I Became the Only Reptile in the Community

Chapter 22

—–CROW—– 

“-Khahahaha!  Drink up! Drink up!”

“Indeed! You as well, my friend.”

“-Khahahaha!”

“Uhahaha!”

All around, as far as the eye could see, stretched the blue ocean.  Deep within its depths, at the very bottom of the abyss, lay a mystical place unknown to ordinary beings.

*Clink*

“-The sound is clear as well!”

“It’s a tribute offered just recently! What was it called again?  Something made with a five-hundred-year-old pearl?”

“-Khaha!  Luminous! It’ll make enjoying this drink all the more delightful!”

In this mystical place, two enigmatic beings cheerfully exchanged drinks.

Both had human-like forms, but each possessed unique characteristics.  The one on the right had skin and hair of a shimmering blue, as if he were made of water.  The one across from him, raising his cup, had long antlers sprouting from his head.

One was the king of all water spirits, and the other was the ruler of this realm, known as the Dragon King.

*Gulp. Gulp.*

They drank together, their jovial atmosphere radiating tranquility.  Between them sat a table laden with a feast of more than twelve dishes.  The Water Spirit King spoke first.

“-So, my friend. Have you chosen who will be promoted to Imugi this time?”

The selection of an Imugi was solely at the Dragon King’s discretion.  No matter how strong or weak, any creature could become an Imugi if it caught his eye.

The Dragon King stroked his chin in response to the Water Spirit King’s question.

“Well, no one has particularly caught my fancy…”

*Munch, munch.*

“Oh, this is quite good. I should make whoever made *this* an Imugi!”

And just like that, a candidate for Imugi was chosen.

The Spirit King chuckled at the absurdity of the situation and pulled something from his robes.

“-Dragon King, accept this.”

“Hmm? What is this?”

It appeared to be a simple flower.

But the Dragon King felt a strange, inexplicable energy emanating from it.  It was as if a burden he carried had lessened, leaving him feeling lighter and more at ease.

“-You offered me fine wine, so I must offer something in return.”

“Hmm. It looks like an ordinary flower, but the power it holds is anything but.”

“-It’s a flower that blooms in the Spirit Realm.”

A flower from the Spirit Realm.

The Dragon King’s eyes lit up.

“Could this be… a Formless Flower?”

“-Indeed.  As expected, your knowledge is vast.”

“Goodness.  To think I would see a Formless Flower in person!”

The Formless Flower.

A special flower that bloomed only in the Spirit Realm.  Depending on the color of its bud, it amplified the surrounding energy.  It was a precious item often used to create nourishing elixirs or training grounds imbued with specific attributes.

The current bud was blue.  That was why the effort required to maintain this realm had lessened, allowing the Dragon King a moment of respite.

“I thought the Formless Flower was just a legend.”

“-Khaha! A legend! Perhaps that’s not entirely inaccurate.”

Formless Flowers were rare, even in the Spirit Realm.  Moreover, when objects were brought from the Spirit Realm, they almost always lost their power or were crushed beyond recognition by the interdimensional pressure.

To bring one over intact, with its effects perfectly preserved, was a feat only a Spirit King could accomplish.

“This is far too precious a gift for a mere bottle of wine.”

“-Then bring out more wine!”

“Of course! I have a treasured vintage…”

*Hum*

Delighted with the Formless Flower, the Dragon King decided to retrieve one of his prized wines.  Such a gift deserved to be celebrated with his finest treasures!

“-So, you were both here.”

But the Dragon King couldn’t leave just yet.  As he was about to rise, an uninvited guest appeared at their table.

“-Eh? What brings you here?”

“Well, well! If it isn’t the Wind Spirit King!”

But the two greeted the newcomer with cheerful smiles.

It was the Wind Spirit King, a ruler like the Water Spirit King, who governed the wind spirits.

“-Haven’t you been busy lately?”

“Indeed.  Rumors had it you were quite occupied… but seeing you in person, you look even more exhausted than the rumors suggested.”

The Wind Spirit King, sporting dark circles under his eyes that looked like they could drag him down at any moment, waved his hand dismissively at their comments.

“-I smell alcohol.”

*Whoosh*

With a flick of his wrist, the Wind Spirit King dispersed the alcoholic fumes.  He seemed eager to get to the point, his expression serious.

“-I came here to ask you something.”

“-What could our serious friend possibly be curious about?”

“Ugh.  He even dispelled the pleasant buzz.”

The Dragon King grumbled about his unintentional, forced sobriety but listened attentively, waiting to hear the reason for the visit.

“-I came here because of you, Dragon King.”

“Me?”

*Nod*

“-Do you know about a child I cherish?”

“Ah, that Silphy or Silpa child?”

“-The one you couldn’t stop praising.  The one you claimed would be a talent to succeed you as Wind Spirit King.”

The Wind Spirit King nodded.  Among countless spirits, this child held his highest expectations.  Although currently a low-ranking spirit, she was undoubtedly a prodigy destined to ascend through the ranks to become a Spirit King.

“-But haven’t I heard she’s been holed up somewhere and hasn’t come out recently?”

“Haha! I heard that too! That the wind spirit was so stuck in a cave, people were wondering if she was an earth spirit!”

“-The earth spirits have been quite active these days!”

“Oh dear, I misspoke!”

Those bastards.

Were they openly mocking him about his genius spirit becoming a recluse?

A vein throbbed on the Wind Spirit King’s forehead, but he calmed himself, remembering his purpose.

*Sigh*

Patience.

If he could just resolve this issue, he could also cure Silphy of her reclusiveness… or rather, her laziness.  If he could achieve that, he could endure these teasing remarks.

“-That child spoke to me directly.”

“-…Hmm?  Isn’t your child a low-ranking spirit?”

The Water Spirit King frowned.

“Is there a problem with that?”

The Dragon King asked, puzzled by the Water Spirit King’s expression.

The Water Spirit King nodded as if it were obvious, explaining the issue.

“-Of course. A low-ranking spirit’s words can’t reach a Spirit King.  It’s how the system works. We Spirit Kings aren’t just idling around all day.  We rule over countless spirits; how could we possibly listen to each and every one of them?  Their messages are filtered out along the way.”

By the higher-ranking spirits above them.

Of course, they didn’t completely ignore the messages. The responder simply changed.  A low-ranking spirit’s message was typically answered by a mid-ranking spirit.  If the mid-ranking spirit didn’t know the answer, a high-ranking spirit would respond. And if the high-ranking spirit didn’t know, a highest-ranking spirit would.

“-What could she have possibly said for her message to reach you directly?”

The Wind Spirit King gestured with his hand, inviting them to listen.

“-Your Majesty! I’m so sorry to bother you with this sudden question! But it’s urgent, so please forgive me! My friend wants to become a sacred beast, but the poison in his body is too potent, and he’s struggling. Do you know of any way to resolve this?! I’ve already asked other spirits nearby, but I haven’t found a solution. Please help me, Your Majesty!!”

The soft voice of a young girl echoed through the wind.  It was Silphy’s message to the Wind Spirit King.

“-Huh.  This question reached you?”

“Hmm.”

The two beings couldn’t believe their ears.

This message had actually gotten through?

The spirits below, who had failed to answer this simple question, deserved a reprimand.

But the Wind Spirit King smiled, seemingly impressed.  They probably thought this message had followed the proper channels.

But the truth was different.

“-I received this message a few days ago. Directly.  Without passing through any other spirits.”

*Flinch.*

The Water Spirit King flinched, his eyes widening in disbelief.  The Wind Spirit King simply shook his head, confirming the truth.

“-Huh.  She truly is a prodigy.  Even more so than the rumors suggested.”

A low-ranking spirit bypassing mid-ranking, high-ranking, and highest-ranking spirits to contact a Spirit King directly.

It was astounding.

It was a talent so remarkable, it was almost frightening, explaining the Wind Spirit King’s praise.

“So, you came to us because of this insignificant creature who wants to become a sacred beast?”

“-Well, you could say that.”

“-That reclusive spirit made a friend?  I’m sure they must be extraordinary as well.”

Indeed, they were extraordinary.  Despite his busy schedule, the Wind Spirit King had looked into Silphy and her companions after receiving her question.

“-I was surprised myself. I never imagined she would befriend a tiger with Divine Beast blood and a snake who has attained wisdom beyond its kind.”

—–CROW—–