Proper Education

Lania Grayrim dozed off beside the lady of the manor. She hadn't slept well the night before.

The hero Gunter had returned to Grayrim. And he'd brought the entire Iron Lion Knights with him. Lania's excitement had peaked. She admired the Iron Lion Knights almost as much as she did Gunter himself. Her idols had come to Grayrim. It was only natural for a girl to pull an all-nighter with her heart pounding.

The Iron Lion Knights' visit should have been good news. But for some reason, after that day, her father and mother seemed anxious. When she asked why, they wouldn't answer.

As soon as the morning sun rose, word came from the soldiers. Gunter and the Iron Lion Knights had arrived. Despite the early hour, the manor prepared to receive them.

"Sir Gunter enters!"

The doors opened. Gunter, clad in full armor, strode in, followed by his fully armed knights. Someone let out a shrill scream.

The knights were dragging in a chimera corpse. It was rotting, probably due to the heat. Its legs had been severed, and its body was caked in dried black blood. A foul stench filled the room.

"T-that's the chimera, isn't it."

Even the lord looked frightened. It was his first time seeing a hunted chimera up close.

"Indeed."

"You've done well. The Iron Lion Knights are truly valiant."

"And strict. We discovered the Reverse Heaven ruins. You knew of their existence and left them unchecked, Viscount."

"...What do you mean?"

Gunter was a hero, the viscount a noble. In reality, Gunter held greater authority, but they had always respected each other. But there was no respect in Gunter's tone now.

"We already have witnesses and testimonies."

"Testimonies? What testimonies?"

The viscount panicked. A chill tension hung in the air. Young Lania didn't notice. Maybe she was too sleepy, or perhaps because there was a familiar face among the knights.

The Iron Lion Knights stood in formation, fully armed, their stern aura rising like mist. Among them was the knight Lania knew: the young Zain, who had kindly answered her endless questions. He stood at the far right end.

Lania stared hard at Zain, and he looked back. His face was deathly pale, unlike usual. She waved and smiled. The real Zain would have given a light nod in return.

"......"

But he didn't. Zain looked like he might burst into tears. He averted his eyes.

The moment Lania took a step forward, the lady of the manor quickly pulled her into an embrace. The grip was urgent and firm, startling Lania. Only then did she realize things had turned serious.

Clang!

The Grayrim knights drew their swords. But Gunter and the Iron Lion Knights didn't. Instead, the local knights looked tense with their weapons out.

The viscount's face flushed red with anger.

"What insolence! To say I failed in my duties and broke the king's law!"

The viscount's bewildered shout echoed. Gunter didn't reply. Instead, he tossed something to the floor.

Thud.

It was a gold badge stamped with the royal crest: a three-headed eagle clutching a snake.

"I, Gunter Frihansen, have been appointed royal inspector by the king's command. Upon inspecting Grayrim Territory, I confirm negligence in monitoring the demon realm, lax discipline, embezzlement and misuse of border defense funds. Viscount Grayrim, you are hereby summoned to the capital."

"...This can't be. Not even the royals can—!"

The viscount, initially dumbfounded, now grasped the situation. It had seemed odd from the start—Gunter personally coming to subdue the Medusa Serpent. Had he been colluding with the crown to oust the viscount all along? Why? For this insignificant territory...

"If you have grievances, cooperate with the investigation."

"The noble council won't stand for this."

"Is that your concern? You'll enjoy your noble rights. Escort him."

The Iron Lion Knights approached the viscount. The local knights hesitated, but the viscount raised a hand to stop them.

"Gunter!"

His dignified resolve was manly. Even Gunter listened silently.

"If a single hair on my family's head is harmed, I won't let it slide."

"Hm."

Gunter nodded. It was just the lament of the defeated. Knowing this, the viscount was dragged away powerlessly.

"Until the viscount returns from the investigation, the acting lordship will be jointly held by me, the royal inspector acknowledged by the king, and the lady of the manor."

Thus decreed Gunter. The man who rose from commoner to hero—and his knights—began occupying Grayrim Territory.

Ah, refreshing!

A cool breeze washed away my turbid thoughts. Actually, it was getting downright chilly. I'd flown too long. Freezing to death in this sweltering Great Forest would be hilariously pathetic.

Today alone, I'd greeted the clouds twice. I'd sworn off flying, but it beat getting hunted by those knights. They were terrifying. Definitely not ordinary humans. Charging in heavy plate armor at motorcycle speeds, the ground shaking like a Mad Max scene.

I escaped thanks to Pellelian. The old man had retreated into the ring. Afraid of heights, apparently. What a clown.

-You owe your life to me, beast.

Aigoo, did I monologue too clearly? He responded politely.

'Call me beast again, and you're done.'

-...Hmph, a mere snake.

He'd thanked me earlier for saving the fairy, but now his attitude flipped. Long-eared folk can't be trusted.

'Where are we headed?'

-East.

'No specific destination?'

-Roughly east... should reach the Palamu Rainforest basin.

'Sounds like even you don't know...'

-Emergency Escape is like that.

He'd shouted "Emergency Escape," so it must be a skill. Mages should know teleport, right? This felt like advanced flight.

-In my current state, few spells are usable. Be satisfied, snake.

He anticipated my doubts. At least he heeded the "no beast" warning. I was content—until descent began.

'Wha-what!'

-Falling? Are you falling?

'I'm falling!'

-Mana shortage. Can't be helped.

Damn, flying doesn't suit me. Acceleration kicked in. Luckily, not freefall like when I bounced off the fairy girl. As ground neared, humid heat surged. Hotter and more tropical than Akham Basin. Trees towered higher, vines webbing like spider silk.

Crack-crunch—

The vines cushioned the impact. I rolled several times on soft soil before landing. Even the ground was plush. Looking up, moss blanketed it like a quilt. Gurgling streams, chirping birds, rustling leaves like waves.

'I survived!'

Yes, I lived again. No more flying, ever. This was Palamu Rainforest? Pellelian popped from the ring, mouth agape in shock.

-You really survived!

I disliked the old man's vibe. What a stressful day. Thought I'd claim the basin after the chimera, but deeper into the ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠forest instead. Plenty of dangerous beasts here, stronger than chimeras. Even before heading east, there were ghost jaguars. Maybe I'd meet Dad here.

Time to rest and check my status. Been a while.

Checked this last time.

Cold Resistance appeared. It was that chilly. Status: utterly exhausted. But I grinned. Couldn't help it.

Borrowing Horn stole—no, borrowed—the hero's skill. Heavenly Thunder Command. Impressive name. Lv0 was iffy, but...

I checked it.

Uh, thanks for the vague description. Useless. Gotta test it for real effects. But too exhausted ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠now. Recover stamina first. Don't know what it'll do—find safety first.

The jungle buzzed with life sounds. Priority: safe spot.

But first: chat with Pellelian.

-Snake.

'Yes.'

Our eyes met. Can't lose the staring contest. I used to avoid human eyes, but as a snake? Hm, still tough. Forced it. Huh, Pellelian looked away first. Fairies struggle too? Almost felt kinship.

-Your eyes are creepy.

'...'

Hurt, coming from the guy who called the chimera cute.

-What are you, really?

'Me? A snake.'

-Snakes don't talk or use magic like that.

'Do monsters need permission to speak? And it's telepathy—you're just hearing thoughts.'

-Not surprising for high-rank monsters. But you're a low beast... er, unevolved snake.

High-rank monsters talk? Mom never did. "High-rank" bar must be high. No need to spill my backstory or reincarnation.

-Explain.

His earnest plea got a birth-to-now tale: Medusa Serpent hatchling, Akham Basin escape, innate intelligence, his dungeon stay. Skipped bald graffiti on his portrait.

Pellelian was stunned.

-Mutant...!

'Yeah, sure.'

Mutant explains smart snakes? No science here.

-Two evolutions in that time!

'Yep.'

-Incredible potential. First specimen like this! Beautiful, even.

Flattered. Hid it.

'And you? Really Pellelian? Why in the ring?'

Confirming the dungeon weirdo.

-Yes and no. I tore out part of my soul.

'Why?'

-Listen. Infused it into my seal ring—you wore it.

Like Voldemort? Dark mage confirmed.

'Immortality?'

-Nonsense. Fairies don't fret lifespan.

No real reason given.

-Lucky my first monster is a mutant like you.

I glared.

'Don't forget the promise. Two wishes left.'

-Yes, wishes. Oaths must be kept.

'Anything?'

-Anything.

Pondered requests for this nut. Then his sly smile—like guiding me to the chimera tank. Sinister.

-But a Reverse Heaven archmage serving a monster? Absurd.

His eyes flashed. Mana surged wildly.

-Obey, monster!

Mana swept over me.

-I am your master now. Heed my voice.

Pellelian cackled madly.

-Taming an intelligent mutant with my last scraps of mana. Heaven aids me!

Classic mad mage. His pathetic mind magic dazed me... not. I was fine.

'Knew you'd pull this.'

-Wha—what? What are you doing?

Wondered about mental attack vs. Mental Strength 20.

Mental strength didn't betray me.

-Stay still! Hey! I said stay!

I slipped the ring off my tail. How to properly educate this guy?