So I'm a Snake, Who Cares?

Kadam doesn't drink alcohol.

Looking like someone who would drink liquor by the jarful - with his broad shoulders, imposing height, and booming laugh - but not actually touching the stuff could be called Kadam's unexpected charm. The contrast never failed to amuse those who got to know him well.

However, the reason why Kadam stopped drinking was rather simple, almost amusingly so.

It was because the perception that 'orcs love alcohol' was universal in the world.

Just as people imagine orcs wildly swinging battle axes or riding bulls when they think of them, their massive green hands wrapped around wooden handles or leather reins.

They also imagine them drinking makgeolli by the bowlful with a liquor jar beside them, roaring with laughter and challenging everyone around to drinking contests until dawn breaks.

So when half-orc Kadam went to drinking gatherings, people would look at him with sparkling eyes, eagerly pushing drinks his way and nudging each other with knowing grins, completely unaware that he would politely decline every single time.

It was anticipation of how well this giant would drink like an orc.

Because he felt that, Kadam didn't drink.

Of course, it's not like he had never touched alcohol in his life.

He tried drinking exactly once.

And the violence that surged like instinct then...

After that, Kadam never touched alcohol again.

It's not like he drinks tea instead like some proper gentleman.

Or enjoys coffee either.

So what did Kadam choose to drink instead...

"Good work. Drink this. It'll warm your stomach."

It was bone soup thoroughly boiled with pork back meat and various bones.

Just sprinkle a bit of salt and slurp it up, and there would be nothing else to want in the world.

The snake and gorilla slurped up the bone soup placed in front of them.

"The Director sharing bone soup..."

Daisy looked on in surprise.

The bone soup was exclusively the zoo director's, and Kadam didn't share it carelessly.

That he showed such kindness meant he treasured these two animals that much.

The snake and gorilla blankly stared at Kadam.

"In the past, someone once asked me."

Kadam spoke while crunching and swallowing the bones that came with the meat broth.

"You're the zoo director. But what is the reason for the zoo's existence? they asked."

What is the reason for the zoo's existence attached to the Imperial Capital?

"It's no different from placing a bomb in the Imperial Capital's embrace while using massive budget. Then what is the reason for the zoo's existence, and why do you manage the zoo? What on earth is its significance for existing, they asked."

In reality, the zoo did have aspects that were troublesome.

Although it functioned as an amusement park and research facility, the required budget was enormous.

And since large and small monster escape incidents occurred occasionally, the Empire had to bear those damages.

"Of course it was some desk-bound bookworm wearing glasses but they were quite brave. Want to guess how I answered?"

The gorilla and snake raised their hand and tail like they were in a quiz show.

Madam Rila answered first.

"I don't knoww..."

"You don't know?"

"No, I mean that's what I think you answeredd."

"Hoho, you take me for a fool."

Instead of getting angry, Kadam laughed heartily.

Daisy was surprised once again at this generous attitude.

"Ssat, sasasak!"

"Uh, what's the snake saying?"

Madam Rila translated.

"You hit themm."

"Oho."

Kadam revealed the answer.

"You were both somewhat close to the correct answer."

He spoke while crumpling a piece of tissue paper.

"I grabbed those glasses. Like this. And turned them to powder."

It's an imaginable scene. The glasses would have literally turned to powder, and the scholar who bravely stepped up would have turned pale.

And they would have remembered. That the one before them was a half-orc.

"I don't know what the significance of the zoo's existence is either. But I do know why I, as the zoo director, must manage and maintain the zoo. It's because His Majesty the Emperor commanded me to."

Kadam snorted with a 'keung'.

"There was an order and obedience following it. I swore that regardless of my bloodline, I would pledge loyalty to the Emperor who employed me. Therefore, I simply manage and maintain the zoo according to that order. If someday the Emperor orders to close the zoo and kill all monsters and animals, I will do so."

As he continued speaking, his emotions seemed to surge as the orc's characteristic infrasound mixed into his voice.

"Of course..."

Then Kadam's momentum sank down with a swoosh.

"I don't wish for such orders to come down. Since I like this place too."

He patted the gorilla and snake's backs.

"For the zoo to 'continue', the white monsters and black monsters need to be sorted out. However, His Majesty restricted my intervention. That's why you two must accomplish it."

Kadam wanted to assassinate the named ones among the white and black monsters, but he was ordered not to do so.

"Make them fight by causing conflict between the two forces. And when the opportunity comes, take out those named monsters. The lion, bear, wyvern, and rabbit. If you succeed, I'll do anything for you."

"Sak!"

"Yes snake. Do you have a question?"

"Sasasa?"

Explore more at empire

Rila translated.

"She's asking if you'll promote uss."

"...Not just promotion, I'll grant your wishes too."

The snake and gorilla were overjoyed.

"I'm counting on you two."

Kadam felt rising anxiety the moment he said those words.

Things had gone well so far but would they continue to?

Could he trust this gorilla and snake with the task?

"Uhohhoho."

"Sassat~!"

But it seemed too late already.

They'll handle it well on their own.

Surely they won't end up preventing the war instead.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

Kadam decided to think that way.

==

'Let's have war.'

"Krung, what?"

The Shining Lion was surprised.

Ah, did I speak too quickly?

'No I mean war will solve things. You said we're going to have one anyway.'

"That's true but... krung, I didn't know you hated black monsters that much."

'Black monsters are my sworn enemies.'

"I hate them too, khung."

The old lion growled like he was yawning.