I Became an Evolving Lizard in a Martial Arts Novel

EP.63

“Though weak, you too can sense the essence of a spirit being, so communicating in human language should be easier for you.”

I momentarily covered my eyes at the shocking appearance of the Snake Queen.

Her visual reminded me of a Lamia from mythology.

The lower body was that of a snake, but the upper body took the form of a beautiful woman who could speak in human language.

Setting everything else aside, the sight of that upper body was dizzying.

I genuinely didn’t know where to look.

It’s not like a snake would wear clothes.

Aside from the minimum covering of scales, the Basilisk was completely unclothed.

An overwhelmingly vast reservoir of energy.

Honestly, it was a breathtaking sight, worthy of admiration even if it meant drooling with my mouth agape.

However, there was one thing that bothered me.

The Basilisk’s face resembled Baek Yeon-young.

Not an exact match, but somehow the feeling was similar.

Given that she bore a resemblance to my mentor in such attire, it was only natural for my heart to be troubled.

“Hieeck!”

Python, noticing that I was staring blankly at the Basilisk, nipped at me.

It wasn’t that painful, but… wait, it felt a bit painful?

“Ggegegekk!”

I jumped in surprise and let out a startled sound.

Why did the Snake’s teeth hurt?

Was this what Tang So-young felt when she complained about the pain from Toothpus’s body slam?

[The Ball Python says to snap out of it.]

Right.

Thank you, my little fortune.

Considering how I had been lost in thought, that Basilisk must have been trying to pull some trick on me.

It seemed like she was trying to dazzle me with that reservoir of energy, but no way.

“The child I did not bear but raised as my own. Since you keep showing me a side I have never seen, how should I put it? Yes, I suppose ‘troubled’ is the right term.”

The Snake Queen gazed at both me and the Python intently.

Was the Python not her biological daughter?

Well, it made sense; a Basilisk couldn’t possibly give birth to such a cute Ball Python.

“Legs or not, you are a snake.”

The Snake Queen posed a question to me.

“Do you see dragons as snakes, or as birds?”

It was the same question that the Bird King had asked.

The answer was incredibly easy.

“Ggegekk!”

Of course, dinosaurs are reptiles.

However, the Snake Queen surely wouldn’t grasp my words.

I wriggled my body in a snake-like manner earnestly.

“…You need not go that far.”

Could she possibly understand my intent?

She stopped wriggling her body.

“Hmm. Yes. I can faintly sense the presence of a bird. You met that creature and managed to escape, huh?”

“Ggekk!”

I nodded vigorously.

I was a staunch supporter of the dinosaur-reptile theory.

“It has been a while since I’ve met someone with such firm resolve.”

The flow of conversation was pleasant.

At this rate, I might be able to exit this place without any issues.

“However, I cannot let you go based on that alone.”

The Snake Queen suddenly poured cold water on my hopes.

“Anyone who enters the Temple of the Snake Queen without permission shall be killed, regardless of the reason.”

I hugged the Python tightly.

Oh, Python.

Just fire your destruction beam one more time.

“But since my daughter seems quite fond of you, I can’t if it’s not a necessity.”

Indeed.

If she kills me, the Python would resent her, right?

“Though I’ve overlooked your trespassing, your crime surpasses that.”

My crime?

If charming the Python is considered a sin, I’d gladly accept it.

But that’s not a death sentence, is it?

“Stealing the Everlasting Gold Flower is something I simply cannot forgive.”

Exactly.

I had indeed snatched away the elixir in this place.

Given that the Python was well-versed with this elixir, it must surely belong to the Snake Queen.

I had essentially consumed it all.

Stealing an elixir on par with the Green Clear Crystal Oil, my crime couldn’t be considered trivial.

…But I had already consumed it.
“It may sound a bit lacking in conscience, but to a spirit being of that level, a potion or two wouldn’t mean much. Consuming it would likely yield little effect.

In contrast, for this promising little lizard, it might be a significant advantage to take it.

“If it had been a potion meant for me, I might have felt a bit regretful but would have let you go. However, that potion is not mine; I’ve kept it for my daughter when she matures.”

Wait a moment.

So the Everlasting Gold Flower was originally meant for Python?

“Piyaak!”

Python nuzzled against me fervently.

So this little snake brought me something she’d planned to eat herself?

“To become the next queen, it’s essential to enhance her potential with potions.”

That would make sense.

The true identity of the Ball Python is the Snake Princess.

I didn’t think the current Python could become a queen just yet.

She would need to accumulate much more power to ascend to the throne.

“The solution was originally singular: eliminate the thief who stole the Everlasting Gold Flower, then retrieve the elixir and present it to the princess.”

“Saaak!”

Python shot the Snake Queen a fierce glare.

For a moment, the queen flinched under her gaze, but soon continued speaking.

“However… I saw another possibility.”

Another possibility?

“The princess’s power has suddenly increased, even though she hasn’t consumed the Everlasting Gold Flower.”

Indeed.

The output of the beams fired from Python had strengthened considerably compared to before.

It even hurt a bit when she nipped me with her small teeth.

Even though the elixir hadn’t been taken, why was this happening…

Wait.

Had she perhaps consumed something else?

My tail.

“I can strongly sense your energy from the princess. Though a humble belief, one cannot deny that you’ve helped my daughter grow.”

For reasons I didn’t understand, it seemed my tail acted similarly to an elixir.

Had she just consumed so much rare stuff that it contributed to her growth?

No, that would be too much of an advantage, wouldn’t it?

My tail keeps regenerating.

“Even after being struck by petrifying beams without issue, and the princess follows you. Though you stole the Everlasting Gold Flower, fortunately, the princess’s growth is being achieved. This means I could possibly postpone your death.”

I almost let out a cheer of ‘ggegekk’ but stopped.

Postpone?

“But you will have to pay for your crimes. If you grant me one request, I’ll pretend not to have seen your misdeeds.”

A request?

Could a being like the Snake Queen possibly have a favor to ask of an ordinary lizard?

“Before I say that… I’d like my daughter back.”

“Ggekk!”

No way.

The only means of protection I have is this Python.

“I am not claiming ownership of the princess. I merely wish to understand the unknown energy residing within her. …Very well. I swear in the name of the Snake Queen, at least within this temple, I will not harm you.”

And what about outside?

Though the oath seemed suspiciously dubious, I had no choice but to agree.

“Piyaaaak!”

But Python refused to let go of me.

Good job, my little Python.

“…Princess, come back to your mother.”

Regardless of what the Snake Queen said, Python showed no intention of leaving.

It seemed she preferred me over her mother.

That must be what it meant.

There was no way around it.

Since Python didn’t want to go, I couldn’t forcibly send her away.

“Come closer.”

Me?

No way.

Who knew what fate awaited me there?

I fully support our princess.

“Hurry up.”

Seriously.

Did she think I’d fall for that trick?

“Yes. What a well-behaved child.”

Huh?

Suddenly, a reservoir of energy appeared right before my eyes.

…What is this?

Right. This is a distraction.

Just as there is the power of petrification, there must certainly be the power of seduction or enchantment.

What a terrifying ability it is.

If I’m falling for it…

“Piyaak!”

Python bit me as if to say not to spout nonsense.”
It may be a bit contrary to my conscience, but I’m merely sacrificing myself for a mother-daughter reunion. Besides, there’s no benefit in being hostile towards the Snake Queen.

I need to find a compromise.

Understand me, Python. It would be good for you to get along well with your mother.

“Hoh. So, something like this was inside you…”

The Snake Queen studied Python for a long while. I, too, had no choice but to scrutinize the Snake Queen in return.

…Just to be prepared for any sudden tricks she might pull; this is not out of personal interest.

“You fed my daughter a part of yourself.”

“Ggekk.”

I nodded affirmatively.

“To feel this level of spiritual energy from a regenerating tail… I thought you were a mere believer, but your level is higher than expected. Of course, there are many limitations, but this is still a pass.”

Indeed.

Now do you see my value?

There’s no benefit to either of us if we fight.

“It seems quite tasty.”

The Snake Queen’s vertically slitted pupils glimmered. Her human-like arms embraced my back while her serpentine body coiled around me.

Creeeeeak.

It was a slow movement, but I could offer no resistance.

“Piyaak!”

Startled, Python bit the Snake Queen fiercely, but it was ineffective.

“If the tail is like this, I wonder about the others.”

The Snake Queen flicked her long tongue.

Her expression was quite strange, somewhere between a lewd expectation and one of satisfaction regarding her appetite.

“Hieeek!”

The reservoir of energy approached my face closely.

Slippery.

I felt my strength gradually draining away.

The Snake Queen’s touch and the movements of her tail were truly serpentine, leaving me with an oddly floating sensation.

I felt my eyes drooping heavily.

Indeed, it’s like the Basilisk.

To think that just a few touches could penetrate my immunity to the deadly poison…

I can’t let this happen.

Think.

Recall the sensations when I struck Pus’s rear.

Recall the sensations when Tooth bit my tail.

Recall the sensations when Nephila Jiraishika hugged me.

Recall the sensations when Tang So-young siphoned off my poison.

Recall the sensations when Baek Yeon-young pulled out my scales.

And the Shimmer I witnessed.

I opened my half-closed eyes wide.

I locked eyes with the Snake Queen.

“Grrr…”

The Snake Queen made a face of surprise, and released her arms and tail that had been binding me.

“Wuhuhut. Just a joke. A bit of play.”

As if nothing had happened, the Snake Queen returned to her original posture.

“How could I disturb something my daughter has coated with her saliva?”

Python licked my body fervently.

Thank you, Python.

If it hadn’t been for you, I would have been gobbled up without a chance.

…But can a human body really swallow me?

How does that even work?

The Snake Queen propped her chin thoughtfully and smiled slightly, as if she found my reaction amusing.

“It seems you have grown curious. If you want to satisfy that curiosity, come visit me secretly while the princess is not around. I won’t stop your coming.”

“Piyaaaak!”

The ‘Shik’s Death Beam’ shot forth from the Magic Sphere.

However, it did not penetrate the Snake Queen’s skin.

The Snake Queen laughed heartily at her daughter’s reaction.

“How long has it been since I laughed like this? Yes, it’s good. So delightful, it makes me forget my appetite.”

Well, whatever it is, if it makes you forget your appetite, it must be good.

“Princess, worry not. It was just a joke, a jest.”

“Piyaak!”

“Of course, if her growth doesn’t satisfy me, I might swallow her whole.”

“Hieeeek!”

[【Ball Python lv14】is burning with motivation.]

Truly, the Snake Queen.

She must have done this to motivate the princess.

…This is surely to motivate her, right?

“Well, this farce is enough. Snake with legs, let’s talk about real matters now.”