Chapter 52

Zarda enjoyed being petted by Rain and closed her eyes. However, her long tail suddenly moved and coiled around him, as if afraid that Rain would leave the moment she closed her eyes.

A faint smile graced Rain’s lips and he came very close to shrugging his shoulders. His beloved Chief of the Tribe was under so much pressure lately. Most of it was created by herself but it was stress nonetheless. It would be good for her to take a blissful nap. Then, he noticed the squirming, slithering snakes that were brushing his legs. Although they would turn into normal hair when she sleeps, since she has yet to, the snakes were quite alive and lively.

It might be uncomfortable. He wondered. He looked hectically around. What could he do? He noticed a cushion, a small woven fabric stuffed with dried cotton leaves. This should be better. He grabbed it and very cautiously, he moved his hands to lift the Medusa's head.

Zarda opened her eyes slightly confused. Rain turned at her, gently stroking his fingers on her cheeks, seemingly trying to calm her down.

“Just for a bit, this would help,” he said as he presented the cushion with a smile.

Zarda’s expression turned even gentler and muttered a soft ‘Thank you,’

“No problem,”

His right hand held her head and with his left, he managed to place the cushion between her head and his lap.

“I should do this always.”

Her tail swayed softly.

“Sleeping in your lap feels incredible,” she said with a faint smile.

“Anytime,”

Rain smiled as he continued stroking and massaging her scalp, which, the countless little snake swayed through his hand, and rubbed on his skin with tender affection. He suddenly realized that although they appeared snakes, their bodies were silky, unlike cold scales of a real one, they appeared as if they were made from velvet strands. Soft, and silky.

Suddenly, he found her staring at him with a sweet and gentle smile, though her eyes were in a daze, glassy, and...seemed floaty.

"Are you okay?" he asks.

"You seem someplace else."

"Just thinking," she replied softly.

"Penny for them?"

Zarda paused for a moment, then answered; "Somehow, I feel floaty for some reason. Like this is a dream,"

"Me too,"

Rain chuckled.

"It's such a pleasure to find that life still has magic in it. And most especially, it still favors me. Finding Lafetti, find you, being with the tribe, it's like a dream...a very nice dream. Sometimes, I'm even worried that I will find myself, waking up, alone."

"It feels like fate, doesn't it?" she laughed, amused, happy.

Rain laughed and replied, 'It is, perhaps'.

Indeed, this might be fate.

And he was damn thankful, and grateful if ever there are truly Gods out there.

"What had happened since I sleep?" she suddenly asked.

Rain thought for a while, then started narrating what had happened after Zarda fell unconscious. The Ant Queen's survival, and the threat she made if ever she was dead. Rain noticed Zarda's frown and immediately tried to explain the advantages of having the Ant Queen on their side. He spoke too much that it was clear as gold that he was trying to protect her.

Zarda giggled in amusement, causing Rain to feel somewhat embarrassed.

"It's not stupid...and although it's indeed naive that you would feel that to a monster like her, much less to an enemy, I think it's not that bad. Sometimes, innocence can be seen to be extremely precious than any treasure in the world. It's something rare, and valuable--something when lost, can never be found again."

Zarda muttered as she raised her hand and run her thumb across his bottom lip.

"It's not something you need to get embarrassed. Those who would not feel something like that, are the true monsters. After all, enemy or friend, life is always important."

Rain felt moved by what she said. Still, he tried to mask it, wanting to act tough and...perhaps, mature. He doesn't want to be treated like a child, always. Especially by her.

"I'm not a big baby, I don't need consolation for such things. I had already accepted my newfound reality, the moment I woke up in this world. And I already understand that too much naivety would be dangerous. It's kill or be killed in this world. And if I want to survive, and that if I wanted to protect you, and the others, I need to toughen up. Innocence in this world is dumb stupid..." he chided.

"Of course not, silly, it's a beautiful thing."

Zarda made an exasperated look. She stared at Rain, the way parents look at their kids who are trying to act all grown up all of a sudden.

"Innocence...can be a very endearing thing."

Rain smiles, "It is?"

"It is, my dear child," Zarda smiled sweetly.

"And we don't want you, if possible, to lose that. You don't need to change. We will do anything so that you, will never experience something that would lose that precious innocence."

"That would be a hard task." Rain sighs. "In this world, innocence can be a piece of baggage, you know. I don't want you to make things you will regret or things that will hurt you due to my own stupidity. Though, of course, not like I'm not saying the Ant Queen cannot be forgiven. Just that...if possible, I think the Ant Queen can be redeemed. And she would surely be a large help for the development of the village."

"Will she?"

Rain nodded his head.

"Even you should understand that the Killer Ants are quite useful in many things. So if possible, although the decision still lies on you, I hope you can consider it."

Zarda continued smiling; "If that's what you want, I will do my best. Though I need to tell you this, but sometimes, what you think can be redeemed is actually not. Of course, that will be our mission and something we do. You just go and live the way you wanted. But there might come a time when we will appear cruel and cold-hearted. Just that, I hope you will try to understand us as well, that whatever we do, will always be for your well-being."

Zarda waits for a reaction, for any sign of backlash, but none comes. Instead, she was replied with a gentle smile from him.

"I know," he said.

"I will never think otherwise, as I always, will believe in you. This is a promise."

"That's my Rain,"

Zarda giggled in happiness.

"You may well find us a little overprotective in time, Rain, but it'll be for your own good."

"I know," he says. "And I trust you...I will always trust you. You're my family,"

... ...

Lafetti entered the tent looking for Rain, but the moment she saw them, she can’t help but frown in displeasure.

Zarda was sleeping in Rain’s lap and her tail was coiling around Rain extremely tight while Rain, on the other hand, was leaning on the wall, sleeping soundly. Though, it seems like they have fun and talk a lot a while ago since both of their expressions displayed smiles.

They look so picturesque, displeasing Lafetti but she was still sensible enough not to wake them.

She left the tent with a grunt.

After a few hours of resting, with a layer of thin fog suddenly appearing, the group had already gotten ready for the path ahead. Zarda was still a bit weak so she was being carried by the other Lamias on a small platform that almost looked like a sedan chair in Ancient China—though only a chair without a roof or walls.

Rain pretended as if what happened between him and Zarda didn’t happen at all and continued chatting with her as he did before. Zarda did the same; however, sometimes she would act and smile ambiguously causing Lafetti to be extremely annoyed. As for Rain, he just turned and whistled, pretending not to see it.

Along the way back, the group encountered many monsters, however, they were killed easily. Apart from that, nothing really happened that is worth mentioning. Though, several Giant Ants and Antmen blocked their way. It seems like they were trying to save the Ant Queen from them. However, fortunately, before another full-scale battle appears, the Ant Queen immediately stops her minions from attacking.

To this, Zarda and the others thought that the Ant Queen has some unexpected value. Hence, to Rain’s delight, the Ant Queen’s life should be safely preserved by this.

There might even be a chance of the two tribes cooperating together.

Now, aside from the Lamians and the serpent magical beasts, Giant Ants and Antmen had joined their group making the journey back home much safer compared to before.

After a long time of traveling, the group finally arrived at the tribe. They were greeted by all the Lamians waiting for them, even Starl and the others excitedly ran out towards Rain, welcoming his return.

At first, Rain wanted to rest for a bit and then go to Threia, the Lamian Tribe’s Shaman to undergo Magic Power Awakening. He is really excited and wanted to use magic as soon as possible. After all, there was no magic back on Earth, and everyone had dreamed even once in their lives to be able to use magic and be like, ‘Dormammu, I've come to bargain!’ then ‘woosh!!’ so epic…

However,

“Uh~Then! Let’s start the celebration for our complete victory!!”

The Lamians gave a chorus of cheers. Although it was a small scale party, one could still see the long wooden tables that had been brought over from the nearby buildings being lined with dishes of food—mainly meat from different wild beasts and fruits.

It’s a celebration of the victory against the Ant Colony, and that they were able to win the war without any casualties.

Lighting up a bonfire in the middle of the village, children and elderly and even the Magical Beasts that look like giant snakes were filled with excited smiles on their faces, running around the fire. Judging from their faces and elated expressions, Rain could easily feel the happiness from the bottom of their hearts and somewhat, he was quite affected and his heart filled with warmth and joy. A newfound feeling he never had before.

Some dance, while some started cooking on the fire, grilling meat. They all stop working and gathered together, indulging themselves in this dream-like day. The dance was not any beautiful like those from Earth, but it was still fun to watch.

Placing both of their hands on their hips, then putting the right arm through the partner’s left arm, the Lamians swayed their boneless-like hips in a sexy dance and formed two rings around the bonfire. Their expressions full of smiles, and laughter echoed in the entire village.

They were accompanied by the sounds of horns and began to move clockwise, laughing and giggling. The other Lamians, especially the children were clapping with their hands in the pace of all the dancer’s rhythm, accompanying each round with faster applause.

The extremely fast rhythm moved the masses; they one after another reached out with their own hands to clap in accordance. Rain was invited numerous times, But he was quite embarrassed, though he was still dragged in the end. Hence, with stiff movements, he joined the dance that elicited loud laughter and sweet smiles.

As for the Ant Queen, well, even though she was finally out of the steel cage, but her hands were still bound by chains, which displeased her even more. But she was able to get food and drinks, and walk here and there—it’s her only saving grace.

… …