Orc Lord

“Wha--!!”

“Oh gods…”

“Ew! Disgusting!”

In retrospect, I should have warned them that almost all the orcs would be naked. I mean, they saw already when they were captured, but maybe they were too scared to take it all in. Most of the hunters wore some kind of armor, as well.

“If you don't like it, don't look.” I scold them with some basic etiquette. “I’m teaching them to sew, but even a single outfit takes time. Say, do any of you know a good plant or animal for making textile? Otherwise, it's all going to be furs and leather for a while…”

“U-um… Silfela weed can be used to make textile. It's a grass with a round tuft at the top. People don't like to use it because it can't be dyed, but it grows everywhere.”

“Hoh? Much appreciated.” Then, I can see Fiara from here. “Oi, Fiara!”

“Chief Vyra. What do you need from me?”

“We have guests. I want them to leave here with a good impression. Can you host this girl in your house for a while?”

“If it's the chief’s request, of course.”

“Good then. Also, I'm sure she knows some interesting things. Learn as much as you can from her without prying, and report it to me later.”

The conversation with Fiara was in modified orcish, of course, so the Humans weren't able to understand.

“Follow us a bit while you learn their language.”

“Yes, chief.”

“Elianora, this is Fiara. She’s one of my top students, and only a bit older than I am. I'm sure you’ll get along well.”

“It’s nice to meet you, Fiara,” the girl bowed her head politely.

“There you can see Durghan’s house,” I continued. “So that’s where you’ll be staying, Rudan. Now then, momma should be around here somewhere…”

“Chief Vyra, Lady Oolga should be sewing in Giila’s house,” Fiara informed me while pointing in the corresponding direction.

Holy shit, that was fast! I think Fiara picked up the Humans’ language as quickly as I did.

Durghan is already more clever than a lot of the orcs, and it took him twice as long! Is Fiara seriously a genius?!

“Ah, thanks. Good work learning the language so fast.”

“Not at all, chief. I'm grateful for the opportunity to learn.”

Hmm. Well, that's how it is.

When I'm about to turn around and enter Giila’s hut, a two-legged deer suddenly walks out.

No, wait, it's momma. She finished her outfit.

She tanned the deer hide until it was soft, then crafted a simple pair of pants and a loose shirt with long wide sleeves and a low hem. She also made a fur hat and attached the antlers to it.

Yep. It suits her. Momma is tall and fat, with narrow eyes and a Buddha-like appearance. The deer theme emphasizes that gentle look she has.

“Oh! Vyra! Look, I finish clothes. Good right?” She spun around and bragged proudly.

Momma only looks Buddha-like, and her personality is a bit different from that. I don't think she’s even noticed the three Humans yet.

“They look wonderful, momma. Good work.”

“Mm! Mm! Since my Vyra wanted it, nothing could have stopped me! Hahaha! … Mm? Vyra, what is those scrawny things?”

“...” For a moment, I can't even respond. I'm too busy marveling how momma just lives in her own little world.

“They’re guests, momma. Humans.”

“Oh? I thought Humans be bigger. These look kind of weak, right?”

I chuckle. “Well, these three are pretty weak. I want them to like us by the time they leave here, so treat them nicely, okay? This one, Nostel, will be staying with us in our hut.”

“Heh~” Momma gave the archer guy an evaluative look, making him shiver slightly. He returned her look with an awkward smile and a “nice to meet you.”

“Something’s off with this one, baby. He’s like a woman…”

“What do you mean “like a woman”?” I can't help but laugh. Does he look like a homosexual or something? Sometimes I can't understand what momma wants to say even with the orc language magic assisting.

Well, I had the Humans leave their weapons and supplies in whichever house they were sharing. The hunting party left to gather another prey or two before dinner, and I told Durghan to bring back anything that looked like it might be Silfela grass. I want to double check that we have the right thing while the Humans are still here to tell us. Soon I'll also need them to search for nearby Goblin villages. If possible, I want to subordinate them.

Dinner with the Humans went well. Nobody on my side showed any hostility, and two of the three Humans seem pretty much relaxed. I'm feeling optimistic about this endeavor.

Unfortunately, it only took a few days for the situation to break down.