As the Demi-human females danced gracefully in the village square, the human envoys couldn't help but drool at the sight of their succulent skin and beautiful patterns.
Human females couldn't move like this, such primal instincts of seduction. It thrilled them.
"Haha, the Village chief sure knows how to entertain guests," the wrinkled old man commented with a smile on his face. As much as he wanted to get down to business, he couldn't bring the attention of the young men behind him away from the seductive dance.
They were still fiery in their hearts and in their groin.
"Naturally," this time, though, Zysera didn't reply. Instead, a lizardman with similar features to her responded with a sneer painted on his face.
Qarc.
The arrival of the human envoy so early spelled disaster, even though she didn't want to admit it. If they caused trouble, she would need the strongest people she could muster, one of which was her son Qarc, a Peak level 2 lizardman.
"Watch your tongue, boy," right beside the wrinkled old man, another human—a young man with red hair, barely in his twenties—spoke while still maintaining his gaze at the Demi-human show.
He didn't want to miss a moment, but he had an obligation to back the wrinkled old man no matter what. After all, he was the second strongest in the team, second only to the old man.
"You…" Hearing this warning from the savage human, Qarc's head bulged in anger. He did not like humans one bit. They were classless cheaters and warmongers.
If not for them, the entire underground would be frequently filled with large-scale battles for territory. Most monsters weren't ambitious for land; they just wanted to protect what was theirs. But humans? These guys wanted everything they stepped foot on, and it was incredibly hateful.
"Enough," with a wave of her hand, Zysera stopped Qarc from responding.
She also hated the humans, but there was nothing they could do about them. The lizardman tribes had been infighting for decades, so their backing was very limited.
They had no choice but to adhere to their demands.
Soon after, the dance ended, and food and drinks were served to the table as the denizens of Yolan village watched from the corners of buildings all around.
"Hmmm, is something wrong with your people, Village Chief? They've been staring at us ever since we got here," the wrinkled old man asked with a kind look on his face before smiling and waving at a bunch of Kiajin kids lurking around.
"No, there's nothing wrong. They are… how do you say? Happy to see you?" Zysera said, smiling bitterly.
Most of the denizens knew the situation with her losing to the monster Malvorrak. A lot of them had even moved out because of it. The ones that remained were frightened more than anything… they didn't want to lose their home.
"I see," the wrinkled old man nodded in understanding and reached for a fluffy ball of rice, sticking it in his mouth. Lizardman society was much more advanced than them; naturally, they were stronger, but in terms of fancy things like these, lizardmen were the best.
"If there's ever a problem, please don't hesitate to tell us. We are allies, after all. Your problems are our problems too," smiling mockingly, the wrinkled human elder replied.
Their problems were definitely something the savage human kingdom was interested in. They wanted more than anything to swallow one of the lizardman tribes for a long time.
If Yolan village was to be the one, then he would be very happy. He had never played with a lizardman female before; surely, this village chief here would be very entertaining.
"We will surely let you know if we ever run into any trouble," Zysera sneered. She would never let the humans know of their problems willingly. It was the equivalent of telling your enemy where to strike you.
"Good, then we are happy." The wrinkled old man said before adding, "We noticed that your village vault has been emptied. Would you perhaps need any help with that?"
Immediately, the atmosphere turned cold, causing everyone on the lizardman side to look gloomily at the old man. He had looked into their village vault?
"What?! You went into our vault? What is that supposed to mean? How am I supposed to know that you didn't steal from us then? Don't tell me that's why you came here so early!" Zysera, upon hearing those words, slammed her hand on the table, looking furiously at the human savages.
What kind of guests would enter their host's vault if not thieves? The simple fact of admitting to such an act would raise serious suspicion in anybody.
—shing
—shin
—sinnn
In response, the lizardman guards, who amounted to about 30, pulled out spears and pointed them directly at the human envoys, causing panic amongst them.
"Cut the crap, bitch. You know fully well that your vault was empty long before we got here. What is this supposed to mean then?" But not all of them were panicked. The young man with red hair spoke daggers, not caring for the spears pointed at them.
Zysera was trying to frame them? How could they let that happen? Was strength no longer the measurement of one's word? If they could steal from Yolan village, then it was not their fault—it was the lizardmen's fault for leaving their gold insecure.
That's forgetting the fact that they had nothing to do with it.
"You think we're stupid, huh? Then let us search your carriages," Qarc suggested, showing his skewed side.
Even if they didn't have anything in there, the little treasures he had planted would make them automatically guilty. All Zysera needed to do was hold them hostage for an 'investigation,' and after a few more days, let them go.
By then, they would have the 'gifts' prepared and would only need to apologize.
Qarc might be a lecherous young master, but he knew how to wiggle his way out of any problem. This was why Zysera released him.
"Hehe, this old man is impressed. Such thick skin," the wrinkled old man commented, looking at Qarc with a look of mockery.