A Snake’s Life Ch 97

Chapter 97

His eyes gleamed with intelligence, and even his beard was neatly groomed. Ian, who was standing beside him, bowed his head apologetically toward Zerpell.

“I thought it would be better to have him properly dressed before meeting you, but I judged the matter urgent and only took enough time to make him presentable before bringing him.”

“Tsk tsk… Is that any way to talk to your master? I forgave you for taking my magical tool, and now this…”

The old man clicked his tongue at Ian.

“Not like you ever looked at it anyway, did you? Did you even notice I took it?”

Stung by Ian’s words, the old man let out a series of awkward coughs. I glanced between Ian and the old man. Watching them made me think…

“You say he’s your master, but you seem to get along quite well.”

Oh, I thought the same. Despite the bickering tone of their argument, they actually seemed rather close. Perhaps feeling it was inappropriate to act so informally in front of Zerpell, Ian bowed.

“But… considering you’re the Crown Prince of Ailfelt, you must be surrounded by many capable people… Why would you choose this guy as your aide?”

“Ian is an excellent aide.”

“Your Highness…”

Ian’s eyes moistened, touched by the compliment.

“It’s an honor to meet you. May I ask your name?”

It was rare for Zerpell to behave with such courtesy, which only emphasized that this man was a mage and, more importantly, a key figure.

“We haven’t exchanged names, have we? Call me Barnes.”

“I assume Ian has already conveyed my message. Should I take your presence here as a sign that we can count on your help?”

“Well, I wouldn’t want the Mage Tower to be thrown into chaos either.”

Exactly. I nodded in agreement with Barnes. He was like a pair of tweezers, sharp and precise, capable of plucking out the thorn lodged so deep in the form of the marquis.

“Has Sir Shuiren awakened?”

“Yes, he’s awake. I have things to discuss with you too, but… let’s deal with the marquis first.”

When he saw me nod in agreement, his eyes widened in surprise. I awkwardly scratched my head with my tail.

“Why are you calling a snake ‘sir’?”

Ah… It seemed Barnes really had been living in some backwater and didn’t know who I was. And Zerpell’s furrowed brows clearly showed his displeasure at the lack of respect toward me.

Ian, too, seemed shocked and raised his voice, asking how anyone could not know about Shuiren. He started listing my accomplishments one by one… which was a bit embarrassing.

“Oh…?”

Instead, Barnes leaned in closer, seemingly overly intrigued by me.

“You can understand human speech? And you can transform? There’s an ancient magic called polymorph. It used to be magic that transformed non-humans into other forms. So maybe by that principle…”

His gaze made me uncomfortable, and I felt my cheeks twitching awkwardly. Just then, Ian tugged on Barnes’s sleeve and spoke politely.

“That’s enough. Shuiren is feeling uncomfortable.”

To support Ian’s statement, I rubbed my face against Zerpell’s neck. Barnes must have realized his overstep as I heard him take a step back.

“My apologies. Hmm… I’m not religious, but… your existence is truly fascinating. Oh, and you—no need for such formal speech. I’m speaking casually, so feel free to do the same. I suppose you may want to speak formally since he’s the Crown Prince, but I’d prefer we talk comfortably.”

Startled by Barnes’s words, I lifted my head, while Ian looked absolutely horrified. He even jabbed Barnes in the side, but the old man remained unfazed, asking what was wrong instead.

Zerpell gave a small, amused chuckle.

So he really is Ian’s master… Could Ian’s nerves of steel have come from him?

Ian may deny it, but sometimes he too loses his fear and challenges Zerpell. Zerpell must have thought so as well, since he suddenly mentioned Ian.

“So you’re Ian’s master… Alright. I’ll speak casually then. I’m not in a position to demand much, as I’m the one asking for help. Let’s just talk freely.”

“It’s nice to have a proper conversation. Nobles can be so annoying with all their fuss over words… Ahem, anyway, there is someone suspicious. Most of us lose ourselves in research. The Mage Tower has many mages, but each has their own unique mana signature and inevitably leaves traces.”

At some point, Zerpell had taken a seat across from Barnes and was listening intently. Barnes waved his hand in the air, showing a visible form of mana.

“If all we need is the mana, finding the person will be easy. And, I happen to be a rather extraordinary mage.”

Barnes stroked his beard arrogantly. Ian told him to stop bragging, but Zerpell seemed to enjoy Barnes’s confidence, chuckling softly and nodding in approval.

“In that case, we’re in luck. I’ll be sure to repay you for your help.”

“I’ll be looking forward to that.”

“Your Highness, are we heading to the marquis’ estate now?”

Once their conversation had wrapped up, Ian casually asked. Zerpell nodded.

“Yes. I’ve already sent a letter, and the duke is on his way. We’ll take only the minimum number of knights needed to apprehend the marquis. With an ally like this, we don’t need many.”

“Yes, sir.”

Was he talking about the letter he sent before we left Aiden’s palace? I had assumed it was addressed to Cedric, but apparently, it was sent to the duke?

Zerpell, seemingly intent on going in person, instructed a servant to prepare a horse. As the horses were made ready and we headed toward the front gate, an unwelcome figure was waiting for us.

A familiar maid hurried over to Zerpell. As a result, both Zerpell and Ian, who had been discussing our next steps, fell silent. Zerpell looked down at the bowing maid with a sarcastic expression.

“What’s going on here? I didn’t think there was any reason for you to be here.”

“……Her Majesty wishes to see Your Highness.”

“Tell her I don’t have time.”

“She wishes to thank you regarding the matter with Lord Aiden. It won’t take long. Her Majesty came in person.”

“Hah… So she finally decided to move those heavy feet? At this point in time?”

I, too, looked down at the maid just like Zerpell. She remained deeply bowed for quite some time without the slightest sign of strain in her back.

If the Empress tried to stop us just as we were going to apprehend Marquis Franchia, it could easily be seen as a stalling tactic. Zerpell seemed to feel the same way, as his brows didn’t relax in the slightest.

“Crown Prince, please don’t be so harsh on my maid. I only wanted to express my gratitude to the divine envoy.”

As the maid’s words suggested, the Empress herself had come all the way to Zerpell’s residence. I quietly observed Neriah. If one assumed her hair had become tousled from the wind, that would be fine, but the stray strands made it look like she had rushed here in a hurry.

Yet Neriah still wore her usual warm smile. I narrowed my eyes and focused intently on her.

When Barnes tried to say something, Ian, sensing the mood, quickly covered his mouth and pulled him back.

Neriah looked at me, wrapped around Zerpell’s neck, and smiled softly. Her bowed gesture surprised me, but it only heightened my sense of wariness.

“I heard from the priest. That you healed Aiden’s condition. I don’t know how to thank you…”

Neriah swept the corner of her eye with her hand, as if wiping away tears. Neither I nor Zerpell responded—we were simply waiting to hear what she’d say next.

“I truly thought it was the end this time… Thanks to you, my son has a bit more time to live.”

Hearing her words twisted my mood. If that was how she felt, why wasn’t she by Aiden’s side? What had she been doing?

[……I remember hearing that.]

……? As I gazed sleepily at Neriah, a voice suddenly echoed in my mind. But after that, nothing else came.

Was I imagining things? I tilted my head slightly in confusion. While I was lost in thought, Zerpell, seemingly eager to send Neriah away before the duke arrived, spoke curtly as soon as her words trailed off.

“Is that all?”

“…Yes.”

“Then we’re busy and will be on our way. Hopefully, we won’t have cause to meet again.”

Zerpell brushed past Neriah. I saw her hand trembling as she held it at her side. Why did she even come? I clicked my tongue and shook my head as I looked at her.

Just as Zerpell was passing by, Neriah spoke again—this time, cryptically.

“By the way… the divine envoy is still in the form of a snake, I see. Since he shared his strength with Aiden, I suppose he needs more rest.”

She seemed to be expressing concern for me, but the eerie smile on her face made her look disturbing. She clearly knew where Zerpell was going, yet showed no sign of fear or anxiety—only a strange amusement.

Zerpell also found it puzzling, but the marquis came first.

“Let’s go.”

As we rode out of the palace, we ran into the duke’s party. Duke Bert asked Zerpell about the contents of the letter, but Zerpell cut him off.

“I’ll explain on the way. First, Ian brought a mage. We’ll take only part of the knights and head to the marquis’ estate. The rest will stay here to guard the palace.”

The knights obeyed Zerpell’s command. Though Duke Bert had just arrived, it seemed he’d have to head back to the marquis’ estate—but he showed no sign of displeasure and accepted the order.

“Will we be able to locate them right away?”

“Of course. As long as we find the traces, it’ll be easy.”

With the duke now joining us, Zerpell urged his horse forward and began galloping. His expression showed deep thought, as if something about the Empress’s words continued to linger in his mind—just as they did in mine.