Chapter 29: You got Hitched!.
The room fell silent as the two riders argued passionately with the elders and the tribal head.
Lin Mu couldn't understand their words, but their tone and body language were clear that they were trying to defend him. His heart sank when the most menacing Old Serinerian suddenly stood up and began talking to the two sisters, his tone irritated and visibly dissatisfied, but his sudden change of demeanor didn't frighten the two of them. Watching this, Lin Mu couldn't help but feel even more confused as to how they could behave so boldly with such a monster.
While he was trying to wrap his head around what he was seeing, Lian suddenly turned towards him. her iridescent eyes locking onto his. She spoke to him in their tongue, her expression earnest as she gestured toward the supposed tribal head and then to Lin Mu.
Lin Mu blinked. "I… I don't understand what you're saying." He said, feeling helpless and frustrated.
Lian frowned but persisted, repeating her words slower this time, as if that would somehow make him understand. Beside her, Mei chimed in, her gestures mirroring Lian's.
Lin Mu glanced between them, his confusion mounting. Were they asking him something?, Seeking his agreement?
The system's voice chimed in his head. «[Even if they are, don't you think it's a bit stupid to agree to the words of the people that just tried to have you killed for nothing.]»
«[You don't even know what you're agreeing to.]»
'...true, but it's better than dying for no reason, don't you think?!'
Lin Mu hesitated but ultimately nodded, hoping it would appease them. "Fine, yes. I agree, or whatever. Just don't kill me!."
To his surprise, The tribal heads stern expression instantly transformed into one of unrestrained joy. He rose from his seat and approached Lin Mu, his arms outstretched. Before Lin Mu could react, the leader pulled him into a bear hug, laughing heartily.
"What the—" Lin Mu stiffened, utterly baffled.
Around the room, the gathered Serinerians began to cheer, their hostility replaced with what appeared to be celebration. Lian and Mei, however, stood to the side, their faces now tinged with a noticeable blush. They exchanged awkward glances before turning back to Lin Mu, their previous confidence seemingly evaporating.
Lin Mu stepped back from the leader's embrace, his confusion only deepening. "What just happened? System, any insights?"
The system remained silent as if feigning hurt that he ignored her warnings again, sadly, Lin Mu didn't feel the least bit bothered to care.
Lian stepped forward again, her blush deepening as she said something softly. Mei nudged her, and she shot her sister an annoyed glance before reluctantly addressing Lin Mu again, her voice slightly louder this time.
Lin Mu frowned, trying to decipher her words through her tone and gestures. Something about this felt… off. But before he could dwell on it, the leader clapped his hands, and the room erupted into activity.
Lin Mu's gut told him he had just agreed to something significant and possibly life-altering. He just didn't know what.
Lin Mu sat awkwardly in the tribal leader's tent, his mind racing as the two daughters he had saved earlier, Lian and Mei, sat beside him. The tribal head, a formidable looking old Serinerian, with a commanding presence, leaned forward on his spot, his piercing gaze locked on Lin Mu as he spoke in the guttural tones of their alien language.
Lin Mu, still unable to comprehend their words, glanced at the system's interface hovering in his vision. "System, any updates?" he asked, his tone edged with urgency.
«[Lucky for you, I'm done deciphering their language.]»
«[Analysis complete.]» the system finally announced, her tone calm as if she hadn't just left him stranded in a linguistically baffling situation that felt like it went on for several hours.
Relief washed over him until the system's next words hit like a thunderbolt.
"The tribal head has just declared your agreement to marry his daughters, Lian and Mei, as a reward for saving their lives."
Lin Mu froze. "What?" His voice cracked, colour flushing from his face like shit being flushed down a latrine.
"Yes..., it would appear that you agreed when they asked you earlier....when I was trying my best to advise you against making rash decisions out of your mortal fear of death or should I say visible cowardliness....]» The system said, sounding like a maid who was exhausted by her lord's continuous foolish actions.
" Sigh....Apparently, they were seeking confirmation from you in front of their father earlier.....and you were to anxious to see nor think about anything else but to save your neck so you hurriedly agreed" the system explained with a casual detachment that made Lin Mu want to scream.
' W-Wait a moment, Just what are you trying to say!!! ' His mind reeled, replaying the moment when Lian and Mei had turned to him, speaking animatedly in their language and awaiting his response. He had nodded, hoping it would diffuse whatever tension had risen. But this?.
' I'm too young to get Married!!!!, I'm freaking 15!!!'
«[I don't think that's an issue since most alien races are known to find their mates at even younger ages, also it seems they aren't against the idea.]»
"This is insane," Lin Mu muttered, glancing at the two sisters. Mei beamed at him shyly, while Lian, ever composed, gave him a small, approving nod.
"System, can you tell them I didn't mean it?" he whispered urgently.
«[I'd advise against that, Attempting that would cause a significant misunderstanding.]» the system replied bluntly.
Lin Mu decided to try anyway. Raising his hands in a gesture of explanation, he began speaking slowly, with the systems help he easily mimicked their language, "Uhh, look, I never knew you sir's were referring to this, I didn't mean—"
Before he could finish, the tribal head barked something in their language.
The other elders murmured amongst themselves, their expressions shifting to suspicion when they discovered he could actually understand and speak their language so fluently.