391 – Desert Crossing (2)

If the morning was a theory class, the desert crossing began in the afternoon.

Even if you cross the desert, there is no big problem since you are using a set route, that is, a road used for trade.

But no one doubted that this would be a very arduous journey. First of all, the weather was a problem.

The murderous heat and the scorching sun. And then at night, as if nothing had happened, the bitter cold came.

With the extreme conditions and food shortages, it was likely to be an arduous journey in many ways.

“No matter how much I think about it, it’s too hot.”

“But it’s not humid, right?”

“If it had been wet, I would have collapsed long ago.”

Luna nodded calmly at Grace’s complaints that weren’t complaints.

The weather in Tatarstan was murderous, but it was far from unpleasant, more like literally ‘hot’.

The temperature may be high, but the humidity is low, so if it were humid, it would be a jungle, not a desert.

“Miss Luna.”

“yes?”

“Aren’t you worried, Luna? It’s a desert.”

“hmm······”

At Grace’s question, Luna looked around. She could see students growing tired even when they were still, perhaps because of the heat.

The desert crossing will take about 3 to 4 days. No one knows what will happen during that time.

“There’s nothing particularly worrying.”

“Why?”

“I just feel that way.”

Grace looked dumbfounded at those words.

She stared at Luna’s face, which was almost indifferent, and then blurted out.

“Isn’t that just because you don’t have any thoughts?”

“How did you know?”

Luna couldn’t help but be slightly surprised. She really hadn’t thought about anything.

The weather is blisteringly hot, and opening your mouth doesn’t help.

The stifling heat of the Tatars made even Luna’s mouth shut tightly.

“How would I know? Just looking at your face, it’s obvious that you have no thoughts.”

“··· ···”

Luna fumbled with her face. She wondered if it was obvious.

Grace chuckled at the stupid reaction and looked away.

When I turned my head, Karasu and Dan Yerin were talking to each other.

Both of them are scheduled to participate in this desert crossing.

“Those two are amazing too. Have they gotten used to this weather already?”

“Well? Maybe he’s just complaining that it’s hot?”

Grace glared at Luna. Luna didn’t notice her gaze.

But, interestingly enough, Luna’s words were true. Both Karas and Danyerin were complaining about the hot weather.

“I wonder what will happen if I collapse like this.”

“Are you thinking of falling?”

“Well, I’m not sure about that. In the East, don’t they use the expression “eating the heat”?”

“It’s usually a term used to refer to heatstroke. If you don’t sweat, it’s a symptom you should be suspicious of.”

“Hmm. I see.”

It’s no different when someone of high status grumbles. They just use a dignified tone of speech.

While Dan Ye-rin was talking to Karas, she suddenly discovered an object that caught her eye.

Karas also turned his head to follow her gaze, and soon curiosity appeared on his face.

“That’s······”

“That’s a camel.”

It was a camel, an animal with a unique appearance, with a unique peak on its back. It was an animal used to procure supplies and was favored by local people.

Camels occupy a very important position in the desert, so much so that they are called ‘ships of the desert’. You can think of them as being similar to horses in other countries.

In particular, because its appearance was so unique, it seemed like a strange animal to the two people who had only seen it in books.

“Can you ride a horse?”

“I learned it a long time ago. Do you actually use horsemanship when riding a camel?”

“Well······ um?”

Karas opened his eyes slightly wide and expressed his doubts. At the same time, Dan Yerin showed a similar reaction.

The only reason they reacted this way was because they saw someone slowly approaching the camel.

Now, without even thinking about who it was, only one person came to mind.

“Oh. It’s a camel.”

It was Shivar. Shivar approached slowly with the expression of a child discovering a new toy.

I’ve only seen camels on Earth in videos, but I’ve never seen one in person. That’s why I was extra cautious.

‘But wouldn’t I still need permission?’

Since I didn’t say anything specifically, it’s okay to touch it.

No. Even if you don’t say anything, it’s basic manners so you shouldn’t touch.

As these two thoughts clashed in my head, a local man, presumably the camel’s owner, approached me.

“Huh? What are you doing here?”

“Huh? Oh, that’s interesting.”

“What? A camel?”

“Yes. It’s my first time seeing an animal like that.”

“I guess so. By the way, are you good at speaking Korean?”

It was a familiar reaction by now. Shivar looked at the local man’s waist.

Judging from the sword he was wearing around his waist, he seemed to be accompanied by security personnel.

Meanwhile, the local man looked back and forth between the camel and the Shivar, then smiled gently.

“Would you like to try it?”

“Really?”

“Okay, then. There’s no way it won’t work.

When the local accepted readily, Shivar’s expression brightened. The local also burst into laughter.

But who is Shivar? Isn’t he treated as a time bomb that could explode at any moment in the Academy?

Everyone pretended not to notice, but they glanced at Shivar with concern and anticipation. Will he be able to get through this safely?

-Tuktuk

When a local resident tapped the camel’s side, the animal folded its legs, lowering it to a comfortable height for boarding.

Shivar watched the situation closely and then carefully climbed onto the camel. The camel, being a smart animal, straightened its legs as soon as Shivar got on.

“Oh. Ohh!”

Shivar, who loves like a child. The locals also smiled happily at his appearance.

After a while, the experience site naturally unfolded as locals started moving around pulling camels.

But unfortunately, this time did not last long, and it was not because the crossing time was approaching.

“My butt hurts.”

“Haha. That’s the same for anyone without horseback riding experience. Was it fun?”

“yes.”

This was because Shivar had no experience in horseback riding. Eventually, unable to bear the discomfort, he climbed down from the camel.

After a while, Shivar bowed down to the locals who had helped him and expressed his gratitude.

The locals seemed to like him because he was polite and even promised to give him another ride if he wanted.

“Did you know how to speak Tatar too?”

“I heard that Tatar is difficult to learn.”

It was at this time that Shivar gradually gained the favor of the Tatars.

After he finished his horseback riding experience, two people approached him. They were Karasu and Dan Yerin.

They were impressed by Shivar’s ability to speak Tatar, which was no wonder, since Tatar was a difficult language to learn.

“Yeah. I learned it.”

“Who? To Princess Kara?”

“No. I learned it on my own.”

I learned it on my own. In other words, I taught myself. Karasu and Danyerin’s expressions became strange at those words.

It is a well-known fact that Shivar understands the languages ​​of all nations.

Instead, they knew they couldn’t speak the language properly.

“How long have you been learning Tatar?”

“A month or two?”

“I was able to have a conversation with locals without any problems after a month or two······”

Karas, who was quickly thinking while Dan Ye-rin was muttering, said.

“Do you plan on learning Matri next time?”

“Matra?”

“Yeah. It’s not bad, since a lot of the Academy students are from the Matra Empire.”

As soon as Dan Ye-rin heard the suggestion, she furrowed her brows and glared at Karas. Karas smiled quietly in response.

Shivar was standing in front, so he had a friendly smile as usual, but Dan Ye-rin was not. Dan Ye-rin was at the side.

So in her sight, it was closer to a sneer than a smile. She was an annoying person in many ways.

‘Interpreters are valuable talents for the country.’

There are many different languages ​​in the world, and the importance of interpreters is undoubtedly high.

Sometimes, interpreters are given positions related to diplomacy based on their abilities. They are such a valuable resource.

Moreover, with the addition of powerful military force, it could be a justification for awarding a suitable ‘title’.

Shivar’s linguistic ability is beyond the category of ‘genius’. If you could just bring him in, you could give him a title.

Karas finished his calculations in a short time. Didn’t he say that he even learned Tatar in a month or two?

“That’ll be later. For now, I’m going to learn about the East.”

“what?”

“Our country?”

But the answer that came out of Shivar’s mouth was beyond Karas’ expectations.

Beyond simple rejection, there was talk of learning Dan Ye-rin’s native language.

Dan Ye-rin was embarrassed, happy, and at the same time curious. Why was she learning the Eastern language?

Moreover, it is only called the East, and the East includes the Huan Empire and many other allied nations. It is difficult to learn.

“Yeah. We’re going on an experiential learning trip next time.”

“Is that all there is to it?”

“Then is there a reason to learn? Or not?”

When you go to that country, you learn. It’s a really simple way of thinking.

That was why it was an understandable reason. Karas couldn’t help but click his tongue, feeling speechless for the first time in a long time.

On the other hand, Dan Ye-rin had an expression that seemed to show that she was happy. She was especially delighted at the thought that she had protected Shivar from that tasteless crown prince.

“I see. Then if you need any help, just call me. I’ll be there to help you whenever you want.”

“Yeah. Thanks.”

“Thank you.”

Dan Ye-rin turned her head and looked at Karas while maintaining a soft smile.

At that gaze, Karas met her with a rare expression of discomfort.

After a while, Dan Ye-rin slowly smiled and showed a subtle reaction.

“Foot.”

“··· ···”

Clear laughter. Anyone can tell it’s laughter unless they mishear.

While Karas’s eyes were twitching, Dan Yerin quietly left the place.

Did he sense that ominous aura? Shivar also slowly dragged his feet and ran away from him.

Because if I continued to do this for no reason, I felt like something strange would fly. My wild instincts were screaming at me.

‘Actually, Frozen is the priority.’

In fact, we plan to start learning Frozen first to treat Reina’s dyslexia.

Well, it’s not entirely a lie that I’ll learn the Eastern languages ​​first. Frozen can be learned in a month.

“We’ll be leaving in 5 minutes! So everyone can get ready!”

As time passes, the desert crossing begins.

“Ughh …

“The Tatars escorted the caravan in this weather······?”

“There was a strong reason. If it wasn’t strong, it wouldn’t make sense.”

Respect for Tatars blossomed in the hearts of the students.

*****

The first day of crossing the desert ended without any major problems. It started in the afternoon and it was still the beginning.

There was no major problem with night watch. Not only did locals and professors stand watch, but students also volunteered.

As the day went by, it was time to pack up the makeshift tent just before the sun rose.

“Ugh······”

Luna was the first student to wake up. It wasn’t that she was sleeping poorly, but she just opened her eyes.

Not only her, but other students also started to wake up one by one. In the desert, the day starts just before the sun rises.

When the sun rises, it is difficult to move because of the uniquely brutal heat. So, my routine is to go to bed early and wake up early in the morning.

‘Still, it’s worth doing.’

I still feel that way. I haven’t encountered any dangerous animals like scorpions or snakes.

Luna roughly packed up her makeshift tent and headed out to wash up. Showering was a luxury in this desert, so she just washed up and that was it.

As Luna was walking with sleepy eyes, a person came into her sight.

‘······Who is it?’

It was the first time I saw him. I only saw his back, but his black hair and brown skin told me he was local.

The local man was busy organizing the student tents for some unknown reason, even though it wasn’t his job.

“excuse me······”

“?”

When Luna called out cautiously, the local man turned his back, allowing her to look him in the eye.

He had a handsome face, but what really stood out were his red eyes. Luna tilted her head as she looked at those red eyes.

‘It looks like Shivar…’

They look so much alike. Except that their skin is brown like the locals’, not pure white.

Luna looked at his face closely several times and then asked vaguely.

“By any chance······who was here originally?”

The local answered the question bluntly.

“me.”

“······?”

Luna’s head tilted. Her expression seemed to deepen her doubts.

“Do Tatars have doppelgangers too······?”

“··· ···”

The doppelganger muttered with a truly pitiful expression.

It was Tatar, not the official language.

“Idiot.”

“Ah. You’re a local.”

“··· ···”