Transmigrated as a Ghost

1127  Chapter 1127 Inside the Lamias’ Town

"Nice meet you. Name Szutstla. Can call Szu. I be showing around."

When Marcus' group approached the Lamia guard that was going to be acting as their guide, she spoke to them in the language used in both Borealia and Tralenstein. Albeit with a lack of fluency.

Still, it was surprising that she knew the language at all. During Relia's negations, all the Lamias had been speaking their own language that was completely distinct from anything Marcus, Lyra, and Quillon had heard before.

"From faces, tell surprise." The young Lamia guard said with a proud expression. "Father from above. He teach me language of his home."

Despite her words being somewhat difficult to understand, Marcus, Lyra, and Quillon found her imperfect grasp of their language more endearing than annoying.

Her upper half, which was almost indistinguishable from a human's, had the appearance of a young girl. Making her look like a child trying her best to act like an adult.

'Yep, she's only twelve. At level twenty-one though, she's pretty strong for her age.' Marcus thought as he used his appraisal skill on Szutstla.

Of all the Lamia that had come out upon their arrival, she was the youngest. In Borealia and most of the world above, she would not be considered an adult yet. It was honestly a bit abnormal for someone her age to be acting as a guard.

Things were dangerous down in the Darklands though. Even if the individual in question was only a child, if they possessed a high degree of talent, they would be put to work early to develop their abilities.

"Follow me. Take you to guest building." Szutstla said as she turned around and slithered down the large tunnel.

The farther down they went the more the area opened up. Eventually they passed by an area with several holes in the wall to their right.

Szutstla told them that it was a guard station where the Lamia's protecting the entrances of the town could rest and resupply.

'There's almost no light down here. Without the Darkvision skill, you'd hardly be able to see.' Marcus observed.

At around three-meter intervals there was a single small glowing stone imbedded in the ceiling. It provided only dim illumination.

Seeing that their guide was fairly friendly, Marcus decided to ask her about the lights.

It took him a few seconds to parse together her broken response, but he understood that the Lamias had very sensitive eyes and that the light was only for their slaves and occasional guest that could not see in the dark.

"If need more light. Can provide."

"No, I'm fine. Just curious." Marcus replied.

After that exchange Szutstla continued to open up more and asked them all manner of questions about the surface. She had an outgoing personality and boundless curiosity.

However, before saying anything, Marcus and Lyra looked towards Relia to make sure that it would be acceptable to answer their young guide's inquiries. It was possible that talking about the world above in detail could cause problems.

Fortunately, this was not the case. Relia told them that she would intervene if there was something that Szutstla wanted to know that they should not answer.

Having received permission, the young Lamia rapid fired questions at both Marcus and Lyra. At some point she became so engrossed in the conversation that she stopped moving and needed to be reminded that she was supposed to be taking them to the inn where outsiders were housed.

Eventually the winding tunnels that only had the occasional building carved into the walls opened up into a far larger chamber.

This was the town's main area with hundreds of structures and thousands of individuals around.

Marcus' eyes quickly darted around as he took in the surroundings.

They had passed a couple of other Lamias on their way here, but in this area, there were several other races milling about as well.

Most of the non-Lamias were men being kept here as slaves. They appeared to be doing all manner of jobs, from carrying around goods, to cleaning store fronts.

None of them seemed to be malnourished or badly injured. And their clothes, while not high quality, were not rags either.

'At the very least they don't seem to be being heavily mistreated. It's already hard enough to stomach, but if I had to witness some serious cruelty, it would be more difficult to hold back.' Marcus thought as he looked around.

If he really wanted to it, would not be difficult for him to kill every Lamia within the town and set their captives free. Or he could use force to take over and outlaw the practice of slavery.

In both of these scenarios though, it would require long term effort on Marcus' part. Just freeing the people the Lamias had enslaved would not automatically make their lives better. If he just left them to their own devices down here, there was a good chance that they'd all die.

As for taking the place over, that would be even more difficult. The Lamias would undoubtably resent him, and drastically changing their society would have far reaching repercussions.

'I'm no hero. I'll protect those I care about and help out those before my eyes if it doesn't bring any trouble. But I can't just force my own views on the entire world.'

Deciding to take his mind off of the issue, Marcus instead searched for other visitors like their group.

Most of them seemed to be a race called deep gnomes with next most abundant being dark elves.

There were some other races Marcus did not recognize at all that were also denizens of the Darklands.

Of course, while Marcus' group was observing those around them, they were the ones getting the most attention.

It was rare for visitors from the surface to reach this place and be allowed inside. Without someone that knew the town's customs, it was practically impossible to enter the Lamia's town.

"This it. Place for visitors. Very comfortable. Can rest and get food and drink." Szutstla said as she stopped in front of a large building.

A quick look through one of the windows showed that most of the people inside were not Lamias. It was probably the only place in the town with less natives than outsiders inside of it.

Before they went inside, Relia turned towards Szutstla and said something in the Lamia's language.

After their young guide nodded her head in confirmation, Relia pulled out a magic core and handed it to Szutstla.

"Okay, let's head inside and get situated." Relia said without explaining what she had just discussed.

Before leaving though, Marcus made sure to thank Szutstla for guiding them. She had been friendly and courteous, and he wanted to make sure that he conveyed his gratitude for her assistance.

"No problem. Szu enjoyed. Perhaps see you around? Want to talk more."

"Sure, if our paths cross again." Marcus responded.

Following behind Relia, Marcus entered the sole inn that catered to outsiders.

Inside were all manner of people that were locked in discussions. Some were simply travelers making their way from one part of the Darklands to another like Marcus, Lyra, Quillon, and Relia were. While others were traders conducting business in the Lamias' town.

'Looks like were the center of attention again.'

The moment they entered, all eyes had turned their way.

Most of the people looked curious, yet some were downright shocked.

The few that recognized Relia were surprised to see her with three people clearly from the surface in tow.

No one approached them though. Out of both courtesy and fear. Everyone here had enough awareness to tell that Marcus, Lyra, Quillon, and Relia were incredibly powerful.