Elqueeness [EN]: Chapter 486

486.

“Seeing it like this, I understand why the two of you so vehemently objected. If *this* appearance is considered ordinary, then there wouldn’t be anyone in this world who could be said to have human features. Now, someone explain. Were those things on your faces just decorations, not eyes?”

“Well, there must have been some mistake, Duke. The person I saw wasn’t him.”

“Me, too!”

“It seems someone else impersonated him and made fun of people.”

Suddenly, the people whose eyes had become mere decorations began to plead their innocence. Not one of them had actually spoken to me. They hadn’t even dared to approach, acting like nobles, but had been observing from afar. As the surroundings grew noisy with people vying to speak, the Duke raised a hand to silence them. Thanks to that, the area calmed down to some extent, and his gaze returned to me.

“Honestly, I’m quite surprised. Such looks, a high-level spirit master, and already a swordsman who has reached the level of entering the sword [a swordsman who has achieved a certain level of mastery]. It’s not just admirable, it’s even frightening. I even doubt if you’re human.”

At first glance, it sounded like a friendly remark. The expression he wore was also gentle. But somehow, I sensed a subtle edge in his tone. I paused for a moment, then stared back at him.

“…I’ll take that as a compliment.”

“Of course, it’s a compliment. I found it strange that Ain, the contractor of the Spirit King, would be conscious of someone, but seeing it like this, I can’t help but understand. Rather, it seems natural. Do you know that he decided to learn swordsmanship because he was stimulated by you?”

My body stiffened at the unexpected jab. Ain Idris also looked up, startled.

“D-Duke.”

“Hahaha! You were so confident in admitting it earlier, but now you’re shy in front of the person? Don’t be so embarrassed. If that’s the case, wouldn’t the same apply to him?”

“Yes?”

“Contracting with the Spirit King is the wish of all spirit masters. And now, we’re facing someone who has reached that level. He must be feeling an even greater stimulus than you.”

Thanks to the Duke, who guessed my unspoken thoughts, Ain Idris seemed to have gained a great realization. He turned to look at me blankly, his face asking if it was true. I couldn’t deny it, so I nodded awkwardly.

“Well… that’s right.”

“I-I see. El also feels a sense of challenge when he sees me.”

Ain Idris’s face flushed red. I didn’t know what he was so happy about, but seeing his purely joyful expression, I couldn’t say anything more. Inevitably, I turned to look at the annoying Duke who had created this situation. He was watching Ain Idris and me with an intrigued expression. When his eyes met mine, he smiled.

“In my opinion, the two of you are destined rivals. If this kind of relationship is guided in a good direction, it will lead to great progress for both of you. I hope you too will be able to contract with the Water Spirit King.”

“Ah, yes. Thank you.”

I had already contracted, but this wasn’t the place to talk about it, so I could only give a soulless answer. I didn’t feel particularly sorry, as his words didn’t feel sincere. His eyes were too cold to be those of someone offering well wishes. Because of that, I knew: Duke Sepion, the dragon Lamias, dislikes me. It wasn’t a mistake that I felt an edge in his tone earlier. At the very least, he didn’t see me favorably.

‘What is it? Did I make a mistake somewhere?’

Honestly, I was bewildered because I didn’t know what I had done wrong. I needed to guide the conversation to a personal level soon, but I wasn’t sure if it would go well like this. My confidence plummeted, until I heard the next words.

“Ah, but did you know? The Water Spirit King has a powerful dragon guarding him.”

“Yes?”

I couldn’t help but raise my head. The blue eyes that met mine directly shone intensely. I felt a clear sense of *gyeonje* [Korean: 견제, meaning check or restraint] in that gaze.

“He is the Blue Dragon, called the Water Dragon. Elquines and that dragon are so close that they are like one body. Elquines’s thoughts are the dragon’s thoughts, and the dragon’s thoughts are Elquines’s thoughts.”

“…Yes?”

“They cherish each other so much that they don’t allow anyone else to interfere between them. The reason why no one can summon the Water Spirit King is because of that, right? To summon Elquines, you must first get permission from that dragon.”

No, what is all this nonsense?

I was dazed by the completely unheard-of words. I could only blink blankly, unable to choose a reply. He chuckled as he watched me.

“It’s just an anecdote. But if it’s true, it would be quite troublesome, wouldn’t it? That dragon is very strict and doesn’t forgive anyone who tries to summon the Spirit King without permission. I thought it would be good to know in advance.”

*I’m telling you this because I’m worried about you.*

A burst of laughter escaped me at the last added words. He wasn’t worried; he *wanted* me to be worried. I couldn’t manage my expression at all, and sweat dripped down. I was able to do it in front of Minerva, but to be shaken so easily like this… he was quite an amazing dragon in a way. Thanks to that, the Duke smiled gleefully as he watched me stiffen awkwardly. He seemed to be quite pleased with the impromptu scam he had made up.

“Wow, did the Water Spirit King have such a story? I’ve never heard of it before.”

“It’s not a well-known story. I happened to read it in a book.”

“Duke, you really know everything.”

“Minerva, is this story true?”

Among the excited people, Ain Idris’s voice rang out, trying to confirm the facts. Eyes sparkling with curiosity turned to Minerva. Lamias smiled at him, who was opening his mouth in embarrassment. Of course, he only looked calm on the outside, his eyes desperately sending earnest glances. Minerva, who looked back and forth between him and me for a moment with an indescribable expression, soon averted her gaze.

“…I don’t think I have anything to say about that.”

It was a declaration of surrender.

Taking that as a victory, Lamias looked at me triumphantly. He didn’t seem to see Minerva’s clouded eyes. Because of that, only I felt empty.

‘As expected of a *Lapis gwa* [a person obsessed with one thing].’

I thought there would be another reason why he was so *nali seo* [Korean: 날이 서, meaning sharp or on edge], but it was just because I was a water spirit master. The tension drained from my shoulders. As I became more relaxed, Lamias twitched his eyes.

“The story I heard is a little different, Duke.”

“The story you heard?”

“As far as I know, Elquines and that dragon aren’t that close.”

“What…”

“Oh, do you also know a related story?”

Before Lamias could react, people’s attention flocked to me. I smiled and nodded.

“It’s true that the dragon wants to monopolize Elquines, but I heard that Elquines isn’t very interested in him. Once, the dragon lied that the Fire Spirit King was better to get his attention, but he readily told him to go and broke the contract.”

“Hahaha, that’s an interesting anecdote too.”

“Then it might not be true that you have to get the dragon’s permission?”

“Maybe. Perhaps that dragon made up and spread the story on purpose so that no one would dare to summon Elquines.”

“Oh, that could be true.”

The people who agreed burst into laughter. The only one who didn’t laugh in this space was Lamias. His expression was still calm, but his eyes were even colder.

“That’s a really interesting story. It’s not a story that you can easily know. Where did you hear that?”

“My friend Lil told me.”

“…His name is Lil?”

“Yes.”

“That’s quite a coincidence. I also have a friend named Lil. He’s versatile and very capable.”

“That’s a welcome coincidence. My friend Lil is also like that. He’s also very interested in special objects. This accessory that I’m wearing today is one of them.”

With that, I took out the magic tool that Ifrit had given me from my pocket and showed it. Lamias groaned before he could even see it properly. It was clear that he recognized it at a glance.

“…That’s really it. Actually, I’m also very interested in special objects. If you don’t mind, I’d like to hear more about that accessory and your friend with the same name.”

“I’m always happy to, Duke.”

“Not at this event, but I’ll send someone soon.”

…Got it.

Everyone looked at me with admiration and envy. It was a friendly scene on the surface, so it was understandable. But I was enduring the murderous intent that was pressing down on my whole body.

My fingertips were tingling from the cold energy that was digging in. To be able to adjust it so that only I could feel the murderous intent in front of so many people, he was indeed a strong dragon. Still, I was just relieved that I had achieved my purpose in coming here. At this moment, I didn’t think of Minerva or Ain Idris.

“Then I’ll be waiting.”

I smiled brightly as I looked into Lamias’s eyes, which were burning like fire. It was a very long day.

* * *

I had promised Lamias a next time, but I didn’t really expect much. Dragons are known to be lazy and have a strong sense of pride. He may have become curious about me, but he wouldn’t want to move according to my wishes. He could deliberately drag out the time, and there was a possibility that he would be capricious. So I decided not to rush and take it easy. It was encouraging enough that I had successfully buttoned the first button [made a good first impression].

But what I overlooked was that I didn’t think deeply about the fact that he was a *Lapis gwa*. That he had a blind spot for only one thing. It didn’t take long to recall this fact.

“You worked really hard today. Get some rest.”

“Chris too. Get home safe.”

“Okay, I’ll contact you.”

At a time when the atmosphere was moderately scattered, I left the Duke’s residence behind the endless banquet, and the dawn sky was already welcoming me. Chris, who had dropped me off first, waved his hand from inside the carriage with a tired face. I waved back and watched the carriage leave for a while. When the faint light of the carriage was completely swallowed into the alley, the strength drained from my shoulders. Was it because I finally realized that all the schedules were over? Emotions that were too much to handle welled up, but I couldn’t even tell if it was relief or anxiety. My mind was more tired than my body.

I sighed and slowly looked around. In the space shrouded in darkness because it was dawn, I saw a building that uniquely emitted a faint light. It was an inn that was open all day for travelers. My accommodation was on the second floor of that building.

The inn key was in my pocket, so all I had to do was open the door and go inside. I wanted to lie down on the bed and fall asleep right away. But my legs wouldn’t move as if they were nailed down. After hesitating for a while, I reluctantly took a heavy step. At that moment, I felt a presence approaching quickly.

“…!”

Before I could reflexively raise my arm, a heavy impact reached me. The pressure was so great that my face was naturally distorted. What is it? A robber? I was about to check my opponent when I was attacked unexpectedly.

“Ha. You blocked this?”

The opponent who failed to ambush me smiled crookedly. The voice was familiar, so I paused again. The face of the opponent facing me right in front of me, shining under the moonlight, was quite familiar.

“…Duke Sepion?”

“Like I care about Duke.”

The man’s sneering face was definitely Lamias. Why is this dragon here? I was so dumbfounded that my head seemed to stop. It hadn’t even been an hour since I left the banquet hall. I was embarrassed that what he said about *soon* wasn’t a lie, but I didn’t expect him to show up in person.

“I don’t know what you’re doing, Duke.”

“Why are you acting innocent? You know who I am, right?”

Moreover, he was more blatant than expected. It wasn’t a probe; he was sure, so it seemed he had already thrown away the mask of the game. My body naturally tensed at the sharp hostility. I calmly stared at him.

“I treated you the way you wanted to be treated. Is that a problem?”

“Look at this?”

Lamias’s eyes shone blue. I felt the murderous intent covering me again, but this time there was no time to block it. When I thought he was coming, I was already grabbed by the collar and slammed into the wall.

“What the hell are you?”

“Ugh, w-wait a minute…”

“Thinking about it again, it’s really amazing. My capable adjutant does a basic background check when sending out invitations. If there is even a slightly suspicious or unusual activity in the process, he must report it to me. But there was no special report about you?”

The whispering voice was sweet, but the actions were not at all. The grip that was tightening my neck was getting stronger, and it was hard to breathe.

“At least it means you didn’t look like someone who would dare to stab me in the back in front of me. But to approach me from the beginning with the intention of targeting me, it was really a fresh experience, wasn’t it? You were excellent. I’ll also praise you for your guts to mention the relationship between me and Elquines without fear. You know Lil? You seem to have heard a lot about me. Did you make that appearance to suit my taste?”

“Let go of this first and then talk…”

“Answer me. What are you?”

“That’s what you should be saying.”

The answer continued from a completely different place. Before I could even grasp the situation, the pressure that had been holding my neck disappeared in an instant. I coughed dryly and looked up to see Lamias lying far away. I didn’t need to wonder what happened, because I could see the figure of the person standing in front of me.

“Damn it, what!”

Lamias, who got up while grinding his teeth, also found the person in front of me. His eyes widened, and he had a dumbfounded expression.

“…Elquines?”

A cracked voice flowed from his blankly opened mouth. Elquines, who was standing quietly and looking down at me, stared at him. When the icy cold gaze reached him, Lamias trembled.

“W-What is this…! Why, why is Elquines here?”

“Is it strange for me to be next to my contractor?”

“What?”

Lamias blinked as if he couldn’t understand. He looked back and forth between me and Elquines slowly. It was clear that shock was slowly filling his blank face.