The Handbook for Completing Demi-Human Girls

Chapter 480: A Scam Ten Thousand Years Ago

After receiving Gou Wen's reminder, Fisher and the others quickly walked in that direction. Following the sometimes dense, sometimes sparse sandy plants towards the seaside, Fisher first saw an almost vertical cliff—on Dragon Tail Island and the future Southern Continent, the seaside was basically like this, completely lacking any transition, just vertical cliffs. The cliffs only had a slight curvature leaning inwards towards the land, thus looking particularly like an omnipresent cage enclosing the land.

Previously, Fisher thought such terrain was formed by the Mother Goddess's giant spear splitting the continent. But looking at it now, it wasn't the case; as early as before the Mother Goddess was born, when the Southern Continent and Western Continent were still connected, the terrain here was already like this.

And beneath that vertical cliff, there was an expanse of white pure sand connecting to the azure ocean. Many hollowed-out caves were excavated on the cliff, and between the cliff and the white sand, there were more yurt-like structures of varying sizes. Gou Wen said that was the Serpent-kin's favorite architectural style.

The group stood on the towering cliff, taking in everything below. Gou Wen turned to Tsubaki and asked,

"There's a settlement on the seaside here, is this the Kakav settlement that does business with you?"

Tsubaki shook his head, looked towards the north, and replied,

"No, the settlement that trades with us is further north of this settlement... But the symbols here are very similar to over there."

Fisher also observed below while bearing the slight nudges of the camel's head behind him. For some unknown reason, the camel that guided them earlier seemed to have locked onto Fisher, continuously following him eagerly, nonstop nudging him with its head, and even performing songs for him using a singing talent presumably bestowed by the Holy Artifact.

Fisher impatiently turned back and glared at the camel behind him. It immediately lowered its head as if understanding human nature, seemingly dodging and looking elsewhere, yet secretly glancing at him with its eyes, lacking any intention of leaving, as if it had latched onto him.

Gou Wen beside him saw this novel scene, rubbed his chin and teased,"Truly strange, I originally thought you merely pleasing Demi-human Races, but looking at it now, as long as it's female, they all have a favorable impression of you, even a camel is like this... It quite likes you, how about you just ride a camel back?"

Fisher looked at him expressionlessly and asked,

"What are you happy about?"

"I'm happy..."

Gou Wen smiled faintly, but as he smiled, he couldn't laugh anymore. His expression even soured somewhat, and he no longer looked at Fisher, leaving Fisher completely bewildered.

However, he had also slowly gotten used to the oddities of this Whale-kin. Who knows what this traveling doctor was thinking about? Seeing Gou Wen deflated only brought him joy, as if extracting the exact same amusement he experienced with Helaire...

Then, realizing this, the smile that had just lifted on Fisher's face also eroded bit by bit. Like Gou Wen, his expression soured and he fell silent.

Mikhail ignored the two individuals behind him whose progress was surprisingly synchronized. He merely tapped his temple, and subsequently, the scene of the Serpent-kin settlement below became clearly visible in his field of vision as if magnified.

Besides those tents, he also saw many cellar-like warehouses. Outside, many Serpent-kin were pushing small carts back and forth among the tents. At first glance, Mikhail recognized that the small carts were entirely loaded with Magic Materials.

The Serpent-kin on Dragon Tail Island weren't the generally imagined form with a human upper body and a snake lower body. Accurately speaking, their entire bodies were in the shape of snakes, presenting an overall plump pale red hue, just with short, small claws growing on the snake body. This made them look both like geckos without two legs and akin to lizards. Moreover, they lacked the slenderness of snakes, instead appearing chubby, highlighting a plumpness.

The first impression that group of Serpent-kin gave Mikhail was some kind of cute mascot, which indeed fit the "honest and duty-bound" business group described by Tsubaki. However, the moment Gou Wen saw that group of Serpent-kin, his expression became speechless. He turned and asked Tsubaki beside him,

"The Kakav Serpent-kin Settlement you mentioned before, do they also look exactly like the Serpent-kin here?"

"...Yes, they all look like this. Aren't all Serpent-kin like this?"

Gou Wen sighed, looking like he was disappointed that someone hasn't met expectations. He shook his head and said to Tsubaki,

"No, this is the Mushiya Snake-Man sub-species. There are three types of Serpent-kin on the Dragon Continent, this is one of them, and the most ferocious one, possessing cannibalistic habits. Generally speaking, there must be a special reason for them to seek you out for business out of nowhere..."

Tsubaki was left speechless by the question. He wasn't a native of the Dragon Continent, and for a long time rarely left the Tree Continent; naturally, he knew nothing about this.

"...I don't know what special reason there could be."

Gou Wen sighed, then casually pointed at a small hut by the coast below. He didn't say anything, but when Tsubaki followed the other party's finger, he discovered that the azure ocean near the small hut was dyed with a faint crimson hue. Amidst the white sea foam, there seemed to be mixed some indistinguishable fragments.

And in front of that small hut, there were many birdcage-like cages stacked together. Just like when Fisher went to Kexiening's circus on the Southern Continent to purchase Raphaela, many humans and Demi-human Races were imprisoned inside.

Tsubaki's pupils trembled slightly, and his fingers squeezed tight bit by bit. Fisher also vaguely felt an itchy sensation on his skin, not knowing if it was an illusion or being influenced by Tsubaki's power. Fisher looked down and found that the fine hairs on his body were all standing up, and it seemed as if streaks of purple brilliance were flowing within his blood vessels.

Tsubaki seemed somewhat angered, and even Gou Wen didn't expect his anger to come so abruptly. He looked at the cages below, frowned, and asked Gou Wen,

"For what reason do they keep slaves?"

Gou Wen looked at the cages over there and replied,

"...No, Mushiya Snake-Men never keep slaves, they usually eat them on the spot. So doing this now, there must be a reason of their own, Lord Tsubaki..."

Before he finished his words, Tsubaki slightly raised his hand. The next moment, the entire coastline began to quake and shudder.

"Hum! Hum! Hum!"

The camel behind became restlessly uneasy. Fisher subconsciously reached out and patted its head to soothe its emotions. As a result, the moment Fisher's hand touched it, this camel miraculously quieted down.

Its eyes anthropomorphically revealed a "succeeded" gaze, and it even stuck out its tongue to lick Fisher's hand, causing Fisher, who extended his hand, to also curl his lip and rub the fur on its head, complaining,

"Cunning camel, you definitely suit the temperament of that Angel."

"Glug glug!"

It shook its head, nudging Fisher's hand coquettishly. Although it seemed completely unable to understand what Fisher was saying, expressing agreement was sufficient.

Quickly, robust tree branches fiercely grew out from the ground, squeezing the ground and cliff wall apart like stout redwoods, covering the sky and casting a shadow over the still-operating Serpent-kin settlement below like a natural disaster.

"Ah ah ah ah!"

"Earthquake!!"

"Run quickly!"

As Tsubaki, Fisher, and the others slowly descended along the branches, the scene on the cliff wall below completely unfolded before their eyes.

The lower part of that cliff was completely hollowed out, forming an interconnected, meandering, and complex cave system. The Serpent-kin seemingly mostly resided within. Upon hearing the terrifying commotion above, they all ran out. However, Fisher quickly noticed that many of them were dragging small trailers fully loaded with strange items. Without exception, those strange items were all the kind of incomplete Holy Artifact found in this camel's stomach.

As the entire coastline was wrapped by massive branches as thick as four or five people embracing, the panic-stricken fleeing Serpent-kin were all stunned outside, looking at the several people standing on the sandy beach. Uncoincidentally, a low and angry roar abruptly transmitted from within that cave. That thunder-like voice spread alongside the slightly wavering shadows from candles within the cave, seemingly sketching an extremely robust silhouette...

"Who is it?!!!"

That shadow shouted loudly.

Tsubaki remained motionless, watching helplessly as a "fully armed," crimson, plump Serpent-kin slowly walked out from that cave. He was covered top to bottom in those incomplete Holy Artifacts, as if armed to the teeth. He brandished a shining weapon in each of his two chubby little hands, making his tall and fat body look both majestic and quite comical,

"Who are you people?!! How dare you trespass into the territory of the Kakav Serpent-kin! I am Kakaro, younger brother of the Kakav Serpent King, a loyal supporter of Lord Sorobato the Holy Progeny!! Let me show you the blessing granted by Lord Holy Progeny..."

The weapons in that fully armed Serpent-kin's hands gleamed increasingly brighter, bursting forth with astonishing momentum like a lightbulb. Thus, the next second, amidst his aggressive words, he... uh, one of his fleshy hands instantly burst open, growing thick branches adorned with many deep purple flowers.

"Waaaah!"

Tsubaki expressionlessly withdrew his finger, watching the Serpent-kin who called himself "Kakaro" instantly twist and turn on the ground in pain like a maggot. The Serpent-kin beside him fell to their knees one after another under Tsubaki's sweeping glance carrying the suppression of life level, shivering all over in fright.

The rank of this group of Serpent-kin was roughly around Rank 6 to 9. Dealing with lower-ranked humans or other Demi-human Races was naturally a massacre, but facing the Mythical Species Tsubaki, their status instantly reversed, becoming exstences akin to ants.

Sitting on the dromedary camel, Fisher rubbed his chin, scanning the vicinity, but didn't see the figure of that Elf woman. Gui said she was waiting for him at the Kakav Serpent-kin Settlement, but he wasn't certain if it was here, after all, Tsubaki mentioned there was another settlement to the north.

"...What are you doing here, who is Sorobato? What is your purpose in trading with the Ideal State?"

However, Tsubaki, having subdued the person, seemingly lacked interrogation experience, not even knowing what to do next. He appeared highly unaccustomed to suppressing other races with power like this. Most of the time, he was benevolent towards others; if he hadn't seen the other party's cruel slave-keeping practices, he probably wouldn't even pursue their purpose.

"What trade... I have long separated from my elder brother. Everything we do here has nothing to do with over there. As for what we are doing here..."

Facing Tsubaki's soft questioning, Kakaro's eyes darted around, replying thusly.

Upon hearing this, Tsubaki pondered for a moment and felt the other party's words held a certain possibility. After all, the two settlements were quite far apart; maybe these were activities done individually by the Serpent-kin on both sides... He was just about to say something, but Gou Wen beside him crouchingly smiled and pointed at Tsubaki, stating,

"This is an Elf adult residing in the Ideal State, a verified Mythical Species, possessing a higher life level than the Angel Sorobato you revere. Tell the truth, and you live; lie, and both you and your elder brother will be reduced to ashes and smoke. This Elf adult doesn't have time to verify, it's better to conveniently wipe you out, what do you think?"

Upon hearing this, Kakaro immediately looked up at the giant trees surrounding them entirely like a natural disaster. His lips uncontrollably flicked his snake tongue. Subsequently, he immediately squirmed his snake body, giving up on himself and saying,

"Don't, please don't kill me. I'll tell you everything, this matter has nothing to do with me, it's all my elder brother Kakav's fault!"

Through Kakaro's statement, Tsubaki finally understood the ins and outs of trading with the Ideal State, establishing this place, and keeping slaves.

Historically, the Serpent-kin of the Mushiya tribe had always been very scattered, until the generation of Kakav and Kakaro's father. Perhaps because he had far too many female Serpent-kin and his offspring were too numerous and strong, he finally birthed a seemingly grand notion: to unify the Dragon Continent.

Yes, you heard it right, unify the Dragon Continent.

Actually, due to the Dragon God Femabaha ignoring affairs and rarely making appearances, apart from the Mythical Species, the native creatures of the Dragon Continent were completely unaware that such a heavyweight existence loomed over them. However, they were aware of the existence of Mythical Species, predominantly Angels, because the Sanctuary frequently dispatched slaves to the Dragon Continent and other places to gather Magic Materials.

The Mushiya Serpent-kin were the strongest branch among the three Serpent-kin species. They profoundly understood the principle of 'there's always something superior'- no, there are Mythical Species above the Serpent-kin. Thus, Kakav's father, holding this glorious ambition, realized that unifying the Dragon Continent necessitated the support of Mythical Species. During their father's generation, they frequently attempted to contact Angels of the Sanctuary through the Sanctuary slaves arriving here, enabling their wish to unify the Dragon Continent to attain heaven-bestowed legitimacy.

However, until their father passed away, not a single Angel was willing to pay attention to them. Consequently, their father truly didn't dare to act upon claiming hegemony as king or emperor on the Dragon Continent.

It can be said, their father was still quite smart, but also had limitations to his vision. Like the Phoenixes of the Northern Border in the future, they had already thought of a lot, yet were unwilling to delve a step further.

The Phoenix Race knew of the Chaos-kin's power, hoping to attain power transcending ranks through the Spirit World they hailed from, yet never considered why the Chaos-kin entered Reality. The Serpent-kin knew of the Mythical Species' power, hoping to leverage their strength to unify this scattered, primitive continent, yet never considered what power deterred the Mythical Species from intervening, resorting only to remotely commanding slaves to gather Magic Materials...

One can only say, history is a cycle; regardless of who or what race, none can escape it.

Returning the story to the present, until the position was passed to the children led by Kakav, this strategy also continued. But unlike their father, Kakav's plea truly received a response from an eminent Holy Progeny—that Angel was called Sorobato.

He contacted the Serpent-kin led by Kakav, promising to grant them legitimacy in the name of a Mythical Species and the Sanctuary, and further pledged to help them establish the first Serpent-kin empire in the history of the Dragon Continent. The price was very simple: they needed to additionally present a massive amount of slaves and Magic Materials to Sorobato.

To demonstrate he was genuinely helping this group of Serpent-kin, Sorobato instructed them to keep it secret, privately permitting them to buy and sell Holy Artifacts bestowed upon the mortal realm by the Holy Progeny, gracing them with much information to earn profits... At least, that's what Kakav and Kakaro believed. This included the advice to trade with the Ideal State, supplied by Sorobato, claiming there would be great fortune later; otherwise, why would this group of Serpent-kin eagerly run to the Ideal State?

They gleaned considerable intelligence from the trades. Not only did Sorobato know this intelligence, he might have also relayed this information to others, including Tsubaki's compatriot Elves.

The more Gou Wen listened, the more amusing he found it; even Fisher gleaned the clues. Although Tsubaki's expression was grave, seeing the expressions of the several people around him were off, he immediately threw a bewildered look at Gou Wen. Gou Wen explained,

"Lord Tsubaki, Sorobato is playing this group of Serpent-kin like fools, he deceived them. This is the Dragon God Femabaha's territory; what right does he have to promise them any legitimacy? His sole purpose is hoping to bypass the Sanctuary's surveillance and privately open a channel to forge illegal Life Gospel Relics for him, hence why he needs so many slaves and forging materials..."

Towards the end, Gou Wen gnashed his teeth and glared at the floor littered with failed Holy Artifacts. It seemed that this included what was currently in the stomach of the camel Fisher was riding; this was the Holy Artifact sold by this group of Serpent-kin on the Dragon Continent.

"Life Gospel Relic?"

Tsubaki had only briefly heard that Angels excelled at forging, but he had never heard of such a term. Gou Wen found it somewhat difficult to explain. Instead, Mikhail behind him spoke up. Having been influenced by Michael, he was extremely familiar with the forging processes of this group of Angels,

"The Holy Artifact Gospels ordinarily forged by Angels rely on forging materials possessing Rules resonance to bestow. These rules seem closely intertwined with those unseen, untouchable, yet truly existing deities. Among them, there's a type of Gospel called Life Gospel, which, as the name suggests, incorporates lifeforms possessing the Life Authority during forging. And Gospel Relics forged in this manner are strictly forbidden by the Sanctuary..."

Tsubaki still hadn't grasped the crux of it, asking in puzzlement,

"Life Gospel... But, if it's to attach the Divine Authority of Lord Ramastia, wouldn't ordinary animals do? Why must these conscious creatures be added?"

"...Uh, wait, it seems there are also Gospel Relics forged by adding resonant creatures. But anyhow, Angels strictly forbid the addition of intelligent creatures like humans and Demi-humans into forging, right? I'm not clear on the specific reason either; perhaps it's because that Ra-whatever God you believe in prefers intelligent creatures?"

"Hold it, hold it. Lord Tsubaki, Mikhail, are you here to exchange forging techniques... The current issue is dealing with this gang of Serpent-kin. They were deceived by Sorobato, and their trade with your Ideal State harbored no good intentions either."

Upon hearing this, Tsubaki froze slightly. He glanced at the imprisoned slaves around him, then looked at Kakaro and his Serpent-kin shivering on their knees, unable to help but sigh. Waiting for a moment, he spoke up,

"You were deceived by the Angel. No Angel, not even the existence that created them, can grant you your so-called legitimacy. This land has another master whose name you do not know. He loathes any structured settlements, advocating for primitive wildness and freedom; the very day your nation is established, it would face apocalyptic disaster... Release all the slaves here, I will take them back to the Ideal State."

It was the first time Fisher learned of Dragon God Femabaha's advocated creed. No wonder this Dragon Continent reeked of barbarism and rarely featured political entities like the Ideal State; it turned out it was all because of the Dragon God.

But if Jasmine were here, she would definitely complain about Dragon God Femabaha, because she, constantly accompanying the God of a Hundred Faces, profoundly knew the Dragon God's deeds. Later, when his children, the Dragon-kin, were born, as if forgetting about advocating wildness and freedom, he would silently help them establish one of the most massive empires in world history, passed down through the ages under his name—the Femabaha Dragon Court.

Although Fisher currently didn't know the specific reasons within, he at least knew that among these three Demigods' titles, only "Femabaha" had been passed down to the era he lived in.

Yet Tsubaki didn't purge this group of Serpent-kin who were scammed by the Angel. Alternatively, benevolent as he was, he had no intention of purging others, even if they performed deeds contrary to his ideals.

The Kakaro before him watched Tsubaki in front. He opened his mouth, flicked his snake tongue, and then suddenly, at this moment, made a decision contrary to his ancestors. Abruptly lowering his head, he spoke piously to Tsubaki,

"Great adult, please forgive our previous ignorance. Representing myself and the Serpent-kin here, I entreat your protection; please allow us to join your nation. Even knowing we were deceived by Angel Sorobato, we are powerless regarding it. Even refusing to continue providing him materials would be difficult; we will incur punishment. I am willing to persuade my elder brother, requesting the entire tribe be merged into the Ideal State.

"Angel Sorobato... he also has an in-progress Holy Artifact in our cave that he requires us to guard. Although we don't know the specific method, he seems to highly value that Holy Artifact in the cave. I am willing to offer it, a promise to never eat humans again, and willingly accept the punishment of servitude, humbly hoping to gain your acceptance, only seeking protection for my clansmen."

Upon hearing this, Tsubaki raised an eyebrow. He glanced at the several people around, but they offered no opinions. Only Mikhail, whether intentionally or unintentionally, replied,

"Going to ask Margaret?"

"...No need, she will agree."

Tsubaki replied thusly somewhat speechlessly. Following that, he cast a glance at the setting sun gradually sinking into the ocean in the sky, along with the bright full moon slowly rising in the distance. It seemed the promise of a quick round trip he made earlier had to be voided.

He didn't hesitate, arranging tasks for the people around,

"Since this is the case, please trouble yourselves to help me handle the matters here. Mikhail, you come with me to check on that group of imprisoned slaves; Gou Wen, go gather all the Serpent-kin here, I plan to bring those defective Gospel Relics back to the Ideal State for spare use; Fisher, regarding that unfinished Holy Artifact, can I entrust it to you?"

Tsubaki's words rarely contained commands, and the trio of Fisher naturally gladly heeded his suggestions; moreover, there was nothing to do here anyway.

Fisher patted the camel underneath him, following a Serpent-kin leading the way towards the inside of the cave. And Gou Wen smilingly clapped his hands, making Kakaro gather all the Serpent-kin. As for Tsubaki, he went in front of the cages in the distance. There were no less than a hundred lower-ranked Demi-human Races imprisoned there, among which many were injured; he needed to free and treat them.

Only Mikhail abruptly stopped in place and touched his head, looking at the dusky moonlight in the sky and wondering,

"Wait, something seems wrong... What were we originally coming out to do?"