Elqueeness [EN]: Chapter 15

The next day.

Ifrit heard the news that Elquines had departed for the underworld, and it felt like a lie.

At first, he couldn’t believe Elquines had simply vanished, especially since he hadn’t seen him off or even said goodbye. *To the very end, he was selfish,* Ifrit thought.

Out of resentment, Ifrit wished that another Elquines would never be born. The only Elquines he acknowledged was *him*, the one who was gone.

But as if by some cruel twist of fate, that wish came true. Another Elquines was not born.

Then came the Arkhadon calamity. The absence of the Water Spirit King had far more serious consequences than Ifrit had imagined. The Spirit Kings realized just how vital their existence was to the world.

Springs and rivers dried up. The sea became undrinkable, even after filtering, due to the extreme salinity, and the desert expanded relentlessly.

With the gods’ help, they barely managed to prevent complete destruction, but the devastated land seemed beyond recovery, even if Elquines were to return. Ifrit’s heart was heavy, feeling responsible for the disaster.

*If only I hadn’t told him to disappear back then… No, if only I hadn’t wished that this Elquines wouldn’t be born…*

If that were the case, he wouldn’t feel even half the guilt he felt now.

In reality, his words weren’t the cause of the calamity, but Ifrit blamed himself nonetheless.

Amidst all this, the rebirth of Elquines, who had been silent for so long, felt like salvation, even setting aside the issue of Arkhadon’s recovery. Therefore, Ifrit felt no animosity toward the newly born Water Spirit King. On the contrary, his fondness was even stronger.

The moment he sensed the birth of water, he was deeply moved, and seeing the water realm filled with life again brought him tearful joy. When he discovered Elquines standing like a painting within it, he felt a thrill for the first time in his life.

The newly born Elquines had the same blue hair and transparently pale skin as the previous one, with exquisitely sculpted features. Overall, he had an androgynous appearance, neither feminine nor masculine, which stirred a strange impulse within Ifrit.

Outwardly, he didn’t resemble the previous Elquines much, but he possessed the same clear aura unique to the Water Spirit King. No, it felt even clearer and cooler. *His soul must be incredibly pure and beautiful,* Ifrit thought. *That’s why I like him even more.*

However, the moment Elquines’s gaze turned toward him, Ifrit almost choked. The same clear blue eyes as the previous Elquines, so vivid that he could mistake him for his predecessor, held a subtle smile as he took in the other Spirit Kings.

A smile that suited his beautiful appearance, making even those who saw it feel good. Just by looking at it, one could sense his gentle nature. But that appearance irritated Ifrit.

*Why is he smiling like such an idiot!*

Throughout the generations, Elquineses had been cold and aloof. There was no other way to describe it. They didn’t keep any beings other than spirits by their side, and they rarely spoke to anyone. Smiling or considering another’s feelings was as rare as finding water in a desert. Even among the spirits, they only cared for the water spirits, making others uncomfortable, even from a colleague’s perspective.

That tendency was most pronounced in the previous Elquines. Except for Ifrit, who would constantly provoke him, it became an unspoken rule that no one would speak to him first.

*How could someone born into such a family of jerks have such a promiscuous smile!* The awkwardly uttered, “Hello?” was even more ridiculous. *Since when did Elquines become a being who greeted others?* Seeing Minerva and Trowell becoming even more fond of him, the anger that had been simmering within him threatened to explode.

*I can’t believe that such a guy inherited Elquines’s abilities!*

So, he deliberately ruined their first meeting to see him angry, and he didn’t even offer proper advice to help him awaken his abilities because he wanted to see him struggle.

At first, it was fun to tease this kind-hearted Water Spirit King. It was amusing to see him argue back every time he picked a fight, only to eventually lose, and it was satisfying to see him struggle with the difficult teaching methods.

But strangely, Elquines didn’t seem genuinely angry when he grumbled at him. No matter how harsh the words, his feelings were only hurt for a moment, and in the end, he would smile again. It was as if he lacked the capacity for anger.

That irritated Ifrit all the more. Elquines’s deliberate refusal to get angry felt like he was mocking Ifrit for seeking the previous Elquines in him.

Because of that, Ifrit treated him more harshly as the days went by. And today, he finally declared their breakup and returned.

Only after returning to the Fire Realm and calming down did he realize his mistake, but it was already too late. What he had intended as a little sulking had grown uncontrollably. In his opinion, the emotional rift between himself and Elquines seemed too deep to bridge.

“How many years will it last? A hundred years? Three hundred years? This time, it might really be over a thousand years…”

Ifrit muttered, slumped in a corner in a depressed pose. If he hadn’t heard a familiar shout from behind at that moment, he would have remained there for years.

“Hey, Ifrit! Are you going to ignore me and sulk for a thousand years? Hey! No matter how much you hate me! Isn’t that too much?”

“……!”

* * *

As soon as I arrived, I was confronted by a huge fire pit.

The floor was entirely charred black, and uncooled red embers spewed out like fountains from the cracks. Dark red pillars rose into the hazy, ashen sky, and thick lava flowed like waterfalls from above.

It felt like witnessing the end of the world from a movie. *Living in a place like this, it’s no wonder Ifrit’s personality is like that,* I thought. For some reason, I swallowed hard, feeling exhausted just from looking at it.

*Wouldn’t I get burned if I just walked through here?*

I hesitated and looked down. I hadn’t been conscious of it when I was in the water, but now I was barefoot.

It wasn’t particularly hot or painful, but I felt psychologically resistant to walking through this bright red mass of fire.

*I wish I had shoes on.*

Then, something amazing happened. I felt a slight tickle under my feet, and in an instant, sneakers appeared on my feet!

*…Huh?*

*What is this? If I just think about it, it appears on its own?*

Having already experienced spirit speech [telepathic communication with spirits], it wasn’t exactly surprising, but it was still fascinating. Moreover, sneakers. The shape was quite similar to the ones I used to wear. The clothes I’m wearing now too. It seems that it’s only created in a form familiar to me, influenced by my thoughts.

*I wonder if it can change into other clothes too?*

Unable to resist the rising curiosity, I focused my mind and imagined the attire of this place. Then, this time too, I felt a ticklish sensation, and the clothes I was wearing slowly began to change into a different form before my eyes. Just as I had imagined, it was a flowing outfit befitting the attire of this realm.

“Wow…”

I exclaimed, turning around and looking at the changed clothes. I even considered transforming them into other outfits while I was at it. I had completely forgotten why I came here.

Then, suddenly, a bright red figure popped up in front of me.

―Um, Lord Elquines?

“Eek! Haa! Wh-what is it, Ignis! You startled me.”

The high-ranking Fire Spirit Ignis appeared. I grabbed my pounding heart (though it doesn’t actually exist), surprised by the sight of the large fire eagle that came up to my waist.

―I-I’m sorry, Lord Elquines. I kept seeing you standing in one place, so I presumptuously wondered if there was something wrong. Please forgive me…

“Huh? No, why would I forgive you for something like that…? It’s okay, don’t worry about it. More importantly, where is Ifrit?”

―The King is currently in his chamber.

“Chamber? …But where is that, exactly?”

―If you go to the right, you will find it.

Ifrit’s realm also had the same basic structure as my Water Realm. It’s just an endlessly wide space that continues on and on, like a large one-room apartment. The size is almost beyond a baseball field, but it was definitely a simple structure.

However, compared to the Water Realm, which is just blue (but with considerable depth), the Fire Realm had sparse rocks scattered here and there, so it wasn’t an open view. It seemed difficult to find Ifrit just by wandering around aimlessly.

I slowly started walking in the direction Ignis pointed. I flinched every time an ember popped out from the floor as I walked. But I couldn’t go back just because I didn’t want to walk on the fire floor after coming all this way, so I had no choice. I just had to close my eyes and walk.

Fortunately, I soon found small furniture, including tables and ornaments. Just like the seaweed and shells attached to the bedding in my realm, the furniture here was all heated and red-hot. Ifrit was sitting right below it, muttering something with a serious face.

*What is he doing?*

I carefully approached him, making sure not to make a sound. Then, I heard Ifrit’s voice muttering to himself. He had abandoned his usual lively, even arrogant tone, and his muttering voice was full of discouragement. Of course, the content was extraordinary.

“How many years will it last? A hundred years? Three hundred years? This time, it might really be over a thousand years…”

*Cough! He’s not talking about the period he’ll be cutting ties with me, is he?* I thought he looked dejected, so he must be aware of his mistake, but a thousand years! This is too much! What did I do so wrong!

I couldn’t stand it anymore and suddenly stepped forward, shouting.

“Hey, Ifrit! Are you going to ignore me and sulk for a thousand years? Hey! No matter how much you hate me! Isn’t that too much?”

“……!”

Then, surprised by my sudden appearance, Ifrit raised his head sharply. But that was only for a moment, and the moment his eyes met mine, he shook his head and buried his face in his knees again. He was shivering as if he had seen something he shouldn’t have. He was blatantly ignoring me, and I trembled.

*Now you’re going to disregard a person… no, a spirit right in front of your eyes?* Thanks to that, the thought of apologizing disappeared completely.

Alright! Fine, Ifrit. I accept your challenge. Let’s go all the way! I shouted, pointing at Ifrit with one finger.

“Eeeit! I can’t stand it anymore! It’s a duel, Ifrit! I won’t go easy on you even if you look like a girl!”

“Shut up! What nonsense are you spouting, you illusion… Huh? What, you were really Elquines?”

*What, did he just treat me like an illusion?*

I couldn’t help but be dumbfounded by his surprised expression, as if he had just recognized me. The battle mode that had been ignited was turned off again. They say that when a person is too dumbfounded, they lose the energy to get angry, and that’s exactly how I felt. But even so, this Spirit King, who doesn’t know how to reflect, was now glaring at me openly.

“…Why are you here? I told you I wouldn’t see you again?”

Hmph, you think I’ll be intimidated if you say that? I already have a trump card, that’s what I’m saying. I smiled confidently, meeting Ifrit’s gaze.

“I heard everything from Trowell. You used to fight like this with the previous Elquines all the time, right? He even said it was refreshing to see after so long. Why are you sulking like a child over something like that?”

“Wh-what? A child?”

“Honestly, did I say anything wrong? You liked the previous Elquines, didn’t you? Even if I’m oblivious, I can tell that much, you know? What’s so embarrassing about it that you’re hiding it?”

“Ha! I-I’m speechless! You still haven’t come to your senses, have you? Who likes who?”

“Then you’re really saying it’s not true? Hey— I don’t think that makes sense no matter how I think about it. Then why couldn’t you counter my words earlier?”

“Ugh! Th-that’s… Wh-what, you! Did you come to pick a fight even more because that wasn’t enough earlier? I guess Trowell didn’t tell you this! I don’t associate with people I hate, even if it’s been over a hundred years!”

Ifrit jumped up from his seat like a spring, shouting. Sparks seemed to be dripping from his wide eyes.

I flinched for a moment at his fierce attitude, but I didn’t give in and glared back at Ifrit.

“Hee, really? I didn’t know that. A hundred years… Didn’t you say a thousand years earlier? From a thousand years to a hundred years, I should be grateful, I guess. Should I come back in a hundred years?”

“Wh-what did you say?”

Ifrit trembled as if struck by lightning. He probably didn’t expect me to retaliate this much. Well, I’m surprised by my own eloquence right now, so how much more would others be.

“I don’t need it! Whether it’s a hundred years or a thousand years, I’m never seeing you again, so don’t come looking for me!”

“Really?”

“Y-yes! Really! What! Are you saying you don’t believe me? If you keep pushing me like that, you think I’ll apologize or something! That’s out of the question!”

Ifrit, who had already turned red (with anger) beyond control, waved his hands wildly as if he would chase me out right away. But the most important word, ‘Leave!’ couldn’t come out of his mouth and had no choice but to fade away. Because of the ‘trump card’ I brought.