By Zephyria 
“…….”
At those words, Ho-eun felt his breath hitch. Once, Chilbok had explained his name while talking about his siblings.
‘I’m Chilbok because I’m the seventh. Ilbok, Ibok, Sambok, and then Chilbok.’
Since then, Chilbok hadn’t uttered a single word about them, so Ho-eun had assumed they were all gone from this world, but hearing it like this still made his heart sink. Unable to find the right words, Ho-eun merely parted his lips, but Chilbok gave a small smile and spoke.
“I was the only one left at home, and the Captain saved me.”
“……I see.”
Ho-eun didn’t know if it was appropriate to say “that’s a relief” in this situation. As Ho-eun rolled his eyes, searching for something to add, Chilbok, who had neatly folded a piece of clothing in the meantime, placed it in the chest and asked.
“But it wouldn’t work, right?”
“What wouldn’t?”
“Going to school. I’m already sixteen……. If a little more time passes, I’ll be past the age for school.”
Ho-eun’s eyes widened at those words, and he abruptly grabbed the back of Chilbok’s hand.
“No. You can do it.”
“…….”
“Even now, uh, should I try talking to the General? To send you to another town—”
But before he could finish, Chilbok shook his head.
“No. I won’t go.”
“Why?”
“Actually, the Captain has been telling me to go for a long time. But I’m the one who said I wouldn’t.”
“Why is that?”
Ho-eun frowned, looking completely bewildered. Then, Chilbok spoke with an expression like an old man who had seen everything in the world.
“Even if I went to another town, do you think I could just attend school in peace?”
“…….”
“Who knows when those Eater Bugs will swarm in……. And there’s no guarantee the Captain would be lucky enough to come save me again…….”
“…….”
“A guy like me wouldn’t even be a single bite to an Eater Bug. I’d be devoured in an instant.”
Chilbok gently slid his hand out of Ho-eun’s grip. He then began to gather Ho-eun’s spotless socks and match them in pairs. Ho-eun gazed quietly at Chilbok’s profile. He felt he finally understood. It wasn’t that Chilbok was mature; he was terrified.
Having lost his family and siblings in an instant, Chilbok seemed afraid that he, too, would eventually be lost. How terrified must he have been to treat the Crimson Rain Brigade—which was practically a battlefield itself—as a sanctuary?
Ho-eun pulled his knees up and sat close beside him. Then, while helping him gather the socks, he spoke as if it were nothing.
“Once we’ve driven away all the Devouring Ghouls this time, let’s go to Hanyang.”
“Hanyang?”
“Yeah. There are so many schools in Hanyang. It doesn’t matter if you’re old. There are schools for adults, too.”
At those words, Chilbok’s busy hands paused.
“……Really?”
“Of course. There are night schools and universities. Night schools are places that teach adults who didn’t have the chance to learn. Universities are places for adults who want to study more even after graduating.”
Chilbok’s mouth hung open slightly. He murmured, “Night school…… university……,” and then asked with a tense face.
“C-could someone like me actually enter such a place? I’ve never been to school, so I can’t do math, and I don’t know how to read or write well…….”
Ho-eun shook his head as if telling him not to worry.
“Korean and math aren’t everything in learning. And Chilbok, you’re so smart and bright. You’ll be able to catch up in no time.”
“Do you think so?”
Expectation and excitement filled Chilbok’s cheeks. However, they soon deflated like a leaking balloon.
“But don’t places like that cost a lot of money? I don’t have any money……. To attend not one, but two schools, the money would be…….”
He rubbed his hands against his thighs, like a debtor being pressed for payment. Suddenly, Ho-eun frowned. He looked as if he had heard something very unpleasant.
“Chilbok.”
“Yes?”
“I am the youngest son of the Choi family of Gyeongju.”
“……Pardon?”
At the sudden disclosure of his family registry, Chilbok tilted his head. Ho-eun met his eyes and spoke clearly.
“I have a huge amount of money. My house is the largest after the palace where His Majesty lives. We have countless horses, cars, and tens of thousands of pyeong of land.”
“I don’t…… understand what you mean…….”
“It means I can let you do everything you want. Learn everything you want to learn. If you say you want to attend five schools, I’ll let you attend all five.”
In truth, Ho-eun hadn’t contributed a single thing to the family’s wealth, but if he explained the situation to his Father, he would surely help. Indeed, while Father didn’t have money himself, he treated helping bright people study as a hobby. Since Chilbok was bright, he would be able to receive Father’s help.
And if Father said no… well, he’d just throw a tantrum on the floor. Or he would scrape together and sell his own jewelry to make sure Chilbok could go to school.
As Ho-eun made this solemn resolution, Chilbok asked back with a stunned expression, as if he had been slapped.
“……Are you serious? B-but, how could I shamelessly accept the Young Master’s help……. I’ve already received so much that I can’t even count…….”
The chocolate, the fur socks……. But at those words, Ho-eun frowned again.
“Shameless? Chilbok, you are a truly, truly precious person to me.”
“I am?”
“Of course. You’re the savior of my life.”
“Savior? Oh, I’m nothing like that…….”
“I’m serious. You don’t realize how many times you’ve saved me.”
Ho-eun remembered everything.
‘It’s a secret from the other brothers. Since our Captain is a Bondmate, I’m giving this to him secretly.’
The handful of seasoned beef he used to place atop the scorched rice water.
‘No matter which God of War it is, they can’t refuse when their Bondmate clings to them. Even if it’s our Captain, it can’t be helped when it comes to a Bondmate.’
The words he gave when Ho-eun was struggling because his relationship with Tae-muk felt entirely pitch-black.
‘The Captain sees everything that can be seen and hears everything that can be heard.’
And the voice he recalled once in Ramjae Town, just before being devoured by a Devouring Ghoul.
It would be no exaggeration to say that all of this had made the current Ho-eun. If not for him, he might not have developed such a deep relationship with Tae-muk. He might not have survived Ramjae Town. That was why, to Ho-eun, Chilbok was truly a person to be grateful for.
“So you can accept everything I give you. No, please accept it. Okay?”
Ho-eun pleaded, gently stroking Chilbok’s forearm. Chilbok blinked his eyes, then smiled shyly.
“……Yes.”
A pink glow of anticipation rose on his cheeks, where the skin was rough and chapped. His fingers, which had developed calluses early from hard kitchen work, wiggled as he imagined the future. Watching Chilbok, Ho-eun smiled brightly and took his hand.
“Chilbok.”
“Yes?”
“Let’s definitely survive.”
“…….”
“Let’s definitely survive and go to school.”
Ho-eun squeezed his hand firmly. Chilbok looked at Ho-eun’s fine, white, and precious hand, then let the corners of his mouth curl up into a smile. Then, he nodded vigorously enough for his hair to flutter.
“Yes!”
At that sight, Ho-eun gently stroked his head. He brushed his cheek and tucked the shaggy hair behind his ear. Then, he suddenly thought of the children of his older brothers in Hanyang—his nephews—and had to bite his lower lip. How long had it been since he decided to only hope, yet his heart grew heavy again.
Just as he was about to let out an unconscious, trembling sigh, he heard footsteps crossing the yard, and someone approached beyond the open paper door.
“Ho-eun.”
It was Tae-muk.
“Ah, General.”
Ho-eun quickly stood up and paid his respects.
“The Captain is here.”
Chilbok simply turned his body and bowed. Tae-muk gestured for Ho-eun to come.
“Come out. Byeonguk will be leaving soon.”
“Ah, yes.”
Ho-eun gathered the bundle of letters he had left on the hard bed. As he looked at Chilbok, Chilbok held up the clothes he had been folding and spoke.
“Please go. I’ll finish organizing the luggage.”
“Okay, thank you.”
With a bright smile, Ho-eun left the room. As he stood on the porch, Tae-muk, who was kneeling in front of the stepping stone, personally put on his shoes. Ho-eun tried to stop him, saying it was fine, but Tae-muk ignored him and slid the shoes onto his small feet.
The area in front of the castle gate was bustling. It was because dozens of soldiers were preparing for departure. The remaining soldiers provided them with food, tents, and other necessities, exchanging brief farewells.
Holding Tae-muk’s hand tightly as they walked down the slope, Ho-eun spotted Byeonguk standing at the front and ran toward him. He then held out the letters he had been carrying.
“Mr. Byeonguk, these are the things you mentioned.”
They were official reports. Byeonguk was heading to Hanyang to report the invasion of the Devouring Ghouls, and he would submit them then. Originally, Byeonguk had always written them, but this time, at Byeonguk’s request, Ho-eun had written them.
“Thank you, Young Master.”
Mounted on his horse, Byeonguk bowed slightly and received them. Then, Ho-eun handed over another letter.
“And this…… please deliver it to my father.”
Before taking the letter, Byeonguk looked at Tae-muk. Tae-muk, standing behind Ho-eun, gave a short nod. At that, Byeonguk received the letter with both hands.
“Yes. I understand.”
Byeonguk tucked the letter inside the chest of his military coat. He pulled the button tight, as if to ensure it wouldn’t be lost no matter what. Ho-eun looked up at Byeonguk, swallowed hard, and spoke.
“Please travel safely.”
“……Yes. I will return without delay.”
Byeonguk replied with a small smile. Ho-eun bowed to him and moved a few steps to the side. There, Gil-sang was on horseback. Behind him, the Mongolians were lined up. Those with severe injuries who had not yet regained consciousness were lying in wagons. Ho-eun looked at them with concern.