Farming in a Parallel World and Becoming a God-Chapter 1131 - 643: The Value of Tun Marsh_3

However, in terms of survival rate and inherent qualities, the half-dragon offspring borne by females are superior to those of males.

Because the half-dragon hybrids born from female giant dragons follow a process similar to pure-blooded ones, except that both the gestation and hatching periods are halved. Even so, this is still over a year. During this process, the half-dragons draw on ample nutrition for growth and, after birth, are naturally stronger and more inclined towards their dragon lineage.

Whereas those half-dragon hybrids bred by humanoid creatures reproduce in the same way as their own species: oviparous birth for the egg-laying races and viviparous for the live-bearing ones.

Oviparous reproduction is relatively simpler, merely producing eggs far exceeding the normal quantity, but viviparous reproduction is more troublesome, as it is almost impossible for the offspring to be born normally due to their size, far exceeding the possibility of natural childbirth, so cesarean births are a necessity.

As for the cesarean births in Felen, they are not at all the same concept as on Earth. There are no specialized doctors or surgeries here; it’s a matter of cutting open the belly with a knife, and that’s it. No anesthetics, no pre-operative checks, nothing. At best, a priest might be employed to cast some healing spells, whilst the less scrupulous would simply pour a healing potion down and be done with it, leaving the mother’s survival up to whether her luck holds out—and there are even those with neither of the aforementioned aids.

Don’t be hasty, this isn’t even the cruelest method of cesarean birth. The most barbaric is not carried out externally, but rather internally, by the gestating infants themselves. They slit open their mother’s body from within, just like breaking out of an eggshell. And they treat their mothers just like eggshells, stuffing the still-warm flesh into their bellies to obtain their first and most important nourishment for life, with half-dragon infants possessing such capabilities.

Interspecies romance resulting in offspring is not uncommon in Felen, yet the many tragic hybrids born from such unions are likewise numerous. Put aside any talk of ethics and morality; when reproductive isolation between species does not exist, some tragedies are inevitable.

These half-dragons born from humanoid creatures inherently suffer from a lack of nutrition, which puts them at a disadvantage in terms of both survival rates and growth potential compared to those born from female giant dragons. This can be seen from the contrast between the half-black dragon lizardfolk and the blue dragon hobgoblins—not to mention even those lesser Evil Fang Lizardfolk, who, despite lacking dragon wings, are physically comparable to the blue dragon hobgoblins in size.

Gaven still clearly remembers the attribute adjustments for the half-blue dragon template: Strength +8, Dexterity +2, Constitution +4, Intelligence +2, Charisma +2.

If even the inherently undernourished half-blue dragons are this formidable, wouldn’t those half-black dragon lizardfolk, who were well-nourished beforehand, be even more terrifying?

This is also a key reason why Gaven is determined to seize control over the lizardfolk of Tun Marsh—because their value lies not just in Tun Marsh itself, but in the valley.

Let’s not forget the convenience offered by the Ashaba River. As long as a great inland naval force can be established, Gaven’s influence can sweep across the whole valley along the river. In Felen, without underwater combat capabilities, such a naval force would inevitably be limited in strength, barely able to defend itself, let alone consider expansion. Those enemies with massive amphibious naval forces would make your fleet cower in hesitation.

Unless equipped with numerous transcendent archmages capable of threatening underwater enemies with large-scale destructive spells, or ships like the ones seized from the slave traders with Mystlock Locks capable of forcing the enemy to the surface, it is not a completely foolproof method. Any spell can be countered, and it is not as reliable as having your own aquatic troops to guard and coordinate with your ships in joint naval-combat.

As Gaven was cross-referencing the information he had with what the Spirit Soul Naga had contributed and comparing them, he curiously asked, "Now tell me your reasons?"

"Although most of the lizardfolk in Tun Marsh have the Lizard Queen’s bloodline, the main tool she uses to maintain her rule is not kinship, but fear. Moreover, she is too greedy, and her appetite has grown significantly in recent years. It has become a severe burden for all the Lizardfolk Tribes. No matter how hard they hunt and capture, they can never accumulate any wealth. Their bellies are always half-full and never satisfied. If the Lizard Queen still lived, they would neither dare to express anger nor speak out. But once the Lizard Queen dies, things will be different. Although now it may not seem too late, as long as you, Lord, prove to them that the Lizard Queen is dead and can never return to Tun Marsh, and convince them that you are not only more powerful than Kurgor but also sufficiently compassionate, I believe they will willingly swear fealty to you, Lord." The cunning Spirit Soul Naga naturally excels in grasping the human heart, and is keenly aware of the undercurrents within the Lizard Court.

Kurgor herself is still complacent about her absolute rule over Tun Marsh and the Lizard Court, unaware that her rule has already encountered significant problems.

The scheming Spirit Soul Naga would certainly not report this issue to her. Instead, he would exploit the Lizard Queen’s identity to squeeze those lizardfolk on her behalf, attracting even more hatred towards Kurgor until the volcano of unrest is fully ignited. Only when chaos erupts within the Lizard Court will he have the opportunity to seek his escape.

However, before this internal volcano could erupt, the Lizard Queen herself inadvertently crashed into the iron wall of the Conqueror Army.

"Ha... I think I already have a method to conquer Tun Marsh," Gaven laughed heartily. "I just need to tell them that their Queen’s return to Tun Marsh hinges on my mere thought. Either they swear loyalty to me, or I’ll send their Queen back for them to continue serving her, and then they will pledge allegiance to me under her leadership. Let them make their own choice!"