Duanmu Huai had no idea what was happening beneath the royal capital at that moment. He was still working for the Volcanic Manor while keeping in contact with the others.
Olgis was still getting used to her body under Ranni's guidance. Bambi and Milfi were continuing to track down Mistelina's whereabouts. Fortunately, they had learned to be more cautious this time. Whenever they arrived at a new location, they would always seek out the local wandering merchants to inquire for information. According to these merchants, it seemed that Mistelina had escorted that girl to the royal capital...
Lorena, on the other hand, was having a much easier time. She said she was currently training in the Sacred Snowfields—apparently, for a missionary priestess like her, a cold, high-altitude place like that was quite suitable for ascetic practice. Moreover, according to her, Lorena seemed to have met a rather interesting friend there...
Well, Duanmu Huai could already imagine the girl running marathons across the snowfields out of boredom. He had to admit—it suited her perfectly.
Dealing with the enemies on the list wasn't particularly difficult for Duanmu Huai. In fact, with his current strength, he could practically crush most of those warriors with ease.
At first, he had thought about bringing back a head or an ear as proof, but those enemies disintegrated into ash upon death. He had worried that Tanith might suspect him of making things up, but to his surprise, she didn't question his reports at all. It seemed she had her own ways of confirming such matters.
"Ah, Master."
Just as Duanmu Huai finished another "job" and was leaving Tanith's office, Odelle called out to him.
"Hm? What is it? Something wrong?"
Hearing her, Duanmu Huai stopped walking. Odelle shook her head.
"Not me, Master… Miss Raya wishes to speak with you."
"Raya?"
Following Odelle's finger, Duanmu Huai saw a hunched girl in a green robe standing timidly by the wall. She hadn't changed much since last time. Duanmu Huai walked over and greeted her.
"Hello, Miss Raya."
"Ah, hello… Hero."
Raya hurriedly returned the greeting.
"I heard you needed my help?"
"Yes…"
Raya hesitated for a moment before continuing.
"Hero, have you heard any strange sounds in this manor?"
"Strange sounds?"
Duanmu Huai raised a brow. Raya fidgeted nervously.
"Yes. Sometimes I hear them coming from behind the walls—breathing sounds… and the scraping of scales. I'm sorry for asking such a strange question..."
"I haven't heard anything like that."
Duanmu Huai shook his head and looked at Odelle.
"Have you?"
"Well…"
Odelle thought for a moment.
"I believe I have heard something similar before. I assumed it was insects or maybe a snake."
"Did you tell Tanith about it?"
"I didn't think something so small was worth troubling Lady Tanith. Perhaps… I was just too tired."
"Sounds interesting."
Duanmu Huai's curiosity was piqued.
"I'll check it out. Maybe I'll find something useful."
Perhaps this had something to do with Rykard.
Of course, Duanmu Huai couldn't just go tearing down the Volcanic Manor—though that would certainly be the fastest method. He had other ways. After all, an Inquisitor's Power Armor wasn't just for show. Its helmet came equipped with various detection systems, including environmental scanning. He hadn't used it before out of courtesy to his host, but now that Raya had asked, he activated the scanner and walked through the halls.
Sure enough, he soon detected a hidden passage behind one of the guest rooms. He didn't know where it led, but it was probably related to the sounds Raya had heard.
"All right, that's about it… Let's go talk to Raya. Where is she?"
"Ah, Miss Raya should have returned to her room. This way."
Odelle led Duanmu Huai to a room deeper inside and gently knocked on the door.
"Miss Raya, it's me. We've found some clues. May we come in?"
A moment later, Raya's voice came from inside.
"Ah, Miss Odelle, please come in."
"Excuse me, then…"
Odelle opened the door and stepped inside. But the instant she entered, she froze—utterly shocked.
"What's wrong, Odelle?"
Seeing his usually composed maid in such a state, Duanmu Huai walked in after her—and then…
"What the hell is that!?"
In the middle of the room stood a massive red lizard, nearly two meters tall, with short limbs and a green robe—wait, wasn't that Raya's robe?
Did this monster eat Raya!?
Just as Duanmu Huai was about to swing his Thunder Warhammer, the creature turned its head toward them, blinking curiously.
"Ah, Hero, Miss Odelle—you're here… Hm? Why do you look so surprised?"
At that moment, the "lizard" seemed to realize something. She looked down at herself and gasped.
"Oh no, am I still in my serpentine form!? Ah… how could I—!!"
"Uh… Miss Raya… that's you, right?"
Hearing the familiar voice come from the creature and seeing her cower and cover her face in embarrassment, Duanmu Huai confirmed it.
"Yes… I'm truly sorry."
Raya stood up dejectedly.
"Please forgive me for losing my composure. Even though you saw me like this, you didn't panic or act rudely—I've been terribly impolite."
"Uh… well, it's fine. Just a little unexpected, that's all."
Duanmu Huai quietly put away his Thunder Warhammer—thankfully, she hadn't noticed.
"Yes, I apologize. This is my true appearance. My real name is Zelleyas. I'm sorry for not revealing my true form sooner. But please, believe me—the only thing false was my appearance. Everything I told you about the Volcanic Manor and Lady Tanith was entirely true."
"Hmm… all right. Honestly, I don't really care about such things."
Duanmu Huai cleared his throat.
"So… Tanith is your mother?"
"Yes."
Raya nodded obediently.
"Mother was said to be favored by the Great King. I was born because of that blessing. My appearance is a symbol of her joy—this form is my honor."
"…???"
Duanmu Huai and Odelle exchanged confused looks. Tanith was, as far as anyone could tell, a human. For a human woman to give birth to a half-human, half-snake creature like Raya—it sounded far more like a curse than a blessing.
But perhaps Tanith had said that to comfort her daughter. Duanmu Huai didn't plan to question it further.
"Still, not everyone sees it that way."
Raya lowered her head sadly.
"When people see my serpentine form, they refuse to speak with me. That's why I hide my true self, so I can better fulfill my duties as a recruiter."
Naturally, Duanmu Huai thought. If he ran into a two-meter-tall talking lizard in the wild, his first instinct would be to smash it with his hammer too.
"This matter—and my name—are secrets between me and Lady Tanith. I hope you two can keep it that way."
"Of course."
Duanmu Huai quickly composed himself. Odelle, still wide-eyed, only nodded after he nudged her.
"I'll keep it secret too, Miss Raya. You can count on me."
"Thank you both. Then… I must find a way to return to my human form, so…"
"All right, we'll give you some space."
Understanding her hint, Duanmu Huai left the room with Odelle and closed the door behind them.
Throughout the walk back, Odelle didn't say a word. But as soon as they reached her room, she collapsed onto the floor.
"What the—? What happened to you?"
Startled, Duanmu Huai rushed over.
"S-sorry, Master… I was terrified…"
"Well, that's understandable… though your delayed reaction's a bit slow, don't you think?"
He wasn't surprised that Odelle's legs gave out. Anyone would react like that after seeing a towering lizard suddenly start talking. But what surprised him was—
"You looked perfectly calm while talking to Raya, though?"
He recalled that after the initial shock, Odelle had behaved quite normally—perhaps a little stiff, but otherwise composed.
"I… was trained for that."
She placed a hand on her chest, taking a deep breath to steady herself.
"As a noblewoman, I was taught to remain calm no matter what happens. A lady must never lose control of her emotions or bring shame to her family or husband through hysteria or panic..."
"…Well, I guess that training came in handy after all."
Duanmu Huai muttered dryly.
"So, Master—what will you do next?"
"Hmm… I'm quite curious about this whole Raya matter."
Duanmu Huai rubbed his chin thoughtfully.
"I think I'll have a talk with Tanith and see what's really going on."
(End of Chapter)