"It seems he's starting to realize," Nedira said.
"Smart but too emotional, just like his sister," Moku nodded.
They were currently enjoying themselves, watching the A15 class's battle against the demons. Moku had killed a mutated animal he found on the way and made it into a light snack for them to enjoy while watching.
They didn't have to worry about demons or humans discovering their leisure activity. Their current location was far enough from the demon camp that even the wind blowing from behind wouldn't carry their scent to the camp.
"But I really didn't expect him to get so worked up just from seeing Anna's hair. How can he be so sure that it's Anna's hair?" Nedira asked, recalling the recent incident.
"Hmm... If I were to explain it, I'd describe it like this: a wolf can immediately recognize its mother just by the scent left from her shed fur," Moku replied.
"So you think he's like a wolf in that sense?"
"No, it's just an analogy. Each person has a different mana color, and each mana color is unique. That man and Anna share the same mana color and are siblings who grew up together. So, it's possible that he unconsciously recognizes the mana color left in Anna's hair," Moku explained.
Nedira nodded in understanding and said, "I can accept that explanation. Ah... Are we going to watch until this battle is over?"
Moku shook his head. "Of course not. We just need to wait until all the prisoners arrive at Wilwatikta Kingdom. I don't want anyone following their trail, so it's better to wait here and be cautious."
"Ah, just admit that you're a little embarrassed by your cringy speech earlier," Nedira teased.
"My wife, I know you were charmed by my speech. You don't have to hide it," Moku replied playfully.
"As long as you're happy, my husband," Nedira pouted.
Moku burst into laughter. Then, they both returned to watching the intense battle unfolding inside the demon camp. A young man with blond hair reminded Moku of Stent Gaht, whom he had seen through Lordo's report.
The spell faction he used was also the same as what Stent Gaht used. According to Lordo's report, Stent Gaht possessed the Light Spell Faction, a spell faction that had never existed before and was unique to him.
Moku wanted to study this Light spell faction because he believed that one day he would have to fight Stent Gaht. So, it would be fortunate for him to see another mage using the Light spell faction directly, even if it was just a weaker version.
"Moku, it seems they didn't take the bait you set up earlier," Nedira suddenly remarked.
Moku knew which bait Nedira was referring to. It was the bait he had set up to make humans aware of the existence of Wilwatikta Kingdom. The purpose was to observe the humans' reactions when they encountered asuras, hobgoblins, and druids.
Based on the reactions of Raiden and his troops when they encountered them in the Bog forest, Moku felt that concealing the existence of asuras, hobgoblins, and druids was no longer too important. Mana species would prefer to believe that they were the fifth mana species rather than evolved monster species.
Initially, Moku and the other monsters were confused as to why the elves showed no suspicion that they were monster species. However, after discussing this with their other advisors, they decided to conduct a deeper investigation.
None of them could believe that it was just pure luck. Even if it was luck, they wanted to know what factors led to it.
They began their investigation by studying historical records held by goblins and alraune. Then, they proceeded with some interrogations of the elves at the Elf Husbandary.
After analyzing the data, drawing conclusions, and debating, they finally found one suitable reason to answer the question. The answer was indeed due to coincidence and luck, with the main factor being Moku.
Monster species had long existed in this world, and their traces could be traced back to the time when the Mana God still ruled the Meer Continent. Some historical records even stated that monster species and mana species were created around the same time.
For instance, the legend of the first nine alraune, or the Nine Alraune Family, might have appeared at the same time as The Elves' God. Since then, no monster had ever been able to control mana or at least possess mana in their bodies, except for a few monsters bestowed with the title of shaman.
As neighbors, mana species and monster species had known each other for a long time. Based on the history narrated by the captive elves, conflicts between elf species and monster species had occurred since the time when elves were still nomadic. And as far as they knew, no monster could evolve.
Therefore, when they saw monsters displaying powers and abilities like mages, all mana species would likely assume that they were new mana species that had never been discovered before. This was quite possible due to the vastness of the Meer Continent, where it was plausible for one or two mana species to live in hiding.
It's not that mana species are unfamiliar with monsters, which is why they never considered the possibility. It's actually because they are so familiar with monster species that they never entertained such a possibility.
To them, monsters are no different from the livestock they raise. The idea of monsters evolving is as inconceivable as imagining a chicken turning into a T-rex. It's just something that is highly unlikely and believing in it is akin to believing that pigs can fly.
Therefore, the oddity and main factor behind all this is Moku, the first monster to ever evolve in the history of monster species. If this is indeed the answer, then it is closely related to why Moku was reborn in this world.
However, Moku himself cannot accept this answer. He is arrogant and proud, his self-confidence bordering on acute narcissism, yet he still has the clarity to think logically. The reason why he was able to evolve was not because he was a transmigrator or possessed the Soul of The Old World, but because of dragon prana.
Without dragon prana, Moku would never have been able to evolve into an asura and open the Mokhsa ladder that connects the Astral Realm with the Mind Realm. Perhaps if he trained his body relying on the orc's regeneration ability, Moku could become strong, but the power he possessed would never reach the point of creating wonders like this, not unless he trained for thousands of years.
Moreover, the regeneration ability that orcs possess comes from the dragon prana within their bodies. Without dragon prana, orcs would not have regenerative capabilities and would just be one of the larger monster races.
And the fact that there has never been a monster species that can evolve is incorrect. Though it may seem like mere folklore, historical records of the goblin race mention a new goblin race that evolved from ordinary goblins, known as hobgoblins. While this evolution didn't occur in the sylph or alraune races, the existence of hobgoblins proves the statement that no monster species has ever evolved before to be wrong.
However, when Moku attempted to conduct his investigation, he stumbled upon another peculiarity that made him ponder. The emergence of the hobgoblin legend was always accompanied by the appearance of orcs in goblin historical records.
Strangely, every time the goblin race was attacked by orcs, hobgoblins would come to their defense and act as saviors. This story repeated itself, so much so that hobgoblins could be considered a strong link between the orc and goblin races.
Why did hobgoblins always bear more resemblance to orcs than goblins?
Why did hobgoblins also possess regenerative abilities and physical resilience so similar to those of orcs?
Why were the hobgoblins in the stories always male and never female?
Why did hobgoblins always disappear at the end of each tale and never live long alongside the goblins?
Moku had read all the stories about hobgoblins countless times but couldn't find the answers. However, when he tried to think a little more creatively, the answer became clear before his eyes.
"The hobgoblins in the legend were not evolved goblins but the offspring of a female goblin and an orc. So, the hobgoblins in goblin folklore were not true hobgoblins but orcs who betrayed their kind and sought to protect their mother's family."
Everything became clear at this point. The reason why there were no legendary stories about monsters evolving, except in goblin folklore, was that orcs had never sired offspring with any other monster race besides goblins.
Why was that so?
Well...
Alraune didn't have a clear gender and they reproduce by dividing themselves.
Sylphs... their bodies weren't even larger than one-tenth of an orc's shaft.
So... for the sake of "survival," orcs could only rely on the goblin race to provide them with offspring from all the monster species out there.
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