Escape from an Ancient Civilization Ch 132

Chapter 132

There was one quest Nataek had to finish before departure—his own personal quest: how to use the qanat engineering he chose from Delam instead of Umma’s new weapon method.

“When will the qanat engineers arrive?”

“It has been some time since the message was sent; they should arrive in two or three days.”

There was no separate system quest shown, but when playing Sununki, this technology would auto‑apply, and the finished result would be used in the decisive war against the Hittites—at least, that’s how Nataek remembered it.

But Nataek had never actually achieved unification, so he had never seen how the techniques were used in the Hittite war, and this was also his first time picking option 2, the qanat method, instead of option 1.

Was this really the right choice? Picking a “life‑skill” in a moment that seemed to demand attack or defense boosts left him uncertain even now. Still, he couldn’t choose the path that had led to failure multiple times already. The die was cast—he had to trust himself and move forward.

He continued, “After thinking it over for several days, it seems best to use this method to lay traps around the northern wall and the boundary steles.”

Though akin to a life‑skill, it had to be repurposed for defenses against the Hittites. His application: open shallow channels to simulate a bog, an idea inspired by Uruk.

“In Uruk, a river runs along the wall, hindering the Guti from climbing up. We can cut shallow runnels to create mud and soft ground, then cover it with grass to mimic a marsh. If we reinforce the wall’s defense like that, what do you think, Your Highness?”

“Hm… Our engineers are excellent at cutting channels, but we’ve never run them quite like that, so I cannot promise. It isn’t impossible, however. We’ll try.”

“Thank you. If Umma lends some hands, progress should be much faster.”

“Don’t worry—I’ll pass it along!”

After hearing from the Soothsayer and the princess, Nataek finally met Medeus’s gaze. The sharp look he’d felt since summoning the princess had softened for some reason.

Upset because it wasn’t discussed beforehand?

This was a matter Nataek had agonized over till that very morning. It wasn’t that he hadn’t thought of consulting Medeus, but up to the very day of their departure as spies to Ur, Medeus had been extremely busy—arguing with Samuagon over Agadis’s treatment, inspecting the captives and Uruk soldiers, and, once granted permission, spending time conveying Kish’s situation to Agadis.

Nataek approached him. “There seemed so much else on your mind that I didn’t bring it up earlier.”

“Mm.”

His docile answer left Nataek puzzled. He could have sworn he’d felt a glare moments ago… Was it just his imagination? Or was Medeus only pretending because others were present? If his feelings were hurt, that was something to mend…

While he debated whether to draw on past relationship experience again for guidance—

“We should leave before anyone notices,” Medeus said, mounting the kunga and holding out a hand. His usual manner reassured Nataek.

“Ah—yes. Understood.”

Good. So he wasn’t angry after all.

Once they were mounted, the princess offered the reins of another kunga to Medeus. The sturdy beast’s back and flanks were piled high with treasure.

“May both of you return safely. I shall remain in Kish for some time; if anything is needed, send a letter to Kish’s tavern.”

Medeus nodded. Nataek answered, “Yes. Thank you.”

“Travel safe! I’ll be in Kish for a while too, so send for me if you need me!”

Nataek agreed, then leaned lightly against Medeus’s chest. “Let’s go.”

With a snap of the reins, the kunga started forward—and Nataek’s vision flared bright.

[Two Merchants] quest completed.

Swallowing, Nataek clenched a fist.

Let’s go—time to conquer the last city!

With the brisk clop of kunga hooves, a new prompt pointed them south:

[Hidden Ally] quest has begun.

It hadn’t even been half a day when the kunga carrying them snorted and huffed in displeasure.

“Looks like we should rest a bit.”

“Again?”

Nataek stared incredulously at the kunga’s nape. Perhaps sensing the look, it stopped dead, snorted louder, and even backed up. The pack‑beast beside it mimicked the move.

“The ones we rode before weren’t this bad… They’re really disobedient.”

These weren’t war‑trained mounts, so they were weaker than the ones they were used to, and clearly less trained; they kept balking. In the end, Medeus dismounted first, with Nataek following.

“War kunqas have dedicated handlers and trainers. With steady care, they’re far easier to manage. These have been used by merchants, not given such attention—so their true nature shows.”

Nataek brushed dust from the seat of his garment. Handling kunqas truly belonged to professionals; to make such stubborn beasts obedient—Hark and his family seemed all the more impressive.

“At this rate, it’ll take at least three nights to reach Ur.”

“Could be longer.”

Smiling faintly, Medeus led them to the riverbank. Thirsty, the kunqas trotted cheerfully along that path—ridiculous creatures.

“At this point, it might really take a week,” Nataek sighed, twisting at the waist to stretch while gazing around. Grass, trees, plains—and, at a distance, Kish soldiers patrolling on kunqas who paid the merchant‑clad pair no mind, like mere roadside NPC sentries.

He moved closer to Medeus. “Is this whole expanse scouted and guarded by Kish’s soldiers alone?”

“For now. Until things settle.”

Snort—

As Nataek approached, the beast paused mid‑drink to express annoyance.

“…Seems it doesn’t like me.”

“Do you dislike animals?” Medeus asked abruptly.

“No. Not dislike; I just haven’t really thought ‘like’ or ‘dislike.’”

Small animals could be cute; stately ones, handsome—that was about the extent of his feelings.

“Still, being disliked this way feels a little sad.”

Medeus patted the kunga’s neck. “They’re smarter than you’d think. They sense people’s emotions quickly, and can tell who dislikes and who likes them. Likely that’s why.”

The kunga leaned into his touch, then, after drinking, even nudged its damp nose and mouth toward Medeus’s face. He lifted his chin to accept the affection.

“Try tapping along the neck, gently. They like being touched there.”

Watching from a distance, Nataek took a step.

Snort—

“…It says no.”

He stopped, and Medeus stroked the beast’s cheek, murmuring, “It’s alright. He’s a good man. Don’t worry.”

The gentle voice soothing the animal tickled Nataek’s ears; the breeze felt oddly more sensitive on his skin. He scratched behind his ear.

“Now, come closer again,” Medeus said.

Slowly, then more slowly still, Nataek approached the kunga. At last his hand touched it, and this time the beast accepted the touch.

“Oh… So this is how you tame them.”

He’d only ridden already‑gentled beasts before; different kunqas, all mounted thanks to Medeus’s help.

“You have to befriend them to ride them easily. It’s about time you learned to ride one alone.”

“Can I learn quickly?”

“You can. You’re not clumsy.”

Just that one moment of rapport gave him courage—or perhaps it was Medeus’s confidence. Nataek decided to try.

“Then I’ll ride one myself to Ur.”

“Will you be alright?”

“Yes. I can’t always rely on you. And I might have to ride alone in Ur.”

“Good. Come here.”

Medeus beckoned—and, escorting him like a princess, took Nataek’s hand. Focused on instructions for mounting, Nataek didn’t notice how closely Medeus held him. He barely settled into the saddle when—

Whinny!

The kunga suddenly reared its forelegs.

“Ugh!”

Nataek grabbed the reins and folded forward. Medeus’s large hand clamped his thigh.

Gasp.

The problem was that the grip didn’t land squarely mid‑thigh; because he tilted back, his skirt rode up, and Medeus’s urgent hold closed near the top of his thigh—close to where the legs parted.

“Teresi. Press your legs in—cling to its barrel.”

Even flustered, Nataek obeyed swiftly. But then came a greater shock: Medeus’s hand, by chance, touched a left‑side place it should not have touched.

H‑hey—his hand!

Footnotes:

1. Qanat – ancient underground water channel system developed in Persia and spread across arid regions; here adapted as defensive hydrology to create bog‑like traps. 
2. Kunga – a prestigious hybrid equid (onager × donkey) used for transport and by elites in Mesopotamia.