I had finally uncovered the secret about snakes' tails.

…Come to think of it, that reaction when I offered Shikshik my severed tail… Was it because snakes view their tails as a rather… intimate area?

Shikshik, this mischievous one.

Didn't she actually swallow my severed tail whole?

Even after learning this shocking truth, nothing really changed.

I spent the next few days with the snake mother and daughter, though I couldn’t help but worry if I was getting trapped in an endless swamp of scales. Thankfully, they treated me as usual, which meant I didn’t have to worry about being eaten.

Well, except for the occasional unsettling way Shikshik would gaze intently at my tail. I wasn’t sure what thoughts were running through her head, but as long as she didn’t act on them, I could let it slide.

We shared many conversations while I was wrapped in the coils of the Snake Queen—not so much "in her arms" as entangled in her coils.

“Having territory means taking on the responsibilities that come with it. Well, I’m sure my companion will handle it well, even without me saying so.”

A seasoned mentor.

Or rather, the Snake Queen, who had held her own territory long before I did, offered me advice.

I had a domain now, and I’d even gained followers with powerful abilities, but compared to her, I was still just a hatchling.

…Not physically, but in terms of experience and authority over my domain.

Her advice was invaluable, so I couldn’t help but stick close to her.

It definitely wasn’t because her coils were so warm and soft.

“You understand that you can’t be too oppressive in your territory, yes?”

“Cough?”

“Even if your domain is rich, if a predator hunts recklessly, no creatures will stay.”

This jungle was proof of that.

The Snake Queen, as the apex predator, rarely hunted. Besides her followers, many other creatures called this jungle home.

If she hunted recklessly and shared the prey with her followers, the animals would eventually leave for other areas, and her followers would dwindle.

“Rule, but don’t control.”

“Cough…!”

“It’s your freedom to do as you wish, of course, but I recommend not interfering too much.”

It was common sense.

My domain didn’t have to be exclusively inhabited by my followers.

The more diverse the life there, the richer it would become.

“Due to the nature of the Dragon Gate, it’s likely that powerful challengers will come. …Since Baekrang is now your follower, you can relax a bit, but there are still stronger beings around.”

I’d worried about that myself, but then realized it was a needless concern.

Anyone ordinary wouldn’t even be able to approach.

Even if we exclude the Red Dragon, ten charging bisons alone are enough to be terrifying.

Seeing them thundering forward, it’s hard to imagine anyone brave enough not to run away.

“I look forward to seeing how far your territory will expand,” the Snake Queen chuckled softly, the expert investor as ever.

“It wasn’t a waste at all to shatter the Mirror of Possibilities.”

“Beep…”

The way the Snake Queen and Shikshik were curling around me felt more intense than usual, but maybe it was just my imagination.

Eventually, the time came for me to leave.

“Beep.”

Shikshik, now used to my frequent visits, didn’t react as dramatically as before.

“Beep!”

It felt like a “Come back safely.”

“So, you’re heading to the Divine Cult now?”

“Cough-cough.”

“…I see. It does feel like I’ve kept you here a while.”

Kept me here? This much time was well worth it.

“There’s a favor I’d like to ask. Would you be willing to grant it?”

A favor?

If it’s anything except taking off this necklace, I think I can manage.

The Snake Queen looked a bit hesitant, which was unlike her.

“…Could you bring me that item?”

That item?

“Ever since I tasted your honey treats, I can’t live without them.”

Ah, so she’s talking about those honey treats made from the Jade Hive’s nectar.

So that’s why she seemed a bit embarrassed.

She already finished the batch I gave her last time, and now she wants more.

Though it’s a rare delicacy, how could I refuse the Snake Queen?

…Hopefully, Baek Seolhwa prepared enough.

I should be able to find some with a bit of digging around.

“Cough-cough!”

“…Thank you. Oh, and wait a moment.”

The Snake Queen extended her arm and began inscribing something on a stone tablet.

“Give this to your mentor.”

She handed me the inscribed tablet and a plant that looked like an herb.

So, I’m her messenger now!

“Cough-cough.”

But if it’s the Queen’s request, I’ll do it.

I wonder what she wrote?

“This herb is a token of thanks for last time.”

“Cough.”

A token of thanks?

Come to think of it, she did ask for a special outfit last time.

So, could this request be…?

“Hehehe…”

Could it be a school swimsuit for the Snake Queen?

…I’ll make sure it gets there, even if it costs me my life.

* * *

Rumors about a strange spirit creature spread through the Heavenly Demon Cult.

The creature in question was a black lizard with white fur.

This spirit creature rescued a follower in danger and shared its prey without asking for anything in return.

Those who knew the full story understood that the prey in question was actually a beast carrying remnants of the Tase force, a creature the Cult had been searching for.

The tales of this lizard grew like wildfire.

A black lizard with scales like a dragon’s.

The younger followers, those less inclined toward combat, adored the stories about this creature.

After all, the Heavenly Demon Cult had always revered spirit creatures.

A creature with the appearance of a dragon, coupled with a benevolent nature toward humans, was impossible not to admire.

The rumor eventually reached the ears of the elders.

“Have you heard about the four-legged snake spirit, Elder Sam?”

“I’ve heard a bit. Personally, I’m grateful it’s been handling things I’d otherwise have to deal with…”

Unlike the younger followers, the elders held more skeptical views.

The Heavenly Demon Cult revered only the Heavenly Demon, after all.

For another spirit creature to garner so much attention was unsettling.

Though the Cult maintained strong connections with spirit creatures, the black lizard was different—it wasn’t officially allied with them.

“If it doesn’t cross a line, it’s fine, but to have even the young followers talking about it seems a bit… off.”

“Shouldn’t we handle it right away? Our only deity is the Heavenly Demon. How could we accept an unaffiliated spirit?”

“But we can’t simply hunt it down. It’s been somewhat benevolent toward us.”

“If you’re reluctant, I’ll handle it alone.”

“Elder Sa, are you suggesting meddling with a spirit creature without the Cult Master’s permission?”

Voices rose among the elders.

Watching the scene, Baek Seolhwa intervened with a calm voice.

“That’s enough.”

She was relieved Baek Yeon-Yeong wasn’t present. If she’d heard that, there’d be one less elder.

Of course, the Cult Master wouldn’t punish an elder over a single comment.

Outwardly, his words seemed to align with the Cult’s interests.

But it was clear where the blade of the Left Protector, the Dark Yin Ghost, would point if it came to that.

“Finding a solution for the spirit is wise. But using force? We don’t know what power that spirit might bring us.”

Baek Seolhwa knew exactly who the black lizard was.

According to Seo Wol-ah, it made an adorable “cough-cough” sound.

There was only one lizard she knew who made such a sound.

Of course, some insisted that the lizard had spoken human words, but that didn’t make Seo Wol-ah’s testimony any less valid.

“Capturing it unharmed would be acceptable.”

She thought back to the black lizard.

The memory of it scurrying off with her honey treats was still fresh in her mind.

“And let me know immediately if you do catch it.”

“…If the Priestess herself insists.”

Elder Sa looked briefly taken aback.

Baek Seolhwa’s usual serene demeanor had shown a flicker of anger just now.

He felt reassured.

If it was her, she had the authority to deal with the lizard.

…Though her way of “dealing” with it was not what he imagined, he wouldn’t know that.

The lizard’s tale concluded there for the time being.

The conversation then shifted to the movements of the Murim Alliance.

“I heard the situation isn’t looking good.”

“Yes, not a promising sign.”

Several elders sighed.

The Heavenly Demon Cult was strong, but not enough to take on the entire Murim Alliance.

No matter how powerful Baek Yeon-Yeong was, the Central Plains had no shortage of warriors who could rival her.

Most of the powerful figures belonged to the Alliance, and even the high-ranking masters of the unorthodox sects were likely to side with them.

“Any sects making official moves?”

“None so far.”

The Murim Alliance harbored ambitions of conquering Ten Thousand Mountains, but they were aware of the many high-ranking masters within the Heavenly Demon Cult, even apart from Baek Yeon-Yeong.

Nine elders and three protectors.

Each could match the heads of many sects in skill.

An open war with the Heavenly Demon Cult would require heavy sacrifices from them.

So, while the Alliance had banded together, they were still hesitating.

Wh

ichever sect moved first would likely be decimated.

This hesitation gave the Heavenly Demon Cult some time.

“There’s been some activity from the Huashan Sect.”

“Huashan? If they’ve made a move…”

The elders’ expressions darkened.

The Huashan Sect was one of the Ten Great Sects of the martial world.

“Not the entire sect, just a single dragon warrior.”

“Only one?”

“Yes, and the Cult Master has already taken care of it.”

“The Cult Master? So, that warrior crossed into our territory?”

“The Cult Master left word not to worry. He believes there’s a good chance the Huashan dragon warrior may join our side.”

The elders’ expressions brightened at that.

“Indeed, dragon warriors are known to be unpredictable. And that one does have a past connection with the Cult Master. This is good news.”

If the warrior from Huashan were to join the Cult, it would be invaluable, turning the enemy’s strength to their own benefit.

But this wasn’t why Baek Seolhwa had gathered them.

“…And we’ve received reports of movement from Shaolin.”

“What? Did you say Shaolin?”

One elder asked in disbelief.

“…Wait, Shaolin? Not the Murim Alliance? Those monks wouldn’t act alone.”

“Specifically, the Arhats of Shaolin are moving.”

“Arhats… Now I understand why you summoned us. Do you wish for us to intercept them?”

The Arhats were one of Shaolin’s main combat forces.

Eliminating them before full-scale warfare could tip the balance in their favor.

“No.”

Baek Seolhwa spoke in a calm tone.

“Quite the opposite.”

“The opposite?”

“The Arhats will not come here.”

Her words didn’t make sense.

If they weren’t coming here, then where?

“They’re heading to Ten Thousand Mountains.”

“You think we don’t know that? Of course, they’d head to Ten Thousand Mountains. Wait… you mean…”

It was clear Shaolin’s target wasn’t the Heavenly Demon Cult, but the spirit creatures in Ten Thousand Mountains.

To access Ten Thousand Mountains, though, they’d inevitably cross paths with the Cult.

Yet she seemed to imply they should let them through.

“By the opposite… are you saying we’re to stand aside and let them pass?”

Baek Seolhwa’s message was clear: they were not to hinder the Arhats’ entry into Ten Thousand Mountains.

“Why on earth…?”

Just as Elder Sa was about to object, Baek Seolhwa’s lips parted.

“It’s an order from the Cult Master.”

* * *

Back in her quarters, Baek Seolhwa let out a long sigh.

“Phew…”

Her worries seemed to multiply by the day.

With a demon deity descending upon Ten Thousand Mountains, avoiding conflict with the Murim Alliance was now impossible.

While they continued to deal with the remnants of the Tase forces, it wouldn’t be enough.

Even if they annihilated Tase completely, the Murim Alliance would still target Ten Thousand Mountains.

For them, this was the perfect justification to attack.

A full-scale war would almost certainly end in defeat for the Heavenly Demon Cult.

So they were doing everything possible to strengthen their forces.

Alliances with high-ranking spirit creatures, like the Snake Queen, were being formed to bolster their resistance against the Alliance.

But even with these efforts, it wasn’t enough.

To take on the whole of the Central Plains, they needed even greater strength.

Even outsiders might catch the scent and join in.

Her head throbbed.

‘…Sweet treats.’

Out of habit, she reached into her drawer to grab a honey treat but saw an unfamiliar item instead.

“…Hm?”

It was a large, red fruit, fully ripe and quite appetizing.

But as the Priestess of the Heavenly Demon Cult, she couldn’t eat something whose origin was unknown.

Just as she was about to toss it, her eyes caught sight of a golden ornament beside it.

“…A ring?”

A ring.

For some reason, it fit perfectly on her left ring finger.

As she wondered who could have played such a trick, her eyes fell on a few strands of white fur.

White fur.

She knew that black lizard had grown white fur.

“…It has a cute side, after all.”

Was this fruit an apology for all the treats it had stolen?

Baek Seolhwa smiled faintly.

Her headache seemed to ease a bit.

“To think I’d be comforted by a lizard.”

Placing the ring gently on her finger, she reached for her honey treats.

“…Hm?”

But her hand met with nothing.

Baek Seolhwa’s headache vanished completely.

Her anxiety replaced with a new emotion.

“You lizard!”

It was anger—pure fury—toward that shameless lizard who had once again stolen her honey treats.