Elqueeness [EN]: Chapter 142

Chapter 142

His words were instantly followed by a reaction. In that instant, with a ‘pop!’ Naias, in the form of a small mermaid, appeared. I chuckled, watching Endil, who was wide-eyed with surprise, taking deep breaths.

“See? I was right, wasn’t I?”

“How……”

“This is how it’s supposed to be. How does it feel to be a formal spirit master?”

“A formal spirit master……”

Was he still reeling from the surprise? His face, as he muttered in a small voice, was still blank. I shrugged and got back to the main topic.

“And about your brother. I think we need to discuss that together. I have things I need to do right now. I can’t say for sure when, but I’ll try to make time. While we’re at it, there are a few things I want to confirm… Endil?”

“Huh?”

When I called out to him, as he was slow to respond, Endil quickly hunched his shoulders and answered. *What is this? This is the most important thing, why aren’t you paying attention?* I frowned slightly and asked.

“You said your brother has a rare disease, right? You said you showed his illness to a priest. Did they try to heal him with divine power? How effective was it?”

“Ah, that’s… it does get better temporarily, but only for a while……”

“Hmm, is that so? A temporary effect. Divine power can usually heal most things, but does the germ disappear and then reappear? That means it doesn’t solve the root cause. Come to think of it, what effect does the herb your brother takes have?”

Again, there was no answer. When I looked up, Endil was staring at me blankly. He looked like a startled rabbit.

“Are you listening, Endil?”

“Huh? Yes?”

“I’m talking about the herb you buy regularly. I’m asking what its effects are.”

“Ah, well, I don’t know exactly, but it’s supposed to supplement the organs and bodily functions……”

“Hmm, supplement bodily functions? So, it’s more like a tonic than a cure.”

Well, if it’s impossible to cure with medicine, helping him build up his strength to fight it off himself is one way. But the fact that it’s been going on for years suggests it’s not very effective.

…Can I cure him? It might be too early to judge, but I had a bad feeling. I sighed softly and looked at Endil again. He was making an unreadable expression. He looked like he was wandering in a dream, or like someone who had just woken up. I wondered if he was excited because of excessive expectations, so I said carefully.

“Look, I’m telling you in advance. Honestly, I can’t guarantee that I can cure him. I’m definitely effective on wounds, but I’ve never experimented with ‘disease.’ So, don’t get your hopes up too high.”

“That means……”

“I know it’s not what you want to hear. But I thought it would be good to know for sure.”

“No, it’s not that……”

His frantically waving hand thrashed through the air and then grabbed my arm. Only then did I realize he was shaking badly.

“……Endil?”

“Are you really… the Water King? Is it real?”

“What?”

I wondered what he was talking about so suddenly, and I raised my head, but immediately shut my mouth. It was because Endil’s face was distorted as if he was about to cry. His eyes, staring uncertainly, clearly showed feelings of shock and confusion. At that sight, I clicked my tongue slightly. I thought he was strangely calm, but it seemed he wasn’t alright; he just hadn’t realized the reality.

“You’re quick to realize it now. You haven’t heard a word I’ve said until now, have you?”

“I, I heard you. But I couldn’t believe it… You said you weren’t. You’re the Pope……”

“Hmm, I’m sorry about that. I was having fun, so I was a little reluctant to reveal my identity.”

“Then really……”

“Yes, I am the Water Spirit King.”

At my answer, Endil gasped. He looked like he hadn’t expected me to actually confirm it, even though he was asking.

“You’re too much. You’ve been talking to me normally until now, and suddenly what’s this? You even openly made me a spirit master; how could you not realize it?”

“Ah, that’s… I thought it was a dream……”

“You even summoned Naias yourself.”

“I just thought I was seeing illusions……”

At his slow answer, I couldn’t hide my bewildered expression. Even if they are low-level, Water Spirits are basically wild. He must have felt a large amount of mana draining away when he summoned Naias. But he thought it was all a dream; he was quite dull. Endil hesitated, not knowing what to do, then suddenly seemed to realize something and quickly raised his head.

“Th, then am I really a spirit master? Can I see Cyciel again?”

“I told you so. But be patient for now. Your body can’t handle it, and even if you call him, he won’t be able to respond. He was already in a state where his body was damaged from overdoing it, and then the shock of reverse summoning was added. You need to rest for a while.”

“Yes? Overdoing it?”

Endil, who had a happy look on his face, made a puzzled expression at my words. I shrugged and replied.

“I told you. The reason you were able to make a spirit contract in the first place was all thanks to him. Even if it doesn’t seem like much, it’s a big burden for Cyciel. He did it at the risk of his life.”

“I, I didn’t know. I didn’t know at all.”

His voice trembled as he answered. His eyes were shaking, and it seemed like he had received a big shock.

“Actually, if it wasn’t for Cyciel, I wouldn’t have revealed my identity. I decided to step in because I felt sorry for him caring about you so much. Got it? So, be good to him from now on.”

“Yes, yes! I will. I promise I will never do anything shameful as a spirit master again.”

He raised one hand and declared solemnly. I had already cleared up most of the misunderstandings, so I didn’t have any particular complaints, but seeing him like that made even the slightest bit of resentment I had left in my heart disappear.

“Good, anyway, now that it’s come to this, I’ll help you as much as I can. I’m saying this just in case, but about me, to other people……”

“I, I won’t tell anyone, absolutely.”

“Yeah, that’s good.”

I smiled as I watched Endil shake his head firmly. Then tears welled up in his eyes.

“Are you going to cry again? You’re surprisingly a crybaby.”

“B, but… I can’t believe it. This is happening to me… I thought there would never be any hope again… Thank you! Thank you so much!”

As he spoke, Endil seemed to be overwhelmed with emotion and started to cry, holding his hands tightly. He was crying so sadly, it was as if he had become the tragic hero of a drama. *What would people think if they saw this scene?* I was relieved that it was just me and him here. Feeling awkward, I scratched the back of my head slightly.

“I said before, but I can’t guarantee that I can cure your brother’s illness.”

“I, it’s okay. J, just the fact that the Water King is coming to look at him is enough. Cecil will be really happy too.”

“If that’s the case, that’s a relief.”

“Really. I’m so happy just to see the Water King like this……”

“Hmm, but don’t you know my name?”

“Ah, I know. You’re Elquines.”

“Then why do you keep calling me the Water King?”

“W, well, I’m just an ordinary elf. How dare I call the Spirit King’s name so carelessly.”

I frowned slightly at his words, which he stammered out with a flustered expression. He can’t call my name because I’m the Spirit King. Most people become cautious when they find out my identity, but this was the first time I’d seen this kind of reaction, so it felt a little new.

“What’s that? Just call me by my name. I find that much easier to hear.”

“Hmm, then Elquines-nim [a respectful suffix]?”

“El.”

“Yes?”

“Call me El. That’s my nickname.”

Then Endil was startled and waved his hands. His reaction was so extreme that I was even more embarrassed.

“N, no way! How can I use your nickname…!”

“What’s wrong with that? Nicknames are made to be easy to call. Everyone else calls me that. Besides, that name is very famous. Are you going to call me Elquines in front of people?”

“Hmm, that’s true, but……”

“See? So just call me El.”

“…Yes, El-nim.”

Endil hesitated, then bowed his head deeply and answered. Even so, his ears, sticking out on either side, were all red, so I felt like I knew what expression he was making even without looking.

I chuckled and patted Endil’s head. *Is it because I’ve seen all his bad sides from the beginning?* I felt like I could continue to have a good relationship with this guy in the future.

* * *

“The Crest of the God……”

“……!”

At the low voice in my ear, my steps stopped automatically. I was on my way to the cabin after parting with Endil. The hallway was empty, but I instinctively knew someone was there. Sure enough, a man with black hair appeared from behind the pillar I was staring at. It was the demon, Lucarim, who had been following me for some time. When our eyes met, he said smoothly.

“These days, Spirit Kings seem to have quite flashy side jobs? To think you’re the Pope… This is quite something. Did you have a friendship with the God of Punishment? You continue to surprise me in many ways.”

*Good, I was wondering what to do with you anyway.* I glared at him with a stiff face and said.

“That’s good. There was something I wanted to confirm.”

“Hmm, what confirmation?”

“Are you going to report this to the Demon King?”

Then he widened his eyes slightly and laughed as if it was interesting.

“Of course not. A demon who has already decided to disobey orders wouldn’t do such a thing, would he? I’m not that loyal. Besides, why would I ruin such an interesting situation myself?”

“You think this is interesting?”

“Yes, very interesting. I feel like I’ve gained an unexpected harvest. I came all the way here, but I was actually at a loss as to what to do. By the way, I’m even very excited about how things will proceed in the future.”

…I don’t know why that sounds like a curse. Anyway, I was relieved that he had no intention of snitching [informing on someone]. Even though he was an unreliable demon, I didn’t think he would lie about something like this. So, I said honestly.

“That’s a relief. The Demon God is already in a bad mood; I didn’t want to make things worse here.”

“Hmm? Why is the Demon God in a bad mood?”

“Why else? A Pope from another church has appeared in the territory of the empire where he reigns as the supreme god. In this case, a religious war could break out if you’re unlucky, right? There are even rumors that the Demon God’s church has already started preparing for war.”

“Ah, that’s what you were talking about. But were you worried about that? I thought the Water King would rather want such a situation.”

“Huh? What are you talking about?”

At those words, Lucarim’s eyes lit up and he reached out to me. His hand touched the circlet on my forehead. I stopped breathing for a moment at the words that followed.

“Isn’t this a treasure of the Demon God’s Church?”

“……!”

“I have a good memory, even for a demon. I remember seeing it displayed in the Demon God’s Temple a long time ago. Even that it was stolen and lost in the middle.”

I never thought someone would recognize the circlet here. As I stiffened without realizing it, Lucarim stared at the circlet openly and said.

“At first, I thought I was mistaken, but now I’m sure. I never thought this would end up in the hands of the Water King. You probably acquired it by chance, right?”

“W, well, that’s right……”

“Hmm, but how many people would believe that? Do you know? The fact that you, who possess this, are a priest of the God of Punishment already establishes a declaration of war against the Demon God’s Temple.”

‘Lapissss―――!’

My face must have turned pale. Lucarim, who was staring at me with a serious expression, burst out laughing.

“Haha, I’m just kidding, just kidding. You don’t have to be so nervous.”

“Huh? Just…kidding?”

“Well, who would recognize that circlet now? It’s only because it’s me that I remembered it; most humans don’t even know it existed.”

“…Were you just trying to scare me?”

“Excuse me. Your reaction was too funny.”

*Is this what it feels like to have homicidal intent?* I wanted to blow his face off right now. But the demon in front of me wasn’t easy to deal with either. He quickly continued his words to block my actions in advance.

“While we’re at it, it’s not that special to have two Popes in one empire. It’s been happening often since before. Moreover, the higher gods generally coexist in an atmosphere of mutual respect. So, maybe the conflict will not happen as much as you worry about. And even if a war breaks out, so what?”

“What do you mean, so what……”

“The current Demon God’s Church is too lazy to be a match for the Church of Punishment. No matter how successful you were in the past, once you become an old man, you can’t beat the young heroes who are rising up. They’ll only lose if they start a war. They’ll clash a few times and then give up on their own, right away?”

*Wait a minute! Aren’t demons the creations of the Demon God? Is it okay to evaluate the Demon God’s Church like that?* I looked at Lucarim with a dumbfounded feeling. Then, as if he noticed what I meant, he smiled and said.

“I’m just telling the truth. No matter how much I want to look at it favorably, I can’t pretend not to know the obvious. If I were in Elquines’ position, I would rather use my status as Pope to encourage war. Wouldn’t it be fun to change the supreme god of the empire at this opportunity?”

“……Are you really a demon?”