Reeling away from my quest giver, I decided to search for someone who might be able to help me convince Basilgaraad as to why a trade route with the forest is a good idea. I myself don't know why only that in my previous plane plenty of...unsavory people liked to come in and kill my friends. From what they told me, it was to sell them off at a city. Of course, that's second-hand knowledge due to my lack of knowledge of the common language.
Which also makes it hard to find anyone who would be able to help me...
After finishing this nice talk, Manyvat Adruo looked up at the ceiling before playing with a coin and wondering about what he should do. While checking quest reports seemed like a good way to receive enough information for him to form a plan.
That is something he did not wish to accomplish yet. If there is no alternatives, he shall do so. Nonetheless, what did he know about this city's institutions? Not much. Perhaps there is another way to gather these. The only thing he needed was to wander in the streets and find out what intrigues him.
A sigh escaped his mouth as he bumped into someone in the tavern. A lady with fiery hair, more or less in an odd sylvan cloth accompanied with a scent of soil. Who was he to judge someone's outfit anyway? Whoever she was-- manners take priority.
"I apologize for bumping into you."
"Hm?" I respond, unsure of what was said to me. I turn around, seeing who bumped me. What I saw...scared me. A man was looking at me, or at least I assumed he was. His face was covered by a mask, with his eyes being shaded by a triangular black hat. He wore a dark green cloak, covering his body even more. Everything about him told me to run away, which I was about to until Hana leapt onto him, grabbing at his cloak.
Seeing such, I shout in Sylvan, "Hana! What are you doing?!" I quickly say to the man, "I'm sorry, Hana just seems to not like you." Of course, I don't mention the chills I'm getting from him either. I may not know who he is or his background, but I didn't want to take chances on getting on his bad side.
'That is not a language I know. Does that mean that--'
Was it the case? Why would she even be here if she could not speak a common language? Assuming she is here-- she is likely now an adventurer. Then how did she even get registered? How did she come to know the existence of an institution named the Adventurer's Guild? In any case-- these questions cannot be answered if he does not switch to any language. Let's see. Considering her outfit, the red fox named-- Hana. At least, that is what he understood. Better than nothing he supposed. What kind of language could he speak to get himself understood?
While doing so, the merchant rubbed the tip of his mask and stared at the lady who replied to him. Honestly, while the fox grabbed his clothes. It was not even his own clothes-- neither could they really be damaged as far as he knew.
"Mmm, let's try something in another language then."
Although, since he wished to have a bit of fun. He decided to speak Demonic-- secretly hoping that she would not understand what he will say at this instant.
"Well then, can you understand what I am saying now?"
Seeing him mutter something to himself, I assumed he didn't understand me. Just as I was about to try and change to a different language to address him, I heard a low, deep wail come from his mouth, followed by some shrieking too. It felt ominous, almost as if I was going to be dragged down to the depths of hell just by listening to it. Fearful of how horrid he sounded, I quickly started asking him in the Primordial tongue, "Ah! Stop stop stop stop stop! Whatever you're trying to summon, it's probably going to kill us all! So please, stop!"
During that time, Hana also scurried over to my feet in fear of the man, grabbing hold of my left leg to keep herself up. It was at that time that I noticed eerie darkness starting to surround the man and I. Was he trying to kidnap me? I desperately wanted to cast detect magic at the moment, but I already spent all of my mana for the day, leaving myself in a dangerous situation. What's more, is that everyone else seemed to be under some sort of spell to not even notice what's happening! I couldn't even call for help in this state!
Indeed. Speaking in that language was, in fact, a good decision. The merchant could not help but laugh as he fiddled his hands together. Although that was not polite. Since it permitted him to chuckle, showing such an insight personality was worth it, he supposed. In any case, he cleared his throat and then wondered what language he should try now. Try with another worrisome one, or? Questions remained. Just last time, and if she understands, so be it! If she doesn't, laughter shall be!
"Mmmmm. I need to get this right... one... two... three."
After this sentence, still spoken in Demonic, the merchant switched to Draconic that he learnt a long time ago in his childhood. When he heard stories of how dragons hoarded treasures like how a lord gathers heirs and heiresses for the sake of establishing relationships with other counties. After all, his dream was to become a successful merchant-- how could he not try to speak Draconic when Dragons probably have unmeasurable treasures?
"Once upon a time, I believed that men could make out peace if they understood each other, but alas--
Whatever, since it is unlikely that you will understand me. I suppose that I should just stop having fun and speak another language, one that you may understand... I may as well apologize to you once again."
"I...er...what?" I said, also speaking in Draconic. I was also wondering why he knew Draconic, but after that language, I'm not terribly surprised that he knows it. However, that begs the question, would he be able to help me with the dragon? All that needs to happen is that he needs to know some merchant skills, but anything is better than mine.
"Uh...you're forgiven? I guess?" I still don't know if I should trust him, though. He did scare Hana, after all. "You are...?" Learning their name should be safe at least, right?
"That is... surprising, I suppose. Mmmm... yet… there is no draconic signs so far."
Dragons in disguise? Unlikely. They would at the very least know how to speak Common despite enmity. In any case, after sorting his thoughts and putting everything into place. The merchant introduced himself, holding his hand on his chest while the other was behind his back.
"Excuse me for my rudeness-- my name is Manyvat Adruo. While it may not look to be the case due to my current outfit and my lack of belongings and products, I used to be a tradesman before coming into this world if I may say so."
At some point, he had to accept it as an axiom. Whether that was the case or not, he should hold it as true as any kind of scholar would do, so their theses can make some sense.
"I do hope I have not offended you by accidentally scaring you."
"No signs of draconic...? Never mind that. My name is Lily. No surname or such as I grew up in a forest, and raised by the animals that live there." Okay, he at least seems friendly. Still, was scaring me truly an accident? "You're forgiven, then. Though, what do you mean by a tradesman? Were you a merchant in the past?"
I'm also a bit curious about what brought him here. I can only hope it's not a reason like mine. Oh! Right! I forgot to introduce Hana! Ah, but he looks like he's about to speak. I should hold off for a bit.
"Mmm. Lily? Noted."
After recording that name into his memories, Adruo planned to reply to her question. Although his eyes were attracted by the little red fox. He needed a few seconds before speaking. Still in Draconic which was a bit of a bother-- but, at the very least, they were able to communicate this way.
