With that thought in mind, the moment I looked at Wallace while stroking my Mithril mask, I had a flash of inspiration.

(No, this is… it’s possible.)

Deep inside, I praised the silver-haired, blue-eyed mage who made the mask out of pure Mithril. 

This was a magic tool that conveys one’s thoughts to an opponent. This was a magic tool that conveyed one’s thoughts to another person. In other words, even if you wear the mask, you would still be unable to understand the other party unless you know the language that they use. However, Kobolds do not have to use it.

However, we Kobolds do not have to use it.

For example, let’s say that I made Wallace wear the mask and made him hold an apple.

And then, he would stick out the hand holding the apple and say,

“This is an apple.” [Wou kuauru.]

(If this Mithril mask is used in such a way, then the other Kobolds could be efficiently taught the common language of this continent…And as long as we have one mask for a teacher, then there would be no problem.)

Unfortunately, our vocal cords do not allow us to be able to pronounce the words of the common language, but there is another way for us to communicate: the written word. They could learn to read and write eventually, but when they do, they would have to listen first…

The question is if there are any of my brethren who are willing to learn it. At the very least, I would like the 5 others who were born at the same time as I was to learn it…

“Hmm? Is something the matter?”

“Guu, wafaon.” [No, it’s nothing.]

Wallace is suspicious of my sudden silence, but I subtly distract him.

Now, let’s listen to him.

“Voaru, guovoruon?” [Rather than that, what is this urgent matter of yours?]

“It had only been a month since we were attacked by the Goblins, but another problem has arisen… several days ago, a young mother and her child who went to fetch water together never returned.”

Hmm, it would only take a few minutes from Lucua village to get to the nearest tributary of the Sherna River. For a moment, I had thought that the mother and daughter had been attacked by a monster or something, but I do not understand how that would cause Wallace to go to the Royal Capital.

“There were bloodstains by the riverside, so at first I thought they were attacked by a monster. I went with the village Warriors to look for them, but… We could not find the mother and the daughter, and neither did we find their remains.”

“…Vangaru.” […So they were spirited away.]

Wallace shook his head.

“No, the way I see it, it was not caused by spirits, but humans. The day the mother and child disappeared, a merchant’s caravan came to the village… At first, they would seem like they were just selling their wares, but looking back, there were a lot of guards that I thought they were slavers posing as ordinary merchants.” 

“Garuoooan woruoon?” [So you came all this way pursuing them?]

He came all the way to the Royal Capital… That’s an awfully long journey, but we’re not one to talk either.

“Yes, well I also stopped by the town of Wyald, but even there, it seems one of the town’s girls also went missing after the merchant’s caravan left.”

The dark-skinned Knight, Glen, who had been quietly listening up to now, raises an eyebrow in response to the information.

“Mr. Werecat, there have also been some reports that several children who have lost their parents to the Bleeding Disease are missing. It might be possible that the cause is the same, as it seems that there was a group of twenty merchants who left the Royal Capital for the Wilm territory at this time yesterday.”

“Guan, vangaruo guruoaoon?” [Glen, can’t you send a Royal Guard unit to chase after them?]

The old Sorcerer may have said that the Cat People are not under Riastize Kingdom’s jurisdiction, but if the town of Wyald and the Royal Capital are also affected, then it is not something they can just ignore either.

“… Sir Archer, even if we prepare now and chase the merchant caravan, the only place where we could catch them is in the Wilm territory which is outside the Kingdom’s jurisdiction. The Earl of Wilm territory has the authority of maintaining public order over there, so we cannot just step foot in there without any concrete evidence.”

(Come to think of it, humans are such troublesome creatures…)

Besides, even though Alvesta has already been defeated, the situation with the Bleeding Disease is still unsettled. Therefore, it would be difficult to send out soldiers with the current shortage of manpower.

In the first place, the Royal Capital is built on land that is difficult for any country to land a direct assault on. Therefore, the number of reserve corps available during peacetime is very few, which means it is up to Earl Wilm to decide.

”In the meantime, I can send out a message and tell them what’s going on, but… without solid proof, how far will they go…?”

“Wau, kugaruao wouu kyuuaou waoon.” [Well, there’s the option of greasing the palms of the officials at the bottom of the food chain though.]

The Werecat Swordsman deeply nods at my suggestion.

“I agree. I’ve chased them this far because I’d rather do what I can than relying on someone else and regretting it later, but… I only possess circumstantial evidence as well.”

“Kuuruoan.” [Where are your companions?]

“… That battle with the Goblins has reduced the number of our warriors, so we cannot afford to thin-out the protection of our village now. I’m the only one who went to the Royal Capital.”

With a jingle, Wallace took the leather bag from his waist and placed it on the table.

The loose and open mouth of the bag revealed a reasonable amount of money. 

“The Merchant’s caravan will be going through the town, so I’ve solicited some funds from everyone in the village to hire some adventurers when they are within capturing distance… I would like to hire you with this.”

I pulled the leather bag towards me.

“Guruo, woru kuao aoooauu kuruaofu?” [Hey guys, I’d like you to listen to the Werecats’ request, so can you hear me out?]

“Woan.” (Of course.)

“Kuruu, kuaoaoooa.” (I’d like to know what they need too.)

Well, considering Ax and my sister’s personalities, their answers were expected.

“…Vogauruo uoaoon guuaoru.” (…I’m a little concerned over being away from the pack for a long time.) 

Something could indeed happen the longer we spend time here.

I could understand where he’s coming from, but…  

“Waou woruoaan, garuooon?” [We will be getting involved with the Werecats in the future, so would you consider participating this time as well?]

“Gua, woruoaoonn.” (Well, I guess there’s nothing I can do about it.)

“Kuuoon, woruuo vaon.” (I wouldn’t like to leave them alone and see them getting hurt either.)

Blazer does not seem to oppose the idea so much, while Lancer’s personality does not let her ignore those who are in need either.

Once we have set our course of action, I accept the request and reach for the leather bag, but… Glen pushes the reward back to the Werecat’s side.

“If the citizens of Riastize are being harmed as well, then we would like to take this request up with you instead. With my authority as the Vice-Captain, I would like to contribute the same amount from the army’s war funds.”

“I’m grateful that you are making the request instead, but… I kind of feel bad not giving them anything for it.”

A short while later, I asked the troubled Werecat gentleman to become a teacher to teach my brethren the common language just as I envisioned earlier.