Faced with the Professor's glare, Altaïr and Isis felt more than a little awkward.
The reason they hadn't conducted their experiments inside or near the city was precisely because they feared the loud bang of the Wyvern's Fire would disturb others and invite trouble.
Who would have thought that by intentionally traveling several kilometers away, they would cause even greater trouble?
Ordinarily, while the Professor came across as stern, he wasn't one to lose his temper without reason. Judging by his current state, that Estrellian was likely more than just "startled."
It was no wonder that, in addition to the Guild Knight Rosso, a member of the Guild Knights had been accompanying them. Had they truly been villains with ill intent, their fate would likely have been grim.
"How about we go and check on it for you?" Isis suggested tentatively, shrinking her neck back. "We were the ones who captured that Estrellian. Since it has high intelligence, it should still recognize us.
If the two of us bring something to feed it and such, maybe it will help calm it down?"
Altaïr looked at Isis with an expression of pure disbelief.
Are you serious? Have you forgotten who hammered the Estrellian unconscious with a few loud thumps and then tied it up like a pig? If the two of us actually show up in front of it, that hatchling would probably jump out of its skin in terror even if it were perfectly fine to begin with.
However, to Altaïr's surprise, the Professor did not immediately reject Isis's proposal. Instead, he lowered his head in thought.
Just as Altaïr assumed the Professor's silence was spent calculating the most organized way to scold the girl, the Professor spoke, as if talking to himself.
"Since it woke up, we have consistently treated that Estrellian hatchling with the utmost gentleness and kindness.
A comfortable environment, the finest food; we've been exceptionally careful with even a simple body length measurement, fearing we might cause even a shred of harm.
The creature seems to have realized we pose no threat or harm to it, making it exceptionally uncooperative.
Could it be that appropriate intimidation is actually the better choice?"
Fabius looked at the Professor with a serious expression. "The abnormal changes in the Jungle are still fermenting. We don't have much time left.
If you believe this method could be effective, I support your attempt."
At this point, Fabius paused for a moment, his voice growing deeper. "If all attempts prove fruitless, the Guild permits 'more direct' research on that Estrellian."
Unlike the Professor, who was a pure scholar, Fabius had once been a warrior. Even though he was older now and had transitioned to a desk job, his way of thinking still leaned closer to that of a Hunter.
The Professor fell into silence.
The so-called "more direct" research didn't mean something as blunt as immediately lopping off its head and flaying the skin from the bones. However, after a high-dosage tranquilizer injection, that Estrellian hatchling would never wake up again.
To put it plainly, it was still slaughter and dissection; there was just less pain and gore involved in the process.
After a meticulous dissection, the body parts would be preserved as specimens, and the remaining wreckage would undergo incineration and deep burial. There was essentially no need to worry about other Estrellians discovering it and fueling a grudge.
The reason they hadn't chosen this path from the start was that dissection could only clarify the Estrellian's physical skeletal structure, but it did nothing to help them understand its ecology and habits. Furthermore, returning the lost Estrellian hatchling to its pack to earn their favor, and then finding a way to guide them back to their original habitat, was the Guild's most stable plan for resolving the abnormal changes in the Jungle.
Unless there was absolutely no other choice, the Professor did not particularly want to take the life of the Estrellian hatchling.
Everyone's eyes were fixed on the Professor.
After another period of silence, the Professor let out a soft sigh. "With our research currently at a standstill, your arrival at this specific moment might just be the guidance of fate.
You two, come with me."
The Professor left the tent alone.
Altaïr and the others looked toward Fabius; even though they were well-acquainted with the Professor, the former was still the highest-ranking official sent by the Guild.
Fabius gave a slight nod, and the two quickly followed.
The group headed straight for the passage entrance located at the foot of the mountain. The Defense Corps Knights guarding it were extremely cautious; even though the Professor was a familiar face, they still carefully inspected his identification.
Altaïr and Isis were no exception; the guards even checked the identification for Sajji and Clawdia.
Only after confirming everyone's identity and completing the registration did the knights push open the sealed passage gate to let them through.
"Security is so tight," Isis whispered, glancing back at the passage gate as it was immediately shut behind them.
The Professor, walking ahead, gave a grunt of affirmation. "Fabius was once a commander of the Defense Corps Knights. The Guild sent him here with his trusted subordinates specifically to ensure absolute control over this camp.
After all, the Estrellian is a mysterious species that may be related to Elder Dragons. Many scholars, myself included, suspect they might be the juvenile forms of some type of Elder Dragon species.
Capturing an Elder Dragon species hatchling and keeping it in an underground research facility is the sort of thing you either don't do at all, or you do it and make absolutely sure you aren't discovered.
Furthermore, considering the Estrellian's ability to release a certain energy and pheromone that attracts Monsters and triggers their activation, it's possible they could summon their 'elders' in a similar fashion. Therefore, they must be completely isolated."
The Professor's explanation was detailed, helping Altaïr and the others understand the necessity for such heavy security at the camp.
"Why is it believed that the Estrellian is related to Elder Dragons?" Altaïr took the opportunity to ask as they walked down the long passage.
"The fact that a juvenile can attract Monsters and force them to undergo activation and evolution is not an ability an ordinary creature should possess.
We have examined the Estrellian's blood and have not found any components resembling Elder Dragon blood yet, but that doesn't prove anything.
It is not unheard of for a juvenile to lack Elder Dragon blood only for it to manifest when they reach the adult stage."
Now that Altaïr and Isis had committed to the operation, the Professor stopped being as secretive as before and began sharing various pieces of intelligence.
"The most critical piece of evidence lies in an ancient manuscript passed down from the Ancient Kingdom of Schrade, which contains accounts of this mysterious creature.
According to the descriptions in the manuscript, the Estrellian is gentle, timid, and never attacks humans; this matches what we currently know.
However, the part that follows contains significant discrepancies.
The document states: 'With massive wings carrying them, they soar through the sky more gracefully than any Flying Wyvern; birds composed entirely of light dance around them, like the stars of the mortal realm.'"
'They are the heralds for some massive draconic being, which, though possessing the same beauty, is a symbol of ruin and destruction.'"
"I get the 'birds composed of light' part, that's just the Star Butterfly, but what's with the massive wings? Estrellians don't have wings, do they?" Isis asked, puzzled.
"Indeed, that is one of the primary reasons we cannot reach a definitive conclusion," the Professor said as he walked. "But look at it from another angle: if you took the Estrellian's skeletal structure and added a pair of massive wings, it would be the textbook image of an Elder Dragon species."
As the Professor finished speaking, they finally reached the end of the passage.
The Knights guarding the area pushed open the large doors for them, and the group entered a massive underground space spanning nearly ten thousand square meters.
"This place was originally a natural cave, later converted into a refuge by the people of Metapetatto. Now, we're borrowing it."
The Professor led them to a corner of the underground limestone cave, where an area of about two or three thousand square meters had been partitioned off by iron bars.
"This is the habitat we prepared for the Estrellian. We've done our best to recreate the environment of the cave it lived in before.
Humid conditions, a pool of water, water plants, luminescent moss, and some cave plants. The only thing missing is sunlight, but there's no helping that. Fortunately, it doesn't seem to be having much of an impact so far."
Altaïr and Isis peered through the iron bars.
The beautiful, orange-red creature was curled up listlessly in a corner of the cave, its head tucked under its belly, looking as though it didn't want to deal with anyone.
Several scholars, including a familiar silver-haired boy, were surrounding it, attempting to feed it.
There was a wide variety of food: Raw Meat, Fish, plant tubers, insects, and even Popo Milk and smoked bacon.
Erik was balancing a large, greasy slab of bacon on his head, swaying back and forth like he was coaxing a child. "Your Highness, don't sleep! Get up and have a bite!"
Altaïr: "..."
Aren't you afraid the Estrellian will bite your head off along with it?
Isis looked to the Professor for permission. He tilted his chin, signaling that she could go inside.
The gate in the iron bars was a bit small; wearing her Basarios Armor and carrying her Gunlance, Isis couldn't quite squeeze through. She had to unequip the weapon from her back before she could pass through the door.
Isis rubbed the corners of her mouth, forced a smile, and strode toward the Estrellian hatchling that was ignoring everyone.
"It's been a few days. Remember me?"
Hearing the commotion, the Estrellian slowly lifted its head and glanced over its shoulder.
A second later, it let out a "Kyi-ow!" and leapt to its feet.
(Translated by yourtl.app)