CHAPTER 71………………………………..
And sitting there on a soft, plush velvet cushion was a perfectly round, adorable egg.
Why is the egg being treated so preciously?
And why is it the only thing being exposed to light?
No way… are they trying to hatch it?
No, no. That can’t be it.
If they were trying to hatch it, there’s no way they’d leave it in a cool place like this.
Temperature is one of the most important things.
…Then why is there an egg in a place like this?
“Is it maybe… a dragon’s egg or something?”
Not that a dragon’s egg would help save Mom anyway.
As soon as my thoughts reached that point, I turned around and started walking back out—
—or tried to, until…
Crack—
A strange, ominous sound rang out from behind me.
A shiver ran up my spine as I slowly turned my head.
And then, as if it sensed my gaze, the egg—which had been perfectly still until just moments ago—began shaking violently from side to side.
“H-Huh?”
This isn’t good.
If it shakes that hard, it’s going to fall right off the cushion…!
“Uwaah!”
Instinctively, I leapt forward and caught the falling egg with both hands.
At the same time, a crack formed across the smooth white shell, and a small hole appeared.
Starting from that hole, something inside began breaking the shell at a rapid pace.
Who knows how long I stood there watching before—
“Peep!”
The creature that broke free of the shell shook itself off.
Then it looked up at me and let out its very first cry.
I stared blankly for a moment before muttering,
“…A wren?”
I mean, it was tiny and cute.
Somehow it already had fluffy feathers even though it had just been born. A cute little wren-like bird.
“Peep?”
The tiny bird blinked up at me, then nuzzled its head into my palm.
It was adorable—too adorable—but still…
…Does this count as me choosing it?
I touched it. I picked it up.
I witnessed its hatching.
I already met it!
So that means…
I’ve been chosen!
I collapsed to the floor and wailed.
“No! My chance!”
“Peeeeep!”
A little while later, outside the vault.
Dad Kyle glanced between me and the tiny wren perched on my shoulder.
“So,” he said casually,
“You’re telling me this is all you brought back?”
There was amusement in his voice.
“Y-Yeah…”
I sniffled miserably.
I wanted to come out with something that could help save Mom.
Even if I didn’t know what that something was, I at least wanted to pick something useful for her.
I mean… sure, it IS really cute.
Fluffy, soft, warm, round, cozy.
But still…
Besides cheering Mom up, what use is this thing?!
Mom already says she’s happy just from seeing me!
Doubling the cuteness won’t delay her death!
“Hngh… hic…!”
I finally couldn’t hold it in anymore and burst into loud, ugly sobs.
This isn’t what I wanted at ALL!
“…Pfft—hahaha!”
At the same time, Dad Kyle threw his head back laughing.
“Oh dear, what a silly little thing. Poor little crybaby!”
“H-Heeeng…!”
“Look at your nostrils flaring—goodness, they might launch you into the sky!”
“Kyle!”
Mom immediately jabbed him hard in the ribs.
“Guh—!”
“That’s what you get.”
Dad Derik brushed off Kyle’s wobbling shoulder with a disapproving shake of his head.
Ignoring them, Mom knelt in front of me and spoke gently.
“My sweet girl, why are you crying?”
I rubbed my eyes and mumbled tearfully,
“I-I didn’t want… this…”
I wanted to bring out something that could protect her.
And I was so startled I didn’t even finish looking at the rest before running out…
“I’m sorry, Moooom!”
I wailed again.
Mom pulled me close and rubbed my back soothingly.
“And why, exactly, is my little Sisi apologizing to me?”
Then she pulled back a bit, tilting her head.
“Were you trying to bring something for Mom?”
“…Mm-hm.”
“But you went into the vault to get your birthday present, didn’t you? Isn’t that right?”
“Sniff… y-yeah…”
But still…
“And you know, I’m really proud of you, Sisi.”
She brushed my cheek with her fingertip as she asked,
“You didn’t even want this little baby bird, and yet you chose it anyway—even though it made you cry this much.”
“…”
“Why did you do that, Sisi?”
I sniffed again and answered slowly.
“Because… I already touched it… and I thought if I left it there alone, it might die…”
“So you put the baby bird before your own feelings.”
Mom smiled brightly.
“What a kind heart you have.”
“…sniff.”
“That’s why I think you’re so wonderful, my Sisi.”
R-Really…?
“And you also wanted to keep the promise you made with Grandfather, right? So you didn’t even look at anything except this bird?”
“Y-Yeah…”
“So kind and so responsible. I’m proud of you.”
Mom wrapped me in another hug.
“And you know… the thought itself—of wanting to help Mom—is more than enough. I’m already so happy.”
“Mooom… sniff…”
I hugged her tight, burying my face into her shoulder.
Mom is an angel.
I love you, Mom!
“But this is a bit of a problem.”
After a moment, once I had calmed down, Mom finally turned her gaze to the little bird.
“I’ve never raised a bird before. How are we supposed to take care of it…?”
Then Dad Harzen, who had been silent all this time, suddenly spoke.
“We should show this to His Majesty first.”
“To His Majesty? Why?”
To report that this was all I ended up picking?
“Well…”
Harzen Dad replied with an uncertain look.
“I do not believe this is an ordinary bird.”
Not an ordinary bird?
In Grandfather’s office—
“This is…”
Grandfather looked puzzled as well.
“You truly found this bird inside the vault?”
His reaction was almost identical to Harzen Dad’s earlier.
“Yes.”
I nodded while staring at the tiny bird sitting comfortably in my palm.
“It was an egg at first.”
A perfectly normal, perfectly round egg.
“But when I approached, it suddenly hatched.”
Saying it out loud made me feel wronged all over again.
Not that I could complain… because it’s cute.
Maybe it imprinted on me because I was the first thing it saw.
It wouldn’t leave my side.
“If it hatched from one of the eggs inside that place…”
Grandfather’s aide murmured cautiously while studying us.
Grandfather nodded firmly.
“A remarkable occurrence indeed.”
What is?
That a bird hatched in that cold room?
“That is a divine beast.”
Grandfather’s voice carried lingering astonishment.
I stared wide-eyed at the little bird in my hands.
“A… divine beast?”
This tiny wren?
A divine beast?
