The Master of Language - T.M.L Chapter 37 (Part 1):

That day, the mansion was turned upside down.

Fabre is a young master who rarely leaves his room. He coughed up blood in front of me, who had been in the wild for two weeks.

Although we’re both mages and don’t catch common illnesses, the people in the mansion didn’t know that. Fabre found it bothersome, but the people wouldn’t leave the count’s only heir alone.

Hours of bathing, calling for doctors, and isolating him in his room.

Count Furst knew Fabre was a mage, so he wasn’t too worried.

He just pretended to go along with Butler Clark’s fuss.

After about three days, Butler Clark politely said to me,

“I apologize for the inconvenience. Starting today, the Count would like you to join us for meals.”

“It’s alright. It was necessary for safety. Should I go to the dining room now?”

“The Count will come here.”

“Personally?”

When I asked again, Butler Clark nodded slightly and left.

He probably wanted to have a quiet conversation.

As I waited for him to arrive, I closed my eyes and recalled what I had seen three days ago.

Merlin, half-transformed into a bird.

Was it because his familiar had died?

Or was he preparing some dangerous magic?

Whatever it was, he wouldn’t let this go.

I need to prepare.

I need to prepare thoroughly.

At that moment, maids came in from outside. They prepared the dining table, and soon the count entered.

“Everyone, leave.”

The maids bowed politely and left.

I got up from the bed and sat across from him.

“How’s your recovery? Going well?”

“Yes, I’m fine. How about Fabre? Is he doing well?”

“He’s usually cooped up in his room anyway, so he doesn’t seem to mind much.”

As the count naturally started eating his soup, I began my meal as well.

The meal continued in silence.

The count seemed to be contemplating how to start the conversation.

I smiled gently and spoke first.

“You mentioned the Second Princess of Franche, right? She’s coming this morning.”

The count glanced at me, then continued eating and asked,

“Is she also a target of your revenge?”

“Not really. But I suppose I’ll be the target of her revenge. She won’t sit idle while I’m going to kill her father, will she?”

The count was silent for a moment, then said,

“Who knows.”

It’s a short answer, but it holds many meanings.

I continued eating and asked,

“How did you end up joining hands?”

“She contacted me first. Seems she heard that I had drowned the Crown Prince’s army. So she must have been confident she could draw me into her faction.”

“Well, it’s certain that you’ve crossed a point of no return with the Crown Prince of Franche.”

The count put down his utensils slightly.

“I thought you were dead. I regret things turning out this way.”

I shook my head.

“It’s okay. But there’s one thing I’d like you to promise.”

“What is it?”

“To not get involved in anything between the Princess and me.”

“……”

“Will you promise?”

Count Furst looked at me with calm eyes.

“The most important thing to me is the New Continent Trading Company. I won’t interfere beyond that.”

He had no choice.

Strictly speaking, even when Count Furst bought me and took me to Master Abana, it was to get magical help from Master Abana.

I smiled.

“Alright. Now tell me.”

“What?”

“You came to ask for my advice, didn’t you?”

Count Furst chuckled as if in disbelief.

“Right. That’s correct. By the way, do you want this broccoli?”

I picked up the plate in front of me and placed it in front of him.

He grabbed several pieces of broccoli at once and dipped them in the soup before eating.

The count chewed on the broccoli, lost in thought.

Then he spoke up.

“I’ve been thinking about the conversation we had in the carriage three days ago. About the possibility that Legless Monkey and Duke Balkan might have joined hands.”

If I remember correctly, Hansis the priest appeared and interrupted our conversation at that time.

“Right. It seemed most likely that they had joined hands midway.”

The count’s eyes flashed sharply.

“I’ve thought about that. There’s a contradiction. It’s a 40-day journey by sea. It’s impossible to make decisions and exchange messages so quickly over that distance.”

“What about the Franche warships? They arrived earlier than expected after Franche was heavily defeated in the Manya Plains, right? Doesn’t that mean there’s some way to communicate across the sea?”

The count frowned.

“That could be possible.”

I suggested another possibility.

“Count. You had a mysterious treasure that allowed you to fly, right? Wouldn’t others have such treasures too? Especially someone like Duke Balkan, who had the mage Merlin?”

The count stroked his chin.

“A contact person?”

I immediately mentioned the person that came to mind.

“Is there anyone besides Governor Krom?”

The count smiled slightly.

“No. My attack on the Franche warships with pirates was a secret known only to him and me. Moreover, Legless Monkey left without killing him. Yes, that’s right. There was absolutely no reason to keep him alive! The reason must be that he was Duke Balkan’s contact person.”

I chuckled.

“You really killed him at the right time, Count. Governor Krom. He must have had a treasure that could communicate with Duke Balkan.”

The count met my eyes and stroked his chin.

Before expressing his thoughts, the count repeatedly moves his hand or mouth.

I wonder if that helps him organize his thoughts.

The count stroked around his chin a few more times, then stopped as if he had finished thinking.

“If that’s the case, Legless Monkey and Duke Balkan can’t contact each other now.”

“That’s why she kindly looked into ship schedules for us. Retrieving the children is very important to her, even to gain the trust of her tribe members. Since she can’t contact Duke Balkan, you’re the only one she can trust, right?”

The count nodded.

“Hmm, yes. I can’t be certain, but that feeling seems right, Ran. But it’s all speculation.”

I crossed my legs.

And looked down at my fingers.

The ring Psyche gave me was there.

“I’ll check if that speculation is correct or not.”

The count looked at me with wide eyes.

***

Dangun

I'm currently Translating the following novel: "The Master of Language" If you want to support me and read more chapters please subscribe to my Patreon!

•