Hey!
I'm back! And with a another chapter for the story.
I would like to say with the utmost happiness that I will once again begin uploading chapters everyday from this post (There might not be a new years celebration chapter though).
Anyways, have an enjoyable read!
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I and the small gorgan child continued to slither further on for quite a while. And yes, I remembered the word I was looking for earlier. (Lies, he just used Sages' Wisdom to appraise her.)
This child belonged to a race known as 'Gorgan' or more specifically for her, a 'Red Gorgan'. Apparently, this race was an evolution for the snakes of this world - being achievable by any snake as long as they made the right choices.
However, it also happened to be a race that one could simply be born as - such as this girl.
Learning that it was an evolution option for snakes though... It definitely made me think whether or not I'd be able to evolve into a Gorgan.
Negative.
The evolution to 'Gorgan' will be impossible.
DID YOU HAVE TO RUIN MY DREAM?!
I sighed, before shaking my head lightly.
I continued to slowly slither after the child, who moved infront of me - throwing my gaze all over the place every moment here and there.
One thing I had to say - is that now I was cautious as hell. Mainly for two reasons —
First - I was trying to appear as nothing more but a monster, so I was trying my best to not speak a single word. This was to avoid any unnecessary trouble that may arise from the fact that a monster like me is able to speak a verbal language.
Second - those cloaked people.. I finally remembered where I had heard of that description before.
Back when I fought and accidentally killed that Kitsune or whatever woman... In her last moments, she mentioned that the man that had delivered the news of her sisters death was wearing a red cloak.
While this could be just a coincidence and unrelated, I didn't want to jump to conclusions - after all, those people had the same cloak that fit the description I had a little too perfectly for it to be just a coincidence and nothing else.
So, incase this was indeed related and the man I took a vow to kill was involved with whatever those people were part of..
'I shouldn't let my guard down this deep in the woods. Who knows how many other people like that are still here..'
While dispatching them would be a piece of cake - having a child with me acts as sort of a back hold. Since if a battle was to arise, I'd have to take into account the safety of said child so I don't accidentally harm her with my own skills.
[Gorgan Child] "Mr.Snake, is everything alright?.."
The child asked me, with slight distress in her voice. Looking at her, I managed to pull myself back together - I had sort of let my slight stress of overcautiousness slide onto my expression...
I quickly wiped off the slightly nervous expression, before nodding in response to the child, before using my tail to lightly pat her on the head, as a way to reassure her that nothing was wrong.
The child seemingly bought the reassurance and put on a smile, before looking back away.
'Gotta be more careful with my expressions.. Don't want the child to worry that something may happen..'
I thought.
'On the note of worrying... Sages' Wisdom, anything new?'
[Overworld Detection] has not picked up any traces of malicious or suspicious activity or intent.
So we're in the clear for now...
That's good. We don't need to run into trouble at the moment, no thank you.
Another while passed, until eventually we reached a very, very thick wall of trees that created a large circle. So large, seeing the whole thing from my position was impossible.
I looked at the child as she slithered up to what looked like two massive gates, before knocking.
Seconds later, the gate opened, as another gorgan peaked through - only this one was dressed in armour.
Most likely a guard.
[Gorgan Guard] "Oh! Ms.Perl! Where have you been? You're parents are dead worried about you."
Ms? Why did he just refer to as—
[Perl] "I'm sorry... But I'm fine. Mr.Snake over there helped me."
She pointed towards me, as the Gorgan Guard looked over. He seemed to be a bit vary at first, however then slithered out of the gates and up to me.
[Gorgan Guard] "Please, accompany me... Uh..."
Is he trying to think of how to refer to me..?
I mean, I don't blame him. I wasn't exactly trying to appear as a human or something with a name.. So it's no suprise he wouldn't know how to refer to me.
[Perl] "No need to be so formal! Please, follow me Mr.Snake!"
She waved to me, entering the gates.
[Gorgan Guard] "M-Ms.Perl! Wait..!"
The guard quickly slithered after the child.
Well... What now? I should probably get the hell out of here before I get dragged into some trouble.
Even though the guard didn't have any malicious intent and even tried to invite me to accompany him inside - was it the wisest idea for a monster like me to enter this place?
Analysis suggests that Gorgans and other Serpent species get along well and are usually peaceful to one another.
So I should be fine?
Positive.
Well... I guess I have no other choice.
Leaving just like that would be rather rude of me... So I guess I'll just head inside and meet this childs parents before dipping.
I sighed, before slightering towards the gates and then through the open gap, before closing them with my tail behind me.
Inside, was a sight I was never expecting. There was a whole.. town? No, it was a bit too small.. Perhaps 'village' would be the better word to describe it.
It was a village - and a large one that had houses from the ground bottom, all the way up to the tree highs.
More importantly...
All of it's citizens were gorgans.
As I slowly admired the place, two gorgans approached me - who also seemingly were guards.
[Gorgan Guard 1] "We were informed to escort you to the elders house. Please, follow us."
One of the guards stated, before both of them turned around and began to slither off. I was a bit hesitant at first, however a moment later, I just slithered after the two guards.
As I followed the two 'escorts', I could catch how the villages citizens were all beginning to stare at me - each stare different from the last.
Some were surprised and rather shocked, while others were simply startled - most likely because I wasn't like them or any other 'human' like species.
'Although, it does feel like there is pressure on me..'
I thought, shedding a slight sweat.
It took a really small bit, however eventually I was led to what assumed was the elders house - which was a large building, located at the very back of the village.
The two guards who had escorted me turned to face me.
[Gorgan Guard 1] "Please, enter. The Elder is waiting."
The elder is waiting?
Oh goodie... Just what I needed. Well, I guess there ain't no backing out now.
I slithered up to the door, before using my tail to open and head inside, the guards closing it after me.
Inside, the interior was rather spacious and open - not many walls or columns being present inside. It honestly looked quite incredible.. although I assume it also served a practical use.
Positive.
Gorgan homes are usually spacious and open to make it easier for them to traverse their homes - especially ones that have multiple floors.
So they just don't do things like humans.. that's cool. I cannot lie - this was way better than what humans have usually — columns and walls everywhere, with rarely this much space of nothingness inside a building.
I continued to slither further into the house, simply admiring the interior, before I was suddenly approached by the same girl I had helped.
[Perl] "Mr.Snake! Welcome to my home!"
...WAIT WHAT—
Hold the fucking phone- HER home?!?!
Don't tell me — she's related to the villages supposed elder?! How the hell did I not figure that out-
Wait— now that I think about it— How DID I not figure it out??
I mean, the girl took off and when I entered, I was told that the village elder wanted to meet with me.
You couldn't make it more obvious even if you tried to!
'Maybe I am just that dense—'
I thought, before shaking my head lightly.
What am I thinking? Dense? I'm not gonna be like all those ridiculously oblivious protagonists I knew from those stories I read back home.
No!
....Well maybe.
[Perl] "Come on- Mommy and Daddy have already prepared for your welcoming."
She stated, before slithering behind me and beginning to push a bit. I began to move myself a moment later, just so I wouldn't have to live with the slight embarrassment of being pushed around by a child.
The small girl brought me to a rather big table, that had quite the abundance of food on it. On the otherside of the table from where I was, there were two Gorgans - one male, one female.
The female one was dressed in a exquisite dress made from what looked like feathers and fur, while the male had a more leaf and thick fur outfit.
The child then joined them on the otherside, leaving me alone at other side of the table, away from the trio of gorgans.
Then, the male raised his right hand in a welcoming manner.
[Gorgan Male] "Welcome to the Gorgan Village of Oprea. I am the villages elder, Opphire and this is my wife Kaile."
The female gorgan waved at me with a smile.
I used my tail to sort of 'wave' back at her, before looking at the small child, who smiled at me.
[Opphire] "And you seem to be already acquainted with my daughter Perl."
The elder continued, finally introducing the girls name.
Perl, Opphire and Kaile... Those sound like heavily edited names of gems and valuable stone..
Opphire could be 'Sapphire'
Perl is obviously trimmed down from 'Pearl'
And Kaile... No clue.
I bowed my head lightly before the elder and his family, as to show some respect towards them. After all, they technically could be considered above me in social status... Although I had no idea how social status worked in this world.
The elder sharpened his gaze upon me.
[Opphire] "So my suspicions were right... You can understand our speech."
...Well shit—
How the fuck did I give it away-
Despite not responding in words, you have been responding to their language in gestures and showing obvious signs of understanding them.
...Didn't think that one through..
[Opphire] "It wouldn't be unusual for you to understand us, however your responses, suggest that you possess more intelligence than the average serpent. So no need to pretend to be a mindless monster."
Perl looked a bit confused, while I shed another slight sweat.
I guess he was right - if I was busted anyway, what was the point of keeping up the jig?
A moment later, I exhaled.
"Alright fine.. Now- I'd like to know why I was called here."
I stated, surprising the small girl who looked at me in slight admiration and shock, her eyes basically shining with sparkles.