So I'm a Snake, Who Cares?

"So many deaths."

The Court Count muttered.

Obern actually couldn't properly react to the Court Count's words.

All his attention was focused on the green giant that appeared in the circular arena.

Weren't those vines forming the green giant's body the same as the ones he usually kept on his staff?

A gorilla's face protruded from its head, and it was scattering flames everywhere.

Your next journey awaits at empire

Terrified screams erupted from all directions.

"What a sight, what a sight indeed."

But the Court Count didn't show any sign of fear.

He must have known about the Nord terrorists beforehand.

"You know, don't you? That common people both fear and hate the nobles and wealthy."

"...Yes."

Obern, coming from a fallen noble family, knew this.

"It's quite natural for commoners to curse nobles while drinking among themselves. The nobles know this too. But at the same time, they respect and revere the nobles."

That was almost an instinctive human tendency.

"But for such terrorism to occur at an academy event attended by royalty. What will public sentiment be like?"

"The reaction will be severe, I think."

"A fire will start. A fire will ignite in the hearts of people who had become like pigs and dogs, thinking only of survival with even their sparks extinguished. Even a king or noble cannot go against the will of the people. That's a truth studied by numerous political scholars."

It was a dangerous statement, but it was none other than the kingdom's Court Count who said it.

"...I wish more children would die."

At those words, Obern unconsciously clenched his fist.

That green giant probably wasn't part of the Court Count's plan.

But the Court Count wasn't fazed by the sudden appearance of the giant monster.

The first time he showed surprise was when the Iron Lion Knights' Vice Commander stepped forward.

"Knight Berger is quite strong, about the third strongest in the Iron Lion Knights."

The Court Count must have thought the Vice Commander would defeat the green giant.

Actually, Obern thought so too.

"Kuuughk!"

The Vice Commander, who seemed to be doing well, collapsed with his face turned purple.

"...He's dead. Hoho."

The Court Count laughed, though what was funny wasn't clear.

Obern soon understood why he was watching this situation like he was at a zoo.

One of the Nord terrorists spotted the Court Count and shot a crossbow at him.

Ting!

But the bolt deflected right in front of the Court Count.

Someone had deflected it with a buckler barely the size of a palm.

It must have been a guard.

And one with extraordinary skills at that.

"Court Count, we should withdraw now."

"Hmm, just a moment."

The Court Count stopped his guard and turned to Obern.

"Obern."

"...Yes."

"Do you know why I'm telling you all this?"

He had been wondering about that.

Honestly, he didn't want to hear it.

A conspiracy planned by the king, Chancellor, and Court Count?

Moreover, instigating Nord terrorism to kill their own citizens, such an absurd act?

This was the kind of information that could endanger one's life just by knowing it.

"Because I've completely bought you."

"..."

"Well, even if you went around talking about this, who would believe you? I'm convinced I've made you completely mine. How satisfying."

What nonsense.

He couldn't say that out loud.

"Let's head out now. Follow me, having someone to talk to will keep it from being lonely."

But Obern didn't move.

How could he leave from here?

Amain, Rania, and his other students were here.

Some were safe, but some children were still confronting monsters and Nord people.

"You go first. I will save the children."

"Leave them. Didn't you hear me?"

"I'm sorry, but..."

"You don't seem to understand the situation."

The Court Count smiled.

"I've captured your soul."

Just as he wondered what creepy things the old man was suddenly saying.

"Murderer Obern who killed Cobent. Did you push your friend into the river? Or did you kill him first then push him in?"

"..."

Even the great Obern couldn't maintain his composure there.

His face twisted pale.

How and when did he find that out?

"I don't know why you killed him, but does that matter? What matters is that you're a murderer and one word from me can send you to hell."

It felt like the ground beneath his feet had opened up.

Obern fell into that hole.

Into the bottomless abyss, down to hell below.

To Niflheim, the coldest ice hell.

"I could say you've become my slave."

At that moment, his mind snapped clear.

Not for any other reason.

But because something was crawling up from his ankle.

What naturally wrapped around his wrist was a snake.

How, when?

When he turned around, the green giant was gone and only a huge pile of vines remained in its place.

The gorilla was nowhere to be seen.

'Obern, what are you doing! We need to hurry and save the kids.'

The snake commanded in its usual slightly dopey voice.

At that moment, he remembered.

"Court Count..."

"Yes?"

"You cannot have my soul."

Come to think of it, hadn't Obern already sold his soul to this snake?

"...Hoho, you're fearless."

'What's with that old man?'

The snake asked innocently.n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

'Should I take care of him?'

Though tempted for a moment.

Obern simply turned his back.

"If you go further, there's no turning back."

Obern knew that too.

But he didn't stop his steps.

He heard the Court Count leaving with a snort.

'First we need to save Amain and the kids, beat up those terrorists. And above all, we need to hide Lady Gorilla. She's hiding under those vines over there? We need to figure out how to sneak her away... Are you listening?'

"..."

'Obern, why are you crying, don't cry.'

Obern wiped his tears and kept running.

==

"Nemi, take my hand!"

"Kyaaah!"

Though Emerald Academy students received various gifted education.

Even if they had exceptional physical abilities including magic, they were still children.

There was no child who wouldn't be scared when people were dying and Nord people were running around with swords.

Nemi Raiters was the same.

She was dangling from the railing, perhaps having slipped while trying to escape.