Predatory Marriage - Chapter 107

He had injured his knee, but Morga simply walked on calmly, leaving Haban behind. Even Genin had left him to follow Ishakan, and he sighed with resignation as the woman looked at him with adoration evident. Undoubtedly a very loyal subordinate.

Repeated use of sorcery only improved the sorcerer’s ability, much like a muscle used over and over again. Unfortunately, Morga’s practice to improve his abilities always took a toll on the Kurkans around him. He was never afraid to use them as guinea pigs for any high-level spells he wanted to practice.

Because of his reputation, other Kurkans gradually began to move away from him, so as to avoid becoming fodder for his experiments. Ishakan was the only one Morga could not cast spells on, so he had to act gentle in front of his King.

Thinking about this only made Haban angrier, and he pounded the ground. He had promised himself that he would be cautious with every move, and then fallen into Morga’s spell. He couldn’t help gritting his teeth in anger.

“Ah…” he growled.

Morga had cast a similar spell on Byun Gyeongbaek not long ago. The spell made Byun believe he had tripped and fallen because he was drunk, but it had allowed Haban to break the nobleman’s leg without causing any trouble. Morga had been away after that, attempting to locate Tomaris, and Haban hadn’t expected that they would meet again so soon. For now, he needed to reach the other Kurkans.

Suppressing the pain he felt, he got up and walked after them.

Humans were beginning to gather in the forest. They must have finished preparing for the hunt. He could see the fear in their eyes when the other Kurkans passed among them. But Haban paid no attention to them, nor did the others. Humans had always been fearful creatures. There was nothing special in this.

As soon as he caught up, Haban stopped beside Morga, frowning with distaste. Morga stared at the princess.

“Is she the one I have heard so much about?” he asked, appraising her.

“She is the Flower of Estia, but no words can live up to her beauty.”

“Yes, she is very beautiful.”

“Are you impressed?” He asked, but not because he was amazed, just as a distraction from the pain in his knee. Haban gazed coldly at Morga, noting that his expression of admiration gradually became rigid the longer he looked at her. Why?

Although he soon put on a pleasant expression again, he had clearly turned pale for a moment. Morga greeted people cordially, but Haban could tell he wasn’t relaxed.

“What’s wrong?” He couldn’t help but ask.

Morga didn’t answer his question. He stood stiffly, pondering.

“What should I do now?” he wondered aloud. “It seems to be a very dangerous situation.”

***

The barking grew louder the closer the dogs got to their prey. When they found it, Blain turned toward the sound of the barking and drew an arrow, taking aim as the other hunters followed. Blain’s eyes scanned his surroundings as he kept his head turned forward.

Not far away, he spotted the King of Barbarians. They had had to lend him one of the largest horses in the stables of Estia, simply because a normal horse was too small. Blain couldn’t help thinking it was strange. It looked like a beast riding another beast.

He held back his laughter and dismissed the thought. But whatever brief mirth he felt vanished when he saw a familiar handkerchief tied to the hilt of Ishakan’s sword. He recognized the pattern of the cloth, and the Estian-style embroidery. He clenched his hand into a fist in sudden rage. It no longer mattered that he was a King!

He gritted his teeth and turned resolutely forward, raising his bow. Setting the arrow, he pulled the string back and released. His hands trembled and the arrow deflected, disappearing into the thick bushes. A second later, a loud squeal echoed through the forest and a wild boar burst from the bushes. It had large, sharp fangs. The arrow was embedded in one of its eyes…

It moved towards them, heading towards Ishakan and Blain.