The Dignity of the Omega

#28

Julian’s eyes were filled with deep concern and worry as he asked quietly. Enrique realized that his once immature friend had matured as he aged. Somehow, it made him feel proud.

“Regret my ass. I’m actually looking forward to really taking advantage of it now.”

Enrique said with a smirk. Julian chuckled along.

That was the end of that conversation. The two started bickering like old times while observing the busy surroundings and the winter forest scenery.

The sound of horseshoes echoed chaotically through the forest.

Enrique skillfully maneuvered his horse through the dense trees while aiming his crossbow. As he pulled the trigger towards a white rabbit fleeing at lightning speed, there was a swoosh sound as the arrow pierced the rabbit.

“Whoa, whoa.”

After confirming his hit, Enrique pulled the reins to stop his horse. Casto, excited from galloping through the forest after a long time, snorted and pawed the ground.

Soldiers ran towards the rabbit, picked it up, and shouted that it was a direct hit. Enrique exhaled a white breath as he scanned the deep forest. The exhilaration from hunting after a long time coursed through his entire body.

After confirming that the soldiers had retrieved the rabbit, Enrique slowly started to ride his horse. The clear sound of horseshoes clicking was pleasant.

“Your Highness.”

Damiel brought his horse close to Enrique’s side. He then took out a leather water pouch hanging from the saddle and handed it over.

Seeing the water pouch suddenly made Enrique very thirsty. He took the pouch, opened the lid, and took a few gulps. The cold water going down cooled his heated body temperature just right. Enrique returned the water pouch to the knight and started riding again.

Click. Clack.

Enrique rode slowly while diligently moving his eyes to find the next prey.

“Are you not tired?”

Damiel asked in a gentle voice. Enrique glanced at him.

The man who had spent over four years with him still boasted delicate good looks. With an added mature charm, he had become a man that anyone would covet.

Enrique now deeply trusted Damiel. Despite being Enrique’s heat partner for several years, he never used that fact to be clingy or cross the line. Usually, he focused entirely on his duties as a guard knight. In short, he was truly a good knight and a good man.

“You rejected the marriage proposal?”

Enrique suddenly asked. Damiel hesitated for a moment but then nodded calmly.

“Yes.”

“That was a very good match.”

Enrique said, as if regretful.

It was indeed a good match.

A young widow with a substantial dowry. Marriage to her would have provided a good foundation for Damiel to rise even higher. To be honest, it was a match that seemed a bit too good for him, being the second son and a beta. Of course, his years of friendship with Enrique and the title of viscount bestowed by the king as a reward probably played some part in it.

“I have no intention of getting married before Your Highness.”

Damiel said politely, but firmly.

“Why don’t you reconsider? You’re not young anymore. You should marry soon and have an heir. But you rejected such a good match because of me, right?”

At Enrique’s words, Damiel smiled gently.

“I appreciate your concern, but there’s no need. I’m very satisfied with my current life.”

When Enrique glanced at him, Damiel added one more thing.

“I mean it.”

His words certainly felt sincere.

“…I’ve meddled unnecessarily. I apologize.”

Enrique finally gave up trying to persuade Damiel. Any further persuasion might turn into an order.

The heat in his body that had risen while chasing the rabbit had now quietly subsided. As Enrique slowly rode his horse looking for the next prey, he spotted a fox. The creature quickly realized it had been spotted and dashed off in the opposite direction. Without a second thought, Enrique began to chase it.

The fox’s movements were incredibly nimble as it dodged between the tall trees. Enrique took several shots with his crossbow when he had the chance, but the fox narrowly avoided the arrows each time. Getting slightly annoyed, Enrique increased his speed a bit more, looking for an opportunity. The distance between him and the fox began to close little by little.

Casto was a clever horse. Enrique trusted Casto and let go of the reins, aiming his crossbow at the fox. And just as he finally caught a proper chance and was about to fire the crossbow—

Yelp-!

Something large appeared in view and instantly snatched the fox. Enrique quickly pulled the reins to stop his horse and furrowed his brow. What had the fox in its mouth was a large gray wolf.

“Your Highness!”

The guard knights who spotted the wolf jumped forward to protect Enrique.

Grrrr-.

The gray wolf, with the fox in its mouth, made a fierce sound. Its golden eyes flashed with killing intent towards Enrique and the guard knights. Enrique raised his crossbow again, aiming at one of the wolf’s eyes. A wolf of that size plus the fox. This should be enough to beat Julian.

He was about to shoot the crossbow.

Awoooooo—–.

The howling of wolves was heard not far ahead.

“Your Highness, there seem to be at least ten or so.”

Damiel whispered, staying close to Enrique. The knights surrounded Enrique, each keenly observing their surroundings. The wolf with the fox in its mouth was growling as if daring them to shoot.

Tsk.

Enrique clicked his tongue softly and lowered his crossbow. And just as he was about to pull the reins to move away—

Awoooooo—-.

The howling of the wolf pack, estimated to be about ten, suddenly started getting rapidly closer. On the other side of the snow-covered forest, a pack of gray wolves could be seen running towards Enrique’s group. The wolf pack charging towards them despite the presence of humans must be desperately hungry and extremely dangerous.

“Your Highness!”

Damiel shouted.

It was unclear why a pack of hungry wolves had invaded the royal hunting grounds, but the situation was not good. There were a total of five knights following Enrique, including Damiel. There were about seven soldiers retrieving the game. Enrique and the knights on horseback might be able to escape skillfully, but it would be impossible for the soldiers who had to run on two legs to escape.

“Defensive formation!”

Instead of retreating and abandoning the soldiers, Enrique shouted loudly. The knights and soldiers formed a circular defensive formation with Enrique at the center. Meanwhile, the gray wolves that had come much closer bared their teeth at them, lining up around the wolf holding the fox.

The pack of wolves, showing their yellowed teeth and growling, lowered their bodies as if ready to charge at any moment. The soldiers drew the swords at their waists, and the knights aimed their crossbows at the wolves. One might think the wolves would retreat at the sight of humans with weapons, but they showed no sign of doing so.

“They’re a wandering pack, starving to the extreme. We can’t risk it. Your Highness, you need to withdraw first.”

Damiel whispered in a calm voice. But Enrique immediately shook his head. If he withdrew from here, the guard knights would have to leave with him. Then the soldiers left behind would have no choice but to die.

“How about we reduce their numbers as much as possible with crossbows and then retreat while protecting the soldiers?”

Enrique asked quietly. Damiel immediately shook his head.

“Wolves never let go of those who have harmed their pack.”

Enrique frowned.

“We’ll hold them off somehow, please escort the prince away.”

“That’s right. It’s the only option now.”

The knights said with tense faces.

“I can’t go alone.”

Enrique said firmly. But he knew it himself. The wolf pack showed no sign of backing down, and a fierce battle was about to break out.

“Count Persi. I entrust the prince to you.”

One of the knights said in a solemn voice. His face was that of a man prepared for death. Damiel looked around at the knights and soldiers with a hardened face, then nodded.

“But that’s—!”

“Fire the crossbows!”

Before Enrique could object, one of the knights shouted. The knights aiming at the wolf pack all fired their crossbows at once. Enrique saw several wolves fall after being hit by the crossbows, and the rest of the wolves simultaneously lunging at the group. He tried to shoot his crossbow too, but Damiel didn’t let him.

Damiel, who had grabbed Casto’s reins, turned the horse in the opposite direction and slapped its rear hard. Then he started galloping in the direction opposite to the wolves.

“Damiel!”

Enrique shouted, but Damiel paid no heed and started running alongside. When Enrique looked back, he caught a glimpse of the knights and soldiers desperately fighting, entangled with the wolf pack. But that was only for a moment, as their figures grew more and more distant.