Escape from an Ancient Civilization Ch 175

Chapter 175

“A soothsayer? Why him?”

“I have a favor to ask.”

Medeus looked down at Nataek with concern and gently wiped the sweat from his forehead.

“You could just tell me.”

“It’s something only the soothsayer can help with. Please.”

Medeus, of course, did not refuse his lover’s request. His large hand tenderly smoothed Nataek’s disheveled hair.

“Alright. I’ll bring him soon, just wait a bit.”

Medeus hesitated to leave Nataek, taking a few steps away, then turning back twice. Just when it seemed he was truly leaving, he stopped sharply at the door. He grabbed a passing doctor and pointed toward Nataek.

“Change his bandages. I’ll be right back, please.”

Only after Medeus fully exited the barracks did Nataek allow himself to show the pain he’d been biting back so tightly his jaw ached. Lying quietly, staring at the shabby barracks ceiling, the moment felt unreal.

“Is it really over…?”

His head was foggy, like in a dream. The unfamiliar surroundings and Medeus’s absence made the reality feel even more distant. Surely this wasn’t a dream? Surely not another Hittite invasion?

A doctor approached and quietly sat beside Nataek.

“You’re lucky. If you fought two such wars, this time the gate would’ve surely been broken.”

“What?”

“You just said, ‘Hopefully it’s not the Hittites again,’ a moment ago.”

The doctor smiled. That had only been a thought in Nataek’s mind but somehow escaped his lips. He was so unfocused, he didn’t even notice his mouth moving.

I need a potion. A potion…

Nataek muttered. Once his body and mind recovered, he could finally savor the hard-won victory. Once he took a potion and regained health, no obstacles would remain between him and Medeus.

Not long after, the soothsayer arrived. Medeus rushed to Nataek as soon as the barracks door opened.

“Teresi, are you okay?”

“Yes.”

The soothsayer followed slowly behind Medeus. Groans from the wounded filled the barracks. The soothsayer, tense, curled into himself, carefully avoiding injured soldiers. Finally arriving before Nataek, the soothsayer slowly bowed.

“Oh dear, are you okay?”

Nataek nodded slightly, gesturing the soothsayer closer, then pointed toward the door for Medeus.

“Medeus, please step aside for a moment.”

Though displeased, Medeus complied. Alone with the soothsayer, Nataek stated his real need.

“I’m in real pain, feel like dying. Please get me a healing potion. I can’t move to complete my quest like this.”

The soothsayer nodded casually.

“Ah, that’s easy enough. But since you defeated the Hittites, why haven’t I gotten a logout message yet? Haven’t you gotten the true ending message either?”

“Should come soon. I’ll tell you when it does, but first fetch the potion.”

“Are you sure it really will?”

Though escape had long been the soothsayer’s hope, it was hard to regard his words kindly. Nataek laughed bitterly,

“Are you going to get it or just talk about getting it?”

“I’ll get it for you—I have to for the one who brought me here! Wait, I’ll be back soon. I should be able to get the quest from the herbalist, right?”

“Yes.”

The soothsayer sprang to his feet and, on tiptoe, made his way through the soldiers and out of the barracks.

“I’m going out!”

Nataek, barely able to move a finger, blinked in answer. Once the noisy soothsayer was gone, only pain in his arm remained. But it was all right. Now everything was all right. The potion would heal his wounds quickly, and having fulfilled the desire to end the war and the true ending quest, all that remained was to share his heart with Medeus.

“The end really is near…”

Even in his dazed state, thinking of Medeus calmed him. He recalled the promise to travel east. What would they find to the east in this civilization? Or rather, Sumer’s Anunnaki is a game limited to Mesopotamia. Could they even go east?

Lost in thought, Medeus came over.

“Teresi.”

With the soft rustling of fabric, Medeus sat beside him.

“Feels a lot of pain, huh.”

A warm hand touched his forehead.

“Once the critical treatment is done, I’ll move you to your quarters right away, and you’ll feel much better.”

Nataek shifted his gaze and nodded.

“I’ll be fine soon, so don’t make that face.”

He tried to raise his uninjured arm to wipe his face, but even that was hard. Every slight move caused pain all over. Medeus tried to grab his hand, then stopped, trying to soothe but refraining from touching him. In the end, he couldn’t touch Nataek anywhere.

“I should have protected you better…”

Medeus hung his head low. Nataek recalled the battlefield where they had fought together. Medeus had done his best; what came upon him was purely Nataek’s choice. Watching his lover hurt by his decision was as painful as his arm’s agony. Nataek forced a smile.

“Medeus is not at fault.”

His reddened eyes slowly met Nataek’s.

“I can’t be the only one unscathed… I’m sorry, I’m sorry, Teresi.”

Nataek looked down at Medeus’s cheeks, shoulders, and arm. Long scratches from swords, blood-drenched hair, dry blood smeared cheeks.

Unscathed? Not a chance.

Reaching out instinctively, Nataek winced in pain. He gave up lifting his arm and instead gently stroked Medeus with warm eyes.

“What’s this on your arm? Those cuts mean you’re hurt, right? And the blood on your head?”

“That’s not my blood…”

“Anyway, unscathed? You’re far from it. If anyone blames Medeus for this, then I’m to blame for not protecting him. And the injuries I have are because I rushed in front of him recklessly. It’s my fault. Medeus has no fault.”

“Teresi…”

“Don’t be sorry about this. Don’t apologize. I’m truly okay. I’ll be better soon.”

With that belief alone, Nataek did not think his wounds serious. They would heal soon. They must.

Changing the subject to ease Medeus’s mind,

“So, how is the mood in the castle?”

Medeus reached to hold Nataek’s hand but quickly withdrew and said,

“Everyone’s excited. We’ve secured consecutive victories, so that’s natural. Many soldiers were hurt, but the damage was less than expected. Samuagon plans a victory ceremony soon. And an emperor coronation too, it seems. That’s making them even more excited.”

Hearing this, Nataek believed they truly had reached the true ending. They really had done it.

“That’s a relief…”

Just then, the barracks door opened, revealing a flash of splendid robes. A multicolored cloth brushed through Nataek’s low vision. Without looking up, he knew—it was the soothsayer.

On tiptoe again, the soothsayer weaved through the soldiers and lowered himself before Nataek. But his expression was less relieved and more burdened. Nataek immediately asked Medeus,

“Please let us talk alone for a moment.”

Medeus only gave the soothsayer a glance but obediently stepped aside. The soothsayer forced a smile, bowed to Medeus, then quickly lowered his head to Nataek.

“It’s serious.”

“Why?”

“The quest won’t accept.”

“What?”

Nataek jerked in surprise, then frowned painfully, lowering his head again.

“What do you mean?”

“Well… before, when you talked, quests popped up here and there. But now not a single one appears. I tried several times, but it’s always the same. It just keeps saying you’ll live comfortably in a unified land. Even when trying to speak with keywords, they’re all grayed out. Isn’t this the game ending and stopping progress?”

“Are you maybe doing another quest?”

“No! And even if you are, you can accept side quests anytime.”

“…”

Nataek quickly pulled out saved keywords, and saw clear, bold ones have turned grey.

“What… on earth is this…?”

“Could it be all disabled because you saw the true ending?”

At those words, Nataek froze. If the soothsayer’s words were true, no matter how many materials he gathered, he’d never get the healing potion. Looking at his mangled arm, he whispered,

“This can’t be…”