HEO 11

Wolf hugged his knees with both arms and lowered his head. After staring down for a while, he looked up. The moment Silver, whose hair was a mess but whose face was as pretty as a wildflower, came into view…Wolf quickly looked away.

Ugh, did my heart just flutter the moment I saw Silver’s face?

Is that it? Is that what it is?

Wolf’s mouth went dry. His vision darkened, and he started feeling dizzy. He had never imagined he could be attracted to a man, and above all, homosexuality was forbidden in Atania.

However, this was only a ‘doctrine’ established by the clergy. Following the <Ill Omens’ Invasion>, the authority of religion had plummeted, and by the time Wolf was born, Atania had transformed into a world dominated by humanism. A hundred and fifty years ago, perhaps, but now, as long as it wasn’t displayed, no one cared. Only the temple dealt harshly with homosexuality. In fact, the homosexual prisoners Wolf had witnessed executed in the square were all clergy who had sexually assaulted young novice priests.

No, it’s too soon to label me a homosexual just because my heart raced. My dick didn’t react. So first, let’s test it.

Wolf forced himself to imagine kissing Silver. He immediately felt nauseated! He felt disgusted and revolted at himself for having such lewd thoughts about Silver, his savior and a pitiful slave boy!

Still not reassured, Wolf proceeded to the second test. He imagined lying side by side with Silver in a field blooming with wildflowers while gazing at each other and smiling brightly. The scene looked like nothing more than friendship, but it filled him with a warm, contented feeling.

Wolf closed his eyes and took a deep breath. Thank goodness. After all, someone like me, who never even had a common wet dream, couldn’t suddenly develop a taste for men.

It was simply because he was a swordsman unlike any seen in Atania, his unusually intense gaze sparked his interest, nothing more. Wolf finally regained his composure. Amused by the chaos he’d created in his own mind, he deliberately looked at Red Eagle. Red Eagle’s face and hair were covered in blood, he was a mess.

“Your Highness, I’m sorry. Things were chaotic and I forgot my duty.”

Wolf dipped a handkerchief in the river water and carefully wiped Red Eagle. Black Weasel, who had been watching, spoke.

“Prince, you’ve a reliable attendant there. He has a cocky streak, but he’s quite useful. And he fights just like a Stoll.”

“What do you mean, ‘fight like a Stoll’?”

Wolf retorted, feeling a pointless defiance. Black Weasel exclaimed, “A reckless charge!” and thrust one fist forward.

“Those Atania bastards fight fully armored from head to toe, right? We Stolls wear only helmets and charge. The vanguard assault squad charges into enemy lines bare-chested, half-naked, shieldless, wielding only an axe! Brave.”

That’s not brave, it’s insane, old man.

“Impressive. Really manly.”

“Truly manly for both genders. In Stoll, female warriors are just as numerous as male warriors. Hmph, Stoll women aren’t like those weak and timid Atanian women. They’re big and burly, don’t feel shy around men, and pick their noses. They all sit with their legs spread wide and guzzle down their drinks.”

“Well… how charming!”

Wolf grinned and gave a thumbs-up. He firmly resolved to send Red Eagle back to Atania by any means necessary. If his feet were tied to Stoll, Red Eagle would have no choice but to marry a Stoll woman. To the Stoll people’s eyes, a woman with broad shoulders who picks her nose in front of men might seem sensual, but by Atania standards…

‎

Darkness was settling in. The ferry plowed tenaciously through the moonlit river. Red Eagle, who had been nodding off repeatedly, had now leaned against Wolf’s shoulder and fallen asleep. Wolf fought off his own drowsiness as he gazed at the night sky. The constellations served as a compass, guiding their direction. The ferry was heading northeast.

When the moon rose high, the ferry turned toward the riverbank. Wolf shook Red Eagle awake.

“Your Highness, wake up. I think we’ve arrived at Lady White Deer’s tribe.”

“Huh… Already?”

Red Eagle frantically looked around.

“River Rat said it would take two days to ride to Lady White Deer’s tribe. But we came by boat, so we arrived quickly.”

Wolf scanned beyond the approaching riverbank. The darkness was thick. Only the faint outline of the mountain range’s border was visible.

Black Weasel, who had docked the ferry at the riverbank, jumped to his feet.

“Get off.”

“Your Highness, take my hand. It’s slippery here.”

Wolf, who had helped Red Eagle down to the riverbank, stumbled and took a step back. Black Weasel and Silver were carrying the ferry toward nearby bushes. Their faces, shrouded in darkness so thick their features were indistinguishable, exchanged words in a tone as grim as grave robbers.

Wolf swallowed dryly. Those villains… they’re trying to hide the ferry in the bushes… Why are they doing that? What are they saying now?

[Silver, you plan to feed and clothe the servant?]

[You gave me the hint to do so.]

[I never hinted. But you should indeed feed and clothe the servant. But you won’t give this master even a single piece of meat?]

[Yeah.]

Wolf broke out in a cold sweat. Speak Atania, you barbarians! Why are you hiding the ferry?

[Wait? Why are just the two of us carrying the ferry? Let the servant help too.]

[I told you earlier, you stupid slave bastard. Never mind, we’re here.]

The villains who had cleverly hidden the ferry in the bushes walked toward them. Wolf clenched his fists and stood in front of Red Eagle. Black Weasel placed a hand on his hip and chuckled.

“Your courage is admirable… but, man! Do you think this will protect the prince? Anyway, you’re a fearless one.”

“Please explain. Why…?”

“Wolf. I’ll speak.”

Red Eagle pushed Wolf aside and stepped forward.

“If this were my mother’s tribe, you’d have no reason to hide the ferry. Which side are you on, warrior? Enemy of Red Eagle? Or ally?”

“Oho.”

Black Weasel whistled. Wolf’s cheeks flushed as he watched Red Eagle’s retreating back. He’d stepped forward himself, risking another attack, just to protect him… it was overwhelmingly moving.

“Now you look a bit more like a Stoll. We don’t have time, so answer straight away. Prince, I’m an ally. If I wanted to kill you, I would’ve done it already at Morgan Harbor.”

“You could have been hired for the kidnapping.”

“Prince. Let me clarify one thing: I only take contracts for murder.”

Red Eagle and Wolf flinched simultaneously. What Black Weasel said was scary and contradictory at the same time.

“Didn’t you say you were assigned to my protection? That’s not murder.”

“To be precise, it was to kill anyone who interfered while bringing the prince back to his mother. Got it? Most murders involve cause and effect. Especially when money’s involved.”

Black Weasel turned away.

“Don’t ask any questions now. Just follow me. And you two, stop calling me ‘sir’. I’m not warrior-class. I’m just a hired killer, so call me ‘uncle’.”

* * *

The deep, dark forest stretched on. To make matters worse, it was mountain terrain. For Wolf and Red Eagle, raised in the flatlands of Levenon and never having seen a hill before, it was a hellish march. Wolf was even carrying two rabbits and a baby goat on his shoulders. He was one body, yet he served as both a porter and a pack mule.

Ah… Compared to this mountain path, the temple bell tower stairs were practically flat ground…

However, as time passed, his lungs and heart adjusted. Wolf held onto Red Eagle with one hand.

“Your Highness, how are you holding up?”

“Wolf… I… I…”

Red Eagle couldn’t finish the sentence and began to sob. But Wolf understood immediately. Ever since earlier, the prince and his attendant’s stomachs had been harmoniously, incessantly, rumbling away. Needless to say, Red Eagle, raised in the palace, had never known hunger. Even Wolf, who had often eaten four or five meals a day while learning baking, had never gone without food until today.

Prince, never run away from home again.