Chapter 3: The Blue Queen
After leaving the room, Hazen headed towards the underground cages where the Kumin prisoners were held. As he descended the stairs, he could hear lively voices.
“Ilha rona baharo kil”
“Dag nihora gor kana”
It seemed that, Yan and another prisoners, had already started a conversation. Yan’s childlike appearance might have made them less cautious. They seemed to be chatting animatedly. Hazen sat a little distance away, trying not to be noticed by the Kumin prisoners.
Yan seemed to have sensed his presence, but continued talking to the prisoners. Hazen beckoned to his guard, Lei Fa, to summon Private Edal.
Private Edal entered the room. Hazen called him close and began to whisper.
“Record everything Yan and the Kumin prisoners say, and then have Yan translate it all. Make sure you write down everything.”
“Yes, sir. Understood.”
Private Edal immediately began scribbling on a parchment.
“Also, you are to stay in my room and learn the Kumin language with me.”
“…In your room, Lieutenant?”
“Is there a problem?”
“No, no! It’s just, well, it seems rather daunting.”
“I’m not the Emperor, so there’s no need to worry about it.”
” …… ”
Private Edal gave a wry smile, though Hazen didn’t understand why.
“I plan to master the language in a week, but you should aim to learn it in a month.”
“A month?”
“This is a special mission. Your military training during that period will be excused. Since there are no written materials on the Kumin language, the words you record will serve as your study materials. Don’t miss anything.”
” …… Yes, sir. ”
Private Edal looked uneasy, but he had no choice. Hazen also told him that they would have weekly tests, and adjust his sleep and free time accordingly based on his progress.
“After Yan and I leave, you will be the liaison between us and the Kumin. It’s a very important job. If you complete the tasks, you’ll be promoted.”
“What?!”
“I told you, didn’t I? I prepare appropriate rewards for those who demonstrate their abilities and achievements.”
The promotion, which usually takes 4 or 5 years, would happen in less than 2 months. But Hazen didn’t mind. That’s just how a merit-based system works. After explaining everything, Private Edal swallowed hard.
“By the way, does Second Lieutenant Hazen also not have to undergo military training?”
“I do it. As the commanding officer, I have to handle all my daily duties.”
“So you can master it in a week?”
“Don’t worry about me. Just listening to your and Yan’s conversations will be enough for me.”
” …… I’m surprised.”
“Why are you surprised? I can do it because I’ve trained to handle multiple tasks at once. You should try it too. If you do, you’ll be able to make much better use of your time and save a lot of it.”
“Well, I understand the logic. But not everyone has the ability to do that, right?”
“I don’t suggest it to those who can’t do it.”
“…I’ll give it a try.”
Since Private Edal seemed motivated, Hazen nodded with a smile. Meanwhile, Yan, who had finished his conversation, was called over nearby.
“What is it?”
“You must have someone else who can speak the Kumin language, right?”
“…Why do you think that?”
Hazen explained that there are two main ways to learn a language: instinctively or systematically. He had noticed a slight time lag in Yan’s brain when translating the Kumin language, suggesting she had learned it as a second language.
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” …… ”
“These two approaches to language conversion are completely different. Yan, you translate what you hear into your first language in your head. You might not notice it, but there’s a slight time lag.”
“…You’re right, but that’s creepy!”
“What is?”
“It feels like you can see right through me, and it’s unsettling.”
“Well, the feeling is mutual. I can’t understand why you don’t get it, and it’s unsettling for me too.”
“Is that something you should say to a little girl!?”
“Let’s cut the small talk. Who is this person?”
“Ugh… He’s a merchant I know named Nandal. I don’t know why he can speak the language, though.”
“Bring him here.”
“…What are you plotting?”
“It’s business.”
“Do soldiers need business?”
“I’m not a soldier all day long. Besides, talking about business isn’t against military regulations.”
“…But there’s also my relationship with Mr. Nandal.”
“I didn’t ask for your opinion. Just do it.”
“…Grr!”
Yan pushed back fiercely when her head was pressed down. Some people might crumble under such pressure, but this girl wasn’t one of them. The more she was pushed, the stronger she became, always trying to move forward. It was a trait that Hazen admired.
Mere genius didn’t satisfy Hazen. Such things were, at best, imitations of true strength. For growth, qualities like resilience, defiance, and ambition were essential.
Expressing her anger dramatically, Yan stomped up the stairs.
The next day, Nandal, a bearded man in his 30s, was brought to the reception room. He sat on the sofa with a casual, unaffected attitude, seemingly unintimidated by the military presence.
“Did you call me?”
“I heard you taught the Kumin language to Yan. Why do you know that?”
“……If you promise not to prosecute me, I’ll answer.”
“Here are the documents. It states that your entire testimony will be overlooked. Be at ease. And this is your reward.”
Hazen hands over the documents and a large silver coin.
“So you’re all set, I see. And a large silver coin, how generous. But even if I perjure myself, I won’t be prosecuted? I may not even tell the truth.”
“Whether it’s the truth or not, we’ll judge that.”
“Hmm.”
Hazen stares intently at Nandal, as if appraising him.
“…That’s a scary look. I feel like my heart is being stroked. Okay, I got it. I’m also a merchant. I’ll testify for the price of one silver coin.”
“That helps.”
“About the Kumin language, you see. When I was young, I dated a Kumin woman.”
“……I see.”
“She was apparently attacked by animals in the forest. She was lying there, bleeding heavily. Caring for her is how I fell for her at first sight.”
“How long did you date?”
“From when I was 16 until 5 years later.”
“Did you break up?”
“She was killed. She had broken the Kumin tribe’s laws, you see. She was found out, and that was the end.”
Nandal draws a line across his neck with his thumb.
“She was a good woman… At the time, I thought I’d die from the anger and hatred.”
“….”
In other words, it doesn’t bother him as much now.
“Why did you teach the Kumin language to Yan?”
“You see, he’s a smart kid, right? I knew the Kumin wouldn’t lay a hand on children, so I was looking for a promising child at the orphanage.”
“I see. The background is clear.”
“So? Is there a main topic you wanted to discuss?”
Nandal strokes his unshaven beard as he asks. He still maintains his appraising posture. Hazen appreciates this – he dislikes an overly submissive attitude. In business, one should not look down on the other party.
“Soon, a ceasefire agreement will be made with the Kumin tribe. We need someone to conduct trade. Can you lend me your strength?”
“A ceasefire agreement? No way. Do you have any idea how much blood has been spilled so far? This conflict will continue until one side is destroyed.”
“If it’s concluded, it’s fine. Very few can communicate with the Kumin. I want to monopolize the trading profits.”
“…..”
At that moment, Nandal’s eyes gleam. His merchant instincts seem to have ignited.
“So you mean using the Imperial Army for work?”
“No, the military is not involved. This is my personal affair.”
“……I see. Smuggling, huh. You’re a bold one. To openly mention it right here in the Imperial fortress.”
“It’s just about facilitating civilian exchange between the Empire and the Kumin. It doesn’t violate military regulations.”
“……Assuming I were to cooperate, how much would you give me?”
“Nothing.”
“So you mean you won’t directly receive it?”
Nandal is likely hinting at money laundering – the method of passing the money through a relatively unrelated person before it reaches Hazen. But Hazen shakes his head.
“No. I won’t skim off the profits.”
“Huh? Then I’d only be profiting.”
“That’s right.”
“…..”
Stroking his beard, he narrows his eyes. Apparently, he’s puzzled and can’t discern Hazen’s intentions.
“Such a good deal, I can’t just jump on it right away. What’s the catch?”
“One condition. First, show me the list of goods you’ll trade, and give me the right to the initial negotiations.”
“The amount?”
“I’ll leave that to Yan.”
“Just that?”
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