Elqueeness [EN]: Chapter 26

Chapter 26

“So, you wanted to experience the love of parents for their child, even in that way?”

“……!”

Before I knew it, my shoulders flinched. I raised my head, flaring up, and met a pair of blue eyes staring straight at me. They were so still, I couldn’t fathom what he was thinking. Because of that, I lowered my gaze again, hesitating. Then, I heard him lightly click his tongue.

“Still a child. Can you even become independent in the future with that state of mind?”

“It’s none of your business! Whether I’m a child or not!”

“Well, as someone who was once Elquines [a powerful divine being], I can’t help but say something. I have pride in my past as Elquines. But seeing you, my direct successor, being so clumsy like this, I feel genuinely sorry. It’s quite troubling.”

“Ugh…….”

I felt my face burning up.

I know I was wrong, but I apologized, so did he have to embarrass me this much? No matter how I think about it, this guy is definitely a bad person.

“Come to think of it, do you remember this?”

“W-what?”

“I said I’d give you a gift when we met again.”

‘Gasp! What kind of ominous thing is he planning now?’

I felt nonexistent hairs standing on end all over my body. Terrified, I took a step back from him.

“I, I don’t need anything like that……!”

“Whether you need it or not is for me to decide, not you.”

What kind of logic is that!

Isn’t the value of a gift supposed to come from the receiver being happy? But Ellyuen was about to completely ignore even that obvious principle.

Seeing him suddenly move his hand, I reflexively raised both arms in a defensive posture, fearing that another divine power might come flying. But what followed was not intense pain, but a hand gently stroking my head. Along with that, an unbelievable statement reached my ears.

“You, be my son.”

“……!”

* * *

Gasps of held breath erupted from here and there. Not only Arehis and Ifrit, but even the angels around them were frozen, speechless.

But I can swear, without a doubt, that no one in this moment was more dumbfounded by this situation than I was. My mind was blown, but I tried to ask back as calmly as possible.

“W-what did you say?”

“Can’t you even understand what I’m saying now?”

“No, I heard you perfectly fine. You’re telling me to be your son? What does that mean?”

“Literally, I’m saying I’ll be your parent.”

Huh, this one was quite a shock. Did the word ‘parent’ really come out of that guy’s mouth? I wiped away the cold sweat and tried to calm the twitching on my face. I felt like I’d aged ten years in a short moment.

“That doesn’t make any sense…….”

“Why not? We may not be connected by blood, but it’s true that you inherited a part of me. You inherited my power and became the next Elquines, so in a way, you’re my successor. In other words, even if I didn’t make this offer, it’s right for you to regard me as your father.”

Oh, i-is that so?

For a moment, I almost nodded, thinking it made sense, but then I quickly snapped to my senses after seeing Ifrit’s expression. His face was scrunched up as if he’d heard the most absurd story in the world.

‘Ifrit, who is also a Spirit King, is making that kind of face, which means……?’

With a hesitant heart, I asked Ellyuen.

“Um, you said successor, so does that mean you also regard your predecessor Elquines as a parent?”

As expected.

Ellyuen’s expression immediately soured.

“Why would I do such a crazy thing?”

“…….”

“Above all, I never wanted such a relationship, nor did I consider it ideal. I was already perfect enough on my own. You’re different from me.”

‘Ugh! He was just messing with me after all!’

He nonchalantly suggests something to me that he himself considers crazy! And to top it off, Ellyuen shamelessly tried to confirm my intentions.

“So, what’s your answer?”

“No way! Absolutely not! I’m good!”

“Hmm, is that a rejection? You’re quite petty.”

“…….”

If making people angry with every word was a talent, Ellyuen would have already won the championship in that field. I turned my head away, meaning I wouldn’t bother with him anymore. Then, I heard a light sigh, followed by Ellyuen’s calm voice.

“I was just giving you a reason.”

“What?”

“It’s originally an impossible concept. But it wouldn’t be easy for you to regard me as your father without any connection. So, I’m telling you to think of yourself as my successor, who inherited a part of me. That way, it’ll be easier to accept.”

His tone was too serious for it to be a joke. Only then did I read the sincerity in his eyes and felt a little embarrassed. Did he really intend to make me his son? Why?

“……Are you pitying me?”

Did I look so pathetic, being so clumsy and messed up in everything? So much so that he would make such an absurd proposal?.

I would have preferred to be ignored. I bit my lip tightly, feeling more miserable than ever. Ellyuen frowned slightly at my appearance. It might be my imagination, but he looked a little troubled.

‘Eh, no way……. Is that Ellyuen looking troubled?’

I shook my head inwardly. Then, I heard him click his tongue and continue speaking.

“Sorry, but I don’t know what to say in situations like this. I’ve never pitied anyone before.”

“…….”

“As the God of Punishment, my job is only to objectively analyze and judge given situations. There’s no room for emotions like pity in that job. This applies to other areas as well. Besides, I know that pity is a word used for those in a pitiful situation. Do you think you’re pitiful?”

“No.”

I immediately shook my head. Now and even in my past life, I had never once considered myself pitiful.

Although my relationship with my family was uncomfortable, I had many really good friends around me instead. So, I desperately tried to think that I was happy. If I thought I was unhappy, it would be an act of deceiving those who cared for and loved me. It might seem overly positive, as someone said, but still.

Ellyuen chuckled and nodded.

“I’m glad to hear that. I feel the same way.”

“T-then why are you suddenly trying to make me your son? You’ve been picking on me so far!”

“When did I ever pick on you?”

“You said I was lacking, childish, too positive, and petty! If that’s not picking on me, what is it?”

“Being petty is also true, and so is being positive and childish. I was just stating the facts as they are. And you’re the one who said you were lacking.”

Huh! W-was that so? Come to think of it, it might have been?

I paused for a moment to figure out the truth of the situation at the time, then glared at him again.

“A-anyway! What’s the reason for trying to make me your son! You haven’t answered that yet! No matter how I think about it, I don’t understand!”

“I said I’d give you a gift. I thought that was the part you needed most right now. And I also quite liked you.”

“Gasp! No way! What about me?”

“Well, the fact that I get an immediate reaction when I poke at you? I don’t think I’ll be bored even if I watch you all day.”

Am I some kind of toy! Hey, why are you guys agreeing again!

I gritted my teeth as I found Arehis and Ifrit nodding along next to him. There’s no one in the world to trust, that saying is really true. Ifrit aside, Arehis, you were thinking of me like that!

To me, who was trembling with betrayal, Ellyuen smiled gently and swept back his hair.

“Anyway, now that you know all the reasons, I’ll give you another chance to accept my offer. You’re not thinking of refusing again, are you?”

“What? I, I’m…….”

“You better think carefully. If you refuse, I’m thinking of getting the price for being impudent to me so far. Including using informal speech, of course.”

“W-when was I ever impudent! Besides, you’re the one who told me to drop the formalities first!”

“I said you could drop them, but I don’t remember actually telling you to do it.”

‘Y-you scammer!’

No matter how different a word can be depending on how it’s said, to fish with something like that! Besides, what’s with suddenly doing this after not saying anything until now!

At that moment, I saw it. The streak of pure white light gathering on Ellyuen’s palm. It was definitely divine power. And this time, the range of light spreading was greater than what I had seen before. That means it’s that much more dangerous, right?

“U-um?”

“Last chance.”

Gulp!

I swallowed hard and slowly stepped back. Ellyuen’s figure, staring straight at me, looked like a grim reaper from hell.

Um, Ellyuen? I hope you don’t misunderstand and listen to me. We’re beings who can talk, right? Besides, you’re especially a noble being holding the position of a god. If you’re a god, you should try to resolve the situation through dialogue rather than violence first, right? Even the God of Punishment should have a sense of duty and goodness to uphold. No, I mean, it’s not like I’m scared of getting hit or anything. This is all for your sake…….!

In an instant, countless words swirled around my lips.

However, Ellyuen’s question came faster than I could utter the words I had planned in my head……!

“So, what’s your answer this time?”

“I, I’ll do it! I said I’ll do it! I’ll be your son! From now on, please take care of me, Father! Damn it!”

Ellyuen looked at me, who was screaming like a desperate man, with a satisfied gaze. And after turning off the divine power again, he raised his hand and slowly began to stroke my head. If I felt a sense of kindness in that action, it was just my imagination, right?

I also hope that his voice, which was answering so unusually gently, is also just my imagination. Because I don’t want to start relying on a father who was created so hastily.

“That was a wise choice, my son.”

* * *

“Well, we’ve arrived.”

After spending such an eventful time and returning to the Spirit World, a new day had already dawned. I looked at Ebas Eden [MC’s home], which reflected the morning sunlight with dazzling light, and slightly bowed my head towards Arehis.

“Thank you, Arehis. You didn’t have to bring me all the way here…….”

“It’s nothing. Since I was serving you, I had to take responsibility to the end. I’m glad that all the business was safely concluded without any problems.”

“I know, right? At one point, I was really nervous about what would happen.”

Randomly getting caught and falling to the wrong place, meeting Ellyuen there, and even getting knocked out by divine power. I really experienced all sorts of things in one night. And in the end, I even had a grand declaration of father and son.”

As if he had read my thoughts, Arehis smiled gently and said.

“Congratulations again on having a father.”

“Ahaha…….”

I scratched the back of my head and smiled awkwardly. I had accepted it in a rush, but I still didn’t feel like I had a father, so receiving congratulations felt strange.

Above all, with the worlds we live in being so different, would there even be a day when we would meet again? There’s no way for me to go to the Divine Realm, so Ellyuen would have to come, but I couldn’t imagine him coming all the way here to see me. He already seemed so busy.

“I can’t accept it!”

It wasn’t just me who couldn’t accept that relationship, but Ifrit as well. He couldn’t say a word when he was there, but he was now belatedly gnawing at his fingernails, huffing and puffing.