Generally speaking, the temperature of a flame is closely tied to its color. When the temperature is low, combustion is incomplete, leading to darker flames. Thus, black flames may appear striking but typically do not exceed three hundred degrees. Meanwhile, red flames signify a temperature of around one thousand degrees, and blue flames indicate an even higher heat.
On Earth, there is a saying: "attaining the purity of azure flames" , which implies that the azure flames represent the pinnacle of flames that can be reached under normal circumstances. In such cases, temperatures typically soar above two thousand degrees, sufficient to melt iron.
This complicates matters...
Richard's brow furrowed even deeper. Initially, the plan had anticipated that the fire bear would not exhibit such formidable strength, and the flames it bore might extinguish after a brief moment. However, this unforeseen circumstance posed a dilemma.
But perhaps it was not a dilemma at all, for unforeseen events are merely part of a good plan. If one has no backup measures, then that indeed is an unexpected turn of fate.
Given that the fire bear possessed such formidable might and the flames were so intense, why not lend a hand to the creature?
Richard squinted towards the distance, observing Tuku and the others.
At that moment, Tuku's group appeared to be on the verge of collapse. The fire bear was engulfed in flames that towered half a meter high; it resembled a blazing bonfire. Even from dozens of meters away, one could feel the oppressive heat. Clad in heavy iron armor, they sweated profusely, the moisture evaporating swiftly, leaving their throats parched and their mouths dry.
Yet this was not the worst part; most concerning was the bear's escalating fury, which threatened to spiral out of control at any moment. If it did erupt into a full-blown rage...
Even the fierce Tuku could not help but show signs of concern.
Just then, Richard's voice rang out from afar, commanding, "Retreat and scatter the flour!"
"Hm? Understood!" Tuku and his companions were momentarily taken aback, but they quickly responded, releasing their arrows towards the fire bear before retreating. Naturally, they also remembered Richard's orders, scattering the flour from their sacks as they went.
Unbeknownst to them, the purpose for carrying flour was a mystery; they simply followed Richard's instructions without question.
The white flour cascaded down from above, cloaking the area around the bear in a manner akin to a gentle snowfall.
Caught in a fit of rage, the fire bear was startled, abruptly halting its rampage to gaze curiously at the descending flour, which in turn caused its flames to diminish slightly.
As more flour continued to rain down, the concentration surrounding the bear escalated.
Utterly bewildered by the unfolding scene, the fire bear's previous wrath dissipated entirely; its flames extinguished. Driven by its inherent curiosity, the bear instinctively pawed at the flour, though it proved futile, leading it to scratch its head in confusion.
The flour fell thickly, enveloping the area around the bear in a dense fog-like layer.
Within this white haze, the bear engaged in playful antics, swiping at flour drifting by, seemingly enjoying itself. Yet, an incongruous sense of danger loomed within, intensifying as time unfolded.
Once more, the beast grew restless, its flames beginning to flare, yet simultaneously, an innate sense of peril rooted deep within its bloodline stifled that impulse and urged it to flee from the flour-clouded zone.
With a low growl, the fire bear began to lumber forth, seeking escape.
But it was too late. A flaming arrow shot forth unexpectedly—Tuku's group had dropped to the ground, covering their ears. In the distance, Richard carefully lowered a hefty arbalest.
"Roar!"
The fire bear's furious cry echoed!
"Whoosh!"
The burning arrow struck the zone consumed by flour.
Suddenly, flames burst forth, igniting particles of flour suspended in mid-air, causing a rapid spread. In an instant, all the flour-drenched area flared up.
Within the blink of an eye, a combustible mix of fine powder caught fire, releasing a torrent of energy—thus igniting a dust explosion.
"Boom!"
A thunderous cacophony erupted, akin to a clap of thunder in the still air, sending a reverberation that buzzed in the ears of Tuku and his comrades, who remained prostrate on the ground.
Everything nearby succumbed to the force of the blast. Tiny branches splintered, thick grass went flat against the earth, and flying debris crashed against tree trunks with an audible clatter. Even Richard, ensconced in what was deemed a "safe zone," felt the breeze of the explosion lift his noble cloak, momentarily fluttering before settling back down.
After what felt like an eternity, as the dust began to settle, Richard squinted towards the area where the fire bear had once stood.
The cloud of flour had completely dissipated, revealing a scorched earth where the bear lay; it was sprawled and unable to rise, its strength utterly exhausted, clearly devoid of any resistance.
"Continue with the plan," Richard commanded, glancing back momentarily.
"Understood." Tuku's group acted without hesitation, grasping their reinforced arbalests and took aim at the incapacitated bear, pulling the triggers.
"Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!"
Several harpooned arrows, tethered with ropes, pierced through the bear's flesh, tightening around it, completely immobilizing any movement. The fire bear attempted to struggle but lacked the strength, merely managing to twitch feebly before allowing its forelimbs to droop.
Tuku's mouth curled into a savage grin as he slowly unsheathed his heavy knight's sword from his back.
"Thump, thump, thump!"
In his iron armor, Tuku began to dash forward, accelerating with fervent purpose.
"Thump, thump, thump!"
His heavy footfalls pounded against the ground, growing ever quicker until he stood directly before the fire bear. With a fierce glare, he stabbed his sword forward without hesitation. The combination of powerful force and momentum drove the blade deep into the bear's heart.
"Shlick!"
Scarlet blood erupted from the wound like a fountain, spraying Tuku's face in an instant, while the bear convulsed a few times before slipping into stillness, its eyes forever closed.
"Young Master Richard, the fire bear is dead," Tuku reported nonchalantly, wiping the blood from his face.
"Mm." Richard nodded in acknowledgment and stepped closer, beginning to examine the bear.
Earlier, he'd maintained a distance due to the fire bear's inherent danger, thus his observations had been rather superficial. Now that he stood nearer, he could clearly discern that the bear's fur leaned toward a reddish-brown hue.
"So, this signifies that it is of the brown bear classification?" Richard mused aloud, performing a cursory examination based on the bear species characteristics from Earth.
Bending low, he pried open the bear's jaws to inspect its teeth.
"One, two, three, four…" Richard counted assiduously.
Before long, he tallied a total of 42 teeth upon this so-called fire bear. Notably, the carnassial teeth were relatively small, suggesting a diminished capacity for tearing food, whilst the molars were considerably large, reflecting a strong ability to grind. Moreover, the notable regression of the premolars behind the canines were unmistakable hallmarks of a brown bear.
Rising upright, Richard advanced to further inspect the bear's forelimbs and shoulders. He noticed pronounced muscular swellings across its shoulder and the back of its neck, while the forelimbs were short and robust, with claws extending over ten centimeters that lacked retractability. These features were exceptionally indicative of the brown bear on Earth.
Thus, it was confirmed: categorically, this was a creature belonging to the biological classification of a brown bear.
Richard considered these points as he continued to scrutinize the bear's physique, his eyes narrowing further.