A Lesson

Rania dozed off next to the lord's wife.

She hadn't slept well the night before.

The hero Steel Gunter had returned to Greyrim.

And he brought the entire Iron Lion Knights with him.

Rania was thrilled.

She liked the hero Gunter's knights just as much as she liked him.

The object of her admiration had come to Greyrim.

It was natural for a young girl to stay up all night with excitement.

Wasn't the Iron Lion Knights' visit a good thing?

But since that day, her father and mother seemed somehow anxious.

When she asked why, they didn't answer.

As soon as the morning sun rose, news came from the soldiers.

They said Gunter and the Iron Lion Knights had arrived.

Despite the early morning, preparations were made at the lord's castle to welcome them.

"Lord Gunter is entering!"

And the door opened.

Gunter in armor and similarly fully armed knights walked in.

Someone let out a shrill scream.

The knights were dragging in the carcass of a Chimera.

Perhaps because of the heat, the Chimera was decomposing.

Its legs were cut off, and dried black blood was caked all over its body.

The foul smell of blood filled the room.

"Th-that's the Chimera."

Even the lord seemed frightened.

It was his first time seeing a hunted Chimera in person.

"That's right."

"You've been through a lot. As expected, the Iron Lion Knights are brave."

"And righteous. We discovered the ruins of Heaven Defier. You knew about its existence and left it alone, Viscount."

"... What do you mean?"

Gunter was a hero, and the lord was a nobleman.

Though Gunter's actual authority might be higher, they had a mutually respectful relationship.

But now, there was no respect in Gunter's tone.

"We've already secured witnesses and testimonies."

"Testimonies? What testimonies?"

The lord was flustered.

A chilling tension filled the room.

Rania, still young, didn't notice it.

It could have been because she was sleepy, or because there was a familiar face among the knights.

The Iron Lion Knights stood in full armor, emanating a stern presence.

Among them was a knight Rania knew.

The young knight Zain, who had always kindly answered her bothersome questions.

He was at the far right end.

As Rania stared intently at Zain, he looked back at her.

Unlike usual, his complexion was deathly pale.

Rania smiled and waved her hand.

The usual Zain would have at least given a slight nod in greeting.

"..."

But not this time.

Zain looked as if he might cry.

And he slightly averted his eyes.

Just as Rania was about to take a step forward,

The lord's wife quickly embraced her.

The grip was so urgent and strong that even Rania was startled.

Only then did she realize the situation was turning serious.

Clang clang clang!

The Greyrim knights drew their swords.

But Gunter and the Iron Lion Knights didn't draw their weapons.

Rather, it was the domain knights who had drawn their swords that looked extremely tense.

The lord, with a reddened face, shouted angrily.

"What insolent words are these! To say I have failed in my responsibilities and violated national law!"

The lord's startled cry echoed loudly.

Instead of answering, Gunter took something out and threw it on the floor.

Clunk.

It was an identity token made of gold.

The royal family's crest - a three-headed eagle biting a snake.

"I, Gunter Frihansen, have been appointed as an inspector by royal decree. Upon inspecting the Greyrim domain, I have confirmed negligence in monitoring magic beasts and laxity in military discipline. Embezzlement and misuse of frontier defense funds have also been uncovered. Therefore, I summon you, Viscount Greyrim, to the capital."

"... This can't be. Even if it's the royal family!"

The lord, who was incredulous at first, now realized the situation.

It had been strange from the start when the hero Gunter personally came to subjugate the Medusa Serpent.

Had they planned from the beginning to bring down the lord in collaboration with the royal family?

Why?

For this small domain...

"If you have any grievances, you can address them during the sincere investigation."

"The House of Nobles won't stand for this."

"Is that your concern? The Viscount will enjoy the rightful privileges of a nobleman, so don't worry. Take him away."

The Iron Lion Knights approached the lord.

The domain knights hesitated whether to stop them, but the lord raised his hand to stop them.

"Gunter!"

That spirit was manly.

Gunter silently listened.

"If you touch even a hair on my family's heads, I won't let it slide."

"Hmm."

Gunter nodded. It was nothing more than the cry of a defeated man anyway.

Knowing this, the lord was dragged away powerlessly.

"Until the Viscount returns after the investigation, the acting lord will be me, the inspector recognized by royal decree, and the lord's wife simultaneously."

Gunter so declared.

A man who started as a commoner and rose to the position of a hero.

It was the moment when he and his knights began to occupy the Greyrim domain.

==

Ah, how refreshing!

It feels like the cool wind is washing away the stagnant feelings in my heart.

Actually, it's beyond refreshing; it's starting to get a bit chilly.

That's because I've been flying for too long.

It would be quite ridiculous if I were to freeze to death in this hot jungle.

I've greeted the clouds twice just today.

I had decided not to fly anymore, but I guess it's better than being hunted by those knights.

I was really scared.

Those guys were definitely not on the level of ordinary humans.

They came charging at me with that heavy plate armor, clanking along at a speed like motorcycles.

The ground was rumbling so much, I thought I was in a Mad Max movie.

It was thanks to Pelerian that I escaped from there.

You know what that old man is doing now? He's gone inside the ring.

Says he's afraid of heights. What a funny guy.

"You owe your life to me, you vermin."

Oh my, did I think my inner monologue too clearly?

He kindly replied.

'If you call me vermin one more time, I won't let it slide.'

"... Hmph, just a snake."

Just a moment ago, he was thanking me for saving the fairy, but now his attitude has completely changed.

I guess you really can't trust those long-eared ones.

'So where are we going?'

"East."

'And the destination?'

"Well, heading roughly east, we should arrive at the Palamu Rainforest region."

'Sounds like you don't really know either...'

"... The 'Emergency Escape' skill is just like that."

He shouted 'Emergency Escape,' so I guess that's the skill.

Shouldn't a magician know how to use something like teleport?

This seems more like an advanced version of the flight skill.

"In my current state, there's almost no magic I can use. Be satisfied with this, snake."

He says that as if predicting my doubts.

At least he's not calling me vermin anymore.

I was satisfied.

Until we started descending, that is.

'Wh-whoa!'

"Are we falling? Are we falling?"

'We're falling!'

"Can't be helped, I'm out of magical power."

Damn, flying really doesn't suit me.

The falling speed accelerated.

Fortunately, it wasn't a free fall like when I bounced off that fairy woman.

As we approached the ground, I could feel the humid and hot air intensely.

The climate was clearly more tropical compared to the Arkan Basin.

The trees had grown much larger.

Vines were tangled between the trees like spider webs.

Crunch-

Those vines helped reduce the impact of the fall.

I rolled on the ground a few times as I landed.

Even the ground is soft.

When I raised my head, I saw moss spread like a blanket on the floor.

The sound of trickling water, chirping birds.

The sound of leaves clashing against each other like waves.

'I'm alive!'

Yes, I've survived once again.

Now I really don't plan on flying anymore.

Did he say this was the Palamu Rainforest?

Pelerian popped out of the ring.

He opened his mouth with a surprised expression.

"We really survived!"

I really don't like that old man's attitude.

Sigh, there's really no peaceful day.

I thought I'd finally become the ruler of the basin after catching the Chimera, but now I've ended up deeper in the forest.

I wonder if there are many dangerous magic beasts here too?

There must be many creatures stronger than the Chimera.

Even before coming further east, there were things like Horn Jaguars.

Maybe I'll even meet my dad here, whom I've never seen before.

While catching my breath, I checked my status window.

It's been a while.

──────────────

[White Double Horn Python lv1]

[Traits]

[Indomitable], [Perseverance], [Horn], [Pattern]

──────────────

I checked this far last time.

──────────────

[Skills]

[Billy's Horn lv4]: Heavenly Thunder Spirit lv0, [Leaping Horn lv1]

[Basic Elemental Magic: Fire lv3], [Basic Elemental Magic: Earth lv4], [Deadly Poison: Neurotoxin lv1], [Devouring lv7], [Biting lv9], [Stealth lv6]

[Poison Resistance lv5], [Bleeding Resistance lv3], [Pain Resistance lv7], [Heat Resistance lv8], [Cold Resistance lv1], [Petrification Resistance lv1] [Survival Instinct lv6], [Leap lv6], [Magic Detection lv3], [Acceleration lv4], [Swimming lv1], [Breath Holding lv5], [Slash lv1],

[Status]

[Exhausted]

[Achievements]

[Guard Captain Killed]

──────────────

A skill called Cold Resistance has appeared. It was that cold.

As you can see from my status, I was completely exhausted.

But I can't help but smile.

Because with Billy's Horn, I stole... no, borrowed the hero's skill.

It's called 'Heavenly Thunder Spirit'. The name alone is extraordinary.

It's a bit concerning that the level is 0, but...

I looked at what kind of skill Heavenly Thunder Spirit was.

──────────────

[Heavenly Thunder Spirit lv0]

Embrace the lightning of the sky in your heart.

──────────────

Well~ thanks for the detailed explanation.

Isn't this kind of explanation meaningless?

It seems I'll have to use the skill to understand its proper effect.

But I'm too exhausted right now.

I should try it after recovering my strength.

I don't know what effect it will have, so I should find a safe place first.

This jungle is full of all sorts of sounds.

The sounds of life. Finding a safe place should be the top priority.

Before that, there's something I need to do.

It was a conversation with Pelerian.

"Snake."

'Yes.'

Pelerian's eyes met mine.

I shouldn't lose in this battle of wills.

Originally, I wasn't good at making eye contact with people, but that changed after I became a snake.

Well, no. It's still a bit difficult. I forced myself to maintain eye contact.

Oh? Pelerian averted his gaze first.

Does that fairy also find it difficult to look people in the eye? I almost felt a sense of kinship.

"Your eyeballs look creepy."

'...'

It hurts a bit when someone who called me cute when I was a Chimera says that.

"What exactly are you?"

'Me? I'm a snake.'

"A snake that speaks and uses magic like that?"

'Is there a law that says magic beasts can't speak? And I'm not really speaking, I'm just thinking and you're hearing it.'

"It wouldn't be surprising for a high-ranking magic beast. But you're just a vermin... no, a snake that hasn't fully evolved yet."

He answers like that to what was just a casual remark.

Do really evolved magic beasts actually speak?

I've never seen my mom speak.

It seemed the bar for 'high-ranking magic beast' was higher than I thought.

I didn't give Pelerian a detailed explanation of my past.

There was no reason to tell him about my previous life.

"Explain."

Since he asked so earnestly, I just told him the story from when I was born.

Being born as a Medusa Serpent's offspring, escaping to the Arkan Basin, and what happened there.

I explained that I had intelligence from birth.

And about staying in Pelerian's dungeon.

Of course, I didn't mention drawing a bald head on his portrait.

After hearing the whole story, Pelerian was greatly surprised.

"A mutant...!"

'Well, I guess you could call it that.'

Can a mutant be as smart as a snake like me?

It seems this magician doesn't have much scientific knowledge.

"You evolved twice in such a short time!"

'Yes, I did.'

"Unbelievable potential. This is the first specimen I've seen like this! And beautiful too."

Somehow, I feel a bit proud.

Careful not to show it, I asked.

'So what about you? Are you really Pelerian? Why are you inside the ring?'

It was a question asking if he was really the eccentric magician who made that dungeon.

"Yes and no. I tore off a part of my soul."

'What? Why?'

"Listen. And I made that torn soul reside in my possessions. The signet ring you were wearing is that object."

Does he think he's some 'He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named'? Tearing his soul and putting it in objects.

Come to think of it, he's just like a dark magician.

I wonder why he did such a thing.

'Did you want to live forever or something?'

"What nonsense. Why would a fairy worry about lifespan?"

Even while saying that, he didn't give a proper reason.

"To think the first magic beast I met would be a mutant like you. How fortunate."

I glared at Pelerian and said.

'Don't forget your promise. Two wishes left.'

"Ah yes, the wishes. Of course, an oath must always be kept."

'Can it be anything?'

"Anything."

I pondered what I could ask this eccentric magician.

But then, Pelerian smiled a strange smile.

That smile was familiar.

It was exactly the same smile he had when he guided me to the tank where the Chimera was hibernating.

Utterly sinister.

"However, it doesn't make sense for the great magician of Heaven Defier to serve a magic beast."

Pelerian's eyes flashed brightly.

Magical power condensed at an incredible speed.

"Obey, magic beast!"

And that magical power swept over my body.

"From now on, I am your master. Follow my voice."

Pelerian burst into maniacal laughter.

"To tame an intelligent mutant with the last bit of magical power I have left. The heavens are on my side!"

A typical mad magician.

To his utterly cowardly mental magic, I became dazed and about to follow his words... not.

Yes, I was perfectly fine.

'I thought you might do something like this.'

"Huh, what? What are you doing?"

Hmm.

I had wondered how my mental strength of 20 would work if I were to be hit by some kind of mental attack.

「The trait 'Indomitable' has nullified 'Taming lv10'.」

As expected, my mental strength didn't betray me.

"Stay still! Hey! I said stay still!"

I removed the ring from my tail.

Now, how should I teach this guy a lesson?