Elqueeness [EN]: Chapter 481

481

“What’s wrong?”

“Oh, it’s nothing. I was just meeting Chris and heading home. Looks like everyone’s coming back from somewhere?”

“Ah, we went to the weapon shop. Nev thought the bow he’s using now is a bit weak, so he wanted to get a better one. We all went to see what kind of bows are out these days.”

“I see. Did you find anything you liked?”

“The capital is the capital. There were so many good weapons. But they were all too expensive to even think about buying. I need to save up more money.”

“Expect a windfall soon. The monster parts we caught yesterday have been recognized as belonging to our guild.”

“Wow, really? But you caught it alone. Is it okay to divide it as guild income?”

“Of course. We originally agreed to share all the profits.”

I answered lightly, and they all looked apologetic but couldn’t hide their excited faces. Prices in the capital are high. Things have been better recently, but there were more times when we were in the red, so everyone must have been struggling even if they didn’t say it. However, the pleasant conversation didn’t last long. Suddenly, the ground shook as if there was an earthquake, and screams erupted. People who had been confused started running in all directions in a panic.

“M, monsters! Monsters have appeared!”

The sound that soon followed made my face stiffen involuntarily.

Monsters. A large monster appeared just yesterday, and a rift opened again in just one day? The bewildered guild members looked at each other. I stared at the direction people were running out of. My fists clenched involuntarily.

It was the direction Aira had disappeared in a little while ago.

* * *

Fortunately, the monsters that appeared this time were small, low-level ones. Thanks to the hunters who happened to be nearby quickly killing them, the incident itself ended without much damage. However, the atmosphere in the capital was generally tense due to the frequent appearances of monsters in such short intervals after the monster outbreak.

And I was conflicted in my own way. For a monster to appear in the direction Aira disappeared… At this point, it seemed difficult to deny the connection with the Demon God Church any longer. It felt a bit bewildering, like I’d been blindsided, and I felt like I was losing for no reason.

“Is the Demon God Church really causing the rifts on purpose?”

I couldn’t stand my curiosity and asked Trowel once, but I didn’t get a clear answer. He looked at me strangely and muttered something meaningless.

“You will know as much as you realize.”

So I’m asking if that realization is correct, but I don’t know if it’s affirmative or negative. He didn’t seem to want to say more, so I gave up on getting an answer. I thought that reading the future was mysterious, but Ifrit’s feelings weren’t wrong either.

In fact, whether it’s the Demon God Church’s doing or not, it’s not my business. The merfolk are extinct, and the Demon God’s cult will still be around in 4,000 years, so it’ll all work out. I don’t need to get deeply involved as someone who isn’t even a member of this world. It was excessive meddling. But I couldn’t help but feel drained. As I rested my chin on the table, looking gloomy, Ifrit smiled and stroked my head.

“You could easily infiltrate the Demon God Church using that line of thinking, right? It’s so perfect that you could even deceive the Pope?”

“I don’t want to do that…”

“Then shall I scout for you?”

“Really?”

“If you tell me I’m the best.”

However, I couldn’t answer. At that moment, an ice spear pierced Ifrit’s body, and the figure quickly disappeared. It was a reverse summon [a forced return to their own realm]. I was taken aback and looked up, and Ellyuen’s murderous gaze immediately found me.

“You need to be alive to be the best.”

“…Haha.”

It seemed like I shouldn’t use this method either.

* * *

“Damn it, Elquines, that bastard is getting more and more prickly.”

Ifrit, who returned in half a day, devoured all kinds of food. He said he had to eat a lot of sweets when he was annoyed. It was the first time I knew that a Spirit King could think like this. However, it wasn’t very realistic because he didn’t really savor the taste. I watched the amazing magic trick of a three-tiered cake disappearing in front of my eyes.

“Why would you suddenly reverse summon me without warning? Just because you’re a little strong, is that too much? How hard is it to be reverse summoned? You’ve never experienced it.”

“Elquines has never been reverse summoned?”

“Look at him. Who would he be defeated by?”

Well, that’s true. Even when he was injured by the Evil God, it was because he was trying to save me. If he was alone, there would have been no problem. But to think he had never even experienced a reverse summon. Hasn’t he lived for over ten thousand years at this point? At this point, I think that maybe that was the first time he was ever injured. For some reason, my heart felt solemn. I silently drank orange juice, and Ifrit stared at me.

“Why?”

“It’s just funny. To see the great Elquines acting so sensitively like a spirit who’s just made a contract for the first time. It’s like he doesn’t know night is coming because he learned to steal late. He’s going to try to destroy you soon, I bet.”

“Well, but it would be upsetting if a contractor told another Spirit King that they were the best.”

“You don’t know what you’re talking about. There was a time when his contractor openly said that I was better, but he didn’t even bat an eye. Rather, he told them to like me as much as they wanted and broke the contract on the spot.”

“Wow, he had a contractor like that?”

“It was a jealousy tactic to get his attention because he was so indifferent. It failed miserably, though.”

Jealousy tactic; so many things happened. I wonder which strange dragon that was. Lapis, who summoned him dozens of times to make a contract, and Ellyuen, when you look at it, is also unlucky. It’s not like he has a personality that makes him easy to be taken lightly, but it’s a bit strange. Is it because he’s so cold that, as a reaction, weirder kids burn even more?

“What do you think about him getting angry this time? You didn’t even answer yet.”

“Is he annoyed because the first time was okay, but it’s going to be the second time?”

Seeing Ifrit burst out laughing with a dumbfounded face, it seems like that’s not it. Sometimes I don’t understand the point where Ellyuen gets angry, so I wasn’t sure. The modern father was okay as long as you didn’t touch him first, but Ellyuen in this era is a bit more emotional because he’s younger(?).

Even today, I just called him, but he glared at me coldly. It’s not like I asked for pocket money or bothered him to go out and play! I was just going to say hello! Thinking about it, I felt unfairly wronged, and my lips twitched involuntarily.

Still, we’re going to be father and son later, but I don’t think I’ve ever seen him smile properly here. I’ve seen murderous intent disguised as a smile, but I can’t call that a smile. Knowing this situation so well, Ifrit only said things that were out of touch with reality.

“You really don’t know anything, young master. In that case, you should confidently answer that you’re revealing your honest desire to monopolize your cute contractor.”

“…Putting everything else aside. Isn’t the modifier a bit wrong?”

“Why? It’s cute. Compare it to the dark dragons. They have long lifespans, and everything is too easy and simple for them, so they’re completely lazy. There are even kids who don’t move from one spot for decades. It’s not for nothing that they mix with humans and travel around. Their lives are no fun either.”

“Hmm.”

“In comparison, how sparklingly do humans live? They’re so weak that they can die from eating just one wrong herb, but they also like stimulation, so they cause all kinds of accidents. It’s fun and cute just to watch them. But try making a contract. They’re the cutest in the world. Elquines wouldn’t be any different, would he?”

So this is, like, the psychology of humans finding puppies cute. If I didn’t know anything, I might have been fooled by this. But I was already too familiar with the modern father. I know so well, to the point of pain, what kind of expression Ellyuen makes when he’s really kind, and how soft his eyes become. What’s clear is that we still have a long way to go. Sibelius said that our relationship was pretty good in his recollection. I don’t know what I did in that recollection.

“Ah, but young master. Since we’re talking about dragons, you said the reason you came here was to meet a dragon, right? Did you hear who that dragon is?”

“Yeah, I know. Blue Dragon Lamias.”

“You also know that he made a contract with Elquines, right? Are you really going to meet him? You won’t see a good sight.”

Ifrit, who asked back, had an unpleasant face. Seeing that, my body tensed up. I heard that the dragon was the Lapis type, but is it to the point where I’m getting a warning? I should have gone to another area first when Ellyuen hated it.

“Is his personality that strange?”

“He’s a bit strange. Originally, the dragon race all have something wrong with them, but he’s even more of a weirdo among them. Anyway, it’s better to hide that you’re Elquines’ contractor. He has a tendency to be obsessed with Elquines. But he can’t even see his face properly, so he doesn’t have good feelings for other Elquines contractors.”

“Why can’t he see him?”

“That contractor I mentioned earlier is him. He said I was better to Elquines as a jealousy tactic and got his contract terminated.”

“…Huh?”

“After that, he cried and begged to make a contract again, but he was firmly rejected. Elquines doesn’t even answer his calls. It’s been about 500 years since then. But you’re always with him. If he knows that, he’ll go crazy. I don’t know what he’ll do.”

…Is it me who’s unlucky? I looked up at the sky once and then lowered my head deeply. I had enough experience of being trapped in a cage because of my bad relationship with my father. The thought that it might not be the end made me feel overwhelmed. But at that moment, I heard something unexpected.

“Ah, and young master, about the Demon God Church you were curious about. I took a quick look on the way.”

“Oh, really?”

“They’re just praying because it’s a period of intensive prayer. The atmosphere didn’t look good. Other than that, there was nothing else to get information about. Ah, it seemed like they were looking for something.”

“What? A person? An object?”

“They didn’t specify it exactly either. I planted fire spirits for now, but if they’re just praying every day, there won’t be much to find out. I’m sorry I couldn’t be of much help, young master.”

“No, no! Don’t be sorry! Thank you so much for finding out.”

I had completely given up on asking because I was reverse summoned because of this problem. But to think he would stop by on the way. Ifrit is really kind. I want to tell him he’s the best, but I’m afraid it’ll cause unnecessary anger, so I can’t bring myself to say it. As I hesitated and looked around, he smiled as if he knew everything and asked.

“There’s no one like me, right?”

“…Yeah.”

“I told you. Elquines and Trowel don’t know the joy of building trust like this. They should learn from me.”

This time, I nodded without hesitation. Ifrit burst into a clear laugh because too much of my true feelings were revealed there.

If the modern Ifrit is the fire of hell that swallows and burns everything, the Ifrit of this era is like the sun. It’s hot and bright, but not dangerous, so it becomes a light that embraces everyone in itself. And a person who maintains a distance that doesn’t seem dangerous in order to become such a light.

“Can’t we be friends instead of subordinates?”

At the words I said without thinking, he widened his eyes and then smiled. I felt relieved because he had a good face.

“Friends are good too.”

After that, we finished eating and went out into the street. As we moved to take a carriage, a store suddenly caught my eye. Seeing various equipment hanging on the stall, starting with daggers, it seemed to be a weapon store. The words of the guild members I met before, who said they wanted to buy a new bow, came to mind, and I naturally continued to browse.

“Why? Are you going to learn archery too?”

“No, I’m just trying to see the price range because the guild members want to change their weapons. But I’m an amateur in this area, so I don’t know what’s good.”

“Each person has a different weapon that suits them. But if the material is good, it’s usually okay. Shall I recommend something?”

I was chatting with Ifrit and looking at the displayed bows when it happened.

“Sir, are you actually going to buy that?”

The clerk who was watching suddenly spoke. It wasn’t to me. I looked over there without thinking and was a little startled. I saw Ain Idris. To meet that person again by chance. Seeing that we keep running into each other even if the Master of Requiem isn’t involved, it seems like our usual routes overlap.

“You’ve been looking at it for a while. If you’re having trouble choosing, can I recommend something suitable?”

“No, it’s okay.”

He shook his head with a flustered face. It seemed like he was just looking around like me and didn’t intend to buy it. I wondered what he was looking at and turned my gaze to the stall where he was standing. The displayed weapons were classified by type, and most of the place where he was was where long swords were placed. …Is he interested in swordsmanship? I was about to feel strange when Ain Idris suddenly turned this way. I thought our eyes met. But unlike before, when he would have immediately recognized me, he immediately turned his head. Because of that, I raised my hand to say hello and lowered it awkwardly.

‘Didn’t he recognize me?’

Well, I was wearing a newly prepared hood today. Even if that wasn’t the case, it’s normal not to recognize me because I’m covering my face. He soon left and quickly walked to the other side. Because of that, I completely missed the time to say hello. Honestly, I didn’t even intend to have a conversation, so it was better.

“Why do I keep running into that guy?”

“I know.”

I lightly laughed while agreeing with Ifrit’s words as he clicked his tongue.

‘More than that, a sword…’

I looked at his receding back and turned my gaze back to the stall. I felt a little strange when I remembered Ain Idris staring silently at the long swords. Hey, no way. I shook my head quickly because I thought I was thinking something absurd. It was too much of an overreaction.

* * *

A person’s life is a series of unpredictable events. Sometimes you drop your nose into a perfectly cooked meal, and sometimes you get results you never expected. Sometimes, what you thought was impossible happens.

Words became seeds. The first thought that came to my mind when I saw Chris, who came to visit me without any notice, was that. He looked paler than the last time I saw him a few days ago. Even if he hadn’t come like a thief in the early morning, I couldn’t help but know that it was an important matter.

“El, what should I do? We’re in big trouble.”

“What do you mean?”

“It really came, the invitation.”

He handed me a basket full of cards with a tearful face. I picked one up at random and opened it, and it was an invitation as he said. The flowery words were full of content that asked me to brighten the event. Both Chris’s and my names were written on the recipient line, but seeing that there was an addition that everyone would be happy if the hero who saved the capital attended, the purpose was obvious. They just wanted to call me and watch me.

“We can refuse this, right?”

“They sent it as they pleased, so you can just ignore it. Even a family with some prestige is okay as long as they send a reply within the period. Well, that’s the principle…”

“But?”

“The problem is this.”

Chris, who swallowed dry saliva, handed over another card with trembling hands. The seal stamped on the outer envelope was quite fancy, as if it was sent from a fairly high-ranking family. The pattern surrounded by laurel and engraved with a dragon, and the subtle gold in the blue wax were unusual. …They didn’t really grind gold into this, did they?

“It’s the Sepion Dukedom.”

“…Who?”

“The great noble Sepion Dukedom. A founding meritorious subject [a noble family recognized for their service during the founding of the empire], the head of the pro-imperial faction, and a war hero on the eastern front! The guardian of the empire! The one with the largest territory in the empire and whose assets are said to be impossible to estimate! That Sepion Dukedom, one of the empire’s five great families!”

It seems like it’s really gold powder. Now I understood Chris’s face as if he had seen a ghost. Great nobles were not beings who moved easily. Especially the Sepion Dukedom, which was said to be the power of the empire, and in some ways, it was no exaggeration to say that it had more influence than the imperial family. It meant that it was definitely not a family that would send an invitation to an ordinary hunter. If it wasn’t for the family’s seal clearly stamped on the outer envelope, I would have thought someone was scamming me.

“What’s worse, that’s not all they sent.”

“If that’s not all?”

After telling me to wait a moment, Chris soon came back with a handful of large boxes. Looking at the packaging that was so flashy that it hurt my eyes, I felt a sense of déjà vu for some reason. When I opened the lid, there were formal dresses and accessories that looked expensive at a glance. It was a gift that showed their confidence that I would definitely respond to the invitation. But what caught my eye more was another part.

“It’s men’s clothing.”

Compared to modern Arc-A-Don, Arc-A-Don in this era does not strictly distinguish between genders in dress. However, there were points that were expressed differently in the detailed decorations as they went to formal wear. The most representative part is the symmetry format. Even if it’s the same pants suit, women’s clothing uses a cloak that covers both shoulders, and men’s clothing uses a cloak that covers only one side. Similarly, if women’s clothing has button decorations on both sides, men’s clothing has them only on one side. Usually, they are mixed, but I know that they do that when they want to distinguish gender. In that respect, the blue formal dress with cloaks and buttons decorated only on one side, which was sent by the Dukedom, was clearly men’s clothing.

Confusing my gender is the same here. My appearance is known, but there is no public record of my background, so they inferred as they pleased, and more people misunderstood me as a woman because of prejudice. The misunderstanding was further spread because the newspapers, which like sensational things, put the expression goddess on the front page. Nevertheless, the fact that they sent men’s clothing clearly indicated something. It meant that the Dukedom was saying that they had grasped my information. It was clear that the measurements would be perfect without even trying it on.

“As expected of the Sepion Dukedom…”

Chris also admired it, but his face was pale. Well, it wouldn’t be difficult for a great noble to investigate a person. There was a high possibility that they already knew the accommodation and deliberately sent it through Chris.