Escape from an Ancient Civilization Ch 99

Chapter 99

Medeus wasn’t shameless enough to force a blessing on someone who said they weren’t feeling well. He didn’t press Nataek any further.

From that day on, Nataek avoided physical contact with Medeus. He kept just enough distance so their bodies wouldn’t touch, and in situations where they had to exchange objects or interact, he was quick and precise, darting in and out like a strike. At least, that was his intention. On the outside, he moved slowly so as not to appear suspicious.

But all that effort was nearly unnecessary. The time the two spent together was steadily decreasing anyway, because formal military training had begun. Though they didn’t train in the same space, Nataek moved in parallel with his guide, following a similar schedule. While Medeus led military training, Nataek, the half-baked priest, practiced archery alone in a corner inside the compound walls.

Swish—thud—!

The arrow missed the center of the target and struck just off the mark.

“Haah… this is hard…”

Nataek walked over to the wooden target and began pulling out the arrows one by one. As he dropped them into the container on the ground, they clattered—one, two—

“Ow!”

Nataek flinched. A rough splinter from the wood had scraped his finger. He blew on the bleeding wound.

“Ahh… stings…”

His hands were covered with small and large wounds from handling the bowstring for the first time. Some were cuts from the taut string, others were blisters. The blood slowly began to darken as it seeped out. Glancing around, Nataek hesitated, then brought the bleeding finger to his mouth to suck on it.

“Have you trained in archery before?”

A gruff voice called from behind. Nataek turned with his finger still in his mouth. Deputy Commander Gupuanwu stood at the entrance to the courtyard.

How long has this guy been watching?

Nataek gave a polite nod and replied.

“Yes. I’ve trained.”

“I thought so! Your stance is on par with the soldiers!”

The approaching deputy commander’s sword jostled at his hip. Considering Medeus’s schedule, he should have been at the training ground by now.

“Did your training finish early today?”

“Ah, no. I was on my way from the infantry grounds to the archery field.”

“So the trainings are held separately. The locations too?”

“We can’t risk soldiers getting hit by arrows during training. We strictly separate the archery grounds. But judging from what I see, it seems we should bring you to the training grounds as well. You’re better than most of the new recruits.”

Whether he meant it or was just flattering him, Nataek couldn’t take it at face value—he had never been formally evaluated in archery since he began practicing. So he replied with equal flexibility.

“Thank you. Then may I accompany you, Deputy Commander?”

The smiling deputy commander widened his eyes in surprise.

“Are you serious?”

What—if I am, would you really take me?

Whether aided by potions or not, he needed to reach a point where he could shoot a bow with some competence. Nataek was seriously considering making the request when—

“Do you really intend to accompany the campaign to Uruk?”

“Would that be a problem?”

Nataek replied with a hint of provocation. The deputy commander quickly waved his hand and broke into a wide smile, his answer already evident before he spoke.

“Not at all! If you were to lead from the front and bestow Inanna’s blessing, the soldiers’ morale would soar sky-high!”

Phew… that’s a relief.

If even the deputy commander reacted like this, then the only real obstacle to Nataek joining the Uruk campaign was his own archery skill.

“I’m relieved. I was worried my presence might have a negative effect.”

“Impossible! I was just surprised, since you’re the first priest who’s ever volunteered to go to war. And I’ve never seen a priest train in archery like you do.”

“I have a duty to protect Inanna’s hero, after all.”

Nataek spoke with false solemnity, tailored to the ancient mindset. Half of it was sincere, and half was jest. But upon hearing it, the deputy commander’s expression instantly twisted.

“To protect… Lion(divine messanger), are you certain that man is truly the hero sent by Inanna?”

His tone changed, and the hostility in his eyes was undeniable. Though he was speaking to Nataek, his hatred was clearly directed at Medeus.

I figured as much… same as in Uruk.

Nataek straightened his posture and stood directly in front of the deputy commander.

“Yes, I am. He is the one and only hero sent by Inanna. The Ensi recognized him, and everyone in the arena witnessed it. And I, too, vouch for him.”

Though only the two of them stood within the courtyard in broad daylight, Nataek felt as if Medeus were right behind him. That made him all the more unwilling to back down. Strength naturally entered his voice.

“Do you disagree, Deputy Commander?”

“…If you say so, then it must be true.”

The mood dropped the moment the subject shifted from Nataek to Medeus. Though Nataek understood the reasons behind the man’s dislike for Medeus, he couldn’t leave it unaddressed any longer.

“I know you don’t think well of Medeus, Deputy Commander. But supporting him is ultimately the path to victory for Kish.”

“That may be. But it’s precisely because it’s General Medeus we must support that I feel uneasy. Do you even understand what it means to protect someone on the battlefield?”

He’s not implying I don’t even understand the meaning of “protect,” is he?

When Nataek raised a brow in confusion, the deputy commander put a hand on his hip.

“It means being prepared to eliminate everything else.”

As he said it, a chill wind swept through Nataek’s mind.

“Not just the enemy, but even allies—if it means protecting that person, you must shoot without hesitation. That’s common on the battlefield. But for me, for it to be him of all people…”

The deputy commander glanced at Nataek, then turned his head away.

“Why does it have to be General Medeus… tsk.”

“Deputy Commander!”

A loud voice rang out from the wall. An archer stood at the entrance calling for the deputy commander.

“The master archer… Sounds like something’s come up. I’ll be off now.”

With a nod to Nataek’s bow, the deputy commander turned and walked off briskly. A faint breeze lingered where he had stood.

“Protect…”

Blood had begun to bead once more from Nataek’s finger. Drip, drip—it fell, and he simply watched. He swept his gaze slowly from the bow leaning against the tree to the arrows embedded in the target. The torn wood almost seemed to be bleeding.

He had vaguely thought about it. He had feared war. But the deputy commander’s words dragged that reality right into Nataek’s present.

This wasn’t a game anymore. To protect Medeus, Nataek would have to shoot arrows not at monsters or dummies, but at people. These arrows were weapons made to kill, and he was practicing, bleeding, just to aim them more precisely—at a human target. That was the reality.

“……”

Even after the deputy commander disappeared, Nataek continued staring at his own hand.

He could no longer focus on archery practice. He didn’t want to define how he was feeling. He didn’t want to organize his thoughts. He simply let his feet wander like a drifter, and left the chaos in his mind untouched. As he wandered, his legs carried him to the training grounds.

Shouts echoed through the wide clearing under the bright midday sun. Medeus moved among the soldiers, who were paired off and sparring with swords.

Nataek carefully positioned himself behind a date palm tree at a distance.

“Don’t shy away from the enemy’s gaze—calculate where they’re aiming!”

Even from this far away, Medeus’s low voice carried with weight. As he barked the order, another resounding shout followed.

“Hap!”

Come to think of it, Nataek couldn’t recall ever hearing Medeus speak this loudly.

No—maybe not just rarely. Maybe never.

Surprised by this unfamiliar side of Medeus, Nataek found himself drawn in without realizing it. For just a moment, the tangle in his mind was pushed aside.

“Can we really trust him? He’s a Uruk native, after all.”

A whispering voice came from nearby.

“What choice do we have? The Ensi appointed him. And plenty of people firmly believe in him because of the Lion’s endorsement.”

“Still, I can’t bring myself to trust him. What if he suddenly betrays us?”

Nataek’s ears naturally tuned to the conversation.

“And on top of everything, he’s from that cursed village of Akkaldia. The barbarian clan.”

There was no mistaking who they were talking about.

Ugh… that again. His origin.

Nataek’s hand clenched instinctively. Veins bulged on the back of his tightened fist. One of the soldiers snickered.

“What if he’s actually in league with the Guti? What if all that stuff about defending Uruk was a setup, just pretending to protect while secretly aiding the enemy?”

“Pfft. No way.”

“But still—he’s the type of vile, shameless bastard who’d come live on our land. Isn’t it at least possible?”

Discipline is critical in a military unit. Especially among the rank and file, maintaining order is key. Hearing this kind of filth being exchanged among them, Nataek could no longer remain silent.

These damn bastards. Just because they’ve got mouths…