Elqueeness [EN]: Chapter 390

390.

“No way.”

The refusal came so quickly that I reflexively flinched. Lapis, arms crossed and looking down at me, appeared as indifferent as ever. But he actually became calmer when he was truly angry. As proof, an icy aura, quite uncharacteristic of his red eyes, was emanating from them.

“You’re always causing trouble. Where do you think you’re going to wander off to this time? What did you promise me?”

“To stay here until the Purification Circle is finished…”

“Then you understand how absurd your request is.”

“Yes, but still…”

When I made that promise, I was only trying to appease Lapis, who was clearly furious. I thought I could handle the slight inconvenience of not being able to check on or interfere with Isana and Alisa. And so far, there hadn’t been any major problems. However, the progress on the Water Barrier Circle seemed slower than expected. It had been two days longer than originally anticipated, and the circle, which should have been completed by now, was still nowhere near finished. I suspected it was because I wasn’t participating, so I wanted to join in now, but Lapis wouldn’t allow it.

“Do you think I’ll fall for the same trick twice?”

“I’ve told you countless times, I didn’t trick you on purpose. There was no time to tell you.”

“Don’t be ridiculous. You, who can teleport without even calculating coordinates, didn’t have time to stop by? You probably avoided me on purpose because you knew I’d object.”

“Well…”

“See? You can’t deny it, can you? It seems you’ve got this image of me as some clingy guy stuck in your head. Fine, I’ll play along.”

“…Couldn’t you try to improve your image instead?”

“Why would I do that for anyone’s benefit but my own?”

Yeah, I knew he’d say that. If he said he’d think about it, he wouldn’t be Lapis, but some other guy wearing a Lapis mask. It was a completely expected response, so I didn’t even have the energy to get angry. I sighed quietly, and Lapis’s eyebrows twitched dramatically. I was quite familiar with that expression and knew roughly what it meant. Tae-jin used to give me that look all the time. It meant, ‘What right do you have to sigh, you little brat?’

‘What did I do so wrong, anyway?’

Come to think of it, Tae-jin was also the type to oppose everything I tried to do and nag me endlessly. And now Lapis is doing it here. I don’t know what’s going on. Do I have some kind of aura that attracts nagging friends? Or am I destined to have naggers as friends?

“What are you thinking about that’s making you look like that?”

“What kind of look am I giving?”

“Like you’ve had some kind of epiphany?”

“…Maybe I have.”

Lapis looked even more bewildered at my absent-minded reply, then frowned. He seemed to think I was trying to evoke sympathy.

“Why make a promise in the first place if you can just change it whenever you want?”

“That’s why I’m asking for your understanding.”

“Well, I’m asking for your understanding that I won’t allow it.”

“…Hey.”

“No matter what you say, it’s not going to happen. I’m not going to keep accommodating your whims just to make you feel better. I think I’ve done enough of that already.”

A strange sense of defiance arose, but I couldn’t argue. It was true that Lapis had made a lot of concessions and endured a lot. He was stuck as a mana pillar against his will, unable to move, and he must have felt left out and angry that everyone else was hanging out together. It was only natural that he’d be even more displeased that I was trying to go somewhere unnecessarily.

“You yield this time. A Spirit King is also a being with the power of language. The words they speak must have meaning. You clearly said you’d stay by my side. Keep your promise.”

That was it. Seeing him come out this strong, there was no way he’d back down. In the end, I raised both hands in surrender.

“But could you be a little more precise with your wording? I only said I wouldn’t go around alone anymore and would stick with you.”

“That’s what that means.”

“No, it feels quite different. If you put cheese on samgyetang [Korean ginseng chicken soup], it becomes a completely different dish, right?”

“Sam… what?”

“The recipe is important.”

Lapis stared at me intently as I emphasized my point seriously. He had a rather ambiguous expression, but this time, its meaning was easy to read. Usually, when Tae-jin made that face, he’d always say one thing.

‘What’s that kid going to be when he grows up?’

…People are said to unite when they have the same dislikes rather than the same likes. Why does that saying come to mind at this moment? I thought Tae-jin and Lapis were completely different types, but they might actually get along well if they met. To be reminded of my missing friend’s traits by something like this made me feel a little sad.

‘Whatever I do in the future, I’ll do it with you.’

The promise I made carelessly to appease the angry Lapis had tied me down. Doing nothing and just passing the time was boring, and Lapis was usually quiet unless he needed to say something. So, I left him alone and openly checked on the others’ situations.

Even though it hadn’t been many days, the situation in the Carters Empire was changing moment by moment. The space magic Serium used that day had taken them back to the academy. It seemed that his mana wasn’t sufficient to move a large group over a long distance, and he also thought it was best to hide in plain sight.

If the Emperor had still been alive, it might have been a somewhat risky move, but it turned out to be a good choice. They were able to quickly grasp the situation in the Imperial Palace. They quickly realized that we had disappeared from the scene and that the situation had calmed down to some extent. After that, things proceeded smoothly. Raon Hwizen returned to the Imperial Palace to take control of the situation and announced to the world that the Emperor and his brothers were all dead. It seemed they covered it up by saying that the Second Prince had murdered the Emperor and his brothers, and Raon Hwizen had dealt with him as he tried to escape.

Since Raon Hwizen was the only surviving heir, it was only natural that he would become the next Emperor. For the people of the Empire, it was as if the Emperor had suddenly changed overnight. Because of this, a considerable amount of unnecessary noise followed. In particular, the nobles who had supported the Second Prince strongly opposed it. They claimed that the real parricide [the act of killing one’s father] who had killed his father and brothers was the Crown Prince, and that he had pinned his crimes on the Second Prince. The dead cannot speak, and all those who had witnessed the situation from beginning to end were on the Crown Prince’s side, so it was only natural that suspicion would arise.

This issue would probably follow him like a tag throughout his reign. He might be able to remove it if he revealed all the circumstances, but to do so, he would have to expose all the misdeeds his father had committed. Raon Hwizen seemed to have chosen to live with the tag rather than do that, just like Isana, who bore the disgrace of her father.

In any case, Raon Hwizen seemed to be immediately preparing for the coronation. Serium was also expected to return as the Chief Imperial Magician. Isana’s Royal Guard had left for an intermediate meeting point to report on the situation, and Alisa had gone to Asel’s house. Initially, Raon Hwizen had offered her a place to stay in the Imperial Palace, but Asel vehemently opposed it and stopped him. I happened to see the situation, and it was quite amusing.

“Shouldn’t someone of your stature refrain from such petty snatching attempts?”

“Where is the snatching? I’m simply offering convenience, as the Imperial Palace is more comfortable than your old, cramped house.”

“My house is quite comfortable enough, thank you. And convenience? Don’t make me laugh. A female noble invited to the palace by the next Emperor before his coronation… Everyone in the Imperial Palace knows that this Companion Star was born in the Alponf Empire, don’t they? It would be child’s play for experienced maids to find out Lady Alisa’s hometown. You know perfectly well how people will react. How can you say such things with a clear conscience?”

“…Asel. I don’t know what Emperor Isana promised you, but I’ll treat you several times better. Work for Carters, not Swalt.”

“I’m sorry, but you’ve come to the wrong place. I’m not trying to protect Lady Alisa for the sake of any empire. It’s simply for Lady Alisa’s sake. If you try to take Lady Alisa away unilaterally, I’ll stop you even if it’s Emperor Isana’s will.”

“You act as if you’re her guardian.”

“Something like that. Since Sibel is the one she protects.”

“What does that have to do with you?”

“Sibel is my family, so isn’t it natural for me to take over his work while he’s away?”

“…”

“If you understand, get lost.”

“Get lost to the Emperor? Do you want to be punished?”

“I apologize for my rudeness. Please be so kind as to get lost.”

“Asel, you…”

During the exchange, the two men’s expressions were quite fierce, but there was no sense of crisis. It seemed that neither Raon Hwizen nor Asel were being entirely serious. The fact that the conversation was taking place in front of Alisa also distanced them from any real tension.

“Alisa, you’re welcome to stay in the palace anytime you need to. I’ll have the Royal Guard protect you. The Carters Imperial Guard is the strongest knight order in the Empire.”

“What are you bragging about to the one called the Daughter of Sphere? Do you even know that Lady Alisa can take on the entire Royal Guard by herself?”

“…I and Serium are also in the Imperial Palace.”

“You shouldn’t be making such promises when you’re about to be busy with state affairs. Lady Alisa, don’t worry about it. I have the most time. Let’s go sightseeing in the capital together.”

The two men’s battle showed no signs of stopping and continued in an increasingly childish manner. Alisa, who had been watching the scene in disbelief, finally couldn’t help but burst into laughter. Seeing the two men looking pleased, I roughly understood their intentions. Since the civil war in Swalt had begun in earnest, or rather, even before that, Sibelius had been like a protector to Alisa. Now that he had suddenly disappeared, she must be very anxious. Perhaps that’s why the two men wanted to let her know that they were there for her. At the same time, they seemed to be aiming for the effect of reassuring themselves. Since they didn’t know the situation at all, they couldn’t help but feel uneasy. The last situation had been so urgent that it was difficult to interpret it optimistically.

‘If only I could go and explain everything to them!’

Knowing that they were waiting for news, but being unable to do anything, I could only sigh every time I checked on the situation. If the distance were closer, I could summon সিকuel [a familiar spirit] to deliver the news instead. Unfortunately, the volcanic zone was too remote and outside the range. This was something that couldn’t be helped, no matter how abundant Lapis’s mana was. Frustrated, I glared at Lapis again, and he, who had been leaning against the wall with his eyes closed, immediately opened them. I flinched, wondering if I’d been caught, but then straightened my head, thinking, ‘So what if I am?’ But his gaze was directed not at me, but at a completely different direction.

“…It’s done.”

“Huh? What’s done?”

“The Water Circle.”

“…!”

“It’s complete now. I can feel it.”

Lapis slowly stroked the area near his chest. His expression was full of wonder, as if he were touching something amazing. It was a rare expression for Lapis, so I became curious as well.

“What does it feel like?”

“Like a huge passage has been connected inside my body? It feels like another path has opened. I thought barrier circles were only about sacrifice, but I might be able to grow more.”

“Wow, you’re already too strong. But you’re going to grow even more from there? Won’t you be like a god then?”

“I don’t know, but I think I can try various things.”

I’m afraid to even ask what that is. I had a feeling that it would be better for my mental health to ignore it. Wait, now that the Water Circle is complete, that means Ellyuen is free too, right? Does he know I’m here? I wonder if he’ll come over here.

The thought alone made me feel good. Just then, I sensed someone approaching. I turned around, thinking it might be Ellyuen, but an unexpected person was standing there. I saw jet-black hair fluttering in the wind and skin that looked as sweet as chocolate. Golden eyes, filled with light, were gently curved towards me.

“Oh? Trowel?”

“Hello, El.”

It was Trowel, who had been asleep in the Earth Realm after being reverse-summoned. It seemed that his rest was taking longer than expected, but he was finally stable. I ran to him in an instant.

“You’re finally out! Is your body okay?”

“Yeah, I’m fine, as you can see. Were you worried?”

“Of course. I was so surprised.”

Even now, just thinking about that time makes my heart sink. The sight of him disappearing as if he were breaking apart was a sight I never wanted to see again if possible. Seeing him looking so healthy again was almost touching. He stared at me as I smiled brightly to show my joy. Our eyes met, and for some reason, my body tensed up on its own. His golden eyes, which usually had a mystical glow, seemed to have an even deeper aura today.

“Fortunately, it seems I managed to do it in time.”

“Ah, were my pasts read?”

“Yes.”

“Oh, really?”

I didn’t expect him to really say that, so I took a deep breath, and he chuckled.

“It’s not usually this clear, but I guess it’s because I rested in the realm for so long. My senses seem to have become more sensitive. I can see better than usual.”

Trowel’s voice was more languid than usual. He still seemed to be sleepy. His dazed face, as if he were about to nod off at any moment, was a feeling that couldn’t be seen in him at other times, so he seemed a little cute for some reason. But I was startled by what he said next.

“…I can see too well, and it’s annoying.”

“Huh?”

“Thanks to you, I found out things I didn’t want to know.”

As he muttered, he leaned his forehead against my shoulder. With the heavy sensation, a wave of energy washed over me, and my face slowly hardened. It was a terribly stinging and painful energy. So much that my chest was all sore.

“El, lend me some tears again.”

“…Trowel?”

“I feel like crying, but I can’t cry alone. I need your help.”

A faint sob could be heard in his fading voice. Feeling uneasy, I hurriedly hugged him. What’s wrong? What’s going on? There was a similar situation once before. But that was a very special case, and there’s no way the same thing could happen again. That’s right, there’s no way. I couldn’t understand Trowel’s actions, nor did I know his feelings exactly, but I felt that something strange was happening. When I turned to look at Lapis, he was also frowning deeply. He stared at Trowel with an unreadable gaze, then suddenly looked up at the sky.

“It seems like they’re ready over there too.”

“Over there?”

“The Divine Realm. The power formed beyond the dimensional wall has begun to connect with the framework we created.”

“That means…”

“The time has come.”

At that moment, an unexpected voice was heard. A low and soft resonance that was now familiar enough to be friendly. It was a voice that brought me affection every time I heard it. I widened my eyes at the sight of the man appearing from behind Lapis. I saw platinum-blonde hair, as long as it reached below his waist, that seemed to contain light.

“Ellyuen…!”

“Yes, son.”

Hearing his calm reply, the growing sense of foreboding seemed to subside a little. Ellyuen smiled lightly at me and then gazed at the sky like Lapis. Following his gaze, I felt a strange flow. I couldn’t see the form, but I felt as if something huge was floating above my head. It was as if a dense net had been spread out.

“The Purification Circle is complete.”