Elqueeness [EN]: Chapter 161

161.

“Hey, is this Trowell the same Trowell I know? Not some other Trowell? Like, maybe the Trowell from a previous era or something?”

“No. It happened when I was alive, so it’s definitely the current Trowell who did it.”

“…….”

The immediate answer, without a moment’s hesitation, threw my mind into further confusion. I remembered his face, always smiling kindly at me. He could be strict sometimes, but he was fundamentally kind and gentle. No matter how I thought about it, the image didn’t match the person I knew.

“Why did Trowell cast such a curse?”

“Hmm, you could say it’s the sin of producing one bad apple. Consider it a kind of joint responsibility.”

“What does that mean?”

“I don’t know the details. I vaguely heard it was related to the King of Wind…….”

“The King of Wind? You mean Minerva?”

The explanation that followed shocked me even more. Back then, Minerva was betrayed by a human she loved, and Trowell, enraged by this, cast a curse on the land to punish the betrayer.

“The betrayer was from the Tara Continent.”

Listening to his addition, I dredged up vague memories. Come to think of it, I seemed to recall hearing a similar story once. A tale about a man who, blinded by greed, insulted Minerva. In the end, he lost everything and met a miserable end, or so the story went. At the time, it felt like listening to an ancient myth, but seeing the consequences before my eyes suddenly made it feel real.

To even cast a curse, he must have been incredibly angry. Come to think of it, Trowell didn’t seem happy when he told that story either. It was just an interesting anecdote from the past to me, but it was a deeply scarring memory for him. So much so that the curse remained even after 4,000 years.

Knowing the circumstances, the confusion subsided a bit. It was somewhat extreme, but I could understand his feelings. Even I, who didn’t experience that era, felt angry, so Trowell, who watched it all unfold, must have felt indescribable. Birds of a feather flock together, and I couldn’t help but empathize with his position.

Thankfully, it seemed his heart had healed to some extent now. The birth of an Earth Spiritist meant that the earth’s energy had strengthened. It was proof that Trowell was paying attention to this area. Sibelius, who had already guessed this from the start, grumbled discontentedly.

“To forgive only after 4,000 years, that guy sure holds a grudge. Human civilization even went through a collapse in between. So even if there were related bloodlines, nothing would be left by now, so why drag it on until now? Seriously, what a personality.”

“Ahaha, maybe he was just in the Spirit Realm and didn’t realize how much time had passed? Or maybe he forgot.”

“No way. I bet he remembers everything clearly. He must have deliberately left it unattended. Still, it’s a bit surprising. To be angry for so long for a colleague. I didn’t think he had that kind of loyalty.”

“What’s wrong with Trowell?”

“He doesn’t care about anyone, that guy. If Elquines is just cold and indifferent, that guy feels like he despises others themselves. He’s even ruthless to other spirits. He doesn’t talk much either, and you can’t tell what he’s thinking. In a word, he feels like a heretic who doesn’t belong anywhere.”

“……Who? Trowell?”

“Yeah.”

His firm nod left me speechless for a moment. I felt a strange sense of incongruity, just like when I heard the word ‘curse.’ Sibelius looked at me with a puzzled expression, wondering if something was wrong with my face.

“What’s wrong, El?”

“Hmm, it feels like what you’re saying is slightly different from what I know. Are you perhaps mistaking him for someone else?”

“No, it’s Trowell. You confirmed his appearance, didn’t you?”

“But your description makes him sound too extremely exclusive. The Trowell I know isn’t like that at all. He’s so kind.”

“Isn’t that just to you?”

“Huh? Just to me?”

“I told you, his personality has improved a lot since he met you. Even back then, he was especially weak to you. He’s probably completely different to other people.”

“…….”

My throat felt blocked, and I couldn’t speak. I couldn’t deny Sibelius’s words because I knew nothing about him when I wasn’t around.

Come to think of it, I think I heard something like this from Lapis once. She said that the side I know isn’t all of him. I just brushed it off back then and didn’t pay much attention, but now I felt a little angry at that fact. It felt like all the numerous excuses I had been preparing for him had become useless scraps of paper in an instant.

“No, Sibelius-nim. Trowell-nim was kind to me too.”

Thanks to Isana, who had been listening next to me, chiming in, I managed to hold onto my sinking spirits. Sibelius frowned slightly at his words.

“What, you’ve met that guy too?”

“Yes, I was under Trowell-nim’s care for a while during his game. Thanks to him, I safely overcame some dangerous moments.”

“Really? What’s with him…… Wait a minute! Game? Did you just say game? You met Trowell disguised under a different identity, not as a Spirit King? That guy hangs out with humans?”

Sibelius’s face was contorted with shock as he rapidly fired questions. He seemed more shocked by the fact that he was playing a game than by the fact that he was kind to Isana.

“He’s living as a mercenary. He seems very close to his colleagues too.”

“Is that true? Unbelievable! That [self-righteous person] is hanging out with humans! Did he really have a change of heart? Time is scary. Ah, right. You don’t remember what that guy tried to do in the past, do you, El? What happened back then was…….”

“……I don’t care about that.”

“Huh?”

I snapped back to my senses at the dumbfounded voice. I looked up and saw Sibelius and Isana staring at me with bewildered expressions. Oops, it seemed I had unintentionally blurted out my true feelings. I hurriedly smiled and said.

“Sorry, let’s stop talking about this. I don’t feel comfortable badmouthing someone who isn’t here.”

“Ah, okay.”

Fortunately, the awkward atmosphere didn’t last long. The topic soon shifted, and we became friendly again as we talked. But perhaps because I had shown my dislike so openly, Sibelius seemed to refrain from mentioning the past after that. I often noticed him stopping himself from saying something he wanted to say. I felt sorry about that, but at the same time, I was relieved that I didn’t have to be swayed by his words. I felt disgusted with myself for feeling that way.

“I really hate this…….”

These feelings are unfamiliar. At least when I was Kang Jihoon, even if it wasn’t given from the start, I never doubted the kindness that was poured on me. But I don’t have the courage to confirm all the truths properly either.

I sighed, feeling suffocated. I wish someone would tell me what I should do in times like these. I felt like a child who couldn’t decide anything on my own.

* * *

The stores in Soreta were wider than I had expected. Moreover, it was the day of a big market, so the streets were lined with various stalls. There were especially many kinds of spices I didn’t recognize, which seemed to ignite the chef’s soul within Sibelius. He was engrossed in analyzing the types and uses of spices, going around to all sorts of stalls. Because of that, the plan to stop by briefly had stretched out endlessly, continuing for several hours already. I thought about trying to stop him, but seeing him so endlessly happy as if he had found his own world, I couldn’t bring myself to do it. It seemed I would inevitably have to stay here overnight today.

While he was engrossed in spices, I leisurely looked around the market with Isana. As much as spices, the stalls were filled with various accessories and jewels. According to Isana, the Alponf Empire possessed the largest diamond and gold mines on the continent. Because of that, despite its harsh environment, it seemed to be considered the most prosperous among the existing empires.

But what Isana envied most was the smelting technology here. Perhaps because minerals were the only things they could obtain from the land, the blacksmiths of the Alponf Empire were very skilled at handling metals. It was no exaggeration to say that most of the high-quality ironware distributed on the continent was produced here. Naturally, the level of weapon production was also very high. However, the distribution rate of swords was much lower than that of [knives] here, and the shapes themselves were commonly curved or modified in unique ways. Because of that, Isana felt very disappointed whenever he passed by a blacksmith. The swordsmanship he was learning was entirely tailored to swords.

“Haha, you must be from the Masca Continent? Most people who look for swords here are from that region.”

Isana awkwardly nodded towards the blacksmith who was laughing heartily.

“I’m sorry about this. I can make daggers, but we don’t make longswords in this region.”

“It’s okay. It can’t be helped.”

“Is there anything else you’re looking for? Armor or shields, perhaps? Or auxiliary equipment needed for physical training.”

“Auxiliary equipment?”

“Hehe, I knew you’d be interested. The most popular thing is probably this.”

The blacksmith proudly presented a thick bracelet made of iron. There were various types depending on the weight, and it seemed to be a tool made to build strength like sandbags. Perhaps because he had just started training in earnest, Isana’s face lit up as he looked at the items. And before long, he chose a bracelet with a moderately heavy weight.

“I’ll take this one.”

“Oh, are you sure? That’ll be 30 Tards.”

I wasn’t familiar with the currency unit here yet, but it wasn’t a very expensive amount. I had already exchanged a number of jewels for money in the process of passing through several villages, so I had plenty of money. Isana nodded and was about to take out money from his pocket. At that moment, an unexpected voice interjected.

“15 Tards.”

“……!”

The voice came from right below the stall we were standing at. Surprised, I looked down and saw a pair of orange eyes peeking out. It was a cute girl with skin so white it was almost transparent and hair like golden threads. Isana and the girl, whose eyes met, blinked at each other a couple of times, staring blankly.

“Miss Alisa!”

The blacksmith, belatedly recognizing the identity of the voice, shouted in horror. It seemed that was the girl’s name. The girl, whose name was called, looked up at the blacksmith with a dissatisfied expression and said.

“That’s a 15 Tard item, isn’t it? Why are you charging more because he’s a traveler? Should I report you to the authorities?”

“Gasp! How did you know that…… No, more importantly, why are you here, Miss? Don’t tell me you ran away again?”

“‘Ran away’ is so undignified. Wouldn’t you rather call it an outing?”

The girl, who lightly snorted, pulled herself out from under the hidden stall and dusted off her skirt. She was probably just twelve years old? She was much smaller and more petite than I thought. Immediately after standing up, the girl suddenly held out her palm towards Isana and said.

“15 Tards.”

At the brazen demand, Isana took out coins from his pocket with a flustered expression. It seemed like an almost unconscious action, without even having time to grasp the intention. The girl, who received it with satisfaction, handed the money to the blacksmith, who handed the bracelet to Isana with a regretful expression.

“You’re lucky, customer. To meet a guardian of justice at this point.”

“Yes? Guardian?”

“Shut your mouth, Fallon. The one who’s bad is the one trying to rip off travelers who don’t know anything.”

The girl glared at the blacksmith, who was grumbling, with a cold look. The blacksmith protested with an aggrieved expression.

“It’s not even expensive in the first place, it’s just small change. I need this much extra income to buy snacks sometimes. Anyway, you’re too rigid, Miss.”

“What’s rigid about it? The most necessary foundation for realizing social justice is improving the basic awareness level of the people. Do you think this empire can develop with that kind of mindset?”

“……You’ve been reading difficult books again.”

The blacksmith shook his head as if he couldn’t help it. Judging by the atmosphere, this wasn’t the first time this had happened. But since the girl appeared, the atmosphere around her had changed strangely. Everyone nearby started to avoid the area as if they were uncomfortable. The wary gazes contained a clear sense of caution towards the girl. In contrast, the girl and the blacksmith didn’t seem to care about the surrounding reactions at all. Then, suddenly, the girl abruptly looked at Isana.

“But who are you?”

“Yes?”

“No, I’ll change the question. Do you know who I am?”

The question was absurd to the point of being ridiculous. Isana hesitated and shook his head. The girl made a displeased expression at that sight.

“That can’t be? You really don’t know?”

“I don’t.”

“Really? You don’t know me…….”

Isana became even more restless at the girl’s actions of blatantly scanning him up and down (although he couldn’t see properly because he was wrapped in cloth from head to toe). But that moment didn’t last long. Suddenly, the girl shuddered and started staring intently at somewhere. The blacksmith, seeing that, smiled as if he knew it would happen.

“See? You are running away.”

“Shut up. I’m leaving now. I won’t forgive you if I catch you scamming again next time.”

The girl, who ran out after leaving those words behind with a grin, disappeared into the crowd in an instant. It felt like a storm had passed. But I think I knew why the girl had suddenly run away. A group of soldiers had suddenly appeared in the place the girl had been looking at a little while ago. Judging by the way they were looking around, it seemed they were the people who had come to find the girl.