Medeus spat out curses under his breath.
“Fucking bastards…”
Nataek grabbed Medeus by the waist and carefully placed him back in the bathtub. Then, he approached the incense burner. Nataek was unnerved by the damp liquid that had soaked the rug under the soles of his feet.
He quickly opened the bottom drawer of the incense burner and gently blew out the dying flame inside.
Nataek approached Medeus with a white cloth that was a substitute for a towel. He wrapped the cloth around Medeus’s body. As if almost hugging the man, Nataek supported Medeus’s heavy body to the nearby bed.
Medeus was still unable to regain his senses.
“Are you… Are you alright?”
Medeus didn’t seem okay, but Nataek had asked out of courtesy.
The situation seemed serious. If Nataek had come in even seconds later, Medeus would’ve departed to the afterlife naked. It was… It was like attempted murder. To think that there’d be an attempt on the life of a noble in a class-based society.
Medeus propped himself up on the bed.
“Bring me the scented oil and the incense burner.”
Nataek quickly fetched the requested items. Medeus opened the incense burner and checked the herbs inside. He put his tongue in the empty scented oil bottle for a taste before muttering curses once again. Nataek’s eyes wandered to Medeus’s cheeks, which were gradually swelling and turning red. Had Nataek hit him too hard…?
“…Shall I call for someone?” Nataek asked.
Medeus dropped the empty glass bottle back into the bathtub. He replied, “It’s fine. Just leave it. Be careful as to not let today’s incident reach outside ears.”
“Yes?”
Nataek alternated his gaze between the wet Medeus and the dead snakes sprawled on the floor. Could it be that Medeus’s rationality hasn’t fully come back yet?
“…Is it okay to let such an incident pass without saying anything?”
“Teresi.”
“Yes.”
Medeus raised his gaze to Nataek.
“You addressed me like a friend earlier. Didn’t they teach you the proper way to address others in Lagash?”
‘Wake up! Wake up!’
‘Wake up already!’
‘Medeus!’
Only then did Nataek remember what he said a while ago. However, it felt a little unfair to bring it up. The words had come out instinctively due to the urgent situation. His intention to wake up the asleep man took priority over everything else.
“You know what kind of punishment awaits those who touch the body of a noble.”
“…”
It seemed Medeus’s rationality had indeed come back. At least, the Medeus he was familiar with. He knew what kind of person Medeus was, but the humanity within Nataek had acted in good faith.
Medeus was holding on to the bits of humanity that Nataek had shown him.
We’re sorry for MTLers or people who like using reading mode, but our translations keep getting stolen by aggregators so we’re going to bring back the copy protection. If you need to MTL please retype the gibberish parts.
But who would want to save you again?
Lbkfnfg, Rjajfx mbeivc’a rqfjx tlr atbeutar bea ecoliafgfv. Rba yflcu jyif ab rjs ktja tf kjcafv ab rjs lc bgvfg ab regnlnf kjr cb vloofgfca ogbw atf rajcvjgv mbcnfcalbcr bo atf rbmlfas Rjajfx tjv ilnfv lc jii tlr ilof.
Rjajfx mbeivc’a tfiq yea offi j glrlcu ylaafgcfrr. Vkjiibklcu la, tf gfqilfv, “Pa kjr yfmjerf P kjr lc j teggs… P’w rbggs.”
“In a hurry?”
Medeus looked at Nataek with a strange expression on his face.
It was a situation where a person’s life was at stake, so was there any reason not to be in a hurry?
Nataek lowered his face, unable to control his expression, and nodded.
“Yes.”
“Why?”
The short reply left Nataek extremely bewildered. He raised his head and looked at Medeus. However, Medeus was looking at Nataek as if he were the one looking at something really strange.
“Did you ever stop to think that rushing in without thinking could lead to your death?”
What the hell is this kid saying? Is he trying to say I shouldn’t have saved him? Did he mean that I should’ve just let him die?
Nataek didn’t save Medeus’s life because he expected to hear a thank you, but he didn’t think he’d be scolded and nitpicked for doing so. Nataek felt annoyed. In the end, he couldn’t help the unfiltered words that spilled out from his mouth.
“Why… wouldn’t I think of that? Just because I could die doesn’t mean I can just walk away. Someone’s life is at stake. Wouldn’t it be more strange to stand by and stare at someone who is left completely defenseless?”
The moment he heard Nataek’s words, Medeus’s gaze deepened. The guy had a puzzled look on his face.
Nataek gently lowered his head, looking down at the wet bedding.
“I’ll bring you new sheets and something to wipe yourself off with.”
Nataek turned around and left. Even after he ran off, Medeus was left staring where he last saw Nataek’s back facing him.
“…It’s the first time I’ve ever heard of something like that.”
Medeus’s muttered words couldn’t reach Nataek.
* * *
Damn ancient city.
Nataek cursed inwardly, rubbing his sleepy eyes.
The people of Uruk started their day at dawn. Nataek couldn’t even dream of sleeping in. Well, it was fortunate that he didn’t wake up later than Medeus.
It seemed like people in an ancient civilization didn’t even sleep. When they arrived at Uruk’s marketplace at the crack of dawn, the entire place was bustling with energy.
“High-quality lumber imported from Delam! Look at this rich color and these exquisite patterns! Limited quantity only! The finest quality you can’t find anywhere else!”
Limited quantities encouraged overspending in any era. Several people, who seemed to be servants based on their attire, flocked to the cries of the merchant.
Even after passing by fruit stands, vegetable stalls, and general vendor booths, Medeus continued to walk without stopping. Having walked from Medeus’s residence to the marketplace without taking a rest, Nataek’s legs were starting to ache.
Nataek wished Medeus would at least tell him where their destination was. Medeus simply kept moving forward without a word, only looking straight ahead. At this rate, they were about to complete a full lap around the marketplace.
On the other hand, Nataek thought he was quite lucky.
The second quest of Sununki…
It should be here.
Nataek carefully examined every store they passed by, hoping to catch any signals from the system. As they were walking while looking around, a large cart was passing through the center of the road. To avoid the cart, Medeus and Nataek tucked their bodies closer to the vendor booths. At the same time, a booming voice shouted in Nataek’s ear.
“Come, come! The very potion that even the god of the heavens drinks! A magic elixir that can even revive withered reeds! If you have a special mission right around the corner, come quickly!”
Nataek shifted his gaze to the source of the voice. On the herbalist’s counter, there were two opaque bottles placed for display.
“God of the Heavens…”
‘God of the Heavens… The just and fair king. Trust the brave lion who broke the golden horn. The constellations he leads will guide your destiny…’
Nataek remembered what was written on the clay tablet. No matter what Nataek tried, he couldn’t decipher the contents of the tablet. It was like trying to grasp at straws. But there was no way the system would reuse the same words if they didn’t hold any meaning. That’s just how Sununki operated, at least the one that Nataek played.
Medeus, who glanced at him, continued walking ahead with an indifferent expression.
…Should I ask about it?
“Um… Can I ask you something?”
Medeus turned his head at Nataek’s words.
“No opinions or dissent can be made until the master allows it. That’s the crucial difference between a free man and a slave. I would think you, a former noble, would know that.”
How would Nataek know that… He’d been a slave from the very beginning when he showed up here. Are you telling him that slaves in this era aren’t even in a position to be curious?
However, Medeus continued before Nataek could ponder some more.
“What are you curious about? Tell me.”
Before Medeus could change his mind, Nataek quickly asked, “The clay tablet you read the other day… by any chance, do you know what it was talking about?”
“It was yours, why are you asking me?”
“It was given to me as a gift a long time ago… I don’t remember the details. If you happen to know anything, I’d like to hear about it…”
Medeus glanced up at Nataek and observed him with narrowed eyes. Nataek half expected Medeus to ignore him, but to his surprise, the man kindly provided an explanation.
“It’s a story about a man called the king of the gods. He is the one who leads an army of stars to conquer evil. Although he is called the king of gods, he’s a god who barely has a presence here since he doesn’t directly interfere with the affairs of humans.”
“The king of the gods… Who is that?”
As Nataek asked, a deafening shout startled him.
“O insomniacs of Uruk, come come! A magical herb that’s guaranteed to relieve anxiety and put your mind at ease! It’s called Ludocho! We even have oil made from Ludocho, double the effect when used together! No, a hundredfold! It’s a rare find, so come get it soon!”
It was an herbalist, different from the one they had met earlier, loudly advertising. Nataek’s gaze naturally turned to the stand’s display. Inside a small basket, there was a pile of cut purple grass, each blade taking on an unusual shape.
That was definitely…
It was definitely the same herbs as the ones that were in the incense burner from yesterday.
“Ludocho…”
At that moment, the merchant’s eyes met Nataek’s. Ding, a brightly lit system message window popped up.
‘Ludocho’
An herb that serves as a sedative. Even in small quantities, it’s able to induce sleep.
The oil extracted from Ludocho is colorless and odorless. It is commonly used in small amounts while mixed in with other scented oils.
*** CAUTION ***
Either use the Ludocho leaves with the incense burner or the Ludocho oil, not both!
Using both or excessive use may cause dizziness and muscle paralysis.
“…”
Nataek’s steps slowed down. Then, Medeus’s steps slowed down as well.
Could it be that last night’s incident was planned by the servant who gave him the incense burner? Or was it simply a mistake on Nataek’s part for accidentally dropping the bottle of scented oil straight into the bathtub?
Either way, it was clear that someone tried to kill Medeus using poisonous snakes. It lingered on Nataek’s mind how calmly Medeus handled the situation, as if this wasn’t the first time this happened.
Nataek asked, “You know about the incense burner and scented oil from yesterday, right?”
“I thought you said you would only ask me one question.”
“…”
Nataek kept his mouth shut, but Medeus continued the conversation nonetheless.
“Do you think I wouldn’t know?”
Well, it was more like Nataek asked because he did think Medeus would know. Based on what Nataek had heard, he had a rough guess as to why Medeus told him to leave the situation alone. Publicizing the matter wouldn’t help. In fact, it probably would’ve made everything worse for him.
But there were still questions left unanswered. Considering the circumstances, shouldn’t Medeus be suspecting Nataek first and foremost…
Nataek knew he shouldn’t dig further, but he couldn’t let this go. They’ll be sticking together for a while. Moreover, the Medeus from today showed a somewhat cordial attitude towards Nataek.
Nataek asked, “Don’t you have doubts about me?”
Medeus paused in his steps.
“You’ve been saying strange things since yesterday. I think you want me to doubt you.”
“That’s not why I’m asking. It’ll be difficult for me to be a suspect when we have to see each other every day.”
Medeus idled for a moment before taking out his sword from its sheath. Only then did Nataek finally come to his senses.
Had Nataek been acting too cheeky? Could it be that someone was willing to wield a sword in such a crowded marketplace?
Edited by An Zheee
Ahh this is so interesting!! Thanks for translating!!!
I really like both characters so far. Deeply hurt but righteous and secretly fluffy master x flexible smart slave with unique ideas that slowly captivates his master! hehehe 🤤