Ch.1178Get out

“It is an honor to receive you, Demigod of humans.”

One of the ancient non-human races long forgotten on the surface world—the Naga.

Following Ophelia’s guidance, those we encountered were extremely friendly and respectful toward us.

Though with their snake-like faces hissing at me from a position a head taller than mine, I can’t say I felt any particular internal connection with them.

‘They really are snakes.’

I thought I’d grown somewhat accustomed to non-human races with animal heads through Werebeasts and winged Dragonborn, but snake heads gave a completely different impression.

Perhaps because they were warrior class, their viper-like faces covered in scars made them look more ferocious and cruel than even most Werebeasts.

As Ophelia had roughly described, this race called Naga had the appearance of a giant snake with two arms added.

Their overall body length was probably around 3-4 meters.

Unlike snakes that keep their heads to the ground, they supported their bodies with their tails and held their upper bodies erect, making their effective perceived height about 2 meters.

Their necks were long, thick yet flexible, and the two arms attached to their torsos were also long and thick enough to reach down to my feet.

Their appearance was closer to a monster than a humanoid race.

However, proving themselves to be an intelligent species, they wore proper clothing—or more precisely, armor—over their snake bodies.

Perhaps because they crawled along the ground using the strength of their tails, the armor-covered parts extended from the upper body to around the waist. The lower body was bare, without any covering.

Interestingly, the material of their armor was identical to that of the spears and swords used by the fish-people, and the weapons matched not just in material but in form as well.

Which means…

‘These were originally Naga weapons.’

If they even made armor from the same material, it’s fair to say they were the original owners. The fish-people must have stolen or captured them and used them as their own weapons.

‘They’ve lost quite a lot. Have they been constantly losing until now?’

Although the other side had the unfair advantage of an ancient dragon, that Leviathan fellow didn’t seem like the type to actively participate in every battle.

This race called Naga, despite their terribly fierce appearance… might actually be a weaker race than even the fish-people.

“I am Hiyalbaer, warrior chief of Nastaria.”

At least this warrior chief—no, male Naga—seemed to be a fairly capable fighter.

Roughly between Nigel and Demian in strength, perhaps?

In terms of pure strength, he would be counted among the strongest on the surface world, but having just faced an ancient dragon, he seemed incredibly weak by comparison.

“Haschal. Haschal of Hestella.”

I nodded slightly and briefly stated only my name. My full name had become too long and inconvenient to pronounce.

Haschal Austica de Median von Landenburg le Hestella Aishan-Gioro… was it? Is that even a proper name? Even I was starting to get confused about the order.

“I belatedly thank you for your kindness in supporting and protecting my knights.”

After that simple introduction, I expressed my gratitude to them for slaughtering the fish-people army and protecting Nigel and Jahan.

You think my tone is too arrogant for a first meeting?

Nonsense. The strong should naturally be somewhat arrogant. Or rather, they need to show dignity befitting their position.

Being polite and respectful to those of lower status and power only makes them uncomfortable or, worse, makes them look down on you and try to climb over you.

Moreover, I am a queen of a nation in the secular world and the successor to the human god and a new deity in the religious sense. It would be strange for me to show respect to others.

This warrior chief probably didn’t expect me to speak respectfully to him either.

“Your words are too generous. Destroying that hateful sea dragon has long been our earnest wish, so it is we who should offer boundless gratitude and worship.”

See?

Far from being uncomfortable with my tone, Hiyalbaer bowed his head with extreme politeness, as if the very idea of receiving my thanks was sacrilegious.

In fact, he was almost excessively polite. Almost like a devotee of the Church of Ausrine or the Church of Astraea.

Of course, since they wouldn’t actually worship the human god, the reason for this excessive politeness was… probably that they wanted something from me.

I’d find out what exactly they wanted soon enough.

“Ah, about that worship… Our mage told me that you invited us as honored guests. Did I hear that correctly?”

“Yes. Our Nagaraja expressed a desire to welcome you as an honored guest, so I took the liberty of asking you to join us.”

“Nagaraja?”

“Their high priest, I was told. Since the position governs the entire Naga race, in our terms, we could call him a king.”

Ophelia, who had been puffing on a Mana Herb behind me, explained in a languid tone. Unlike her usual manner, she spoke with a certain formality, perhaps to maintain my authority in front of another race.

“I see, the high priest of the Naga…”

I trailed off quietly, glancing at Nigel and Jahan lying on temporary stretchers.

Thanks to Lena’s treatment, most of their visible external wounds were healing, but they would need at least a few days of complete rest to fully recover their strength.

The same applied to me.

While Lena was diligently treating my arm injury, which would heal quickly, it would take at least ten days for me to fully recover the strength I had expended in the battle with Leviathan.

Only Ophelia and Leonore, with their quick mana recovery, were somewhat functional.

But even those two couldn’t survive in this underground realm on their own, so we needed to hide for at least several days to avoid encountering powerful enemies.

In that sense, the Naga’s invitation was truly fortunate. If we accepted, we would have a sanctuary where we could rest comfortably and recover our strength.

…If we could trust the Naga, that is.

You might say we can trust them based on how they protected Lena, Leonore, Nigel, and Jahan?

Well, that’s not enough. How can I tell if that choice came from genuine goodwill or if it was bait to catch a bigger fish?

Earlier I said I would trust Ophelia’s judgment, but now that I’ve actually met them, my trust is strangely diminishing.

Maybe it’s because of their snake faces, but they seem like the type to reassure us with pleasant words and then stab us in the back, revealing it was all lies.

‘What do you think? Can we trust these snake people?’

[ …. ]

I directed the question to my mental roommate, but Hersella gave no answer.

Ah, right. She’s sleeping now. Never around when I need her. It’s because I used up all my Karma of Murder earlier, but still.

…I guess I’ll have to worry and decide on my own. In that case, let’s try the direct approach.

“There’s one question I’d like a clear answer to, if that’s alright? It might be somewhat rude, but it’s an issue I can’t overlook.”

“If it’s something I can answer, anything is fine. Please speak freely.”

Did you just give me permission to ask?

“It would be rash to consider someone an ally merely because we share a common enemy. Can you provide me with assurance that you are allies and not another enemy?”

I asked very directly why we should trust and follow them.

“For the safety of my knights, I find it difficult to accept your invitation wholeheartedly without such assurance.”

I added that I wasn’t hesitating out of fear, but out of concern for my knights’ safety.

“…I understand it’s a matter you would naturally be concerned about.”

Hiyalbaer nodded slowly in understanding as he answered.

“But please don’t worry. In the name of the Nagaraja, I swear to guarantee your absolute safety and provide you with the utmost hospitality.”

He would guarantee our safety in the name of their king, the Nagaraja.

“Since I’m not familiar with your culture, I must ask… what meaning does that oath hold?”

I don’t even know his name.

Besides, an oath is ultimately just lip service without credibility or binding power. It’s just a verbal promise that can be reversed depending on the situation.

“I don’t mean to belittle this Nagaraja. I’m just saying that alone isn’t enough.”

Oaths sworn by priests in the name of gods have some effect, but a king’s name… well, can I really trust that?

Just speaking for myself, I’ve lied in Leopold’s name to deceive enemies more than once or twice.

“I don’t know about your people, but we humans can easily throw around a king’s name to deceive enemies.”

Leonore and Ophelia gave me looks suggesting that was just me, but anyway, from my perspective, an oath in a king’s name wasn’t very reliable.

“I’m not particularly familiar with human culture either, but…”

Hiyalbaer hesitated a bit, then continued with a passionate gaze as if to say they were different.

“The Nagaraja is our guide, our master, and our most revered one. An oath in his name is equivalent to an oath on the lives of all Naga.”

An oath in the Nagaraja’s name is equivalent to an oath on the lives of all Naga.

Hiyalbaer himself seemed to say this in the hope that I would believe him… but for some reason, it made me more suspicious. Is it just me?

“Is that so? If it’s such a weighty oath… then I’ll believe you. I accept the invitation of your king, the Nagaraja.”

However, given that it was difficult to find a suitable place to hide in this devastated ruin, I ultimately accepted their invitation with reluctance.

I would be fine digging into some cave, but Nigel and Jahan weren’t that sturdy, and they might fall ill in such conditions.

Hiyalbaer seemed extremely pleased.

Well, it is something to be pleased about. Whether this is a trap or not, if he failed due to poor persuasion in carrying out his king’s direct order, his position upon return would be quite precarious.

So from his perspective, he must be very grateful that I readily accepted after hearing only that oath. I understand.

Because I understand, please, just don’t let me change my title from Were Eater to Naga Eater. I’m begging you. You guys look like you’d taste absolutely terrible.