Badlands Saga: Reincarnation in a Different World with Extreme Charisma - Chapter 12

Chapter 12   Emerald Sword 6

“Hmm, indeed, it is the language of the southern clans of Makiano.”

My long-eared teacher crouched in front of the prison where three prisoners were bound, muttering these words after exchanging a few with the captive Makiano tribe members.

I see… the reputation of the wise Isrortep was not unfounded. Her small head must be filled with knowledge far beyond anything I could ever imagine.

“So, Teacher, if you understand the language, I’d like to ask you to interpret for the prisoners.”

“Oh, oh. For a boy who calls me ‘Teacher,’ making me do his homework… youngsters these days are quite bold.”

“What?”

“You should learn that much on your own.”

With that, she pulled a bottle of fire whiskey—one that didn’t look like it would fit—straight out from her chest.

“What a stingy long-eared elf.”

“Is that so? Compared to the fairies, I like to think I am quite generous.”

She laughed and waved her hand at my guard, Isara, who was giving her a suspicious look. Then, without a sound, she sat in a chair, crossed her long legs, and turned towards me.

“Boy, I’ll teach you a magic word. Say ‘Deea.'”

“‘Deea’?”

“It’s ‘Deea.’ Try again.”

“‘Deea.'”

“Yes, yes, that’s the spirit.”

She laughed as she spoke, slowly pouring amber-colored fire whiskey into a glass she had produced from who-knows-where.

“So, what is it? What does ‘Deea’ mean?”

“That’s it. ‘Deea’ means ‘What?’ As long as you know that, you can learn words from anyone.”

“So, you’re saying I should bombard them with questions. You could at least start by teaching me a bit of grammar…”

“Well, think about it. Suppose the ship you were on got wrecked.”

As she spoke, the teacher twirled her right index finger in a circle.

“And you end up stranded in an unknown foreign land. Everyone around you speaks a language you don’t understand. Are you going to be able to say, ‘Teach me grammar!’ to the ones who’ve put you in chains?”

“…”

“In such cases, you have no choice but to point at your belongings and ask, ‘What’s this? Deea?’ That’s how you learn language slowly, from those who question you.”

I see. An irrefutable argument. If only it wasn’t made inside a castle on the brink of destruction…

Well, either way, if she won’t teach me, then I’ll have to learn by myself. Regardless of winning or losing, understanding the opponent is essential for what’s to come.

“Ah, good drink. Such liquor is not suitable for a boy or an old man…”

Mumbling as she drank, I snatched the fire whiskey from her hand and walked over to the old woman in the cell who had been watching us.

“Deea?”

When I asked her that, she looked thoughtful and remained silent for a while before slowly opening her wrinkled mouth.

“Polaka.”

“Polaka, huh?”

I dipped my finger into the bottle, tasted the liquor, and felt a sharp sting from the strong alcohol, something my young tongue had never encountered in this life.

Then, I took the old woman’s hand and let a few drops of the liquor fall onto her finger. After a moment of hesitation, she sucked her finger and, in a raspy voice, said, “Yurakku.”

“Isara, please write down Polaka and Yurakku. I’ll compile them later.”

“I don’t carry stationery around like Guldura grandpa.”

“Oh, then try to remember as much as you can.”

As we discussed this, perhaps having heard the word Yurakku, two men from the back of the cell approached us. Both of them had somewhat pleased expressions and extended their hands, so I gave them a few drops gradually.

“Deea?”

“Yurakku.”

“El Yurakku.”

El Yurakku, huh.

I wonder if “El” means strong or tasty?

“Deea? El, Deea?”

When I asked this, the man brought his tightly clenched fist next to his grinning face. It seems like “El” means strong. I’ll test other alcohol later just to be sure.

“Fusha-sama… Are you really going to do this? If we keep this up, spring will come before we even learn the language.”

“I have no choice, Isara. This is my fight.”

When I said that, she looked dissatisfied but glanced at the cell, eventually nodding slightly.

“Then, I’ll stay with you until you’re satisfied, Fusha-sama.”

“Alright, then bring something to write with. We’ll need various supplies, too. Alcohol, water, bread… Oh, and since it looks like it’s going to be a long fight, we’ll need chairs for both the prisoners and myself.”

“In that case, let’s step out for a bit. Dinner is coming up soon.”

“Yes, taking our time is better. By the way, can you return the liquor soon? It’s a bit too good to waste on comforting prisoners.”

“Yes, yes.”

I returned the bottle to the teacher and left the cell.

Deea, Polaka, and Yurakku.

Even though I had only made progress with these three words, I felt significantly more at ease than yesterday.

I had a strange feeling that the foreign tribes gathered in the dust clouds beyond the castle had somehow gained a bit of color.