The Rise Of A Porter

After going back and forth for about an hour, both parties finally came to an agreement. Arnold was going to provide the necessary equipment and gears to the nagas. While the nagas would abide by his orders till the lizardmen are either annihilated or captured. After that, Alleiah will give Arnold the information he desired and both the parties would go their separate ways from then onwards. 

The agreement was somewhat in the favour of the nagas but Arnold didn't mind it at all. After all, the moment he was done taking care of Devon, he was coming for the nagas. Only he could realise the potential of conquering a precious and resourceful place like the swamps. He was planning on converting the swamps into both an impenetrable fortress as well as an EXP farm for him to level up as per his convenience. 

He wanted to do something like that because he had realised something important. The more he levelled up, the harder it got for him to level up any further. Killing the same monsters at a higher level gave him a lesser amount of EXP. However, the mutated tree of the swamps was an exception to this rule. As they were what the system termed as 'unique' creatures, the more mutated trees Arnold destroyed, the more exp he got. Also thanks to his nature affinity, he could easily destroy as many trees as he liked in a blink of an eye duration. 

That's why he had to claim the swamps for himself. Especially with the threat of fighting against the gods was dangling over his head. Although he was sure he would be able to take them down in a one on one fight, he knew the 'gods' will also be aware of the fact as well and would most probably attack him in a pack. Thus, he had to prepare himself for war. A war on his terms. Once again the swamp was an ideal place to do so, and if he could control the monsters here, it would add another arrow in his quiver. 

Alleiah was thinking along the same lines. She too wanted the swamps for herself. But it wasn't the only thing she wanted... She wanted Arnold as well. Thus, she had already planned her next move. She had already been informed that the humans weren't carrying any weapons with them. At first, she didn't believe it but now that she had seen them with her own eyes, she couldn't help but rejoice. Strong or not, without their weapons, the humans were like birds in a cage waiting to be struck down by the queen cobra. 

'The human, no... Arnold would have no other choice than surrender to me.' The slyness of the naga queen was a weapon no one was safe from, monster or human, 'I'll use this moment to separate that woman from his side and have myself in her place instead. Ahh... Finally, my dream will come true!'

The naga queen could barely contain her excitement within herself as the deal was being finalised. 

"Alright then," Arnold mumbled as both the parties were more than happy with the deal, "Now that it's been taken care of, I think we should leave for now. I'll soon be back with the requested weapons and gears. Till then, we'll bid our farewells."

The four humans promptly turned around to leave only to be stopped by the guards. The queen wasn't done talking to them yet. 

Red flags immediately popped in their heads. But Arnold and his party were as calm as a Buddhist monk. Arnold had foolishly expected it all to go as he had planned. Well too bad now he would have to show them their place but before that... 

'Here comes the trouble...' Nicole's voice echoed in his head. 

'Weren't you hoping for something to happen?' Arnold replied while smiling inwardly, 'These fools really think we're on equal footing. I don't know if I should get angry at them or laugh my ass off.'

'Why not both? Kick their ass in anger and then laugh while watching them die.'

'Since when did you become a... Sadist?'

Arnold was a bit surprised by the tone of his sister's voice but then realised he was more or less the same. Earlier it would have sent him into shock if his dear sister talked so happily about killing someone or something, but not anymore. None of them was the same person that they used to be. Arnold had to accept the reality and move forward. The powers that were given to them had already changed their destiny forever. All they could do now was to make sure that they forge a happy life with the tools they were given by the 'gods'. 

'I... Never really gave a thought about it. Either way, let's just force the information regarding Devon out of them and then torment them to death. I have a quest to complete.' Nicole smiled at Arnold. 

'A monster-hunting quest huh? You should've told me earlier. I'd have let you finish off the lizardmen rather than feeding them to the trees.' Arnold gave it a thought, 'I know you've been bored sitting idly and not killing people off, but let's hear these idiots first. Who knows, they just might be able to make us laugh even more.'

'Alright alright. I'll do as you say.' Nicole replied the ended the telepathic communication. 

Arnold turned around to face Alleiah, who now had a sadistic smile on her face. Arnold could smell something was fishy but didn't act on his intuition. It was a perfect opportunity to judge their fighting prowess as well as their battle strategies. But it doesn't look like there would be much of a fight. 

"In order to make sure that you abide by the pact and deliver the requested goods on time," Alleiah smiled freakishly, "That woman would have to stay here. As a... Guest, of course."

That moment, numerous hidden doors were flung open and hundreds of armoured nagas came rushing forward, brandishing their weapons. The next thing Arnold know, the nagas had surrounded the four of them. 

"The fck?" Azyriah cursed the nagas under her breath and turned towards Arnold, "What do we do now?" 

But Arnold didn't reply. His gaze was fixed on the ground. 

"Don't think of it as a threat, human." Alleiah sniggered, "It's all just a precaution to ensure cooperation."

Even though Alleiah said so, it was all a guise to capture and kill Nina. She thought after being surrounded Arnold would be forced to surrender his woman to them. He didn't have any weapon on him either, which further reassured her that Arnold won't rebel against her. Also, Arnold's silence only solidified her assumptions. The humans weren't going to fight back. 

"Guards! Please escort the human female into the quarters. I think Arnold, agrees with the decision." Alleiah smiled... But not for long. 

It had seemed like Arnold was silenced due to his defeat, but in reality, he had been conversing with Nicole. Conversing about their action. 

The moment the guards took a step to take Nina away, Arnold and Nicole both simultaneously released their compressed aura! Aura was stronger than anything the nagas had ever experienced... The murderous intent leaking out from the two individuals was enough to knock out most of the nagas present in the room. 

The soldiers who were proudly equipped with battle gears fell over each other like a bunch of dominoes. The rest of the nagas were knocked out as soon as the aura was released. The only monster awake in the throne room was Alleiah, even then she was barely holding onto consciousness. 

Arnold then walked right towards Alleiah. His face inches away from the powerless monster's. 

"You thought, just because I'm not carrying a weapon I'm vulnerable?" His voice was cold yet filled with rage. He was pissed. More than he had been ever since the fight against Tiamut.

He continued, "You are nothing more than a worm. And no worm would touch my girl. I'm the one in charge here. Not you. I don't need you or your people to fight the lizards and look for Devon. I only agreed to work together just because it will save my precious time, because it was convenient, so don't get ahead of yourself. Is that clear? The next time you pull off shit like this, you'll die and so will the rest of your puny worms. Get this through that useless skull of yours."

Alleiah wanted to say something, but she couldn't. She couldn't think straight but Arnold was expecting a reply. She tried and tried but only managed to nod her head in the end. 

"As a chance to repent and to make sure that you keep on being my obedient pet, I'll leave my trusted soldiers here. You better take good care of them and if you didn't, then... You know what'll happen, don't you?"

Alleiah nodded once again like a trained dog. 

Arnold then turned around at left with the others. But as they left, Alleiah couldn't help but feel her heart racing. For the first time in her life, she was overwhelmed by someone's presence and... She loved the experience. Arnold didn't know, but he had just made Alleiah go crazy about him.