Kael returned to the clearing, only to find Canna casually cradling a baby Ground Hog in his arms. He sighed, exasperated by the sight.
"Why are you holding that pest like you're holding a baby?" Kael asked, his tone filled with defeat.
"For your information, Kael, it is a baby," Canna replied, a mischievous grin on his face. "And why call it a pest? It looks weird and funny. Our pigs back on Earth weren't this cute."
Kael walked closer and lifted the Ground Hog away from Canna's grasp. "For your information, Canna, it's still a monster," he said, emphasizing the word. "Ground Hogs are notorious pests. They're good for nothing but eating grass, and sure, their meat tastes decent, but they've done a lot of damage to agriculture.
One pair of these can produce hundreds of babies in no time, and they're immensely stupid to boot."
Canna made an "ohhh" sound, a light bulb moment dawning in his eyes. "I see, so they're like our dodo birds, huh? Funny-looking but an idiot." He paused, his eyes glazing over with a new idea.
If Ground Hogs reproduce so fruitfully, wouldn't they make a great source of meat for the sanctuary? There was no grass in the domain now, but that was something he could fix. He could transplant some grasses from this forest into the domain, and these Ground Hogs would become a perfect prey item. Plus, when Stormy woke up, his little dragon would likely be hungry.
This idea lit a fire in Canna's eyes.
With renewed purpose, Canna raised his hand and activated Bahamut's Bloody Ring. He also summoned Mortem and Vorgrim. Seeing this, Kael facepalmed, realizing Canna had another crazy idea in the works.
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Five minutes later, Canna had assembled his undead army, including Mortem's entire undead collection. The air was thick with the presence of countless Great Calamity-rank beings. Even for Kael, now an A Rank, the sheer pressure of so many powerful entities was overwhelming. It wasn't something he could ever get used to, especially not in such a sudden and intense display.
The next steps would involve stabilizing the ecosystem and finding ways to encourage the growth of other plant and animal life. For now, the sight of thousands of Ground Hogs milling about was a strangely reassuring sign that they were making progress, however weird and unconventional it might be.
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Back at the dungeon, Tonitrum's massive form vibrated with an unfamiliar sensation. After a few moments, the great dragon let out a booming, echoing laugh that reverberated through the cavernous space. He laughed so hard that the very walls seemed to shake, and his eyes sparkled with mirth.
Tonitrum had been the one to train Canna from virtually nothing, shaping him into the formidable force he had become. He knew better than anyone the immense power Canna wielded, and the potential he held within. The undead army at Canna's command alone was enough to inspire fear in even the most stalwart foes.
And yet, the first command Canna issued to this terrifying force was to capture nothing but lowly pigs—Ground Hogs, at that.
The irony was not lost on Tonitrum. Here was a being capable of great destruction, commanding an army that could lay waste to entire armies and kingdoms, and what did he choose to do? Hunt down harmless, bumbling Ground Hogs. The contrast was so absurd that Tonitrum could not contain his amusement.
"All that power," Tonitrum mused aloud, his voice still tinged with laughter, "and the first thing he orders is to capture hogs! Truly, Canna, you are a unique specimen. I chose well in making you my entertainment."
The dragon's laughter continued, a deep, rumbling sound that filled the dungeon. Tonitrum had lived through countless ages, and seen the rise and fall of civilizations, and yet, this simple act of Canna's brought him a rare joy. It was a reminder that even the most powerful beings could find humor in the mundane and the unexpected.
As he settled down, Tonitrum thought about the future. Canna's journey was just beginning, and if this was any indication, it would be filled with surprises, both for him and for those around him.
The ancient dragon couldn't wait to see what other unexpected decisions Canna would make, how he would navigate the challenges ahead, and how he would balance his immense power with the often bizarre choices he seemed inclined to make.
Tonitrum's eyes gleamed with anticipation. He had chosen Canna not only because of his potential but also because of his unpredictability. And already, that decision was proving to be an endless source of amusement and curiosity. The dragon chuckled to himself, eager for the next chapter in this unfolding tale, confident that whatever came next, it would be nothing short of entertaining.