She hurriedly asked the Elder, "Elder, why would you lower your head? I didn't do anything yet."
It must be some mistake! She was happy when an ancient being lowered its head, this kind of action was a sign of acknowledgement but the thing is, she didn't do anything to get it! She only fought a creature that was coming out from the Elder's body. That's it!
Nothing in this world is free and Kino knows that very much and if a mere human understood that very well, then how about an ancient being that lives more than five to six millennium old?
Surely she can not accept such an honor like an ancient being lower its head the same height as hers. She felt that she was not worthy enough.
However, if she thought about it very clearly, the Elder must have his own reasons that are beyond her mind to think about.
She must take into consideration that she was talking to an ancient being. Where its mind is filled with ancient knowledge.
Accepting the thought up above, she can only stand there with a calm face, but still, she is only a human girl that can feel emotions. So despite being a prodigy, she felt a bit anxious.
The creature's head is about twenty centimeters from hers and after a few seconds straight of lowering its height the same as Kino, it raises.
"I have a request for you, little one. This is very sudden for you, I understand that but It is up to you to decide."
Its tone is polite and calm, not anything a few minutes ago, cold, deep, and full of anger.
Kino snapped back from her mind after hearing what the Elder just said.
"A request?" She asked doubtfully.
It is rare for an ancient being to make a request from a human, heck, if they had to choose between dying most cruelly or serving a human, they would choose the first.
These ancient beings are a pain in the a*s… Especially the fact that they don't want to owe any favor to low creatures like humans and others, but why does this one want to make a request? Kino thought to herself.
Just thinking about it wouldn't lead her anywhere, thus she asked, "Elder, it is a great honor for me to fulfill your request but this is too sudden, may I know the reason?"
The Elder didn't answer, instead, it averted its gaze from her to the sky.
"Death awaits no one and thus time as its partner, everything will die as their part in the world is fulfilled."
Just by hearing the Elder's words, Kino knows where this is going, therefore, she doesn't say anything and follows the Elder's gaze to look up at the sky, she muttered under her breath.
'Everything will die as their part in the world is fulfilled, huh.' She repeated the elder's words and ended it with a sigh.
Although her words are so low that only she can hear them, the elder picks up her words.
"That's right. I don't know what part I had in this world, however, death will not wait until I find it."
Kino nodded slightly as she understood what the Elder was trying to say. She also already guessed what the Elder's purpose is via its words.
"Little one, I am not good with words so I'll get to the point," it paused and shifted its focus, from the sky to Kino.
"I want you to protect my kind after I die, of course, before that, I'll train you and you will also gain great wealth and utmost respect from my kind."
Kino already guessed if it was something on that line, though, she didn't expect the Elder would ask her something like protecting a race! She can't even take care of herself.
Let alone the entire race of half-human centipede.
She is thrilled but at the same time troubled. Troubled because her journey is still long and way from being done. Thrilled that such an ancient creature left her with a big task and also, the Elder going to train her.
"Elder, I am thrilled but unfortunately, I am just a lowly human who didn't know anything, especially about this mysterious world."
This world is full of wonder and mystery at the same time, her journey is to explore that wonder but her true purpose is yet to be known.
"I don't know why Elder would choose me to protect your kind. I am confident in my strength but when it comes to fighting with another ancient being, I am still far from being strong." She said with a gloomy tone.
"I am happy that you'll train me but it will take a very long time. I am afraid I have no time for that. Elder, forgive me if I being blunt but I have something that must be done as soon as possible."
In very rare cases, there will be the time when another ancient being waking up and when that happens.
The first thing it does would hunt the nearest and weakest ancient being.
Later on, they'll fight to the death and if the one who emerges victorious is the strongest, then the latter will devour the race of that ancient being that was just killed.
So if the Elder fights with another ancient being who is way stronger and if adding the fact that the Elder's body is decaying due to age.
No doubt the Elder will lose the fight, if that happens, the race of half-human centipede will cease to exist. Assuming that Kino had to protect the Elder's race, she must face any danger that could erase the race from existence.
It is a huge burden on her shoulder and a big responsibility. What's more, she's only a human that only caught up with this mess.
Her only intention was to rest in a shack but who knows it ends with this? Isn't the escalation of the plot way too quick?
Let's not forget about Kino's strength, we can assume that she could defeat any humans. Even if she met one with a level higher than she is, her aura techniques are stronger than any skills in this world.
However, when it comes to ancient beings. She doubts she could win, heck she even doubts she will survive when fighting one.
She can say no and reject it but on second thought, this would benefit her greatly in some way.
Her calm expression is no more but replaced by a complicated look, her forehead also forms some wrinkles and brows knitted together.