## C396
The largest hall in the Sugar Cotton Castle.
That place was in chaos.
- Quick! Stop the Seventh Evil's inhabitants from entering here!
- Yes, Sir Darkbear!
The fearsome Darkbear was the busiest of them all. At that moment, he was excelling in his role as the deputy leader of the Seventh Evil.
- Light torches everywhere to prevent those bastards from the Sixth Evil's Shadow from entering the castle! Nobody can interfere with the boss's birth!
With his two enormous front paws waving all over the place, he gave the orders:
- We have to make it clear that the Seventh Evil is the most powerful among the Eight Evils!
Faced with such determination, all the mobs belonging to the Sugar Cotton Castle quickly sprang into action. They, unlike Darkbear, were not mutants and faithfully obeyed his orders. They even understood, in their own way, that Cale's group was roaming the castle.
- If you simply follow my orders, you will see new evils! You will reach the worst!
(That was what Darkbear said.)
- Hehehe.
And behind Darkbear, Clopeh Sekka let out a low chuckle. He had been in a remarkably cheerful mood for several days.
- Hehehe!
The more his laughter intensified...
- Hey, human! Who told you to act so foolishly?! You're going to ruin the birth ceremony of our boss!
Darkbear's voice rose, and the bear's back was drenched in sweat.
…….
As everyone watched, Cale discreetly rose from his seat.
- Cale-nim, there is not much time left.
At these words, Cale nodded slightly and took the egg.
The egg, motionless as if in a state of enlightenment, was warm as ever.
- You must return on time.
- Yes.
He responded with a slight wave of his hand to Clopeh Sekka's request and set off.
…….
Neither Cale nor the egg uttered a word.
- We have detected spies attempting to scale the wall!
- Capture and kill them!
- Sir Darkbear, they have surpassed 120,000! Shouldn't we at least give them some warning?
- Shut up! C-Clopeh Sekka said we shouldn't say anything, or let it be noticed, and that staying silent is the coolest thing!
- Bu-but...
- We won't say anything, we'll just demonstrate! That's how legends are!
- Legends??
- Do you know what a Legend is? Have you studied legends day and night for three days like I have? You idiots, just do as I say!
- Yes, understood!
Without paying attention to that noisy conversation, Cale headed towards a quiet place, taking Eden Miru with him.
Choi Han, Rosalyn, Eruhaben, etc.
The companions were not present; all were waiting inside and outside the Sugar Cotton Castle, each fulfilling their role in the birth ceremony.
<No Entry>
Before turning the corner of the hallway, Cale chuckled at the sign placed by Darkbear. The hallway he was going to walk through had become a no-entry zone at some point. The reason was obvious.
(Heavy footsteps.)
He passed by the sign and, with light steps, turned the corner.
- Human!
- I was waiting for you!
- Come quickly!
Some children, about 10 years old on average, greeted him.
- Eden Miru!
- Today, at last, the youngest will be born!
- Although it seems like he won't be the smallest.
They gave Eden Miru a grand welcome. And then...
- Miss Sheritt.
Cale walked towards Sheritt, who was looking at him from Apitoyu (beyond the portal, and not from New World).
Dragon Lord Neo. A portal leading to the New World, created in the exclusive underground; when the entrance door of the Black Castle was opened, the portal immediately appeared before their eyes, as close as to touch it.
- You've arrived.
In front of the entrance, Sheritt stopped and greeted Cale.
- Human! Give me Eden Miru!
Raon, who had received the egg from Cale, placed the egg on a fluffy cushion right in front of the portal.
…….
Sheritt's gaze did not detach from the egg.
- Hehehe!
- I'm excited!
- It's almost here.
Hong, Raon and others crowded around the cushion.
…….
Neither Sheritt nor Eden Miru showed any reaction.
Cale looked around. In front of the portal there were about 10 video conferencing terminals, all showing different places in the Sugar Cotton Castle in real time. It was a courtesy gesture prepared by Eruhaben, so that Sheritt, who otherwise would not be able to see the birth ceremony of Eden Miru in its entirety, could do so. From there, she could at least witness the birth with her own eyes.
At that moment, Sheritt's and Cale's eyes met.
- Miss Sheritt.
- Yes?
- Couldn't he be born right here?
Once Cale immediately verified that the progress had surpassed 100%, he thought it might be better for Eden Miru to be born next to Sheritt.
Although, honestly, the mission is also important.
The birth.
Thinking about that word, anyway, being right next to Sheritt would be ideal. If even Raon Miru were there, for Eden Miru that birth would mean the maximum boost.
- No.
But Sheritt was firm.
- We will proceed as planned.
It was a surprisingly cold response.
…….
Eden Miru remained motionless on the fluffy cushion, showing no reaction.
Cale, looking alternately at the egg and Sheritt, finally spoke in an indifferent voice:
- Then, explain the reason, please.
- Huh?
Seeing Sheritt perplexed, Cale looked back at the egg.
*Dragon Half-Blood, you damn thing!*
He still behaves cautiously in front of Sheritt; in fact, he freezes in her presence. He had never made a noise in front of her; he simply stayed still. Perhaps because he found it comfortable, but...
Cale thought that perhaps that Dragon Half-Blood still felt guilty towards Sheritt. Therefore, she had to explain it: why doesn't she want to witness Eden Miru's birth up close?
- Why did you let Clopeh Sekka get so out of control?
At Cale's indifferent question, Sheritt remained silent for a moment. Raon, On and Hong discreetly closed their mouths and looked at her.
…….
The egg remained calm.
…….
…….
Then, Cale and Sheritt stared at each other in silence.
*Stop getting so nervous.*
Cale, with that thought, looked at her. Sheritt, with her youthful appearance, frowned and her freckles seemed to come alive.
- Puf!
She sighed.
At that moment...
Ding–
A small alarm sounded.
It was the signal that the birth ceremony would begin soon.
[Hatching rate 99.98% (Time remaining: 0:15)]
[Birth ceremony progress: 197%]
[Reward level: undetermined]
There were 15 minutes left until the birth.
- We have to go...
As On said, now Eden Miru and Cale must leave. Raon, Hong and On too.
- Yes. We must go.
Cale took Eden Miru's egg again and said goodbye to Sheritt.
- I'll be back.
Then he turned around without hesitation.
Raon and Hong looked at him, as if doubting his departure, but Cale's impassive face showed nothing. The same happened with Sheritt, who simply stood still.
- I'm leaving too…!
- Well. For now, I'm leaving.
Finally, Raon and Hong said goodbye to Sheritt, but she didn't look at them; her gaze discreetly went towards the egg sticking out from the side of Cale, who had left.
- Eden Miru.
Cale stopped short, as Sheritt had called Eden Miru.
…….
The egg showed no reaction.
Sheritt did not reveal any emotion on her face.
In those moments, despite her childish appearance, her maturity was noticeable.
- You...
At that moment, Cale could see the one who had come to pick him and Eden Miru up. It was the ex-Pope and Dragon Half-Blood Casillia.
-……!
She stopped when she saw Cale raise his hand, indicating that she should stop. At that moment, the words Sheritt addressed to Eden Miru reached everyone's ears, spoken in a voice so indifferent that it seemed to contain no feeling:
- Eden Miru, you have the right to be born receiving the blessings of many.
Cale, turning his gaze away from Dragon Half-Blood Casillia - whose face showed complicated emotions - looked back at Eden Miru and the egg. Faced with the egg, which showed no reaction, Cale turned around; there, Sheritt was staring at him, her gaze always fixed on Eden Miru.
…….
After hesitating and remaining silent for a moment, she spoke again:
- I built a castle for my children.
*Mmm.*
Cale understood that she had hesitated because of stories from the past.
Dragon Half-Blood, Sheritt, Raon... for the three of them, the past was something as painful as a curse that they preferred not to touch. But, unlike her hesitation, Sheritt's voice was serene:
- I prepared everything so that those children could grow up without lacking anything; I built a castle for my children, decorated it, and even created my own existence. However...
- But there was one thing I regretted.
Sheritt raised her head and looked at the ceiling. Despite having prepared everything, the thought that they would be born in that silent and desolate castle filled her with regret. Because she herself, this body, was not a truly living life. In the end, there would be no living creature to receive her children; the children would have to be born in solitude.
- That's why I always imagined it.
Perhaps because of that regret, I had fantasies, or rather, longings: I thought that, what better than for my children to be born amidst cheers, joy and blessings?
Even so, the egg remained motionless.
Sheritt couldn't see Eden Miru; she simply spoke:
- I am the great Dragon Lord. If my children have inherited my blood, I have no doubt that they will be great. And that is a fact.
Dragon Half-Blood Casillia, upon hearing the story of the ex-Lord Sheritt, reflected:
- Do dragons really give so much importance to their own greatness?
Humans and dragons... Since they have mixed, for her - who meant so much to Eden Miru's birth - dragon blood was not something great, but almost a curse.
Therefore, just when a dark tone threatened to take over Casillia's face, she continued:
- However, I did not wish to receive the blessings of many solely because of being great. Well, how great can a dragon be? There are many who have done more remarkable things than I have.
…!
Casillia's eyes filled with tears.
Then, Cale watched as Sheritt looked back towards that place.
Looking at Eden Miru, she said:
- Simply, I...
After a brief hesitation, she added:
- Because I am a mom.
Clac.
The egg moved. Eden Miru reacted.
- Therefore, I wish for my children to be loved by all.
Cale felt the egg tremble intensely; it was not out of fear, but because an uncontainable passion spread even beyond the shell. The egg got hotter and hotter.
- I wish that, as far as that birth is concerned, instead of silence and solitude, there is joy and cheers.
Sheritt sketched a small smile on her expressionless face and, addressing Eden Miru, said:
- Today I have made that wish come true.
My children have longed to be loved by all; at least in their birth, she hoped there would be joy and cheers instead of silence and solitude. And today, that wish has been fulfilled.
Everyone present understood the meaning of those words.
Clac.
The egg trembled and moved incessantly, as if the creature inside was struggling to get out.
Cale stepped forward.
Dragon Half-Blood Casillia watched that scene, absorbed.
In front of the portal, Cale extended the egg towards Sheritt.
Sheritt extended her hand, but it stopped in front of the portal.
She leaned slightly and, as if whispering to the egg, said:
- I will wait for you to be born without any problems.
Sheritt took a deep breath and then exhaled slowly.
With a trembling voice, Cale could feel the sincerity in her.
Sheritt whispered to Eden Miru:
- I will wait for you to be born without any problems. When it's all over,
- Come see me, your mom.
Sheritt gestured with her hand.
Raon came closer and stroked Eden Miru's egg.
With a loving look, Sheritt told them both:
- I will always be waiting for you.
Come see your mom anytime; because I will always be waiting for you.
- Understood, Mom! I'll be back soon!
Raon lifted the egg with his chubby front paws.
- Eden Miru! You will too, right?
Clac.
The egg moved excitedly.
At that moment, the corners of Cale's lips involuntarily curved upwards.
- Bua! How touching! I'm going to dedicate all my strength...
But, at the creepy sound emanating from his Dominating Aura, Cale's smile disappeared in an instant.
However, he felt satisfied.
*Now, will this coward be born properly, won't he?*
Eden Miru...
He could be at peace about the birth of this individual so dear to him.
A slight smile of satisfaction appeared on Cale's face.
- Huh?
At that moment...
[Hatching rate 99.98% (Time remaining: 0:12)]
[Birth ceremony progress: 197%]
[Reward level: undetermined]
The mission window suddenly became strange.
[*Change detected!*]
- Huh?
[Hatching rate 99.985% (Time remaining: 0:09)]
- Huh?
Suddenly, the time was drastically reduced. In just 1 second, 3 minutes were deducted.
- What the hell?
[Hatching rate 99.99% (Time remaining: 0:06)]
- Huh?
[*The target's birth will has reached its peak, causing a variation in the mission!*]
- What?
[Hatching rate 99.993% (Time remaining: 0:05)]
Cale, observing the status screen, exclaimed involuntarily:
- It's, it's crazy!
5 minutes!
The time was reduced even more rapidly:
4 minutes 30 seconds.
4 minutes.
The time simply vanished in the blink of an eye.
- Human?
When Raon looked at him, perplexed,
Tac!
Cale snatched the egg that was on Raon's front paw and ran.
- Human!
- Cale!
- What's going on?
(Nyaa, Nyaaa…)
Faced with the bewilderment of his companions, Cale shouted:
- He'll be born in 4 minutes, no, in 3 minutes!
- Ah!
- Oof!
Sighs were heard everywhere, but Cale had no time to pay attention. Addressing the egg, he exclaimed:
- Hey! Why are you acting like this all of a sudden?
Da, da-algeurak…!
The egg also seemed bewildered.
But that wasn't what mattered now.
Fuuuu—!
He ran at great speed, as if the wind itself was propelling him.
[Hatching rate 99.996% (Time remaining: 0:02:47)]
For the first time, Cale...
- Clopeh Sekka!
He fervently called out Clopeh Sekka's name, because he had to bring forward the planned schedule.
- Cale-nim?
Faced with the bewilderment, Cale shouted:
- Help me!
At that moment, Cale stopped short. Clopeh Sekka's eyes wavered and his face lit up with joy; and his eyes filled with tears.
*This damn thing...!*
He was bewildered, but there was no other choice. Now he was in a hurry.
- 2 minutes!
He grabbed Clopeh Sekka's shoulder and immediately conveyed the following:
- He'll be born in 2 minutes!
A birth 11 minutes earlier than expected. All plans had to change.
Cale's gaze went to the mission window.
[Hatching rate 99.9965% (Time remaining: 0:02:01)]
- Huh?
And then, he noticed:
[Birth ceremony progress: 197%]
The progress that was clearly at that level...
[Birth ceremony progress: 251%]
...went up considerably, as if Eden Miru's will to be born had been reflected.
- Ah, how hot!
And Cale had to let go of the egg.
The egg, which had gotten very hot, was slowly rising in the air.
And Cale's reliable damn thing...
- Cale-nim, don't worry.
Clopeh Sekka, who had already regained a serene countenance, said:
- Variables are the essence of legends, aren't they?
Hehehe.
While laughing, he extended his hand:
- Everyone to their posts!
That image was reminiscent of Clopeh Sekka, the protective knight leading a large army in a war across the continent.
Ruuum—!
In the Sugar Cotton Castle, everyone who had come to witness the birth of the new boss raised their heads.
They were about 120,000 individuals.
They could see how dark red clouds covered the sky and enveloped the plains in darkness.
They were of a completely different level than the previous red clouds: the sky turned black and a red glow spread over the plains.
- ...Finally!
- ...Ah, ah—!
At that moment, everyone sensed the birth of something grand.
- Cale, let's go.
Cale, at the top of the Sugar Cotton Castle, closed his eyes as he looked out. His dominant aura began to move.
Fuuuu—!
The wind blew.
……!
…….
The vast plains fell silent, even the faint whisper of the wind could be heard. There was no other way, because suddenly an inexplicable oppression was felt emanating from that castle, as if one were in front of the absolute sovereign of this world.
…!
At that moment, from the sky, among the red clouds, a small egg descended.
