I closed my open mouth.

That’s enough.

“Gegeek.”

Though I’d gotten used to showing the inside of my mouth, showing it to another male still felt a bit strange.

Argentavis was still staring, looking astonished.

His face was a mix of wonder, confusion, and perhaps anticipation—a complex blend of emotions.

He flapped his massive wings.

Honestly, I didn’t love that he was a male Harpy, but with wings that large, it was an impressive sight.

“I see… To be honest, when I first saw you, I underestimated you somewhat. I thought you were just a big lizard who’d gotten lucky with some faith.”

Is it because he’s a bird? His vision’s incredibly sharp.

And he’s not entirely wrong; I really did just luck into some faith as a big lizard.

“But that’s not the case. You’d have to be this strong to take down Gechalgoatal.”

Argentavis turned his gaze toward the Snake Queen.

“At first, I wondered if a queen would choose a mere lizard as her partner, simply based on appearances. I suppose I was mistaken about both you and your partner. I formally apologize.”

The Snake Queen flinched slightly.

Why is this bird so perceptive?

Then again, he doesn’t know the full story.

The reason the Snake Queen chose me as her partner was because of Shik-Shik.

Shik-Shik had become my follower.

This meant he was receiving less support from the Snake Queen.

She had a solution, though.

By linking her faith with Gegeek and connecting it to me, she could support me indirectly, and it would benefit her daughter as well.

That’s my guess as to why she partnered with me.

…I mean, sure, I do know I’m a bit of a handsome lizard.

Well, maybe “handsome” isn’t the right word—“impressive” suits me better.

After all, I am a lizard with dragon scales.

Shik-Shik likes my dragon scales a lot, too.

But that’s probably just a form of admiration.

It’s like people finding a huge dinosaur impressive.

Some might even suggest putting it in a maid outfit, but that’s a rare few.

It’s likely that the same feeling applies to spiders, snakes, and lizards around here.

The Snake Queen is probably no different.

She might like my dragon scales, but it wouldn’t be in a romantic sense.

Besides, we’re different species.

This partnership was probably more about practical benefits.

A partnership on paper.

The Snake Queen glanced at me, as if to ask if I’d accept the apology.

“Gegeek!”

Of course, I’ll accept it.

I mean, he’s apologized twice now.

That’s top 1% behavior in the bird kingdom.

He’s on a completely different level from that Man-faced Bird.

“Fine. Since my partner has forgiven you, I’ll let it slide this time. But my partner asks that you elaborate more on dragons.”

I didn’t say that?

The Snake Queen avoided my gaze.

Seems there’s something she’s curious about.

As the former Bird King, Argentavis is likely older than the Snake Queen and would know more.

And I could stand to learn more, too.

“What more can I say about dragons? They have antler-like horns, a long, snake-like body, fly through the sky, bring rain, and possess mystical powers. They’re sacred creatures.”

Argentavis glanced at me.

The dragon he described didn’t resemble me at all.

That was the Eastern dragon he was describing.

“That’s the typical dragon most know about. But there’s more than one kind of dragon. There are those with no mystical powers, but with sheer strength alone, they still deserve the title of dragon. They look like giant armored lizards with wings, soar through the skies, and breathe fire that can incinerate everything. That’s also a dragon.”

Now that surprised me.

He was accurately describing a Western dragon.

As if he’d seen one himself.

“But having dragon scales doesn’t automatically make one a dragon. The same goes for dragon blood. This jungle is full of creatures with both.”

It didn’t take long to realize what creatures he was talking about.

There are dinosaurs in the Ten Thousand Great Mountains.

Plenty of them, in fact.

Their skins and scales could technically be called dragon scales.

And their blood might even be considered dragon blood.

Of course, compared to a true dragon—or even me—they wouldn’t measure up.

And I have not only dragon scales but reverse scales as well.

“But dragon fangs are different. Their teeth might be sharp, but they lack the metallic essence yours carry. So your partner, who possesses dragon fangs, is the closest thing to a true dragon.”

Look, they’re just Komodo dragon teeth, I swear.

This misunderstanding keeps getting deeper.

But when I think about it, there’s no real reason to correct him.

If he wants to treat me like a dragon, it’s all the better for me.

It’ll even give me a bit of a morale boost.

The Snake Queen’s partner is actually a dragon!

And that dragon’s on our side.

Even if I just sit here going “gegeek,” it’d make them feel secure.

“I’ve heard some rumors, but it seems you were mostly right.”

The audacious Snake Queen.

If another creature saw this, they’d admire her unwavering expression, thinking it lent credibility to her words.

But having seen her goofy “ehehe” face, I knew she was just putting on an act.

Argentavis didn’t seem to notice, exclaiming boldly.

“To stand beside one closest to a dragon! What is there left to fear?”

The tense atmosphere from earlier melted away.

Now that the mood was light, it was time to enjoy the wine Argentavis had brought.

“Though I have little to offer, drink to your heart’s content.”

The feast began.

“Kekik!”

Some pterosaurs, who appeared to be his subordinates, brought out food.

Of course, it wasn’t the warm food I’d hoped for, but wild edibles they’d gathered.

There was meat, and surprisingly, a few mushrooms.

And even some bird eggs.

…Are they really okay with serving eggs?

Those must be unfertilized, right?

“Hieek!”

Shik-Shik wagged his tail and promptly bit into a small egg.

He’s a snake, so of course he’d be drawn to eggs.

After all, birds and snakes have that kind of relationship.

Thinking about it, this alliance must’ve been quite an achievement.

Shik-Shik and Chirp-Chirp, still young, enjoyed the food, while the Snake Queen, Argentavis, and I sipped on the wine in our cups.

Not enough to get drunk, just enough to lift our spirits.

A way to solidify our alliance even further.

Shik-Shik demonstrated a neat trick of swallowing the egg yolk and spitting out the shell. As I watched, mesmerized, Argentavis approached me.

“You.”

After calling me, Argentavis glanced at the Snake Queen.

She was busy devouring meat every time a pterosaur brought some over.

With her massive form, she probably needed a lot of food.

From the way she looked regretful when sharing food with me, she must’ve been restraining herself for a while.

“Gegeek.”

Once he saw the Snake Queen was focused on eating, Argentavis spoke quietly.

“Do you know the phrase ‘a hero’s penchant for beauty’?”

*Pfft.*

I nearly spit out my drink.

Of course, I know it.

But why bring that up now?

Argentavis glanced at the chirping Bushtit.

Then he looked back at me.

Or rather, at my teeth.

“I apologize for earlier. I hope you understand the perspective of a father with a daughter.”

Why bring up ‘a hero’s penchant for beauty’ while looking at his daughter?

Surely it doesn’t mean what I think?

“Tweet…”

Chirp-Chirp fluttered over and perched right in front of me.

Round and fluffy, incredibly cute.

But it didn’t feel purely cute.

I’d picked up on Argentavis’s sly intentions.

“If things go well, she’ll succeed me as the next ruler.”

Chirp-Chirp lifted her tiny head with pride.

“Chirp!”

Not that lifting her tiny face made much difference.

“You don’t seem very old yourself, so by the time the Snake Queen retires, you’ll likely be the dominant one.”

Uh, Shik-Shik is right here.

And she’s older than me.

Chirp-Chirp’s also older than me.

“It’s time to redefine the relationship between snakes and birds. My daughter and you will be at the heart of that.”

So… he just wants me to get along with Chirp-Chirp?

I get it.

Even though I won’t stay in this jungle forever, as the Snake Queen’s partner, it wouldn’t hurt to get along with his daughter.

He sees me as a dragon’s successor or something, so I guess he wants to solidify the connection.

…Isn’t this a bit opportunistic?

He was ready to kill me earlier.

Argentavis seemed to recognize this, laughing sheepishly.

“Haha. She’s my daughter, but she’s a charming one, isn’t she? Why would a dragon limit himself to just one partner?”

Argentavis whispered in a very small voice.

I could hardly believe my ears.

If the Snake Queen had heard him, there’d be no alliance—only a devastating beam headed his way.

Fortunately, she hadn’t heard, too busy enjoying her meat.

So he’s hinting… that I should take his daughter?

“Tweet…”

The Bushtit gave me a longing look.

No matter how expressive it tried to be, it was still a Bushtit.

We’ve barely known

 each other an hour.

I could somewhat understand the mindset of reptiles and arthropods after being around them.

But birds… Birds were a mystery to me.

I knew they performed elaborate dances to court females.

So, a female bird picks a mate based on his fancy display.

And in terms of “impressive looks,” I, a dragon-looking creature, am apparently an ideal choice.

…I suddenly understand the bird mindset.

“Gegeek!”

Call it the curse of knowledge.

I didn’t want to know.

“As a father, I can’t just hand over my young daughter. Especially while the war isn’t over.”

Then what are you trying to say?

“When my daughter ascends as queen, and you become a true dragon, come find me.”

Opportunist.

Argentavis is a massive opportunist.

A bit loyal, maybe.

“Sssaaak!”

Having sniffed something out, Shik-Shik dashed over, raising his triangular head.

“Chirp-chirp!”

“Shik-shik!”

Shik-Shik and Chirp-Chirp started bickering naturally.

I guess it’s good the Snake Queen and Argentavis aren’t fighting.

But it seemed like they were both under some misconceptions.

From Chirp-Chirp’s perspective, Shik-Shik’s the “stone stuck in place.”

She probably thinks she has to push him out to take her spot.

For Shik-Shik, he’s already bitter about losing the partner spot to the Queen, and now here’s this bird moving in.

They each think they need to get rid of the other!

But they’ve got it all wrong.

I hate to break it to them, but I like humans.

Sure, you’re cute for animals, but you’re not humans.

…Now, if Shik-Shik turned into a curvy Lamia like the Snake Queen, or if Chirp-Chirp turned into a cute Harpy, I might reconsider.

“Peep?”

“Chirp?”

Shik-Shik and Chirp-Chirp turned their heads at the same time.

Did they somehow hear my thoughts?

Shik-Shik might have, but the Bushtit? Doubt it.

Not that it matters much.

It’s not like Chirp-Chirp and Shik-Shik are going to turn human overnight.

Sure, the Mirror of Possibility showed Shik-Shik could become a beautiful Lamia like her mother, but that was just potential.

Walking the path of a divine creature could take decades.

In other words, I’m safe for now.

“Peep.”

“Chirp.”

Shik-Shik and Chirp-Chirp stopped fighting.

Good, they’ll be ruling this jungle together one day. They should get along.

“Peep.”

“Chirp-chirp.”

…Seems like they’ve joined forces.

I don’t know why, but it’s good to see them united on a common goal.

“Gegeek!”

Time to stop worrying and enjoy the feast.

After all, I’d be on the move right after this celebration ended.