IWBNAM Chapter 11 (Part 3)

The stadium announcer made a brief comment. Royal Rosenburg’s uniform was gold and blue-white, inspired by gold and blue diamonds. FC Rosenburg’s uniform was green, symbolizing grassy fields. Thus, three-quarters of the stadium was a golden sea, and the remaining quarter rippled in green.

Spectators were disappointed the Marshals weren’t wearing the colors representing their teams and joked that someone ought to gift them jerseys.

The murmuring didn’t last long. The giant display boards flickered. The crowd grew excited. Since the league resumed after the state funeral, flashy presentations had been toned down , but today was different. Special effects continued, then fireworks burst from the stadium roof.

“Wowwww!”

“This is it!”

The excited crowd jumped to their feet with cheers. They knew exactly what would follow. The home team’s anthem burst out of the speakers. The home supporters stomped their feet and sang along. Fireworks rolled across the roof in waves, a few seconds apart. The stadium turned into a festival.

–Introducing today’s starting lineup! Number 1! Luka!

The announcer shouted.

“Luka! Spider-Hand Luka!”

Fans in the stands shouted the goalkeeper’s nickname.

–Our captain, number 11, his name is Max!

“Fußballgott! Soccer god Max!”

After the long introduction of the home team, the away team lineup followed.

–Introducing the starting players of FC Rosenburg! Number 1! Vladimir!

The away fans, fewer in number but full of spirit, shouted their players’ names with all their might.

When the introductions ended and the heat of the moment peaked, the players finally came out onto the field.

Nael looked down at the field with interest. In terms of rules, it wasn’t much different from twenty-first century Earth football, but the added dramatic performances drew him in before he realized it.

In the twenty-first century, players walked in holding children’s hands, but the Empire did things differently. The entrance looked more like American football. From opposite ends of the stadium, multiple flag-bearers ran out first, and behind them the players charged forward with determined expressions. They looked like gladiators entering the Colosseum.

One hundred thousand spectators shouted the names of their favored players to welcome them. The players raised their arms high in response.

As if wanting to push the excitement further, the last round of pre-match fireworks exploded brilliantly. Anyone who couldn’t enter the stadium would have cried and beaten the ground in frustration.

“Amazing.”

Nael was swept up in the excitement. In his original life, he had wanted to see El Clásico just once, and now in this possessed world he was watching the greatest derby in the Empire. He thought sitting in the VIP seats might create some distance from the crowd, but he had been mistaken. It was intensely powerful.

–Royal Rosenburg versus FC Rosenburg. The match begins now!

Kick-off.

From the start, the forwards on both sides rushed aggressively. Maybe it was the revived passionate atmosphere after a long time, or maybe it was because important figures were watching. Who knew? It didn’t matter. The crowd roared with satisfaction at the players’ attacking pace.

“Beer with chicken…”

Eighteen-year-old Lee Juwon hadn’t been allowed to drink even as a college freshman. But Azani was thirty-six. Losing eighteen years due to the possession was a shame, but at least he could drink proudly now.

“Garcia. Beer. What food here is good? Bring something to eat with it.”

“Everything in Rosenburg Arena is delicious.”

Before Garcia even left, a stadium staff member nearby chimed in confidently.

“Is that so? I am looking forward to it. Garcia, go ahead.”

“Yes, Your Excellency.”

Garcia left with several soldiers to fetch food. A stadium staff member brought beer first, Munich canned beer, an official sponsor. Hessler quickly checked the cans with a special device, then handed one to Nael.

“Hmm. I wonder if I should be displaying a specific brand like this.”

Nael hesitated before opening the can, but Antigonos, sitting next to him, popped his own open without a second thought.

“The beer company probably spent a fortune in advertising for this moment. Just drink. That’s what this place is for.”

Antigonos lifted his can with a relaxed gesture. At that moment, the broadcast camera caught the scene. On the huge four-sided screen, the two men in the center of the VIP seats appeared in a close-up.

“Well, I suppose I must. I’ll drink.”

Nael reluctantly opened the can.

“To our first date! Cheers!”

“Cheers.”

They drank at the same time. The beer company executives were surely shedding tears of joy as the scene aired live. Not only Kranaha, but even the normally composed Chancellor Azani drank canned beer smoothly and visibly. For several tens of seconds during prime-time Saturday evening, the rare sight of the Chancellor tilting back a can of beer filled the screen. The beer company’s shareholders would probably swear loyalty to His Excellency forever after this.

The broadcast returned to the match. The Empire’s top players ran with all their might. A Royal forward seized the ball and charged ahead, three defenders surrounding him. But with brilliant individual skill, he broke through them all! Only the goalkeeper remained.

The Royal fans shot to their feet screaming wildly at the impending first goal.

“You can’t stop that?!”

Antigonos muttered beside him. He was immersed in the match too , except the team he supported didn’t seem to be Royal. He glared displeased as Royal prepared to score.

Nael didn’t care who won; he simply watched with excitement. It wouldn’t end anticlimactically now, would it? The forward deceived the goalkeeper perfectly and scored. The net rippled, and a massive cheer erupted.

The broadcast hurried to replay the goal repeatedly and sweep across the stands. Of course, they made sure to show the two Marshals as well. Kranaha scowled, and Azani gripped his beer can tight while watching the field with interest. Anyone could tell which side each man was leaning toward.

“Fußballgott! Soccer god Max!”

The camera caught the goal scorer’s celebration. He roared, spun in a circle, then struck his chest twice and raised his hand high. Fans screamed his name. This thrill was what kept a footballer playing for life.

The game resumed. Royal didn’t relax after scoring first, and FC calmly began their pursuit. The tense back-and-forth continued.

“This is fun.”

Nael sipped his beer again and admitted it honestly. It was truly entertaining , the best players in the Empire locked in combat. He was glad he had come.

“Your Excellency. I brought the snacks.”

Garcia returned. It didn’t take long. Not because of privilege, but because fans rarely went to buy food once the match started. Most arrived early, filled their stomachs, and during the match drank only beverages so they wouldn’t miss anything.

“Good work.”

Nael waited eagerly as Hessler inspected the food. Garcia had wisely bought mostly chicken instead of sausages , remembering Nael liked chicken with beer.

“Kokio has a branch here, so I bought from there.”

“Really? Well done.”

Kokio was a chicken brand created by an East Asian chef. The sauce recipe , presumably from a Korean chef , recreated the exact taste of seasoned chicken Nael had once eaten in Korea.

“What’s this. Chicken? No sausage?”

Antigonos, very much the typical Imperial man, searched for sausage.

“There is sausage as well.”

On a paper plate, grilled fresh sausage with sauerkraut was also placed on the table. There were curry fries and even schweinehaxe.

Antigonos immediately speared a sausage with a wooden fork. He dipped it heavily into mustard and took a big bite. He had skipped dinner to eat stadium food here.

The camera would never miss the distinguished Marshal enjoying Rosenburg Arena’s food. Orders for grilled fresh sausage were surely skyrocketing at that very moment. And next…

“Here are the chopsticks.”

Nael took the wooden chopsticks Garcia handed him and picked up a piece of chicken. It was half boneless fried, half seasoned, with pickled radish included. What was there to say about the taste? Eating chicken with beer while watching the best football teams play was absolutely fantastic.

He munched.

He ate a piece of boneless fried, then a piece of seasoned, then refreshed his palate with a cube of radish, and took a sip of beer.

Suddenly, Nael felt strange and lifted his head. His face was up on the special overhead screen. They were already broadcasting him eating chicken. Was that really such a fascinating thing?

Nael ignored it and picked up another piece of chicken. The fresh thigh meat fried in a thin batter was superbly crunchy. Better eat it all while it was still warm.

“…Is it good? You’re eating really well, with chopsticks.”

Antigonos spoke to him.

“It’s a brand of chicken I like. And chopsticks are easier for me than a fork.”

Nael was about to put the chicken in his mouth, then glanced sideways. Antigonos was staring intently at the chicken.

“If you want it, have some.”

“Uh, well…”

“Should I feed you?”

Nael, without thinking, held out the chicken piece he had been about to eat. Antigonos immediately accepted it. That brat. He sure knew how to gobble things up…

“Woooaaaah!”

A massive cheer erupted. What was that? A goal?

–Oh my. The two Marshals seem very close. Marshal Kranaha must be quite fortunate.

The announcer couldn’t help commenting on the scene. Only then did Nael realize what he had just done.

“……”

Honestly, could they not just focus on the match? Why were they still watching things like this? It was embarrassing.

“This chicken is really good. I don’t know what sauce it is, but the spicy sweetness goes well with the meat. Give me another.”

And in the middle of all this, the clueless bear covered his mouth and boldly made his request.

“…Here.”

Nael kept his expression calm. Showing shyness or awkwardness now would only make the crowd grin and gossip forever.

He held out another piece of chicken with composure. Antigonos accepted it in front of tens of thousands as if it were the most normal thing in the world.

The spectators grew busy. They had to watch the football match and spy on the Marshals’ date. They swore to themselves that the next time they visited the stadium, they would buy chicken with their beer. And they would be sure to eat it the same way the Chancellor did , neatly with chopsticks.

* * *

Why are those two like that?

Balua, having dinner with his family at home, got an urgent report from a subordinate and turned on the TV. He switched to the sports channel just in time to see Azani opening a can of beer and drinking it deliciously. For a moment, he wanted to call the beverage company and ask how much they would pay him to film an ad. It was on a different level than celebrities exaggerating while drinking beer. Even he wanted to swap his wine for a can of Munich beer.

“It’s teacher!”

César recognized him immediately and pointed.

“Oh my, the two of them together…”

His wife, Elodie, covered her mouth with a laugh.

“So that’s what the ‘Roman Holiday’ operation was.”

Balua shook his head, dumbfounded. He had heard the Chancellor’s office was preparing something, but not what. If it were something he needed to know, Azani would have told him. He never expected it to be a security operation for a public date.

Two Imperial Marshals suddenly appearing at a public venue with over a hundred thousand people gathered , of course the preparations had to be flawless. But the idea that the mission’s purpose was a date… he had no idea what to say.

“Mom, can we have chicken too?”

Just when he tried to justify it as an attempt to lift the nation’s subdued mood with a bold act of public morale boosting… the screen showed Azani fully absorbed in eating chicken. His young son was instantly mesmerized.

Azani ate a fried piece, then a seasoned one, then something white like a pickle, then drank his beer. Balua sincerely wondered if he had been paid under the table by the beer and chicken companies. Was it even allowed for a public official to openly endorse a specific brand like this?

“We’ll eat dinner now, and I’ll buy you some tomorrow, César.”

“Tomorrow…”

César wilted with disappointment.

Right then, the broadcast zoomed in on Azani feeding his fresh, younger lover a piece of chicken. Balua clicked his tongue. Was that something to show a child? Damn broadcasters, blinded by ratings, cutting the football match to show a public official couple flirting.

“I’ll order it, Elodie. Just for today, César.”

Balua asked for his wife’s understanding and winked. She pretended to scold him, then smiled indulgently. César’s eyes sparkled with excitement. He wanted the chicken his teacher was enjoying so much.

“To order… ah. They say the orders are overloaded and we’d have to wait five hours?”

Reality was cruel. Ever since the chicken brand first appeared on air, quick-witted viewers must have rushed to order. All they got back was: minimum five hours wait.

“We can’t eat chicken today?”

César asked with a disappointed look. Feeling sorry, Balua tried to comfort him. For a moment, he seriously considered whether this was the time to use an Imperial Marshal’s privilege. Just one little priority order…

Thankfully, salvation arrived before he stepped onto the path of no return. A sensible adjutant had placed the order as soon as the broadcast started. He almost embarrassed himself in front of his son.

“Did you know?”

While his excited son tried and failed to imitate his teacher’s chopstick technique before giving up and using a fork, Balua called Graeme. The fellow Marshal, resting at home, shrugged.

–I knew because they asked for cooperation, but those two…

Graeme cut himself off, choosing not to speak further.

“It’s better they get along than be hostile. Anyway, those beer and chicken companies must’ve hit the jackpot today. Even I tried to order right away.”

–Did you succeed? There must’ve been a huge backlog.

“Failed. My adjutant saved me by ordering ahead.”

–Today is a good way to see who has capable subordinates and who doesn’t.

“A lot of people are going to get scolded for no good reason.”

Balua felt sympathy for all the subordinates who’d be labeled incompetent for not foreseeing this.

–Let’s hope their superiors are at least somewhat lenient and understanding.

“For example, someone like Azani? He’s quite generous when it comes to anything outside work.”

He had realized that too late. Professionally, they were entangled, but personally, they hadn’t interacted much. But now he understood what kind of man Azani was , meticulous, considerate, patient, devoted.

–Mm, right.

A brief silence followed. Balua spoke first.

“I wonder what would’ve happened if Azani had gotten along with the others from the start. Judging from how he is now, it seems like smooth friendships would’ve been possible.”

–He must’ve had his reasons.

“I’ll ask him someday. Don’t know if he’ll answer honestly though. Sorry for interrupting your evening. Go rest.”

–You too. Enjoy time with your family.

César, having failed at chopsticks, was now happily eating chicken with a fork. Elodie was doing better than her son but still awkward, following a practice video on her device. The match had gone from 1–0 to 2–2, but neither of them paid the game any attention.

“Wait, Elodie. I should practice too.”

Balua went back to join his beloved family. That was how their Saturday evening passed.

The first half ended at 2 to 2. During the break, commercials played on the TV screens. People watching the broadcast away from the stadium opened the network and busied themselves searching for related footage. Of course, not football highlights. Edited videos from the moment the two Marshals arrived at the stadium were already circulating.

[Comments]

“Beautiful Nael? Then what nickname should Marshal Kranaha get?”

└“Obviously it should be Antigonos the Triumphant. Antigonos der Triumph.”

He certainly did look like a proud conquering general, walking beside his older lover with that triumphant expression. People cheerfully gossiped over the obvious bait thrown before them.

└“Munich Beer, let’s go! It’s going up! Monday is going to be fun!”

└“This is good news, good news! Long live His Excellency the Chancellor! My loyalty, Your Excellency. Wishing you long life.”

The shareholders, delighted by the unexpected boon, ordered cans of beer.

└“Kokio Chicken? Isn’t that company publicly listed?”

└└“It’s not listed, but there are a few related stocks.”

└“Anyone know the brand of clothes the Chancellor wore today?”

└└“The design is plain so I don’t know, but I know the cosmetics used at the Academy graduation last time. His stylist belongs to Lareal.”

While stock-obsessed people searched vigorously for related companies, another group analyzed the public date frame by frame.

└“In this scene the Chancellor’s beauty shines even more.”

└“Please look at 3:41. His expression subtly freezes when someone shouts ‘Beautiful Nael’. It’s so cute.”

└“Honestly, raise your hand if you think the Chancellor should be investigated for secretly taking money from the beer and chicken companies! Now take that hand and smack your own face.”

└“Matching black-and-white outfits for the date too…”

└“I want to lick that exposed wrist like a dog.”

└└“Let me join.”

└└└“I’ll suck his toes. I’m confident. Just give the order.”

└“Reported all the perverts above.”

The network was in chaos. The break flew by, and the second half began. Everyone focused on the screen with fierce concentration. Today would likely become the sports channel’s highest-rated day ever.

Some worried the two Marshals might have left after the first half, but they stayed. Perhaps from the stadium’s heat, the Chancellor rolled his sleeves up even higher and fanned himself. A faint flush appeared on his pale face. When the ultra-high-definition cameras captured his slightly reddened eyes and cheeks, mischievous spectators shouted in unison: Beautiful Nael!

“……”

The Chancellor, startled, pressed his right hand to his forehead and lowered his head. Marshal Kranaha, sitting beside him, laughed and raised both thumbs. It meant he did well.

Amid the noise, Royal’s attackers suddenly charged toward the ball. The announcer called out the player’s name rapidly, and the crowd focused on the football again. With the score tied 2 to 2, who would take the lead? Royal’s supporters stood as one and screamed. The football god Max completed his hat trick.

“Max! Max!”

The screen replayed the goal in slow motion. Teammates ran to Max and hugged him. After that came the reaction of today’s VIPs.

“Are those FC defenders even doing their jobs? Wake up and block him!”

So he really was a fan of FC Rosenburg as well, just like he claimed about his hometown team. Marshal Kranaha jumped to his feet and shook his fist, shouting something angrily. The Chancellor seemed to be quietly cheering for Royal; he nodded with interest, as if the flow of the match pleased him.

The Royal fans, who filled three-quarters of the stadium, stomped their feet confidently and sang their team anthem. The atmosphere soared without limit.

Time ticked toward the end of the match. The anxious FC players launched rapid attacks. Royal remained vigilant. They had to secure today’s points to be first in the league. Losing on their home field was unacceptable.

“Push harder! Charge like your life depends on it!”

Somewhere up there, that Kran-something fellow kept shouting annoying things, but the revered Regent Chancellor, Beautiful Nael, was wishing good fortune upon Royal. Royal successfully blocked every attack. The match ended at 3 to 2. Royal practically secured the league’s top spot.

“Uwoooooh! Royal! Royal!”

“Our Royal! Long live Royal!”

The stands became a cauldron of frenzy. Screams erupted everywhere. Some fans couldn’t control their excitement, ripping off their shirts and waving them, while others tried to rush onto the field before being dragged back by staff.

“Your Excellency. It’s best if we leave now.”

Hessler advised Nael.

“Yes, that would be best.”

Nael nodded. He realized his voice had unconsciously risen. On the battlefield he had always remained calm while serving his lord, but today he had long been swept up in the heat of the crowd. He only pretended to be composed; his heart was pounding.

“Ah, damn. Royal actually won.”

Antigonos grumbled, knocking his fists together in frustration.

“Maybe watch your words in Royal’s home stadium?”

“And if I don’t?”

His yellow eyes gleamed strangely, shining with excitement. The aura of a fierce male radiated from him in all directions. Some bold onlookers straightened up, unwilling to lose; others shrank back. Some simply admired it, understanding now what kind of man commanded five thousand warships.

“Then we’ll be getting home late.”

Nael lowered his eyes and turned forward. As if too annoyed to wait for an answer, he strode ahead. Antigonos hurried after him.

“I’m coming with you.”

Getting home late would be troublesome. Antigonos glanced at Nael’s profile, struggling to restrain the blood boiling inside him. To sink his teeth into that pale, smooth nape even one second sooner, he couldn’t afford to linger here.

“You’re leaving already? If it’s not too much trouble, could you encourage the players…”

“Next time!”

Antigonos instantly refused the football official’s request. The official looked flustered, glancing between the two Marshals.

“Not today, but another time I will make time. Please tell the players I enjoyed watching their excellent match. They must be tired as well, so they should rest early.”

Nael, ever courteous, spoke politely, and the official finally relaxed and bowed his head.

The two, followed by their attendants, exited through the VIP passage and boarded the official car. Since they were heading to Nael’s house together, they rode in the same car on the way back.

“Why were you so harsh? You know how to speak tactfully.”

Only when they were alone did Nael quietly scold him.

“I’m in a hurry. I’m really, really in a hurry right now.”

Antigonos muttered in a low voice. Nael kept his eyes forward, refusing to look at him. He had a bad feeling that if their eyes met, something would happen.

“Wait. Until we get there.”

“Yes, my lord.”

A short answer came back. Both of them stayed silent as the car moved.

Time passed, feeling long to some and too short to others, and then the car stopped. Antigonos, sitting on the left, opened his own door, got out, and then opened Nael’s door himself.

“Let the chief of security open the door.”

“This is my gesture, so let me do at least this much.”

Antigonos grinned and bowed politely.

“…Go up.”

Nael gestured for the guards to disperse and stepped into the house.

“You don’t need to come up to the second floor unless I call you.”

“Yes. Understood, master.”

After giving instructions to the butler and the servants, Nael went up the stairs, Antigonos proudly following behind him. The servants carefully returned to their posts.

The two walked at an unhurried, natural pace toward their destination on the second floor. The shift came only after they reached the bedroom.

“Antigo….”

The moment the bedroom door closed, Antigonos lunged. As if having reached the limit of his patience, he pinned Nael against the wall and stole his lips.

“……”

Nael wasn’t surprised. He knew this would happen. He had expected it.

The fierce kiss continued. Nael didn’t push him away, wrapping his arms around his neck instead. Kissing, well. He didn’t mind it. The big, hairy bear of a man wasn’t exactly pretty, but Nael didn’t dislike it. Why… who knows.

Anyway, the heat from the stadium had gotten to him as well. Men were like this. Easily excited and constantly craving stimulation.

“Antigonos. Wait, just a moment.”

After a long while, their lips finally separated, only for Antigonos to lower his mouth to Nael’s neck. On top of that, those big, strong hands began sliding under his clothes.

“Wait. Stop. Shower, let’s shower first….”

Everything was fine except heading straight to that. He had planned to only kiss first and then shower, but Antigonos’s hands were impatiently tugging at his trousers. Nael grabbed his hand to stop him. Interrupted, the man growled and shook off Nael’s hand.

“I told you I’m in a hurry. I can’t wait anymore. Don’t worry. I’ll lick you clean from head to toe myself.”

“I sweated a lot. I need to wash.”

“It’s fine. I like your sweat too.”

Antigonos pressed a kiss to Nael’s cheek. Nael frowned and shoved him away with force. At that, Antigonos’s expression instantly turned fierce. Nael stared right back at him and spoke.

“I’m going to wash.”

“You…”

“Shower with me.”

Only then did Antigonos’s expression soften. As if thinking, Ah, right, that was an option. Nael wondered if he was an idiot.

“The shower’s over there.”

Nael spoke in a tone full of exasperation and turned away. Even that seemed enticing to Antigonos, who fixed his gaze on Nael’s back while pulling his T-shirt off and following.

At the shower room entrance, Nael glanced at him and loosened his hair tie. Antigonos, completely captivated, leaned in for a kiss. Nael stepped backward, guiding him into the shower.

Under the running water, the fierce kissing continued. The man, forced into an unintended period of abstinence, pounced as if determined to vent all his pent-up frustration at once. Nael didn’t avoid him. He even laughed. That aristocratic, mocking snort only riled up the rutting male bear even further.

“Do you like it? Hm? You feel good too, don’t you?”

Excited yellow eyes stared at Nael. One large, thick hand, unable to hold back its desire, grabbed one side of Nael’s backside hard.

“It hurts. Hold me gently.”

“No.”

Antigonos bared his teeth in a blissful grin. This sensation… in the whole empire, who else but him could freely touch this man’s bare skin? To look, to touch, to tangle bodies together, only he was allowed.

“Antigonos…”

Nael called his name with a slight frown between his brows. Only then did the strength drain from Antigonos’s hand. He didn’t let go. Instead, his hand slowly slid inward.

“Ah…”

As Nael let out a sigh, Antigonos buried his face against Nael’s neck and touched the most intimate place. Deep inside, the spot hidden away like its owner’s personality, closed and reserved, yet if he lingered with patience and licked persistently, it would quietly open for him. He knew very well how hot and enticing it was inside.

“Nael. Nael…”

He called his name, left marks along his skin, and caressed him everywhere.

Using the excuse of showering together, he did whatever he wanted. That was fine. It was something his generous older lover had suggested first anyway.

“It’s uncomfortable in here, so keep it light.”

After a moment, Nael said that.

“I can do that, but…”

Antigonos paused and cut off the rest.

“What condition are you trying to bring up?”

“I stuck to the abstinence period just like you asked. Don’t I get some kind of reward?”

He looked straight into his eyes. From this close, he liked how his own face filled his lover’s pupils.

“What reward should I give you?”

His lover asked back. It wasn’t said in a sarcastic tone.

“Hmm.”

Instead of answering immediately, Antigonos pressed a kiss to Nael’s neck. There were plenty of things he wanted to do with this person, but he couldn’t demand just anything. He always kept in mind how much his lover was already yielding to him.

“Enjoy it with me.”

He thought of several indecent requests, then discarded them. He didn’t want to sour the mood of someone who was trying so hard to meet him halfway.

“…Alright.”

Had he sensed what Antigonos had hesitated over? His lover looked mildly surprised, then nodded. And with bold decisiveness, he lowered a hand and wrapped it around him. Antigonos grinned. It seemed he had given the right answer.

“You are truly beautiful, my Chancellor.”

Antigonos drawled the words from below Nael’s body. Nael cast him a sidelong look. Forcing him to climb on top and then saying things like that… honestly.

The fun they had in the shower had been nothing more than an appetizer, apparently. Once they moved to the bed, the man had gone at it with renewed enthusiasm. After several position changes, they had ended up like this. The moment he lowered himself onto that upright, massive thing with his full weight, he had nearly lost his mind. Only after forcing his breath to steady did he see that damn bear-in-a-man’s-skin grinning as if he found everything amusing, throwing out flirtations. Did he really think anyone would be happy to be called beautiful at a time like this?

“Hm. Are you satisfied seeing this Azani sitting on your body and moving his hips?”

Nael lifted his chin with an arrogant air, lowering only his gaze. Did Antigonos think he would blush and grow shy? Not a chance.

“……”

Sure enough, Antigonos’ expression subtly hardened. The rough-looking man glared up at him with a savage look. Nael let out a short, derisive snort and slowly rolled his hips.

“Ah… ngh.”

A nasal moan slipped out on its own. He had no intention of holding back anyway. Hadn’t the man asked him to enjoy it together? He fully intended to grant that request.

It had been a little difficult only at the very beginning when he’d lowered himself onto him, but once he adjusted, it wasn’t so bad anymore.

Being pinned underneath and helplessly tossed around however the other moved was far worse than this. The position he hated most was the one from behind. That one required him to lie face-down with only his hips raised, being taken. When he was taken from behind, there was almost nothing he could do. All he could do was hope the beastly conqueror showed him mercy at some reasonable point.

“Ah… aaah. Nice. This position is the best. Hng….”

The feeling of pressing a huge man down beneath him, yes, he liked this very much. Of course, it wasn’t just sitting; he had to lower himself onto the thick wedge buried inside his body.

“Agh… aaah.”

He moved his hips, deliberately striking the itchy spot deep within himself. His lips parted on their own as a moan spilled out. Good, this was good.

It wasn’t just physical pleasure. The mental thrill was considerable as well. He would never feel anything like this with another person’s body. The deviant pleasure he gained specifically because his partner was Antigonos Kranaha was something impossible to put into words.

Nael licked his lips with his tongue, wearing the uniquely aristocratic, condescending expression of someone looking down on his partner. The excitement from the stadium had not yet cooled. He needed someone to unleash that heat on. This man was perfect for it.

“Nael de Azani.”

Antigonos called his name in a low, ominous voice.

“Ah, yes. Admiral Kranaha.”

Nael swept his hands back through his hair, slicking it all the way as before.

“…You little bastard.”

Antigonos stared up at him without blinking, then rose as if he couldn’t hold back any longer. The violent shift inside him made Nael flinch, his hips jolting upward, but Antigonos forced him down again.

“Agh… ah, no….”

Nael trembled, his hips shaking uncontrollably as a strangled cry escaped him. The stimulation was far too strong.

“And what kind of nerve did my beloved Chancellor have, to try provoking me like that?”

The man who seized the lead in an instant spoke in a mocking tone. Nael struggled instinctively.

“No… don’t….”

But he couldn’t win against that strength. Had he made a mistake? By the time regret flickered through him, it was already too late. In a face-to-face position, Antigonos seized Nael’s hips in both hands and shook him mercilessly.

“Aaah… ah, Antigonos, s-stop… ah….”

“What a lovely voice. Cry a little more for me, Nael de Azani.”

“No… ahh, n-no… I don’t want….”

“This is your fault. Endure it.”

The man laughed darkly as he ravaged his lower body. Nael dug his nails into his back, but it didn’t make him budge. If anything, Antigonos seemed even more excited, biting into Nael’s nape.

“No… ah, ah… not anymore… Antigonos…”

His vision flashed white. He could imagine what kind of expression he must be making, but he couldn’t control it. In that instant, memories of this man flickered quickly through his mind. The first time they faced each other, Antigonos had stared at him in silence before finally greeting him with proper courtesy. When Nael had been walking alone down a corridor, he had quietly followed and asked if he might join him for a meal, if Nael didn’t mind. What had he answered then? Probably the formal, standard refusal. Thank you for the offer, but I’m busy, excuse me. Most likely…

“Nael.”

He remembered being invited several more times after that. It had been uncomfortable. Why was he approaching him? He had heard that this man, Kranaha, wasn’t the type to get along broadly with anyone and everyone. Something about him had been unsettling. Nael hadn’t wanted to think too deeply about what that something was.

“Nael.”

He recalled the man’s expression twisting, as though his pride had been wounded after the repeated refusals. At some point, he stopped even offering polite invitations for tea. Instead, he began picking fights, sneering at him.

“Nael.”

That same man was now calling his name with a burning gaze. Nael, half-sobbing from the intensity of everything, met his eyes.

“Antigonos.”

Back then, he’d had no other choice. In those days, that was how it needed to be. The road ahead had been too long, the tasks before him too overwhelming. But now…

Nael slowly closed his eyes and pressed his lips to his.