Chapter 12: Compensation (3)

The expedition path to Blackwood was bustling with noise.

It was filled with stories about me.

“Congratulations! Vice-captain!”

"Wow... I can't believe it. The vice-captain is getting married..."

"Vice-captain must have accepted her because she's pretty, right?"

"She's even a noble... The vice-captain has really succeeded."

"Is the vice-captain also becoming a noble?"

"No, you fool. How can that happen? He doesn't have any land to rule, and he's not even taking the name of Blackwood. The vice-captain will remain the same."

I remained silent and did not respond to anything they were saying.

However, Adam Hyung couldn't contain his laughter on the horse.

Seemingly delighted by my embarrassment, he laughed out loud.

At first, I was annoyed and irritated, but as time passed, I started to laugh too.

Perhaps it was because I realized that all of them were trying to ease my tension and congratulate me at the same time.

Adam Hyung, who had been laughing for a while, calmed down his laughter and said.

"Anyway, Berg. You made a good choice, really."

“…”

"It may be a mixed-race marriage... but, Berg, do you know what one of the characteristics of the Wolfman tribe is?"

At his question, I looked at Adam Hyung.

Putting his index finger up, which had been dangling, he said.

"They love only one person for a lifetime."

“…”

"Impressive, isn't it?"

For some reason, those words were deeply engraved in my heart. Adam Hyung gave an explanation.

"And that's why they also refer to marriage as a bond of souls. They say that the couple stays together even after death."

I pondered over his words for a while and then said.

"...But the Wolfman people I saw in the mercenary group didn't behave like that. They brought prostitutes and spent their days in debauchery."

“Oh, that’s…”

Adam Hyung opened his mouth as if to refute, blinked his eyes, and avoided eye contact.

Then he answered in an uncertain voice.

"...Actually, the rumor about loving only one person is something I heard too."

“….”

I sighed and tried to change the subject quickly.

It felt like I was just having pointless conversations with Adam Hyung.

However, as I moved forward, Adam Hyung quickly followed me.

Even the mercenary group that had been following at the tail end had to pick up the pace to keep up with him.

Adam Hyung, who was persistently following me, spoke.

"Anyway, your Blackwood wife will stand by your side. A man also gains strength with his wife's support."

"You speak as if you already have a wife."

"Well, considering how many women I have been with..."

“…”

He reached out his arm from the horse and slapped my shoulder.

"And now that it's like this, don't just hide in the mercenary group. Let your name be known. The son-in-law of Blackwood can't live quietly anymore. It’s a mercenary group that you and I raised together, does it make sense people don’t know about you?"

"...I'm not doing this to become famous or anything. Let it go."

"Anyway, once you get married—"

"—Let's postpone the marriage talk. Tackling the horde of monsters is the priority."

I interrupted as if there was something Hyung was forgetting. It had been a long time since we led the entire mercenary group in such a large-scale battle.

Perhaps there could be many casualties ahead.

"Well... as always, we'll be able to handle it well. Trust the kids. Besides, everyone seems motivated because they know you're getting a wife, right?"

I observed the mercenaries following behind for a moment.

It had been a long time since the entire mercenary group went out like this.

But indeed, just as he said, everyone had the same smile on their faces.

I shook my head and said.

"...Rather, it's probably because they now have a connection with the nobility."

There were many members who felt proud just by having a connection with the noble. Because now our group was going to change from a group of commoners to a group with nobles on their backs.

"Whatever the case may be, don't worry about it."

“….”

Adam Hyung made a mischievous expression for a moment then continued his words.

"...If you're worried, then worry about your first night-"

"-Ah, just stop it."

"Ahahaha!"

Adam Hyung busted into laughter to the point where tears welled in his eyes.

Baran, who was riding the horse behind me, couldn't contain his laughter either.

I tried to ignore his words as much as possible.

After a while of traveling like that, this time it was Baran who asked.

“Vice-captain Berg. Are you completely ready?”

“…?”

"Well, you know, like a ring or something... Don't you have that?"

Perhaps because I showed a clear disinterest in that aspect, Baran worried about even the smallest things.

I nodded my head.

In the first place, it was not an easy decision for me either.

Even though I wasn't particularly inclined, if I decided to get married, I would do it properly.

I had no intention of treating my future wife roughly.

Whatever happens, she will be by my side until I die.

So I needed to put in the appropriate effort as well.

Eventually, our existence would become a source of strength for each other.

That was what being a couple is about.

"But do the Wolfman Tribe have a ring culture?"

Adam suddenly asked.

"I don't think they do..."

Baran smiled at his words and spoke.

“Wouldn’t it be nice to have a good culture mixed with each other? Anyway, giving a ring as a gift, would there be any woman who dislikes it?"

"Is that so?"

"I'm a little worried. It wouldn't be easy to adapt to each other's cultures..."

"If it's Berg, you'll do well."

Adam Hyung's words pushed through once again, sticking by my side.

He reached out his hand and patted my shoulder as he spoke.

"Anyway. I'm glad you made the decision."

“…”

“…Berg. First love is always hard to forget. Now that time has passed, brush it off and move on."

Baran was taken aback by Adam Hyung's words.

"What? Vice-captain Berg, did you also have a first love?"

“…”

"So that's why you've been pushing women away? Wow... you're more romantic than I thought."

"Hah. It's not like that."

I sighed and turned the horse’s reins.

I wanted to escape from this ongoing conversation.

"I'll go take a look at the back."

I said to Adam Hyung and headed toward the back of the formation.

However, even as I backtracked like that, I was still overwhelmed by the congratulations from many members.

****

The evening was approaching.

The mercenaries set up their campsite in a familiar manner in a suitable space.

Bonfires sprouted up here and there, and the smell of food wafted through the air.

The sounds of laughter, sighs, and conversation echoed around.

However, I got on my horse and briefly left the campsite.

I needed some time alone, away from the clamor.

As we approached the Blackwood Territory, the air became clearer.

The trees grew denser, and the grass grew taller.

The forest was also sparsely visible in the distance.

It felt like we were venturing further into nature, perhaps even entering the territory of the elves.

However, at the same time, there were scattered signs of devastation left by monsters.

As we proceeded, the damages suffered by the territory began to appear one by one.

I lightly surveyed the surroundings, lost in contemplation.

Marriage...

It was such a heavy word.

I couldn't even imagine that I would suddenly find myself in a marriage with a stranger.

I didn't show it, but as a human, I was nervous.

It was because I was aware of how important this ceremony was.

There was a time when I considered it to be the most important ritual in my life. There was a time when I longed only for marriage.

The tension I once held during those times seemed to return faintly.

'Will I be able to make my partner happy? Will we get along well? Will we not fight? What kind of future should I envision?'

I couldn't sense anything because I didn't know my partner.

There might be underlying issues in this marriage that added to the burden.

Perhaps this marriage had the potential to bear the fate of our mercenary group.

As Adam Hyung said, it could be our lifeline after the war.

In that regard, merging with 'Ner Blackwood' was more important than anything else.

It meant that there were areas where I needed to make an effort. Of course, these efforts would be easier if I could get along well with her.

If I had to do it anyway, I hoped that the other person would get along well with me.

In the first place, I didn't want to live my life clashing with a woman I would spend a lifetime with.

Certainly, there would be difficulties. I was expecting some of them.

As different races, I knew that our cultures would differ greatly.

I had already experienced it in the previous mercenary group. There were times when the cultural differences didn't diminish until the end, and I had to suffer through it.

Back then, I could express my opinion with my fists, but not this time.

As a couple, a considerate heart would be more important than anything else.

What kind of things would there be?

I also couldn’t know this because I didn’t know the other person’s culture.

“Vice-captain Berg!”

I hear a voice calling me from behind.

"Please have your meal! We will take care of the scouting!"

I set aside my thoughts on the words of my subordinates.

Nodding my head, I turned the reins of my horse.

****

"Grand, isn't it?"

“…”

As we entered the Blackwood Castle, Adam Hyung called out to me.

There was no need to answer, as the Blackwood territory was massive.

Even the mercenary group walking in formation seemed distracted and chaotic.

But I could understand their reactions.

I had been to many other nobles’ estates, but this place was of a different level.

Among the nobles we had encountered so far, it might be the most prestigious.

Perhaps it was due to the cultural differences, but the atmosphere here felt unique.

The castle built on the steep mountain slope emitted a strange feeling.

Along that slope, many trees grew.

Numerous birds flew freely in the air.

There were houses that reminded me of cozy dens.

The stone statues that look like they might have been their heroes in the past were also raising their heads high.

And…

‘There's a giant waterfall flowing inside the Blackwood Castle, Bell! We have to see it too!’

One waterfall.

I closed my eyes momentarily at the voice that came through my mind.

“….”

'It couldn't be like this. Really, I couldn't be like this anymore.'

“…Berg?”

Adam Hyung called me from the side.

“…”

"What? Surprised by the waterfall? It's beautiful, isn't it?"

I looked at the waterfall and slowly let out my thoughts.

"...It's smaller than I expected."

"Huh? Wait, you knew there was a waterfall?"

There was no need to answer Adam Hyung's question.

- Pabam! Pabam!

- Doong! Doong! Doong! Doong!

In an instant, a military band playing in sync greeted us.

Cheers erupted from the numerous Wolfman soldiers.

The people of the territory and the children also applauded.

There wasn't a single person who didn't welcome us, who came bearing hope.

The atmosphere was pleasant.

“It’s the first time I’ve ever seen so many werewolves people at once!”

Baran shouted into my ear, sticking close to me.

I had the same thought as well.

Being surrounded by these people, it distinctly felt like we were foreigners.

Every citizen had a tail, and two wolf-like ears hung above their heads.

The Red Flames walked slowly along the path created by their parting.

And at the end of this path, there were people waiting for us with an air of dignity unlike anyone else.

The sheen flowing from their tails was different.

Just as the nobles overflowed with dignity, those werewolves people also overflowed with dignity.

There were a total of six people waiting for us.

One middle-aged man with a mature appearance, three young men who seemed like his sons, and two young women who appeared to be his daughters.

I looked lightly to see which of them might be Ner.

They were all not bad, but I could tell that Adam Hyung's statement, "I've never seen such a beautiful woman before," was an exaggeration.

Regardless of which one she was, they were just slightly pretty.

They didn't reach the level of most beautiful.

Adam Hyung and I got off our horses at an appropriate distance.

The other members who had been riding along with us also dismounted.

Adam Hyung walked ahead, and I followed behind him.

Applause, cheers, and the sound of musical instruments filled the air.

We could hear whispering evaluations toward us.

"Who's that human behind? Handsome..."

“Is that person Ner-sama’s partner?”

Adam Hyung smirked in response to the compliments about me.

And with that laughter, he smoothly smiled at the approaching middle-aged man.

That man had a large build, grayish hair, a tail, and scars that seemed to symbolize honor. 

Gibson Blackwood.

He was the head of the Blackwood family.

Adam Hyung extended his hand for a handshake first.

“Lord Blackwood, nice to meet you.”

“Adam. I hope your journey was comfortable?

They exchanged brief greetings, and soon the focus shifted toward me.

“Is this my son-in-law?”

I lowered my head lightly.

“Nice to meet you. My name is Berg.”

“Berg! That’s a good name. As Adam said, you are tall. Oh, is it okay if I speak comfortably?”

"That's fine."

We shook hands, and I could feel his strength in his grip.

"Good. Since we're going to be family, let's be at ease. Berg, don't stick to formal titles, just call me 'Father-in-law.'"

I nodded my head and moved my gaze.

First and foremost, I wanted to make sure who Ner was.

But at the same time as the attention was focused, Gibson Blackwood began to look at me and Adam.

"Well..."

Adam Hyung also tilted his head in confusion.

It didn't take long for me to realize what he was wondering about.

"...Neir Blackwood is not here, it seems."

At his words, there was a moment of awkward silence.

Gibson Blackwood let out a long sigh and replied.

"...She suddenly fell ill this morning... and couldn't come out."

“…”

“…”

I quietly glanced at Adam Hyung from the corner of my eye.

He still maintained a polite smile.

But he probably felt what I felt.

Gibson Blackwood was lying.

I discreetly sighed through my nose, trying not to show any signs.

The path to marriage didn't feel smooth from the very beginning.

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