Moon and Savage is a manga written and illustrated by Sera and published by Shousetsu Chocolat. Uriel travels from Europe to the African Uma Ral desert with Alvie who has helped raise him. Captured he is helped by Ald and sees from the supposed barbarian Seldira the perspective that their countries' artefacts taken in the name of research are essentially stolen to be displayed in foreign museums. Ald is bringing Uriel to the the city of Rosa having promised to return him to Alvie yet on the way reveals that he loves him.
Synopsis[]
Ever since he was a child, Prince Uriel has always dreamed of searching for the lost city of Rowadis rumored to be buried somewhere deep in the desert. One day, he manages to sneak out of his country to join an excavation party in the hopes of learning more about his beloved Rowadis. However, the barren land turns out to be a dangerous place for the prince and he is captured by the savage Seldira clan. The young prince gets tangled up with the handsome leader of the Seldira and unlocks the mysteries of the desert.
Characters[]
Uriel Fourdguna Lafarge[]
A prince whose keen interest in history covers places such as the Umu Ral that he admires so much to the mentioned Rowadis metropolis that may be buried underneath it. He is a younger brother of the current king of Lafarge Kingdom, Edward VII and the fifth son to the old queen. He has met prince Madeek once before thirteen years ago and approached him as a child to ask if he thought Rowadis existed. With his parents falling ill Uriel was troubled at feeling he was responsible for their deaths and that he was a cursed prince. At being captured he was relieved to hear that others were fine and whilst startled to see that he was naked Uriel thanked Ald for saving him. He says his name is Yuri after remembering to not reveal his status as royalty and gives his age as twenty. Having never done anything with Alvie he feels humiliated at an intimate moment with Ald and embarrassed that he enjoyed it. Uriel had not given much thought to the artefacts excavated from Africa and considers the ramifications having heard there are items obtained from wars with England and France. Having thought it was obvious that that the excavator should take back to his country whatever he finds Uriel considers the native inhabitant's perspective that the act is simply robbery and he cannot believe they were so arrogant. Speaking French he observes that Ald also spoke it fluently. Approaching him Uriel apologizes in the place of the professor for trying to sneak back the artefacts and adds they did not think the actions they took out of zeal for the research would hurt the natives of the land. At the same time Uriel says if Ald does what he did before then he will never forgive him before dashing away. Travelling together on the same horse Uriel asks Ald to not treat him like a woman. In awe of the desert landscape Uriel is surprised to find there is indeed a pool of water. He considers the vast expanse of sand dunes at night before him to be pretty. When Ald holds him he gets nervous and cannot calm down yet feels it is a mystery why he gets a sense of relief at the same time. He recognizes gem stones such as Lapis lazuli and Agate but breaks off explaining their connection to a mythology story at seeing Ald's face then acknowledges it was random. Of his enthrallment with Rowadis he did not know if there were actually gods but he believed the citadel and the greenery that surrounded it existed. He wanted to tell Ald that he loved him. Regarding Alvie even if Uriel has to betray his country or even himself Alvie is the only person he will not betray. Returning to avoid the possibility of Alvie being accused of a crime he continued his familial relationship with him yet would realize he did love Ald romantically. The character profile states that Uriel is 20 and 172cm tall.
Aldgradurl Al Dura Seldira[]
The chief of the Seldia clan he later tells Uriel that he can call him Ald and is 29 with a height of 193cm. When he was twenty he brought the Seldira clan together to enrich their living conditions so created a trade route in Umu Ral. He took his father's place at the age of twenty three and became the chief. First coming across them he whistled to stop members of the clan from attacking Uriel and Alvie further. He personally picks up Uriel and takes him to a tent to recover. Explaining that cannot take Uriel to Alvie since he has taken an interest in him with no chance of letting him go Ald asks what Uriel's name is. He feels that Yuri is a weird name yet has a nice ring to it. Having tended to Uriel's wounds, wiped his sweat, fed him medicine and taking care of him for three days and nights Ald says those whose lives are saved by someone else must in return offer their bodies as thanks and that is the "law" of this land where his words are the law. Ald replies he had no intention of making Uriel his toy and raises that he had no one killed just for him even though they stole from them and yet Uriel is speaking so rudely. He asks if Uriel knows how many Europeans have raided all kinds of precious artefacts from Africa in the name of research just to decorate their own museums. Ald says he will listen to Uriel after he has eaten and is surprised at Uriel's apology for artefacts being taken out of the land. Saying that he hates waiting Ald picks up Uriel and carries him to a horse intending to travel together. Whilst Uriel told him not to touch him again Ald never made such a promise to not do so. Suddenly taking his top off to take a bath Ald asks Uriel whether he felt something from looking at his body. Called a barbarian his answer to Uriel is for them to follow their basic instincts like savages do. He resides in the permanent settlement of Rosa and describing it as a beautiful place Ald is sure Uriel will like it too. Legends from Greece and Egypt are much more spectacular in Ald's view. Beneath the star lit sky Ald asks Uriel to abandon his country, throw everything else away and live with him in Rosa. Aware of who Uriel was from the start he is dismissive of what the truth is when discussing it with Madeek. Ald states that believing in things like curses is stupid. Ard did not tell Uriel that he knew who he was since he would have become Uriel and told him to return him to his country. He wanted him to stay as "Yuri" and not a member of some royal family. Having travelled with his cousin Madeek he also saw Uriel with Alvie and seeing his goal to keep those he cared about safe was a reason he came to love Uriel, and that he adapts quickly. It was why he arranged for Uriel to return to his country where once Alvie was safe Ald travelled there to bring Uriel back. Tending to training exercises with guns used in the region he supports Uriel training at his own pace in many other areas so that they can go anywhere together.
Alvie[]
Serving Uriel tea he discusses the background of the story that Uriel is reading again. Joining Uriel at the desert he advises him to please be careful and not slip. He tells professor Chalier that there was no way they could get permission to visit so they snuck out. He is wary that Uriel would have had to live in an old castle in the countryside and not get involved with anyone else especially in the royal family if he returned to his own country. Accordingly he forged the passport and travel papers. Aware of the Seldira clan he knows they were originally nomads yet once they engage in battle even all the greatest countries' armies know they do not stand a chance. With the Seldira clan intending to capture them he advises Uriel to leave since if he gets caught it will cause trouble for their kingdom and the professor. Struck with an arrow coated with a substance to induce sleep he woke up after half a day after falling unconscious. In the past he has received gifts from men and whilst he told Uriel that they are all free to love whomever despite their gender he asked Uriel to fall in love with a woman to increase the posterity of the royal line. He was twelve years old when he was first brought to the castle to be Uriel's playmate. At first he did consider why he was chosen but never believed in the rumors of a curse around Uriel. Attending to him dutifully since then Alvie does not entertain a different life to one with Uriel. His mother passed away when he was young and he did not have a good relationship with his father's second life. Considering that and at present even after Uriel has grown up and no longer needs a caretaker Alvie would very much like to serve him for the rest of his life. If he wanted to walk a different way of life Alvie says he would have done so a long time ago. He is deeply devoted to Uriel and loves him as is he were close family. Whilst at first alarmed to see Uriel drop out a window of his own accord and reaching for him Alvie sees Uriel caught by Ald below and concludes that nothing in this world can make him happier than seeing Uriel smile like that. Joining him at Badis' suggestion, who he travelled to Rosa with initially, Alvie would find Badis to be attractive. He is 32 and 180cm tall.
Madeek[]
The prince of Shimua who reportedly is close to the chief of the Seldira clan. Thirteen years ago he came to Lafarge Kingdom to watch a ceremony and spoke in a foreign dialect to Uriel when asked about Rowadis. Taking up residence in Rosa later he speaks with Ald that he is late before discussing who Uriel really is. Madeek heard from a spy in Lafarge several years ago that Prince Uriel is not supposed to have the freedom to go to a foreign country by himself. He is aware of the royal family of Lafarge's background and pities Uriel for having to live in concealment in order to protect the family even now. He helps arrange the ship to bring Uriel back and arrange for the king to learn of their new lives so all can live in peace. Madeek is 26 and 185cm tall.
Badis[]
Speaking to Ald he is also shocked at Uriel's apology for other's actions and his order to Ald. He rides with Alvie to Rosa where Ald and Uriel have travelled. With Ald heading to retrieve Uriel he heads there as well and brings Alvie since he would be lonely otherwise. Badis said he would teach Alvie how to use a bow. Bathing one night he told Alvie that the scars on his back came from a time before he met Ald. He would reciprocate Alvie's feelings. Badis is 30 and 186cm tall.
Chalier[]
A professor who is in charge of the research on Rowadis and is currently excavating in Umu Ral. He is surprised to see his highness Uriel arrive in person. Even if he wanted to explore further he cannot since the Seldira clan that rules over the desert does not allow outsiders into their country. Chalier says the royal family of Shimua gave them permission to dig. Describing the Seldira clan as a murderous and barbaric race he adds they are especially merciless towards Europeans. He had sent workers to retrieve artefacts before being peacefully ousted once this was discovered by the Seldia.
Count Arnoux[]
He was mentioned as the person that Uriel and Alvie were staying with when they snuck out to visit the desert ruins.
Edward[]
The ruling king of Lafarge and Uriel's eldest brother. He was only eighteen when he ascended the throne and to resolve the unrest amongst the people surrounding the deaths of his parents he announced that Uriel had been sent to a castle far away from here so misfortune shall no longer befall the castle.
Alvie's Father[]
He accumulated his wealth through foreign trades and often visited the Imperial court. Not being of the nobility after he heard that Uriel had no one to look after him because of those rumors of him being cursed Alvie's father offered to make his son Alvie Uriel's caretaker in exchange for being granted the title of a nobleman.
Sheena[]
After helping Uriel and Alvie with learning the new language he also brings Ald his meal upon his return.
Arsifer[]
Ald's horse who transports him and Uriel through the desert. Arsifer is thanked for the hard work.
Story Introduction[]
Uriel was raised by staff like Alvie and was fascinated by historical locations
As a child Uriel is reading in a study and asks Alvie whether he thinks the "Rowadis", a legendary metropolis that got buried under the desert thousands of years ago, in his book really existed. The legend passed down from Shimua in North Africa was that the lushly green city where the Water God reigned over was sunk to the bottom of the desert in one night after the Water God lost to the Moon God.
Surveying the African Umu Ral desert
In 19th century North Africa at the Shimua Umu Ral desert Uriel is older and with Alvie as he greets professor Chalier. He asks whether excavations have occurred in Rapis Razly yet and whether it showed any signs of trade and commerce with Egypt. Uriel is curious to explore more yet the Seldira Clan's presence in the region is problematic. As he thinks how Prince Madeek of Shimua could assist the Seldira clan themselves arrive with a hostage and accuse professor Chalier of violating the agreement that they not take or export any of the excavated articles. Uriel and Alvie retreat on horseback where Alvie has his gun arm hit with an arrow. Struck again they both fall and are taken away.
Waking up in the lap of Ald the chief of the Seldira clan
Uriel awakens and is startled to see Ald. The Seldiran arrow was coated in a substance that induces sleep hence Uriel's three day sleep. Ald explains that no one was killed and the Europeans at the excavation site were sent out of Umu Ral after background checks were done on them. Having taken an interest in Uriel, Ald says he will take good care of him.[1]
After touching him Ald heads to get food. Uriel clothes himself and intends to leave. Uriel asks a horse he sees to not make any loud noises yet it does. Ald advises him if he tries to leave the desert without even knowing where water supplies are then he will die. Considering taking artefacts in the name of research to other countries Uriel is approached by woman and children whose kind behaviour is at odds of the barbaric descriptions he heard about the people. Uriel finds Ald to apologize for the actions of others and to tell him not to do what he done before. Ald speaks to Badis that he planned to let Uriel go but has changed his mind and he will take Uriel with them back to "Rosa".[2]
Kissing after Ald saved Uriel from falling
As he is sleeping Uriel is woken and abruptly carried out by Ald as they are going somewhere else to where Alvie is. Heading with just the two of them the trip will take a few days. Ald declines to provide Uriel his own horse since Umu Ral's desert has complicated undulations with some parts even having quicksand. It is dangerous for Uriel to steer a horse on land he does not know well so they will ride the same one. After a moment at a pool of water Uriel awakens in new clothes and searches for Ald. Drawing close to a canyon he is saved from falling by Ald. Uriel uses his headscarf to bandage Ald's injured arm.[3]
Beholding the expanse of sand dunes under the starry sky
With a sea of sand dunes before them Uriel and Ald are to travel by night by reading the stars. Ald intends to reach Rosa, the only permanent settlement for nomads. Uriel remembers himself as a child where he asked if Alvie has romantic relations with men where he was told to please fall in love with a woman. Presently Ald places a gem stone hair decoration in Uriel's hair as he speaks of his fascination with Rowadis. Thinking that he may not be here soon Uriel is kissed by Ald and asked to not to go anywhere since he likes him. As he considers it Uriel remembers Alvie.
Ald and Uriel reach the city of Rosa
Arriving in Rosa Ald introduces Uriel as Yuri and informs everyone that he will be living here from now on and for everyone to take care of him. Vegetation exists with the water supply having been plentiful since ancient times. Uriel sees paintings on the wall that have been here before the Seldira began living there and he considers the connection to Rowadis. Meanwhile Ald speaks with Madeek who is there on who Uriel really is. Alvie arrives in the city having been escorted by Badis.[4]
Madeek with Ald discussing Uriel's royal family
It transpires that Ald already knew that Yuri was prince Uriel. Madeek speaks of the curse around Uriel where twenty years ago not long after Uriel was born the king, queen and even the king's younger brother died suddenly. The people of all social classes began to spread a ludicrous rumor. Madeek knows the truth that the royal family members were assassinated and it seems someone within the Imperial court wanted to abolish the monarchial system and have all political power passed to them. After a maid was arrested who tried to poison Prince Edward it was discovered that the mastermind behind the assassinations was the king's youngest brother, prince Philik. Even though he was executed they kept the truth from the people since if the people were to know there was a traitor within the royal family the family would lose power inviting further support of its abolishment. Sharing that King Edward sent Uriel away and reinforcing the idea of a curse to deal with unrest Madeek adds that the rumor as ridiculous as it was supported the current reality.
Ald has Uriel choose himself or Alvie
Having overheard the conversation Uriel is more concerned with why Ald never said he knew. Thinking he was making fun of him Ald answers that after spending time with him he really did not want to let him go. Alvie joins them and Ald at once says for Uriel to choose whether to head back to his country with Alvie or stay and spend the rest of his life with him. Alvie is incensed at the ultimatum and retrieves a sword. Badis blocks it and will not allow such selfish acts on their land. Uriel asks Ald to let go of his hand and announces he will go back with Alvie to Lafarge. Even though he is called the "Cursed Prince" he is still a member of the royal family. Uriel continues that he left his country without permission so he has to go back otherwise he will not know what kind of crime Alvie will be accused of. He also does not want to get professor Chalier and the other workers in trouble either. Ald means to have Badis return them home and Uriel considers how Alvie has always supporting him where despite his circumstances he was never unhappy when growing up. Madeek thinks that Ald is serious about Uriel which is why he is letting him go. Uriel feels his heart will waver if he sees Ald so bids him, the settlement of Rosa and his name of Yuri all goodbye as he departs.[5]
Uriel has been restless after returning home which Alvie addresses
Having arrived home two months later Uriel is joined by Alvie and wonders if he has ever thought of leaving the castle to live a different life than his current one. The idea has never crossed Alfie's mind and he details how he was brought into Uriel's service by his father and would not choose anything else with the time he enjoyed serving Uriel. Thinking that Uriel is feeling down Alvie states that if it is because of feelings of love for Ald then they are misplaced. He only felt that way since he was lost and besides Ald is a man. Alvie leaves to investigate an explosion and Uriel is found by Ald. He knew Uriel would return with Alvie having seen the deep love in their interactions thirteen years ago. It was almost as if they were related by blood and Ald recalls Urie's concern that punishment would be awaiting Alvie. Deeming him as not someone who is capable of sacrificing the life of someone who had showered him with love all his life Ald says he fell in love with Uriel's character. Since Uriel cannot move away from this place Ald says it is why he has come to take him away. Alvie returns armed with a gun yet Uriel says Ald is the first person he has fallen in love with. With that Alvie says for them to go, he will take care of the rest. Alvie raises that he just said Uriel's love was a misunderstanding but most love actually comes from misunderstandings.
Uriel, Ada, Alvie, Madeek and Badis move to the same place
Uriel and Ald are transported via a ship with Madeek onboard having helped with the operation. They are crossing the Mediterranean sea to go back to Umu Ral. Since Uriel would be worried about him Alvie was also transported. To prevent others in the country thinking that Uriel and Alvie had been abducted it was arranged for corpses that look like them to be discovered to end any searches. Madeek is considering a suitable time to send a secret message to King Edward to inform him that Uriel and Alvie are living in fact living in another country so Edward would be happy that his little brother can finally live free. Alvie answers Ald that he lives to serve Uriel and speaks with Madeek and Badis that they have no idea how it feels when the flower one preciously raised with care is plucked. Ald speaks with Uriel how his grandfather was also searching for Rowadis yet reburied the pillars of an ancient temple out of concern of foreign invasions. The city was real and the dream that Uriel had been chasing after is right here with Ald.[6] Uriel and Alfie are learning the language of the region. As Uriel concentrates on that he also considers other areas like learning how to hunt and training falcons to prepare go anywhere together with Ald. Whilst Alfie is popular with the ladies and does not feel bored it is not the same at night until he comes across Badis bathing.[7]
Images[]
Notes[]
- The spin-off Èrv concern's Yuri's butler, of which the story was included in the volume release of Private Stripper.
References[]
Moon and Savage Wiki[]
- An overview article on the entire series, create the Moon and Savage Wiki for total coverage details!