The Master of Language - T.M.L Chapter 20 (Part 1):

After half a day of sailing, we arrived at Monta Island near Marshal Harbor.

The area was riddled with reefs, making navigation difficult, so it wasn’t an official route.

However, since it was centrally located, allowing access to various frontier areas, it had become a haven for skilled pirates.

The sun was now barely touching the horizon.

As soon as we arrived on the island, Oshalo quietly pulled out a mace.

Wait, I didn’t see that before?

Perhaps misunderstanding my gaze, Oshalo grinned.

“I tried learning swordsmanship, but it wasn’t for me. I kept cutting myself while swinging it. I just prefer this simple club. Hehe.”

Well, the past two months had been long. If I, a former slave, could become a mage, then perhaps the once-gentle Oshalo could have become a warrior.

I followed Count Furst alongside him as we disembarked.

Monta Island seemed like Marshal Harbor with all the beauty stripped away. In other words, it was nothing short of a hellhole.

The ground was covered in filth, most of the people seemed out of their minds, and the air was so polluted it made me want to vomit, as if someone had released poison into it.

“Wow. What’s that? The boy looks pretty, doesn’t he? But he’s holding a staff. Could he be a mage?”

“Hehehe. No way. Don’t you see him sticking close to that noble? It’s obvious what he is, you know? The tastes of the upper class are quite something.”

The man laughing unpleasantly showed his pinky finger covered in old grime.

What’s that supposed to mean?

I should shove a fireball down his throat.

“You’ve changed a bit.”

“Pardon?”

I looked up at Count Furst. He continued walking without turning his head and said,

“As far as I knew, you were a child who didn’t react to such things. Now that you have power, is it hard to endure insults?”

“I did endure it. If I hadn’t, those two would be ashes by now.”

“I wasn’t looking at you, but I could tell you were angry. It was that obvious. Being isolated from the world and learning only magic, you’ve forgotten a bit about reality.”

I think I understand what the Count is pointing out.

In short, he’s telling me to manage my expressions.

“No, it’s not like that. It won’t happen again.”

“The more power you gain, the more self-control is required. If the remarkable patience you showed as a slave was merely due to a lack of power, then my investment in you was meaningless.”

Oshalo met my eyes and shook his head, indicating the count was nitpicking over nothing.

But this man is clearly speaking with good intentions. He’s just a bit strict.

“I understand. I’ll keep it in mind.”

“Thank you for your understanding.”

The count glanced at me briefly before looking ahead again.

He really doesn’t waste a single word.

Soon after, we arrived at what seemed to be a large square. There was something like a stage set up in the square, though calling it a stage might be generous – it was just a few rotting wooden planks placed on top of wooden barrels.

The Count climbed up there and suddenly began shouting to the pirates in a loud voice.

“Listen! I am Count Furst of Baritone. On behalf of the New Continent Company, I’m here to offer you work. First, each person will receive a basic wage of Baritone gold coins…”

His pronunciation was clear, and his voice carried power. Even mundane words seemed to have a strange charm that drew people’s attention.

Pirates who were drinking, pirates engaged in private conversations, and pirates going about their own business – all of them, without exception, began to focus on Count Furst’s words.

As a result, people started to gather in the area that was barely worthy of being called a square.

Count Furst repeated the same story, and the pirates who heard it began to ask questions one by one.

“How long is the job?”

“Is the money paid upfront?”

“Will the New Continent take responsibility for any aftermath?”

As Count Furst answered each question, some pirates left while others gathered. He maintained the same tone throughout, neither disappointed nor excited.

Just as the sun was about to set, about a hundred pirates had gathered to take on his job and signed the contracts he had prepared.

The captain who had brought him here spat on the ground as he watched the scene.

“He’s quite something. To make those scoundrels follow him.”

After finishing the contracts with all the pirates, Count Furst approached the captain again and said,

“As promised, I’ve gathered over a hundred men. Set sail.”

“It’s impressive that you actually gathered them. They don’t even listen to me anymore.”

“The captain simply lacks sufficient money.”

The captain spat again and said,

“With over a hundred men, we could definitely take on a Franche warship. They’ll be tired from over a month of sailing, so we should win easily. The problem is the mage…”

Count Furst put his hand on my shoulder.

“I vouch for this kid’s skills.”

The captain looked at me with suspicious eyes before turning away.

Seems he’s not convinced even with the Count’s guarantee.

When we arrived at the dock away from the city, it had become so dark that we could barely see a step ahead.

Count Furst looked up at the sky and asked,

“It’s barely a crescent moon. Will this be alright?”

The captain smirked.

“We plunder relying only on the enemy ship’s torches even during a new moon. A crescent moon is no problem at all. Besides, I know these waters well.”

Count Furst fiddled with his necklace.

“I’ll be counting on you.”

Right. I had tried using psychokinesis on that necklace before.

If I had known it was valuable, I wouldn’t have done that. I feel a bit guilty now.

The Count and I boarded the ship, relying on the faint moonlight.

Dangun

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