Elqueeness [EN]: Chapter 257

The departure ceremony was held in a solemn atmosphere. Before the assembled crowd, Isana ascended the platform and announced Grand Duke Yukarte’s atrocities, declaring him a traitor to the empire and guilty of defiling the name of the Evil God. Then, Duke Cavel proclaimed that he would recapture the Imperial City, and the soldiers roared, chanting Emperor Isana’s name. It was the moment the full-scale civil war began.

The advance party’s departure occurred on the same day, amidst the cheers of a large crowd. As the armed knights and soldiers passed by, shouts of good luck mingled with the weeping and cheering of the people. When Alisa’s direct unit passed, her banner displayed prominently, an unusually loud cheer erupted, and even flower petals were scattered to wish them victory. Her reputation was clearly well-deserved, as she was famous enough to be placed in the advance party.

As expected, the enthusiastic cheers greatly boosted the morale of the entire army. Watching the soldiers walking proudly with elated faces, I glanced at Isana, who stood with the Royal Knights in the distance. He was also looking in our direction. He and Duke Cavel’s main force would also depart within a few days, but it would take at least a few weeks or months before we met again. As Isana was the focal point of this journey and had always been with me, I felt a little strange at the thought of not seeing him for a while. Isana seemed to feel the same way, looking quite sad.

Still, the reason his appearance didn’t feel unsettling was probably because that was where Isana belonged. There was no sense of incongruity in his appearance as he stood on the high platform, looking down at the crowd. He looked as if he was born to be an emperor. When I smiled and waved, he smiled and waved back. That was the end of our short farewell.

The schedule afterward was boringly monotonous. When we first set out, it felt like a battle would break out at any moment, but once we started moving, we simply marched silently, and nothing significant happened. Because Clamor and the Imperial City were far apart, most of our time was spent traveling. With the prediction that we would have a proper engagement in a month, we continued the routine of walking all day and camping at night for six days.

“We will spend the night here today.”

As the sun began to set, the deep voice resonated again, as it had every day without fail. Count Marcus, the vanguard commander, a man larger than most, surveyed the surroundings with a stern gaze, issuing orders. He was a high-ranking knight and a seasoned warrior who had also led the vanguard in the battle of Lassen Castle. He was also the one who strongly advocated for Alisa’s placement in the advance party, impressed by her abilities.

Currently, Alisa’s unit was stationed not far from his. In the current formation, it was practically at the lead, but since the reconnaissance unit had already departed two days before the departure ceremony, we were actually located near the center of the advance party. I couldn’t discern any significant difference, but it was said to be less dangerous than reconnaissance. Of course, it was only *less* dangerous than reconnaissance.

As soon as the order was given, the soldiers quickly dispersed and began to set up camp in an orderly manner. Setting up tents, lighting bonfires, and preparing dinner was now a familiar routine. The food was prepared by each unit with the ingredients they received. Count Marcus was a commander with the admirable principle that ‘comrades who risk their lives are all equal,’ and therefore, he believed that everyone, regardless of status, should receive the same food. Thanks to this, all units were provided with the same ingredients.

However, as with all dishes, the taste of the food varied greatly depending on the chef’s skill, even with the same ingredients. In that sense, our unit was very lucky. Because we had Sibelius, who was more skilled than most professional chefs.

“Okay, it’s all done, so everyone bring your bowls.”

“Ooooooh!”

As soon as the awaited signal was given, the soldiers gathered in front of Sibelius with sparkling eyes. This was also one of the familiar scenes. During meal times, Sibelius took the lead in cooking, and after the food was completed, everyone lined up quietly and received their portions in order. At this moment, no one in this area could defy Sibelius.

Of course, it wasn’t always like this from the beginning. Sibelius had only joined as Alisa’s escort, and the soldiers in charge of cooking were clearly separate. Naturally, no one asked him to cook. But on the first day, Sibelius couldn’t stand the food they made.

He was the owner of a delicate palate who hated tasteless meals as much as poor diets. Of course, this also applied to Lapis. The difference was that Lapis only got annoyed, while Sibelius had the ability to change it. He started giving advice to the people making the food, and when he couldn’t stand it anymore, he volunteered to take over the cooking from the afternoon of the next day. As he did so, the original cooks naturally stepped back and only played a supporting role.

In a way, it was like a rolling stone pushing out the embedded stone, but no soldier was dissatisfied with that fact. Rather, the cooks themselves welcomed his intervention more actively. Frankly, it was understandable. After all, everyone wants to eat more delicious food if possible.

These days, rumors had spread to the neighboring units, and the number of people peeking around was increasing day by day. From yesterday, Count Marcus had also subtly joined in and started eating with us. Even he, who proclaimed fairness, couldn’t shake off the temptation of delicious food.

From Sibelius’s point of view, it was like taking on a very troublesome task, but thanks to that, he was completely assimilated into the unit. That was a somewhat unexpected gain. As Alisa’s personal escort, and known as the Emperor’s companion, we were quite alien existences in this unit. Among them, Sibelius, in particular, had been building an invisible wall with people because of his appearance, which revealed the characteristics of a different race. But with just one dish, that wall was rapidly collapsing.

“Chef! Can I have another bowl!”

“Who’s the chef? I’m Alisa’s bodyguard, you know?”

“Hey, but in my heart, you’re the best chef!”

“Shut up, and take more if you need it. I made plenty today because they gave me more ingredients.”

“Wow, I love you!”

“I don’t accept love from dark men!”

I chuckled as I watched the noisy crowd. I don’t know what Sibelius himself thought, but it was true that it was nice to see them getting along. Looking at that scene alone, it was as if the started war was someone else’s story. Even Lapis became somewhat more lenient during this time. Considering these points, delicious food might be an item that makes the world peaceful. …But I’ve become someone who can’t enjoy that peace.

“Haa.”

A sigh escaped involuntarily at the thought of the saddening feeling. Whether the food is delicious or not, it’s all irrelevant to me, who can’t feel the joy of eating. Rather, I had to find a place to pass the time appropriately at every meal, so it was a bit annoying.

‘…And one person who voluntarily broke away from peace.’

I quietly swallowed my breath as I discovered a man lying on a tree a little away from the camp, using his arms as a pillow. The man, precariously perched on a thick branch, had his eyes tightly closed.

He looked asleep, but he wasn’t actually asleep. His calmly spread hair rippled above his forehead whenever the wind blew. The color, which seemed black at first glance, was actually closer to navy blue. That was very unfamiliar, and I was embarrassed every time I saw it. Until recently, it had only been as black as jet.

‘Deron.’

I tried to call his name, but swallowed it. After his hair color changed, it wasn’t easy to talk to him. Instead, I chose to stroke the egg I was holding in my arms. Beyond the high temperature of the egg, I could feel a steady heartbeat, thump, thump. It was a beat that had been maintained without change since I received it from Deron.

At dawn on the fourth day of the expedition, he suddenly appeared in front of me as if he had cut through the black space. At that time, I was wandering alone outside the camp every night, waiting for him to return. Minerva had already told me that the cloak’s maintenance period had long passed. He should have returned to Arkadon [Likely a city or region in the Demon World] by now, but there was no news.

Could he have been discovered by the Evil God? We had left first, but with Deron’s skills, catching up wouldn’t be a problem. It was natural for my thoughts to lean towards the worst-case scenario. Even if I was curious and worried, I couldn’t go to a place that was impossible for me to find, so I was even more frustrated. So when he appeared unharmed, I was more angry than happy.

“Deron!”

“I’m sorry for being late.”

Deron apologized calmly. Looking back, he already looked more depressed than usual at that time. But at that moment, I didn’t realize that fact.

“What the hell happened? Why are you so late? Do you know how worried I was… !”

I grabbed him and questioned him, then stopped talking. Because his changes, which were not noticeable at a glance in the middle of the night, began to be visible.

“Deron. Your hair color…”

At my flustered words, he blinked blankly and slowly swept his hair up with one hand. His eyes contained agitation, like someone who had realized something they didn’t want to realize. Seeing his face distort as if screaming, I quietly calmed my breath.

It wasn’t just his hair color that had changed. The nature of the magic he possessed had also changed. If you were to distinguish it by strong or weak, it would be the stronger side than before. But before discussing that, it was like he had become a completely different person. I recognized him because he showed his face, but if I had only felt his presence, I wouldn’t have thought it was him.

“What happened?”

“…”

Only then did Deron’s appearance come into view one by one. Come to think of it, his face was all messed up. It didn’t look like he was hurt, but he was so emaciated that his bones stood out, and the area under his eyes was all black. He looked as precarious as a patient who had just woken up from a terrible illness.

“Could there be a problem with the egg?”

Since that was the reason why he risked going to the Demon World, I couldn’t think of anything else. Deron slowly shook his head at me, who was looking at him anxiously.

“No. The Lord is safe.”

With his answer, he took the egg out of his arms. A sigh of relief escaped as I saw the intact golden egg. He handed me the egg, and I accepted it without realizing it. A strong vitality and strong pulsation were transmitted from inside the solid surface. It felt like it would bounce around like a rugby ball if I didn’t hold it tightly. Looking at it like this, I can see how calm it has been so far. If this state is normal, Deron would have been worried about it.

Fortunately, it seems that he finished his business safely. But why does he look so painful? I instinctively knew that his changed hair color and magic were related to him, but I couldn’t bring myself to ask. I could tell that he was barely holding on right now. If I touched him, he would collapse and never be able to get up again. Fortunately, Deron opened his mouth before the silence became any longer. But the business was completely unexpected.

“…El. Can I ask you one thing?”

“A favor?”

“Would you name the child to be born, Asmodel?”

The following voice contained a deep lingering sound and shook. It was a sad echo that made my heart sink. Before I could even understand the meaning, I reflexively nodded my head first. There was no reason to refuse. “Thank you.” His face brightened as he repeatedly thanked me as if he was really relieved. Seeing his complexion improve a little, I mustered up the courage to ask.

“Why is your hair color like that?”

“Ah, this is… the mark of the Northern Duke.”

“The Northern Duke?”

My head was busy trying to figure out the meaning. Having the mark of the Northern Duke means that he has become the Northern Duke of the Demon World. Then what happened to the existing Northern Duke? When I looked at him with questions, Deron swept his hair up again. He fiddled with it awkwardly for a while, then made a bitter expression in response to my gaze.

“It just happened.”

A helpless smile hung on his face as he whispered. He was reluctant to explain any further, so I had to swallow my questions and not ask any further. I couldn’t ask about the situation in the Demon World or the well-being of Kanos. I could only guess that something very depressing had happened.

I don’t think I’ve ever seen him smile since that day. I looked at Deron lying on the tree again. He wasn’t a person with very diverse expressions in the first place, but there is a big difference between not smiling and not being able to smile. Deron was clearly in the latter state right now.

He had been skipping all meals for days and hardly slept. He had never even talked to the other members of the group. He occasionally cared about the condition of the egg, but that was also just fulfilling his given role like a programmed system. Even then, he left most of it to me, and spent more time alone, blankly. Just like now.

‘Even if he’s a demon, it would be dangerous not to eat for so long like that.’

I don’t know when he will return to his former self. It was clear that he was swallowed up in depression, but I was at a loss because there was nothing I could do for him. I can’t recklessly touch a part that might have a counterproductive effect. If Deron needs time alone, it would be considerate to give it to him. I chose to avoid the place so as not to disturb him. Even if I was worried, it would be better to leave him alone for the time being to pull himself together.

“Will you get a little better when you are born? Huh? What do you think, Asmodel?”

Even while going to another secluded place, I kept stroking the egg. The pulsation in my arms grew bigger when I called the name. It felt like it was responding to my words, so a bitter smile appeared.

At that moment, I found it.