Elqueeness [EN]: Chapter 140

Chapter 140

Having lost both eyes and teeth in an instant, Moose was locked back in the warehouse in that state. He was told that he would be handed over to the security forces as soon as they reached the settlement. In addition, Endil’s charges were completely dropped. Since his innocence had been acknowledged before the gods, there was no longer any room for doubt.

From the moment his innocence was confirmed, people couldn’t look Endil in the face. It was only natural for them to feel guilty, having almost condemned an innocent person due to a one-sided misunderstanding. Some left as if fleeing, but most offered Endil their apologies.

“Sorry, Endil. We misunderstood you.”

“How should I apologize…….”

“No, well… it’s okay.”

Surrounded by people, Endil awkwardly accepted their apologies. He seemed a bit stiff, perhaps embarrassed, but he also looked happy. He might have been hiding his need for affection behind his rough words and actions.

“It seems to be resolved well.”

“Thank you for your hard work, El.”

Isana and Kaitain said from beside me, watching from a distance. While the situation was being resolved, I had explained everything that had happened to them. Perhaps because it was such a heartbreaking story, they were as happy as if it were their own that Endil’s misunderstanding had been cleared.

“I was lucky. There was a time when everything seemed so dark.”

“Even I was on edge watching.”

“Right? I really aged ten years.”

“Speaking of which, what about Eluien…….”

“I haven’t heard from her since.”

I smiled and rubbed the circlet on my forehead. Eluien, who had provided a great reversal at a critical moment, had not been heard from at all since then. Judging from the fact that she didn’t answer when I called out to her, it seemed she had taken a brief moment out of her busy schedule. I had to thank her later. I repeatedly made up my mind.

“Anyway, I’m really sorry to both of you. I never intended to stand out like this. I just couldn’t stand by and watch…….”

“No. It would be stranger if El-nim just ignored such a thing, given your nature. Rather, I respect you even more because you are that kind of person.”

“Yeah, that’s right. I like El being that kind of person too. I know very well that the reason I am who I am today is all thanks to El’s warm heart.”

My heart swelled at the sight of the two people smiling. Isn’t it truly a blessing to receive someone’s complete trust and understanding? When I was reminded of Endil’s face as he pleaded with people to believe him a little while ago, I realized its value even more. And I was finally able to realize that the things I had been buried in my monotonous daily life and taking for granted were not actually so. How much luck I had been living in all this time.

“Excuse me…….”

Just then, I snapped out of it at the sound of someone calling me. Speak of the devil, and there he is. Endil was standing in front of me.

“Ah…….”

Endil, who had come closer, looked very nervous. I felt a little embarrassed at the sight. I was belatedly reminded that there were still things to be resolved. For example, why I, who claimed to be a spiritist [one who communicates with spirits], possessed the Pope’s seal.

‘……I’m screwed.’

I was so rushed at the time that I recklessly caused an accident, but now that I think about it again, it was a really reckless thing to do. He probably has a mountain of things he wants to ask by now.

But I quickly regained my composure. If necessary, I could say that the spiritist was a disguise to hide the Pope’s identity. Since Isana, a real spiritist, was nearby, I could pretend that I had received his help.

“Th-that, um…… excuse me…… I, I have something to say…….”

Our eyes met, and Endil fidgeted as if he was flustered. The way he kept his head down and fiddled with his hands made him look like a young boy about to confess his love. No, what’s with this analogy? It makes it sound like I’m the object of his confession. I got goosebumps just thinking about it, so I quickly rubbed my arms. Then Endil flinched and looked at me with a puzzled expression. I smiled awkwardly and shook my head.

“No, it’s nothing. But what’s wrong?”

“Um, well, that, um…… well…… I, I have something to say…….”

“What do you have to say? Are you thanking me for helping you?”

“Ah, no, it’s not that…… Ah, of, of course, I came to thank you too, but…….”

Perhaps because he had gone through such a terrible experience? His attitude toward me was so cautious, unlike him. I smiled gently to make the atmosphere more comfortable.

“What is it?”

“Th-that’s…….”

“It’s okay, tell me.”

I hope there aren’t any other problems. I nodded, not thinking much of it. As if he had gained some courage from my words, Endil took a deep breath with a calmer face.

“There’s something I want to confirm.”

“Confirm?”

“You, perhaps, are you the Spirit King…….”

“……Stop.”

Yes, I forgot the saying that assumptions can kill. I quickly covered Endil’s mouth with one hand. Oh, my gosh. I almost had a heart attack. I glanced around, and thankfully, no one seemed to have heard what he said. I looked at Endil again, and he was blinking with a bewildered expression. I sighed and said.

“Let’s move to another place first.”

* * *

The place I chose to move to was Endil’s cabin. I thought it would be more comfortable to have a private room than an open space to talk alone. Only after locking the door tightly and confirming that there was no one nearby did I let out a sigh of relief and raise my head. Meanwhile, Endil had been watching me silently with a hesitant expression.

“Okay, so what were you saying earlier?”

“Yes?”

“You said you had something to confirm with me. Now tell me again. What were you trying to say earlier?”

If I didn’t hear wrong, he clearly said ‘Spirit King.’ There’s no way he was trying to ask if I knew the Spirit King…… Could he have recognized my identity?

‘……No way.’

I haven’t given any hints so far that I’m the Spirit King. I was hiding my appearance when I saved him in the water, too. It may be suspicious that a spiritist has the Pope’s symbol, but it doesn’t make sense that he recognized me because of that. Usually, it’s normal to think that I’m impersonating one of the two identities, right?

Whether he knew my confused feelings or not, Endil was looking at me with a nervous face, clasping his hands tightly. Soon, as if Endil had made up his mind, his eyes, which had been rolling from side to side as if hesitating, stared straight at me. And I had no choice but to stop breathing again at the words that followed.

“……Water Spirit King…… right?”

“…….”

A brief silence flowed, and the surrounding air rapidly became heavy. It felt like the first time that a few seconds felt like years. Oh my god, did he really recognize me? How?

When I didn’t answer, Endil seemed to have taken it as a sign of affirmation. He stammered with a flushed face.

“I, I thought it was strange. When I fell into the water, I definitely thought I was going to die. But I came back to life perfectly fine. People say I floated to the surface on my own, but honestly, no matter how I think about it, it’s a strange thing. That…… the Water King saved me, right? That’s why you knew I was innocent, right?”

I can’t believe he guessed that far. I tried to hide my agitation and asked again, trying my best.

“Wa-wait, what are you talking about? What Spirit King, and what did I do?”

“Y-you’re right, aren’t you? Don’t pretend you don’t know.”

“No, I really don’t know what you’re talking about? Let me ask you first. Why do you think I’m the Spirit King?”

“But your hair color and eye color…….”

“Huh? Hair color?”

Puzzled, I soon flinched and grabbed my hair. Ah, come to think of it, Cyciel said he had explained my appearance to this guy, right? I thought it was strange that he froze so much when I first took off my hood, but that must have been the reason. Why didn’t I think of that? I tried desperately to smile and gritted my teeth inwardly.

“Ahahaha, I was wondering what you were talking about. You misunderstood me because of my hair color? It’s definitely not a common color, but it’s not a very unique color either.”

“But that kind of appearance is not common.”

“Huh? Appearance?”

“……Why do you think people were surprised when you took off your hood?”

I pursed my lips at Endil’s words mixed with a sigh. Unpleasant memories came to mind. Like being mistaken for a woman by people every time I showed my face. Or being mistaken for a couple with Lapis when I went to a certain inn. Or the guy’s expression that seemed to be mocking me every time.

Maybe that’s why. That’s why I blurted out this stupid thing without realizing it.

“……I’m not a woman.”

Endil was taken aback by my sudden words, but he quickly nodded.

“Yes? O-of course. Spirits are asexual, so. Um, so, to be exact, a female form?”

“I’m not a female form!”

“Yes? Then you were a male form?”

I don’t even have the energy to get angry one by one anymore. I rubbed my throbbing head with one hand and said.

“No, so…… why do you automatically think I’m a spirit? According to your logic, everyone in this world with blue hair and a pretty face is the Water Spirit King? That doesn’t make sense.”

“Um, well, that’s true…… You also summoned spirits…….”

“Then how are you going to explain the divine symbol I have? It’s even the Pope’s symbol. I’m saying this because I think you’re suspicious, but this is a real divine seal, okay? You saw the divine punishment being inflicted, too.”

“……I know.”

“But why…….”

“That’s…… I thought that if you were the Spirit King, you would be friendly with the gods, so you would have received help…….”

Damn it, he’s so quick-witted.

I grumbled inwardly and then took a slow, deep breath. I’ll postpone the frustration for later, and for now, it’s time to fix the situation. I have my pride as the Spirit King, so I couldn’t just admit it so easily because I was hit right on the mark. In the first place, the reason I received the divine symbol was to hide that I was the Spirit King.

In particular, I have a group to protect. You have to be especially careful because you never know where and how rumors will spread. The Demon King’s side has already recognized my existence, and that ultimately meant that the Archduke also knew. Openly exposing my whereabouts in such a situation was a dangerous thing to do. ……It seems to be wrong from the point when a strange demon followed me.

‘No, it’ll be okay. That demon said he was going to betray the Demon King, so he wouldn’t go and tell them about what’s going on here. Honestly, there’s nothing to report, right? They already know I’m the Spirit King anyway. Yeah, that’s right. There’s nothing to worry about. And even if it’s new news, it’s at most that the Spirit King has the Pope’s symbol, or that it belongs to Eluien, the God of Punishment…… hahaha.’

……Is it really okay?

Only now did cold sweat pour down my face at the crazy thought. Even now, I heard that rumors were spreading that the God of Punishment was protecting Isana after the Miracle of Three Days. It’s just a rumor now, but if this is proven to be true, an irreversible situation could occur. The appearance of the Pope itself would be a very disturbing event for the Order of the Demon God, and they were even on the side of the Emperor, who was at odds with them. If this isn’t a declaration of war, what does it mean?

Come to think of it, Moose said that. There’s a rumor that the Demon God’s Temple is preparing for war. Could this be a big deal?

“Excuse me?”

I suddenly came to my senses at the voice I heard at that moment. When I raised my head, Endil was looking at me with an anxious face. I swallowed hard and quickly looked around for any signs. Then I felt a strong magical power nearby. Was it Lucarrem? It was definitely the energy he possessed. Fortunately, he didn’t seem to have returned to the Demon Realm yet.

“Ah, sorry. I was just thinking about something else…… Anyway, I’m sorry, but I’m really the Pope. Summoning the spirit back then was just a simple trick. I got help from a friend nearby.”

“Friend?”

“One of my companions is a spiritist. A real high-level water spiritist.”

“……Why the trick…….”

“The situation was a bit like that at the time. I thought you would be more wary of me if I said I was a spiritist than if I said I was a priest. And then there was no suitable timing to reveal it.”

“That…….”

“If you’re still suspicious, I’ll bring my friend to prove it. Would that be okay?”

“…….”

At those words, Endil’s eyes blinked blankly and then became rapidly blurred. I was embarrassed by the sight that followed the next moment. Thick tears were dripping from Endil’s round eyes.

“Then…… is it not true?”

“Y-yes, I’m telling you.”

“That can’t be…… I just…… I finally met…….”

He bit his lip without even thinking of wiping away his tears. I never expected him to cry. I had anticipated many reactions, but I really didn’t expect this. My conscience, which I had been ignoring for a while for the sake of rational judgment, began to poke its head out. I swallowed a groan and said.

“Hey, hey, wait a minute. Don’t cry and talk properly. Why are you crying all of a sudden? Is it so sad that I’m not the Spirit King?”

“But…… I really wanted to meet…… sob. I really wanted to meet…….”

“Why do you want to meet the Spirit King? Do you want to make a contract? Elves can’t make contracts with the Spirit King.”

“Ah, no. It’s not that…… I want to ask him for a favor…….”

“Favor?”

“The Elder said a long time ago…… that the Water King can cure any disease…… so…….”

“What’s that…….”

I frowned at the incoherent answer for a moment, then suddenly, a memory flashed through my mind, and I hurriedly raised my head.

“……Could it be your sick younger sibling?”