Shota's Isekai NTR Adventure Chapter 2000: Entrusted legacy

I arched an eyebrow toward the phoenix as it spoke those words, yet it looked captivated by something different, suddenly whirling about.

The phoenix moved toward the sword resting on the stand and then appeared to merge into it again.

Left standing there by myself, I couldn't shake off a touch of unease.

Fortunately, this moment passed quickly since the phoenix reemerged shortly after.

However, during this reappearance, something additional seemed to emerge alongside it.

The energy composing the phoenix began to detach, forming a spherical shape next to it.

Once the formation completed, it was clear this was truly a sphere, though it didn't appear crafted from mere energy.

The way the energy had compressed made it resemble an object of solid substance.

It was tough to grasp exactly how this occurred, but I chose not to dwell on it.

After all, a peculiar feeling emanated from the egg that had abruptly materialized.

It felt like a fierce blaze roared within this egg, as if boundless strength surged from its depths.

This told me that whatever lay inside this egg was far from ordinary.

Considering the entity that had shaped this egg, it wasn't difficult to infer its contents.

The sole puzzle for me was why this phoenix decided to hand this egg over to me.

As if reading my thoughts, the phoenix declared, "Even if I want to be bound to this place and end my life here, that doesn’t mean that I want the same for my child. That’s why I want to entrust them to you to take care of."

My eyebrows furrowed slightly upon hearing this.

I grasped the underlying intent in the phoenix's statement; I was just taken aback that it voiced such a thing.

"Are you sure of this?" I finally asked.

"Even though I’ve been with them for a long time and my power was passed down to them to the point where they can be considered my children, it isn’t as if I’m deluded as to how humans really are."

Once more, I felt surprise at the phoenix's words, though it wasn't entirely unexpected.

Beings able to serve as a god's messenger were never straightforward.

Thus, this phoenix wouldn't be oblivious to such realities.

With a sigh, the phoenix went on, "If I were to leave this child to them, there’s no doubt that they would try to replace me with it. Even if I were to tell them not to, I know that humans are like this."

A bitter smile crossed my lips at these words.

Truth be told, I belonged to those very humans. Still, the phoenix placed its child in my hands despite that.

It created an odd sensation to receive such a responsibility after hearing humans described this way.

"And what about me? I’m a human too."

"You’re different." The phoenix replied without pause, causing my brows to crease.

Noticing this, the phoenix explained further, "I know what you’re thinking, but I know that you’re different. After all, I’ve seen the things that you’ve done during the time that you have been here. You’re different from the other humans."

A puzzled expression formed on my face from this, yet I lacked words to counter it.

The phoenix's phrasing carried an enigmatic weight that rendered rebuttal challenging.

In the end, I simply stated, "Alright, I’ll take care of your child for you."

"Thank you." The phoenix responded plainly.

I found myself at a loss for words afterward, and it appeared nothing more remained for me in this spot.

But as I started to depart, the phoenix called out, "Wait, Holy Son, there’s one more thing that I have for you."

Turning around, I noticed another form taking shape beside the phoenix. Upon closer inspection, it resembled a forming seal.

"I can’t give you this relic and even if I could, it isn’t as if there’s much power left inside of this relic. That’s why I want to give you this last condensation of my power instead."

Following the phoenix's words, the created seal drifted toward me.

Shaped like a button, it radiated warmth—not scorching enough to harm, yet far from chilly.

That was merely what an ordinary individual might perceive.

While grasping this seal, I detected the immense energy contained within.

It felt like infinite power simmered just beneath its surface, despite the item's modest size.

Yet simultaneously, a trace of frailty emanated from the seal.

Formed from the phoenix's final reserves of power, such a feeling was only natural.

I clasped the seal firmly and bowed to the sword, uttering, "Thank you."

"I should be the one thanking you."

As I lifted my gaze, the phoenix had vanished.