Johan proceeded to untie the barbarians and after that he led him to the ships cabin. Hulu was quite shaken, but also surprised to find the areas of the ship they passed to be very empty plus the silence was very unsettling.
After drying himself with a towel handed to him by Johan, Hulu took his side on a more comfortable armchair in the cabin after the others had taken their seats. Johan, Peanuts and Maya had taken up a sofa while Von was seated on an armchair opposite Hulu.
After some more moments of silence, Von finally spoke.
" Now Mr barbarian, who are you and what do you know about this land? "
Hulu was silent for an entire minute before answering, now collected and calmer than prior.
" My name is Hulu. I'm an orphan sojourner from the hinterlands.... This land as you must already know doesn't have a consensual name, it's just know as the Continent to all..."
The trio took a moment to analyze Hulu's words before speaking further. From the information they possessed about the savage region it could be inferred that this orphan sourjoner was just a regular native.
Von's act of interrogation was grossly unnecessary, but he still put on the theatrics to satisfy his curiosity.
"Ok Hulu, to tell you the truth the three of us are foreigners and since you're a native of this continent we would love if you could accompany us as a guide. " Von decided to cut the chase and go straight to the point.
"We plan on touring the place so if you don't mind..." Maya added .
Johan stayed silent, presumably still pondering the bit of information he received from Hulu.
If his data was correct then this barbarian was most likely a survivor of a raid.
Hulu took a moment to consider the offer and after three seconds he gave his answer.
"It's not like I have another choice so yes I'll be your tour guide, but let me warn you the continent is not a friendly place and only the laws of the jungle apply here... Also there's not only humans but other races inhabiting the continent... Well since boss Von is non human he must understand what I mean " Hulu spoke, muttering the last part underneath his breath.
"That reminds me. Guys please excuse us... I would like to have a private chat with Hulu " Von replied with a light frown forming between his brows.
Maya looked puzzles, but she didn't question his reasons and exited the room with Peanut swagging behind her.
Johan hesitated for a split second before deciding to leave as well, but not before throwing a knowing smirk at Von.
After the exit of Maya , Johan and Peanut, Von and Hulu were left alone in the cabin.
"Spill it.. what do you know about the other races and what makes you think I'm not human?" Von asked in a very serious tone.
The frown on his face intensified a little after Hulu remained silent for a whole minute.
"I'm waiting..." Von added.
"Well I don't really know much about the other races. All I know is that the continent is divided into thirteen regions, three of those regions are rules by human indigenous barbarians, outlawed foreigners from the mainland and hybrid humans. The remaining nine regions are rules by the other races. " Hulu replied without so much as a breath in between.
"Well that answers one question." Von said. The frown on his face easing as he waited for Hulu to continue.
"As for how I identified you as another race. Well the thing is that my tribe use to live at the border between the barbarian territory and the hybrid humans region. Everyone including my parents were either killed and consumed or taken away as captives during a raid. I only managed to escape due to the sacrifices of my tribesmen. Amongst the raiders was one who's aura was very similar to yours..." Hulu concluded.
"So basically you judge by my aura.. what sharp senses you have there Mr Hulu.." Von smirked after realizing that there wasn't much of an issue.
It wasn't that he liked keeping his friends in the dark . He just wanted to share his identity with them at the right time. Though he had a gut feeling that Johan already knew something.
There was no circumventing that walking encyclopedia.