Escape from an Ancient Civilization Ch 104

Chapter 104

‘Even if Uruk is a city lenient about sexual relations, at the very least, I’m not into holding men. So you can relax.’

‘I think I’ve mentioned this once before—I prefer sensual, soft bodies. So stop worrying about unnecessary things and come in.’

Something… felt like it was going wrong. Me, and you too.

Nataek steadied his breathing and adjusted his posture. He couldn’t bear to look at Medeus’s face, so he lowered his gaze to his knees. He had to somehow salvage this situation.

“I’m really not a priest, so I don’t know much about passing down wisdom or anything like that. But I do believe that bestowing blessings brings about good effects. That’s why I’m doing… this, with you, Lord Medeus.”

He needed to shut down any possible misunderstandings—both the possibility of Medeus’s feelings spilling over to him, and the possibility of his own heart wavering. Just because his body responded didn’t mean his mind should be shaken.

Nataek drove in the wedge.

“That is the only reason I’m kissing you, Lord Medeus.”

He spoke firmly, with a decisiveness he had never shown before. Medeus did not look at him but gave a small nod.

“…I know. I… feel the same. Unlike with the others… I think the blessing you give me brings me fortune. That’s why I accept it.”

…So you’re saying you’re kissing me for the exact same reason? Is that what you mean? Wait, did I misunderstand this whole thing? Or is this guy just saying it in a weird way? What kind of atmosphere is this supposed to be?

Even amidst the confusion, Nataek was determined not to leave any impure possibilities lingering. He was about to stress his sincerity once more.

“So what I’m saying is—mph!”

His lips were silenced by Medeus. Their bodies overlapped on the rocking bed as Medeus, instead of grabbing Nataek, clutched the sheets tightly and kissed him without pause. There was no inappropriate groping, and the “fortune points” steadily accumulated again. And yet, Nataek felt more uncomfortable than ever before. He clenched his eyes shut tighter, struggling to catch his breath.

Ah… I don’t know anymore. If it’s not, then it’s not.

Nataek buried his awkward doubts deep behind a white veil in his mind.

“Vanguard! Form up!”

At the loud command, the soldiers stomped their feet in unison. Nataek rode a qunga¹ alongside Medeus at the very front of the formation. The troops were composed of the 3rd Army’s cavalry, archers, and infantry. The plan was to march them to the former territory of Lagash, then hand command over to the sub-commander while Nataek and Medeus infiltrated separately, per Kish’s strategy.

“Are you nervous?”

A low voice asked at Nataek’s ear. The words from last night echoed in his head.

‘It’s a sacred ritual of blessing. There’s nothing to feel uncomfortable about.’

It was what Medeus had said mid-kiss while sharing blessings.

This guy… does he even know what I’m uncomfortable about? Ha…

“It’s not too late even now. You can stay behind in Kish.”

Perhaps taking Nataek’s silence as agreement, Medeus repeated himself. Nataek furrowed his brows at the misplaced consideration and turned toward him.

“I refuse. I’m definitely going with you.”

From the journey to obtain the archer’s potion to the endless days spent practicing archery until his hands were calloused—he couldn’t give up before reaping any rewards from the hardship.

At the front, Samuagon and the priests were delivering speeches to pray for victory. Their rhetoric was as tedious as a dull wedding sermon.

“May Inanna’s grace grant Kish victory!”

“May Inanna’s grace grant Kish victory!”

The soldiers stomped in unison and shouted loudly. Samuagon approached Nataek and Medeus.

“Return only after seizing victory!”

Nataek, seated atop the qunga, offered the greatest courtesy he could manage. He couldn’t confirm whether Medeus behind him did the same.

“Advance!”

Thud, thud, thud—

With the heavy drumbeats, system notifications appeared in the air.

[Main] The ‘Consort of Umma’ story has been completed.

[Main] The ‘Dog Howling at the Sky’ story has begun.

Now, the real conquest of Uruk begins.

It was time to depart and subjugate the land where Sununki began.

The expedition to Uruk was far from smooth from the very start. Even at a distance from Uruk’s borders where no boundary markers could be seen, they encountered Uruk’s scouts. Those scouts were swiftly taken out by Kish’s 3rd Army cavalry and archers.

“Do you really think no news will get through?”

Nataek asked anxiously, and Medeus answered in a calm tone.

“In Uruk, scouting is always done in teams of three. One cavalryman trails about twenty nindan² behind as the rear guard. Those three we caught just now should be all there were. Even if word gets out, it’ll only be after we’ve already opened the gates.”

If it was Medeus—the expert on Uruk—saying it, then it had to be true. Nataek nodded.

Deep in the night, at Uruk’s eastern walls. Perhaps because of the news that Ur had fallen to the Gutians, there wasn’t even a hint of life here—not even a rat’s presence. The only sound was the gentle flow of water along the fortress wall. Medeus, taking the lead, stepped into the water with one foot and held out his hand toward Nataek.

“Tere—”

But before he could fully call Nataek’s name, he flinched. Clearly, he had remembered Nataek’s earlier insistence on “keeping distance.” Nataek, who had been about to take his hand, also stopped moving.

“…The water’s pretty deep. Can you manage on your own?”

The boundary Nataek had drawn for the sake of propriety had now become an obstacle at a critical moment. It was a line he had drawn to protect himself—every time he touched Medeus, he lost control and didn’t know where things might lead, so he kept his guard up. But whether last night when Medeus suggested the blessing or now, it seemed this distance was doing more harm than good. If things kept up like this, the losses would outweigh the gains.

Yeah… screw it. What line am I even drawing? Look at my situation.

Nataek stepped closer to the riverbank.

“I’m rescinding it.”

“What?”

“What I said about keeping things formal. I take it back. Can we pretend I never said it?”

“…”

“There’s no need for formality. Just treat me casually.”

He half-expected Medeus to grumble about Nataek flip-flopping, but Medeus said nothing. Nataek met the soft eyes that calmly watched him and extended his hand.

“I can’t swim. Please hold on to me.”

Yet Medeus still didn’t react.

…Was he sulking? Angry? Did he get annoyed because I first insisted on formality and then retracted it?

“Are you… mad?”

“Why would I be mad?”

“Because I acted arrogantly.”

At Nataek’s words, Medeus’s drooping eyes crinkled. He frowned, as if to ask what nonsense that was, and immediately clasped Nataek’s hand. With splashing sounds, Nataek found himself in Medeus’s arms.

“You were never arrogant. And I’m not mad.”

“Really?”

“Yeah.”

“…Don’t take it back later.”

“You either—don’t go back on your word.”

Medeus chuckled softly as he hoisted Nataek onto his back.

“You definitely said you rescinded it.”

“Yes. I don’t go back on my word.”

Though he already had, Nataek defended himself the entire way across the river. Medeus had said he wasn’t mad, but Nataek still worried about lingering resentment. His self-justifications were, in truth, a form of pleading—an attempt to clear away any leftover awkwardness.

Nataek clung to Medeus’s neck like a large dog being carried as they crossed the river. The splashing of water masked their voices. After some time, Nataek’s hand finally touched the wall of the fortress. He used it for support as he dismounted Medeus’s back.

“Is this the right spot?”

Medeus nodded.

“Feel it with your hand and you should roughly gauge the position.”

Nataek dipped one hand into the water and swept it along the wall. Eventually, his hand slipped through an opening. Judging by touch, the gap was just wide enough for a child to squeeze through.

So this is the way in…

Nataek gazed up at the towering wall, and light bloomed before his eyes.

[Temple Infiltration] quest has begun.

The appearance of a quest meant the task of breaching this wall fell to him. Nataek signaled Medeus to keep watch and pulled out the rope and chisel he had brought along. Supported by Medeus, he floated in the water and tied the rope around his waist.

“Lord Medeus.”

He placed one end of the rope in Medeus’s hand.

“Please don’t let go.”

I’m hopeless in water—if he lets go, I might just drift away.

Medeus smiled gently, like an owner holding a dog’s leash, and nodded. Whatever lay behind that smile, to Nataek it looked kind. The moment he had Medeus’s assurance, Nataek dove into the river.

The dark waters of night were pitch-black. Thank the gods Medeus was nearby—if even a good swimmer went in alone at night, they’d probably end up as a water ghost³.

Nataek swam toward the spot he’d felt earlier and scraped the seams between the bricks with his chisel. Little by little, he planned to widen the gap using leverage to break it open. But then, unexpectedly, a glow appeared before him—a gray circular ring that gradually filled with green light as he worked, like a loading bar. The green progressed clockwise each time Nataek scraped at the wall with the chisel.

This was the same reaction he’d seen when gathering resources or deactivating special devices in Sununki. In other words, once the ring filled up completely, the bricks would easily break apart.

Oh, wow. Easy. Must be because Uruk’s still a low-level city.

Just as Nataek smugly swallowed down saliva, holding his breath, panic struck. He’d been certain moments ago he could hold out longer, but now his chest and throat burned as if tearing apart. He couldn’t bear it any longer. Suddenly, his entire vision flashed red. Nataek frantically broke the surface and gasped.

“Gasp… huff…!”

“Tereshi, are you okay?”

Medeus’s furrowed brows betrayed his concern as he looked Nataek over.

This was… exactly like the effect when diving in Sununki. Once you’re about to run out of air, the screen flashes like crazy, warning you.

Are they insane? Why does this even happen? My lungs can handle this just fine on their own!

notes

1. Qunga (쿤가) – A large beast of burden resembling a cross between a camel and a horse, used for transport and war in this setting.

2. Nindan (닌단) – An ancient Mesopotamian unit of length, roughly equivalent to 6 meters.

3. Water ghost (물귀신) – In Korean folklore, a drowned spirit said to drag others underwater to share their fate.