The Master of Language - T.M.L Chapter 13 (Part 1):

“How do you know Count Furst?”

At Abana’s words, the woman’s lips twitched.

“He seemed straightforward. Said he’d pay double if I switched sides. I told him it was impossible since I was already dealing with Franche. He said he’d take care of it himself. That was two days ago.”

She spread her arms to indicate the entire battlefield.

It seems Count Furst took this woman’s tribe from Franche.

Master nodded, seeming to understand this as well.

“I also maintain an amicable relationship with Count Furst.”

“That’s how I knew. Your name.”

“Then I suppose I should know your name too.”

“My name? Ah, Legless Monkey.”

“Legless Monkey?”

If Master hadn’t asked, I would have asked again myself.

Legless Monkey as a name, really?

“I guess my mother had such a dream. Anyway… hmm, if it’s alright with you, could we collect some things? Uniforms and such are valuable assets for us.”

Master Abana tilted her head.

“Stealing from the dead, you people have changed.”

“Times have changed.”

“I suppose. That’s how you humans are.”

Come to think of it, some of the natives were wearing clothes from the Yura continent.

The chief herself was wearing tight-fitting pants.

Army uniforms might not be the best clothes, but they were crafted more precisely than the handicrafts of those living half-wild, so they must be quite valuable to them.

I couldn’t help but ask.

“Ms. Legless Monkey, may I ask you something?”

Legless Monkey smiled.

“Ms.? I’m a virgin chief. If I become a wife, I’d probably be torn apart by my tribe members. So don’t say such terrifying things.”

I’m not sure what that means, but since she said not to call her that, I had no choice.

“Then Miss Legless Monkey. Perhaps…”

“Puhot!”

“Kheuk.”

Master, Legless Monkey, and many of the tribe members all burst out laughing.

I feel kind of sorry.

“I’m sorry. Then I’ll just call you Chief Legless Monkey.”

“Yes, yes. Anything’s better than Miss Legless Monkey.”

“Um, what items do you trade with Count Furst?”

Legless Monkey crossed her arms, dropping her smile.

“Why? Why is our little apprentice suddenly curious about that?”

“Just… I thought it might be good to know. I have a debt to repay to Count Furst.”

“Oh? A debt?”

“He bought me when I was a galley slave and set me free. He also introduced me to Master here.”

At those words, Legless Monkey kept silent for a moment.

Then she spoke softly.

“White fox fur. The top you’re wearing probably came from our tribe too, young friend. Humans from the Yura continent can’t get that without our hands.”

“Ah, so you have a monopoly on white fox fur. Interesting. No other tribes handle it?”

“…”

The smile gradually evaporated from her expression.

I looked around.

Roughly a hundred people just holding torches.

The total number must be even more than that.

“Can I ask one more thing?”

“Alright. I’ll let you ask just one more question.”

“You came out to loot corpses after the war ended, right? Collecting the belongings of the dead.”

“Yes.”

“Doesn’t it seem like there are too many people for that?”

“…”

I looked up at my master and said:

“I heard natives don’t know about wheels. Is that true? Do they have to carry everything themselves because they don’t have carts?”

Master smiled gently as she looked down at me.

“Surely not. They know about Yura-style clothes, but not carts?”

Master Abana’s face was full of composure.

It must be fine.

I confidently said to Legless Monkey:

“It’s strange, isn’t it? Why did so many of you come out?”

Silence.

The sudden silence that fell was as cold as the night air.

Of course, it’s an expected silence. Who would answer, ‘We were planning to wipe you out if necessary’?

“Grrrr.”

“Grrrr.”

Only the growling of the two wolves behind Legless Monkey could be heard.

A faint light flickered on their bodies, as if they were wrapped in small lightning bolts.

They’d probably pounce at the slightest movement.

Then Legless Monkey’s lips, which had seemed like they would never open, parted.

“Earlier, it seemed like there was magic in the rain.”

Master Abana nodded readily.

“Yes, I did that.”

Legless Monkey raised one corner of her mouth.

“As expected of an elf. To nullify muskets by making it rain, even if briefly. How should I put it? Marvelous? Well, anyway, that’s what I felt. After using such powerful magic, I guess you won’t be able to use other magic for about half a month? If you’d like, we could protect you from wild animals while you rest. Since we have a connection through Count Furst, we’re practically friends too. It’s quite dangerous around here. There are fierce eagles and wolves that aren’t afraid of humans.”

Wow, threats can be made this interestingly. I learned something good.

Dangun

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