Chapter 130 (1/2)

Within that tense atmosphere, its figure appeared.

[——-Panppyyiiii———]

“Kyurruuuu”, it cried out.

“That thing” that came out of the egg—-

[…………A- A horse?]

It looks like a horse.

Aren’t small horses generally called ponies?

No…

This one is even smaller than the ponies I’ve seen on the internet.

It has a white coat.

Its eyes weren’t golden.

It would be the first thing we need to check and an important factor for us to diminish our vigilance towards it.

Its eyes were dark brown.

Those eyes look like the eyes those mascots have.

Or rather, it kind of looks like the eyes of a stuffed toy…

But except for its eyes, the rest of its body resembles a “horse”.

Even so, I inadvertently placed my hand over my mouth.

Did it really fit inside that egg with the size of its body?

It’s kind of hard to imagine that it was able to fit inside it with its size.

I think that would also be the case even if it were to bend its body.

I mean…

[Eve.]

[Umu.]

[I don’t know how to explain this, but I feel like the size of this one looked larger after its egg hatched.]

[Fumu, so you also thought the same thing huh. Yeah… I also felt like it got a bit larger after it was hatched.]

Eve also held the same thoughts huh.

If that’s so, I’m not just seeing things.

With its trembling legs, this horse-like “being” started trying to maintain its balance.

After a moment, it looks like its balance is gradually becoming steadier.

[In the first place, horses weren’t creatures that hatches from eggs, right?]

[That’s indeed as far as I know.]

Eve is in the same opinion as me.

The way the horses were given birth were the same in this world.

However, this foal was born from an egg.

I enquired Seras.

[Does this mean this is some kind of monster?]

[In terms of categorizing it, that should be the case.]

[Do you have some knowledge about the details of this monster?]

[I indeed know some monsters that were within the lineage of horses but…]

[Based on your reaction, a monster within your knowledge that matches this foal—]

[Yes, it’s not anywhere within my knowledge. No, it’s possible that it may evolve when it grows up into a horse-like monster that I know of but…]

A dark reddish ominous egg.

Based on its color, I can’t imagine anything adorable coming out of it.

How should I say this?

It kind of mismatched with my initial impression of it.

The foal stared at me.

Pure round eyes.

I checked on Pigimaru who is inside my robe.

[Punyuu~]

He doesn’t show any hostility towards it.

It looks like he’s leaving the judgement to me.

Certainly, the foal is not showing any hostility.

Obviously, it also wasn’t emitting any killing intent.

I could say that with certainty.

No, rather than that—

[Panpyyiii? Kyyyuuuunnn…]

The foal stepped towards me.

Looking like it’s trying to convey its intention, Seras raises her guard.

[Touka-dono…]

[It’s alright, this guy isn’t hostile at all… and also, I’d like to observe it a bit more. Only take action when you’re sure that it’s dangerous.]

After stepping closer towards me, the foal stopped.

Extending out its neck, the foal sniffed at me.

Sniff sniff, sniff

[………………..]

Is it checking my scent?

The foal looked up towards me.

[Pakkyyuuurrruuunnnn~♪]

Its eyes sparkled brightly.

And for some reason, the eyes of Liz who was watching from the side also sparkled.

[Horsey-chan…]

Did she finally understand the feeling of moeness?

After that, the foal got close to my feet.

It then rubbed itself on my leg.

[Kyyuuuiiinnn… Kyuuuuiiii~♪]

Did a horse’s neigh sound like this?

I’m not really familiar with how the neigh of a foal sounds…

Eve began pondering.

[If we had that horse with us along inside the Demon Zone, we may get distracted because it may get agitated from nervousness. Therefore, I would suggest leaving behind the horse but—]

Eve looked at me like she’s waiting for my reply.

[What are we going to do with it, Touka?]

[…..I’m kind of bothered.]

[Mhmm? What do you mean?]

[At that time that we discovered the egg, it was completely wrapped by a mysterious cloth. It would be difficult for us to say that egg is ordinary based on the color and hardness of the egg. That also includes the way it was born.]

There must be something special about it.

It’s not just a horse.

I gently stroked the foal’s cheek.

[Pakkyyyuuu~♪]

Afterward, Eve also extended her hand towards the foal.

[Well then, I will also be examining how it feels—]

[Pakyyuunnn… Brrrrrrr….]

The foal pulled away from her.

Its buttocks were raised while its head was lowered to the ground.

It looks like it’s on guard towards Eve.

However, it hasn’t shown any hostility towards her.

If anything, it would be more appropriate to say that it was scared.

Or perhaps, it’s a shy horse.

However, even I haven’t spent a long time with this foal after it was born.

Is it that thing called imprinting?

That stuff where an animal or person recognizes the first one it sees as its parent…

I have only heard that this only occurs with chicks though.

[Mu…. Mhmm? It seems that it’s more alert towards others compared towards you. Did it find my leopard face intimidating?]

[I don’t really know why, however it should be able to get used to it over time.]

I walk behind the foal.

While still petting the foal, I move my hands to its back and sides.

My hand slides along its coat.

A comfortable feeling filled on the palm of my hand.

It feels fluffy and smooth.

[Hmm?]

There’s something behind the foal’s neck…

It’s a transparent semi-circular orb.

It seems like the other half is buried in its neck.

……………….

I feel like I have an idea what it really is but…

I should first confirm it with the well-informed elf.

[Seras, do you have some knowledge about this transparent half-orb?]

Seras sneaked closer and looked like she’s trying to probe something.

I suppose she’s trying to make sure that she wouldn’t surprise the foal.

[Pakkyyuuunn?]

Hmm?

It isn’t as cautious towards Seras compared with Eve?

Seras has always been near the egg ever since we’ve discovered it.

Is it related to the length of time that you’re around when it was still in the egg?

[……..Excuse me.]

With her hands behind her waist, Seras tilted her upper body forward.

Looking a bit closer, she began observing the hemisphere.

[This could possibly be an organ that absorbs magic energy…]

[An organ that absorbs magic energy?]

[There were some monsters that had an organ that functions like that. You could often see this feature in magical beasts and familiars but… monsters with these organs could easily take in large amounts of magic energy into their body instantly.]

So, it’s like a server that won’t crash down even when a large amount of data was sent into it instantly?

[As expected of you. I could really depend on your vast amount of knowledge.]

Putting her hands over her chest, Seras long eyelashes lowered.

[I’m very honored that you’re counting on me.]

[I will keep on counting on you.]

[Yes.]

Now then… An organ that absorbs magic energy huh.

Immediately after hatching, the size of the foal increased.

Did the foal absorb the magic energy around the area and became bigger?

Before its egg hatched, it was at a size that would fit in that egg.

And after it hatched, it absorbed the surrounding magic energy and grew larger.