The Stargazing Witch & The Dungeon Planet
Chapter 117: Not so Locals

Chapter 117: Not so Locals

“But opportunity awaits–”

“Nope.”

“Does this happen… often?” I asked the larger guard, I believed his name was Al-Roo.

The blue lizard and the white-scaled lizard were arguing... Well, it was more that the elderly lizard was berating the younger one for interrupting the meeting.

He replied, “Not.” 

I wasn’t exactly sure of his reply. Based on the back and forth, I had a feeling these two argued like this many times before, but it might be the first time a human was the race. Though I understood that by them calling me 'metal one’ they didn’t know exactly what I was and thought my armour was a part of my body.

This translation appears to be a little funky.

(“ You can’t say you were expecting a perfect translation between two vastly different languages? Wow, one such of yourself is not appreciative of the nuances of other languages, are you ”)

I know you are fucking with me. And replied with ‘Not’, ‘No’ would’ve made more sense.

(“ They use their voice, and send out separate vibrations simultaneously to enhance the meanings; it is a complicated language ”)

I don’t think the physicality of how they communicate is what makes the translation weird.

(“ I don’t know whatever you mean ”)

Espr was definitely messing with me still by not explaining the language thing, which I believed was because of its anger at me entering this world. I didn’t think Espr was causing issues with the translation, but there were some rules that made them sound the way they did in my head. I just didn’t know if it had to do with my or the lizard's end.

"Pardon the interruption. As you said, your name was?”

“Yeah, it's–” I don’t know why, but a strong part of me wanted to say Celestira or Lux. It has been a constant use of fake names with strangers for so long… but here I was alone, with not a single human in sight. “–Ceella.”

It felt weird introducing myself with my real name, but also felt right.

The white lizard announced, “Cole-Ra-Cu is mine. Welcome world survivor.”

From my base observations. There were two major physical signs of ageing among the lizards: the brightness of their scales and their tails. The blue lizard had the shortest tail, as it was at least half the size of the other three. I assumed there was a length that the tail stopped growing as the three other individuals had similar lengths of tails, but Al-Roo actually had the longest. 

Scale-wise, the blue, the mostly green, and then the white lizard had a scale shine that went from bright to dull. Al-Roo was likely older than the green lizardman, C-Eal, as his scales were certainly duller, but it was hard to guess how old he was between C-Eal and Cole-Ra-Cu due to his sandy scales.

“World survivor?” I asked.

“Yes, by your reaction, it must’ve been your first time.” The lizard closed its eyes sombrely. “When the worlds collide, usually no survivors are left, though this world has a strong heart. It survives time and again.”

I am partly lost.

(“ What? Can’t you pin the clues together? ”)

With your help, it would be easier.

The terms it was using made no sense to me, but I thought I could piece the information together.

By worlds colliding, I am assuming he means these dungeon-core worlds. So I guess they can smash into each other, that’s… interesting to know.

I didn’t know how much this lizard was saying was true, as they didn’t seem like advanced species. I didn’t want to sound rude, but I doubted they were able to understand how this world worked without at least speaking with the dungeon core.

“Where… Did you learn this information?”

It answered, “Through our history. Though usually it is a rare occurrence, only happening once every two to three generations, but we are certain it has happened frequently on a group of smaller worlds.” 

The blue lizard piped up, “We keep track!” 

“Lu! No interruption till completion.” The old lizard threw another stone at the young lizard.

“Arghhh! Sorry.”

“I see…” I sighed, “I was hoping you might’ve heard it from something.”

The lizard opened its eyes and looked at me with what I assumed was pity. “Do you require evidence, even if you experienced it?” 

“No, I am just looking for something,” I answered. I had no idea where the core could be, so if these lizardmen knew anything, that would be useful to know.

“I see… You're welcome in our meraimaka until you understand. We don’t speak with most.”

I think he means most races that do appear can’t understand them. Though I am really curious about this world’s colliding thing.

Based on the dungeons I had seen, none really had this whole world's colluding vibe, and even when there were multiple creatures, they all kind of felt that they belonged. Of course, it could’ve simply been the case that one of the dungeon worlds was completely destroyed.

Hey, Espr, do you want to give me the one-two on this topic?

(“ No ”)

Honestly, thanks for the quick and simple response.

(“ Anytime ”)

As usual, my knowledge on this topic was practically nothing, but in a way, it was fun trying to piece the information together. However, I would take answers over fun in this situation.

A thought came to my head, and I asked, “Actually, have there been any other world survivors?”

“Ques?” The old man replied.

There is nothing wrong with this ‘translation’. 

“I didn’t quite understand that. I don’t understand your kind perfectly, it seems.”

The reason for my question was that it had only been a month in a bit since I was at Jellannax station, which meant only a month had passed since those people had entered through the dungeon portal. From what I could remember, a Dominous Hood idiot who I threw in, two guards, and their boss who went in as a method to avoid the danger on the station at the time.

“But I am curious if you have any other world survivors in your meraimaka–” 

Hopefully, I am saying that right. 

Pronunciation was weird when I had no idea how this mental, possibly soul translation thing worked. I really didn’t want to insult them and have them fight me. That would be a complete waste of my time and resources. 

“–because I might be able to communicate with them if I can speak with you.”

Truthfully, I wasn’t confident in this translation ability to speak to other races, the basic ‘rules’ Espr gave me made little sense, and so I was kind of betting on the chance that they managed to capture and store the humans that came here safely. 

Now the chance of that was low, especially for that fat man. If he is alive, I swear there is a god in the sky because he wouldn’t last a moment against those MBones. 

Speaking of which, those monsters were weirder now knowing that these lizardmen live here. Those undead-looking monsters certainly had certain lizard-like traits with their ashened scales, but structure-wise, they didn’t look like these lizardmen. So calling them undead versions of these people wouldn’t be correct, especially since the bone head those undead monsters had was more similar to a crocodile head than the shorter lizard head these creatures had. 

I should really ask what they call themselves.

“Bonus question, what do you call your race?” The old lizard was still humming as he thought about the answer to my previous question.

The young blue lizard jumped up, ready to answer.

Al-Roo's deep voice spoke, “Nelatta, that’s our name.”

“Thank you, Al-Roo, it is a nice name.”

“Yours?” He asked.

“Human.”

“Hmm, weird smell.” 

Weird statement.

I asked, “Does your race have a good sense of smell?”

“I do. Rest of people are lacking.”

While I was having this quick talk with Al-Roo.

Cole-Ra-Cu had made up his mind. 

“We do have some survivors; we cannot communicate, so we keep them in a wardened-off area in fear of the children being harmed.” The man looked down sorrowfully. “Based on their looks, they appear to be from the same destroyed world since they appeared at roughly the same moment.”

Well, that sounds like a good enough answer for more humans for me.

“Am I allowed to meet them?”

“Al-Roo. May you defend?” 

“Cole-Ra-Cu, all be well.”

“Then let us move.” Stone appeared around him and morphed into a cane for him to use.

That seems like a skill…

I had seen monsters use mana and magic, but most of the time I could pinpoint organs that existed to utilise it. However, when this lizard–Nelatta created his cane, it felt like I was watching an earth mage manipulate rock. On Espoiramissa, there were a few powerful monsters that caused the same sensation, but they were all the strongest of their kind.

Either way, my enquiry had to come for later. 

They took me to the wardened-off area. It was below the ground, but there were naturally forming crystals that generated light.

What a cozy area.

Being locked down here for a month wouldn’t have been fun.

“Here they are, you may speak.” Cole-Ra-Cu gestured.

I saw two men in the cell wearing armour and protective gear, but neither had their full face-covering helmet on. Both looked a little uncomfortable, but honestly, neither was in that bad of condition. 

I dug through my memory as I looked at the two men. 

After a few moments, I was certain one was a guard for the man, and the other was the Dominous Hood vermin who I threw in.

Well… this shall be interesting.