༺ 𓆩 Chapter 5 𓆪 ༻
「Translator — Creator」
᠃ ⚘᠂ ⚘ ˚ ⚘᠂ ⚘ ᠃
Dawaa and Hunbish, both tense and on edge while keeping a close watch for Forest Men, finally let out a breath of relief as they passed through the mountain's entrance and emerged onto the open plateau.
“Phew... now I can finally breathe.”
With a sigh of relief, Dawaa slumped against Hunbish’s back.
He tried to put on a brave face, but it was clear he was exhausted — being chased by a group of unfamiliar creatures, alone, had taken its toll.
“Rest well. I'll take you to the hospital first thing when we reach the village."
"Yeah. It's been so long since I've leaned against your back like this, brother."
Burying his face into Hunbish’s back, Dawaa was washed over by a wave of childhood nostalgia.
“We used to play together all the time when we were little, didn’t we?”
“Yeah. Those were good days.”
“Me, you, and Jab — we were always running around together, training side by side. That was the happiest time of my life.”
From the moment Hunbish began to ride the horses, the three of them had been inseparable.
Though Dawaa, a year younger, had struggled to keep up at first, once he found his footing, he had caught up so fast that it was hard to say who was better between them.
But that all changed when Hunbish’s father suddenly took him away for special training. From then on, a gap in skill reappeared — so much so that even Jab couldn’t compete with Hunbish anymore.
“I was so proud when you beat that arrogant Tamir in a wrestling match at the village festival. The way his smug expression crumpled, it was priceless.”
Sitting behind him on horseback, Dawaa recalled childhood memories one by one, making Hunbish squirm with embarrassment.
“That was ages ago. Now I can barely walk straight.”
“No way. You were amazing today too, just like back then. I mean it. If you hadn’t shown up, I really would’ve died out there.”
Hunbish laughed awkwardly.
“You little flatterer. I’m just glad you didn’t get seriously hurt. Would’ve been a damn shame not seeing you acting all slick for the rest of your life.”
“Heehee.”
The feeling was mutual.
Ever since becoming a shepherd, Dawaa had borne every burden alone, and in that time, he’d forgotten something important.
He had forgotten how sweet it could be to rest in someone else’s arms.
He had gone so long without having anyone to lean on.
But though he carried himself like a grown man, he was still just a young adult. After a long, hard day, it was only natural to want someone to hold him up.
Dawaa drifted off to sleep, breathing softly as he leaned on Hunbish’s back atop the gently swaying horse.
Hunbish slowed their pace, guiding the horse with care so Dawaa could rest.
It had been a long time since someone leaned on him like this, since he last felt this quiet sense of trust in the open, wind-swept heights of the plateau.
𓇗
Dawaa opened his eyes to the sound of bustling commotion.
“…What’s going on?”
"Are you awake?"
When Dawaa woke and asked, Hunbish stopped his horse for a moment.
"Seems like something's happening at the square?"
"Really? I hope it's nothing serious..."
They were still at the village entrance. Even though there was quite a distance to the square, it was noisy enough that people seemed to have gathered in considerable numbers.
But this wasn’t the season for any kind of festival or ceremony. Neither of them had the faintest idea what was going on, and their expressions were puzzled and wary.
“Let’s go have a look.”
When Hunbish rode toward the square and they finally arrived, the sight before them was one of confusion and unrest.
Several bonfires blazed in the square, surrounded by villagers who formed a loose circle around them.
At the center stood Tamir and his search party, some of whom appeared to be seriously injured.
Tamir had something slung over one shoulder. At first it was hard to tell, but with a closer look, the shape became unmistakable — it was the corpse of a Forest Man.
Seeing this, the adults wore grave expressions as they eagerly shared whatever information they knew about forest men, making the square buzz with chatter.
“What the hell is that furry thing?”
"Don't you know? That's what they call a forest man."
“Never seen anything like that in my life.”
“They came up here once long ago, but all froze to death in the cold. Haven’t returned since. But down south, I’ve heard those things cause serious damage.”
“I heard they spread dangerous diseases…”
“What? So they’re really that dangerous?”
Caught in their own excitement, the villagers ignored everything else — including Tamir in the center and even Hunbish, who had only just arrived.
“Looks like Tamir’s group got attacked by one of those things.”
“Yeah.”
Instinctively, Hunbish scanned the group with his eyes, searching for Jab.
Fortunately, Jab was there, mounted behind Tamir.
He didn’t appear to be badly hurt.
Just as Hunbish began to feel a small measure of relief, Tamir’s eyes locked with his.
The already rigid expression on Tamir’s face tightened further, until it looked carved in stone. And then, as though venting the fury that had built up inside him, Tamir shouted to the crowd.
“As you all know, Forest Men have no business coming this far north! Clearly, someone led them here on purpose! We must punish whoever brought these savage, cunning monsters here to attack the people of Olus!”
His voice cracked with fury, and the crowd stirred again, more unease spreading like wildfire.
Regardless of whether Tamir’s accusations held water, how were they supposed to find this supposed culprit, let alone punish them?
‘What the hell is he talking about…?’
Hunbish wasn’t the only one left confused. Everyone was.
But Tamir wasn’t finished.
“Those Forest Men were created by the Goddess to wipe out mankind! And even in our own territory, there are those who once sided with her — who knowingly protected them! That person may still be involved!”
“What? Someone like that lived here?”
Tamir paused, scanning the crowd.
His words sent a ripple through the villagers, who now busied themselves whispering and speculating, turning over names and suspicions in their heads.
As time passed, the villagers' speculations narrowed, and soon, everyone found themselves thinking of the same person. Just then, Tamir spoke again.
“Yes, that’s right. The one who still lives outside the village, always using hunting as an excuse to wander beyond the domain’s borders. If he’s been communicating with someone in secret, who would ever know? That person is—!”
Only then did Hunbish finally understand what kind of nonsense Tamir was spouting.
“You bastard…”
“That person is none other than the criminal — Uhule! I, Borjigin Tamir, rightful heir to the domain of Olus and direct descendant of the Lord, hereby declare! The one responsible for this crisis, Uhule, must be summoned, placed on trial, and interrogated!”
Chaos broke out in the square.
Though a few voices hesitantly pointed out how absurdly Tamir’s logic leaped from one conclusion to another, they were quickly drowned out. Any attempt to defend Uhule was met with fierce opposition — wasn’t he a known sympathizer of the Goddess? And they weren’t talking about punishment —just interrogation. So why protect him at all?
Hunbish couldn't make sense of it. What even was this “Goddess”? Why were they accusing his father of bringing in the Forest Men? And how could people so easily accept and rally behind Tamir’s baseless claims?
“Hunbish…”
Noticing his growing agitation, Dawaa looked up at him with worried eyes.
But Hunbish was already off his horse, pushing through the crowd in a straight line toward Tamir.
He had to say something, anything, or the rage in his chest would consume him.
Hunbish stormed forward and grabbed Tamir by the collar.
Tamir’s expression twisted, as if Hunbish had stained him with filth.
“What? Got something to say?”
“You’ve gone too far. It’s one thing to hate me but dragging my father into this? You’ve crossed the line.”
“You think I’m playing games? Don’t kid yourself! You don’t matter to me in the slightest. Can’t you see the injured right behind me?”
Only then did Hunbish look properly at the scouting party.
They were in far worse condition than he had realized.
Some had their arms splinted, bones clearly broken. Others had bandages soaked crimson, dust and grime clinging to the dried blood.
Their eyes were sharp, resentful — and when Hunbish met their gaze, his momentum faltered.
“Stop it. Look around you, Hunbish. This isn’t something you can fix like this.”
Jab stepped in, holding him back.
When Hunbish glanced around, he saw familiar elders of the Olus territory, all looking down at him with the same familiar expressions.
"Grgh..."
But instead of being intimidated by being surrounded by them, the rebellious feelings that had been building up for so long began to burst forth.
“You people…”
“Enough!”
A thunderous shout rang through the square, cutting him off completely, as though even his resistance would not be tolerated here.
In an instant, every eye in the square turned in unison, instinctively drawn toward the source of the voice.
At the end of that path, emerging through the crowd and riding into the square’s center, was the Lord.
Seated atop a lustrous black steed, his presence radiated such authority that the people, overwhelmed by his bearing, fell silent. No one dared speak; their eyes simply followed the man’s movements and words.
At last, having reached the center, the Lord cast his gaze between Tamir and Hunbish.
Behind him stood his close confidant, Jambaga, towering with a massive axe strapped to his back.
“What is all this commotion, Tamir?”
When Lord Borjigin Dorji addressed him, Tamir, who had been so loud just moments ago, visibly tensed. His voice now trembled as he explained everything, piece by piece.
He recounted how their patrol had been attacked by Forest Men, that several members of the scouting party were injured, that he had accused Uhule of bringing them here, and that Hunbish had taken offense and reacted violently.
After hearing it all, the Lord took a moment to assess the situation. Then, unexpectedly, he turned and scolded Tamir instead.
“So your men were injured because you failed to lead them properly, and now you’re looking for someone else to blame?”
“I... that is…”
“I’ve taught you many things to prepare you for one day ruling this land, but it seems you’ve yet to grasp what truly matters. All you know how to do is flap your mouth in front of a crowd.”
Tamir had no retort. Shamed, he lowered his head.
“This land of Olus is a land of warriors! If enemies appear, we strike them down — nothing more, nothing less! Who brought them here is a secondary matter. In the face of danger, those who only talk have no place in this territory!”
The Lord’s proclamation echoed across the square, firm and resolute. Tamir, head bowed, could only mumble an apology in a small, broken voice.
For the Lord, this was an opportunity.
Though still a boy, Tamir had long since begun relying on rhetoric and manipulation rather than strength or resolve to overcome obstacles. The Lord had warned him in private, more than once, but each time, Tamir had reverted to his old habits.
It had been a persistent source of frustration.
If he could seize this moment to break Tamir’s rotten pride, then perhaps the boy could eventually restore his own tattered dignity.
But in truth, Tamir’s twisted mindset had not emerged on its own.
It had grown from the Lord’s own choices — his decision to silence both Hunbish and Uhule in order to protect his son.
He had never imagined it would lead to this.
And now, even he could not escape the burden of responsibility.
After glaring at Tamir for a long while, the Lord finally turned to Hunbish.
“You’re just like your father — always causing trouble wherever you go. When will you finally learn your place?”
Caught off guard by the sudden question, Hunbish was momentarily at a loss. But then, Dawaa — who had quietly stepped up behind him — spoke out in protest.
“That’s not true! Hunbish saved my life today! He found me when I was all alone and fought off the Forest Men who had surrounded me!”
Jambaga stepped forward to silence Dawaa for his outburst, but the Lord raised a hand to stop him. His eyes flicked briefly to the boy before turning back.
“You did that… with that body of yours? Even if some of it is exaggerated, it’s still impressive. Your father was the same — his skills were undeniable. Well then, even as a cripple, with enough effort, you might still manage to fend for yourself. After this winter passes, even in banishment, at least you won’t starve.”
Lord Borjigin looked down at Hunbish, his gaze laced with a quiet complexity.
Hunbish could not bring himself to like the man, but it seemed the Lord bore at least a sliver of guilt over the idea of banishing an ailing young man.
“But it appears you’ve yet to learn how to protect yourself. Not from your father, nor anyone else. Just now, you almost got yourself — and your father — killed. If you can’t tame that temper of yours, you’ll die out there soon enough.”
“....................”
The Lord turned his eyes back to Tamir.
The earlier hint of contemplation vanished as his gaze hardened to a finely honed blade. When their eyes met, Tamir froze like stone, rooted to the spot.
“Tch.”
The Lord clicked his tongue once in irritation, then turned his head and raised his voice so that all could hear.
“Anyone not involved, leave this place now. Only those aiding the injured are to remain. All Decurions and above — including Tamir — assemble at the hall. We have matters to discuss regarding what comes next.”
With those words, the Lord turned his horse and departed. The crowd began to disperse, each returning to their respective duties.
Several members of the scouting party helped carry the wounded toward the hospital. The officers summoned by name quickly followed the Lord.
Tamir glared daggers at Hunbish, his face twisted in frustration, before turning and storming off.
“…He really sealed the deal on the exile. How can someone be like that?” Dawaa muttered after the crowd had cleared.
“Well… nothing to be done now. Come on, let’s get you to the hospital. Alak, over here.”
“No, it’s fine. I can walk on my own now. You must be exhausted too. Don’t worry about me — go home and get some rest.”
“You sure? Alright then, I won’t argue. Take care of yourself, and I’ll see you soon.”
“Yeah, got it.”
Dawaa waved a hand and walked off with a light step.
And just like that, Hunbish was the only one left in the square.
The sun had long since set.
Now, only the flickering embers of the square and the distant stars above offered any light to pierce the night.
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