The Rogue System [BL]
Chapter 304 - Carriage ride from hell

Chapter 304: Chapter 304 - Carriage ride from hell

The carriage rolled along the soft riverbank soil, the wheels sinking slightly, making for a deceptively smooth ride.

Inside, Eric sat in the cramped darkness, his limbs painfully bound in heavy chains, forcing him into an awkward crouch.

His only connection to the outside world was a small, square-shaped window just big enough for his nose to poke through.

Gritting his teeth, he pressed his face against the opening, catching glimpses of the world beyond—the slow gallop of horses, the glint of armor in the sunlight, the river flowing beside them. And then, there was him.

Ryan rode alongside the carriage, his posture effortless, his expression unreadable. The way he sat on that horse, like he had all the time in the world, made Eric’s blood boil. His gaze burned holes into the man’s profile, but Ryan, infuriatingly, didn’t even glance his way.

Eric clenched his fists. This bastard... this absolute monster! He looked just like Kai, but he wasn’t Kai. Not even close. If Kai were here, he would’ve—

"Tch." Eric looked away, staring down at his chained hands. The cold metal cut into his wrists, binding his arms to his legs in a way that forced him to stay hunched. His muscles ached, but the worst part? The humiliation. A prince of Farius, chained up like an animal.

His stomach growled.

With a grimace, he grabbed the canteen lying next to him. Inside was his glorious meal— a single piece of round, flat bread. At least they gave him something, he thought bitterly.

He took a bite.

Immediately, pain shot through his jaw.

He nearly choked, pulling the bread out of his mouth before it could shatter his teeth. His eyes widened in horror.

"What is this? A weapon?" he muttered under his breath, tapping the bread against the floor of the carriage.

A dull thunk echoed. It was hard enough to break bones.

Disgusted, he tossed it aside, muttering curses under his breath. He had no water, no real food, and no dignity left. Giving up, he lay back against the rough wooden wall, closing his eyes. If he focused hard enough, maybe he could imagine Kai’s warmth beside him, the way his lover used to hold him...

Sleep took him.

But not for long.

A violent jolt threw him sideways, his chains rattling as he slammed into the wall.

His stomach lurched.

The entire carriage trembled as if possessed, rattling so hard he thought it might break apart.

His eyes snapped open. An attack? His heartbeat spiked.

He scrambled toward the tiny window, pushing his face against the opening.

The soldiers outside were still riding along at the same steady pace, chatting, laughing even. The horses didn’t seem panicked.

But his carriage? Hell itself.

The violent shaking made his stomach churn, and he barely kept himself from throwing up. With mounting horror, he looked down and realized—this isn’t a road.

The path was littered with massive rocks, and the wooden wheels of the carriage were taking the worst of it.

"Are you serious?" Eric groaned.

A few minutes ago, he had pitied the soldiers for having to ride on horseback for hours, their thighs chafing. But now? Now he envied them.

"Hey!" He tried to shout, but his voice barely carried over the rumbling. "Someone! I think I’m—"

No response.

Ryan didn’t even look his way.

Furious, Eric narrowed his eyes. He snatched the discarded piece of rock-hard bread, his lips curling into a smirk.

If words didn’t work, maybe this would.

He tore off a small chunk with great effort, turning it into a makeshift pebble. With careful aim, he flicked it straight at Ryan’s head.

For a split second, Eric felt triumphant. But then—

Ryan caught it.

Effortlessly. Mid-air.

Eric gawked. What the—?!

Ryan turned his head slightly, finally acknowledging him. His sharp eyes locked onto Eric’s, one brow lifting in silent challenge.

Eric bristled. "I— I don’t feel good," he muttered, his stomach still twisting uncomfortably.

Ryan examined the so-called "projectile" in his palm, then looked back at Eric. His expression? Completely unimpressed.

Then, as if Eric had said nothing of importance, Ryan simply turned back around and continued riding.

Eric’s jaw dropped.

Did this man just ignore his suffering?

His blood boiled.

"You absolute___!" He pressed his forehead against the wooden wall, seething. He held up a middle finger that went unnoticed.

The ride continued, the violent shaking worsening with every bump.

He was going to die in this carriage.

And that bastard wouldn’t even care.

His head banged against the sides with every jolt, his stomach twisted itself into a knot, and for the first time in his life, he thought—

This is how I die. In a wooden death trap on wheels.

"I’m gonna puke," he groaned, clutching his gut. "I’m actually gonna puke."

The carriage suddenly came to a halt.

Eric was thrown backward, rolling until his back hit the carriage doors with a resounding thud. He barely had time to process.

The doors flung open.

Eric tumbled out.

"Ahhh,"

His world turned into a blur before—oomph—he landed against something firm yet oddly warm.

Strong arms caught him before he could hit the ground. Not soft, no. Hard, toned, steady arms. Arms that felt painfully, achingly familiar.

His breath hitched. Slowly, he lifted his gaze, and his heart stopped.

Those eyes. Those damn eyes.

"...Kai?" The word left his lips in a whisper, barely audible over the sound of soldiers dismounting.

The man—Ryan—stared down at him, expression unreadable. Then, without ceremony, he bent down and set Eric onto the ground, as if handling a particularly annoying sack of grain.

"Set camp here for the night," Ryan ordered his soldiers, his voice carrying authority. He didn’t spare Eric another glance as he turned away, speaking to his men about patrol shifts and firewood.

Eric remained on the ground, too stunned to move.

His chest ached. His mind reeled. That had to be Kai. It had to be.

But then... reality settled in.

He glanced around. The sky had darkened to a deep navy, the last remnants of twilight casting long shadows across the camp. Soldiers moved around him, setting up tents, unpacking supplies, tending to horses.

It was all... ordinary. Like it was routine to them.

Kai hadn’t stopped because he was feeling sick inside.

No

Kai.....no Ryan hadn’t remembered him.

He had just wanted to camp for the night.

The fragile hope Eric had been clinging to shattered.

A lump formed in his throat. He clenched his fists, digging his nails into his palms, willing himself to hold it together.

But he was cold. And hungry. And exhausted.

And chained like a damn criminal.

His shoulders trembled. His breath hitched. He lowered his head as the first tear slipped past his defenses, then another. Silently, beside the flickering fire, Eric cried.

Alone.

But not unnoticed.

From where he sat sharpening his blade, Ryan’s eyes flickered toward him, his grip tightening ever so slightly on the hilt.