"Our dragon's nest is facing a critical issue—our monster population is decreasing rapidly. This is an extremely fatal problem!" Su Nian began with the utmost seriousness.
However, the monsters looked confused. With the recent succession of battles, a decrease in monster numbers seemed perfectly normal. Even the clever Bolikri wore a puzzled expression.
Besides, they didn't understand concepts like "family planning," let alone same-sex relationships.
"Recently, I've been watching your growth. You've all become stronger, more muscular, and more powerful!" Su Nian continued.
"But some monsters have developed problematic sexual orientations."
"Specifically, male monsters being attracted to other male monsters!"
"This incorrect orientation violates the laws of nature..."
As Su Nian delivered his speech, some monsters exchanged awkward glances. The atmosphere gradually became... heated.
Among them was the gnoll who had previously delivered carrots to the Fireflame Rabbit.
And of course, there was Banana Wolf, who had brought the freshly washed Little Red to the meeting.
Banana Wolf had learned his lesson and was now wearing gloves while holding Little Red, protecting himself from the deadly poison on Little Red's shell.
Time passed minute by minute as Su Nian spoke eloquently, explaining family planning and why same-sex relationships couldn't produce offspring.
He talked until his mouth was dry and his throat was parched, even causing the little darling lying behind him to become drowsy. Yet he discovered that those few monsters not only failed to recognize their "problem," but seemed to be gazing at each other even more affectionately, their bonds apparently strengthened.
Such stubborn resistance...
It seemed he would need to use his trump card.
Su Nian's dragon face turned solemn as he spoke in a low, sorrowful voice:
"If our monster population continues to decrease, we won't be able to resist human invasions. Do you know what that means?"
"It means humans will take all our potatoes! They'll even trample the fields where we grow our potatoes!"
The awkward atmosphere vanished instantly.
The temperature throughout the dragon's nest began to drop rapidly.
Crimson killing intent surged skyward as a bone-chilling coldness spread in all directions. Even the Sakura players and human soldiers living near the experimental fields felt it.
"Motono-kun, it's so cold. Hug me~"
In the dark room, Orihime's delicate body trembled from the cold air, and her fan-like hands wrapped around Haruta Motono's neck.
However, despite her usual forwardness, her movements were now three times gentler than falling goose feathers, afraid that one careless move might strangle Haruta Motono.
Perhaps this... is love.
"Orihime-chan, I really can't... I need to plant potatoes in the field tomorrow... please..."
Haruta Motono's voice was weak.
His face was pale, with heavy dark circles around his eyes. Below his health bar was a string of debuffs, clearly showing [Kidney Deficiency], [Fatigue], [Night Sweats], and more.
"I just said I'm cold~ I wasn't thinking of doing anything..."
"It must be Motono-kun who wants to do naughty things, that's why your mind went there."
"Since that's the case, as Motono-kun's lover, I'll fulfill your naughty request~"
As Orihime's tractor-like voice echoed in his ears, Haruta Motono pursed his lips, the light in his eyes gradually extinguishing.
He gripped the bedsheets tightly.
From the corner of his eye, tears of happiness slid down.
...
"So, do you understand the importance of family planning now?" Su Nian asked.
"ROAR—!" The monsters let out a fierce roar.
"Do you understand the drawbacks of same-sex relationships?"
"ROAR—!" The monsters roared again.
"Should we produce more monsters and launch a great reproduction movement?!"
"ROAR!!!"
The monsters, red-eyed with fury, roared so loudly they nearly flipped the dragon's nest.
At this moment, the monsters' mindsets began to shift subtly.
In a corner of the dragon's nest, the charming Fireflame Rabbit found himself suddenly dropped to the ground with a "plop" by the gnoll he deeply loved.
"Squeak!" The Fireflame Rabbit squeaked in protest.
But what greeted him was a hard slap.
"SMACK!"
The gnoll withdrew his paw with a serious expression.
He finally understood that what he needed to protect wasn't the Fireflame Rabbit in his arms, but the potatoes in the experimental fields.
Monsters might die in battle, but potatoes could exist for generations.
He couldn't continue being so unproductive.
The Fireflame Rabbit knelt on the ground, red eyes brimming with tears.
He stared at the heartless gnoll who used to bring him carrots every day but was now beating him.
His heart shattered like petals scattered by a fierce wind.
He made a "squeak-squeak" sound of grief, then hopped away from the dragon's nest, crying as he went.
The gnoll watched the heartbroken Fireflame Rabbit, raising his paw slightly before letting it fall. He looked up at the black dragon boss above the nest, his gaze growing more determined.
"Let him cool down. He'll forget about it naturally given time," Su Nian consoled the gnoll, then shifted his gaze to the other male couples, finding that their romantic atmosphere had completely dissipated.
Even Banana Wolf was no longer holding Little Red but had placed him on top of his head instead.
Now, all monsters shared a common goal: to listen to the black dragon boss's commands and implement the policy of protecting potatoes.
"Master, I think the reason for this abnormal situation among the monsters might be that they have nowhere to release their excess energy," said Bolikri, the kobold chieftain, expressing his opinion.
There were far too few female monsters in the dragon's nest.
These monsters had nothing to do all day except work out.
Moreover, as their bodies grew stronger, their energy levels increased as well, eventually creating a vicious cycle.
"I understand that, but I can't just order you to run around the dragon's nest every day to burn off excess energy, can I?" Su Nian said, troubled.
At this moment, little adorable Anna, who had been sitting on his shoulder, suddenly kissed his ear and whispered with fragrant breath:
"Brother~ There are many monsters in the Silvermoon Mountains~ We could take Bolikri and the others to the monster communities there for matchmaking~"
"Matchmaking? Does this world have that concept too?" Su Nian's dragon face showed confusion.
"Of course~ Brother, you say such strange things, as if you're not a dragon from this world. So silly~"
Anna patted the black dragon's large head, looking at him with concern, as if she were looking at a simpleton.
Su Nian squeezed his claws.
Indeed, he wasn't a native dragon.
Strictly speaking, he was a synthesized dragon.
"So what exactly is this matchmaking concept?" he asked.
"It's actually very simple." Anna giggled.
"Whether it's Grey Wolf or Bolikri, they're among the strongest monsters. The same goes for your other subordinates."
"If you bring your monsters to the Silvermoon Mountains, the male monsters of the same species there won't be able to compete with yours."
"For example, when I went to catch Rock-Armored Crocodiles, I encountered a group of Whirlwind Rabbits."
"If your Fireflame Rabbit went to the Whirlwind Rabbit group, he would definitely succeed in matchmaking. After all, a Fireflame Rabbit like Bugs Bunny would certainly be more popular."
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