MTLNOVEL Chapter 68: Nearly caught
"How's it going in there, mate?" the elf asked with a cheeky grin, lifting the edge of the cover that concealed Hades and Luna inside the cart.
Hades let out a grumble. "Barely surviving. Can you tell the driver to stop hitting every damn rock? It hurts."
They were being smuggled across the border, hidden in a cart filled with seeds and nuts. Comfort was a luxury they couldn't afford—not with how illegal this trip was—and it didn't help that the driver seemed to be going out of his way to make the ride as jarring as possible.
The elf chuckled. "Just hold tight. Half an hour more and you'll be free as a bird." He lowered the cover again.
Darkness returned. Hades exhaled a weary sigh and glanced at Luna beside him. She had her knees tucked close, body curled like his, leaning gently against his side.
"You alright? Need more room?" he asked, though they both knew there was barely an inch left to shift. Still, if she needed it, he'd figure something out.
"I'm good," she replied with a soft smile. "I'm flexible, so this is nothing."
Unlike her, Hades was clearly suffering. Not just from the cramped space but from the lingering aches of his earlier fight against the giant wolf. Lary had stabbed him, and the beast had clawed him up pretty badly. Though he'd mostly healed with no lasting wounds, some cramps and phantom pain still lingered.
"Think we'll get caught?" Luna asked suddenly, breaking the silence.
Hades gave her a tired look and cracked a dry smile. "Please don't jinx it. I just want to reach Samaran without any more drama."
Luna giggled at his exasperation, clearly amused.
The cart rolled on in heavy silence, its wheels creaking faintly as it trundled deeper into the forest. Overhead, the canopy swayed gently with the breeze, filtering the sunlight into shifting patterns across the path.
Their destination was the border.
According to the guild master, he had a connection among the border patrol. If all went well, they would pass through without issue.
But if things went sideways... he had given them strict instructions.
"Create a distraction," he'd said. "Cause enough chaos, and bolt for the other side."
Apparently, the elven border force was so undermanned that they wouldn't have the time or resources to chase fugitives for long. One way or another, the plan would work. Luna and Hades would make it across.
Inside the cart, Luna reached into her pouch and pulled out a small packet of raisins, offering it to Hades.
He gave a quiet nod of thanks and took a few. The two sat side by side, chewing the sweet dried fruits in silence.
Then, the cart came to a halt.
Hades tensed.
He rose slowly and pulled the curtain aside by just an inch, peeking through.
"What is it?" Luna asked in a hushed tone, careful not to shift her position too much.
"There are soldiers…" he whispered, eyes scanning the scene outside. "They're checking the other carts."
His gaze swept past one uniformed elf… then another…
And then—
His eyes locked with a soldier standing at the rear of the checkpoint. The elf wasn't just surveying the area—he was staring directly at Hades.
Their eyes met.
Only for a heartbeat.
But it was enough.
Hades immediately pulled back, his breath caught in his throat. His body recoiled as if burned.
Luna's voice was urgent, barely a whisper. "W-What happened?"
He held up a finger to his lips, silencing her as the pounding in his chest grew louder.
Something wasn't right.
That soldier had looked at him like he knew.
Like he had been waiting.
They heard footsteps nearing the cart.
Luna instinctively held her breath, her fingers tightening slightly around Hades's sleeve.
A second passed. Then another.
The sound was getting louder. Closer.
Then—
A hand gripped the cover.
Just before it could be lifted, a familiar voice rang out from outside.
"Oi, mate! Your senior's been lookin' for you," the guild master called out casually.
For a moment, the hand retreated, and both Luna and Hades thought they were safe—
Until—
*Rustle*
The cover was thrown open.
The soldier's eyes widened in shock as they locked onto the two hidden figures inside.
Time froze.
Then—
*Dhak!*
The guild master struck him from behind. The soldier's eyes rolled back before he collapsed on the side of the cart with a dull thud.
Hades's breath hitched. He pulled the cover back over them in haste, hiding them once more in the dark.
Muffled voices followed. The guild master was arguing with someone outside, his tone laced with irritation.
Neither Luna nor Hades moved.
Hades kept her close, his arms protectively wrapped around her as they huddled in silence.
Then—
*Trudge…*
The cart began to roll forward again.
Only when they felt the wheels moving beneath them did they dare to exhale.
Relief, fragile and trembling, finally returned to their lungs.
"Haah… we survived," Hades exhaled, finally able to relax as the cart rolled on without interruption.
Luna reached for the water, took a few quiet sips, then passed the container to him. Hades accepted it and drank, the coolness calming his nerves more than he expected.
Their journey continued for another half hour before the cart gradually came to a halt.
*Rustle*
The cover was yanked open—and there stood the sharp-eyed guild master, arms crossed and a familiar mix of irritation and amusement on his face.
With his hands on his hips, he asked dryly, "Which genius thought it was a good idea to enjoy the scenery right in the middle of an inspection?"
Hades offered a sheepish smile as he climbed out of the cart. "Ahah~ I got a little curious. Hope that didn't cost you too much."
"Only five hundred gold coins," the guild master replied, as if commenting on the weather. "You're lucky I handled the situation before that soldier could scream. If he had, the whole thing would've blown up."
His voice lowered slightly, more serious now.
"The border chief isn't involved in this little smuggling arrangement. If that soldier had raised the alarm, things would've gone straight to hell."
He paused.
"Best case, you'd end up in a cell. Worst case…"
His gaze sharpened.
"Blood."
Luna took a deep breath and, with Hades's help, stepped out of the cart.
Hades turned to the elf, patting his shoulder with sincere gratitude.
"Thanks for getting us through safely."
The elf swatted his hand away. "Tch. Find your own way back. And don't you dare speak my name."
Hades chuckled. "But I don't even know your name."
The elf grinned. "Excellent. Let's keep it that way."
He turned and walked away without looking back.
" Let's never meet again."