Incompatible Interspecies Wives

220 – Escape (2)

The next day, Barran woke up in bed.

He knew there were many things to do today, but… he didn’t feel like moving.

The pain of loss kept pulling him down.

It had been seven years since Berg and he had protected each other at the crossroads of life and death.

He couldn’t believe that such a deeply connected being had gone away.

“…Barran, are you okay?”

His lover, Lora, asked him as he let out a sigh and didn’t move.

Barran pretended to be strong and wrapped his heart.

“I’m fine.”

Still, he was grateful to Lora for her consideration.

It seemed like he needed to start moving right away for her sake.

Now that Barran had gained the position of the leader, he had a duty to protect the whole Stockpin.

Of course, the Red Flame Group had disbanded, but not all of the Stockpin members had easily accepted the fact.

Still looking up at Baran, she was eagerly awaiting his next move.

Of course, the actual ruler of this land was now Mrs. Raiker.

But she knew that she wouldn’t be able to act right away due to the pain of her loss.

Even Gail kept telling Baran that it would be better for him to step forward.

It was under his responsibility that even the epitaph of Chief Adam had fallen.

Baran got up from the bed and brushed his hair.

He hastily put on his clothes and was ready for action.

Lora, who had been sitting in bed with the blanket wrapped around her, spoke up.

“Good luck today, Baran.”

“…”

Baran looked back at Lora.

Come to think of it… Berg had agreed to officiate their wedding, but that had been washed away as well.

The plague, farm work, band of thieves, and Khrund…

The schedule was full of things that had to be pushed back, one after another.

Would they have been able to receive Berg’s blessing if they had pulled the schedule a little bit faster?

Apart from their close friendship, receiving the blessing from the hero of the human race would have been more meaningful than anything else.

Baran lowered his head and shook off the lingering regret.

“Thank you.”

He then expressed his gratitude to Lora.

Before stepping out and twisting the doorknob, Baran paused for a moment.

“…”

“Baran?”

He turned to Lora and said,

“…Once things settle down, shall we get married?”

Baran asked in the midst of a situation where nothing was prepared.

Over the years, many women had approached him simply based on the possessions he held as a high-ranking member of the Crimson Flame.

Lora might be no different, but he often felt that she was somewhat set apart.

He could discover her true worth within her usual demeanor.

Her lack of vanity and her deep consideration, for example.

Baran, even now, was proposing in a more careless and hasty manner than ever before.

From Noble mtl dot com

It was a situation where they woke up and buried each other with a musty air, without any prepared rings.

The women Baran had met before would have found such a disrespectful proposition unpleasant.

He wanted to see Laura’s reaction.

“…One thing to be careful about…It won’t be easy to live harmoniously with me. The Hongyeomdan has been disbanded.”

Baran said, deliberately downplaying himself.

Even if it had been disbanded right away, there was still a hierarchy in place.

Baran still held some power in this place.

But he wanted to say this.

He knew that trying to test Laura was not a good thing to do, but he wanted to do it.

She fell silent for a moment.

Then, naturally smiling, she spoke.

“…Then I will feed you.”

“…”

Unexpectedly, Baran smirked and nodded.

****

Various guests began to come to Stockfin.

Different races. Various species. Many nobles.

The rumors about Berg, who met his death after defeating Krawnd and protecting the territory, were spreading wildly.

The status of the Hongyeomdan, who had fought to protect the land, was also rising.

Stories about their bravery spread, mainly among the non-human refugees who had resided in Stockfin.

“You should have seen them with swords drawn. How brave they were.”

“Wasn’t it impressive how Berg Lyka Gong led the charge? I didn’t expect the race to show such bravery…”

“…Because of them, we were able to take refuge here. We received a tremendous reception in Stockfin. I didn’t think that we would take care of each other in such a difficult situation.”

“Berg Lyka Gong said that children should be fed no matter what. Maybe because he was originally from the slums… He understood the sorrow of the common people.”

“Not only a hero to the race, but also a beloved person in their own right.”

Those stories lightened Baran’s heart a little.

It seemed that the enhancement of the reputation of the races that he had hoped for had been achieved to some extent as he left.

Although they would have to see how these rumors would unfold in the future, it was a good starting point.

Baran was facing the lords of numerous families.

In place of Cian, who was not coming out of the room, he met them with Gael.

“Gael, it’s been a while.”

“Lord Tons, it’s been a while.”

“…And who is this beside you?”

“This is Baran. He used to be the right hand of Lord Berg Lycer. Now, he’s also the leader of the Crimson Flame Sect.”

The Crimson Flame Sect may have disbanded, but Gael seemed to introduce Baran in this way for convenience.

Baran nodded his head and said, “Nice to meet you.”

The nobles responded, “Nice to meet you too.”

“Thank you for your efforts in battle.”

…

Baran could clearly sense that their status had changed. It was the first time the nobles spoke to him with such respect.

He could roughly gauge the high standing of Lord Berg. Perhaps Berg’s popularity among the common folk played a part in it. The love story between Berg and Cienne, “Loneliness and Purity,” was a widely sung song everywhere. Berg’s rise from the slums to nobility was a story of winning people’s love. Combined with his status as a hero of the Injuk, who showed unwavering determination even in death, it was possible that he enjoyed a status akin to that of a warrior.

The nobles in front of him seemed to hold a certain level of respect for Berg in their hearts. Their consideration for him was evident.

“…Has a memorial for Lord Lycer been erected?”

The Lord of the Tons family cautiously asked.

Baran nodded sadly and pointed to the distance. “But you can’t approach it. There are too many people gathered there… It would be disrespectful to our comrades who are already resting underground.”

“I understand.”

Even in the face of a refusal that might be considered impolite, the Lord of the Tons family simply nodded his head. He gestured to his attendants, and numerous carriages appeared.

“What’s this?”

“This is a gift from our family. I hope you will convey our regards to Lady Lycer. It’s the least we can do for the heroes of the Injuk.”

Before Baran could politely decline, the Lord of the Tons family turned and left.

And so, with a bow and a show of courtesy, they left without a word.

There were more than a few nobles who gave gifts and left like this.

Whether it was for their reputation, to win the favor of the people following Berg, or because they truly admired Berg, it was impossible to know.

Regardless, it was a significant change that could only be felt.

“Berg!”

As the day went on with greeting the guests that arrived in Stockfin, everyone’s attention turned to the commotion that arose from the village entrance.

“Berg, you stupid bastard!!!”

There stood a man cursing Berg.

His fellow members of the Red Flame group tried to subdue the man causing a ruckus all of a sudden in the village.

But he struggled and only called out Berg’s name.

“Where are you going! Come out, you incompetent bastard!!!”

Baran moved towards the commotion.

Shoving away the gathered villagers, he approached the man insulting Berg.

For Baran, who was still grieving Berg’s loss, it was enough to agitate him.

“Grrr!”

-Thump!

When Baran approached, the man was pressed to the ground and unable to move at all.

A member of the Red Flame group was holding the man’s head against the ground.

“…………….”

But after seeing the man’s face, Baran hardened at once.

He quickly recognized who the man was.

“You are…”

“Yeah…ugh…! Let go of me!!”

His name was probably… Flint.

A friend of Berg’s from the slums. There had been talks of him working in the upper ranks.

Baran had seen a scene of Berg conversing with Flint by the seaside village of Demos.

“…Let him go…!”

Baran quickly ordered after recognizing Flint.

The arms holding the man down released immediately.

As Flint straightened his upper body and dusted himself off, he spotted Baran and his eyes widened.

They both remembered each other’s faces.

“…Please say it’s not true.”

Flint, who had been keeping silent, pleaded with Baran.

Tears, hidden in his anger, began to flow.

They were the tears of a man who had lost a longtime friend.

“…Please, just say it’s not true.”

“….”

For Baran, this was harder than facing any nobleman.

Baran bit his lips while looking at Flint…he sighed and spoke.

“…I’m sorry.”

“…Damn…it….”

Flint sat down on the ground, suppressing his voice as he began to cry.

It was a reaction as if he had lost a brother.

Looking at him, Baran gazed at the sky.

It was an action to hold back the tears that seemed to flow.

“…Lord Flint?”

At that moment, someone called Flint’s name.

Everyone’s attention was drawn.

And as their attention was drawn, the people surrounding her all made way.

It was Ner Blackwood.

“…Lady Ner…”

Flint looked at Ner Blackwood, calming his tears, and knelt.

The two were acquainted with each other.

“…Lady Ner, Berg is…”

“…”

Ner didn’t answer his question.

Flint, who had managed to calm his tears, was pained by her silence again.

As he stood there, Ner spoke.

“…Lord Flint, I have one request to make.”

“…Yes?”

An unexpected request from Ner.

It seemed she made the request knowing Flint was from the upper class.

Maybe she was asking for a favor.

Although Baran didn’t know what that might be… it must have something to do with Berg.

Baran thought it would be better not to listen.

Ner continued.

“…Could you spare me a moment?”

****

A night filled with ambition.

I hid cautiously in a corner of the forest in the Stockpine territory.

“…”

Thankfully, it was spring.

If it had been winter, I might not have been able to withstand the cold of the night.

Shane, Arwin, and I decided to come up with our own strategy.

Shane was recovering from the plague, and Ner was regaining her health, but since we shouldn’t overdo it, we needed a way to travel long distances.

Stealing horses and running away in an instant wasn’t an option.

Perhaps revealing my survival and asking for Baran or Gael’s help could have been a viable choice.

Of course, even that process wouldn’t be easy.

They seemed quite busy as a lot of people gathered in Stockpine to mourn my death.

If they suddenly disappeared, they would undoubtedly attract attention.

In that process, the fact that I was alive might be discovered.

…I didn’t want to take that risk.

Being known as the hero of the human race who died wasn’t such a bad thing.

It felt as if the story of Berg Liker was completed with my death.

I didn’t want to ruin the story.

It seemed like it would help a lot in achieving the dream my brother Adam once had.

This was an opportunity to improve our reputation among our people.

So, for now, I left everything to Shane, Ner, and Arwin.

There wasn’t much I could do while hiding.

“…Sigh.”

That’s why, in such a night, I was sitting outside, looking miserable, but I felt a deeper sense of peace than ever before.

It was fair to say that I had no immediate problems.

I had let go of all the worries that plagued my mind.

I couldn’t even remember the last time I felt this kind of freedom.

Even the senses I couldn’t feel when I was desperate were coming back to life.

The moon seemed so beautiful.

I had forgotten how fragrant the scent of grass was.

The sound of the crickets crying sounded like music.

The cool night air was so refreshing.

I could have stayed like this for a longer time.

In particular, Ner and Arwin had to inform their family that they should leave.

Probably, the two would deliver the story that I survived to the most trusted family members.

They would clearly ask not to search for them.

We could only leave this place when those problems were solved.

– Sabak…

“…?”

Then, in this ambitious night, I heard the sound of someone approaching, stepping on the bushes.

At first, I thought it might be an animal, but it was only for a moment.

It was definitely a human sound.

It was the footsteps of a sturdy man.

I raised the sword that I had put on my lap.

It was a precaution in case of any unexpected situation.

Although the nobles flocked to Stokin’s territory, the thieves would surely flee to avoid them… There was never a certainty.

It was strange that someone would come to the forest at this hour in the first place.

“…Why did Lady Ner…bring me…here…”

Then, I heard someone whispering.

“…What on earth should I look for in this night…”

“…?”

I got goosebumps at that familiar voice.

– Swoosh!

I couldn’t resist the urge and revealed myself to the man.

“Ahh!!”

The man was startled and fell back.

“Wh…who are you?!”

Soon, he bravely reacted in an unsightly manner.

The habits I learned in the slums still remained.

“Flint…!”

I shouted his name.

I couldn’t hold back my emotions of joy.

“………….”

Flint’s face slowly hardened as he looked at me.

Blinking for a long time, he continued to confirm my identity.

“…Ve…r…g…?”

I approached the fallen Flint, grabbed his shoulder, and asked.

“Why are you here?”

“………….”

His baffled eyes wandered around.

But eventually, those wandering eyes started to well up with tears.

“Hey…! You…!”

“Flint-“

“-You should’ve said you were alive if you were!!”

Flint exploded in anger and hugged me tightly.

At the same time, he started shedding tears.

“……..”

Seeing him in such a state, I felt strangely grateful, and at the same time, began to feel sorry.

I felt even more apologetic when I thought of the many friends who knew me and how they would react if they knew I was alive.

“Do you know how shocked I was when I heard you were dead?!”

“….I’m sorry.”

“Man…! You’ve made my heart drop…!”

“….”

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No matter what the situation was, my heart felt warm knowing that there was someone who could be so sad about my death.

Flint then let go of me and checked my face.

Seeing me again, he chuckled and laughed.

“…You’re definitely alive…! There must have been some misunderstanding…!”

“I’m alive, Flint.”

“Then we should go back! Why on earth…”

“…”

Flint blinked his eyes at my unresponsive appearance.

Then he remained silent as if realizing something.

“…”

Even though he didn’t find out exactly what it was, he seemed to understand roughly the choice I had made.

Even why I faked my death.

A long-time friend had the ability to figure out everything.

“…Does the life of a noble not suit you?”

Flint asked.

I chuckled and nodded my head.

“It didn’t.”

Flint let out a sigh. It was also a sigh of relief to calm his still-surprised heart.

“…Well, you never really liked being tense.”

“…”

Suddenly, I became curious if another friend had visited the village.

It wasn’t an impossible story.

“Flint, has Max come to the village too?”

Max had been another friend I hadn’t seen since parting in the slum.

Flint shook his head.

“I haven’t seen him. If he’s alive somewhere, he’ll probably come to find us. If he’s dead…”

“…”

Flint swallowed his last words and said,

“…If Max arrives in the village, I’ll let you know too.”

“…Alright.”

I caught sight of Flint.

“Anyway, how did you know I was here?”

“I didn’t. Ner just told me to get a strange bowl from here…”

“…A bowl?”

I laughed at the proposal Ner had thrown at Flint.

It must have been a lie to send Flint to me.

Flint, who had been deceived, eventually laughed as well.

“…I found something better than a bowl, anyway.”

“…”

Soon, I understood why Ner had sent Flint here.

I quickly understood what potential he saw in Flint.

Our escape route was visible.

As a member of the upper echelon, Flint would certainly have been able to prepare many carriages.

I didn’t hesitate.

“Hey, Flint.”

Flint raised his head.

“…What.”

I smiled at him.

“…..Help me.”