Chapter 28: Human Village (1)

 

Several days had passed, and Adam Hyung and the mercenaries were now preparing to return to Stockpin.

 

Since there was nothing better to stay here for, we hurriedly prepared to return.

 

There were no celebrations or feasts for our victories. Werewolves suffered for a long time, so they couldn’t afford to do such a thing.

 

If the cheers and applause we received a few days ago were a feast, then that was our celebration.

 

So, it was right for us to find our own way back home now.

 

On top of that, when we return to Stockpin, we would be able to enjoy ourselves in our own way.

 

Having operated the mercenary group for a long time, our warehouse was filled with plenty of food and wealth.

 

In this war, the mercenaries were probably the ones who could live the most well.

 

It was only fitting for us, as well as the werewolves, that we would return now.

 

I watched as the members hammered the nails into the final coffin of the casualties.

 

A total of 7 people had died in this subjugation.

 

It was a very small number, considering that it was a casualty that came from the full manpower of the Red Flames, but… Even so,  I couldn’t help but feel burdened.

 

“…”

 

As I looked at the coffins with a troubled expression, Adam Hyung handed me cheap liquor and spoke.

 

“...Think of it as an investment in our future, Berg.”

 

“…”

 

I took a sip of the liquor he handed me.

 

He continued speaking.

 

“If that’s not enough, think of it as the sacrifice which saved many werewolves in Blackwood.”

 

“…”

 

“And if that’s still not enough, live happily for yourself.”

 

I watched as the coffins were loaded onto the carriage.

 

I nodded my head and let out a long sigh.

 

It was a farewell I had experienced hundreds of times, but it was always difficult to control my emotions.

 

When death is so close, useless thoughts begin to surface.

 

It always took away my energy, knowing that anyone could die just like that.

 

I was afraid that one day, Bairan, Shawn, and Jackson might end up like that too.

 

“…”

 

...Especially Adam Hyung. The longer I spend time with him, the more my concern for his safety grew.

 

However, I couldn’t let it show.

 

He likely felt the same way about me.

 

Expressing these feelings would only provide an excuse to quit to Head Hunter Unit.

 

In fact, all of this was a price to pay for living with a full stomach and a warm back.

 

It was something I had to endure and bear.

 

Once again, after downing a bottle of liquor, I handed it back to Adam Hyung.

 

Furthermore, when it came to the deaths of the members, Adam Hyung must have suffered the most.

 

It was clear that as the leader, he felt a sense of responsibility for all those deaths.

 

He would feel guilty for those who believed in the future he promised, only to meet their demise.

 

Hence, I concealed my emotions and changed the subject.

 

“So, when are we heading back?”

 

“The preparations will be finished this evening… Let’s depart tomorrow morning.”

 

Immediately, I thought of Ner.

 

With the swift return, she too would have to bid farewell to her family quickly.

 

She might be surprised.

 

“I’ll make the necessary arrangements and join you,”

 

I said.

 

Hyung nodded in understanding.

 

****

 

There was still a wall between Ner and me.

 

We laughed together during the march a few days ago, but afterward, our emotions settled down, and things returned to how they were before.

 

She still placed a pillow between us when we slept, she still used formal speech with me, and she still showed slight reluctance when we were alone together.

 

Perhaps, in a way, I should consider myself fortunate. At least she remained by my side quietly when others were around.

 

It didn’t matter when we were alone because I made a conscious decision to give her time.

 

I didn’t want to force her to fit my standards.

 

It was said that it took time for werewolves to like someone. That kind of love lasts a long time.

 

It was akin to a love as solid as charcoal.

 

If I considered the current preparations, I had no complaints.

 

I needed to understand her.

 

...And honestly, I wasn’t deeply in love with her either yet.

 

I had a clear understanding that she was someone I should take care of, but it was different from love and a profound bond.

 

I was aware of that difference.

 

So even if she didn’t respond to my efforts, it wouldn’t greatly affect me.

 

As for me now, I had to worry about how to get along with her without fighting…

 

If it took time, instead of trying to make it feel like a married couple, I thought about starting as friends.

 

“…Ner.”

 

I found Ner in the forest within Blackwood’s territory.

 

It was quite a distance from where we had our wedding.

 

This place was believed to be the resting place of Blackwood’s ancestors.

 

It was a place where the sunlight was partially blocked by the leaves, creating a tranquil atmosphere with a cool breeze.

 

However, it wasn’t excessively dark either.

 

Birds chirped, and butterflies fluttered around as Ner turned her head to look at me.

 

She was sitting gracefully, kneeling in front of a grave.

 

Her long, white tail gently touched the grave, filled with a sense of melancholy.

 

I had felt it for several days, but it seemed that touching the werewolf’s tail also implies that it was something precious.

 

When forming a soul bond, they also intertwined their tails, and now, as she mourned, she touched the grave with her tail.

 

“…How did you find me?”

 

“I asked one of the maids.”

 

“…”

 

Ner nodded her head.

 

As I looked ahead of her, our wedding ring was taken off and lying on the ground.

 

I felt that the combination of her dislike of this marriage and the unfamiliar feeling of the ring made her feel uncomfortable.

 

It didn’t matter since it was just the two of us.

 

Putting those trivial matters aside, I spoke to Ner.

 

“We’ll leave tomorrow.”

 

“…Yes?”

 

“Because there’s nothing good for us to stay here any longer.”

 

Ner shifted her gaze to the grave. Her tail swayed gently again.

 

“...Isn’t it too sudden?”

 

“We have to go back too.”

 

“…”

 

I had never seen her hold something so dearly before.

 

She had always been distant from her family all her life, but the person buried there must have been someone precious to her.

 

“...Who is it?”

 

I asked.

 

Ner paused for a while, as if yearning for that person, then whispered quietly.

 

“...My grandmother.”

 

“...Were you close?”

 

“Yes. She... was the person I loved the most.”

 

Ner’s voice still contained a faint pain.

 

Just from that voice alone, I could vaguely sense how much she loved her grandmother.

 

She continued speaking, as if proudly proclaiming her love of her.

 

“...She became like a mother to me in place of my own mother. She became a friend to me when I was lonely. She comforted me every time I cried and supported me, even when everyone pushed me away... She was always on my side.”

 

“…”

 

“If it weren’t for my grandmother, I wouldn’t have been able to endure all this. Especially the things she said... Ah.”

 

“…?”

 

Ner fell silent for a moment and then spoke again.

 

“...Anyway.”

 

“…”

 

“We’re leaving tomorrow morning?”

 

“Yes.”

 

“… It’s the first time I’ve ever left her grandmother’s side… I’m afraid, to be honest. And going to the human village...”

 

I listened quietly to her words.

 

I could understand her perspective, as it would undoubtedly be a frightening situation for her.

 

For me, all I could offer was formal comfort.

 

“...I’ll help you adjust.”

 

Ner turned to look at me.

 

Indeed, our relationship had grown much closer over the past few days.

 

She didn’t seem to be afraid of me anymore.

 

In the first place, it didn’t make sense for a married couple to fear each other.

 

However, Ner looked at me for a long time, then let out a sigh with a guilt-ridden expression.

 

“…Berg?”

 

“Yes.”

 

“Can I be honest with you?”

 

I sensed that a heavy subject was about to be broached, perhaps something she had kept hidden while fearing me.

 

I nodded. I didn’t forget that even this was possible because she had opened her heart to me.

 

“...I want to stay by my grandmother’s side... I don’t want to leave my hometown.”

 

She spoke slowly.

 

“My marriage with you…It still weighs heavily on my heart. I don’t hate the time I spend with you as much as before… but if I have to live like this for the rest of my life, I feel helpless.”

 

I nodded once. It was all understandable.

 

Blackwood gave Ner to me, but she didn’t want that. It was no different from forcibly taking her away.

 

“I know that you’re a good person, to the extent that I feel like an idiot for being afraid of you for so long. I’m grateful for what you’ve done for us... But...”

 

“…”

 

“…But I’m really sorry…I’m sorry…But my heart is still the same. This feeling I have for you... It feels distant from love. No, it’s far away.”

 

I wasn’t surprised by her words.

 

“…I know.”

 

We had already had this conversation. I didn’t expect her to change so soon.

 

Ner tightly closed her mouth.

 

“So, Berg. Maybe... It might be better for us not to try so hard for each other’s sake. I don’t want you to work for a heart that won’t be reciprocated either. We didn’t come together because we desired each other. In the end, we’re sacrificing ourselves for the sake of our people.”

 

I glanced around nonchalantly. Her statements didn’t present a significant issue for me.

 

“So, should we not even try... since we were forced into this relationship?”

 

“…”

 

The silence felt affirmative.

 

I let out a sigh for a moment and took steps toward a beautiful flower in the distance.

 

Pushing through the tall grass, I made my way toward the flower.

 

“No one knows what the future holds. There’s no point in discussing it now.”

 

“But... Ugh...”

 

However, Ner couldn’t relax her expression. She couldn’t erase the apologetic look.

 

It was as if she had already decided that she could never accept me.

 

As I watched her in silence, I picked a flower I found and held it in my hand.

 

Then, I approached the grave where Ner was sitting.

 

I placed the flower in front of the grave.

 

Ner looked at me curiously.

 

Looking at that expression, I asked.

 

“Don’t werewolves offer flowers?”

 

“When we pay respects to the deceased, we do it like this, with our tails...”

 

Ner’s tail brushed the grave again.

 

I nodded and returned to the previous topic.

 

“Yes. Surely, there will be many difficult things ahead. Especially... when it comes to reconciling our cultures. The ways of honoring the deceased are different too...”

 

I said, pointing to the ring she had taken off.

 

“Even things like this. I know you feel uncomfortable wearing it, but if we’re in front of people, I have no choice but to ask you to wear the ring. That’s what a human couple is like.”

 

Ner looked down at the ring that had been taken off and spoke.

 

“...Isn’t this... just a culture of constraining each other? Are human couples the ones who confine and mark each other...? Berg, from this point on, werewolves and humans are already incompatible. Werewolf couples value each other’s freedom above all...”

 

“That’s why it will be difficult.”

 

“Then, maybe you don’t need to start—”

 

“—But that doesn’t mean I want to live while giving up.”

 

I raised my voice as I cut off Ner’s words. Ner also closed her mouth and listened to me.

 

“...We can adjust. We’re a married couple. We’re supposed to spend our lives together. I don’t want to live as a couple without any affection for each other.”

 

I sat down next to Ner.

 

Her eyes didn’t seem to expect me to leave.

 

“...Ner, earlier you said you think I’m a good person, right?”

 

Ner hesitated to speak.

 

“Yes. But that doesn’t mean it’s love—”

 

“I guess we can start as friends.”

 

“… Pardon?”

 

I looked at her as well.

 

“Even if we don’t love each other, we can still be friends.”

 

“…….”

 

Ner blinked her eyes several times as if pondering those words.

 

Then, she lowered her head and whispered quietly.

 

“...Friends...”

 

She seemed to be repeating the word in her mind.

 

“I’ve told you before, the werewolves take a long time to love, you said it yourself. So, I won’t force it.”

 

“…”

 

“Of course, we have to appear like a couple in front of others, for everyone’s sake. You know that, right?”

 

In truth, there would be nothing more certain than s*x to solidify the alliance with Blackwood.

 

By having a relationship and bearing my child, Ner would become completely dependent on me.

 

She would be bound to our Red Flames.

 

If she were to have my child, whether our relationship was good or bad, the members of the Red Flames would not doubt our alliance with Blackwood.

 

However, if things were that way, she might come to hate me. I didn’t know what other consequences it might bring.

 

Regardless, I didn’t want to force myself onto her.

 

So, instead, we would pretend to have a good relationship.

 

Through our actions, we would show that the alliance is strong.

 

I believed that if we both showed a little consideration for each other, we could choose a much better path.

 

In the first place, Hyung told me to be happy. I was meant to be.

 

Ner spoke.

 

“In front of others... I will continue to pretend.”

 

“That’s a relief. So, does that mean we start as friends?”

 

“…”

 

Ner fell silent once again.

 

It was apparent how difficult this was for her as she looked down at the ground with a guilt-ridden expression.

 

Or perhaps it was because she disliked me that much, even after being rejected and abandoned by her family?

 

-Thump... Thump...

 

But at that moment, I saw Ner’s tail moving behind her.

 

As if Ner felt the momentary movement, she immediately grabbed her tail.

 

I recalled the story I heard a few days ago.

 

If a tail shakes from side to side, it means ‘good.’

 

With a smile, I spoke to her.

 

“I’ll take it as a ‘good’ sign.”

 

Ner blushed, feeling embarrassed that her true feelings were revealed.

 

But eventually, she nodded her head.