Escape from an Ancient Civilization Ch 103

Chapter 103

“Please wait here.”

Thanks to the long strides of the tall men, they were able to reach the quarters quickly. Medeus leaned against the wall, quietly observing Natek’s busy movements.

“In this darkness? Must it really be done now?”

“Yes. It must be done now, or not at all.”

Natek’s actions—dragging a brazier near the target and lighting the fire—were urgent in every motion.

“Tereshi. Slow down. You’ll hurt yourself.”

“You said you had a military council to attend. I need to show you quickly.”

At some point, Natek had approached Medeus’ side.

“Will it be enough to shoot just one arrow?”

Medeus looked down at Natek with unsettled eyes and answered.

“At least two or three need to hit the mark.”

Natek immediately set an arrow on the bowstring.

“Then three shots. If I hit three in a row, that means I’m at least as qualified as the other archers, right?”

“…Fine.”

Medeus folded his arms, watching Natek with a worried expression. The anxious archer, I Natek, had no room to care about the mood of his sole spectator.

The bowstring was drawn taut with a twang, and a small circle appeared in Natek’s vision. The circle followed the arrowhead as it moved. With a humming vibration, the circle expanded and contracted repeatedly. The harder Natek pulled the bowstring, the smaller the circle became. As the circle narrowed to a dot in the dead center of the target—

The effect of ‘Sharpshooter’s Potion’ is wearing off.

Now!

Whoosh—Ting!

The effect of ‘Sharpshooter’s Potion’ has activated.

The arrow lodged dead center in the target, quivering slightly. The brazier nearby flickered in the light breeze. Natek quickly set another arrow to the string.

Hum, hum—

Whoosh—Ting!

The effect of ‘Sharpshooter’s Potion’ has activated.

The second arrow struck, perfectly aligned with the first without a hair’s breadth of error. As Natek nocked the last arrow, the white line across his vision turned crimson with blood.

“Tereshi, wait a second—”

“Do not interrupt me.”

As Natek raised his arms, Medeus approached.

“Tereshi, your wound has reopened. Stop—”

“Do not touch me.”

Natek’s refusal was firm.

Hum, hum—

As the last arrow aligned with the center, Natek’s vision brightened.

Whoosh—Ting!

The effect of ‘Sharpshooter’s Potion’ has activated.

The effect of ‘Sharpshooter’s Potion’ has worn off.

The brazier’s flames roared higher with a flare. All three arrows were embedded dead center in the target.

Got it!

Natek spun around sharply.

“Is this enough?”

“…Hah. Fine, give me your hand.”

Medeus extended his arm toward Natek.

[Secret Operation] Quest: 100% complete.

[Secret Operation] Quest has been completed.

The quest completion notification made Natek’s cheeks puff with joy. The notion of keeping his distance from Medeus and maintaining formality was completely forgotten in this moment.

“It’s fine. The string just pressed on it. I’ll change to a new one later.”

“Do you realize how much strain it is to shoot a bow in this condition?”

“This is normal. It’s nothing compared to real archers.”

“…Tereshi.”

His name was spoken with weight. Medeus gazed at Natek, his expression filled with frustration and worry.

“General!”

Just then, a soldier suddenly appeared at the doorway.

“The infantry commander is looking for you.”

Medeus nodded at the soldier and turned back to Natek.

“Wait here. I’ll come back and replace it with a new one.”

“I’ll take care of it myself. Go.”

Medeus’ lips parted as though he wanted to say something more, but he turned away in silence. The soldier fell in step close beside him.

“They say Lord Enci will also attend the council today.”

Natek watched Medeus’ retreating back for a long time. He had thought the flickering of the flame was because of the arrows, but now he realized it was because of the cool breeze blowing.

“Ugh, suddenly feels cold.”

As Natek rubbed his arms, about to sling the bow over his shoulder, his movements stopped. Turning toward the target, he found himself seeing an illusion: Medeus and the Uruk soldiers overlapping with the wooden board.

Two potions left. At most, six hours of borrowed strength. If the potion’s effect ended right when Medeus was in danger…

After a moment of hesitation, Natek gripped the bow again. Inside the empty quarters, he pulled the bowstring, imagining the target before him was an enemy threatening Medeus. Blood and pus seeped out until the white string turned crimson, but he could not put it down. In real battle, there would be no second chances.

I’ll survive. And I’ll save you, too.

The arrow carrying Natek’s resolve whistled through the air.

Whoosh—Ting!

A bright smile spread across Natek’s face.

“As expected, you can’t ignore genetics.”

Four arrows now pierced the center of the target. Preparations for deployment were progressing smoothly. The system notification marking quest completion was undeniable proof of that.

Now all that was left… was to accumulate more luck points for Medeus.

Deployment loomed ever closer. Once tonight passed, Natek would leave with Medeus for Uruk. Lying stiff as a board on the bed, Natek agonized.

How should I bring it up…

The sacred ritual he had postponed again and again—tonight, he had to see it through. Medeus had been following Natek’s request to maintain distance and formality with unnecessary diligence, to the point that Natek almost felt pushed aside.

He had been the one to insist on distance, and yet now it felt awkward to offer a blessing. But wait—hadn’t he said blessings were the exception back then? There was nothing to feel awkward about.

Natek abruptly sat up in bed.

At times like this, you have to speak with confidence.

But for someone with modern sensibilities, it was easier said than done. Imagining Medeus standing in the empty room, Natek began rehearsing.

“I believe… it is time I bestowed the blessing.”

No. That sounded wrong.

“Today… I must give you the blessing.”

No, still off.

“Today, I want to bless you.”

Was that it? No, that made it sound like I wanted it. Medeus wouldn’t accept excuses about Inanna either… what should he say?

“Ah… how should I put this. Shall we… share a blessing?”

Clatter—

The sound of the door opening behind him made Natek’s shoulders jolt.

“What are you doing, sitting there on the bed?”

Medeus stood at the doorway, water dripping from his hair fresh from a bath. Natek stepped down from the bed.

“You’re here.”

Medeus scanned Natek up and down, his expression curious.

“Why the solemn face? Do you have something to say?”

Was it that obvious?

Natek scrubbed his cheek awkwardly. He stammered, but didn’t deny it, which made Medeus halt in place.

“You really do have something to say?”

“Ah… well… yes. I do.”

Heavy footsteps closed the distance between them. Medeus stood in front of Natek, gazing down at his black hair with puzzlement.

“What is it? Speak.”

“The deployment is soon.”

“That’s right.”

“Once it begins, we won’t have time or leisure. So before we go…”

“Before we go?”

Natek’s throat bobbed with an audible gulp.

“…It would be best if we shared the blessing before then.”

Though he finally spoke the words he had wanted, he lacked the courage to meet Medeus’ eyes. Silence stretched on before Medeus slowly crossed his arms.

“You were the one who wanted distance and formality.”

I’ve dug my own grave…

“…I said blessings were an exception.”

“Who decided that?”

Medeus’ unexpected reaction made Natek’s gaze snap upward. He had expected Medeus to simply agree as he always did. Struggling to hide his fluster, Natek spoke.

“This is for your sake.”

“If it’s for me, does that mean I can refuse?”

Back in the arena, when Natek first performed a blessing, and again in Umma when he insisted on repeating it—Medeus had always consented readily. Why resist now?

With deployment imminent, there was no time left to postpone until tomorrow. Regret pricked at him for bringing it up too late.

Natek stepped closer to Medeus.

“Is there a reason you’re refusing?”

“Then what about you? Do you have a reason for giving me this blessing?”

Did I take this too lightly? Why is he acting like this now?

Anxious that Medeus might truly refuse, Natek fought to maintain his composure and replied steadily.

“Because I believe it will help you. If it can aid in ensuring your safety, even a little, then of course I must do it.”

“That’s all?”

A solid shadow stepped closer. With no excuses or embellishments softening his words, Medeus seemed almost confused by Natek’s answer.

Their eyes met. In Medeus’ gaze flickered an impatient longing, as if frustrated by something he couldn’t attain.

Why… is he looking at me like that?

“Tereshi.”

Hearing his name, Natek didn’t respond.

Now he realized… Medeus wasn’t confused. It simply wasn’t the answer he wanted.

The reason Natek had postponed the blessing until the last day was simple: he had always assumed Medeus would consent as usual. No matter how hard it was to steel himself, persuading Medeus had never seemed difficult. He had thought: offer the blessing, receive a curt permission, kiss with restrained emotion, gain a few tens of thousands of luck points, and finish cleanly. But the flow and atmosphere now were entirely different from what Natek had imagined.

There was no other way.

“What answer do you want to hear?”

Direct words were the only choice.

“What must I say for you to agree?”

“…Let me do it my way.”

An answer completely beyond his expectations. Natek blinked, stunned.

“…Your way? What does that mean?”

Medeus stepped closer still—close enough for their noses to brush. Startled, Natek stumbled backward, tripping over the bed and landing on the soft woolen mattress.

“Let me bless you the way I want.”

A siren blared in Natek’s head. Medeus always did the unexpected at critical moments.

What kind of blessing does he want…?

Whatever it was, Natek knew he had no choice but to accept. Worse, he couldn’t afford to react foolishly—couldn’t let the blessing disrupt their delicate bond. Only one thought pulsed in Natek’s mind: endure it.

“I don’t know what form of blessing you want, but if that’s your condition, I accept. But before that, there’s something I must say.”

“Speak.”

Medeus’ knee rested on the bed.

“You are my master, Medeus. I am practically your retainer. I will continue serving you the same way I always have.”

It was meant to promise that nothing between them would become awkward. But Medeus’ face darkened at those words. He extended his hand toward Natek with a hollow laugh.

“Fine. I get it. Let’s begin.”

Natek quickly grasped his hand. His mind and heart were a tangled mess, but it didn’t matter—whatever it took to reach the goal. Blessing him was the priority. Medeus was his only key to escape.

Following the sequence from memory, Natek pressed his lips slowly. When he kissed Medeus’ cheek, Medeus bent down to meet him halfway. As Natek hesitated before the final seal—

Thud—

Medeus gripped his shoulder and pushed him onto the bed. Natek’s eyes widened as Medeus’ lips crashed onto his.

You have bestowed ‘Inanna’s Blessing’ upon Medeus!

Medeus’ Luck Points +300.

“Mm—”

Red lips tilted, consuming him. Medeus bit his upper lip gently, licked it, then nibbled and sucked his lower lip.

Medeus’ Luck Points +600.

It’s just point accumulation. Just points. Stay calm. Stay calm.

Natek chanted inwardly like a mantra. Cold sweat dampened his palm against the bed; he clenched his fist to hide it.

Wet flesh rubbed together with a slick sound, reverberating through the mattress. Each time Natek flinched, Medeus devoured him more hungrily. When Natek trembled swallowing saliva, Medeus thrust his tongue deeper, entangling them in a wet tangle. The slurping noise deepened Natek’s frown.

“Mmph—”

Damn it… when he said “my way,” this is what he meant?

Teasing, Medeus sucked Natek’s tongue and pulled back.

“Med—Mm.”

Unable to endure, Natek braced himself with his forearm and lifted his upper body, eyes squeezed shut, chin tilted helplessly skyward. Breath mingled, and sticky traces slid down from the corner of his lips to his cheek. As Natek gasped, hot hands gripped his chest roughly. Medeus’ powerful grip crushed the fabric between his fingers.

“…!”

This lunatic—what is he doing?!

With his tongue caught hostage and upper body braced, Natek couldn’t use his hands. His muffled groans went ignored; Medeus didn’t let go. As if about to tear him apart, Medeus’ fingers dug in deeper, twisting the cloth. Desperate, Natek shook his head violently—only then did Medeus release him.

“Haa… haa…”

Natek hurriedly grabbed Medeus’ wrist to stop him.

“Why… why are you doing this?”

“A long time ago in Uruk, priestesses would convey the gods’ blessings through union of the flesh. It was also a way to impart divine wisdom, and people considered it sacred.”

Natek’s heart thudded wildly.

What does he want me to do with that information? Why mention it now?

“Have… have you ever done that yourself?”

“No. I always thought it pointless. Meaningless. If divine wisdom could be gained that easily, every noble would have paid for a night long ago.”

“…I see.”

He wanted to ask why Medeus was bringing this up, but couldn’t. He couldn’t predict the answer.

Silence thickened into something almost tangible. As Natek struggled to break the charged tension, Medeus pressed his forehead against Natek’s. His low voice dropped straight into Natek’s pounding heart.

“And yet… here I am, accepting this blessing.”

Footnotes:

Sharpshooter’s Potion: A fictional item granting heightened archery accuracy, typical in game-like fantasy worlds.

Inanna’s Blessing: Likely referencing the Mesopotamian goddess Inanna, associated with love, war, and fertility, which adds a divine or ritualistic layer to the blessing described.

Uruk: An ancient Mesopotamian city, historically significant and often romanticized in fantasy settings. The practice mentioned (priestesses imparting blessings through physical union) loosely parallels ancient fertility or sacred sexual rites, though reinterpreted for the story’s fictional setting.