So, how should I go about this?
Wait—can I even talk?
Um.
When was the last time I had a conversation with someone?
*Screech screech.* But that was telepathy, so does that even count as talking?
Debatable.
This is bad.
I'm getting nervous.
How do you even talk to people again?
More importantly, how do you even produce words with your voice again?
Oh no—the old man is staring right at me.
Wh-what do I do?
What should I say?
Right, isn't talking about the weather the basic foundation of making conversation work?
Wait—the weather doesn't matter when you're in a dungeon!
Oh no no no.
Seriously, what do I do, what should I do?
Calm down.
In times like this, I should count prime numbers.
Prime numbers are lonely numbers.
One, two, three, th—!
Wrong!
One isn't even a prime number!
Weather is out.
What else—is there anything else!?
Right, a greeting!
Greetings are the basics, right!
Okay, let's start with hello.
I'm going to say it.
I'm going to say it.
I'll say it after counting down ten seconds.
Ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two, one.
"H-h—"
"H...?"
Ahhh!
I can't do it!
My mouth is bone dry and all that comes out is a raspy croak!
I moisten my mouth with saliva.
The voice works.
All I have to do is say one word: hello.
It's not difficult.
It's not difficult.
It's not difficult.
Alright.
I can do this.
One more countdown in my head.
Ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two, one.
"Hello."
I said it!
I actually said it!
Good for me!
I'm so moved!
"O-oh. To think you would address me. Thank you so very much."
The old man lowers his head from his praying posture.
That pose is a dogeza, isn't it.
"Allow me to introduce myself properly. I am Ronant, of the Lengzant Empire's Magic Corps. However, should you grant me permission to serve under you, I am prepared to abandon my homeland without hesitation. I ask once more—would you be willing to take me as your disciple?"
O-oh.
Wait a minute.
Don't spit out a wall of text like that all at once.
I'm trying to figure out what to say next.
Um.
Um.
Um.
Anyway, becoming a disciple is out of the question.
"No."
Yeah, no way.
"Please, I beg of you!"
Nope.
No way, no way.
But the old man doesn't look like he'll give up, and he gives off the vibe that he'll just follow me around forever.
That's a problem.
I need to talk my way out of this and send him packing.
This is where the Hero comes in.
That's it.
I'll have the Hero delivered safely, and cook up a good excuse so the old man won't come back.
Deliver this Hero and raise him into a fine adult.
Teaching others will naturally reveal the things you couldn't see in yourself.
I'll make this my assignment for him.
If he pulls it off, I'll consider taking him as a disciple.
Yeah.
A perfect plan, if I do say so myself.
All that's left is to convey it.
Just convey it.
With this long speech?
Nope. Impossible.
If I raise my voice that much, I'll die.
What do I do.
I might be stuck.
This is the biggest crisis of my life.
Calm down.
I don't have to say it all at once.
Little by little—even one word at a time is fine.
Besides, I can technically hold a conversation, but the language of this world is hard to pronounce and I can only speak in broken fragments.
More like—not even word by word. Just single words, really.
Alright, let's do this.
Soo, haa.
Okay.
"This."
I point at the Hero as I say it.
"Return."
Okay.
I think I got across that the Hero should be sent back first?
Next.
"May I ask a question? This boy appears to be the Hero—so why is he with you?"
Argh!
Don't ask questions!
Now I can't use the words I had prepared for next!
Ugh, what do I do?
How should I answer?
"I found him when I stumbled into a war"?
It's mostly accurate, but how do I explain that?
"Found."
Yeah.
That's the most concise and closest answer.
"H-huh?"
Oh, yeah.
You wouldn't understand, huh.
Sorry.
I can't explain any further.
"Both, return."
I say, alternating pointing between the old man and the Hero.
The old man thought for a moment.
Please—figure it out from this.
"In other words, you are telling me to escort this Hero back to his country, is that correct?"
Gooood!
That's exactly right!
I nod.
"Then, once I have safely delivered this Hero, will you take me as your disciple?"
No!
How did you jump to that!?
Wrong, wrong.
I shake my head.
"Master."
I point at the old man as I say it.
"Disciple."
I point at the Hero as I say it.
"Teach."
How was that!?
Will this get through?
I think it'd be a miracle if this works, but how was it?
"You want me to raise the Hero?"
Yes!
That's right, that's what I mean!
I nod.
The old man was deep in thought for quite a while.
I have no idea what's going through his head, but maybe he's filling in the blanks from my fragmented words with all sorts of imagination.
I hope he's not imagining anything weird.
"Very well. I understand. Your profound thoughts are beyond the reach of a lowly one such as myself, but I am certain there is deep meaning behind them. I swear to carry out this mission you have bestowed upon me with the utmost distinction."
Oh!
Very good!
The old man gets it!
Thank goodness.
"Well then, as much as it pains me to leave, we cannot keep the Hero here any longer regardless of the reason. We shall depart at once. I eagerly hope we may meet again someday."
The old man bows his head deeply.
Yeah.
I'm fine never meeting him again.
The old man picks up the Hero and departs through teleportation.
Come to think of it—that old man was the first person I ever had a conversation with in this world.
Somehow, I feel like I got the short end of the stick.