#993 Maternity Rhapsody 2: The Mystery Behind Dragon Ecology

Gwynn Dragon Bloody Mary, still in utter confusion!

“Calm down! Calm down, Mary! Don’t think too hard. It’s not good for the baby!”

Really, Father? This was your idea in the first place!

Are dragons born from eggs or do they give live birth?

Are we mammals or reptiles?!

If I switch from dragon form to human form while pregnant, will it affect the baby?!

Oh, right! Puffer told me to avoid alcohol, tobacco, and even tea and coffee during pregnancy!

I’ve heard that X-rays, CT scans, and warp travel can have serious effects on the fetus!

Why are babies such delicate creatures?!

It’s hard to believe, given that dragons are invulnerable to any attack!

How am I supposed to behave with such a fragile creature in my belly?!

I’m too scared to take a single step!

“Who would have thought that Mary, once the top candidate to be the next Geyser Dragon, would be so flustered? Is this what they call a hormonal imbalance?! Here, have a pacifier to calm down!”

That’s for after the baby is born!

Why would you give it to the mother?!

...Dragons really have no idea about childbirth and parenting, do they?

It’s terrifying.

“...All right, let’s get our facts straight.”

Father seems to understand the gravity of the situation finally and takes a deep breath to compose himself.

“We don’t know much about reproduction because dragons are perfect beings. As the apex species, we have no need to increase our numbers because we have no threats.”

You said that earlier, Father.

“Think of it as a review! ...Anyway, before we adapted to Mother Goddess Gaia’s way of things, how did we dragons ensure the survival of our species? Let’s recall that.”

Before sexual reproduction, dragons reproduced by cloning.

Basically, we made copies of ourselves.

“If they were clones, why were there differences in gender and individual traits?”

“We allowed for minor variations to prevent degradation from perfect copying. We created many clones and had them fight each other. The one left standing was the strongest. That’s how we ensured only the best survived.”

Talk about a cutthroat species.

But now, we’ve switched to sexual reproduction, like other creatures.

The world is more peaceful now, so we don’t need such harsh methods anymore. That sums it up, right?

“How exactly did dragons reproduce through cloning?”

“With eggs.”

Seriously?

We used to boast about not being primitive egg-layers, and now you’re saying we actually were...?!

“Well, the eggs weren’t quite what you’re thinking.”

What do you mean?

“When creating a new dragon clone, we would take cells from the base dragon—myself at the time—and cultivate them in a special shell until they developed into a new dragon... That shell was the ‘egg.’“

Wow, we really had a systematic birth process.

I didn’t even know that about us.

“Just taking a cell from me wouldn’t grow into another dragon on its own. We’re not planaria. The cultivation shell emitted magic to guide the cells’ development into a new dragon. Without this, the cells wouldn’t grow into a separate dragon.”

I see.

This means the Geyser Dragon controlled the reproduction data for the cultivation shells, so no other dragon could make clones of themselves.

That’s how they controlled the dragon population.

“Once the dragon inside had grown enough, a tap from below would crack the shell, and the baby dragon would emerge, saying ‘de-nyu.’“

“‘De-nyu’?”

“Yes.”

I see...

Oh, well. Whatever.

In the old days, dragons increased their numbers through this method, and after fierce battles, the last one standing would take on the name Geyser Dragon, continuing the species.

It was a brutal existence.

But times have changed. Dragons no longer need to kill each other. We can join hands, love one another, and nurture the next generation!!!

Like Ardheg and I!

The proof is in my belly!

I’m more passionate about bringing this child into the world and raising them than I ever was about becoming the Geyser Dragon!

...As I renew my resolve like so...

“We still couldn’t figure out if it’s okay to transform while pregnant, though.”

Right!!!

We still haven’t solved the most important issue!

What’s going on, Father?!

Were you just wasting my time with all that talk?!

“No, no! I thought looking at past cases might give us some hints. You know, a brainstorming session. But we surprisingly got nothing...!”

Even if there were examples, it’s useless if they don’t help us now!

What should I do?! At this rate, I won’t be able to transform until after the baby is born!

And when I do give birth, should I be in human or dragon form?!

Everything’s a first for me, so I’m running into all these problems!

Can someone please help?!

“I’m home!”

That voice!

My beloved husband, the Dragon Emperor, Ardheg?!

“Hey, Ardheg! Where have you been wandering off to at such a crucial time?!”

“Huh? What’s the matter, Father?!”

“Mary is having her first child and is confused and anxious because everything is new to her! It’s your job as the father to be by her side and support her! Instead, you leave her alone! Human husbands stick by their pregnant wives. You should learn from them!!!”

Father, are you actually concerned about me and the baby?

That’s kind of you, but it also feels weird.

“As much as I agree with your point, Father, hearing it from you feels really strange.”

Ardheg thinks so, too.

We really are a couple, thinking alike and all!

But I get why Father is mad at Ardheg.

Could it be that he’s losing interest in me because I’m pregnant? I’ve heard that happens in the human world.

...I don’t want that!

“No need for such worries, Father. Even when we’re apart, I always think about Mary. I left the Dragon Emperor’s Castle today for her sake.”

“What? Really?”

What? Really?

“I was concerned about how transforming between human and dragon forms would affect the baby. So, I went to seek advice.”

Advice?!

Is there someone who actually knows about dragon pregnancies?

“So, I went to the farm.”

“Those guys, huh... Yeah, they’d probably have some answers.”

That place is like a one-stop advice shop.

But... for Ardheg to worry about me so much and take action so quickly!

That’s my Dragon Emperor!!!

“They suggested taking any issues to the customer service center.”

“Customer service center?”

“You know, Great Gaia, the goddess who created us dragons? She’s the one who changed our reproductive system too. So it’s quickest to ask Gaia herself regarding the finer details. ...So I called her.”

You called her?!

“I had the Lifeless King summon her for me.”

“Hallow.”

This is the all-mother goddess, Great Gaiaaaaaaaaaaa?!

They summoned a goddess just like that?!

“The farm’s always been a place where the impossible becomes possible.”

“On this, I agree with Father.

When you deal with the farm, the line between possible and impossible stretches like a rubber band.

But having Great Gaia here to answer all our questions is a blessing!!!

Tell me, Great Gaia!

While I’m pregnant with this precious child, what should I do?!

Is it okay to transform or not?!

Are dragons egg-layers or live-bearers?

At least tell me what I can and can’t do during dragon pregnancy, Great Gaia!

“Please answer.”

“Yes...”

Gaia takes a deep breath, gathers her strength, and says, “...With willpower!”

““WITH WILLPOWER?!”“

“Indeed, with willpower!”

That’s exactly what Mahi the mermaid would say!

Do women just start solving everything with willpower at a certain age?!