Elqueeness [EN]: Chapter 431

Swaaa… The sound of waves echoed in my ears.

A cold yet refreshing energy permeated the air. Indescribable sensations swirled in my mind. It felt like all impurities were being washed away at once—a sense of exhilaration and security, wrapped in a cozy and comfortable embrace. It was like light shining into a dark world, an unquenchable hope and the only salvation.

‘What is this…?’

I gasped for breath, overwhelmed with emotion. I forced myself to frown and look up, afraid I would burst into tears if I let my guard down. In that moment, as if my eyes had been opened, the surroundings were filled with extraordinary scenery. Things I hadn’t seen before began to come into view. Translucent figures filled the space—the spirits of nature, including Naiads [water nymphs in Greek mythology].

—Wow, he made a contract!

—He really made a contract!

—The King’s contractor has appeared!

—A human who contracted with the Water King! It’s the first time! Amazing!

Exclamations and cheers poured in from all directions. The intense symphony of buzzing sounds was almost overwhelming.

But it was only for a brief moment. Suddenly, as if a radio wave had been disrupted, my vision blurred significantly, and all sound abruptly ceased. I blinked slowly. No matter where I looked, the spirits were gone. The air, which had been so lively, was now still. Ellyuen was still standing like a painting on the vast river.

“Uh…”

What was that just now? Did I see it wrong? But it was so vivid, so real that I couldn’t distinguish between illusion and reality.

Feeling like I had dreamed with my eyes open, I shook my head slightly. Meanwhile, Ellyuen had come out of the water and onto the land where I was. The summoning magic circle had already disappeared. His translucent form had also become completely clear. By completing the contract, he had transformed into a body suitable for existing in the intermediate realm. Thanks to this, the sense of reality was stronger, which made me feel strange.

“Thank you for making a contract.”

I glanced at his still-awkward blue hair and mustered the courage to speak. Ellyuen paused, then turned to me with a dumbfounded look.

“Are you in your right mind?”

“…I am in my right mind.”

“You seem fine, judging by your coherent response. Why are you in your right mind?”

“What do you mean?”

“I’m asking because you’re thinking straight even after receiving the spirit king’s energy. Humans usually lose their minds for a while when they contract with us.”

“Lose their minds?”

“They either cry and babble nonsense, cling and wail, or faint. You should be doing one of those three.”

“What…”

Ah, is it because of those strange feelings? I remembered the strange emotions that had surged through me the moment I received the Water Seal. It was as if I had fallen into the deep sea, an overwhelming presence with no end in sight. Before it, I was nothing more than a tiny, insignificant speck. It was like experiencing the glory of an absolute being with my whole body. Originally, I should have been completely swept away by that tidal wave of emotion, but it seems I stopped at an appropriate point because I’m not entirely human.

“But why did you have such a strange expression earlier?”

“Ah, I thought I saw spirits…”

“So you weren’t in your right mind.”

“No, but I really thought I saw them. There were so many spirits gathered around here. They were all excitedly chattering about the King’s contractor appearing.”

Ellyuen’s expression, which had seemed dismissive, suddenly hardened.

“You…”

“Huh? Is it real? Was what I saw correct?”

“…I really don’t know what you contracted with.”

Now he was openly frowning. But since he wasn’t denying it, my guess must have been right. I had seen the spirits of nature. Maybe what I thought was seeing Naias this morning wasn’t a delusion either.

To see the spirits of nature even after becoming human… Sibelius must have thought I was like a spirit king when he saw me back then. It doesn’t seem to happen all the time, so is there some kind of pattern? I should test it out later. If I do it well, I might be able to find a way to see them whenever I want.

‘More importantly, I really made a contract.’

Belatedly realizing the reality, I raised my hand and rubbed my forehead. I couldn’t feel anything tangible, but I could sense a deep energy lingering there. It was the same familiar spirit power that I felt from Ellyuen.

It felt strange to think that the seal he had given me was once again in the place where Ellyuen’s mark had been. And this time, it was a spirit’s seal. I must be the only water spirit king in the world to have received the Water Seal. I was born this way, but it seems I’m experiencing particularly unique things.

Still, I’m really glad things worked out. Maybe it’s because I’m following the path I already know. I felt like I had successfully completed an assigned task. This was a successful first step.

* * *

Contrary to my expectation that he would return immediately, Ellyuen remained even after completing the contract. He was looking at me with a disapproving gaze as I fiddled with my forehead and grinned, but he didn’t seem to be thinking of disappearing anytime soon. That was good for me. I still had things to discuss with him.

“Stop grinning like that. It makes you look even more suspicious. But if you don’t like it, I’ll be careful. More importantly, tell me some precautions.”

“Precautions?”

“How much help can I ask from Father, Elquines? How many times a day can I contact him? The upper limits I need to keep in mind. I’m not good at reading the room in these situations, so it would be good if you could tell me in advance.”

This was what I needed to discuss. Ellyuen was a haughty spirit king who had even refused to contract with Lapis because she was a Red Dragon. He must have incredibly strict rules in everyday life. Especially since I’m a contractor who falls far short of his standards, I had to confess in advance and seek guidance.

“Why are you talking as if we’ll be apart?”

“Aren’t you going back to the spirit realm?”

I was only sticking around to enjoy the fun while I was summoned, but usually, contracting doesn’t mean you have to stay by the contractor’s side all the time. Especially since a spirit king like Ellyuen, who probably has a significant number of contractors, wouldn’t stay by my side just for me. I didn’t expect that in the first place. Especially not with Ellyuen’s personality right now. But Ellyuen seemed even more surprised that I thought that way. His already frowning face hardened even more subtly.

“You’re taking it lightly considering you earnestly asked for help. I thought you’d try to drag me around like a trophy wherever you go. Isn’t that what you humans do best?”

“I don’t do that. What do you think of humans?”

“A species that mistakes vanity for ambition. I think that’s why you don’t hesitate to do foolish things like risking your lives to summon a spirit king.”

“…Are you insulting me right now?”

“Ah, you must not have the confidence to handle the maintenance mana. Well, your mana is so meager that it’s useless anyway.”

“That’s not true! I have a lot of mana for a human! And what does my mana have to do with anything? Spirit kings hardly need any maintenance mana in the first place! It’s not like a reverse summoning is going to happen right away!”

At those words, Ellyuen stared at me for a moment. I wondered if I had said something wrong, but I couldn’t think of anything, so I was puzzled until I realized it.

“Were you thinking of reverse summoning?”

“…Nonsense.”

“Right? Ugh, you scared me. You wouldn’t do that, would you? If you’re angry, just tell me. Honestly, I shouldn’t be saying this, but I still don’t like it. As you know, I have very little mana, right? I might die if a reverse summoning happens. I have a small wish that you would keep this in mind.”

“Didn’t you just say you had a lot?”

“Ahaha, how much could a human have? You know it’s just a bluff. Humans are very, very weak beings.”

People can’t predict what will happen in the future. Who knew that the day would come when I would worry about being treated the way I used to treat Lapis? Of course, Ellyuen wouldn’t be as childish as I was, but I should still be careful in the future. I guess there’s a saying that you should always have a kind heart.

“Still, you know your place.”

“Of course. So please don’t misunderstand. I just want to get some help in times of emergency. Just knowing that there’s someone to rely on in times of need is enough to stabilize my emotions. I have no intention of bothering you at all. I won’t even reveal the fact that we made a contract if you want.”

Ellyuen’s expression changed again at my blunt reply. He looked lost in thought.

“What are you looking for?”

I blinked blankly at the question that followed.

“Huh? Looking for?”

“You said you asked for help because there’s something you must find. Don’t tell me that was a lie too?”

“No, what I’m looking for is… No, but what do you mean ‘too’? When have I ever lied like that?”

“Answer.”

“…First of all, it’s like a mineral.”

“If it’s a mineral, it’s a mineral. What do you mean ‘like a mineral’?”

“I don’t know the exact shape. All I know is that it’s likely to be a mineral, or maybe a processed gem. And…”

“And?”

“It contains a person’s soul…?”

Ellyuen, who had been listening absentmindedly, frowned.

“It’s not that a soul is contained within it, but that it *is* the soul itself.”

“Huh? Do you know what it is?”

“Are you looking for Laphneria?”

“Laphneria?”

“It’s a term for wandering souls who died and couldn’t return to the underworld. If they lose their way and a long time passes, they mix with foreign substances and harden. That state is called a soul gem.”

“Gasp! That’s it!”

A soul gem. Even the name is so perfect that it sounds like it’s telling me that’s what I’m looking for. The explanation I heard from him before being sent here wasn’t this detailed. I guess the past me knew that he would tell me.

“Can you find it?”

“Laphneria itself is difficult to find. It’s not common, but it shouldn’t be here in the first place, so it has no form and its presence is barely felt. But I’ve heard that a few that have hardened into gems have been found.”

“Really? Where can I see them?”

“More importantly, why are you looking for something like that?”

“Huh?”

“I don’t know if you know this, but lost souls must be reported to the divine realm immediately upon discovery. It is strictly forbidden to misappropriate them or use them for personal purposes.”

“Is that so?”

“To think you’d ask a spirit king for help to find it. There’s no human as fearless as you. Is forging a god’s mark not enough? You seem to be relieved that divine punishment has passed you by, but you’re taking the afterlife too lightly. Do you want to spend eternity in the 염옥 [Yeom-ok, a hell realm in Korean mythology]?”

“It’s not like that. I just have circumstances…”

“What circumstances?”

“…I can’t say.”

“That’s a very trustworthy answer.”

I realized I had messed up at his sarcastic tone. I should have said it differently. I had refused to explain to the contractor I should trust the most, so the reaction was all too predictable. But even after waiting for a while, the expected words didn’t come. I was surprised and stared at him, and he frowned and turned away.

“What’s with that look?”

“No, it’s just that I thought you’d terminate the contract because I’m hiding so much.”

“You know that I can unilaterally terminate the contract.”

Huh, is that something people usually don’t know?

It was such obvious knowledge to me that I said it without thinking, but I should have been more careful. Was that why Ellyuen was looking at me strangely earlier? I was about to check when, sure enough, he continued.

“That maintenance mana is hardly needed, that I can reverse summon on purpose, and now that the contract can be terminated. What else do you know about spirit kings?”

“Uh, well, I just said what I saw in a book…”

“Book?”

“What was it, ah, right. It was a fairy tale book with spirits in it. I think I saw that written there. I saw it so long ago, and it was a fairy tale that I don’t know who wrote, but it seems to be right now. Haha… Wow, amazing. Maybe it was written by a spirit king’s contractor?”

“Let’s just say that.”

Unlike his smiling lips, his voice is cold. It was clear that he didn’t believe it at all. It was clear that my image was completely fixed as a liar in his mind. I had nothing to say because this time it was definitely a lie.

“If you can’t answer difficult questions like the first time, say so. That’s better than lying.”

“No, I…”

“I knew from the beginning that you were a suspicious guy. I won’t terminate the contract with just this much. I’m curious to see what else you’re hiding in that little head, so I’ll watch you for now.”

“Th, thank you.”

“But keep one thing in mind. The day I decide to end this contract, you will die.”

…Is it okay to make a murder notice so casually?

If I hadn’t been watching him, I would have definitely thought I misheard. That’s how calm and peaceful his tone was. But only his eyes were cold. Suddenly, I realized one thing. That cold color had never changed since he discovered the god’s mark on me.

Thanks to that, I had no choice but to know: the reason why he contracted with me even though he clearly didn’t like it. It wasn’t because my excuses worked, and it wasn’t because he pitied my situation. He was just being lenient because he was going to kill me anyway, like a last supper for a death row inmate—and even that would end quickly if it became boring.

I took a long breath that had been stopped for a moment. Ellyuen in this era was really scary. No, was he always like this? He’s a bit more cold-hearted now, but if I think about it, he felt like this when I first met him. He seemed to be looking out for me, but in fact, he wasn’t at all. I had forgotten because I had only felt endlessly generous for some time. I don’t know if he was influenced by me in this era and adopted me as his son, but it’s definitely true that he became kinder after adopting me. My heart ached when I realized how much favor I had been in.

So it’s my turn to approach this time, right?

I took a deep breath and braced myself. I need to be on my guard, especially at times like this. I feel like I’ve volunteered for a hard road, but I don’t regret summoning him. I decided not to worry about the warning that was clearly not a lie. Anyway, it’s okay until he decides to end the contract. I just need to hold on until I find Lapis.

“I’ll keep that in mind. Please take care of me until then, Father.”

“…You’re definitely using that title on purpose.”

Ellyuen frowned fiercely. Something was clearly displeasing him again, but I was so concerned about everything that I couldn’t even guess the reason.

Still, he doesn’t tell me not to call him Father.

My heart was pounding in many ways. It wasn’t that he liked the title. It’s just that he doesn’t care. Maybe it means he doesn’t even *want* to care. But that’s enough for now. The next time will definitely be better.

At least it’s better now than yesterday when I thought I was all alone. No, it was definitely better. I thought it would be a lonely journey after parting with everyone, but it turned out that another form of meeting was waiting for me: a world where someone I can call Father, my family, exists.

I wasn’t alone here either.