It was a few days after the meeting with the mayors.

"Is Mister Lasse here?

　Lamia and her friends were working in the office when Zeldo, the chief lizardman, came in.

"This is Master Zeldo. You wanted to see Master Lasse?

hmm, beautiful blue scaled woman. I have caused you much trouble in the past. So I, the chief, have come to express my gratitude.

　Zeldo states the purpose of his visit with a mysterious look on his face.

"To your left? If it's Master Raise, I'm tending to the demons' scales in the back of my office.

　Maybe it's because I'm in the middle of my desk job, but Lamia's language is more polite than usual.

May I come in to see you?

"Yeah, I'm fine.

Thank you.

　Zerdo bowed to Lamia and walked out the entrance that came in .

　◇

"Lord Rise.

　As Lasse was brushing the scales of the sea serpents, Zeldo spoke to me from behind.

"Oh, Mr. Zeldo, is it?

　Seeing Zerdo, Lasse stops his work and turns to face him.
　The Seerserpent gives you a slightly disapproving look, but quickly regains his composure.

"Are you feeling okay?

　All of the Lizardmen, not just Zeldo, who had been wounded by the battle with the demon cat-man, were severely injured without exception.
　Some were in considerable danger, but fortunately there were no deaths thanks to the unicorn's healing and the restorers in Dexter's town.

Thanks to you. I can't fight yet, but I can walk around normally.

(Lizardmen are very much alive, indeed.)　

　The life force of the sub-humans is astounding, Lasse.
　In fact, many of the wounds they received could have been fatal if they were human.
　They survived only because of their race's stubbornness.

Thanks to Lasse and the townspeople who healed me, I'm ready to fight again. This time I will not be defeated by that monster!　Once the wounds are healed, I'm going to head out to fight again.

　Zerdo reveals his heart with a newfound determination.
　This was also his way of expressing his will as a chief.

No, if I fight again, I'll die for sure.

　But Lasse cut off Zeldo's resolve.

No, no, next time it's for the pride of Lizardmen: ......

"Pride does not win a battle. Since neither bow nor spear worked, you need to think of a new weapon to block the opponent's overwhelming speed, or else you will die, as well as your friends.

　Lasse will beat up any Zeld who tries to argue with him without mercy.

"Then get a powerful weapon from a human merchant: ......

There aren't many weapons that work against the devil. If someone sells you a fake one, you won't be able to get your money back if you find out later that you can't even recognize the face of the person you tricked.

"Mm, so, then Mr. Lasse will mediate at ......

We don't have a leader, and soon the Knights, the Church, and the experts we know will be working to defeat the demon, so it will be defeated even if you Lizardmen don't move.

What the hell?

　When Lasse told him that there were people working to defeat the demon, Zerdo panicked.

"No, no!　We must be the ones to slay that monster!

If someone else can beat you, why not?

"Not so, it's not good enough!　We are a race of warriors. Therefore, the homeland that was taken from us will mean nothing unless we take it back ourselves!

　It's not just a matter of time before you'll be able to get your hands on a new one.

It's a good thing that you're not the only one who has the ability to do this," he said, "but the knights are probably already on the move. Even if you go back, everyone's wounds haven't healed, and there's no way to damage the enemy.

What should I do then?

　The tone of Zeldo's previously solemn tone changes.

As the new chieftain, it is my duty to take on the enemies of your father!　I'm on a mission to be a worthy chieftain!

　It seems that Zeldo's tone so far has been staged as a chieftain.

This is more in keeping with the current atmosphere. So he's been acting like it to avoid being taken advantage of? It worked for us humans, who can't judge by appearances, but I wonder what it looked like to my own kind.

"Mr. Rise!　What can we do?　How can we get to that creature before the others do!

　Zerdo, who reveals his true feelings, makes some pretty ridiculous demands.
　Lasse laughs at this.

I'm so frank again. I'm not sure if he has a sense of mission as a chief.　But there's no convenient way to do that. If there is, it's an infraction and a close call. (No, I'll just offer that one.)

Okay, I'll take that offer. I'll take care of it.

"Oh, would you do me the honor, Mister Reiss!

　Lasse replied to a delighted Zeldo with his heart pounding.

Yes, I will arrive at the Jujiki swamp before anyone else, and I will provide the means for Chief Zeldo to defeat the demon!



"Ha-ha, you're good at what you do, Mr. Rise!

"Yes, so we'll get paid separately!　Of course, this is a higher reward than the last time you asked me to teach children to hunt. Yes, answer!

"Mm!　I got it!

Then we have a deal!　We'll get paid well!

"...... hmm?

　It was a bit of a weakness, or rather a pretty weak-minded zeld.