By Zephyria 
“Hic…….”
Ho-eun dropped the shoe he was holding. It fell below the porch and went rolling, thud, thud, turururu, all the way to the other side of the yard.
But Ho-eun couldn’t bring himself to pick it up and remained bent over. Then his father kindly picked up the shoe. Ho-eun snapped to his senses at the sight.
“I was just, uh, feeling stuffy, so I thought I’d take a, a walk around the yard…….”
He stammered out an excuse. His arm, pointing to the yard, fluttered like a pigeon’s wing. His father glared at Ho-eun with his usual stern expression. Then, suddenly, he sighed deeply and squatted down in front of Ho-eun, beginning to put the shoes on him.
“The road is long. At your narrow pace, you won’t even arrive by the end of the day.”
“…….”
“I’ve prepared a palanquin, so take it.”
“……Pardon?”
Not understanding, Ho-eun looked at his father with a bewildered expression.
“You might not find your Bondmate in one go, so don’t be too disappointed. The Bondmate Ceremony is held twice a year, so you’ll have another chance next spring.”
Instead of explaining, his father continued with his advice. His hands continued to put on Ho-eun’s shoes. His touch, dusting off the dirt and arranging the socks, was infinitely tender.
Eventually, his father finished putting on all the shoes. But he couldn’t take his hands off Ho-eun’s feet.
“To think you’re going to that harsh place with such soft feet…….”
He muttered to himself and sighed as if the ground would cave in.
Around that point, Ho-eun realized his father’s intentions. His nose tingled, and his vision blurred. Unable to hold back his tears, he rushed into his father’s arms.
“Father. Father. Thank you, Father.”
“Ouch…….”
His father stumbled on his backside from the sudden embrace. But instead of annoyance, he patted Ho-eun’s back.
“Eun-ah, you can be greedy. Do everything you want to do. It’s okay. Whatever you want to do, I’ll let you do it.”
At those words, Ho-eun paused for a moment. He realized that his father had overheard the conversation he and his mother had had yesterday. He had said many terrible things, and he was worried about what kind of wounds those words had left on his father’s heart, but he also felt relieved. Because thanks to that, he had gotten what he wanted.
His father, who had been stroking Ho-eun’s back, hugged him tightly and closed his eyes. He could faintly feel Ho-eun’s heartbeat. The thought of sending this small and precious heart out of the house made him feel like the sky was falling.
However, his father realized. He couldn’t keep Ho-eun as just his son forever. Ho-eun also had to have his own life.
He cleared his throat as if he was choked up and pulled away from Ho-eun. Then, slowly getting up, he called for Deok-woo.
“Deok-woo, are you there?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Go with Ho-eun.”
“Yes, I will take good care of him.”
Deok-woo, who had appeared from one side, bowed his head. His father, who had helped Ho-eun up, gently brushed the dirt off his knees. He also smoothed the silk Hair Tie that tied his hair. After fussing over Ho-eun like that for a long time, he finally took a step back.
“Then I will be off, Father.”
Ho-eun, with his hands folded neatly, greeted him. Then he headed to the palanquin prepared in the yard.
His father stood with his hands behind his back, watching Ho-eun. Then he muttered in a deeply sunken voice.
“I should have fed him breakfast…….”
It was a soliloquy, but an answer came from the side of his head.
“I’ve loaded the palanquin with fruit.”
It was his mother. His father raised his eyebrows in surprise and soon chuckled.
“Is that so?”
“Yes. I’ve put in plenty, even for Deok-woo. I didn’t forget to pack snacks either.”
“You’ve done very well.”
Around that time, Ho-eun, who had reached the palanquin, greeted his parents again. The two smiled gently. At the same time, they exchanged words in voices that Ho-eun couldn’t hear. His father was the first to speak.
“He hasn’t even left yet, and he already looks tired. I’m worried he’ll get sick again when he comes back.”
“I almost wish he wouldn’t find a Bondmate today. That’s a terrible thought, isn’t it?”
“……I feel the same way. But I also don’t want to see Ho-eun disappointed, so I don’t even know myself.”
His father let out a short sigh. His mother sighed along as if she felt the same way.
Around that time, the palanquin carrying Ho-eun passed through the gate. The two stood motionless until the palanquin was out of sight.
When Ho-eun had completely disappeared, his father said to his mother.
“I should go into the palace today.”
“For what reason?”
“Shouldn’t I return the tea to His Majesty?”
Having said that, his father subtly lowered his gaze. His mother, who had been quietly watching his father, nodded.
“Do so.”
“Everyone has the expression of pigs being dragged to the slaughterhouse, young master.”
At Deok-woo’s words, Ho-eun looked around.
The Bondmate Ceremony was held in the auditorium owned by the Imperial University. The Taegeukgi flags were hung at regular intervals on the ceiling, and plum blossom patterns were engraved on the stone pillars. Wide windows were installed on all sides, and the morning sunlight shone brightly.
Below, people presumed to be Bondmates were swarming, and indeed, everyone’s expression was not good.
It was understandable. They were about to be dragged to the battlefield. It was the law that those who manifested their powers would be executed by decapitation if they did not contribute to the country, so it was no different from coming to die in order not to die. Therefore, the expression ‘pigs being dragged to the slaughterhouse’ was not so alien.
Moreover, the Bondmates were all young. They seemed even younger than Ho-eun, who was twenty years old. It was said that they usually manifested in their teens, and it seemed that the saying was not wrong.
“The battlefield is not a welcoming place. Is my expression dark too, perhaps?”
At Ho-eun’s question, Deok-woo shook his head so violently that his cheeks trembled.
“No. Young master is always fair.”
“…….”
Ho-eun stroked his cheek. Being fair didn’t sound like a compliment. It’s not that I’m fair, but rather pale.
I hope I don’t look sick. I might meet my God of War here today. Maybe a God of War who will become my friend, or family…….
Ho-eun was checking his clothes, which he had adjusted several times since morning.
“The Bondmate Ceremony will begin soon. Everyone, please line up!”
Soldiers wearing the insignia of the Great Han Empire Army walked around the people and lined them up. Before long, nearly a hundred people were lined up in a repeating L shape.
Ho-eun ended up standing deep in the auditorium. It was a spot where the sun shone particularly well, so it didn’t seem like it would be cold even if he stood there for a long time.
“Hoo…….”
Ho-eun took a deep breath. His heart was pounding wildly with tension. It was because he wasn’t used to meeting strangers. Deok-woo, who was guarding his back, asked worriedly as his face repeatedly turned white and red.
“Young master, shall I bring you some water?”
“No, I’m okay.”
Ho-eun shook his head. He felt like water wouldn’t go down his throat because he was so nervous. He swallowed hard, looking around, and suddenly noticed something strange.
Among the hundreds of Bondmates standing in line, there were no nobles. Of course, in this day and age, you couldn’t judge someone’s status by their clothes, but still, there was no one who looked like a noble.
“…….”
It was the law that those who manifested their powers would be executed by decapitation if they did not contribute to the country. Why were there no nobles?
Did the heavens decide it that way?
No, that couldn’t be. There’s no way the heavens would manifest powers only in those who weren’t nobles.
‘The law changes depending on the person.’
Ho-eun, recalling his father’s words, clenched his fist tightly. Even among the Bondmates, he couldn’t find any nobles, so he knew without looking what the proportion of nobles would be among the Gods of War, who had to risk their lives to fight the Devouring Ghouls.
“How can everyone…….”
How can they be so shameless?
Just as Ho-eun was closing his eyes in the face of the rising despair, someone shouted loudly in the distance.
“The Gods of War are coming!”
At those words, people tilted their heads haphazardly and looked at the entrance. Soon, the Gods of War began to pour into the auditorium.
“Ah…….”
“Oh my…….”
People exclaimed all at once. It wasn’t a very good exclamation. That was because the bodies of the Gods of War were not intact. Some were on crutches, some had their heads wrapped, and some had skin that was so horribly torn that he couldn’t bear to look at them straight. Bandages were often wrapped tightly around their necks, wrists, and ankles, which were visible through the gaps in their military uniforms. It was a wonder that they had all come here on their own feet.
“Ugh…….”
Deok-woo shrank back and averted his gaze.
“…….”
Ho-eun was also surprised. He was surprised not by their appearance, but by the fact that they were injured. Gods of War are like ghostly soldiers. Everyone said that they were strong, didn’t get hurt easily, and healed quickly even if they did get hurt.
But for them to be in that state. Just how strong are those Devouring Ghouls?
Could my God of War also be injured like that?
Ho-eun was already worried about his God of War, whose name and face he didn’t even know.