Shota's Isekai NTR Adventure Chapter 2000: Entrusted legacy

Upon hearing those words, I arched an eyebrow at the phoenix, yet it looked captivated by something different, whirling around abruptly.

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.

Thankfully, this moment passed quickly since the phoenix reemerged soon after.

But this time around, something additional seemed to emerge alongside it.

The energy composing the phoenix's form split away, shaping into a sphere right next to it.

Once it fully took form, it was clear this was truly a sphere, though it didn't resemble something crafted from mere energy.

The way the energy had solidified suggested it had become an object of actual 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 materialized out of nowhere.

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

This told me whatever lay inside was far from ordinary.

Considering the being 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 the egg over to me.

As if reading my thoughts, the phoenix spoke up, "Even if I wish to remain bound here and meet my end in this place, that doesn't mean I desire the same fate for my child. That's why I wish to leave them in your care."

My eyebrows furrowed slightly at these words.

I grasped the underlying intent in the phoenix's statement, but it still caught me off guard that it would voice such a thing.

"Are you certain about this?" I finally asked.

"Though I've nurtured them for ages and shared my power to the extent that they can be seen as my offspring, I'm not naive about the true nature of humans."

Once more, the phoenix's candid remark startled me, yet it wasn't entirely unexpected.

Beings chosen as divine messengers were never ordinary entities.

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

With a heavy sigh, the phoenix went on, "Should I leave this child with them, they'd undoubtedly seek to supplant me using it. Even if I warned against it, I understand human tendencies all too well."

A bitter smile crossed my lips upon hearing this.

After all, I counted myself among those humans. Still, the phoenix placed its child in my hands despite voicing such doubts.

It created an odd sensation to receive this trust right after such talk about humanity.

"And what makes me any different? I'm human as well."

"You're not like the others." The phoenix replied firmly, causing my brows to crease further.

Noticing my reaction, it elaborated, "I see your doubts, but I know you're unique. I've witnessed your actions during your time here. You stand apart from other humans."

A puzzled expression formed on my face at this, yet I found no words to counter it.

The phoenix's tone carried a subtle conviction that left me without a solid rebuttal.

In the end, I simply agreed, "Very well, I'll look after your child."

"Thank you." The phoenix responded plainly.

I had no reply to that, and it felt like my business here was concluded.

Just as I started to turn away, the phoenix called out, "Hold on, Holy Son, there's one final gift I have for you."

I glanced back to see another form taking shape beside the phoenix. Upon closer inspection, it resembled a forming seal.

"I cannot pass this relic to you, and even if I did, its remaining power is negligible. So instead, I'll offer you this final essence of my strength."

With those words, the seal drifted toward me.

Shaped like a small disc, it radiated warmth—not scorching, yet far from chilly.

That was merely how it would feel to an ordinary person.

As I held the seal, I detected the vast energy contained within.

It bubbled endlessly beneath its surface, despite the item's modest size.

Yet, I also sensed a faint frailty in this seal.

Crafted from the phoenix's final reserves, such a trace of depletion was only natural.

I clasped the seal tightly and bowed to the sword, saying, "Thank you."

"It is I who should thank you."

Lifting my gaze, I saw the phoenix had vanished.