The heart ended there.

I could distinctly feel the essence of the Avian Spirit's elixir settling in my dantian.

I’m not sure if it’s an accurate metaphor, but its energy felt like steel feathers.

Hard as steel but light as feathers.

While an ordinary elixir provides the internal energy it contains, this one is something different.

Compared to the elixirs I've consumed before, it’s closer to Seolsam or Hwa-ri.

Let’s set aside the matter of managing the energy for now.

First, I need to explain myself to the Snake Queen, who is covering her eyes as if she has seen something she shouldn't.

“Ggkk….”

Of course, I can’t explain with just my stuttering sounds.

But I should at least convey that I feel wronged, right?

“It’s okay. I understand.”

“Ggkk.”

Not understanding, but misunderstanding, I guess.

“Hmmm…. I figured out that you have a peculiar fondness for this useless mass of fat, but your tastes are really unique.”

“Ggkk!”

…Did it show too much?

But it really was beyond my control.

How could I, having lived a life as a human, not react when seeing something so grand?

From the Snake Queen’s perspective, she might see that internal energy storage as a useless organ.

After all, reptiles don’t produce milk.

…But then, why is she taking on such a form?

Could it be that I like it?

That wouldn’t be the reason.

She took on that appearance even during our first meeting.

The Snake Queen likely adopted that massive form because of her master.

After all, she herself was no ordinary creature.

“Is that outfit so appealing?”

“Ggkk!”

I shook my head vigorously.

To be honest, I don’t think there’s any man who would dislike it.

Still, the reason I didn’t nod was because of that creature appearing in it.

For some reason, the Snake Queen doesn’t seem to see the clothes and the creature separately.

Since my heart took that form, she probably thinks she should appear in a similar way.

So, as a basilisk.

“Ggegegegekk!”

I strongly oppose that.

If there were a measure of mental strength, I would be at the very bottom.

As I protested while stuttering.

“I can’t understand you at all.”

If I knew, I’d be hurt!

“I do have a few outfits, but if that’s the case, I should just leave it be.”

Outfits?

She had clothes?

Let’s describe the Snake Queen’s appearance.

I’ll skip the detailed description of her face.

If I had to compare, I might say her face rivals that of Baek Yeon-Yeong.

They really do look alike.

But that’s not the important part.

First, the Snake Queen’s lower body.

When one thinks of a Lamia, they think of a particular appearance.

When looking at the Snake Queen, the gaze naturally shifts to her upper body, so it doesn’t come to mind easily.

And the upper body of the Snake Queen.

Perhaps knowing she has a good figure, she dresses quite provocatively.

No, it’s more like her attire is a bit strange.

She merely covers specific areas with unknown skin tissue.

Of course, when going out, she might move in her basilisk form, and when she needs to show a human shape like an Argentavis, the covering ratio increases significantly.

But fundamentally, she had lived a life far removed from what one would call clothing.

“…Why are you looking at me like that? Did you think there wouldn’t be any clothes while I have alcohol?”

“Ggkk.”

Then why didn’t you wear clothes before?

I gestured vigorously to convey my thoughts.

“Do you think it’s common to walk around in human form? Transforming into a human shape once a year can be considered a lot. How could I care about clothes? It’s a very inefficient thing to do.”

Didn’t you walk around in human form all this time?

Whether eating, splashing around in the lake, or sleeping in the nest.

I had seen her in basilisk form far less frequently.

The Snake Queen must have had outfits, but since she didn’t assume human form, they were probably left somewhere.

Yet the Snake Queen I had seen had always been in human form.

I stared intently at her.

I flicked my tongue, taking in her scent.

This aroma.

And this taste.

It tasted like a lie.

I hadn’t said anything, but it seemed the Snake Queen realized something as she slightly turned her head.

“Don’t get me wrong. I only appeared like this because it was convenient for roaming the temple. I’m not doing this because I think you like this appearance.”

Of course not.

“Ggkk.”

What expression am I making?

…Does she think that I find something strange about this?

The Snake Queen avoided my gaze.

That was a rather refreshing reaction.

If only my heart were the same, I would enjoy that reaction more, but my scales would be in tatters.

“Alright. Ah, yes. Did the princess fare well?”

The Snake Queen hastily changed the topic.

I wanted to hear her say something like, “Yes, you’ve been appearing as you like,” but I decided to leave that enjoyment for my future self.

It wouldn’t do to keep teasing the Snake Queen, and I had to address the matter regarding Shweshwe too.

Nodding my head as she intended.

“Ggkk.”

“Right. You wouldn’t have cried in my absence, would you? You’re such a brave child. You might be sad about not having your partner, though.”

She might be sad for a moment, but it wouldn’t last long.

I think that by now, the lizards would be sorting out their hierarchy.

They must have been glaring at the lizard sticking to me with dissatisfaction.

Did they already swallow him?

“…Is the young dragon doing well?”

The Snake Queen made a face that seemed to express concern.

She’s worried about her father, she says.

Why would she be shy and beat around the bush?

“Ggegekk.”

I moved my body energetically to convey the state of the young dragon.

It meant he was doing well.

“Hmm. It’s not too long until we meet again.”

Her expression showed she was relieved.

The Snake Queen shared a few more stories related to the young dragon.

Having shown me her past through the heart, she seemed to have no more distance between us.

I replied appropriately to her words while stuttering.

The conversation flowed and eventually got to the main point.

Speaking of the main point, it was about the upcoming battle.

“…Yes. As you might have sensed, the young dragon will not participate in this battle.”

Old Kompi is sitting this one out. Instead, he’ll take on the role of protecting Shweshwe. From what the Snake Queen mentioned, Argentavis might also leave their young one with him.

It could be seen as babysitting.

“Even though their power has significantly decreased, the absence of the young dragon is substantial. Therefore, your role has become important.”

Ahem.

I raised my head.

Having consumed the Avian Spirit's elixir, I could probably defeat the Basilisk alone!

“I must maximize your strength until the treatment of the former King of Birds is complete.”

What she meant was clear.

Training.

And more training.

Having eaten the Avian Spirit's elixir, I must make this power fully mine.

For the remaining time, I must train as if I were dead.

It’s a maximum of five days.

The time for dawdling is over.

“Focus solely on your training.”

The Snake Queen reminding me of this likely meant we should each do our best in our respective positions.

I would cultivate my strength, and the Snake Queen would forge the weapons to defeat the King of Birds.

She would also summon the remaining forces.

Though it wouldn’t be a long time, it would be hard to see the Snake Queen’s face.

Shweshwe is also in the young dragon’s territory.

That means I’ll have to spend time alone in this vast temple.

…I’ll likely be spending time alone for the first time in a long while.

It might be a bit lonely, but it won’t be a very long time.

When sleeping, it might be a bit cold, and I’ll have to eat alone, and make stuttering sounds by myself, but I can endure that.

…Shweshwe, I already miss you.

The Snake Queen stared intently at me.

“My partner. Whose elixir did you consume?”

Suddenly asking such a question, I wondered what her intention was.

It’s the Avian Spirit’s.

The expression on the Snake Queen’s face was strange.

“It’s the Avian Spirit’s. You and I consumed it half each.”

Her expression was like that of a nonchalant cat about to play a prank.

As if she’d suddenly leap up and attack me… 

Thud!

The Snake Queen suddenly lunged at me.

Crash!

With that surprise attack, I toppled over, and the Snake Queen ended up pinning me down.

What in the world is going on? I raised my head.

“Then if you’re going to train, you should be in this position, shouldn’t you?”

Thump.

Thump.

The sound of the Snake Queen’s heartbeat resonated through my skin.

Training?

I could do it all day long.

* 

Guuuu….

In the nest of the Great Arhat.

The King of Birds looked down at the Naja and the Basilisk with cold eyes.

“Did you… fail the mission?”

“T-that’s…”

It was unfair.

She had done her best.

She was about to say that.

Guuu….

A heavy internal energy pressed down on Naja and Basilisk.

“Gk-!”

While Basilisk managed to hold on somehow, Naja couldn’t withstand it and fell to her knees.

Her wings had been clipped and her condition wasn’t good, but the King of Birds’ strength was much greater than Naja had anticipated.

She felt the presence of a power surpassing the Snake Queen.

“D-did the Avian Spirit… lose to him?”

The Avian Spirit is a powerful entity.

When seen alone, it’s just a beast.

But if two unite, they can exert a strength that surpasses Naja.

It would make no sense for a mere lizard to defeat the Avian Spirit.

Besides, it wasn’t even an ordinary battle.

They had set up an elaborate plan to deal with the abnormal capabilities of the creature.

After isolating the Snake Queen, the Avian Spirit would deal with it directly.

They also sent many minions to wear down its stamina while suppressing its mysterious power.

There should have been no variables.

It was just a lizard that barely reached the first class.

Even if it had truly reached the peak of its power, it shouldn’t have been able to defeat the Avian Spirit.

It had been a lizard that barely overcame the water dragon.

How could it possibly defeat the Avian Spirit?

Surely it must have lost.

Was it possible that it grew under its own power?

No. It wouldn’t have won.

It must have sustained until the Snake Queen released it, killing the Avian Spirit.

Moreover, with the death of the previous King of Birds, the lizard would only continue to grow.

Even as time passed, it would become increasingly dangerous for the King of Birds.

“Grrr….”

The King of Birds smirked.

“Then… that would be more interesting.”

When it first sprouted feathers, it had shown the same smile to the Snake Queen.

“Only then can I break your heart…”

The King of Birds spread its large wings.

Tsuaar…

A nauseating black mist seeped into the shoulders of Naja.

“G-gah…!”

Naja let out a painful groan.

Pah!

Her broken wings were reformed anew.

“Hah… Hah…”

She panted heavily, checking her state.

The wound she had suffered from the Snake Queen was completely gone.

Moreover, she felt a strength greater than before.

“If I can do this, then I can…!”

Naja knew it was time to strike the Snake Queen.

Not just that, but she could finally take revenge on the King of Birds.

The King of Birds shook its head.

“Not yet…”

The greed in the eyes of the King of Birds was palpable.

“Wait until she comes to me…”