Chapter 29: The Little Bird Who Lived Too Long

Hydra was not the spiritual crow beside Belladonna, but rather the origin of its name—the legendary nine-headed giant serpent of myth and lore.

Even in the Netherworld, very few people knew that those mythical, legendary creatures might not actually be mere fantasies, but perhaps truly existed.

【Little one, you’re back?】

The giant serpent, having popped out only a single head, saw that the visitor was Feini, and the remaining eight heads hidden beneath the swamp poked out one after another as well.

【Oh? It’s the little one!】

【Awesome, little one, little one!】

【I missed you so much!】

The giant serpent’s remaining eight heads twittered and chatted, greeting Feini in a somewhat goofy and enthusiastic manner.

It was easy to see that they all adored this tiny creature whose appearance was nothing to brag about.

【That’s right, that’s right, Mr. Hydra~ Are you used to living in the Netherworld?】

【Not bad, much more comfortable than staying in the mortal realm.】

Slightly lowering its head, it allowed the little bird to hop onto the top of its head.

It even thoughtfully raised its head higher after she came up, fearing she might come into contact with the venom and miasma bubbling up from the swamp.

Allowing an ugly and weak bone sparrow to hop around on its head, with even the other eight heads raising no objections—it was hard to imagine that this was actually the very same giant serpent from the stories that had committed countless evils and possessed the pride of a mythical creature.

However, the giant serpent truly owed Feini a favor… or rather, a bird-favor.

Back when it was being hunted down by a large combined force from the Netherworld, it was Feini who had quietly brought it to the Netherworld to settle down.

Creatures of the mortal realm were physical entities with physical bodies as vectors, while creatures of the Netherworld existed in the form of spirit bodies.

Theoretically, without special circumstances, creatures of the two realms could not interfere with one another.

Yet what many people didn’t know was that apart from these two forms, there were also certain special creatures that could exist in the world in a third form.

Possessing a physical body while also being able to interfere with spirit bodies, these beings—known as spirit beasts—possessed colossal power far exceeding ordinary existences and a impossibly long, bottomless lifespan.

Spirit beasts were often active figures in myths and stories, almost always legendary creatures.

Regrettably, as time passed, their existence was gradually forgotten by the masses as well.

Because the trait of spirit beasts being able to interfere with creatures of both realms was similar to anomalies, a portion of spirit beasts were even identified by the Netherworld as dangerous special anomalies and hunted down by combined forces.

This was also the reason why all spirit beasts had vanished without a trace—because nobody wanted to be the bird that stuck out its head to be harassed by the Netherworld…

Perhaps they were incomparably powerful, but in the end, they simply couldn’t withstand the attrition of the entire Netherworld.

【It’s all because Mr. Hydra always turns the surrounding environment into a place overflowing with venom and miasma, which is why you got targeted by the Netherworld in the first place.】

Teasing and mocking the giant serpent very merrily, the serpent didn’t get angry either.

One could only say that it merely wanted to transform its surroundings into an environment suitable for its own survival; you couldn’t really say it was in the wrong for anything.

It was just that other creatures couldn’t survive in the environment transformed by the giant serpent.

As one of the oldest existences in the mortal realm itself, it also had the right to rule over the environment where it resided.

After all, when it was asleep, those outsider creatures hadn’t even been born yet.

Waking up only to find one’s territory completely transformed—anyone would be angry, wouldn’t they?

Nobody was at fault; it was all just for mutual survival.

In the end, the Netherworld’s intervention became the straw that broke the camel’s back.

As it retreated to its final territory preparing to fight to the death, it was sought out by Feini, who had snuck into the hunting force.

【Oh well, if it weren’t for you, little one, I wouldn’t have been able to find a place so suitable for me to stay in either.】

A place like Toxic Miasma Valley, which was detested by everyone, was simply as comfortable as could be for the giant serpent.

At the same time, to repay this kindness of the little bird, Hydra also sheltered the bone sparrow clan here, allowing them to reside at the bottom of this valley in peace, free from the intrusion of outside creatures.

【With me around, no creatures dare to come bother them… But…】

The giant serpent let out a long sigh.

Seeing that the atmosphere was off, the other eight normally goofy heads plunged into the depths of the swamp one after another, refraining from interrupting the conversation between the boss and the little bird.

【This isn’t Mr. Hydra’s fault either, right? Us bone sparrows have always been like this; it’s our nature.】

Feini naturally knew what the giant serpent was sighing about.

The number of bone sparrows was decreasing day by day, and as their protector who wanted to repay her kindness, the giant serpent felt helpless regarding this situation.

【Because all birds in the Netherworld are her descendants, right? So deep in their bones lies a pursuit and longing for the sky…】

A few bird calls came over, and the sparrow and snake looked in the direction of the sound, seeing several bone sparrows flying straight upward…

Regrettably, after flying no higher than a few trees’ height, they lost their strength one by one and plunged from the sky.

This was the truth behind the dwindling numbers of bone sparrows—pursuing things beyond their own capability, only to end up with a outcome of shattered bones in the end.

Juvenile bone sparrows would be protected by adult bone sparrows to grow up worry-free, and subsequently join this road of seeking death without a second thought.

There was no particular reason—simply because the bloodline inside their bodies made it impossible for them to suppress their longing and impulse toward the sky and flying.

Seeing her fellow kin in such a state, the giant serpent was somewhat worried about the little creature on its head.

However, sensing its emotions, the little bird turned around and used her bone wings to gently caress the serpent in comfort.

【It’s alright, Mr. Hydra, I’ve long grown used to it… After all, my Mom and Dad, my brothers and sisters, were all witnessed by me with my own eyes as they smashed into pieces right in front of me.】

You don’t look like you’re okay at all, though.

Because you’ve lived too long, have you grown a bit numb?

For you, this world truly is excessively cruel.

The giant serpent sighed.

As a long-lived species itself, it could very much understand this mindset of living too long and witnessing too many things…

Therefore, as a form of care for a junior, it looked after Feini with extraordinary devotion.

Because, for a bone sparrow, she had lived far too long.

Clearly just a child, yet she already had no relatives or friends left.

In that case, let itself act as this elder who could give her care and affection.

【Let’s not talk about that, it’s rare for me to come back once, right~ On the way back it’s on my route anyway, so do you want me to help say hi to Miss Kraken for you, Mr. Hydra?】

【No need, that big squid better just hurry up and die.】

【Haha, the relationship between you two is as good as ever.】

No, little one, from which word did you read that our relationship is good?

Oh well, as long as you’re happy…

The giant serpent felt helpless, then like a kindly elder, listened to Feini’s various experiences outside.

Especially when hearing that she had found another Reaper partner, it flicked its tongue and laughed heartily.

Hopefully this time, you little one can actually get chosen…

Seeing how much you fancy and look after that kid, if he doesn’t choose you…

Thinking up to this point, a fierce glint suddenly flared in the giant serpent’s eyes…

【You can’t do that, Mr. Hydra… You already scared many brats half to death before, and you’ll end up getting hunted again if you do~】

Fine then, I’ll tone it down…

📚 Also on NHV Novels

The Beloved Villainous Beauty Keeps Getting Kissed by the Overpowered Hero

BLDark/BlackenedDevoted

Read Now →
Not interested