As we moved into the Aserai village near the border, the landscape seemed to transform with each step. The colors grew richer, the air warmer and tinged with the scent of sun-baked earth and faint spices. Homes here were mostly modest, with sandstone walls, and tents were pitched in clusters, likely from people who had migrated in from surrounding areas. Despite the village’s usual simplicity, a sense of urgency filled the air, giving the impression of a place on edge.

Villagers moved quickly, carrying bundles, crates, and sacks, loading carts, and preparing animals for departure. The typical chatter and laughter were absent, replaced with worried murmurs and the occasional shout. Some elders gathered in a tight circle, seemingly in deep, worried discussion.

I had half a mind to ask someone what was happening, but I hesitated, uncertain if I could even communicate here. Then I remembered how the system had allowed me to speak other languages back in the imperial cities, so I decided to try a common Aserai greeting.

“Hello,” I said to a man who was strapping baskets to the back of a donkey.

He stopped and looked up at me with a mix of surprise and suspicion. “Hello, friend ” he responded, his voice wary but respectful. His eyes flicked over my armor and the soldiers around me before settling back on my face. “Not often we see travelers from the Empire here. And you’ve arrived at a troubled time, friend.”

Relieved that the system had worked to bridge the language gap, I nodded, keeping my tone respectful. “I apologize if we intrude. We’re passing through, but… may I ask why everyone seems to be leaving in such haste?”

The man’s face darkened, and he took a cautious glance around before speaking. “There’s been word of raids. Valandian forces have been harassing border villages, attacking our people, and taking livestock, crops—anything they can. Sultan Unqid has been rallying forces to strike back, a preemptive blow to push them back from our lands. He gathers his men in Quyaz.”

Hearing this, I tried to keep my face neutral, but the tension and fear were evident in his tone. “Is that why the village seems to be preparing to leave?”

He nodded grimly. “The Sultan has ordered evacuation to the nearest fortified cities or castles. This village and many others have been instructed to burn anything they can’t carry so that Valandian raiders find nothing of use.”

As he spoke, I noticed Sora had stepped closer, listening with a quiet intensity. When the villager glanced at her, his face took on a slightly puzzled expression as though he was trying to place her status. Sora’s clothing and demeanor didn’t exactly fit in with the standard imperial soldiers, and her regal bearing sometimes drew attention.

After a few more questions, I thanked the villager and let him return to his work, but Sora lingered behind, watching him go. When she turned to me, her eyes were filled with a mix of surprise and admiration.

“Augustus, when did you learn to speak Aserai so fluently?” she asked, sounding genuinely astonished.

I hesitated for a moment, quickly considering my answer. “Picked up bits and pieces here and there,” I replied with a shrug. “You’d be surprised what sticks when you’re on the road.”

Her eyebrow arched skeptically, but she seemed to let it go. “Well, it’s a useful skill. But… I still don’t understand how you managed that so easily. Even the dialect… it’s as if you’ve spoken it your whole life.”

I gave her a quick, reassuring smile and avoided elaborating, feeling a twinge of guilt. There were parts of this world, especially the system, that I hadn’t shared with anyone—not even Sora. I figured that now was as good a time as any to test how the system’s language functions truly worked.

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As we walked back through the village, I focused on what I’d discovered earlier. I realized that the system automatically detected the language based on the listener's native tongue, so as long as I addressed an Aserai speaker, it seemed I’d speak in their language. But when I spoke to Sora or any of my soldiers, it reverted to Imperial, without me needing to think about it consciously. It was a strange feeling, knowing that something could so seamlessly blend my thoughts and speech to match my surroundings.

While Sora remained slightly puzzled, I was grateful for the chance to test the system further. I even thought about attempting a few more phrases in Aserai, to see if I could control the language setting, almost like flipping a mental switch. By focusing on Sora, I found I could speak to her in Imperial as she’d expect while shifting my thoughts allowed me to communicate in Aserai when needed. It was a small but powerful advantage, one I knew would come in handy during our time in these lands.

Turning my attention back to Sora, I found her watching me with a quiet look of curiosity. “So, what do you think of this?” I asked, gesturing to the villagers as they hurried to pack their lives onto carts and donkeys. “The Sultan’s gathering forces in Quyaz, rallying for what sounds like a major strike against Valandia.”

Sora’s gaze turned somber as she took in the scene. “Quyaz is more than just a city, Augustus. It’s a spiritual heart for the Aserai people. Before any major conflict, especially one with such high stakes, it’s tradition to seek blessings there. The city is sacred.”

Her words held a weight that made me pause. “So, this isn’t just a tactical move?”

She shook her head. “For the Aserai, war and faith are intertwined. Sultan Unqid gathering his forces in Quyaz isn’t just about military strategy. It’s a way to unify his people under one purpose, to remind them that this fight isn’t just for land or resources—it’s for their way of life, their beliefs.”

As she spoke, I realized just how much more complex this situation was than I’d anticipated. The Aserai weren’t simply defending their territory; they were mobilizing around a cause deeply ingrained in their identity. It struck me as a sharp contrast to the empire, where power and politics often drove decisions. Here, the people were bound by a shared faith, an intrinsic loyalty to one another.

I was pulled from my thoughts by the sounds of voices and animals nearby. The men were busy setting up camp just outside the village, the fires already lit, casting a warm, orange glow against the darkening sky. I could see Silvana directing a few of the newer recruits as they unloaded supplies, her sharp voice keeping everyone focused despite the long day’s march.

We settled in for the night, our tents arranged in a loose circle around a central fire. The scent of spices and cooked meat filled the air, blending with the earthy aroma of the soil and the faint, dry smell of distant desert sands. Even here, so far from the Empire, the simple act of setting up camp felt strangely familiar, grounding me in the moment.

After a while, I noticed Sora lingering near the edge of the firelight, her gaze distant as she watched the flickering flames. I made my way over, sensing that there was more on her mind than she’d let on.

“You seem deep in thought,” I remarked, taking a seat beside her.

She looked up, her expression softened in the firelight. “It’s… strange, being back here. I spent so much time preparing for this journey, but crossing the border feels… final.”

I nodded, understanding her sentiment. “You’re in familiar lands, yet everything feels different now.”

She managed a faint smile, but there was a hint of sadness in her eyes. “Yes, exactly. And it’s not just the land or the people. It’s the knowledge that my own family would go to such lengths… sending mercenaries after me.” Her voice trailed off, barely a whisper.

A wave of protectiveness surged through me, and I reached out, placing a hand on her shoulder. “They won’t find you here, Sora. Not while we’re together. I’ll see to that.”

She looked at me, a flicker of hope breaking through her melancholy. “Thank you, Augustus. Truly.”

We sat in silence for a moment, the weight of our journey settling over us like the night air. There was an unspoken understanding between us, a bond forged by shared hardship and a sense of purpose that transcended words.

As the fire crackled and the stars began to dot the sky, I leaned back, allowing my mind to drift to thoughts of the days ahead. Quyaz, with its looming conflict and the Sultan’s gathering forces, was our next destination. The thought of entering such a significant city with a growing army nearby filled me with both anticipation and a sense of caution. We were stepping into the heart of the Aserai people, and with that came the promise of both opportunity and danger.