Escape from an Ancient Civilization Ch 149

Chapter 149

The servant kept sneaking glances at Nataek as he led the way. In the end, unable to ignore it, Nataek spoke up.

“Is there something you wish to say to me?”

“N-no.”

“Then why do you keep looking?”

The servant hunched his shoulders and lowered his head.

“I was only checking that you were following properly.”

…That didn’t feel like it.

Something about the servant’s manner was suspicious. But Nataek couldn’t interrogate him on a mere hunch, nor did his current status allow it. He tried to shake off the unpleasant feeling when the servant hesitated.

“Um… perhaps…”

Nataek lifted a brow, inviting him to speak.

“Have you visited Ur often? I mean… I ask whether you have had dealings with the people of Ur before.”

At the question, Nataek’s heart sank.

Why ask that? Don’t tell me… I don’t look like a merchant. Can he tell I’m a fake?

He had thought the disguise was convincing and the acting solid. Under the weight of a suspicious gaze, his heart thudded, but he thrust his chest forward and stared back, feigning confidence.

“Why do you ask?”

“It’s nothing. Only…”

While he vacillated, they arrived outside Lagab’s door. The servant slowly turned to Nataek and spoke in a low voice.

“Unseen eyes are everywhere. In today’s transaction, you must do your utmost to show trust.”

“…?”

Before Nataek could ask what he meant, the servant swung the door open and gestured inside.

“Lord Lagab has gone to look over Mari. He should be here soon. Prepare to display your goods and wait until he arrives.”

“Having called so urgently, I thought he’d receive me at once. It seems he did not plan to keep me waiting.”

The servant paused, then continued, glancing around the room.

“…He has, in fact, been waiting. Please do not forget why you came here—and conclude your business safely.”

The intent matched his earlier admonition not to offend Lagab, yet the nuance felt markedly different. Nataek tilted his head, sending him a questioning look.

“If I’m here for anything, it’s to trade, of course—”

“I can say no more. I shall take my leave.”

He hastily tugged the door closed. With a heavy thud, Nataek was left alone in Lagab’s quarters. The sudden quiet rang in his ears until his hearing settled into the stillness; a cool hint of incense smoke reached his nose. He stood, staring at the door through which the servant had gone.

“Please do not forget why you came—and conclude your business safely.”

“…What was that supposed to mean?”

It sounded like one of those portentous lines NPCs leave behind. Nataek turned his head toward the window. Outside, the sun was tilting toward the horizon.

The operation will begin soon.

The servant’s parting words still sat uneasily with him, but it seemed there would be no further chance to come to Lagab’s quarters. If so, this might be the last opportunity to search the room. To lead Ur’s reconquest to success, Lagab’s weakness had to be found. The clues in Lagab’s boxes had to be uncovered.

“This isn’t the time to dawdle.”

He tossed the bundle he had brought beneath the central table and went straight to the display by the window—the only area he hadn’t searched last time.

“A box… a box…”

He lifted and shifted scattered cloths in search of a box. Finally, he found one tucked into a corner of the top shelf. It bore the Sununki emblem. At the same instant, his vision flashed.

‘Lagab’s Box 3 has been found!’

Found it! Thank the gods—that was quicker than expected.

He opened the lid without delay. But inside were not ornaments swaddled in cloth.

“What is this…?”

Tightly packed within were small, narrow vials like test tubes. Startled, he shut the lid and checked the emblem. It was certainly Lagab’s box.

The first two boxes had contained a note saying there was a hint, along with the text of an epic. If so, this vial’s contents… must relate to the Cedar Forest or Lagab’s weakness.

After a brief consideration, he took out two vials. With spaces left behind, the ranks of vessels clinked and tilted. He loosened a fold of his belt and wrapped it around the vials to keep them from breaking. One carefully wrapped vial he slipped into his chest beneath his clothes, the other into his cloak’s inner pocket. He closed the box and was restoring the items to their places when voices sounded outside.

“The man.”

“He’s inside.”

His eyes snapped to the door. He rose onto the balls of his feet and glided silently to the table, scooping up the bundle he had tossed to the floor and setting it atop the table.

Quick. Untie it, quickly.

His fingers kept slipping at the knot. Thud, thud—his heart pounded noisily.

Stay calm. Calm. He won’t notice the vials were touched. Be casual—like last time. Show the goods, then leave.

Clutching a controller to play a game never had him this tense. Feeling and facing everything in the flesh was enough to tighten even his nerves. At last the knot yielded, and just as he spread the folded cloth wide across the table—

Creeeak—

The door opened.

It was Lagab. Nataek offered a clumsy smile and bowed.

“Been a while.”

Lagab strode forward in long steps. Cold sweat gathered on Nataek’s palms; he wiped them against the bundle cloth. Lagab yanked a chair out roughly and sat before the table, then jerked his chin at him.

“Take off the cloak.”

“…Yes.”

His gaze felt fiercer than usual. Nataek obediently doffed the cloak and hung it on the chair back. Lagab’s eyes roamed over Nataek’s bared limbs with a greasy look.

“I remembered you favoring red stones, so I brought more of those. I hope something pleases you today.”

Lagab looked over the ornaments and brutally snatched up two red necklaces, thrusting them at Nataek.

“Put them on.”

“…”

Certain—his tone was far rougher than before.

He must have dealt with something unpleasant just before meeting me. If he didn’t keep sharp, this could turn ugly. Swallowing dryly, Nataek extended both hands politely, took the necklaces, and placed them around his neck.

“The larger beads are by a famed Delam artisan; the smaller are imported from the north—”

“I can’t see the necklaces well.”

At the curt remark, Nataek glanced down. Against the garment’s ornate lattice, the red necklaces didn’t stand out. He placed his palm to his chest and laid the beads over the back of his hand.

“Is this better?”

“No. Not like that—I can’t truly appreciate them. Take it off.”

“Pardon?”

“Your top. Take it off.”

He tried to remain unruffled, but this time he couldn’t hide his alarm. Take off the top. He wants me to undress? A literal mannequin, is it? Which is it?

As he hesitated at an impossible demand, Lagab shot to his feet.

“Did you not hear me?”

His hand shot out and seized Nataek by the collar. Nataek’s eyes flew wide, and he grabbed at the man’s wrist on reflex.

Damn it—the vial is hidden in my inner pocket!

If Lagab happened to touch there, he could be exposed. Nataek answered quickly,

“Why lay your noble hand on such a lowly body. I will do it.”

There was no time to get a handle on how the scene was turning. Smiling at the man’s impatience, Nataek repeated,

“Lord Lagab. I will undress.”

At last, Lagab’s hand fell away.

Nataek’s hand trembled faintly.

Damn. This is why they call them barbarians.

He slid one shoulder of the garment down his arm. His clothing was a single piece like a long tunic, loosely draped; pulling his arm free wasn’t hard. Thanks to the belt tied tightly at his waist, even with both arms out, the skirt didn’t slip. He moved slowly and carefully—lest the hidden vial tumble free—rolling the fabric covering his torso down to his waist.

Soon his upper body was bare, wearing only the red necklaces.

“Much better.”

Lagab bared yellowed teeth at the smooth chest, and gooseflesh prickled along Nataek’s arms.

What’s he playing at?

“He is famous for a ravenous appetite for sex, taking men and women alike.”

Sirens blared.

The feared possibility might really be happening.

Lagab scooped a large handful of jewels from the tabletop and came around to stand before Nataek. He dropped them over Nataek’s head; necklaces, rings, trinkets clinked to the floor, some catching in his hair and dangling before his eyes.

“I’ll buy everything here—so put all of it on your body.”

Danger. This… feels like the bad hunch is right.

Nataek slowly lifted his gaze to meet Lagab’s.

“Sometimes the other party will react differently than you expect—that’s natural! Not every customer moves on your cues!”

“When it happens, steering the talk to your advantage is part of the craft!”

All the more reason to keep his head. As he pulled the trinkets free from his hair, he spoke.

“I am a damgar of Delam, here to sell jewels.”

First, he reminded Lagab who he was. Lagab snorted.

“And?”

His throat went drier still. Even after being reminded, Lagab wasn’t the least deterred.

“So what?”

Lagab thrust a thick arm out and grabbed a fistful of Nataek’s black hair. Nataek’s head fell back; the smooth throat stretched, Adam’s apple thrusting forward. With a coated tongue, Lagab licked his lips as if savoring, and his greasy smile deepened.

Danger. This mad dog—does he truly see me that way?