A Call for Aid.
Now that they had seen through the Naga's scheme, the key was how to turn it to their advantage.
Woojin came up with a simple plan.
So simple it was almost embarrassing to call it a strategy. The method was merely…
"Do nothing."
Rather than hastily deciding whether to form an alliance, they stalled for time.
Needing something to pass the hours, Woojin played cards with the others like a carefree idler. Playing without stakes was dull, so instead of money, they wagered jerky.
—I win again.
After revealing her hand, Cecilia calmly swept the chips from the table. Woojin, Roland, and Jaka blinked like fools.
"…Why is she so good?"
Cecilia had only recently learned the game. Yet her skill was far from ordinary.
Her veil concealed her expressions completely—like a poker player wearing sunglasses. And whether by luck or talent, she always seemed to hold high-ranking hands during the biggest rounds.
"No matter how I look at it, she's not cheating… is she just gifted?"
That was the only explanation.
For the past ten days, Cecilia had monopolized the winnings. Woojin barely managed to break even, but Roland and Jaka consistently lost.
"…One last round."
"Shall we?"
At Roland's plea, Cecilia picked up the cards again. By their rules, the winner of the previous round acted as dealer.
The saintess shuffled.
Clack, clack, clack…
As Woojin watched her mechanical motions, he tilted his head slightly toward the door. A faint sound had come from outside.
A scraping noise—like sweeping. It was the sound a Naga made when slithering.
Then came a knock.
"…Earlier than expected."
Woojin rose and opened the door. It was the Naga delegate they had met at the tripartite talks.
"May I have a moment of your time?"
The attendant beside him translated in sign language.
Woojin nodded readily.
—Please come inside.
The Naga slithered in. Cecilia and Roland stood instinctively to receive the guest.
Roland started to bring a chair—then froze. The Naga's lower half was serpentine.
"Can he even sit on a chair like this?"
Unlikely. Cecilia seemed to think the same; she placed her cushion on the floor instead. The Naga delegate lowered himself onto it without hesitation.
Soft padding. He nodded in apparent satisfaction.
"You know how to receive a guest… more tactful than those dull hyenas."
The attendant chose not to translate that remark. Jaka, a Gnoll warrior, was present.
"Arrogant tone."
Woojin had noticed it before. This delegate carried himself with marked pride. He knew why.
"Royal blood."
Dark blue scales signified descent from the Naga king.
The delegate was a prince. Not someone to treat lightly—but not someone who required excessive deference either.
"Royal blood isn't exactly rare among them."
The Naga king maintained many consorts—not for pleasure, but to sire numerous strong heirs. Those of royal blood often served as envoys, acting in the king's stead.
—What brings you here?
Cecilia asked politely in sign. The Naga answered without delay.
"I wish to know when the Queen of the Gnoll intends to decide on the alliance. Do you have any insight?"
Krnartash had withheld her decision. The Naga envoy had come to consult the Gnoll's allies for information.
It was a scenario Woojin had anticipated. He responded without hesitation.
—At least three months, I would say.
"…That long?"
—It concerns the fate of a tribe. Such a choice cannot be made lightly.
The recent abomination attacks had grown more frequent. It would be prudent to observe the situation before deciding on a northern campaign.
The Naga delegate showed displeasure.
"The King awaits an answer. You must urge them to decide quickly."
—It is pointless to press us. The authority rests with the Gnoll.
After a brief pause, Woojin added,
—In truth… the hesitation runs deeper. The Gnoll have half-abandoned the northern campaign.
The Naga's eyes sharpened.
"…Those tenacious hyenas have abandoned reclaiming their land? Why?"
—The mutated abominations multiply endlessly. Many warriors have grown weary of fighting them.
Even if they succeeded in reclaiming their territory with Naga aid, holding it would be another matter.
It might be wiser to settle here instead. With the wall, defense was easier—and there were no rival powers competing for resources nearby.
—The Queen's lingering attachment to her former lands is likely the only reason for delay. I cannot predict her final choice.
When the explanation ended, the Naga delegate fell silent in thought. After a moment, perhaps mindful of lingering eyes, he rose.
"This has been an informative exchange. I should compensate you for the information."
He gestured to his attendant, who retrieved two daggers fashioned from demonic beast fangs.
The Naga delegate handed them over.
"May these fangs serve you well."
—We gratefully accept.
As Woojin received the two daggers, the Naga slithered back out of the building.
Roland approached him.
"What did you just get?"
"Daggers, it seems."
Woojin handed one over. Roland examined it carefully.
Crafted from demonic beast bone, fangs, and hide, the daggers looked primitive—but sturdy, with razor-sharp edges.
"Huh. Quite a fine piece."
"If you like it, take one."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes. It's not really my style."
Woojin preferred throwing knives. These, however, were made from curved fangs and were rather long—unsuited for throwing.
"If I'm going to use something like this, I might as well stick with my machete."
Without hesitation, he gave one dagger each to Roland and Cecilia.
Cecilia glanced around awkwardly. There were only two daggers, and Jaka had received nothing. Noticing her concern, Jaka laughed.
"I have no need for such things. I possess far superior fangs already."
He bared his own sharp teeth in demonstration. Though she could not understand the Gnoll tongue, Cecilia seemed to grasp the meaning and relaxed.
Then she asked in sign language:
—Why did you tell the Naga envoy that earlier? I'm curious about your intent.
That the Gnoll had half-abandoned the northern campaign and were hesitating over the alliance—
The lie had been simple in purpose.
"To make them more impatient."
The desperate party was not them—it was the Naga.
With the dragon abomination attacking their lands, the Naga wanted the Gnoll to begin their northern campaign as soon as possible, drawing the dragon's attention.
"Offering a thousand troops was likely meant to accelerate the campaign."
Form the alliance quickly. Dispatch Naga warriors. Provoke the northern advance.
But the Gnoll had taken the opposite stance—delaying endlessly, even suggesting they might abandon the campaign altogether.
Now that the Naga had heard this, their anxiety would only deepen.
"Right about now, their minds must be in turmoil."
From a distance, Woojin observed them.
Their movements had grown visibly frantic. Half the delegation left through the gate, likely returning to their homeland to report the situation.
How should they respond to this?
No matter how hard they thought, the Naga would find no good alternative. The Gnoll were a major power—and one of the few tribes they could communicate with.
There was no substitute.
"Request aid."
The one in need must bow first.
About a month later…
The Naga delegation returned to Queen Krnartash, bowing deeply.
"…Please lend us your warriors."
The request was polite.
Krnartash feigned ignorance.
"What nonsense is this? Weren't you the ones offering us troops? Why are you suddenly asking to borrow ours?"
"Well…"
After some hesitation, the Naga envoy finally revealed their plight.
"…A fallen dragon and its minions have invaded our territory. The King of the Scaled Ones seeks an alliance with the Gnoll."
The dragon abomination had struck the Naga. Woojin's deduction was confirmed.
Krnartash gave a sharp laugh.
"And what benefit does this 'alliance' offer us? I fail to see it. Can this even be called an alliance? 'Request for aid' seems more accurate."
The Naga had attempted to manipulate the Gnoll under the guise of supporting their northern campaign.
The Queen had not forgotten.
"Offer tribute and beg for help. Then I shall consider it."
"…Please wait a moment."
The Naga envoy signaled to his attendant, who hurried outside.
Soon, heavy footsteps echoed—like a giant approaching. The sound grew louder, then stopped before the Queen's residence.
The Naga spoke carefully.
"We have brought tribute. It would be difficult to bring it inside. May we continue outside?"
"Let's have a look."
Krnartash rose at once. Woojin and the others followed.
There, they beheld a massive creature.
A yellow-green lizard standing on two legs. Long, blade-like fangs protruded past its lips. Sharp spines jutted along its back in rows.
It resembled a carnivorous dinosaur. Woojin recognized it instantly.
"A drake."
A demonic beast seen in the deeper regions of the Demonic Realm—favored as a mount by the Naga king.
Behind it, Naga attendants carried large chests, placing them at Krnartash's feet. Eight in total. Within lay rare treasures and weapons.
"We offer everything here. Please… aid our tribe."
Thud.
The Naga envoys prostrated themselves flat against the ground—the Gnoll gesture of deep respect.
Seeing this, Krnartash laughed heartily and turned to Woojin.
"Guardian. This seems sufficient, does it not?"
"Not bad."
A most satisfactory outcome.
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