Chapter 99
Chapter 99
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 99
Chapter Title: Umpa Umpa Tribe (2)
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As I half-drew my sword, Nederman protested vehemently with the most aggrieved expression in the world.
“This time, I did a good job, didn’t I!”
“I know.”
“Then why!”
“Just. I didn’t like seeing you strutting around.”
“…….”
I replied indifferently and sheathed my sword.
I said.
“So, have you deciphered it?”
He let out a sigh of relief before continuing.
“No, not yet. You remember this is a script from a minority tribe, right? The info I got was on their habitat, so I’ll need to go meet them in person to translate it. But I’ve verified the info’s authenticity, so no worries there.”
“And what have you been doing without going?”
“What do you mean, what have I been doing? Did you even listen to my story? That hurts.”
“All I remember is you drinking and babbling nonsense.”
“Ahem. There were circumstances. The tribe’s called the Umpa Umpa Tribe, and getting to their island takes a full day by boat. But you all were due to arrive around then, so I waited to go together.”
He just wanted to slack off more, probably.
“Anyway, the boat.”
“I figured you’d say that and prepared one in advance. We can set off tomorrow if we want.”
“Then we leave tomorrow.”
Nederman grinned and rubbed his neck at my words.
He knew he’d narrowly escaped death.
“Nothing on Emotel Island?”
“The branch said there are complications. Small Sea’s got no shortage of islands. With just a name and no other info, they’re moving cautiously to avoid tipping off the wrong ears. It’ll take time.”
I nodded. It wasn’t something to rush. Handle what’s in front of us first, one by one.
“Um, Mr. Nederman.”
As our talk wrapped up, Allen raised a new topic.
“Any progress on the conscripted folks?”
It was about Als, Daisy’s brother, conscripted by the Wiruan Merchant Group.
We’d sent Nederman a messenger bird ahead, since his trail led to Porsen Port.
Nederman nodded with a much more relaxed expression.
“Of course. They all funneled into Myrten Market. It’s a big slave market. We’ve been tailing the ones dealing with Wiruan, and by now, the range should be narrowed down.”
“You weren’t just slacking off. Good work.”
Nederman puffed up at Allen’s words.
“Slacking? You have no idea how hard I pushed the branch guys.”
“Enough.”
I cut him off and said.
“From now on, we split into two teams, centered on me and Allen. I’ll head to the Umpa Umpa Tribe, and meanwhile, Allen, you go to Myrten Market and investigate the ones trading with Wiruan.”
“Yes, got it.”
Allen nodded solemnly in response.
Nederman and Iriel chimed in right after I finished.
“I’ll go with Allen.”
“Me and Allen.”
Both wanted to team with Allen.
Iriel stared at Nederman in disbelief.
“You know more about the Umpa Umpa Tribe, Mr. Nederman. So you should go.”
“Me alone with that kid? At my age, do I have to cater to some green brat? You go with the monster kid. You two suit each other personality-wise.”
“What’s that supposed to mean! Personality-wise? Who’re you calling a mutt? Looked like you two got along great earlier.”
“Nonsense! That was just a fleeting camaraderie!”
They bickered, both refusing to go with me.
These punks.
Impossible to say who was more insolent.
It wasn’t particularly dangerous, so either would do.
But for balance of power, better if I took Iriel.
Decision made, I put an end to their endless squabble.
“Nederman, you go.”
“With Allen?”
His face lit up instantly at the question.
Pure joy, like he’d survived death again.
Seeing that twisted my gut, so I changed my mind on the spot.
“No, with me.”
* * *
The boat rode the surging blue waves, cruising steadily. I stood at the bow, gazing at the distant island.
“That’s the place. The Umpa Umpa Tribe lives there.”
Nederman came up beside me.
He smacked his lips at the approaching shoreline.
“Sitting on that sandy beach, blowing rum like a trumpet—feels like owning the world.”
“Good idea.”
I nodded readily.
Drinking while taking in the open sea hits different.
“Oh? You enjoy a bit of romance too?”
Nederman brightened, looking at me.
I snorted.
What does he take me for.
My goal’s living out my days tilting cups amid scenic mountains and fields.
I’m all about savoring the finer things.
“How about a drink later?”
“Once the job’s done.”
“Ugh. Mouth’s watering already. You’ve got more dad vibes than I thought. We match well.”
As we chatted, the boat reached shore, and we set foot on the island where the Umpa Umpa Tribe dwelled.
Exactly one day since leaving Porsen Port.
“This way.”
Nederman alternated between map and terrain as he led.
I followed.
How long had we walked?
Houses clustered ahead.
A small village.
“Oh, visitors from afar.”
Entering, a man drying something in his yard over a low stone wall called out. Sun-blackened skin.
Nederman welcomed the familiarity.
“Took a full day from Porsen to get here. Heard the Umpa Umpa Tribe lives here. Know anything?”
“Umpa Umpa Tribe? What’s that? Our village is famous for dried rat jerky. Want some? Tastes amazing. Or other stuff.”
Friendly turned salesman.
He rattled off what he could offer.
I said.
“Skip that. Anything on the Umpa Umpa Tribe?”
“Hmm, Umpa Umpa Tribe. Rings a bell... kinda fuzzy.”
He tilted his head, stalling.
Eyes saying he wanted something.
“I’ll pay well.”
“Ah, Umpa Umpa Tribe! Now I remember! Our village is Umpa Umpa too.”
“Then why pretend not to know?”
Nederman’s brow twitched, and the man shrugged.
“Umpa Umpa Village and Umpa Umpa Tribe aren’t exactly the same.”
“…….”
Nederman trembled, suppressing anger, then continued.
“Anyway, know this script? They say only Umpa Umpa Tribe uses it.”
Nederman showed him 「City of Immortality」. The man’s eyes flashed.
“We do have our own script.”
“And?”
“Hmm... not sure about this one.”
Nederman pressed, flustered.
“N-No way. I confirmed they use it here.”
“Really? Looks like you got bad info...”
Pale Nederman glanced at me.
We’d rushed a full day here.
I showed my feelings through action.
Shing.
“W-Wait! He must’ve seen wrong!”
Nederman shoved the book at him, flipping pages frantically.
“Look closely, really closely. I confirmed people here know this script!”
The man, staring holes through the book, threw his head back laughing heartily.
“Hahaha. It is our tribe’s script. You’re in the right place.”
“...You just said bad info.”
To stunned Nederman’s question, he grinned wide.
“Just kidding.”
“You little shit!”
Nederman grabbed his collar, shaking him mercilessly.
“Jokes have limits! Nearly got my head chopped off!”
The man’s head dangled like a puppet.
“Guhk. S-Sorry!”
Face blue as he flailed like paper, Nederman finally calmed and released him. He straightened his collar and apologized politely.
“Ahem. My rudeness. Living on this island, I can’t resist pranking outsiders. Sorry. I’ll take you to the village chief. Young folks don’t learn the script anymore. Only a few elders can read it.”
No wild goose chase, good.
“This way.”
He led to the chief, introducing himself as Joki. Along the way, he explained the Umpa Umpa Tribe.
They believed in the one creator god, gained the blessing of oblivion for knowing too many worldly secrets.
Current village folk had diluted sacred blood, but pure-blooded Umpa Umpa lived somewhere in Small Sea, etc.—unsolicited lore.
“Wait here a bit.”
Chatting, we reached the chief’s house.
“I’ll tell him we have guests.”
He went in, emerged soon.
“Come in. I explained everything.”
We nodded, satisfied.
Things going smoothly thanks to him.
Following inside, an old man waited on the sofa.
White hair, face etched with wrinkles.
He smiled warmly, welcoming us.
“Who might these be.”
“The ones I mentioned earlier.”
“You were just here?”
Chief tilted his head, as if hearing for first time. Joki glanced at us, explained briefly.
“Chief’s forgetful.”
“…….”
I was speechless for a moment.
Forgetting a visit minutes ago?
Is that even forgetfulness?
But Joki casually explained us.
Chief nodded then, smiling warmly.
“Thanks for seeking the Umpa Umpa Tribe. Sit comfortably.”
We bowed lightly and sat.
“Forgive my forgetfulness.”
“Happens with age. I blank out too these days.”
Chief shook his head at Nederman.
“Age, sure. But mine’s the blessing of oblivion. Only for those with strong Umpa Umpa blood.”
I vaguely recalled Joki mentioning it en route.
Hard to buy, though.
“So, what brings you here?”
“…….”
Back to square one.
Joki stepped in, re-explaining our purpose.
Seemed like pranks, but chief’s demeanor felt genuine, so I stayed put.
Once Joki finished, chief nodded, eyeing us.
“A book in our script? Let me see.”
Nederman handed 「City of Immortality」. Chief opened it, eyes widening.
“No, this!”
Shocked, he flipped pages lively, like rejuvenated.
Skimming, he looked up.
“Where’d you get this?”
“By chance. Can you translate?”
He shook his head slowly at Nederman.
“No need to translate.”
Chief closed the book, eyes gleaming.
“I know the story. Ties to our tribe’s myth.”
“Oh, so you can tell us what’s in it?”
“Of course. I can.”
Chief sobered, humming thoughtfully.
Seemed serious.
After long pause, he spoke quietly.
“...What was it again?”
He reopened the book, flipping pages freshly excited, as if first sight.
“Ah, right. Yeah.”
Nodding again.
“That’s the story I know.”