook his head.

"That energy is protecting the egg, not completing its development. The mother knows the creature inside is too weak. She has used her remaining power to create a protective layer around the shell and slow the loss of its life force."

Elowen looked worried.

"Then the baby will be safe as long as that energy remains?"

"Temporarily."

"How long?"

"I cannot tell without examining it further. The protective energy will weaken with time, and the life force inside is already fading. Once the remaining energy is exhausted, the creature will die."

Elowen’s face became pale.

"Then what should we do?"

Lucard looked at the egg again.

It was a rare creature with the bloodline of a Seventh Rank Crimson Sunwing. If it had developed normally, hatching would not have been particularly difficult in a region with rich fire mana.

But its present condition was completely different.

Ordinary fire stones or a small amount of fire mana would not be enough. The creature needed a large amount of high-quality energy to strengthen its life force and finish developing.

"We need to find something powerful enough to nourish it," Lucard said. "Preferably a high-grade fire treasure or a place where extremely pure fire mana gathers. Otherwise, there is no chance of hatching it."

Cedric rubbed his chin.

"A fire treasure strong enough to support the development of a Seventh Rank beast egg? Do you know how expensive something like that would be?"

"Yes."

"We could probably buy an entire town with that much money."

"Then find a cheaper town."

Cedric stared at him.

Elowen would normally have laughed at their exchange, but she was too worried about the egg.

"Can we use fire magic to help it?"

Lucard looked at her.

"You are a light mage."

"I know. I meant your Bloodfire."

Lucard considered the suggestion.

His Bloodfire was powerful for his current rank, and its unusual properties might be useful. However, his current fire power was still far below the quality of energy required by a Seventh Rank fire beast.

"It might help maintain the temperature around the shell, but I cannot promise it will strengthen the creature inside. Using the wrong kind of fire energy might even damage it."

Cedric nodded.

"He is right. Beast eggs are very sensitive to the type of mana they absorb. Especially high-rank eggs. Feeding them the wrong energy can destroy their bloodline before they hatch."

Elowen lowered her head.

"Then we have to find the right energy."

Lucard looked at her.

"We?"

"Yes. We accepted the egg, did we not?"

"I accepted it. You two forced me."

Cedric smiled. "That sounds about right."

Elowen ignored their comments and gently placed her hand beside Lucard’s on the warm shell.

"Do not worry. We will find something to help you."

Lucard looked at her hand.

Then he looked at the egg.

She is making promises to something that has not even hatched.

He wanted to tell her that promises were meaningless without the strength to fulfill them.

However, he stopped himself.

There was no reason to argue about it now.

The Crimson Sunwing suddenly released a weak cry.

"Kreee..."

All three turned toward the enormous bird.

Its golden eyes were fixed on Lucard.

He understood what it wanted.

The mother was waiting to see whether he would accept responsibility for the egg.

Lucard looked at the creature for a long moment.

Then he spoke.

"I have examined your egg. Its condition is worse than I expected."