The expedition path to Blackwood was bustling with noise.
It was filled with stories about .
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 na of Blackwood. The vice-captain will remain the sa."
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 embarrassnt, he laughed out loud.
At first, I was annoyed and irritated, but as ti passed, I started to laugh too.
Perhaps it was because I realized that all of them were trying to ease my tension and congratulate at the sa ti.
Adam Hyung, who had been laughing for a while, cald 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 lifeti."
"Impressive, isn't it?"
For so 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 rcenary group didn't behave like that. They brought prostitutes and spent their days in debauchery."
Oh, thats
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 sothing 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 .
Even the rcenary 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 , 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 won 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 rcenary group. Let your na be known. The son-in-law of Blackwood can't live quietly anymore. Its a rcenary group that you and I raised together, does it make sense people dont know about you?"
"...I'm not doing this to beco 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 sothing Hyung was forgetting. It had been a long ti since we led the entire rcenary 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 rcenaries following behind for a mont.
It had been a long ti since the entire rcenary group went out like this.
But indeed, just as he said, everyone had the sa 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 mbers 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 mont 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 , couldn't contain his laughter either.
I tried to ignore his words as much as possible.
After a while of traveling like that, this ti it was Baran who asked.
Vice-captain Berg. Are you completely ready?
?
"Well, you know, like a ring or sothing... 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 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 beco 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.
Wouldnt 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 ti 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 won away? Wow... you're more romantic than I thought."
"Hah. It's not like that."
I sighed and turned the horses 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 overwheld by the congratulations from many mbers.
****
The evening was approaching.
The rcenaries set up their campsite in a familiar manner in a suitable space.
Bonfires sprouted up here and there, and the sll 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 so ti alone, away from the clamor.
As we approached the Blackwood Territory, the air beca 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 sa ti, 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 ti when I considered it to be the most important ritual in my life. There was a ti when I longed only for marriage.
The tension I once held during those tis seed 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 rcenary group.
As Adam Hyung said, it could be our lifeline after the war.
In that regard, rging with 'Ner Blackwood' was more important than anything else.
It ant 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 .
In the first place, I didn't want to live my life clashing with a woman I would spend a lifeti with.
Certainly, there would be difficulties. I was expecting so of them.
As different races, I knew that our cultures would differ greatly.
I had already experienced it in the previous rcenary group. There were tis 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 ti.
As a couple, a considerate heart would be more important than anything else.
What kind of things would there be?
I also couldnt know this because I didnt know the other persons culture.
Vice-captain Berg!
I hear a voice calling from behind.
"Please have your al! 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 .
There was no need to answer, as the Blackwood territory was massive.
Even the rcenary group walking in formation seed 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.
Nurous birds flew freely in the air.
There were houses that reminded 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 montarily at the voice that ca through my mind.
.
'It couldn't be like this. Really, I couldn't be like this anymore.'
Berg?
Adam Hyung called 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 nurous Wolfman soldiers.
The people of the territory and the children also applauded.
There wasn't a single person who didn't welco us, who ca bearing hope.
The atmosphere was pleasant.
Its the first ti Ive ever seen so many werewolves people at once!
Baran shouted into my ear, sticking close to .
I had the sa 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 Fla 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 n who seed like his sons, and two young won 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 statent, "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 mbers 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 instrunts filled the air.
We could hear whispering evaluations toward us.
"Who's that human behind? Handso..."
Is that person Ner-samas partner?
Adam Hyung smirked in response to the complints about .
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 seed 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 et you.
Adam. I hope your journey was comfortable?
They exchanged brief greetings, and soon the focus shifted toward .
Is this my son-in-law?
I lowered my head lightly.
Nice to et you. My na is Berg.
Berg! Thats a good na. 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 '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 sa ti as the attention was focused, Gibson Blackwood began to look at and Adam.
"Well..."
Adam Hyung also tilted his head in confusion.
It didn't take long for to realize what he was wondering about.
"...Neir Blackwood is not here, it seems."
At his words, there was a mont of awkward silence.
Gibson Blackwood let out a long sigh and replied.
"...She suddenly fell ill this morning... and couldn't co 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.
End of Chapter
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