Srrrrk.

The Snake Queen took a few steps back.

“Hmm... This is quite unexpected. I’m very flustered.”

I felt the same.

It was something I hadn’t anticipated either.

No, seriously, how did things end up like this?

Why am I even with the Snake Queen...?

Sure, I was briefly intrigued by that energy pouch, but that’s beside the point.

How do I explain this? It’s just a natural instinct—something inherent to all living beings.

It was nothing more than an instinctive reaction to seeing something big.

“There’s a saying that heroes are attracted to beauty, so maybe it’s not so strange after all...”

The Snake Queen trailed off and stared at me intently.

How do I even explain this?

Although I had a feeling that not explaining might actually work out better for me, like the situation would somehow turn in my favor.

At the same time, though, I felt like things were about to go horribly wrong.

I could almost picture myself wrapped up in spider webs if I ever met the spider sisters again.

Or maybe I’d shed all my scales and evolve into a head-butting dinosaur.

“Geh...”

Seriously.

As absurd as it is, she wouldn’t really go through with what I’m imagining, would she?

She’ll realize that what she said was just a misunderstanding.

“Having offspring could be quite troublesome,” she added.

Wait, what did you just say, Snake Queen?

Offspring?

Why are you talking as if we’re going to have kids?

The Snake Queen was subtly approaching me.

Her movements were slow, yet I couldn’t avoid them.

My whole body was trembling.

Is this what a mouse feels like when it's cornered by a snake?

It reminded me of how I felt when Nephila Jurassica grabbed my tail.

As the Snake Queen drew closer, she suddenly stopped in her tracks.

“…Hold on.”

Right. This doesn’t make sense, does it?

You’ve realized something is off, right?

You’re part human, so let's not live completely like wild animals.

“You’re not even three months old, are you?”

Wait, how does she know that?

“So, you’re younger than my daughter, then?”

In terms of lizard years, yes, that’s probably true.

If we count my past life, I’d definitely be older than this snake, but technically this body hasn’t even been alive for three months. No one knew that, though.

“Age isn’t the issue, but... you’re far too young. I suppose I’ll just have to wait.”

It’s oddly refreshing how reasonable she is on this point.

...Wait, why are you waiting?

There’s an option to just give up or let me go, you know.

“The engagement will have to be postponed,” she said.

“Gehk!”

Though she said ‘postponed,’ I’m pretty sure that means indefinitely delayed, right?

So, there’s no need to worry.

We can think about this again when Shhk-Shhk becomes the Snake Queen.

“Now then, I’ve said everything I needed to.”

Srrrrk.

Her tail coiled around my body once more.

You said the conversation was over.

What’s this supposed to mean?

“There’s something we need to do together. Come with me.”

Together?

What kind of ominous line is that?

...And I’m not really following, am I?

You’re just dragging me along.

The Snake Queen brought me back to the large clearing where we first met.

Shhk-Shhk is currently in the room with the mirror.

Which means it’s just me and the Snake Queen here.

Gulp.

What exactly did she bring me here for?

“Are you ready?”

I squeezed my eyes shut.

You said I was too young!

You said you’d wait!

Are you really going to... before Shhk-Shhk grows up...?

Savage.

No, savage snake.

This snake is barbaric.

Sssssk…

I heard a suspicious noise and opened my eyes just a sliver.

What I saw was a massive energy pouch.

[The Snake Queen gazes at you.]

Ah, right, the Basilisk’s petrification pouch.

The Snake Queen had returned to her true form and was staring at me.

Kuguguguuk.

[The Snake Queen is testing you.]

And so, my mother-in-law’s special training began.

•  

How many days has it been now?

Another grueling day passed.

“Keeek...”

Even the Komodo lay sprawled out.

My mother-in-law’s destructive beams were insane in terms of power.

It felt like she was holding back, but every time I got hit, I felt like I was going to pass out.

As I lay there with my tongue sticking out, I heard a familiar sound.

“Piyaak!”

Shhk-Shhk, the ball python, came crawling over, dragging a bucket behind her.

According to the Snake Queen, that bucket was some sort of divine artifact made of iron.

But come on, how is that a divine artifact? It’s clearly just a tin bucket.

Still, considering how old it is and the fact that it hasn’t rusted at all, maybe it deserves the title of a divine artifact?

Whatever it was, I didn’t care.

Shhk-Shhk coming to me meant today’s training was over.

“Piyak!”

With a sound like a chick, Shhk-Shhk handed me the bucket.

The bucket was filled with cold water.

Shhk-Shhk set the bucket down and stared at me, as if waiting for me to drink the water she had brought.

So cute.

Just looking at her made me feel better.

She reminded me of Pus and Tus.

After being tormented by my mother-in-law, Shhk-Shhk was a precious source of comfort.

“Piyaak!”

Alright, alright.

I buried my head in the bucket—no, the divine artifact—and drank.

Gulp, gulp.

I briefly thought about how I should be lapping up the water with my tongue like a lizard, but that didn’t matter. There was no problem with just dunking my head and drinking straight.

“…Princess, is there no water for your mother?”

At some point, the Snake Queen had transformed back into her human form and spoke with a hint of disappointment.

“Piyaaaaak!”

[The ball python LV18 says there’s no water for thieves.]

“What? How could a mother have such shameless thoughts?”

The Snake Queen was visibly flustered by her daughter.

Python, do you even know the kind of humiliation I endured while you weren’t around?

I got touched all over.

“Saaaaah!”

Good job, Shhk-Shhk.

The ball python bit the Snake Queen’s finger and hung on.

“…One day, you’ll understand your mother’s intentions.”

The Snake Queen muttered, casting her eyes downward.

I hope you never understand her intentions.

Please don’t corrupt our pure Shhk-Shhk.

Let me at least enjoy the cuteness in my life.

I replenished my strength by eating the meat the Snake Queen had prepared.

“Lizard with legs, I believe you’re well-prepared now.”

Prepared, huh.

Of course I was.

【Komodo LV15】 HP: 1203/1270 MP: 370/470 【Status】 「Snake Queen’s Brand」

I’d leveled up to 15.

Most of those levels came from the effects of devouring.

All I did was eat the meals the Snake Queen provided, and my levels shot up.

The Snake Queen’s brand was still there, which was slightly annoying, but it wasn’t necessarily a bad thing, so I decided not to dwell on it.

If I thought about it differently, it could be considered the Snake Queen’s blessing.

Honestly, part of me wanted to live beside her forever, but eventually, she’d probably find a way to revert my levels through some other method.

I had completed the Cockatrice training with her and focused on enhancing my basic physical abilities. Now, I was fully prepared.

It was time to start paying back for all the meals I’d eaten.

“Gehk!”

I nodded confidently.

“Ufufu, such confidence. Well, that’s to be expected from someone taught by me.”

No matter how strong the Cockatrice was, it couldn’t compare to the Snake Queen.

I had been hit with her destructive beams multiple times, after all.

There was no fear in facing the Cockatrice.

“I suppose I can start calling you my disciple now.”

“Geek...”

I glanced up at her cautiously.

I wouldn’t mind, honestly.

The Snake Queen’s disciple.

How cool did that sound?

“…What’s with that expression?”

But I already had a master.

“Don’t tell me... you already have a master?”

There’s someone like you, Queen, her name’s Baek Yeon-Yeong.

“…You greedy little lizard. To think I’ve even lost the title of master.”

The Snake Queen spoke in a dejected tone.

Now I feel a little guilty.

“I’ll make sure to be your first...”

Nope, not feeling guilty anymore.

This person...

No, this snake still hasn’t come to her senses.

“Piyaaaak!”

Shhk-Shhk bit down on the Queen’s fingers again, chewing away.

And so, after a slightly chaotic meal and sufficient rest, it was finally time to leave.

I couldn’t take Shhk-Shhk with me.

If we stayed in the Snake Queen’s territory, it would be fine, but as soon as we stepped into another area, she’d become prey for the birds.

“Hieeek…”

Python rubbed against me before sliding down from the Snake Queen’s fingers.

Honestly, there was a moment where I considered eating the food and running off, but I couldn’t just abandon her. Besides, I owed the Snake Queen.

“The goal is to gather evidence.”

The mission itself wasn’t difficult, so I’d just get it done quickly and return.

“Remember, under no circumstances should you confront him.”

“Gehk!”

“You’re not entirely incapable of winning, but it’s too dangerous. I don’t want my daughter to become a widow.”

…Are you worried about me?

“If you focus on running, even the Cockatrice won’t chase you. Just find out its location and return to the temple as fast as you can.”

I’d heard this a thousand times.

Locate the Cockatrice.

That’s the task the Snake Queen had entrusted me with.

“Gehk!”

I let out a confident cry.

What could possibly go wrong?

“Yes, truly dependable.”

I patted Shhk-Shhk’s head as she rubbed against me.

She’s a snake, yet why does it feel like I’m petting a puppy?

The farewells were over.

No need to drag this out.

A good lizard proves its worth through actions.

“Lizard with legs, if you complete this mission successfully, there will be a grand reward.”

A reward?

More than just showing me a divine artifact?

Do you even have anything left after giving so much away?

Maybe she’ll give me an elixir or something.

I gazed at her with hopeful eyes.

“Ufufu, you can look forward to it.”

…It’s an elixir, right?

A mysterious chill ran down my spine.