"Then go on—explain."
The Medusa Queen rested her cheek lightly against the back of her hand, her expression unreadable as she asked, "What exactly do you mean… by coming here for me?"
"Your Majesty, you want to leave this place too, don't you?" Akira asked casually.
"…Correct." The Medusa Queen's tail swayed faintly as she replied, "No one wishes to remain here. But my physical body is on the verge of collapse. If I leave the Silent Domain, death is inevitable. And… I have yet to find any means of recovery."
"If you're willing to trust me," Akira said, stepping forward, "I may be able to help you leave this place."
The moment he said it—
Elina's voice rang out urgently in his mind.
"Idiot! What are you trying to prove!? The Medusa Queen was wounded by a god—how could you possibly save her!?"
"And do you really think whatever treasures you have can compare to her power? Even she can't find a way to restore herself—what makes you think you can!?"
"Don't worry," Akira replied with a faint smile. "I have my own way."
This time, he didn't even bother with telepathy.
He said it aloud.
"You—!"
Elina frowned, utterly speechless at his recklessness.
But the words had already been spoken.
She could only step forward and salvage the situation.
"If Your Majesty is willing," she added, "the elven race can also contribute our strength to assist in your restoration."
"The elves possess no treasure capable of saving me," the Medusa Queen replied coldly. "Even the Mother Tree cannot repair my body."
Her tone carried absolute dismissal.
Which was only natural.
According to history, the serpentfolk once flourished even more gloriously than the elves under her rule.
Only after she ascended to the Divine Realm did their decline begin.
Whether it was the absence of a successor equal to her, internal strife, or divine punishment—
The reasons were far too complex to untangle.
She had once promised to lead her people to the Divine Realm.
And she had failed.
Completely.
"I have a method to revive you," Akira said firmly. "But it will take time."
"…Do you think I would trust you so easily?" The Medusa Queen tapped her cheek lightly with a finger, her voice devoid of warmth.
"Of course not," Akira replied with a calm smile. "But you don't have much of a choice, do you?"
"If you refuse me, you may not even be able to preserve what remains of your soul… and will instead become a slave to the Undead Monarch—your subordinate. Am I wrong?"
"…."
She didn't answer.
But a flicker of anger surfaced in her pale brown eyes.
Elina, however, stared at Akira in shock, unable to understand.
"How do you know the Undead Monarch plans to enslave her?" she asked through telepathy.
"…A guess."
This time, Akira responded mentally.
If the Medusa Queen realized he was guessing, the entire negotiation would collapse.
His reasoning was simple.
The Undead Monarch sought resurrection.
Yet the elven Mother Tree couldn't restore the Medusa Queen—meaning his war against the elves wasn't for her revival.
On top of that, he had pledged himself to a new master—someone likely in conflict with her.
And still, he had preserved her crown, entrusting it to his most loyal consort.
The conclusion was clear.
He intended to seize her power.
To claim it for himself through some unknown method.
And that method likely required the Mother Tree—
Which explained the thousand-year war.
Of course, it was all speculation.
But judging by the subtle shift in her expression—
The faint trace of unease beneath her cold composure—
He had hit the mark.
After a long silence, she finally spoke.
"Do you understand what you're saying? If you dare deceive me, death will be your only end."
"If I deceive you, then I'll accept whatever punishment you deem fit," Akira replied calmly.
"…Very well. I will trust you—for now."
The Medusa Queen slowly rose from her throne.
Her serpent tail coiled and uncoiled as she glided toward him.
Akira had already released his half-dragon form, returning to normal size—
Yet even so, she towered over him.
Her tail alone stretched three to four meters, her upper body another meter and a half.
Altogether—
She stood nearly five meters tall.
A figure both elegant and monstrous.
Akira studied her quietly.
He had seen serpentfolk before.
But she was… different.
He couldn't quite explain how.
And didn't bother trying.
He simply watched as she approached, arms folding across her chest.
"What should I call you?" she asked coldly.
"…You can call me…" Akira paused, then smiled faintly. "I'm a guildmaster—someone who handles commissions across the Magic Continent. So you can call me Guildmaster Akira."
"Guildmaster… Akira?"
A rare hint of confusion appeared on her face.
She clearly knew nothing of the guild system.
"That works," Akira said with a shrug. "And rest assured, Your Majesty—I will protect the last fragment of your soul. As for you…"
He didn't finish the sentence.
Not yet.
She wasn't in a state to fulfill what he needed.
"Very well. Then I shall call you Guildmaster Akira."
She lifted her hand, gently hooking a finger beneath his chin.
Her tone remained cold—
But there was a trace of something else now.
Recognition.
"…From this moment on, you belong to me."
"…A pleasure to cooperate."
Akira smiled lightly.
Though in his mind—
Other thoughts were already forming.
"…Cooperate?"
The Medusa Queen let out a soft, amused laugh.
Then—
Her gaze turned icy.
Her serpent tail lashed forward—
Coiling tightly around Akira's body.
"Let him go!"
Elina stepped forward instantly.
"Stay where you are."
A single cold command froze her in place.
Yet even so, elemental magic gathered in her palm, and the Sword of Eulogy was already drawn—ready to strike at any moment.
"I'm fine."
Akira forced a smile, signaling her to hold back.
Then he turned his gaze back to the Medusa Queen.
"…Did I say something wrong?"
"You said nothing wrong."
She leaned in closer, tapping his forehead lightly with her fingertip.
At the same time—
Her tail tightened.
So tight that Akira nearly couldn't breathe.
Even as a mere fragment of a soul—
She could crush him effortlessly.
"But your wording was incorrect."
Her voice was cold, absolute.
"You should say—'I am willing to serve Her Majesty.' Understood?"
"…."
Akira's expression turned complicated.
He had met several queens before.
Three elven queens alone.
But one so obsessed with status?
This was new.
Still—
He understood.
"…I am willing to serve Her Majesty."
"Good."
Her tail loosened, releasing him.
She returned to her throne, coiling gracefully as she sat.
"As long as you serve me well, I will reward you accordingly."
With a flick of her finger—
A faintly glowing scale drifted into Akira's palm.
Compared to dragon scales, it felt smoother, more delicate—
With a strange, subtle warmth.
[Medusa Queen's Scale (Legendary): Contains ancient serpentfolk secret arts. Enhances the user's physical strength. (Note: Typically requires two individuals to use.)]
"…This is?"
"A gift," she replied casually. "It will enhance your strength—and allow me to track your location. For communication."
"I see…"
Akira nodded thoughtfully.
The enhancement was secondary.
The tracking function—
That was the real purpose.
"But to use it," she added, "you will need someone to share its burden."
"In my people, it serves as a token of betrothal. A mark of familial approval."
For a brief moment—
A flicker of thought crossed her eyes.
She had never even had such a bond herself.
And now—
She was bestowing one upon another.
…How ironic.
But it didn't matter.
Her only goal now—
Was revival.
And vengeance.
"A betrothal token…?"
Akira raised a brow.
Who was he supposed to use this with?
Ivsha? Lucia? Or—
"Use it now," the Medusa Queen said suddenly.
"…Now?"
Akira blinked.
"With who?"
"Isn't it obvious?" she replied coolly. "If you leave without activating it, how am I supposed to contact you?"
"…."
Akira fell into thought.
Beside him—
Elina watched in silence.
Her gray-blue eyes flickered faintly.
Her heartbeat quickened.
Not because she wanted to be his partner—
Absolutely not!
But if it meant absorbing the power of a scale from the Medusa Queen…
Her strength would increase.
That was all!
Definitely not about the betrothal!
And besides—
After what he did to her earlier—
This was only fair!
"…You idiot, I—"
She started to speak—
But Akira cut her off.
"Don't worry. I won't force you into anything."
"…???"
Elina froze.
Her irritation flared instantly.
Was this guy serious?
After everything he'd already made her do—
Now he was acting considerate!?
Just as she was about to snap—
Akira turned back to the Medusa Queen.
"…Since it's only for communication," he said, "could I use the scale with you instead?"
"…?"
"…???"
Silence fell.
Elina stared at him in disbelief.
Was he insane?
Using the Medusa Queen's scale—
With the Medusa Queen herself!?
What kind of logic was that!?
Even the Medusa Queen paused for a moment.
But soon—
Her expression returned to its usual calm.
It was… an unusual request.
Yet—
She had never given her scales to anyone before.
After a long silence—
Akira awkwardly rubbed his nose.
Was there… something wrong with his idea?
Seemed perfectly reasonable to him.
Win-win.
"…I'm afraid that won't be possible," the Medusa Queen finally said.
"Why not?"
"My body is destroyed," she replied flatly. "How would I share in the power of the scale with you?"
"…Ah."
Akira paused.
Right.
That was a problem.
"You've done enough!"
Suddenly—
Elina rushed forward, wrapping an arm around his neck.
"I'll do it! Stop coming up with insane ideas!"
She couldn't take it anymore.
What was his brain even made of!?
And more importantly—
The Medusa Queen's response had shaken her even more.
Why answer like that!?
Why not just refuse outright!?
Did that mean—
If her body were intact—
She actually would have agreed!?