Escape from an Ancient Civilization Ch 163

Chapter 163

No relationship had shaken him so deeply before. Day by day, Nataek’s mood grew increasingly swayed by Medeus. When Medeus smiled, Nataek felt such happiness he could forget his own plight; when Medeus wore a tranquil expression, Nataek felt his own future filled with gentle peace.

This feeling was especially strong right after a physical closeness like yesterday.

On the way back from Akkaldia, the market bustled with people. Nataek, momentarily forgetting the troubles of the previous night, was immersed in Medeus and savoring a peaceful afternoon.

“Teresi, try one.”

Medeus held a luscious grape before Nataek’s mouth. When Nataek raised a hand, Medeus withdrew the fingers holding the grape—a silent “take this” gesture.

Nataek glanced around cautiously. Fortunately, no one was paying them attention. Even if there had been eyes on them, he couldn’t refuse his lover’s kindness over mere glances. As Nataek leaned toward Medeus and opened his mouth—

“Ouch.”

A sharp sting on the torn corner of his mouth snapped him to awareness of the forgotten pain. Medeus hurriedly stowed the grape in the basket and reached out.

“You okay?”

“Y-yes… I’m fine.”

Nataek bowed and nodded, pressing his thumb against the split corner.

The previous evening had brimmed with romantic nighttime scenes and a ripe atmosphere. Though a small misunderstanding occurred, Nataek’s quick response softened the mood swiftly. But trouble began when Medeus regained the lead.

“I got too reckless last night.”

Right, wielding an inhuman weapon recklessly.

Nataek’s eyes were red and swollen from tears shed overnight. Medeus, intoxicated by the new sensation, lost control and ravaged Nataek’s mouth, forgetting his own size. The exhausting snake charmed through the night left Nataek’s lips battered and bruised. Medeus applied his own herbs, but the makeshift treatment helped little.

“Sorry, Teresi.”

Nataek shook his head gently.

“No. What’s there to apologize for?”

As the two awkwardly talked, the fruit stall owner arranging his wares called out heartily.

“I don’t know what’s going on, but here’s a bonus—share these plums and make up!”

The merchant handed over two plums in a limp pouch, their twin orbs swinging and slapping the vendor’s wrist. Seeing that, Nataek recalled the white serpent that had tormented his lips the night before.

Medeus accepted the plums. This time two plums dangled from his hand. That sight drew Nataek’s eyes downward. Watch them sway—tap, tap, tap—the lush fruit reminded him of the enticing one that had struck his jaw.

“Teresi, you like plums, don’t you?”

Medeus held them up joyfully. Looking at them, Nataek felt as if his mouth hurt even more.

“…Y-yes… I like plums.”

Nataek took the plums quickly and pocketed them. Though he cleared them from view, the mental shadow lingered. As Nataek shook his head, Medeus asked curiously.

“Why? Not plums—something else you want?”

“No, no, that’s not it.”

“Then?”

He couldn’t say aloud that the plums had made him think those things. Nataek gave a noncommittal reply.

“The canal construction. I’m worried about the canals. Everyone accepts it as a revelation from Inanna, but I wonder if there’ll be complaints.”

“You’ve been worrying about that all along?”

Medeus smiled gently. The canal trap was a plan full of the cunning and tricks of modern folk. Nataek had claimed the necessity of canal works citing an unwarranted Inanna revelation, aided by the soothsayer’s prophecy of the future. Surprisingly, Medeus had agreed.

Medeus insisted it was time to focus on northern defenses, supporting Nataek’s opinion—despite knowing the Inanna revelation might be false.

“Don’t worry. It’s true that the north needs stronger defenses now.”

Medeus gestured to leave, carrying a basket brimful of fruit. Nataek walked slowly and asked,

“Do you believe what I say?”

“What do you mean?”

“That we need to strengthen northern defenses because of Inanna’s revelation.”

Samuagon, Kish’s commanders, even Agade—they were all skeptical about strengthening northern defenses. They agreed the priority was replenishing war losses first. Even if defenses were bolstered, they should focus on the east, where Gutis swarmed instead of the quiet north. Without Medeus’s opinion, the northern defense effort would have faltered.

Medeus lightly rubbed Nataek’s nose and said,

“My mother said this: when the land is united one day, the northern border must be strengthened. After a great wish is fulfilled comes its price—that is this land’s fate.”

Suddenly Nataek recalled the card fragment beside the grave. He glanced at the pocket holding the card, then back at Medeus.

“Did your mother say anything else?”

“Anything else?”

“Like how to win the northern wars or something.”

While Medeus was silent, Nataek swallowed quietly and waited. After some thought, Medeus nodded.

“Well, I don’t think so. It’s so long ago I might not remember. Why do you ask all of a sudden?”

“No reason. Just… you seemed to have had similar thoughts. I was curious.”

Nataek shrugged with a troubled look.

“Sometimes your words and actions remind me of my mother. Some of what I remember.”

Hearing that, Nataek smiled weakly and fiddled with his fingers. Thinking of Medeus’s mother and the grave naturally brought the card fragment to mind. He could almost feel the texture of the scratched card on his fingertips. Seeing Nataek’s actions darkened Medeus’s expression.

“Are your hands still very sore?”

“Huh?”

Only now did Nataek realize he had been wiggling his fingers.

“Oh. No. It’s just a habit…”

“Don’t lie. Your hand isn’t fully healed, is it?”

There was a lingering ache. It wasn’t fully healed, but it didn’t hurt enough for him to call himself a patient, so he denied it.

“No. Look. I can open and close my hand just fine.”

But Medeus wouldn’t believe him. Medeus looked back at the path they’d walked, holding the basket, and muttered,

“We’ve passed the herbal shop…”

“I really am fine.”

Medeus gave him a sidelong look.

“You always say you’re fine. Wait here. I’ll be right back.”

“No, really—”

Despite Nataek’s protests, Medeus turned and left.

Ha… I really am fine.

Nataek watched Medeus walk away with blurred eyes. The shrinking figure looked like a puppy running to fetch a thrown disc, hair fluttering softly. Seeing that, he laughed—a laugh for no reason. In that brief moment, the worries and anguish over the Hittite war vanished.

As Nataek shook his head softly and looked down at his hand again,

“Sumerian!”

A cheerful voice called from behind. Turning, Nataek saw a woman carrying a flower basket.

“That’s right! You’re the Sumerian from then! You said you had no money for flowers!”

She was the woman who tried to sell him flowers during his poor early days escaping to Kish. Though wearing worn kauñakas, she still had an impossibly beautiful face. Her sparkling eyes were just as he’d seen before.

Nataek smiled brightly with greeting.

“Yes. That’s me. Long time no see.”

The flower seller came close.

“Long time! Somehow you look even cooler than before.”

Before Nataek could shyly answer, the sharp business instinct caught on.

“They say love makes your face shine! Could you have a lover now?”

“Yes, well…”

Nataek smiled faintly; the woman clapped enthusiastically.

“Oh my! Really! That Inanna’s blessing I prayed for must have truly worked!”

“Yes, it seems so.”

Though shy, Nataek turned her down gently, but the flower seller wasn’t about to leave. She had one real aim: now was her turn to sell, after boosting the customer’s mood. She pressed close and whispered,

“Do you remember the promise we made back then?”

‘I didn’t buy flowers, but I strangely liked a man like you. I hope Inanna blesses you! Next time you meet me, please buy a flower!’

“…Yes. Yes, alright.”

She quietly offered Nataek the flower basket. But something inside immediately caught his eyes.