Elqueeness [EN]: Chapter 45

Chapter 45

Lost in thought, the child finished his water and drifted off to sleep, looking utterly exhausted. The woman gently laid him down beside her and then bowed deeply before me, her face etched with gratitude.

“Thank you, priest. You not only gave him water but also healed my son. I will never forget this kindness.”

“Huh? Priest? Ah, yes… Ahahaha.”

Perhaps healing the child led her to mistake me for a priest. I was taken aback, but revealing myself as the Spirit King seemed unwise, so I awkwardly accepted her thanks. Then, an unexpected name reached my ears.

“I never imagined I would meet a priest of Ellyuen [likely a deity or religious order] in a place like this. How can I ever thank you enough…”

“…Ellyuen, you say?”

Could it be the same Ellyuen I knew?

The familiar name was welcome, yet bewildering.

I could understand them thinking I was a priest, given that only clerics or mages could heal with special abilities here. But why Ellyuen, of all deities? Isn’t he the god of punishment, hardly associated with healing?

This question found its answer in an unexpected place. Isana muttered beside me.

“Ah, now that I think about it, I heard that the priests of Ellyuen, the god of punishment, have been going on healing pilgrimages recently.”

“Huh? What are you talking about?”

Showing my interest, I prompted Isana to explain in a low voice, careful not to be overheard by the woman.

“Ellyuen is a god whose following has grown rapidly in recent years. His temple was built less than twenty years ago, but his followers are already increasing at an alarming rate. This is largely due to his priests undertaking healing pilgrimages every year.”

“So, that’s why you think I’m a priest of Ellyuen?”

“Yes, priests with healing abilities are rare, and free healing is even rarer. It’s best to let her believe that for now.”

I nodded and turned back to the woman, who was still prostrating on the ground, repeating her thanks.

“Okay, please get up. I’ve received enough thanks.”

I gently helped her to her feet, noticing her thin and emaciated frame. While not as dire as her child’s condition, it was clear she had also been starving for a long time.

Healing the child was one thing, but their future was another concern. Continued starvation would only lead to more suffering.

“You mentioned you don’t have a husband? Where do you live? Do you have anyone to rely on?”

“Th, that’s…”

“You have nothing?”

At my words, the woman nodded, her expression downcast. I didn’t know the full story, but I guessed she and her child were wandering, begging for food.

I took out a few gold pebbles from my pocket and offered them to her. I had considered giving her a jewel flower [a magical item], but thought it best to err on the side of caution, as it might cause more trouble than good for the mother and child.

“Here, I’ll give you this.”

“…Ye, yes?”

“Perhaps you can find a small house. Save the rest and buy your child some good food and clean clothes.”

The woman, seeing the gold, shook her head in astonishment.

“Ah, no! You’ve already shown us a lifetime of kindness by healing us. I can’t possibly accept such precious things…!”

“It’s okay. Just take it. You’ve only just recovered; you’ll get sick again if you can’t eat. And you need to find shelter before winter comes.”

“Bu, but…!”

“It’s okay, I tell you.”

I pressed the gold nuggets into her hand, despite her vehement refusal. She looked back and forth between the gold and me with an incredulous gaze, then burst into tears. It seemed all the hardships she had endured had crashed down on her at once.

After crying sorrowfully for a while, she hurriedly wiped her tears and straightened her clothes. Then, she bowed deeply to me and said,

“I will never forget this kindness you have shown my child and me today. Please, tell me your name, benefactor. When my child grows up, I will make sure he finds you and repays you. He may be scrawny and unsightly now, but his father was a large-framed mercenary when he was alive. When he grows up, he will be able to do the work of a grown man.”

“Ah, no. You don’t have to do that.”

“No, I can’t possibly receive this kindness without doing so.”

“Hmm… It’s really okay… I’m not someone who stays in one place for long. I’ll be wandering around the continent, so it’ll probably be hard to find me.”

“Even so, it doesn’t matter. Please don’t make us out to be terrible people who receive kindness and pretend not to know it.”

I swallowed a groan, feeling troubled.

Giving her my name (or a nickname) wasn’t difficult, but I couldn’t easily agree to have the child repay me in the future. Judging by her determination, she would really do it, but I couldn’t have her wandering the country looking for a non-existent priest.

‘I can’t give her my real name either. I’m going crazy, what should I do?’

Just then, Isana, who had been silently watching, took something from his robes: a chain necklace with a round pendant. Isana placed it around the sleeping child’s neck and said,

“When the child grows up, have him go to the capital. Those who recognize this necklace will tell him where to find you.”

“I, if I go there, will I be able to see you?”

“Of course. Judging by your mother’s character, I don’t doubt your child’s future. I look forward to seeing him grow up to be a wonderful person and come to find me. However, you must not show this necklace to others carelessly. Please promise me this.”

“I, I promise, sir! I will never show it to anyone!”

Isana nodded, satisfied with her desperate answer.

She probably had no idea the magnitude of the connection she had just made. It was a precious necklace that he kept even in that confusing situation. It was clearly something that belonged to the Emperor himself, or at least represented the Imperial Family.

Someone showing up in the Imperial City with such a thing would undoubtedly be treated well, and Isana would never give someone coming to repay a favor a small job. Even if that were the case, working in the Imperial City would never be a loss for the child. For ordinary people, the Imperial City would be a dream job. In short, it was a guaranteed ticket to success.

That’s why a useless worry crossed my mind: I wondered if they might lose it along the way.

It was only natural that it belonged to Isana, the Emperor, but the necklace looked very expensive. No matter how carefully they kept it, they couldn’t prevent someone from stealing it. If it became stolen goods and circulated in the underworld, it would definitely become a headache.

But it seemed these feelings were conveyed to the spirits. Suddenly, one of the Naiads [water spirits] hovering around me came to me and said,

―Your Majesty, please allow me to enter the necklace and stay there.

“Huh? In the necklace?”

―Yes! I will protect this necklace until the time comes!

The Naiad’s expression was quite solemn (though it didn’t feel very serious because of her cute face). My head cleared. It was a method I had never considered, but I realized it was possible, and quite effective.

An object with a spirit has its own will. Even if lost or stolen, it will return to its original owner, just like with Ferris last time. This knowledge came to me naturally.

“Hmm, yeah. That’s a good idea.”

“Huh? El, what are you muttering about?”

“No, it’s nothing.”

I gave Isana, who was looking at me strangely, a bright smile, then pretended to check on the sleeping child and touched the necklace. In that moment, I allowed the Naiad to dwell inside it.

“I’m counting on you.”

―Leave it to me! I’ll stick to it like a barnacle and won’t let go!

The Naiad answered bravely from within the necklace.

I looked at the child, who was breathing heavily. If he was lucky, he might become a spiritist [one who can communicate with spirits] in the future. Possessing an object with a spirit makes it easier to build affinity. When that time comes, the Naiad dwelling in the necklace will ask the child for a contract.

‘Okay, perfect.’

I praised myself and felt proud.

It was still far in the future, but I was already excited at the thought of the child growing up, becoming a spiritist, and finding Isana.

* * *

After parting ways with the woman, Isana and I refilled the water and returned to the soldier. I considered ignoring him, but decided to do one last favor in case of repercussions.

“What? Why are you so late?”

The soldier’s expression was fierce as he received the wooden tub. I smiled brightly (though it wouldn’t be visible under the hood) and answered nonchalantly.

“Didn’t you hear? There’s a commotion near the stream.”

“A commotion?”

“Suddenly, a wave rose from the stream and swept over people. Everything was ruined.”

The soldier looked bewildered.

“Does that make sense? A wave from a stream, not the sea? And it swept over people? You’re lying, aren’t you? You were slacking off somewhere.”

“No, it’s true. If I were going to lie, I’d make up a more plausible story. Who would make such a ridiculous excuse?”

“…Then is it really true?”

“If you don’t believe me, check for yourself.”

The soldier looked at me suspiciously, then waved his hand dismissively, annoyed.

“Okay, just go.”

I bowed slightly and stepped back with Isana.

The soldier seemed to have lost interest and was drinking from the tub, his Adam’s apple bobbing. Then, he looked surprised.

“What’s wrong?” another soldier asked.

“Wow, this water tastes amazing! It’s so cool and there’s no fishy smell.”

“Really?”

“Yeah, try it.”

The soldier drank the water without hesitation and muttered admiringly.

“Heh, it’s true. How can stream water be more refreshing than valley water from deep in the mountains?”

“Is it that good? Give it to me.”

“Me too, me too.”

His surroundings were instantly filled with fellow soldiers. At that rate, the water would soon be gone. Sensing I would be caught if I delayed, I urged Isana.

“Let’s get out of here quickly.”

“Okay.”

No one stopped us as we left the town. But compared to my relief, Isana’s face was still dark.

“What’s wrong, Isana?”

“Ugh. I just feel a little stuffy.”

I wondered what he was worried about; he was still concerned about the people. His father, the late Emperor, was very considerate, and Isana resembled him. I chuckled and patted his head. Isana looked bewildered.

“…El?”

“Um, about that. I have a plan…”

“You have a solution?”

At his excited voice, I nodded calmly.

“Everything is supplied based on demand. Kay told me that people in difficult circumstances wait for rain and live by collecting rainwater. So, shouldn’t I just make it rain often? If it rains often, they won’t need to buy water, and the nobles will have a hard time selling it.”

“But… wouldn’t that take a long time? Besides, we can’t visit every village.”

“Haha, you don’t have to visit. I can make it rain all over the country from here.”

“What? Really?”

“Of course. I’m the Spirit King. I can make it rain all over the continent, not just the country.”

Isana looked at me, surprised. He had just realized I was the Spirit King.

“How is it? Doesn’t it seem like a good method?”

“Yeah! I agree. But if it rains often, wouldn’t that be a problem too? The river overflows…”

“It’s okay because I can adjust it. Ah, yeah. Should I set a period and make it rain? Every three or four days, I’ll pour down heavy rain for a short time at a set time. Then it will be easier to collect water, and the river won’t overflow.”

“I, is that okay? If it rains at the same time, won’t people think it’s strange?”

“That’s what I’m telling them to do.”

“What?”

I smiled brightly at the embarrassed Isana and answered,

“It’s not just once or twice, but think about it raining consistently at a set period, at a set time, nationwide. Wouldn’t they realize someone is doing it intentionally? They’ll think of it as a tremendous being with supernatural powers. Then the guys selling water as they please will be scared and may stop the monopoly sooner.”

“Wow, amazing, El. You were thinking that far ahead.”

Isana couldn’t hide his admiration. I scratched the back of my head, embarrassed by his sparkling eyes.

“Hey, El. Can you tell Kay about this too?”

“To the knights?”

“Yeah, it’s our plan, so I think it would be good for them to know in advance.”

“Well… Hmm. Then can I borrow your strength for a moment, Isana? It might be a little dizzy.”

“Yeah, it’s okay. But what are you going to do?”

Instead of answering, I drew on Isana’s mana and summoned the lower spirit, Naiad. One of the natural Naiads hovering around fell onto my palm with a pop. Even while staggering from the sudden energy consumption, Isana widened his eyes.

“Eh? Wh, what? A spirit?”

“Yeah, it’s Naiad, a lower water spirit. Cute, right? I just summoned it by borrowing your mana.”

“Hee, I see.”

He couldn’t take his eyes off Naiad. It was his first time seeing one, and it seemed to have appeared from nowhere.

“Now, Naiad. I’m counting on you.”

Naiad, reading my will, nodded greatly and quickly disappeared. Perhaps she will unfold a letter made of water as soon as she arrives in front of the knights. I could see the knights being surprised by the words suddenly embroidering the sky. Of course, Isana, who didn’t know that, just looked sad that the spirit had disappeared.

“What did you just do, El?”

“I delivered the news with Naiad’s letter. Now the knights will know our plan too.”

“Wow, really? It’s possible to do that with spirits. I just found out.”

I shrugged as I watched Isana admire me.

In fact, the most suitable spirit for this kind of work was সিকএল [Likely a high-level spirit]. Unlike lower and middle-class spirits, higher-class spirits can communicate directly with people. However, Isana’s mana was not yet able to summon even the middle-class spirit Undine, let alone সিকএল.

And yet he summons me, the Spirit King.

It was clear that Isana was incredibly lucky.