Elqueeness [EN]: Chapter 39

Isana and the knights embraced, tears flowing freely. The handsome young men clung to the boy, barely reaching their shoulders, like children seeking comfort. Isana gently stroked and reassured each of them. The scene felt perfectly natural. Only then, after this display of affection, did he, who seemed no older than myself, approach me with the bearing of an emperor.

Just then, I felt Isana’s gaze upon me. Despite his eyes being as red as a rabbit’s from crying, he addressed me in a deliberately composed tone.

“Elquines, there is something I would like to ask of you.”

“A favor?”

“…Will you help me?”

My eyes widened in surprise. I hadn’t anticipated Isana broaching the subject first. The knights, too, looked both surprised and touched.

As if self-conscious, Isana fidgeted, his expression stiff. Seeing him like that, I felt a sudden urge to tease him, and my smile widened.

“Hee, I thought you were about to terminate the contract at any moment?”

“Th-that’s… It’s all my fault. I misunderstood you. I am now deeply remorseful.”

“Hmm— really?”

“I’m serious. Please forgive me? I know it’s shameless to ask for such a favor. But I need you. Lend me your strength.”

“…Umm, okay. I understand.”

I had already resigned myself to the contract’s continuation. Besides, with him practically begging, I couldn’t find a reason to refuse. I readily agreed, and Isana’s face brightened.

“Really? You forgive me?”

“But I have a condition.”

“A condition?”

“First, stop using that old man’s 말투 [mal-tu: speech pattern/manner of speaking].”

“…Huh?”

Isana blinked in confusion, as if my condition was entirely unexpected. I nodded, thinking, ‘I knew it,’ at his faltering demeanor, as if caught off guard.

“You’re using that 말투 on purpose, aren’t you? You seem to be trying to sound like an adult, but it doesn’t suit you at all.”

“Wh-what? What are you talking about? I am…”

“It’s no use making excuses. You don’t seem to remember, but you definitely didn’t use that 말투 when you first summoned me.”

Isana’s face flushed red instantly. The knights were also clearing their throats, so they must have been aware of his affected speech as well.

“I understand that you’re an emperor, but at least stop it in front of me. I’ve been trying to bear with it, but it’s making me cringe, and I can’t listen to it anymore.”

“Making you cringe? What does that mean?”

“It means it’s too much to handle. Anyway, I’m not human, and I’m certainly not someone you need to maintain dignity or face in front of, right? So speak comfortably, please.”

“Umm…”

“Why? Don’t you want to?”

“Ah, no. I understand. I will.”

“Will?”

“Ah, I understand…”

Isana hurriedly corrected himself, stammering. His face, already red to his ears, looked as if it would spontaneously combust. I burst out laughing at his blatant, innocent reaction.

‘He’s unexpectedly cute.’

I was annoyed at one point, but I’m glad I made the contract after all. I felt like we could become good friends.

* * *

Thump!

A large wooden 잔 [jan: traditional Korean cup] slammed onto the table. The beer that had filled it was now gone, leaving only a ring of foam. The man who had just downed the bitter brew in one gulp wiped his lips roughly and roared.

“Khaaa! How long has it been since I’ve had such a feast! I feel alive!”

Before him, a mountain of food was piled high. It was closer to being scraps than a meal, but his hand, moving between his mouth and the table, didn’t stop. The men across from him were the same.

“Ugh— I love it. I’d happily eat myself to death with this.”

“Hehe, you crazy bastard. Shut up and eat more. We won’t get another chance like this for a while.”

“I know, you son of a bitch. Ah, I had my eye on that! Don’t touch it!”

“Bullshit! Finder’s keepers! You dare try to 선점질 [seonjeomjil: claiming something first]? Do you want to die?”

Amidst the barrage of crude curses, they snatched at the newly served dishes and devoured them greedily. Anyone would think they hadn’t eaten in days. Perhaps that’s why everyone else in the restaurant was staring at our table.

I smiled wryly and readjusted the hood covering my head.

“Don’t fight, eat slowly. There’s plenty of food.”

“Aigo, client. Of course, I’d like to, but that bastard keeps provoking me. You don’t know what a piece of trash that guy is. I should beat him up sometime to teach him a lesson.”

“What did you say, you son of a bitch? What the hell did you just 씨부렸냐 [ssiburyeotnya: a very rude way of saying ‘say’]?”

“What? Did I say something wrong?”

“You’re still acting like you’re so great! Okay, let’s see what you’ve got! Come on!”

“Who says I’m afraid to try?”

They hurled 삼류 건달 [samnyu geondal: third-rate gangster]-like insults and drew the crude swords hanging from their waists. Screams erupted from the other customers.

Although the shop was dark and cramped, it was packed with people for lunchtime. Even a small disturbance could easily escalate into a major incident. Finally, the owner, looking pale, rushed over and tried to dissuade them with a worried expression.

“Um, everyone. You’re disturbing the other customers. Please don’t do this here…”

“What? Don’t interfere, owner! Do you know who I am? I’m a swordsman who crossed the continent with this one sword! I’m the man who entered the dangerous 여인 부족국가 [yeoin bujokgukga: all-female tribal nation] Amadeus and came out alive, that’s what I’m saying!”

At the man’s boastful words, the restaurant owner seemed frightened and took a step back. But the other man only wore a more mocking expression.

“Hmph, you’re nothing more than a lowly 삼류 용병 [samnyu yongbyeong: third-rate mercenary]. You would have starved to death if it weren’t for the client, yet you’re exaggerating.”

“Oh, you son of a bitch!”

Ah, did I only make things worse instead of stopping them? The restaurant owner’s gaze quickly turned to me, conveying, ‘Why aren’t you stopping them?’

‘Yes, yes, I, the client, have to step in at times like this.’

I sighed and spoke in a deliberately firm tone.

“If you keep acting like this, I’m going to cancel the request and everything else. Are you still not going to stop?”

As expected, my words had a big impact, and they stopped fighting immediately. Then, grumbling, they quietly returned to their seats.

“…Tsk! You, I’m only sparing you because of the client! What bad luck!”

“Who are you to talk! Shut up and finish your meal!”

They began to stuff food into their mouths again as if competing. Thanks to that, it became much quieter, and the restaurant owner gave me a grateful look. Soon after they finished eating, I had them go outside first and then gestured to the restaurant owner. He came running over and said with a kind expression.

“Sir, would you like to pay?”

“Yes, please pay for everything. And I’m sorry for earlier. It was very noisy, wasn’t it?”

“No, not at all. Rather, I can’t thank you enough for calming them down. But you seem to be a traveler? Those people earlier seemed to be mercenaries.”

“Yes, they said they were free mercenaries. I had to visit a distant city, but I was worried about traveling alone, so I hired them.”

At those words, the restaurant owner nodded as if he expected it.

“I thought so. I sometimes see people traveling with hired mercenaries like you. Every time, I feel that mercenaries are all so rough. But your companions look quite refined, just by their appearance.”

“Ahaha. I-is that so? Well, they’re just mercenaries after all.”

“Hehe, I think you’re right. Their actions and 말투 are just like mercenaries. By the way, did you pack enough supplies for your trip? If you’re going to a distant city, you’ll need a lot of food. Judging by their appetite, the food costs won’t be cheap.”

“Um, actually, I didn’t prepare much. I was planning to stop by villages and buy supplies whenever I needed them, but there aren’t any suitable shops in this village.”

“Oh dear, it’ll be hard to find shops around here since they’re all just small villages.”

“Ugh, is that so? What should I do? My spare food is almost gone now…”

At my flustered tone, the restaurant owner scanned me up and down with a look of pity. It was the gaze of someone looking at a naive newbie who had set out on a journey without knowing anything.

“That must be very difficult. If it’s okay with you, would you like me to prepare some for you? It just so happens that there’s a market opening tomorrow, so I have some to spare.”

“Oh? Really? You’re a lifesaver. Then, while I’m asking, can I ask you to prepare a lot? Enough for five people to eat for a week.”

“Five people?”

“I prepared just enough for the number of people last time, and it ran out quickly. I’ll give you plenty of money.”

Saying that, I slipped a gold coin into the restaurant owner’s hand. Here, one gold coin was worth more than a month’s living expenses. The owner’s eyes widened when he saw it.

“Actually, I also need some cooking utensils and spices. If you can prepare those as well, I’ll give you another one like this.”

“Oh, oh my! Of course, of course. I’ll prepare them right away! Is there anything else you need separately? If you want, I can get you some water too.”

“Yes? Water? No, that’s okay. Please just prepare what I told you about now.”

“Yes! Please wait a moment!”

The owner, answering loudly, quickly ran towards the kitchen. I watched him with a smile and sighed briefly as soon as he disappeared.

‘Is this the fifth time…’

Fortunately, it seems I’ve succeeded in appearing as a ‘young and naive rich young master’ as planned. I was so nervous at first, but now I’ve gotten used to it and can handle the conversation with a bit of ease.

Still, I never expected to hear him say he’d even get me water. Did I look that gullible? I’m surprised at how talented I am at acting.

‘Well, even if I were to give out acting awards, it wouldn’t be as good as those guys…’