NOVEL NEXT Vervaria is a deity based on local beliefs, and while its power is distinctly weaker compared to Damian, it still stands apart from humans, having secured its position as one of the Demon Lord’s lieutenants.
And it’s not just humans who feel the difference; even the strong warriors known as Lizardmen do. It took just a moment to deal with the twenty or so Lizardmen in the plains.
【Looks like my anger isn’t going away.】
I guess I was really mad.
Vervaria swung its massive body, turning the plains into a bloody mess.
When the Lizardmen of the plains saw Vervaria appear, fear was evident on their faces.
Still, despite that fear, they attempted to organize themselves to confront Vervaria, which is worthy of some praise, but that was it.
Such feeble resistance was nothing but a scratch for Vervaria.
“Calm down a bit. I know you’re mad.”
At Yona’s words, Vervaria thumped its tail against the plains, expressing its frustration.
However, as Vervaria glared at the kneeling Lizardman in front of Yona, it gradually became more transparent, eventually revealing a small girl.
【The Saint has shown mercy, you insignificant being.】
She looked just like Rubina.
‘…Why do you take on Rubina’s appearance again? Can’t you change into something else?’
Because Vervaria’s frame was so huge, Yona had actually suggested it try changing forms.
Yet, seeing it standing beside her in the same form as Rubina made Yona feel strange.
【This is my second most familiar form. If you wish, I can change to the most familiar one—】
‘No! No, let’s not!’
The most familiar form could be anything, and Yona desperately tried to ignore the possibility.
Imagining the sight of Alex appearing as two was horrifying.
Well, it wasn’t horrifying, but she really didn’t want to admit that Alex was currently her most familiar form.
Shaking her head to dislodge the stray thoughts, Yona looked down at the Lizardman kneeling before her.
The earlier bravado had vanished completely, and the Lizardman was now trembling, striking its teeth together.
“Amira, come here.”
I managed to subdue them.
I took down the leader, but now Yona had no idea what to do from here. She didn’t have any information to make a judgment. In cases like this, it was best for Amira to conduct the interrogation.
Carefully, Amira approached Yona with a few guards.
Until now, the guards had looked at Yona with a hint of skepticism, but that was no longer the case.
Since she had called forth Vervaria and displayed her power in the Saint Region by quickly dealing with the Lizardmen of this plain, they surely believed Yona was indeed the saint of Vervaria—which technically meant the whole demon realm.
“Alright, guys, let’s start with an explanation of who you are. What are you, and why are you attacking her?”
A peculiar nation known as the Katus Empire, which had a unique governing structure where the throne rotated among different species.
Despite that, the country has been running smoothly until now.
There’s no distinct lineage for the emperor; instead, the leaders of each species hold the title.
Even as an emperor, one couldn’t wield absolute power, and the governance was shared with a council of other species’ leaders. This arrangement allowed for a fairly decent administration.
“So, the Plain Lizardmen… I mean, the Plain Gill Tribe were formerly the royal family. They had a particularly bad relationship with the Duchy of Kapatia… and it was during their reign that the Plain Gill Tribe was in power.”
After sipping water brought by her maid, Amira let out a sigh and began slowly explaining to Yona.
In between, she didn’t forget to give a death glare to Barikian, as if she’d like to eat him alive.
“So their reign is already over, then. But why are they suddenly acting like this?”
“That’s—”
Amira displayed a somewhat troubled expression.
It was understandable; she had been receiving education in the Church Region of the Duchy of Kapatia, so she had no clue what was happening back home.
Moreover, being nearly thirty and not the twentieth daughter, her presence as part of the royal family was incredibly faint.
She wasn’t the kind of person to flaunt her royal lineage, making it hard to know what was actually going on.
Noticing Amira’s expression, Vervaria took a step closer to the kneeling Lizardman.
“You. Speak.”
Vervaria spoke with considerable gravity.
Vervaria.
But with her appearance as Rubina, any authority or prestige just didn’t come across.
Even her slightly lisping speech was exactly the same.
“Are you a traitor?”
At those words, Amira’s face turned pale.
“I-I’m not a traitor! I want to lawfully… return to the Imperial Family… to the mighty Katus…”
“Stop beating around the bush, you fool.”
Vervaria frowned.
Even though she was circling around, the meaning was clear and straightforward.
“Did you say Amira?”
“Ah, yes, yes! Yes! Lord Vervaria—!”
As Amira answered, Vervaria turned and looked at her.
Since Amira was as tall as Yona, Vervaria, in Rubina’s form, had to look up at her.
“You’re too high up. Lower your head.”
“I-I’m so sorry—!”
It wasn’t just Amira.
All the serpent tribe, including Amira, immediately knelt, almost smashing their faces into the ground.
Ten years old—now eleven—Rubina couldn’t raise her head higher than Vervaria’s stature and waited in that position for Vervaria’s next words.
‘…This is ridiculous.’
Yona sneered at Vervaria from behind but didn’t show it.
But isn’t this her home ground?
So surely she would want to put on some airs in front of her followers.
She had no intention of interrupting that.
“It seems a rebellion has occurred.”
While saying that, Vervaria glanced at Yona.
It was a glance in name only; Yona quickly realized that Vervaria was keeping an eye on her.
Honestly, it didn’t resonate.
It wasn’t her homeland—though the Duchy of Kapatia with Evian didn’t feel like homeland either—still, what did it matter if a rebellion broke out in this completely foreign land of Katus?
“S-Saint…!”
Amira approached Yona and grabbed her hand tightly.
The icy touch nearly made Yona grimace, but that wouldn’t have shown.
“Saint… please, please help us…!”
Amira’s earnest voice.
Yona silently glanced at the Alebians.
Holding the mysteriously glaring Rubina, Alebians didn’t say anything even when their eyes met.
There was something unsaid even after making eye contact.
Then, they started babbling something.
“Y-e-s, g-o, w-a-n-t, t-o…?”
It’s like saying, “Do as you please,” which really means, “I’m leaving it up to you.”
Yona glanced at Amira and thought.
Honestly, there’s no reason to go that far.
Sure, they were heading to Esima, the capital of the Katus Empire, but if a rebellion had broken out, they should be heading somewhere else instead of Esima.
Amira didn’t have the exact locations of the other Dukes either. She had planned to gather some information in Esima and then search for the Dukes again, so there was no need to head into the middle of a rebellion.
Moreover, a rebellion isn’t just some small event; it’s effectively a civil war.
Yona and a few others getting caught up in this is a big no thanks.
Amira’s desperate wish to have Yona’s help made sense, considering she had that unusual weapon called Vervaria—
But still, while it’s a bit harsh, Yona really had to decline here.
With her thoughts sorted out, Yona looked at Amira.
Seeing Amira’s unique tricolored eyes welling up with tears, looking at her like a savior, was heartbreaking. And here she was, about to turn her down.
“…U-uh, Amira?”
“Y-yes…! Your Saintness—! Ah, Amira is listening—!”
Amira wasn’t doubting for a second that Yona would help.
After all, she was a saint.
The one who helps those in need and doesn’t refuse those who believe in her—the name, Saint.
Plus, the Saint who has been serving the snake goddess Vervaria that the Azrami tribe has worshiped throughout the ages.
So, Amira thought it’s only natural she wouldn’t just leave them be.
“Uh… I understand your desire for help, but, you know…”
Yona stammered, struggling to find the right words.
It was really hard to say she was going to refuse.
Especially in a situation where someone was pleading so earnestly.
“Well, it’s useless anyway. We have our own deity, so even if there’s a god of snakes, it’s no good for us!”
The Lizardman shouted.
And at that, Yona, Amira, and even Vervaria turned to look at the Lizardman in the grassy plains.
“…Where exactly are you guys right now?”