Elqueeness [EN]: Chapter 222

It was Endil who regained consciousness first. Even after opening his eyes, he remained in a daze for quite some time, seemingly unable to feel anything. Everyone watched him with anxious eyes.

“Endil? Are you feeling any better?”

At Kaitain’s question, his eyes, which had been wandering aimlessly, stopped. His blurry gaze gradually began to focus. He slowly looked around, and after a moment of sending questioning glances at the people staring at him, his face suddenly hardened as if struck by lightning. He had finally realized his current state.

“Huh?”

As soon as his eyes cleared, Endil abruptly sat up. His hands moved busily, patting his body with a bewildered expression. Kaitain smiled and explained, seeing his face that seemed to be asking what had happened.

“The procedure was successful. Congratulations, Endil. You succeeded.”

“……! R-really?”

Endil’s eyes widened as he wore an expression of disbelief. Seeing his reaction reminded me of the faces of our companions from earlier. When we first announced the news, Kaitain and the others outside the door had all worn similar expressions. Especially the group who had only found out about the situation in the morning were even more surprised.

It must have been bewildering to see a child’s fate change overnight. I had been caught up in it because Lapis started right away, but looking back, we had rushed into things without much of a plan. It was a great relief that it was successful. If we had failed, I wouldn’t have been able to face everyone.

In any case, the result was good, and I was more confident than ever. Instead of scolding me for what had happened, the others rejoiced with me, so the atmosphere in the room was very bright. Anyone who saw us would know that something good had happened. There was no way Endil, who was quick-witted, wouldn’t have noticed the situation. Nevertheless, he still seemed unable to believe it. He looked at his smooth chest without scars and wore an even more doubtful expression. Endil glanced at Lapis standing in the corner, then turned his gaze to me. When I smiled and nodded, relief and joy appeared on his previously anxious face.

“Cecile…….”

I shrugged and stepped aside so he could see behind me. When he found Cecile sleeping soundly in the other bed, Endil hurriedly got up. He rushed over and almost clung to her, slowly tracing his sister’s face with his eyes.

“Ah……!”

His widened eyes seemed to tremble, and tears quickly welled up. Endil, who had taken care of his sister all his life, couldn’t possibly miss the changes in Cecile that I had noticed as well. Endil repeatedly stroked Cecile’s face, her brighter skin, and her hair.

“Aaaah……!”

Each time, a sound that was neither a moan nor a sob escaped from his lips. It was the sound of swallowing the rising emotions and countless lingering feelings. Even I, who was watching, felt like crying and swallowed hard. The eyes of the other companions were also red.

Tears fell like beads, wetting Cecile’s cheeks. Perhaps it was the cold sensation that brought her back to consciousness. Cecile’s eyelids, which had been closed, fluttered, and her light purple eyes slowly opened. Everyone held their breath at the sight.

“Umm…… Brother?”

The girl, blinking in a daze, looked at Endil crying in front of her and wore a puzzled expression. When she reached out her hand, Endil quickly grabbed it.

“Cecile! Cecile, are you okay? Do you recognize me?”

“Yes, Brother. Why are you crying? Were you sad because of me again?”

Cecile, wearing an affectionate expression, wiped away Endil’s tears with both hands. When Endil shook his head while crying, she even hugged his head tightly and patted him. Her composed demeanor, as if she was used to this situation, warmed my heart.

“Huh?”

Cecile, who had been focused on comforting Endil for a while, belatedly discovered us and widened her eyes.

“Who are you?”

Her small shoulders stiffened as if she was nervous at the sight of strangers. Seeing this, Kaitain hurriedly stepped forward. Cecile’s expression visibly brightened when she recognized him.

“It’s okay, Cecile. These are the people who came to help Cecile.”

“To help me?”

“Yes, they treated Cecile all night.”

With those words, Kaitain naturally brought me to the forefront. He seemed to be trying to introduce Lapis as well, but he avoided eye contact, leaving only me caught in the situation. Thanks to that, I could only smile awkwardly as I stepped forward. Then, Cecile’s eyes grew even wider.

“Wow, an angel.”

“Puhaha!”

The owner of the boisterous laughter was Lapis. Yeah, there’s no way you wouldn’t laugh after hearing that. I glared at the guy who was shaking with laughter, then gently stroked Cecile’s hair with the utmost kindness.

“Hello, Cecile. I’m El. Your brother’s friend.”

“Brother’s friend?”

Cecile stared at Endil with wide eyes as if to confirm. But Endil was busy holding back his tears and couldn’t even answer properly. Rather, his sobs seemed to have intensified.

“But why is Brother crying so much?”

“He’s happy.”

“Happy?”

“Yes, Cecile. How’s your body? Do you feel any different than usual?”

At those words, Cecile tilted her head and slowly touched her body. Afterward, the girl seemed to feel the changes in her body. Cecile frowned slightly and quickly touched her forehead. She blinked rapidly and shook her head from side to side. Then, she mumbled with a dazed expression.

“Brother. Something’s wrong with me.”

“Huh? W-wrong?”

Endil, perhaps flustered by the unexpected reaction, stopped crying and quickly raised his head. But I wasn’t too worried. Just looking at her face with its returning color, I could tell she was okay. As expected, Cecile looked back at her body and said.

“I’m not dizzy at all. I don’t have a fever either. My body feels so light. It’s really strange. Why is this happening? It feels like today is a very good day. Is it because I met an angel?”

Endil’s expression distorted at the sight of her smiling innocently, unaware of anything. He reached out and hugged his sister tightly in his arms.

“Brother?”

“That’s right, Cecile. It’s because you met an angel.”

A tearful voice flowed from between his clenched lips.

“What should I do? I’m so happy that I’m starting to get scared. It’s okay now, my sister. Everything’s okay now.”

Tears that had started flowing again dripped onto Cecile’s shoulder. Cecile, bewildered, remained quietly in his arms, gently patting his back. Endil closed his eyes and sobbed silently at the affectionate touch that returned the love he had given.

Bright sunlight poured in through the window. The sky, cleansed by the rain that had fallen the night before, was clearer than ever. The light, sparkling like jewels, seemed to illuminate the future of the two siblings.

They were siblings who had more days to live than they had lived, but I wasn’t too worried. I had a feeling that they would definitely do well.

“You’re leaving this place?”

Cecile, who had been awake for a while, quickly fell asleep again. It seemed that her body needed time to adjust for a while after undergoing major surgery. In the meantime, Endil made a significant decision. He decided to leave the hometown where he had lived since birth. When I looked at him in surprise, he nodded calmly.

“The owner of the store I’m helping now is a really good person. He has a younger sibling who seems to be doing business in the Carters Empire. I heard they need help, so I’m thinking of applying.”

“Are you sure about this?”

“Yes, actually, I’ve wanted to leave for a while now. If we stay here, I can’t avoid feeling indebted to the clan.”

The Elven Forest was under the jurisdiction of the High Elves, and just living within it meant that the two siblings were under their protection. Endil didn’t like that fact. It was natural that he didn’t like the situation where it felt like he was receiving their help, even though there was no actual exchange anymore.

Seciel, who had been by the two siblings’ side, shared the same opinion on this matter. Originally, he had planned to leave the forest as soon as he returned, but unlike expected, Cecile’s condition didn’t improve even with Kaitain’s divine power, so he couldn’t move rashly. Another problem was that Endil’s mana wasn’t yet sufficient to maintain Seciel’s summoning for long. Now that the biggest problem had been resolved, it seemed that he was hurrying the decision he had been putting off.

—I am deeply grateful for your boundless grace.

Seciel, who was summoned only after everything was settled, thanked us to the point of being tiresome. The sight of a fierce-looking wolf shedding tears was refreshing, but I couldn’t help but realize that he was seriously devoted to his family. I already knew how much he cared for Endil, but now it seemed that he cherished Cecile even more. I had a strong feeling that if Cecile grew up and got married later, he would wail even louder than Endil.

“But isn’t the Carters Empire too far away?”

“It is. Actually, I wasn’t even thinking of going this far. But it’s not easy to find a place where we, who are young and elves, can settle down. But I heard that the Carters Empire has a more natural view of different races than here.”

“Really?”

“Yes, I heard that the emperor there is desperate to discover talent. They say that if you have the skills, they will even employ different races. Thanks to that, I heard that different races have flocked there and formed villages centered around them. Cecile will be able to live well there.”

He had already investigated many things, as his explanation was seamless. He also said that he wouldn’t even inform the clan that he was leaving. He added that he would only calculate the cost of the food and rent he had received and leave it in the house. The companions listened with joyful expressions as Endil, caught up in the excitement, talked about his future plans. However, Isana alone wore a serious expression.

‘Isana?’

I looked at his thoughtful appearance with a puzzled expression. Then, a clear voice spread out.

“I would like to go with Endil as well.”

The person who calmly opened his mouth was none other than Kaitain. As everyone’s attention focused on him, he smiled gently as always.

“Mr. Kai, too?”

“Yes, would that be alright?”

“Well, if Mr. Kai wants to…….”

After all, my companionship with Kaitain was temporary from the beginning, and I didn’t have the authority to oppose his decision. Nevertheless, the fact that he was asking for my opinion meant that he regarded me not as a fleeting acquaintance but as a companion to continue with, which made me grateful. Rather, the person who was embarrassed by the decision was Endil.

“W-why, Priest?”

“Are you 싫어 [Siro – Korean for ‘do you dislike’?]”

“No, it’s not that, but…….”

“Then please take me with you. I came here to treat you, but I haven’t been helpful at all, and it bothers me. I want to at least help the two of you settle down in a good place.”

“W-what are you talking about! How much reassurance do you think we got from having Priest by our side! Don’t say you weren’t helpful in that way.”

“Haha, I’m grateful that you see it that way. To be honest, what I just said was just an excuse, and the truth is that I want to be with Endil and Cecile a little longer. I don’t know about Endil, but I’ve had quite a bit of fun.”

“I feel the same way! Are you going to be so unfair? I want to live together with Cecile, Seciel, and Priest in the future…… I wanted to say that too! I was barely holding back because I thought it would be a burden!”

“Is that true? I’m very happy.”

“Damn it, do you have to say it to know? Anyway, when I see you like this, Priest, you don’t know people’s hearts at all!”

Even while grumbling, Endil’s face was as red as a carrot, unable to hide his joy. Kaitain also looked touched and teary-eyed. It seemed that they had really grown fond of each other while living together. I felt very pleased by the strong bond that had been built between them, and on the other hand, I felt relieved.

If Kaitain, who was an adult man and a respectable priest, joined them, it would be much easier for the Endil siblings to settle in a foreign land. From my point of view, I felt like he had taken away one of my big worries thanks to his help. I really only receive help from him. I solved the problem with his consideration when I decided to help Endil in the past, and it was the same this time. If Lapis is like the sun that attracts everyone’s attention with his dazzling performance, Kaitain is like the moon, quietly filling the necessary parts without being too noticeable.

“Hey, how long are you going to stay here?”

The ‘sun’ said, as if he was bored with just sitting and waiting. The others all looked indifferent, but he was quite impatient. At Lapis’s blunt gaze, I shrugged to show that I would get up soon. Kaitain, reading the atmosphere between us, wore a regretful expression.

“Are you leaving?”

“Yes, I have to.”

Everything that needed to be done here was already finished. If it were a peaceful time, it would have been okay to stay for a few more days as if on vacation, but now there were mountains of things left to be solved. Even if Kanos solved the biggest problem, the evil god, I couldn’t let my guard down against the Grand Duke either. The process of driving him out would not be easy either. Kaitain didn’t hold us back because he knew our situation.

“I would like to recommend that you stay a little longer if I could, but since you have things to do, I can’t. Although I can’t be with you, I will always pray for everyone. May Ellyuen’s blessing be with El and your future.”

“Thank you. I hope Mr. Kai will always be safe as well.”

I responded with a bright smile to the most reassuring blessing (although Sibelius and Lapis distorted their faces). Endil was wearing an expression as if he was about to cry. Seeing that face made me laugh.

“Why are you making such a sad face? It’s not like we’ll never see each other again.”

“R-really, El? Can we meet again?”

“Of course. Even if we’re far apart, we’re connected by spirits. You, who are Seciel’s family, are also my family. Whether it’s the Carters Empire or anywhere else. If anything happens, contact me anytime. I’ll come running right away.”

Spirits and spirit masters are like family. I said it because I remembered what Kanos had said someday, and I felt even more proud after saying it. But something unexpected happened. Endil, who I thought would naturally be happy, burst into tears on the spot.