Chapter 502: How Do You Do It in a Same Sex Relationship?
The mages were playing and riding on the Horse-beast, their laughter echoing across the grassy plain as they bounced along on Maximus’s broad back.
The rest of the party walked alongside, their eyes continually drawn to the magnificent beast that seemed so at ease with the young women on his back.
They wondered how such a mythical beast got so tamed, how a creature that should have been wild and untouchable could be so gentle and accommodating.
Maximus, for his part, seemed to be enjoying the attention. He tossed his head occasionally, his mane flowing like silk in the breeze, and let out soft whinnies of contentment.
The twins giggled and squealed, their voices carrying across the open plain like music. It was a peaceful and idyllic scene, a moment that made all the struggles and battles seem worth it.
On the way, Benjamin realized something before moving closer to Heka. He fell into step beside her, his brow furrowed with thought, his eyes distant as he worked through a question that had been nagging at him for some time.
The grass rustled beneath their feet, and the sounds of the adventurers’ conversation faded a bit into the background as he focused on his companion.
"Uhm... I’ve never asked this, but what language do you hear me speak when I’m talking to an Amazon in Verdant Spire?" His voice was curious and puzzled, as if he had only just realized that there might be a discrepancy between his experience and reality.
"Obviously, the Amazonian tongue," Heka answered him in a matter-of-fact tone.
She looked at him as if he had asked something incredibly obvious, something that should have been self-evident. Her brow furrowed slightly, matching his expression of confusion.
"Right. But how come I speak to both an Amazon and a Beastkin, but they all understand what I’m saying, and can even interact at that level?" Benjamin asked, his voice sounding truly bewilderment.
He had never really thought about it before, had always assumed that everyone just understood him because that was how things worked.
But now that he was thinking about it, talking with adventurers of diverse roots, it seemed strange.
Heka raised a brow, a small smile playing at the corners of her lips. "Oh... Allow me to explain..."
As we have long since established, god-touched beings can automatically speak any language they want.
But said god-touched feel like they’re speaking their preferred tongue. The explanation was simple and a little elegant in its simplicity.
The power was automatic, unconscious, a natural part of their existence that required no thought or effort. Which means everyone just understands what a god-touched has to say, as long as they’re talking.
The words themselves were irrelevant; the meaning was conveyed directly, bypassing the need for translation or interpretation.
This factor is possible because of something called "Elyndorian Touch."
Not only god-touched, but practically every spirit has it, every god and everything that is not mortal has it as well.
It was a fundamental part of their nature, as natural as breathing. They could speak to anyone, anywhere, without fear of misunderstanding or confusion.
In rare cases, some mortals score an Elyndorian Touch that allows them to communicate with anyone, but often at the price of their lifespan.
It was a heavy cost, one that few were willing to pay. To trade years of life for the ability to be understood, to connect with others, was a choice that carried immense weight.
However, when Benjamin speaks with people of different languages at the same time, he speaks the Global language: which is a language of the ruling humans that existed long ago.
It is taught by every race as a rule so the entire world can communicate.
A little bit like what English is to the world of earth.
The Global language is a common tongue, a bridge that connected all peoples and nations. It was no longer the language of any one group, but a language that belonged to everyone.
"That said," Heka further explained, her voice dropping to a more confidential tone, "you do have the habit of suddenly speaking just Amazonian when there are other people like Queen Sakura listening. It’s something we all notice from you, but it doesn’t mean much, considering Sakura is also an Elyndorian Touched individual. She can speak to anyone in the world, even if she only discovered the language."
Incidentally, the Elyndorian Touch has little to do with the Goddess, and more to deal with the idea of understanding any language that exists IN the world.
It was a power that came from the world itself, from the fundamental nature of reality. It was not a gift from any deity, but a part of the fabric of existence.
"I see... I think I’ll learn some languages now, or at least be aware of them," Benjamin decided, as they began to see a walled city afar, down a slope.
The city rose from the plain like a mountain, its walls gleaming in the afternoon light. It was impressive, imposing, a testament to the ingenuity and determination of the people who had built it. "I want to know what I am saying in a person’s language."
Benjamin concluded, his voice ringing a note of determination, a desire to connect more deeply with the people he met.
"I see..." Heka smiled, understanding perfectly that Benjamin just wanted an even more intimate connection with whoever he spoke with.
It was a sign of his character, his desire to be close to others, to bridge the gaps that separated them.
Staring at Benjamin for a while, Sophia who was still on Maximus asked with a blush, her cheeks flushing a deep crimson. "Uhm... I have never seen a same sex couple before..."
Her voice was hesitant and shy, as if she were unsure whether she should be asking the question at all. Sapphire, riding behind her, nodded in agreement, his own cheeks similarly flushed.
"Hm?" Benjamin looked up at her and her brother, his expression one of mild surprise. He had not been expecting such a question, not in the middle of a long walk across the plains. "Ah, from where I’m from, it exists and happens a lot. It’s more normal, I think."
He answered casually and somewhat unconcerned. It was not a big deal, not TO him.
"R-Really?" Katana asked, as well curious, her voice flowing with serious interest. She had never encountered such a relationship before, had never even considered that it might be possible. "And how do you... uhm... d-d-do it with each other?"
The other adventurers looked away, embarrassed, but Benjamin did not mind and kept talking.
"Huh?! Is Sophia and Sapphire old enough to hear this conversation?" Benjamin asked, startled. He looked at the twins, their youthful faces and wide eyes.
They seemed so young and innocent. Surely they were not old enough for such discussions...
Apparently not...
The twins revealed that they were in their late twenties.
The revelation was shocking and unbelievable to Benjamin, since they looked like children and behaved like children, but they were fully grown adults.
Because Benjamin refused to let them find out he saw them as kids, he explained how Amazons can look 12, but be actually 200.