Chapter 57
Sano curved his lips into a smile. “Chief Tali, long time no see p>
“You’ve already been put on the wanted list, Sano. And you still dare to come to Pine Stone Tribe? Are you looking for death?” Chief Tali’s claws extended, gleaming coldly.
“Chief Tali, don’t be so quick to attack. I’ve come with something very important to tell you p>
“Hmph. What important matter could a criminal like you possibly have? I have no interest in your nonsense. Abducting and harming a female are capital crimes. Prepare to die p>
With that, Chief Tali lunged at him.
If he killed Sano, not only would his reputation rise, but perhaps Nina would feel more inclined to stay and join the tribe. A female as beautiful as her—with such extraordinary fertility—would surely attract even more powerful males to Pine Stone Tribe.
Sano hurriedly defended. “Chief Tali, hear me out first p>
He blocked the incoming claws and said quickly, “You saw last night’s phenomenon, didn’t you? Don’t you want to know who caused it p>
Chief Tali’s eyes flickered. He halted his attack and stepped back. “You know p>
He very much wanted to know who had triggered the celestial signs. He had already sent beastmen to investigate nearby areas, though no results had come back yet.
“Of course I know,” Sano replied. “Because last night, I was right near that female. You’re aware that when the heavens display such omens, it signifies the birth of a divine beast p>
“Where were you last night? And how can you be sure the phenomenon was caused by that female?” Chief Tali demanded.
“Didn’t the sky change multiple times p>
“So what p>
“That’s because the female gave birth to several cubs at once p>
“That’s impossible!” Chief Tali stared at him in disbelief. “How could a female give birth to several cubs in one litter? You’re spouting nonsense p>
While rare cases existed of females giving birth to more than one cub, the most ever recorded was two—and even that was exceedingly uncommon across the entire Beast Continent.
Chief Tali found Sano’s claim hard to believe.
“If you don’t believe me, verify it yourself.” Sano’s smile turned sinister. “That female is in your tribe p>
“In our tribe p>
Chief Tali narrowed his eyes. The females who had given birth last night p>
His pupils suddenly widened. “You mean Nina p>
Only Dora and Nina had delivered last night. Dora’s birth had been handled personally by the shaman. If she had produced multiple cubs, the shaman would certainly have reported it. That left only Nina.
But the shaman had checked on Nina afterward and mentioned nothing unusual.
Unless… Nina had deliberately concealed it.
“That’s right. Nina. I was outside her dwelling. Each time one of her cubs was born, the sky changed p>
Sano lifted a brow. “Chief Tali, do you understand what that means p>
Chief Tali’s expression shifted.
It meant that Nina could not only bear multiple cubs at once—but that each of them was a divine beast with extraordinary talent.
Such terrifying fertility… calling her a Sacred Female would be insufficient. She could be deemed a Divine Female.
But could Sano’s words be trusted?
Chief Tali remained doubtful. He would need to confirm this himself.
If it were true… then Nina—
A dark glint swirled in his eyes.
“What’s your purpose in telling me this?” he asked coldly.
“What do you think?” Sano leaned lazily against a tree. “I just want a share of the benefits p>
Chief Tali sneered. “Dream on. Even if what you say is true, you’ll never get a piece p>
Before Sano could respond, Chief Tali transformed into his beast form and attacked with lethal precision.
But Sano had come prepared. A coppery defensive barrier formed around him, blocking the assault. “I knew you wouldn’t let me walk away. Do you think I came unprepared p>
Two black energy stones appeared in his hand. He hurled them toward Chief Tali.
Thick black fog erupted, enveloping the chief. Using the obscured vision to his advantage, Sano fled along a route he had already mapped out.
He knew exactly what kind of beastman Chief Tali was—a sanctimonious hypocrite.
Years ago, Sano had witnessed him kill his own brother in order to seize a high-fertility female. The gradual deaths of that female’s other mates were likely no coincidence either.
Chief Tali’s methods were ruthless—but undeniably effective. He had sired more cubs than anyone.
Sano had revealed the truth not out of goodwill, but to borrow a knife to kill.
He couldn’t defeat Mino—but that didn’t mean others couldn’t. Especially someone as cunning and ambitious as Chief Tali.
Once the chief verified the truth, he would surely act.
Sano himself was already mated—but he had two grown, unmarried sons.
His goal had been achieved. Now he only needed to hide in the shadows and wait for the right moment.
By the time Chief Tali broke free of the fog, Sano was long gone.
The chief did not pursue him. Someone who had come prepared would not be easily caught. There were more important matters to handle.
Chief Tali went straight to the shaman’s residence.
“Shaman, I need to ask you something p>
The shaman was arranging herbs. “Please speak, Chief p>
“When you went to Nina last night, did you notice anything unusual p>
“Unusual?” The shaman thought for a moment. “Not that I recall p>
“Do you think it’s possible Nina gave birth to more than one cub?” Chief Tali’s eyes held a trace of anticipation.
“Unlikely. When I treated her before, I didn’t detect anything abnormal p>
In truth, the shaman wasn’t entirely certain. He had never encountered a female pregnant with multiple cubs before.
“And Dora? She only delivered one cub p>
“Yes. Just one p>
The shaman was puzzled by the questioning. In the Beast World, females almost always bore a single cub per pregnancy.
Chief Tali said nothing more and left.
He later questioned Leah, who had just returned from Nina’s home—but gained no new information.
Sitting alone in his stone chamber, he rubbed his chin thoughtfully.
He would have to find a way to test it himself.
Not long after Leah and the others departed, Aji—who had been absent for days—came to visit.
“Nina, I heard your babies were born. I came to see you p>
He handed her a carefully selected piece of animal hide. “This is for you and the cubs p>
Nina hesitated briefly before accepting it. “Thank you, Aji p>
“No need to thank me. That’s what friends do p>
After what had happened before, Aji no longer dared to hope for anything more from her. He decided to bury those feelings forever.
“How are you recovering?” he asked gently.
“Very well,” Nina replied with a smile.
After a few more polite exchanges, Aji reluctantly took his leave.
Once he left, Nina returned to finishing the new nest for her babies. With help from Mino and Yanai, it was completed before dinner.
She carefully placed the eggs inside.
“Babies, your new nest is ready. See if you like it p>
The eggs wobbled happily in approval.
The nest was much roomier now. No more squeezing together when they slept.
That evening, rain began to fall. Mino carried the dishes inside.
As the aroma filled the room, the eggs—previously lying flat—suddenly stood upright. Then, in perfect unison, they tilted toward the source of the scent.
They smelled something wonderfully delicious.
Even through their shells, they could still sense the outside world.