198 Chapter 198: Pe (1/2)
The guy blinked as he gazed at her hand before he lifted his gaze to her face. Her hair was unkempt, her face marred with the blood, and her arm injured. He could see determination burn within her amidst her fear which amused him. Even though she was oozing with fear, she was holding his hand in a tight grip.
He was curious at what terrified her. He could only sense Seria behind him and nothing else. When he heard her shriek upon seeing Seria beside him, it struck him.
'Seria?'
He looked at the violet python beside him which hissed at him. His lips twitched when he realized she was shaking over his pet. He lifted his hand and patted its head making Hazel gape at him.
The snake closed its eyes as it relished its touch until a stuttering voice disturbed its moment.
”P-p-at?”
The snake opened its eyes hissing at her. It glided towards her making Hazel freeze in fright. The guy noticed the girl before him slowly turning blue from fright. Seria wrapped its huge body around Hazel making her heart stop.
On noticing her paleness, he muttered, ”Seria, cut it out”
The huge python which was hissing close to her ear released its hold. It unwrapped around her body and glided towards its master, wrapping its entire body around him.
Hazel who was shaking in fear looked at the guy in fright. She had her hand clutching her chest as she stammered, ”S-Seria?”
The python who heard its name from the woman's mouth hissed at her making her shiver. The guy rubbed his forehead as he glared at his pet. He glanced at the lady shivering in fright and for some reason, he was prompted to say, ”Seria won't hurt you”
”Seria?” she asked dumbly.
The guy nodded and pointed towards the snake which had its body wrapped around his, ”This is Seria”
Hazel widened her eyes in horror.
She shrieked, ”You named a python?”
The guy frowned, ”Why wouldn't I name my pet?”
She squeaked, ”Pet?”
Then her eyes widened as she remembered the rumor she had heard before. She looked at the violet python which was rumored to be in the inner regions protecting something precious. She had heard tales of how people entered the forest in hopes of gaining the treasure never to leave the forest.
The python in front of her was strong enough to kill an entire army making her eyes wide in fear.
Why was this guy close with the python?
Unless...
She didn't complete her thoughts when he asked, ”How long are you planning to sit down?”
Hazel lifted her head blankly making him let out a sigh.
”Seria, go back to your nest”
With a loud hiss, Hazel saw the huge python unwrapping its body from him and gliding towards the tree, disappearing.
”He won't come out unless I call for him.”
”Wash your face”
The guy pursed his lips as he watched her wash her face. The blood beneath her instantly turned reddish-brown.
Hazel let out a breath as she felt the coolness on her face. She shook her head and slowly got up. She turned around to glance at him and was met with indifference.
”Who are you?”
A small trace of a smile appeared on his face as he said, ”That's the second time you are asking the same question”
Hazel rolled her eyes, ”And the second time you are ignoring it”
The guy looked at her for a second before he said.
”You can call me, Lance”
”Lance?”
He nodded.
Hazel gazed at him as she asked softly, ”Are you the guardian of this tree?”
He narrowed his eyes as he asked, ”You know about this?”
She scratched her chin embarrassedly and said, ” I only noticed it when Seria showed up.”
Lance nodded not answering her question. He furrowed his brows when he heard footsteps nearing them. He glanced behind her making her turn around in caution.
”What is it?” she asked.
Hearing no response, she turned around and to her astonishment, he was gone.
”Lance?”
”Hazel?”
Hazel immediately sprung around and saw Usui standing by the trees with relief on his face. Usui immediately threw his sword away as he rushed towards her and embraced her in a tight hug.
”Usui”
Hazel muttered as she wrapped her arms around his back and buried her face in his shoulder blades.
”What are you doing here?”