Fabre in Sacheon’s Tang Novel - Chapter 142

Chapter 142
After gently cleaning the newborn and settling it next to Seol, she began tenderly licking its face, despite her own weariness.
Even though I had already wiped the little one clean, it was only natural for the mother to groom its snout and face to clear away any lingering birth fluids or membranes. It was, after all, an instinctive gesture.
‘Wow! She’s tending to the baby on her own!’
That instant revealed something vital to me—unlike the majority of lizards that are self-sufficient from birth, Seol and Bini belonged to a kind that looked after their young. This resembled Girdle-Tailed Armadillo Lizards, which dwell in family units within rocky cracks, or Solomon Islands Skinks, which nurture their offspring for up to a year.
It stood to reason. Most lizards enter the world fully formed, mirroring their parents in appearance and able to fend for themselves immediately.
But cleansing away the birth membrane and amniotic residue?
That was indeed typical maternal behavior, but more frequently observed in mammals that actively rear their young. This suggested a strong likelihood that Seol would raise her baby personally.

—Kkukku.

As if affirming my thoughts, Seol persisted in licking the newborn, uttering soft noises that appeared to affirm her motherhood.
Maybe she was imprinting her voice upon the infant.
The newborn answered with a endearing chirp.

—Kkyuut.

The two traded calls almost as if conversing.
Watching them fondly, I glanced over and saw Bini observing the scene with a dazed expression.

‘Ah, I must verify their parenting approach as well.’

Seeing Bini so spellbound reminded me of another essential task—I needed to identify their method of raising offspring.
It was evident the mother would participate in caring for the baby, but the next critical detail was the manner of upbringing.
In the natural world, parenting methods vary widely.
Some young are raised only by the mother, some solely by the father, others through shared parenting, and some even through brood parasitism, where parents abandon their young for others to raise.
That was why confirmation was necessary.
From Seol’s behavior, it was nearly guaranteed she would tend to the baby. But if she were the sole caregiver, Bini might be driven away until the offspring was grown.
In other words, Bini could face exile soon.

‘Sorry, Bini. It’s just how things are. Otherwise, you’ll only be beaten by Seol and forced out. It’s instinct—I can’t meddle with that.’

I softly nudged Bini’s motionless form toward Seol and the newborn.
I had to determine their parenting style regardless, and besides, it’s often wiser to face the blow early and move on.

—Kku?

Bini glanced at me, bewildered by the sudden push.
I urged him closer to the baby, bringing them near.
Fortunately, he understood quickly and emulated Seol, licking the baby’s other cheek.
Now arrived the pivotal moment for Bini’s future.
If Seol opposed shared parenting, she would attack him for approaching the baby.

‘Oh? This seems encouraging.’

I waited, but Seol offered no opposition.
She neither shoved him aside nor intervened.
This was cooperative parenting.
With that, both Seol and Bini began grooming the newborn from opposite sides.
A system of mutual care—the finest outcome possible.

‘Yes! Cooperative parenting!’

Seol and Bini appeared to have the most perfect parenting arrangement. With both engaged in raising the baby, my concerns faded.
As I observed the three lizards, they genuinely resembled a content little family.
Then, after an extended period of licking, the infant finally opened its eyes for the very first time.
For the first time, the offspring of Seol and Bini beheld the world.
Its luminous, dark eyes reflected Seol, then Bini, then me, and finally Hwa-eun and Seol’s older sister.
The two women, overwhelmed by its sheer charm, emitted thrilled exclamations.
It was extraordinarily adorable.

“So precious! How can something be this adorable? It looks like a tiny copy of Seol and Bini!”
“It’s the most exquisite being I’ve ever seen!”

Even as a man, I had to concede—it was irresistibly cute. For Hwa-eun and Seol’s sister, it must have been an overwhelming surge of delight.
Both reached toward the baby as if entranced.

“Be cautious, you two.”

I felt compelled to caution them.
Newborn lizards are still wild creatures.
Even in my previous life, captive-bred Leopard Geckos and Crested Geckos were known for their docility, but freshly hatched, they could be quite spirited.
Since this baby was still untamed and unaccustomed to human contact, I strongly suspected it might react defensively.

—Kkyuu!

Sure enough, the moment Seol’s sister extended her hand, the newborn clamped down on her finger.
Her eyes widened in surprise, and she looked my way.

“Are you alright, Seol?”

Seol and Bini possessed venom, an unusual type of ice poison.
It wouldn’t be lethal, but I still wondered if the baby had inherited their toxic trait.
To my astonishment, Seol’s sister, though bitten, responded with a blissful smile.

“It bit me… but… I’m delighted.”

Even the baby, noticing her reaction, recoiled in puzzlement.
Its large, round eyes grew even wider.
It had bitten intending to reprimand her, yet she seemed overjoyed.
This must have been utterly perplexing to a newborn.
Truthfully, the only other person I knew who would grin after a bite was myself.
I leaned in and shared a cherished secret understood only by those like us.

“Seol-nui, you shouldn’t say ‘it bit me.’”

“T-then… how should I put it? Is there a better way to convey this joy?”

I indicated the baby still attached to her finger and replied in a hushed, respectful tone.

“Those like us refer to this… as being chosen.”

“C-chosen!?”

“Yes. It signifies the creature has shown particular interest in you.”

In the world of pet care, when people adopt an animal, they often say they were chosen if the creature approaches them first, behaves affectionately, or even nips them.
The moment I clarified this, Seol’s sister quivered with reverence.

“C-chosen… Yes… I was chosen…”

I hadn’t intended to give her the baby, yet the mere idea of being chosen profoundly affected her.
As expected from an animal enthusiast, her feelings were intense.
Witnessing this, Hwa-eun promptly reached toward the baby.

“O-oh! Me next! Please choose me too!”

‘No, hold on—you’ve already been selected by something far more formidable…’

Someone who absolutely should not be chosen was pleading for it.

***

—Swaaah…

The murmur of flowing water resonated through the windows of my private vessel as it sailed down the Yangtze River.
Peering outside, I saw the sky had grown dark, the sun long vanished. Only moonbeams glimmered upon the undulating water.
Two days had passed since the baby’s birth.
Once I confirmed all was well, we departed for Akyang without postponement.
After all, lizards are born fully developed, already mirroring their adult forms.
A journey by boat wouldn’t pose a problem.
Besides, we had received an urgent summons, and with the baby arrived, further delay was unthinkable.

“How much further?”

“We’re nearly there, Lord So-ryong.”

The sailors supplied by the Zhuge family reassured me. Though only three days had passed on the water, thanks to our swift ship and the river’s flow, we were nearing Akyang ahead of time.
I opted to go up on deck.

“I’m heading out. Anyone—no, any venomous beings—care to join?”

At my words, Hyang promptly scurried onto my shoulder.

—Tsrut!

Hyang flicked her antennae, clicking as if prompting me onward.
Behind us, Cho and Bini trailed reluctantly, emitting faint hisses.

—Tsrrr.
—Tsr.

Neither seemed enthusiastic about venturing out, yet neither would let Hyang go alone.
Meanwhile, Yo-hwa lounged lazily in a hammock spun from her own silk, evidently savoring it.
Deeper within the cabin, Hwa-eun and Seol-nui continued disputing the baby’s name.

“Hwa-eun, I insist, Naeng is the perfect name! It’s lovely! It signifies ‘cold’.”

“That sounds too feminine! The baby is male, so Dong is superior! ‘Dong’ as in ‘winter’, since he was born of ice and snow. And as the heir, he requires a robust, manly name!”

Though the baby remained indifferent, they debated heatedly.
I looked to Cho and Bini for backing.
Both merely shook their heads.
Clearly, they knew better than to intervene.

“Let’s go.”

—Tsrut.
—Tsrrr.
—Tst.

The three of us finally stepped onto the deck after some time.
A refreshing breeze swept toward us from the ship’s bow.
A light fog had started to form over the river, and afar, a stir of activity arose near the front.

“Why can’t we spot it yet? We should see it by now!”

“It must be the fog. Stay vigilant and keep searching!”

“Understood!”

The crew sounded anxious, straining to discern something in the distance.
Despite the fog, it wasn’t dense enough to fully hide the view yet.
Sensing unease, I approached the captain, Do Sagong (都沙工).

“What’s wrong?”

“Ah, Lord So-ryong. We should be near Akyang, yet we see no lights. Even in deepest night, the city should be aglow, but… it’s utterly black.”

—Screeeech!

Abruptly, a harsh noise grated against the boat’s side.

“W-what was that!?”

“T-the dock, Captain!”

“What?! Seize the poles! Quickly!”

The vessel had struck the dock!
With the city darkened, they hadn’t realized our proximity and had brushed against the pier.
Simultaneously, my father-in-law, who had been readying to greet the Imperial Envoys, hurried out in alarm.

“What’s happening?!”

“The fog was too dense, and the darkness hid the dock. We inadvertently scraped against it.”

“Push off! At once!”

“Heave-ho!”

The sailors hastened to shove the ship from the dock, succeeding with some effort.
Several scurried below to inspect for leaks.

‘Wait a moment. I thought minor collisions after buying a new car were a contemporary issue?’

In my prior life, superstition held that a new car often suffered a scrape soon after purchase.
But scratching my boat on its first voyage?
That was misfortune of a higher degree.
As I stood there, stunned, Do Sagong returned with an update.

“It was merely a slight graze. No leaks, so nothing to fear.”

“R-right. That’s good.”

Frankly, I would have preferred a breakdown—at least then repairs could be made.
But now, there was only an unsightly mark.
Just as I absorbed this misfortune, a man dashed from the dock, yelling at us.

“Wherever you’re from, douse your lights! Now!”

“Lights?”

I suddenly recalled.
This area was plagued by those black insects.
That clarified the darkness.
The inhabitants had extinguished all lights to avoid luring them.

“Put out the lights!”

We promptly snuffed all flames before going ashore.
At the dock, an imperial guard greeted us and promptly inquired.

“Where have you come from?”

“We’re from Sichuan, dispatched by the Martial Alliance.”

“The Martial Alliance? Ah! You’re the ones the Princess awaited?”

“Correct. That’s us.”

“Oho! Heaven be praised! We’ll escort you to the Princess immediately!”

His demeanor brightened at once.
Clearly, they had been awaiting us eagerly.

“Follow me!”

However, not everyone had disembarked yet.
I paused, then spoke cautiously.

“There are more… children onboard. Please wait briefly.”

“More people?”

“Yes. But… do not be startled.”

“Startled?”

I faced the ship and called out.

“You may come down now!”

Through the mist, illuminated by faint moonlight, Cho, Bini, and Yo-hwa descended gracefully onto the dock.
The imperial guard glimpsed them and crumpled to the ground in horror.

“M-monsters… and black insects…! Akyang is lost…!”

…Pardon?
Did he truly just label my daughter and little sister monsters?

‘Should I simply depart?’

Upon reaching the governor’s palace, we were promptly halted at the entrance.
The guards barred us after seeing Cho and Bini.
I had brought them to enhance our credibility, but… perhaps they were too convincing.
As we lingered outside, a man and woman emerged from the shadows.

“You were sent by the Martial Alliance?”

“Your Majesty—!”

My father-in-law nearly cried “Long live the Emperor!” but checked himself.
It seemed that when addressing the Princess, formal speech was obligatory—even for her spouse.
But she appeared unconcerned with protocol.

“I am Tang Cheolsan of the Sichuan Tang Clan, here to see Princess Gwan-do.”

“Ah, I know of the Sichuan Tang Clan. A pleasure to meet you. I am Yu Ji-ryong, and this is my minister, Seo Bin-ak.”

We exchanged greetings, but the Princess fixed her gaze on Cho and Bini.
Her face brightened with relief.

“So they truly sent insect specialists… And even the Tang Clan leader came to aid us personally?”

Noting her hopeful look, my father-in-law moved aside.

“Actually, it is not I who will assist you.”

“…The youth?”

She stared at me, astonished.
I stepped forward.

“May I examine the insects?”

She hesitated, then agreed.

“Understood. Prepare yourselves.”

Princess Gwan-do nodded, somewhat flustered but acceding to my request.
She gestured to a guard, who retreated and struck a flint.

—Tak-tak.

A spark flared, and soon the torch ignited. The guard swiftly planted it in the ground before rushing back to us.

—Swaaah…

Then came the eerie sound.
Something charged in, attracted to the flame, swarming en masse.
Within moments, they quenched the torch entirely.
I hurried over and sifted through the charred remnants, delicately extracting one still-living specimen.
Holding it up to the moonlight, I studied its features.
Pitch-black wings.
Pitch-black legs.
A brilliant orange back.
And…
Two of them were fused together.

“Uh…”

I slowly turned to Princess Gwan-do, my expression rigid.

“What is it? Do you not know them?” she asked.

“Ah, no. I do recognize them, but…”

“You do!?” Her eyes sparkled with hope. “Then do you know how to handle these accursed things?”

…This was an exceedingly uncomfortable predicament.
The insects in my hand were familiar from my past life.
They were called Love Bugs.
Notorious for swarming, they appeared in vast numbers, coating everything.
And crucially—
They were always attached.
They earned the name “Love Bugs” due to their constant mating.
If I were to translate their name appropriately into Middle Plain terms, I’d have to term them…
Mating Bugs.
I supposed I could call them Love Insects, but that would still necessitate explaining their perpetual clinging…
Under the circumstances, the safest and least embarrassing choice seemed to be simply stating—

“Mating Bugs.”

…Would I face execution for informing the princess these were essentially amorous insects?
I stood there, gravely pondering my life’s decisions.