Chapter 100
It was the fourth day since the subjugation unit had departed. For two days, while crossing the plains, I thought that was the worst. But after entering the forest, the worst moments were constantly being updated in real-time.
Everything was more desperate than I had prepared for. When the sun was blazing even in the dense forest, it was so hot that it was suffocating. When it rained, the heat improved a bit, but the muddy ground made walking twice as difficult.
Moreover, when there was a heavy downpour yesterday, it was really… I could barely see ahead and ended up rolling in the mud. Far from observing Cromwell, I was struggling just to keep up with the group.
“Huff, huff…”
I wiped the sweat collected on my chin with the back of my hand while catching my breath.
‘Endurance… truly garbage…’
I had trained my physical strength every day, anticipating it would be tough. But the marching speed was faster than expected, rest times were short, and the intervals between them were too long. Because of this, fatigue kept accumulating, and instead of getting better, I was experiencing hell.
Eventually, my legs gave out and my knees buckled. I leaned against a nearby tree, intending to rest for a moment. My panting breath was unpleasantly noisy. I wanted to sit down, but having learned through experience that it would be harder to get up if I did, I somehow endured.
However, while I was groaning, unable to start moving again, I saw the last line of the medical unit. Despite starting first, I had been pushed to the very back again.
“Phew…”
I forced myself to move.
This was my choice. I didn’t want to give up just because the march was difficult.
The hellish march finally ended. People were bustling about in a circular clearing. There seemed to be a bit of tension in the air, quite different from the usual atmosphere.
‘Are they setting up the camp?’
With anticipation, I quickly went to find Marco, my assigned instructor. He was checking if there were any missing items from the delivered goods when he spotted me and gestured.
“You’re here?”
“I’m sorry. I’m late…”
“Can you help with work right away? Or do you need to rest more?”
Marco was accommodating to me, but it seemed less because he liked me and more because he had no expectations at all. It felt like I was someone dispensable – if I could be useful, great, if not, he’d do it himself.
“I can do it.”
“Then check if the quantities of items listed here match those in carts 8 and 9.”
“Yes.”
I took the stack of papers from his hand. Out of ten carts, I was only assigned two. As tough as it was, I didn’t want to be looked down upon for such tasks, so I gathered strength in my legs and moved.
‘I’ll finish this and ask for more.’
But I couldn’t be careless, so I focused intently and checked the items thoroughly.
“Good job. Thanks to you, we finished early. Rest until the tents are set up.”
Marco patted my shoulder and smiled. Having achieved my goal, I nodded with a satisfied smile. But I couldn’t help feeling deflated soon after. Marco was still busy moving about.
‘No. Marco said he was worse than me at first.’
The other assistants said it was impressive too. To endure this much on the first try was really tough, hmm. Admirable, they said.
I withdrew my gaze from following Marco. As much as I wanted to scurry over and ask for more work… honestly, I didn’t even have the strength to take another step now. No, I didn’t even have the strength to stand, so I just sat down right there.
I didn’t even care about sitting on the dirt ground. Rather, not using my legs made me feel like I might survive, which made me feel pathetic. Physical strength had always been my chronic problem.
‘Since it’s caused by the poison I ingested as a child, there’s no way to fix it. Even my master said there’s no solution for this, so I should just take care of myself…’
Keeping up with the march was more overwhelming than I had anticipated. Still, I thought at least this experience taught me what and how to train for the future.
‘Forget everything else, it’s the legs.’
If only my legs could endure, even if my mind was a bit hazy, I’d walk automatically.
As I was sitting there, half out of it, lost in thought, suddenly hands came under both of my armpits and someone lifted me up.
“Norman. What are you doing sitting on the ground?”
It was Luwen.
Glad to see him, I quickly turned around. Every day after the march ended and camp preparations began, he’d come to see me. I wanted to tell him not to, since he must be tired too, but seeing him gave me strength… I felt sorry for not being able to stop him.
“You’re right…”
I smiled embarrassedly. Luwen, who had been supporting me with his arm strength, suddenly picked me up. Honestly, I could probably stand on my own now that I’d rested a bit, but I just put my arms around Luwen’s neck and rested my head.
‘This feels so nice, what should I do?’
It was hard to give up the sweet rest Luwen was giving me after struggling all day with walking.
“But is it okay for you to come to me every day?”
“Of course. I need to check if you’re doing well.”
“You’re a student here to learn, right? Is it okay for you to leave your post?”
“It’s fine because I’m a student. We’re not assigned anywhere except for planned battles. When it’s time to set up camp, we actually become freer.”
“I see.”
“How about you, young- I mean, Norman? Was it tough today too?”
Luwen walked deeper into the forest, pushing aside a particularly low-hanging branch with one hand. I was curious where we were going, but since he wouldn’t take me anywhere dangerous, I just rested comfortably and spoke.
“Yeah. Occasionally some injured people came to our side, but I was too busy trying to keep up… They didn’t even bother calling for me.”
“I see. Honestly, I was worried about you and it was hard to resist coming to check on you several times.”
“You did well holding back. You shouldn’t leave your position recklessly during the move, right?”
“Yes. If it weren’t for that, I would have had you ride on my horse.”
“Give me a ride next time.”
“Of course. Ah, we’ve arrived.”
At Luwen’s words, I turned my head and saw a small pond so clear that the depth was hard to gauge. The pebbles at the bottom were clearly visible, making it seem like you’d be floating in the air if you were in the water.
“It’s a pond? Is it deep?”
“It’s shallow. The deepest part will probably come up to your waist.”
My eyes lit up. Being able to wash in clean water! That’s what I wanted most. As expected of Luwen!
“I want to wash!”
“I’ll keep watch.”
“Why? You should wash too.”
“No, I can’t. There are many mercenaries with real combat experience in the subjugation unit. We need to be wary of them. You should always be cautious too, Norman.”
Luwen looked around and then turned towards me. I had just taken off my shirt and placed it on a rock, and Luwen, visibly flustered, quickly turned his head away.
“A, a quick wash is fine, but when you undress like this, you must always be accompanied by me.”
“I can’t even shower without you?”
“Don’t do it.”
“Hmm.”
Even if I wash now, I’ll sweat again soon. Now that I know about this sweet spot, I want to wash again before bed…
“Norman, your answer is not satisfactory.”
I took off my pants too, put them on the rock, and walked into the pond. It was incredibly cool, possibly spring-fed. I scooped water with my hands and wet my upper body.
‘Should I give this up?’
But if Luwen is warning me it’s dangerous, there must be a reason… He’s already overly concerned about me, and I couldn’t worry him more, so I had to give up what needed to be given up.
“Alright.”
“It’s a promise.”
“Okay. I’ll only undress in front of Luwen.”
“Th-th-that’s not what I meant.”
“No?”
I grinned and pretended not to know. Luwen had his back turned so he couldn’t see my face, so he probably wouldn’t realize it was a joke. But he seemed to sense something was off, and the sight of him tilting his head in confusion from behind was so cute that I wanted to hug him.
But I couldn’t do that now. Instead, I chose to tease him once more.
“Then is it okay if I bring a bunch of people to bathe with me?”
“Absolutely not!”
“Then I guess I really do have to undress only in front of Luwen?”
“…That’s correct.”
His mournful reply, as if he had given up on something, made me burst into laughter.
“Ahaha!”
Standing at the edge of the pond with just my ankles in the water, I took in the lovely sight of Luwen’s back. His actions, way of speaking, personality, and thoughts. There wasn’t a single aspect of him that wasn’t beautiful.
‘How did he even know about a place like this?’
Thinking about Luwen probably asking around the knights for my sake made my heart ache. No one could remain unmoved in this situation.
“Norman?”
“Yes?”
“I don’t hear any water sounds. Are you feeling unwell…?”
“No, I’m fine. I was just spaced out for a moment because the cool water felt so nice. I’ll wash quickly.”
“There’s no need to rush. Take your time and enjoy it.”
Still, I didn’t want to keep him waiting for long, so I focused and immersed myself in the water. Maybe because it was a place filled with Luwen’s thoughtfulness, I felt like all my fatigue was being washed away.
