So I'm a Snake, Who Cares

The change in Emperor calculating gaze toward Obern started from that precise moment - when he realized this shabby warrior before him had accomplished what his own father never could. Where there had been dismissal in those imperial eyes, now there sparked interest, and perhaps even a hint of respect.

’Survival Instinct’.

That was a particularly well-developed sense in Obern.

"Tell me more details."

If this were a duel with swords, this would be the moment to strike.

"Oban VanKloss."

The Emperor’s eyes widened.

"I’ve been pursuing him for a long time."

"Are you telling me lies now?"

At that moment, Obern was certain his gamble had succeeded.

"How could I?"

The Emperor can see through lies.

But he doesn’t detect every lie. Besides ’insight’, some special ability must be involved in his method.

Just now, Obern had lied.

If caught, he would have died, but he wasn’t caught.

"Oban VanKloss is in the capital?"

"That’s what we estimate."

The Emperor’s eyes shone like a viper’s.

"..."

Then he frowned.

He was clearly trying to see through whether it was a lie or not.

And this time Obern didn’t lie.

"Amazing. What incredible nerve."

"..."

"So you’re saying you’ll catch him for me?"

He had overcome one life-threatening moment.

But he couldn’t relax here either.

"That would be more than enough, but. My skills are insufficient to do it alone."

"Of course. That bastard broke through even the imperial army’s encirclement."

The Emperor seemed to recall an unpleasant memory.

"However since I’m tracking him, if you permit it, I will find out his whereabouts."

Obern showed just the right amount of bluster, unlike his usual self. He couldn’t show excessive bluster before the Emperor.

But it might have been just right.

"You don’t know how precious your life is, do you?"

For the first time, a look of amusement appeared in the Emperor’s eyes.

"If you really find him. That would certainly be meritorious and commendable."

"I devote my life to it."

"If you find him, report to me immediately. If he infiltrated the capital, he’d be crawling in the sewers or in Nahagu."

That’s what the Emperor said.

Ah, life saved.

Obern forcefully maintained strength in his legs that wanted to give out.

"If you succeed, I will reward you greatly. No..."

Then the Emperor showed unprecedented grace.

"I can give you something here. Choose."

The Emperor’s many relics in the Porcelain Room.

He was saying he would give part of that collection.

Still not forgetting the preciousness of life, humility came instinctively from Obern’s mouth.

"Just relieving Your Majesty’s concerns even slightly would be eternal joy. Please withdraw such excessive grace..."

"Shut up."

"..."

"I hate excessive humility. Choose. It’s an order."

Then he had no choice but to choose.

Obern looked around at the relics.

Actually, if only he could tell what was what.

There were brilliant porcelains, and things that looked like ancient antiques.

Part of him wanted to take the most splendid and expensive-looking porcelain.

Then he could live without money worries for life.

But right now he just wanted to quietly leave this room more.

So what Obern chose was.

Something that didn’t look particularly expensive or precious.

Five wooden pieces, decorated with silver. Tied together with what looked like ordinary string.

Though it had a strange magical feeling, nothing here didn’t have that.

"I’ll take this."

"Oh? What do you think, Sword Saint?"

The Emperor suddenly called the Sword Saint.

The Sword Saint quietly answered.

"It’s not something I would choose."

"Huhu."

Was that good or bad?

Obern couldn’t tell.

"Good, take one piece."

"You mean this?"

"It might help in pursuing Oban VanKloss."

Not even knowing what he had taken, Obern carefully untied the string and took one wooden piece.

The Emperor gave no explanation and Obern didn’t dare ask.

"Your grace is boundless."

"Go."

The order to leave came.

It was the happiest moment for Obern.

Because it meant he had survived.

Obern maintained proper etiquette until the moment he left, carefully backing away.

And the moment he closed the door and left the Porcelain Room.

The Emperor asked the Sword Saint.

"How was it?"

"He showed no reaction at all to my Dark Eye."

That’s what the Sword Saint said.

"Then his skills are certainly nothing special."

The Sword Saint had tested Obern’s abilities.

Pressing with thread-like subtle pressure, Obern hadn’t even noticed his neck was almost severed.

"But his words and conduct make one expect something. What an interesting fellow."

"Your Majesty..."

"What."

"Giving him one of Atillike’s Seven Claws was excessive."

’Atillike’s Seven Claws’. Should it be called six claws now that Obern took one?

"If he harbors treasonous thoughts, it’s a dangerous item."

"What does it matter when you are by my side?"

One of the most dangerous consumable artifacts even in this Porcelain Room.

That had passed into the hands of Obern, or more precisely, the snake.

==

[Atillike’s Seventh Claw]

"Incredible."

Pelerian marveled.

"Did you steal it or something?"

When asked, Obern shook his head.

When told the Emperor gave it, Pelerian was satisfied.

"Save it."

’Is it that amazing?’

"Yes. Combined with grand magic, it could land a hit even on that Sword Saint."

’Could it beat Gunter too?’

"That knight?"

Pelerian spoke definitively.

"Of course."

==

The Imperial Bank had seven vice presidents in total.

One of them received a report.

"The deputy manager, Gumn Agan was it?"

"Yes, seems the vault owner raised issues about missing items."

"No traces of me were left?" Explore stories on

"The vice president’s entry record remains, but who specifically shouldn’t be identifiable."

"Has the representative been identified?"

The reporter showed quick work.

"Obern Grimoire. Confirmed to be actually staying at the palace."

"Haa this has become troublesome."

The vice president scratched the back of his head in annoyance.

Letting out a deep sigh, he made a decision.

"Can’t be helped then. Kill him."

"Yes."

"Make it look like an accident."

It was the moment a black hand reached for Obern.

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