A Snake’s Life Ch 4

Chapter 4

The snake was very small, and its white scales sparkled even more as they reflected the sunlight. Perhaps it had been feeling their gaze, as it suddenly turned its head sharply toward Zerpell again, and their eyes met. Zerpell thought the snake’s bright red eyes looked surprisingly gentle at first glance, but at the same time, he felt as if it were picking a fight, asking, “What are you looking at?” Then, all of a sudden, it started sticking out its tongue repeatedly and gaped its mouth open blankly, as if it were in a trance.

That must be the reason he’d become interested in it.

Cedric nagged beside him, but Zerpell lightly ignored him and said,

“Cedric. Quiet. That aside, why is there a snake here?”

“Huh? There’s no way a snake would be in a place like this…”

As Cedric, who was about to deal with it, drew his sword, the snake, which had been blankly staring at Zerpell, turned its gaze to Cedric, freaked out, and slithered away.

As if it knew Cedric intended to kill it, the snake used all its strength to crawl in the opposite direction. That sight caught Zerpell’s attention. Zerpell was bothered by the thought of seeing the snake die coldly right before his eyes. He made Cedric lower his sword.

When Cedric lowered his sword, the snake looked up at Zerpell with sparkling eyes, as if he had saved its life. It nodded its head as if in greeting, but when told that its scales were fine, it bashfully hid its face with them and tapped the ground with its tail.

Its behavior was almost human. It even seemed to understand my words…

Zerpell let out a dry laugh. Then he dismissed the thought, thinking his imagination had grown too vivid. He’d had many unpleasant experiences with snakes and was generally not fond of them, but now that he was watching one up close, the way its scales glittered in the sunlight was unexpectedly pleasing. Zerpell considered the season. It was currently a time when snakes should be hibernating, neither a time for them to appear nor for hatchlings to be born. If left alone, it would die from the cold. Zerpell gave the snake another thorough look.

That aside, really…

“Its expressions change a lot. How amusing.”

“Excuse me?”

“It looks happy, doesn’t it?”

Zerpell spoke to Cedric as if saying, “How can you not see that?” But from Cedric’s point of view, it was strange that the prince was showing interest in a snake wriggling on the ground. However, if he spoke his mind, he felt like he’d be the one to get sliced, so he shut his mouth and looked at the snake. To his eyes, it was just an ordinary snake flicking its tongue. Sure, it did seem to be twisting its body in a weird way, but he couldn’t comprehend the prince’s comment about its varied expressions.

“White snakes have long been considered messengers of the gods.”

“Ah… Well, they are rare to see, after all.”

“The Empire of Ailfelt is a land blessed with water. We believe in the existence of a water deity. There, white snakes are said to be messengers of the gods.”

They’d been troubled by a drought, and now, a white snake—so rare it’s barely visible—had appeared before them. He didn’t particularly believe in gods, but given how perfectly timed its appearance was, he might as well make use of it. After all, stories could be made up however one liked. The snake, seemingly flustered, turned its head here and there before opening its mouth wide and staring at Zerpell, revealing its tongue inside.

Well, maybe that’s just an excuse… The more he looked, the more interesting the snake became.

As if it had made up its mind, the snake slowly slithered toward him until it was right in front of his nose, then extended its body toward Zerpell. Maintaining eye contact, and receiving no reaction, the snake tilted its head. Zerpell smiled faintly and extended his hand toward the snake.

“Come here.”

The snake, staring at the hand, soon slithered over and coiled around his wrist. As if showing affection, it rubbed its face against his wrist, and whether it wanted to taste or just lick, its tongue kept touching his hand, tickling him.

But it’s so small. It barely fits in my hand. I’ll have to feed it well. When he reached out his hand, the snake flinched for a moment, then relaxed, so he carefully stroked its head with one finger. The snake then let out a contented hissing sound, as if pleased.

If I’m taking it with me, I should give it a name.

“Shuiren. From now on, your name is Shuiren.”

As if it would remember, Shuiren nodded its head. Then it tucked its head under its tail and fell asleep.

Well then, shall I go see the uninvited guest now? Though it had taken longer than planned, his steps were relaxed, and there was a trace of satisfaction on his face he hadn’t noticed. Worried it might fall, he held the snake close and headed toward the reception room.

In front of the reception room, Ian was waiting. As Zerpell approached, Ian was about to open the door, but Zerpell stopped him.

“Bring a cushion. Oh, and a blanket too, just in case.”

Ian looked bewildered by the inexplicable order. Seeing Zerpell holding his hand in an odd way, Ian wondered if he might be injured and immediately ordered a servant to fetch a priest.

“That’s not it.”

Zerpell unwrapped his hand and revealed the creature inside. It looked like a white bracelet, but the way it expanded and contracted showed it was breathing.

“Your Highness… that is…”

“It’s called Shuiren.”

Ian’s eyes grew wider. Glancing between Shuiren and Zerpell, Ian quickly regained his composure, hiding his expression with practiced ease, and promptly ordered the nearby servant to bring a cushion and blanket. Then he carefully reached out to take it.

“Your Highness, allow me to carry it.”

“Hmm, let me do it for a bit.”

Zerpell gently unwrapped Shuiren from his wrist, supporting its head with care. A servant offered the cushion with reverence, and Zerpell placed Shuiren on it. Shuiren wriggled, searching for the warmth that had vanished in its sleep, looking around.

“Oh dear, did I wake you?”

He gently laid Shuiren’s head back down on the cushion. Shuiren gazed at him with blank eyes, then, as if reassured, curled up again and began to sleep. Ian was amazed by Zerpell’s demeanor, but, like earlier, didn’t show it. He looked at Cedric standing quietly behind them, seeking an answer with his eyes, but Cedric only returned his gaze as if asking, “What?”

Uncertain of how to treat Shuiren, Ian grew curious about Zerpell’s intentions and asked,

“Why did you bring the snake with you? I thought you detested animals.”

Zerpell glanced at Ian briefly before replying.

“White snakes are rare. Besides, stories can be made up however one likes.”

At first, Ian didn’t understand what he meant, but then—white snake and stories… As comprehension dawned, a gleam of realization flashed in Ian’s eyes. Of course, he brought it for a reason, he thought, impressed.

“…It’s cute too, and not so bad, really.”

But those words were barely a whisper and didn’t reach Ian, who was already busy thinking.

“I’ll finish the conversation and return. Find someone who knows about snakes.”

Just as he was about to enter the reception room, Zerpell, remembering that he hadn’t assigned a place for Shuiren to stay, added,

“Take it to my room.”

With those final words, Zerpell entered the reception room with Cedric in tow. Ian was puzzled by the command to take it to Zerpell’s room. It was strange because Zerpell disliked letting anyone enter his room—not even servants, maids, or even Ian or Cedric were freely allowed.

For someone like him to say bring it to his room… I thought he brought it for strategic purposes, but… It seems he’s really taken a liking to the little snake. So that gentleness I felt earlier wasn’t my imagination after all. Strange as it was, an order was an order. Since he couldn’t let just anyone enter Zerpell’s room, Ian decided to carry it there himself.

In the reception room, a middle-aged man in white clothing was drinking tea. Though dressed entirely in white, the gold embroidery hinted at the outfit’s cost, and the gold shimmered excessively. He was too extravagantly dressed for someone claiming to be a servant of the gods.

He stood up and showed courtesy upon seeing the one entering.

“You’ve arrived, Your Highness.”

“You must’ve had a tiring journey, Pope. If you had informed me beforehand, you wouldn’t have had to wait like this…”

“Not at all. I couldn’t trouble someone as noble as Your Highness.”

In truth, it was Zerpell who had ignored the several letters that had been sent. But even knowing this, the Pope responded as if he were unaware. A moment of sharp gazes passed between them, and Zerpell, seated across from him, raised his hand to signal the attendant for tea.

“Ah, please, sit.”

As if he had just remembered, he gestured with a smiling face for the Pope to take a seat. Only then did the Pope raise his head and sit across from him. They exchanged pleasantries, but there was nothing friendly in their true feelings, and their eyes remained sharp. The Pope glanced at Cedric, who was standing by the door, and spoke.

“By the way… is it necessary for a knight to be present at this meeting?”

“There are many who wish for my death. This is merely a precaution, so pay it no mind.”

“What! To think there are such insolent people! What could be more important than Your Highness’s life?”

At those words, Zerpell looked straight at the Pope. The Pope looked at him with genuine concern and said that if he were ever seriously injured, he must be called upon at any time.

Among those sending assassins these days, he must be one of them. Truly shameless.

While concealing their true thoughts, they exchanged pleasantries until about half of the tea remained. Then the main topic was finally brought up.

“It’s already been several months since the rain last fell… Fortunately, it’s still winter now, but if it doesn’t rain in spring, it will be a disaster. Ah, did you receive the letter I sent?”

“If you mean the letter, I received it well.”

“We must hold a rain ritual to relieve the anxiety of the people. The unprecedented drought is impoverishing the lives of the people. Your Highness. All that’s left is your clear answer…”

Those words were no different from saying that the emperor had already given his approval. Zerpell covered his mouth with his hand as if deliberating and maintained silence for a moment. From the moment he received the letter, he knew a rain ritual would happen. It was true that the voices of public discontent were growing louder, and they needed to be calmed. He had merely delayed accepting it to feign difficulty and lull the other into a false sense of security.

“…Very well.”

“That is a relief. Ah, His Majesty has entrusted Your Highness with hosting the ritual. It would be better if someone familiar to the people led it. After all, are you not a hero? I believe this rain ritual will be a great opportunity to make Your Highness’s name more widely known.”

A hero, huh… Whether I truly deserve to be called a hero is doubtful. In response to the Pope’s words, Zerpell showed a clearly cynical reaction, but outwardly he only looked at him with the face of a good man. After the primary purpose of the meeting was fulfilled and they exchanged a few trivial words, the Pope said it was an honor to meet and left with empty flattery.

Zerpell walked toward the office to attend to his backlog of work. Cedric, who had been watching the scene in the reception room, spoke angrily.

“Truly a shameless man. Now that Your Highness has the people’s support, he’s trying to use this opportunity…”

“Quiet. You never know who might be listening or where. Wasn’t this something we were prepared for upon our return?”

Upon hearing this, Cedric said nothing further and followed behind. He had served by his side ever since they met on the battlefield. He knew well the circumstances Zerpell was in. They had endured that terrible hell together and survived in the end.

Wasn’t I, too, as good as exiled like His Highness? It may be disloyal to say I feel a sense of kinship, but I’ve watched over him by his side to the end.

“You may leave at any time. Whether there or here, it’s equally difficult to keep one’s life.”

“I swore I would follow you no matter what, my lord.”

Zerpell looked at Cedric, who was showing respect, with deep and heavy eyes.

On the day the war ended, with blood — whose, he could not even tell — covering his body, he had simply kept swinging his sword. Even when the sounds of the enemy retreating rang out and others were cheering for victory, he had pondered. From the moment he ended up on the battlefield, he had never once stopped wondering: where do I truly belong?

Corpses were piled up around him. Zerpell, watching those who were blankly rejoicing, realized he no longer had a reason to wield his sword. The strength in his hand, which had been gripping it desperately, gave out, and the sound of the sword falling rang out. Then came the sound of someone picking up the sword and saying:

‘I wish to serve Your Highness not on the battlefield, but anywhere else as well.’

“How foolish. Are you still unchanged?”

Zerpell passed by him and looked out the window. The rainless sky was bright without a single cloud.

“But it’s troubling that the rain won’t come. There are always those with half-baked thoughts anywhere.”

His reaction was no different from a sneer.