So I'm a Snake, Who Cares?

His Majesty the Emperor has arrived!

And with a loud gong...

Everyone around should have knelt and bowed, with festive music announcing the Emperor's arrival...

But that didn't happen.

The Emperor was wearing casual clothes.

Like a young master from a wealthy family out for a stroll.

Moreover, the one dressed like a guard beside him was clearly the Sword Saint.

Even Kadam, who had tried to tear Abratal apart, had no choice but to kneel and pay his respects.
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"Your Majesty-! How could you come to this humble place without notice!"

Kadam quickly knelt and paid proper respects to the Emperor.

The Emperor didn't even glance at Kadam.

"Kadam, are you the owner of this zoo?"

What kind of sudden question was this?

Kadam quickly shook his head in denial.

"I am merely an administrator. The zoo and the entire empire belong to Your Majesty."

"Then how should I view an administrator commenting on the owner's visit?"

"I, I am terribly sorry. Please execute me!"

The Emperor let out a small sigh.

"Be silent. I appreciate such personality of yours, but it's irritating right now."

"..."

"I came quietly because I dislike commotion. I will be lenient, so simplify all formalities. I will not forgive anyone who makes a fuss."

"..."

"..."

"..."

"You may speak now."

"As you command."

Kadam jumped up and glared around.

He signaled the staff to keep their mouths shut.

Then he called one person and gave various instructions.

"The zoo will close early today. Get all the visitors out and gather the staff. You heard what was just said? If you make a fuss and upset His Majesty, you die by my hand."

"Yes!"

The subordinate staff scattered.

Kadam volunteered himself as the Emperor's escort.

"Would you like to tour the zoo after so long?"

"No, that will do."

"Or..."

"I came to see something with my own eyes."

As expected, Kadam closed his eyes tightly.

The moment of judgment had come.

"I heard there were three who killed Ambejeu."

"By three, you mean..."

"I heard it was two monsters and one zookeeper."

Kadam couldn't help but glare at Abratal Geduin.

It was a gaze that could kill, but Abratal quietly hid behind the Sword Saint.

The Sword Saint simply kept his eyes lowered as if unconcerned.

"Y-Your Majesty. I did not kill Ambejeu..."

"I heard it became close to a calamity after several evolutions. Is that false?"

"...That is not untrue."

"Then was there a monster stronger than Ambejeu?"

"There was not."

"Did you not attack Ambejeu?"

"I did attack."

"Are you insulting me with lies?"

"I wouldn't dare!"

With that, Kadam quickly planted his head on the ground.

The Emperor ordered him to rise.

"Bring them."

"Yes!"

==

A magnificent White Storm Gorilla.

And on her shoulder, the great leader.

The Little Prince Serpent (evolution expected soon).

That's me.

After evolving and reviving Lady Lilah.

Only then did my mental tension finally release.

The staff who had rushed over when Lilah evolved suddenly heard some news and disappeared busily.

Thanks to that, I could enjoy a brief moment of leisure.

"Boss, what are we going to do now?"

'Hmm, good question.'

Can we continue working as zoo staff?

I need to level up more.

This is what's frustrating about entering human territory. Experience points are limited because you can't hunt just anyone.

Strong humans would give tons of experience points, but well.

If I hunt a few of those guys, an army would mobilize instantly.

I could probably handle several human soldiers, but would it end there?

I'm not confident enough yet to live as a continental villain.

'I have a feeling we won't be able to continue as zoo staff.'

Despite being monsters, Lilah and I got jobs at the zoo because of the black and white monsters.

Since the Emperor forbade cleaning them up, they borrowed our hands as monsters.

From what I've overheard, it seems this went against the Emperor's wishes from the start.

That's for Kadam to resolve... hmm.

Then I'll be unemployed again.

Now that Lilah has become a named monster, it wouldn't look good if I can't continue evolving.

Shouldn't I at least get rid of the "Little" tag?

'What legal ways are there to earn mana...'

What can be done within this empire...

'Maybe become a bounty hunter. Or get hired as an assassin...'

That wouldn't be bad, I was thinking.

"Snake, Lilah!"

The door burst open and Daisy came in.

I who had been lying down suddenly sat up.

"The director is looking for you, let's go."

"Ssaak!"

Surely we're not getting fired already?

That would be much faster timing than I expected.

Fortunately, it didn't seem to be that.

"An important guest has arrived."

'I see.'

But why are they bringing us?

Something seems off about Daisy's demeanor.

She walks stiffly like a wooden puppet, clearly tense.

"...His Majesty the Emperor has arrived."

I don't know why exactly.

The moment I heard that, I jumped up and tried to run away.

But surprisingly, Daisy succeeded in grabbing my tail.

"If you run away... We can't. Probably... We'll all die."

"Ssaaak!"

No way...!

But I wasn't seriously trying to escape either.

I couldn't just run away alone when Obern and Phili were here too.

Still, I couldn't help feeling worried.

'Lilah, is it because we killed Ambejeu?'

'S-Surely not, Boss.'

'What if they hold us responsible?'

I had roughly overheard Kadam and Geduin's conversation.

Abratal Geduin tried to speak quietly but it seemed like something about the Emperor using Ambejeu somehow.

And I delivered the final blow.

'Oh no... Is my strength about to become known to this world...'

I couldn't help thinking that.

Honestly, it makes my heart flutter a bit too.

The weight in one's pocket will eventually show itself.

And there really was the Emperor where Daisy took us.

"Are these the monsters?"

The Emperor I had seen at the palace before was here too.

Having encountered him once before, I somehow felt uncomfortable in this situation.

The Emperor had a way of seeming to see right through people.

Plus those snake-like eyes are unpleasant.

Though I'm a snake too...

"Kadam. Report the details of what happened that day."

This is bad.