NOVEL NEXT Chapter 64 - Episode 64: Lizardmaru and Stasa
Episode 64: Lizardmaru and Stasa
~~Stasa’s Perspective~~
Before my eyes were a lizardman and a child.
The child was only about as tall as my waist, and both seemed like boys.
They’re probably brothers.
Standing behind them was likely their mother, another lizardman.
Even though she’s called a mother, with a lizard face, it’s hard to tell if she’s a female or male.
The children were smiling at me.
“Hehehe. Big sis, thanks for helping Dad, Liza.”
“Dad?”
“Um, who are you guys, though?”
Then, the mother lizardman deeply bowed.
“Thank you for helping Lizardmaru.”
“Huh? Who are you guys?”
“These kids are Lizardmaru’s children. I’m his wife, Liza.”
“Oh! Lizardmaru’s wife!”
Oh… So Lizardmaru has a family.
With lizard faces, it’s hard to determine gender, but she seems like a woman from the way she talks.
Her decorations are quite dazzling.
She seems charming and beautiful.
Hehehe, Lizardmaru, well done.
“Lizard’s life was saved thanks to Stasa. I’ve heard about your deeds, Liza.”
“Oh, no, it’s nothing. He’s helped me too.”
The wife bowed deeply again.
“Truly. Thank you very much, Liza.”
“Hahaha…”
He said he’s fighting for his family…
It’s surprising to learn about such a lovely family.
Unexpected.
“Big sis, take this… I want you to have it, Liza.”
“Hmm? What is it?”
It was a beautiful necklace.
A white symbol threaded onto a leather string, with a dazzling stone beside it.
“I made it by processing Yaman deer horns, Liza.”
“Oh.”
“Lizardmen warriors are good at processing spear tips and such, Liza. This one is made from a deer horn and a beautiful magic stone picked up by the riverbank, Liza.”
“For me?”
“I originally made it as a charm for Dad. But since I heard big sis helped Dad, I want you to have it, Liza!”
“Such a precious item?”
“Please accept it, Liza.”
Oh, it’s Lizardmaru.
“They’re grateful to you. For lizardmen, giving a necklace to another race is a sign of friendship, Liza.”
“I see… Hehehe. Well then, I’ll take it.”
I put it around my neck.
Yeah. It looks good, not too flashy.
“Aha! Thank you for the lovely necklace!”
“Yay! We did it, Liza!”
The children jumped with joy and hugged Lizardmaru.
He hugged them back.
“Being able to meet the kids is all thanks to you, Liza.”
Huh?
“That time… If you hadn’t followed my instructions and escaped with Pegasus’ wings… I wouldn’t have seen my family again, Liza.”
Huh?
Is he… thanking me indirectly?
“Well, helping comrades is natural, right?”
He coughed once and said,
“…Ahem. Well… I admit my training is lacking, Liza.”
“Huh? Lizardmaru, you did your best.”
“My duty is to protect you, Liza. But if I fail to do that, then I’m not fit to be your guard, Liza.”
Well, the enemy was unexpectedly strong, after all.
“I’ll get stronger from now on, Liza. Next time, I won’t inconvenience Lord Zaus, Liza.”
“Yeah. Thank you.”
“Stasa, I’ll protect you, Liza.”
“Huh?”
Wait, did he just… call me by my name??
Until now, I was just called ‘human woman.’
“Bye then, Liza.”
“Huh? Didn’t you just call me by my name?”
“W-what are you talking about, Liza?”
“Because, Stasa is Stasa! There’s nothing strange, Liza!!”
“If you’re acknowledging Stasa, just say you are, gob!”
“Gob’s talking! When did you become Liza!?”
“I’m here too, Hapi.”
“Ugh! Hapi, you too, Liza?”
“Lizardmaru isn’t straightforward, Hapi.”
“Sh-Shut up! Women should stay quiet, Liza!!”
“That’s discrimination, Hapi.”
Hahaha.
It’s the gathering of the Foreign Affairs team.
“Well, well, let’s all get along! Since we’re comrades, you know.”
We’re the team entrusted with diplomacy by Lord Zaus.
In a way, we’re a community of fate.
“Alright then, now that the Foreign Affairs team is assembled, let’s have a toast to conquering Yorno Village!”
“Wahaha! I agree, Gob!”
“What a wonderful idea, Hapi!”
“Well, can’t be helped, Liza.”
We held up our glasses.
“The conquest of Yorno Village resulted in zero casualties! Not a single villager or lion person was injured. We’re all safe too! It’s safe to say this is a great success!!”
We got a little help from Lord Zaus, though.
But from now on, Lizardmaru-kun seems reliable, and we just have to get stronger little by little.
First, we should all celebrate this success together.
“The conquest of Yorno Village is all thanks to everyone! Let’s continue to cooperate as a team and do our best! So, cheers!!”
“Cheers, Gob!”
“Cheers, Hapi!”
“Cheers, Liza”
The sound of our clinking glasses echoed loudly.
Ka-ching!
Yeah.
Nice sound.
I have to keep listening to it from now on.
Now, let’s dig into Yorno Village’s superb food.
“We’ve got sweet and sour flavors, Hapi!”
“The balance of sweetness and spiciness is exquisite, Gob!”
Yeah yeah.
It’s the best.
Especially the part with these fruits feels so elegant! No matter who eats it, they say it’s delicious!
“Ugh… There’s pineapple in it, Liza. Why put fruit in meat dishes, Liza??”
Hahaha.
Well, everyone has their own preferences.