Chapter 51: [ Back to the tribe ]

“Greetings, we mean no harm!” Princess Leticia started. The people behind her were also extremely cautious. After all, the monsters in front of them are not pushovers.

Monsters are enemies of humanity – that had always been the case for a very long time. Even simple misunderstandings could lead to an endless bloodbath.

“Whether your intentions are bad or not makes no difference to us,” One of the lamias indifferently replied, taking the initiative to establish which side held dominance.

“This place is the home of monsters – not you humans. Leave this place or else we will make you do it!!”

However, the Lamias unwelcoming attitude didn’t faze the iron-willed maiden princess knight.

“We came here simply because we wanted to find something. Besides, I believe there haven’t been any cases where we’ve offended you in the past,” Princess Leticia answered as she calmly took a step forward and gazed at the Lamians. “And even if you said that this is the home only for monsters, our kin is right there… besides you, isn’t he?”

Although they were quite confident of their victory if ever there is a fight, Princess Leticia’s bearing was neither servile nor overbearing.

“Fuddaa*!!” Suddenly, the lamia angrily snarled startling the princess. The other Lamias behind her also clenched their weapons, prepared to attack at any moment. ( *Fuddaa – A curse word to shut someone up in Fantasia )

“Rain is ours!!” The Lamia declared. “Rain is always ours! Take him with you and we will kill all of you!!”Wiish! Ziing! Weapons pointed and magic chanted.

!!?

“Now leave, the Lair doesn’t welcome you, humans!!” The lamias brandished their weapons and pointed it towards Princess Leticia and the others.

Ziiiing! As if such noise could be heard, the atmosphere around the area suddenly intensified. All the Lamias glared hatefully towards Princess Letticia and the others. They looked like widows who had seen their husbands murderers…

Watching this scene, the princess can’t help but wonder – just how did they manage to enraged these monsters? They didn’t do anything bad yet, right?

However, why are they looking at us as if we had stolen something precious from them?

“Wait,” As the Lamias was threatening and pressuring the human group to leave, Rain’s voice rang out. He stood up from Lafetti and faces Princess Leticia and said with a faint smile, “They are friends,”

“But Rain,” Lafetti frowned. Just like the other Lamias, she didn’t like the arrival of Leticia and the others. It would be different if this happened before Rain’s arrival since they didn’t care about whatever they wanted to do inside the lair but now that Rain was here, they were afraid that something will happen because of them.

And this made them anxious as if a fawn was dancing inside their hearts.

Rain squeezed Lafetti’s hand. “It’s fine… I won’t leave,” at least for now…

Rain’s words startled Lafetti and her eyes widened in surprise.

Lafetti turned her head around and stared – no, glared at the Princess in hatred. These bastards! Did they say anything to Rain!? Did they recognize him?!

Accepting Lafitte’s glare as if she wanted to murder someone, Princess Leticia felt a chill running down her spine. What did I do?

Poor princess, she instantly became the husband’s murderer!

“Follow us,” Lafetti said before turning around. She was pulling Rain’s hand tightly as if she was afraid Rain would disappear again.

‘Lafetti, is this alright?’ One of the Lamias frowned. She was Sarete. She asked Lafetti via Mind Link so that Rain wouldn’t hear about it.

Mind Link – it’s an ability that all Lamias can do. It’s like telepathy innate on their race. By talking via releasing pheromones or chemicals from the other, a Lamia can receive it via their sense of taste and smell – linking their minds and converse without saying anything.

‘I don’t have a choice…’ Lafetti responded bitterly. ‘It felt like Rain found something about his identity…’

‘What!!?’ Sarete stilled. ‘Are you sure?’

‘Yeah, probably from those humans! It must be the reason why Rain knows that we are scared of him leaving with them!’

‘This is bad! This is bad! This is bad!’ Sarete was instantly panicking. The worst possible situation had finally happened. ‘What should we do?!’

‘… for now, let’s return to the Chief…’ Lafetti’s eyes narrowed. Should she assassinate these idiots…?

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When the group finally arrived back at the tribe, they were greeted by the entire tribe waiting for them.

They stood, gathering into a huge group. The moment they saw Lafetti and Rain, they started broke into a cheer, almost enough to shake the entire Lair. They even looked like fans waiting at the airport for a famous celebrity…

Among them were Drova and Stagna with the Lamia Tribe Chief, Zarda who, the moment she saw Rain, her tense and cold expression immediately softened.

The other Lamias began to call out to Rain’s name as if chanting, “Rain! Rain!” rushing towards the black haired youth.

They mobbed him.

Before Rain knew it, he was encircled by a huge group, happily hugging him – though this was started by the few children led by Starl who happily clung to him like a koala.

Rain felt warm and moved as he laughed happily, returning their warm welcome. Though the soft pudding rubbing against every part of his body was still… Uugh, let’s not talk about that. My little brother might wake up from all these commotions!

The group of monsters was completely ignoring Princess Leticia and the others existence. They could only stand at the side, watching Rain and the Lamia’s celebration with a complicated expression. Princess Leticia finally understood the feeling of her citizen when she was walking at the center of a parade…

This sad feeling of being ignored – how painful. However, with this, Princess Leticia finally made another step of being a good ruler and royalty!

While feeling complicated, however, at the same time, a small fissure had suddenly appeared from their mindset and belief.

… …

… …

The other Lamias ignored the human group and escorted Rain back to the tribe, asking as to how he was.

“Welcome back,” Rain suddenly heard a familiar voice greeting him. He looked up and saw Zarda smiling gently at him.

“It’s good to be back,” Rain smiled wryly while awkwardly scratching the back of his hair.

Suddenly, he felt that he was pulled into an embrace.

Zarda hugged Rain tightly just like what Lafetti did to him a while ago. Seeing this, Lafetti’s face darkens but recalling her earlier blunder, she endured. Hmph! She could only snort while averting her eyes.

“It’s good that you’re back,”

Rain smiled warmly as he shrugs.

… …

… …

The Tribe was extremely happy that Rain has returned to them – Though that was only short-lived as they had noticed the princess group. All their eyes simultaneously glowered ominously. If not for Zarda stopping them, they would have rushed and captured them already.

… …

… …

In Zarda’s personal tent.

Zarda was sitting in a wooden chair while Princess Leticia, her guards Doram, Garas and the Twin Geminin was standing in front of her. Behind Zarda were Drova and Stagna, glaring and monitoring every movement they made.

They finally feel how frogs might have felt when they were being stared at by a snake…

Watching these two groups was Alba who was sitting at the side. She looked indifferent.

As for Rain, he was playing with Starl and the other children outside with Sarete and Lafetti. Zarda ordered the two Lamias to stop Rain from entering the room and listen to their discussion. She feared that Rain might hear something she didn’t want him to hear.

Looking at the way how the Lamias treated Rain, Princess Leticia and the others was truthfully a bit startled. They watched the Lamias with complicated expressions.

“Now then, I ask you, why are you here in this kind of place?” Zarda asked with a diplomatic smile but a cold chill could be found flashing in her eyes.

Princess Leticia wasn’t fazed at all. She curtsied in a noble way before she started speaking, “Truthfully, we came here to find something…” She said. Her voice didn’t carry the usual arrogance.

This was at least the respect she could give. Even if they are from a monster race, at least they are reasonable.

“And that is?” Zarda’s eyes narrowed.

“A treasure, long lost from our kingdom. We heard some hearsays that the treasure was hidden somewhere in this place,”

“A treasure is it…” Zarda’s expression gradually softened. It seemed like they didn’t come here for that purpose. “Then you can continue on your way. In thanks for escorting Rain back in our tribe, we will not disturb your expedition and we can even spare someone to escort you along your journey… I believe, we know the ins and outs of this place better than you,”

Zarda was quite reasonable. Most monster races would certainly attack them but Zarda would not. At least that is her showing her respect and gratitude.

“My soldiers are quite exhausted from the journey; would it be possible for us to stay here for a bit and rest?” Princess Leticia asked.

“Nonsense!” But before Zarda could answer, Drova yelled out. “We had already shown much patience to overlook you, humans buzzing in our place. Don’t push your luck too much; this is already not your world!”

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