I Became an Evolving Lizard in a Martial Arts Novel

Chapter 74

It felt like the weather had gotten hotter, but the journey back wasn’t difficult at all.

After all, I was returning after successfully completing a mission and receiving a reward. Naturally, my steps were light as I headed toward the temple.

I could see the familiar structure of the temple in the distance.

The black dragons prowling around it looked at me.

They were certainly intimidating creatures.

I felt like I could win in a one-on-one fight, but somehow, I had the feeling that these guys would stand on two legs and fight just like me.

And then they’d probably swing their tails like swords.

...Maybe I was imagining things.

“Kwooor.”

One of the black dragons tilted its head.

It didn’t seem particularly happy to see me, but at least it wasn’t attacking.

After all, I was a lizard under the protection of the Queen of Serpents.

“Geggegek!”

“Kwoooor...”

The black dragon swung its sharp tail and pointed toward the temple.

It probably meant I could go straight in without stopping anywhere else.

Right, you take care as well.

“Geggek.”

With a light trot, I entered the temple.

The traps had been disabled long ago, so there was no problem just walking in.@@@@

Not that the traps would have harmed me anyway, even if they were still working.

...But why did it feel so narrow?

Was it because I leveled up so much? It felt like I had grown a lot bigger.

The corridor I used to pass through with ease now felt cramped.

At this rate, if I evolve, will I even be able to get out of here?

The Queen of Serpents will handle it somehow.

There are a few holes in the ceiling, so she could always just throw me up if I needed to get out.

After making my way through the cramped corridor, I arrived at the garden.

Kwaaaaang!

Suddenly, a massive beam of light appeared.

No, it wasn’t just a beam of light.

It was a destructive ray.

A powerful destructive ray shot toward the open ceiling.

Kuwaaang!

The source of the beam calmly looked at me and spoke.

“You’ve returned safely.”

Yes, I did return safely.

That is, aside from almost getting swept up by the destructive ray the Queen of Serpents shot as a celebratory display.

“Biyaaaak!”

Shik Shik was also enthusiastically firing beams into the sky.

Does she even know what she’s doing?

Kuwaaang!

...Wait, why is that beam so strong?

The first time I saw it, it was a tiny little beam.

But now, it had grown strong enough that it could pierce even my dragon scales.

Is this the difference in talent?

She certainly has the potential to be the next queen.

“A religion, huh. You’ve grown quite a bit in such a short time. Thanks to that, my daughter has become much stronger as well.”

Ah, that’s right.

Thanks to the Gaeque Faith, Shik Shik had become more powerful.

My level had skyrocketed, and with the establishment of the religion, it was no surprise that she’d experience such rapid growth.

“Biyaaaak!”

After firing off the celebratory beam, Shik Shik wriggled her way toward me.

Well, since she didn’t have legs, she wasn’t exactly running, more like slithering.

“Byak!”

Shik Shik rubbed her head against me.

...You’ve grown a lot, haven’t you?

You’ve become more plump and longer as well.

Your growth is impressive.

“Hoohoo. Do you like it that much, Princess?”

Ssslither.

The Queen of Serpents approached me as well, sliding gracefully.

“You’ve worked hard. You’ve accomplished even more difficult tasks than I entrusted you with.”

The Queen of Serpents reached out her hand toward me.

I knew what that gesture meant.

I lowered my head so she could pet me properly.

“Hieeek!”

Bite!

At that moment, Shik Shik bit my leg.

“Hoohoo.”

The Queen of Serpents laughed as she patted my head.

And so, I was petted by both of them.

“By the way, did you bring the essence?”

Of course, I brought it.

I handed the Supreme Essence I had tucked between my scales to the Queen of Serpents.

Every time I looked at it, it made my mouth water.

If I weren’t such a good and well-behaved lizard, I might have gobbled it up and run away.

“It’s indeed the essence of the Kgaekdris.”

Is that so?

“There may be those who prefer young fish. But it can’t compare to the true taste of an aged fish.”

“Biyaaaak!”

Shik Shik seemed upset about something.

The Queen of Serpents held her back with her other hand.

“Say ‘ah.’”

I have hands and feet, you know.

Chomp.

Nom.

“How does it taste?”

...This fish.

It was incredibly delicious.

The texture was firm but not tough.

“It’s a delicate yet firm flesh. A supreme delicacy.”

She was right.

“This fish is the mother of that smaller fish. How does it compare? Isn’t the older fish much better?”

I nodded vigorously.

I’d never had fish this good before.

The Queen of Serpents smiled, satisfied.

“Here, have some more. Keep...”

“Biyaaaak!”

Shik Shik, filled with rage, fired her beam and hit the Queen of Serpents’ fingers.

“...I see. It’s the princess’ turn now.”

The princess’ turn?

Shik Shik quickly slithered over to me.

She grabbed the smaller fish in her mouth and tapped me with her tail.

She seemed to be telling me to try it.

Well, since I ate the larger one, I should try the smaller one too.

Chomp.

Nom.

...This taste.

[Volpython LV18] looks at you expectantly.

It’s delicious.

It’s incredibly delicious.

The tender flesh melted away the moment it touched my tongue.

The sweetness of the young fish blended perfectly, creating a heavenly flavor.

“Geggek!”

I let out a sound of satisfaction.

“Biyak!”

Volpython wiggled her tail happily.

I could eat fish like this all day long.

As I was about to continue devouring the fish...

The Queen of Serpents suddenly gave me a cold stare.

...Why are you looking at me like that?

It’s scary.

“Did you like that so much? More than the larger fish?”

“Geggek...”

No, it’s not like that.

“Is the larger fish to your liking? Or...”

“Biyaaaak!”

[Volpython LV18] asks if you liked the smaller fish better.

What is this?

I felt like I was approaching some kind of crossroads.

My danger sense was sending strong warnings.

Both the Queen of Serpents and Shik Shik were staring at me intently.

Not figuratively. They were really staring daggers into me.

Why are you both doing this?

It felt like I was being forced to choose between the two...

Well, whatever. I’ll just...

Chomp.

Nom.

I ate both fish at the same time.

“Oh?”

Do I really have to choose just one?

No, by eating them together, the problem is solved.

I wanted to congratulate myself on my brilliant decision-making.

I wasn’t sure what had happened, but it seemed like there had been some kind of competition between the Queen and the princess. It was probably a family issue.

They probably wanted me to help settle it, but thanks to my flexible thinking, I managed to get through it.

Family issues should be solved within the family.

Don’t drag outsiders into it.

“Geggegek!”

The Queen of Serpents slithered toward me.

Shik Shik did the same.

[Volpython LV18] feels extremely shy.

Good.

It seemed like they were reflecting on their behavior.

I’ll let this slide since the fish was good.

Talk it out and resolve your issues.

“Greedy, aren’t you? Taking both at the same time...”

...What?

“Geggegeggek!”