Chapter 497: Taking Out The Trash

The three, two humans, and one large white lizard walked towards the town. Or more like the outskirts of the town. Kana was quite surprised to see the small house, if you could even call it that, it looked as if it was about to fall apart at any second. It really amazed Kana that the young woman named Melinda was still able to keep her daughter smiling like she was. To live in such conditions must be hard on a mother trying to raise her child. "Mel, where is your husband?"

"He died a while back..." Melinda replied, albeit reluctantly. But she knew this question might come up since Kana seemed very smart for a lizard. 

"I see. I am sorry I brought it up." Kana felt a little bad. She could feel the tense air after asking that question, but she was curious and couldn't hold herself back. 

"It's fine, don't worry. My home may not be much, but for as long as you stay here, you can call it home." Melinda put a true smile on her face as she said this. It seemed this place meant a lot to her. 

"Quick, Kana, come look at my room!" For a small house, it still had two bedrooms, a main living area, a small kitchen, and that was it. For the bathroom, there was a pot kept in each bedroom, and bathing was nothing more than a damp rag to wipe yourself down. When Bell pulled Kana inside, she was stunned at all the patch work that had been done. Compared to the outside that looked like it was falling apart, it seemed Melinda had been trying to keep the inside at least looking presentable. 

Bell's room consisted of nothing more than a straw mattress and some thin blankets laid out on the floor. It seemed that they did not have anything that could be called furniture. When Melinda saw Kana's expression, she felt slightly embarrassed. But there was nothing she could do. Kana played with Bell for a while and then had a small supper that consisted of vegetables before Bell finally passed out. Kana tucked her in with Melinda before going to the living area to talk.

"Sorry for how this place looks. Since my husband has passed, we have been barely surviving. And I have had to sell much of our things for medicine when Bell got sick over the years. I am only left with this house that is barely keeping the rain off our heads." Melinda said, breaking the silence between the two.

"To be honest. I am actually impressed. You have worked hard trying to raise a daughter with no help. On top of that, you have had to endure so much, yet for your daughter, you still smile. You are a strong woman who is worthy of praise." Kana truly felt that Melinda was someone worthy of praise. Not many could endure as much hardship as this woman has. 

"You are a strange lizard..." Melinda said with a light laugh. She wondered how long has it been since she had received such praise. 

"Am I even a lizard?" Kana asked as she looked at herself. She had a strange feeling she was something much grander than some lizard. But as it stood now, she could only call herself a lizard.

That night Kana curled up next to Bell. In the morning, she woke up to Bell hugging her and using her belly as a pillow. As she stretched and gently moved Bell to the side, she heard a yell come from the front. "What are you doing here!?"

"Now, now, Melinda, how many years has it been since your husband has died? I am sure you are dying for a man right about now." A man's voice could be heard as well. Just his tone and choice of words caused Kana's anger to well up. She went to the door of the room and peeked out to see Milinda with a pot in her hand. 

"Gary, it is best if you take your leave. If you try anything, I do not mind hitting you." Melinda's voice was filled with anger and fear. Kana sensed it right away. She slowly opened the door, careful not to make a sound, and slipped out.

"Melinda, don't be like that. We have known each other since Dale was alive. Why not talk about old times, and I will help you remember what it is like to have a man." Gary had a lustful smile on his lips as he took a step towards Melinda. He reached out and was about to grab her arm that was holding the metal pan when he heard a cracking sound in his leg and a sharp pain shoot through his body. "Arghhh!!!!!!"

"When a woman says no, she means no. If you try to touch Melinda again, I will not hesitate to end your disgusting life." Kana's voice was cold. Her ruby red eyes narrowed as she stared at the man rolling around on the floor in pain. "Melinda, go check on Bell. I will take the trash out of the house for you." 

"Huh? Ah yes…!" Melinda was in shock at the sudden developments. She was already bracing herself for the worst. If not for Kana, she…

The man stared at Kana, fear written all over his face. "De-Demon!"

"No, I am a lizard idiot. No wonder you have to force yourself on a girl. You can't even get someone's species right." (Says the dragon who thinks she really is a mere lizard right now.) "Now then..." Kana grabbed the man's broken leg and dragged him outside, down the rocky path, and into the village. The entire time he was kicking and screaming, causing all the villagers to come out of their homes. 

"Good, you're all here. I would like to know who is in charge of this village?" Kana yelled out her question since no one was willing to get close. 

"Ummm... The man you are holding is…." An older woman with grey hair replied, pointing to Gary, who was still trying to escape Kana's clutches.

"Oh..." Kana turned and stomped on Gary's other leg.

*Crack...*

"Now who is in charge?"