The Rise Of A Porter

Constructed in the lowest point of the swamps, the city of nagas, also known as 'Serpentine' was home to thousands of nagas lead by the naga queen, Alleiah.

This city wasn't built under the swamps by accident but had been slowly planned out over the four years that the lizardmen have existed. Even though the buildings inside were mostly built by wood, mud and stone-like houses of the old, they were quite stable. The nagas had learned to utilise the properties of basic materials to their maximum potential. Something which Arnold also used to aim for while making gears or any other thing for that matter. 

The city had nearly everything one could see in a modern city. Nagas dressed in light armour made of wood and stone were patrolling the streets. They were kind of the local police force. There was also a sanatorium and most surprisingly, a City Hall as well. Dozens upon dozen of nagalets (infant nagas) were playing around the streets. The main attraction, however, was the market. The elderly naga informed the guests that this market was the first thing to be made in the city and was designed by the humans who were living here before the nagas 'occupied' the place. 

Azyriah couldn't help but feel a bit disgusted by the old naga's remarks but kept her cool. Nina and Nicole remained calm and indifferent like Arnold had told them to. But Arnold was having a hard time to do so himself. The only thing that felt relieved about was not forcing Kolt and Johnny to come with him. If he had done so, all hell would've broken right then and there and Arnold would've most probably joined them in destroying this abode which was currently 'occupied' by the nagas. 

Nina could sense something was off with Arnold, so she put her hand on his shoulder to calm him down a bit. Arnold turned around and smiled at her, reassuring her that he wasn't going to do anything rash. His eyes, however, told a different story altogether. He was slowly but surely getting pissed. 

The nagas oblivious to the fact that their 'guests' were planning something, led them straight to the palace. The castle's mouth was so big it engulfed everyone who entered. The windows were like the eyes of the devil. Multiple turrets were lined up over the walls like teeth the teeth, while the doors were like the devil's nose, smelling everyone who entered the palace. 

The group slowly made their way towards the entrance. There they were thoroughly checked for weapons but the naga soldier couldn't find anything on them. 

Arnold wasn't a fool who'll blindly trust the monsters. Thus, he had already put all of their weapons in his subspace, while Nicole put her sword in her own inventory. Arnold was surprised that she was using the power granted to her by the system so freely in front of him.

Nicole met her brother's gaze and whispered in his ears, "We both know who we are so what's the point in hiding our abilities, don't you think? Either, it wasn't like you even try to hide the fact to you too have an inventory of your own. So... I'm just revealing what I can do too."

After checking the humans for weapons again, they gave up and let them inside. Still, in their minds, they couldn't help but think of them as fools. Why the heck would someone so blindly trust the ones they had just met? Were the humans just fools or did they really trusted the nagas so much? 

Either way, they were about to be judged by their Queen, and they completely trusted her decision. If she decided they were going to fight alongside humans, the nagas would honour her wish. Reluctantly so, but they would. 

The castle was totally different from the rest of the buildings and structures of the city. They weren't made of mud or wood but with shiny tiles. The building also resembled the ones made by humans and not like the ones made by the nagas.

Arnold knew almost immediately. This was the building used by the humans who lived there before the place was 'occupied' by the nagas. But rather than losing his shit over the matter, Arnold remained calm. 

'This place would make a great base for us. Or maybe just for me...' Arnold smiled. 

The nagas who saw his smile, foolishly thought he was admiring the beauty of the castle. They gave the humans a quick tour before stopping in front of a huge metallic door. 

"The queen and her council will meet you inside. We shall wait for your return here." The elderly naga bowed to Arnold as the doors were flung open, revealing the throne room filled with nagas weighed in golden ornaments. 

Arnold couldn't help but notice numerous nagas glaring at him with hate and anger. While Arnold and Nicole had concealed their aura, the nagas were letting it all out. Maybe it was their way to intimidate their guests and show who was in charge there. It was a good intimidation technique but even so, Arnold couldn't help but chuckle. Their collective aura wasn't even a fifth of Arnold's aura.

Nicole felt the same and shook her head in disappointment. She had initially thought that there would be at least a few strong members among the nagas, but she had been disappointed. At this moment, she didn't even think that an alliance with the nagas was worth the cost anymore. But she trusted Arnold to make the right decision in the end and hence decided to stick with whatever decision her brother made. 

At the centre of the torch-lit room, was a throne and on it sat a coaxing beauty. She wasn't as beautiful as Nina neither was she full of lust like Natasha, yet there was something different about the naga queen. Something that would've drawn any man to her feet but not Arnold. Being surrounded by Natasha had paid well. If Arnold could keep himself in check in front of the Queen of Succubuses, being in control in Alleiah's presence was like child's play to him. 

"Welcome humans. I, Alleiah, the queen of nagas, welcome you to our city on behalf of the naga populous."