"So you are not willing to take back the Lamia Queen seat?"

Shirohebi was drinking tea with Aria Lamia. As one of the contender for the vacant seat, she was extremely surprised to see the past queen back from the dead, after everyone thought she was poisoned by scyllas. She was even more surprised to learn that she would not consider taking back her legitimate place. In fact, the undead ex queen had another vision of the situation altogether.

"Indeed." Aria lamia sipped her tea. Even if she was no longer alive, her body still seemed to appreciate nourishment. "As I am no longer part of the world of the living, I shouldn't meddle with its affairs. Of course, I am still free to enjoy its fine pleasures, but I do not consider that someone who climbed from her grave can be used as a beacon of guidance and decides the future of its race. Furthermore, as an undead, I have to obey a master whose goal can be detrimental to the lamia race at large."

Shirohebi was still surprised. "But surely you had projects that have to be finished? And the lamia race has been tearing itself apart since your… unforeseen departure. Maybe you had an idea for a possible successor?" She looked at the bottom of her cup, as if a solution was hiding within the infused herbs."

The undead lamia shook her head negatively. "I did not have any other goal than just stop the conflicts within our race. It saddens me that my death is responsible for new ones. But I cannot step up, given my current conditions. My only request, and I want to make it clear that I do it as a member of the lamia species and not as its ex leader, is that the queen works with the representative of the Scylla races to bring a new era of peace between both species. This is what I aimed to accomplish with Zenovia during this banquet, and death hasn't changed our goal, only our place. As for a possible successor… The seat will belong to the one who will get the most recognition from the members of our race. As you expressed a willingness to do so, I suggest searching for the most capable lamia, but one in which everyone will recognize herself." She looked in the eyes of the lamia from Yamatai. "Do not let raw strength be the sole decisive factor. She must be able to calm hearts as well to be able to lead our races."

"I see." She laid back her cup. "In that case, I thank you for sharing your wisdom, and I shall not lose any more time and start searching for a new queen fit for the throne." She bowed in front of the undead queen and slithered out of the library's back room, leaving the latter alone. Aria Lamia was wondering if Shirohebi could actually do it. She had the skills required, but her troubled heart would definitively impede her reign. But maybe she also matured enough since her attempt at a hostile takeover? She had difficulties reading the twins white snakes.

After a while, a small figure clad in black passed by and interrupted her train of thoughts.

"Ha ha! There you are! Don't try hiding! My sister gave you to me and I'm responsible for you! Now come upstairs!"

"Yes Chrome."

As the duo started making its way through the stairs, Chrome started thinking over the situation.

Mmmh, I was right. With all the powerful figurehead under my command, I could easily create my own army that will get acknowledged by Luka and the world at large. Time to make the name of the Artiste family shine once again.

Shirohebi was cruising through the castle. Her first idea to search for the ideal lamia queen was to ask Anastasia. The blond lamia was probably the most typical member of the lamia species. Asking her on what the lamia race at large was looking for in its queen could be a good idea. Furthermore, she was easy to find, as she was almost always standing in the dining room, eating something. The lamia noticed her as soon as she stepped in.

"Hey, it's miss Shirohebi! Can I do something for you?"

"Actually, I am looking for possible contenders for the throne of the lamia queen."

The blue eyed lamia shrugged. "Meh, I'm not interested. I don't think I'd be able to reign over our race."

"And what do you think it would take to be able to lead our people?"

Anastasia perked up. "Oh! Of course! It should be someone powerful enough, whose sole presence would be enough to send the weaker members scurrying away, like Yamata No Orochi! She should take care of our needs, and, most of all, she would lead us to wage war against the ones that threaten our noble race!"

"The dangers to our race? Can you tell me more about that?" Shirohebi's curiosity was piqued.

"Of course! I am speaking about anything slimy, and scyllas in particular! I mean, do you see how their tentacles wriggle?" Anastasia held herself as she shivered. "Those abominations shouldn't exist, and they're an affront to the natural order of monsters and everything that is good."

Shirohebi deflated. "Sofia sounded more reasonable on the matter and she follows Ilias." She started leaving. "Thank you for your time."

"Hey! Come back! I have more to say about those pompous octopi! They leave slime everywhere, like slugs!" Anastasia stopped for a second. "You'll never be a good leader if you don't listen to your people!"

"You don't want someone to listen to you, you want someone to approve the extermination of the Scylla race." She was not angry in any way, just terribly annoyed.

Anastasia started ranting again, but the white snake was ignoring her now. The lamia had a point, however: Yamata No Orochi was one of the oldest being currently walking the earth, her insight on the matter would probably be invaluable. Furthermore, she was technically part of the lamia race and a good acquaintance of her. She started making her way toward the eight headed monster.

Shirohebi shivered as she slithered through the snowy area. While the colder residents were appreciating the Pocket Castle's ability to create a frozen area for them to live in, it was annoying to cruise through for anyone cold blooded like her. She felt like staying there could accidentally lead her to hibernate. Fortunately, she only needed a minute to reach the powerful monster. Yamata no Orochi was standing tall, as her eight heads were discussing several matters at the same time. Shirohebi started to wonder how she could deal with the cold when she was naked, but she remembered that the ancient monster in front of her was also part yoma (or was it part dragon?). One of its head noticed the newcomer and, gradually, every one of them turned toward her.

"Oh oh? It is rare of you to come visit us in this place. Do you require something from me?"

"Following a discussion I had with the late Aria Lamia, I am on a search for someone to take the vacant Lamia Queen seat. I was wondering if you could share your insight on the matter."

"The seat of the lamia queen?" Several of Yamata No Orochi's head looked lost in thoughts. "Mmh, I already wondered in the past if I should not take it for me. After all, I'm fit to be a queen, am I not? I am one of the most ancient members of the lamia race, and my power is unmatched. I could protect the race while having to fear no contestation, and finally, my wisdom is without equal. I would surely have been able to avoid the traps that claimed the life of my predecessor."

A ghostly voice could be heard from afar. "Unless sake gets involved…"

Yamata No Orochi snarled toward a place that seemed windier than the rest. "You will regret those words! I was trapped by someone, it was not my fault!"

Shirohebi raised an eyebrow. "Didn't you commit any mistake in the past?"

Several of Yamata No Orochi's head shook their head negatively, while a few other ones were meekly nodding positively. The heads of the former group were attacking the ones in the latter, who responded by saying something about a nekomata and sake. Soon, the situation devolved into a screaming contest between both groups, which turned into a brawl as the heads started butting against each other or wrapping around. The white snake was dumbfounded by this development.

"I see. Thank you for your time." Shirohebi was starting to slither away, unnoticed by the monster whose heads were still warring with each other. Several monsters were waiting on standby, waiting for the unavoidable moment when, once calmed, she would have to unknot her various necks.

Someone who was in conflict with herself on a daily basis to the point of turning her own power toward herself was definitively not someone fit to reign, no matter how powerful or ancient they were. Furthermore, it was clear that the old monster had either quite an ego or was unable to assume her mistakes for thinking she always took the best decisions in her life.

She started making her way back to the front of the castle. She remembered the young lamia, Teeny, who was managing the inn service there. The service in itself was mostly useless, but her skills and her abilities in serving other was remarkable, and, after all, it was what a leader was about. Besides, as a young member, she represented the future of the lamia race, and she was the lamia who had the most experience in travelling with Luka, which means she wouldn't be completely naïve to the ways of the world.

The small lamia was cleaning the counter by the entrance when Shirohebi found her. She didn't take notice of the newcomer until the white snake politely cleaned her throat.

"Welcome to Teeny's inn! How can I be of service today?"

"I am currently looking for contenders for the vacant lamia queen throne. I was wondering if you wanted to tell me what you think would make the future queen a good leader."

Teeny pondered the situation for a few seconds before answering. "Well, since each members of the lamia races are living individually and focused on themselves, she should focus on finding a common purpose to focus one to unite the race and stop the fights."

Shirohebi was surprised by the wisdom that came from the mouth of her junior. "I… see. But what do you think would make a good purpose? Beyond eating and hating scyllas, I mean."

Teeny looked at her. "Developing the culture? I mean, you are a good dancer and have mikos following you. Maybe it could be a good way to start."

"I see." Shirohebi thought the situation further. Those dances were also effective in fight, which would still interest the most warrior minded members of her species. Even if she wasn't the one going to be the queen, she could be a figure head and a precious advisor. "Thank you for your advices, your great wisdom betrays your age."

A shrill voice boomed from afar. "Don't listen to her!" Suddenly, a monster with the head of a snake on top of human legs appeared.

"GAH! Where did you come from?"

"It is I, Amira, passing by like the breeze in the forest." She tried bowing but her body structure made it look more ridiculous than she already was. "You shouldn't listen to her! She doesn't know the way of the world and of our race as well as I do!"

Teeny's shoulders slumped, but she looked more annoyed by the unfortunate lamia's antics than really wounded.

"I know perfectly how to get the whole of the lamia race united under your thumb." She got closer to Shirohebi's ear, almost whispering. "But this information will not come in cheaply… For ten thousand golden coins, that information will be your."

The white lamia recoiled. "Ten thousand- are you out of your mind? And if you know how to do it, why aren't you taking the seat for yourself?"

Amira turned on the side, half ashamed. "I don't take it because everyone would turn away from me and my cursed appearance. I wouldn't be able to lead the race our race on its rightful path if our kin doesn't give me access to the ressources I need." She then looked up at her interlocutor. "But surely for you a few thousand coins are nothing, considering your temple's wealth?"

"This is not…" Something clicked in Shirohebi's head. She snarled at Amira. "Oooh… I get it… You know about my familial wealth and you plan to just mooch off it, don't you?" She grinned. "Wouldn't your plan include a hairbrained scheme to bribe a lot of members and getting your money back by using them as your personal army to gather money?"

Amira haughtily turned away, scoffing. It was clear that Shirohebi hit the bullseye.

"Well in that case, please do not waste my time any longer you leech. I had to deal with gold diggers like you way too many times to enjoy your presence any longer.

Amira fell dramatically on the side, pretending to be hurt. "You wounded my golden heart with your cruel words! It is now bleeding through numberless leaks! Kyuuun…"

"And don't think my golden coins will ever fix it!"

Angry but also disappointed, Shirohebi started making her way back to the bar. It was definitively time for a drink.

A few hours later, the white snake was drinking at the pub alone. While she got some information and wisdom during her inquiries, she was also depressed with the overall result. Not two lamias had the same idea for what would make a good queen for their species, and, most of all, she had been reminded of her own race's shortcomings. They were beyond divided, and she certainly didn't want to deal with them more than she already did."

"I've seen you at the bar more than anywhere else. Isn't a shrine maiden supposed to live frugally?"

She turned toward the source of the voice and saw Mephisto. The yoma magician was smirking, clearly enjoying the sight of the downcast lamia.

"Maybe shrine maidens do, but not a Yamatai goddess." She gestured to the bunny girl to save her again. "And a shrine maiden doesn't spend hours a day to look for new contenders for the queen lamia throne in those troubled times."

"So this is what your wandering was about? Why didn't you ever considered asking little old me?"

Shirohebi sarcastically smirked after chugging her drink. "Because I know you well enough to know that your advice will be on how to make your way through the higher part of the society through lies and flattery and technically say that you do anything wrong as you never were contractually obliged."

Mephisto chuckled. "You pierced me to daylight a long time ago." She sat down in front of the depressed lamia. "But have you actually tried doing it?"

"I would have… if I actually wished to take the throne myself."

The yoma frowned. "Is it no longer the case? I remember you rising a small army to try taking over Yamatai Village after all."

"I was interested… Then I met the people I would rule over should the mantle fall over my shoulder. I wouldn't be able to bear with Anastasia's thick skulled racism or Yamata No Orochi's ego for a day. I'm currently fine as one of the hero's companion when he calls on me."

"Maybe your sister would."

"Maybe. But while my relation with her can be strained, I wouldn't be so crass as to let her deal with this situation alone."

"Make it a shared reign then. It wouldn't be surprising for two siblings to share one throne."

Shirohebi started entertaining the thought. Maybe she could share the throne with her sister after all…

"No, our visions are too different, we would conflict too much. How would a pair of queens that keep fighting amongst themselves bring peace to our race?"

Mephisto fell silent for a while. Eventually, she spoke again. "Then maybe you should make a break in your search. Take your time, find yourself a temporary hobby…"

Shirohebi eyed her, surprised. "Like what? I'm not sure there's a lot of place in this world for someone whose main skills are geared toward traditional Yamatai dances.

"Actually you would be surprised. Why don't you ask Saki? I'm pretty sure she would find something for a lamia versed in traditional dances. Furthermore, who knows? Maybe you will go on the roads with her, and discover someone fitting to make a queen for the lamia race."

The white snake chuckled. "Even if such an event is unlikely, I must admit you're right. I will see to change my mind for a while." She got up of her seating and left the yoma.

Mephisto leaned back on her chair. An idea made its way through her mind. Maybe she could claim the throne for herself. She had enough traits to be accepted as a lamia, her name was feared enough to dissuade contestants, and she was more than used to deal with royalty. She knew the in and the outs of managing a nation, and, ultimately, would make a pretty good ruler.

After several minutes, she noticed the scantily clad form of Succubus approaching with a clearly annoyed expression on her face. The major of succubus village made a beeline to her and placed a strange cake with sparse blue topping on top of it.

"What is that?"

"One of your students did bet she could beat Candy and Witch is missing." She gestured toward the cake. "It took the sacrifice of three parfaits to save her."

All the ideas in her head converged toward one question. Were the charges of a queen in this world that different than those of a teacher? Now more than ever, she considered the latter ones were enough to keep her busy without having to worry about the future of a whole race.

"Good grief…"