Chapter 95 - The Cycle of Life
It seemed some kind of unavoidable situation was unfolding, as the announcer had begun reporting with intense momentum.
Did they breathe fire again? As I was reflecting on the events of the other day,
"Father!"
Angelica raised her voice.
"What is it?"
"This. Please, just look at it for now."
"...Is someone about to die?"
I turned off the stove for a moment and returned to the living room.
When I turned my eyes toward the television, the camera was zoomed in on two dragons occupying the rooftop of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building as if it were their own.
Two.
Yes, their numbers are increasing.
And that wasn't all.
The larger one was mounted on the back of the smaller one, creating a composition similar to a dog mounting.
"To my eyes, it looks like mating."
"It looks that way to me, too."
Angelica was staring intently at the dragon pair.
"As I thought, these two are likely a father and daughter. Since they're making babies and all."
"Normally, they'd just be a married couple..."
Setting humans aside, no one would get excited just by being shown the copulation of animals.
All there was was awkwardness and a sense of awe at how incredible living creatures are.
"...Father."
"What?"
"What do dragons do after they mate?"
"Nest building. They should be starting to create a place for the female to lay eggs."
"I thought so... And, once that's done..."
—The male moves to secure food to ensure the female can gain nutrition.
"...There aren't many creatures that can fill a dragon's stomach."
Much less, the place where they built their nest is Tokyo.
What kind of actions will the dragons take when they cannot find large wild animals in the vicinity?
They will probably attack zoos, farms, or racetracks.
And once they have finished eating through all the prey there, it will be the humans' turn to be targeted.
"That means there isn't much time left."
Just when I thought the goblin extermination was over, now it's dragon hunting.
This is hardly different from the Otherworld era.
As usual, the Hero is very busy.
Once I finish breakfast, should I head straight to the Metropolitan Government Building, and then go see how Philia is doing?
...No, Philia is the priority. Take off her diaper, quickly wash her lower body, and feed her breakfast.
It won't take even two hours, and I want to believe I have at least that much leeway.
The dragons come after that.
Lately, I've been hunting monsters without rest and without pay.
I feel like it wouldn't be so bad if I were a little late sometimes.
I'm starting to get tired of hunting monsters all by myself.
If we had the power of modern civilization, we might be able to repel a monster or two on our own.
While I was placing such expectations on the goodwill and inner strength of society, the dragon on the screen soared up leisurely.
They must have gone to look for timber to use as nesting material.
Unlike cute little birds, they pull up trees decades old by their roots, so it looks like another commotion is about to occur.
"Building a new home as a newlywed couple, huh. They're really flaunting it."
Basically, I'm the type of person who only feels warmth when seeing couples.
But this time, I was filled with the urge to tell them to consider their location.
By the time we arrived at the hotel, it was approaching nine-thirty in the morning.
Philia might still be sleeping.
"It's been a while since I've spoken directly with the High Priest."
Angelica was repeatedly taking deep breaths.
She must be nervous. Sweat was even beading on her face.
Though, the sweat might just be because she's feeling hot.
Since the temperature in Japan is higher compared to the Otherworld, it doesn't seem to feel like winter to Angelica.
Incidentally, due to such circumstances, she has a tendency to want to dress very lightly.
Today's outfit for Angelica was a knit sweater on top and knee-length culotte skirts on the bottom.
It's a coordination that would pass for autumn wear for a Japanese girl.
"The person inside has become someone else, so you shouldn't expect any small talk."
Saying that, I passed through the automatic doors.
Walking right beside me, Ayako-chan was walking with her head down.
Unlike Angelica, she was raised in Japan through and through and suffered from poor circulation.
A thick high-neck ribbed sweater... a so-called vertical sweater, with a coat thrown over it, and her lower half was heavily guarded by a long flared skirt.
If she's always dressed like this, then of course she won't get sunburnt, I thought, as I pictured her snow-white skin after a bath.
Skin like an unripened white peach, tinged with a faint vermilion.
If I were questioned as to why such a vivid image of Ayako-chan's skin came to mind, I would have no choice but to be arrested.
It's not that I intend to look, but when you live under the same roof, you inevitably encounter such situations.
To be honest, I wish she'd stop wandering around in just a single bath towel.
Is she doing it on purpose? When I asked her once, she asserted "Yes."
What exactly am I expected to do...?
"Nakamoto-san."
"Eh, I'm not imagining what's under Ayako-chan's sweater though...?"
"Please do imagine it. Since I am guiding things in that direction, it is my desire as well. More importantly, regarding the dragon commotion, it seems there has been progress."
"You just said 'guiding,' didn't you?"
Without answering my question at all, Ayako-chan thrust her smartphone screen toward me.
It was a news site.
The headline was concise, but it used impactful phrasing.
Dragons, laying eggs