Elqueeness [EN]: Chapter 433

433.

“Priest?”

I snapped out of my thoughts at the voice. Everyone was looking at me with serious expressions. I must have seemed strange, suddenly falling silent.

“Ah, I was just thinking. As I said, my memories are slowly returning.”

“Did you remember something else?”

“I still don’t know what happened to me or why I lost my memory. But I didn’t summon a demon. That’s definitely clear.”

“Hmm, then could you stay here a bit longer? I’ve reported the appearance of the mana beast, so the city hall will send an investigation team tomorrow. If you’re truly innocent, I’d like you to prove it to them.”

“I don’t mind, but how do I prove it?”

“When you summon a demon, a unique energy signature remains on your body for a while. The investigation team will check for that.”

So there’s something like that. I nodded readily, seeing no reason to refuse. Actually, it didn’t matter to me, but if I could clear my name, there was no need to avoid it.

Thanks to that, Erina, the owner of the house, gladly offered me and Ellyuen a spare room for the night. She said there were plenty of empty rooms since it used to be an inn, and even offered us the hospitality of staying comfortably for several days. Ransi, who personally showed us to the room, brought extra bedding.

“Here, you can use this.”

“Thank you, Ransi.”

“You’re welcome. Are you hungry? Should I bring you something to eat?”

“No, I’m fine.”

I hadn’t planned on staying, so I had already taken care of dinner (by catching and eating a fish this time). The kind girl regretted not being able to do more for me.

“Then, rest well. If you need anything, please let me know anytime.”

Soon, silence filled the space Ransi had left. It was finally the moment when I was alone with Ellyuen. As soon as our eyes met, I dropped my smile and quickly apologized.

“Sorry for deciding on my own!”

Fortunately, Ellyuen didn’t seem too displeased with the situation. Though he did look a bit dumbfounded.

“You have a talent for making things bigger. Didn’t you say you were going to leave right after finishing your business?”

“Ahaha, I guess so. That’s not what I originally intended, but I don’t know how it turned out this way.”

“How did you come up with the idea of pretending to have lost your memory?”

“I couldn’t think of any other excuse to explain my lack of common sense. It would be strange if I was the only one who didn’t know something that everyone else knew.”

“It certainly was suspicious. You seemed to know about the Dark Barrier but not about the rifts. I wonder what kind of environment you grew up in to be like that.”

“…Sorry. I can’t talk about that.”

“You remember that well.”

Rather than lie, refuse to answer. Ellyuen chuckled, following the warning he had given me. He didn’t like it, but his expression said he would let it slide because my sincerity was commendable.

“Hey, why is everyone only worried about the mana beasts?”

“What do you mean?”

“Whether I summoned it or not, the fact that there was a rift means a demon crossed over. But everyone doesn’t seem to care much about that itself. Aren’t demons much more dangerous than mana beasts?”

“Summoned demons are bound by a contract. They can’t interfere beyond helping their contractor. So, they probably think it’s okay.”

“High-ranking demons can cross over without being summoned, though.”

Ellyuen chuckled again. This time, it was a more ferocious laugh than before. I looked at him, flustered, and he looked back at me with an amused expression.

“That’s something most people don’t know.”

“……”

Oh, damn it. I messed up again.

Am I going to get caught for real at this rate? Is it even possible to dig my own grave more enthusiastically than this? I shouldn’t pretend to know anything no matter what happens from now on. Even while digging underground in my mind, I pretended not to know what he was talking about. Ellyuen, who had been quietly watching me, said,

“I’ll give a special piece of advice to a contractor who has professional knowledge but lacks common sense. It’s better not to get tested.”

“Huh? Why?”

“The examination tools in this small kingdom can’t identify the direction of the summoning magic in detail. At best, they’ll only be able to find out if you summoned a being from another world.”

“And?”

“Have you forgotten how you met me?”

“……Oh.”

Was that summoning considered a spirit summoning too? Well, strictly speaking, the Spirit Realm is also another world. Although they are connected, the Great Dimensional Realm and the Intermediate Realm are completely different realms. In short, if I get tested now, I’ll be completely caught.

“Hey, what happens if you break the law of the kingdom?”

“Basically, there’s a trial and then punishment. In the case of a priest, you’re handed over to the clergy to be dealt with there. You’d be the latter. That is, if your insignia isn’t found to be fake.”

“If it’s found to be fake…?”

“Is there any need to ask that?”

I was speechless at the obvious answer. Of course, that’s right. There’s no way I’d be safe if I was impersonating a priest. In my era, it would have been burning at the stake, and it was clear that it wouldn’t be much different here.

“Of course, your insignia won’t be easily discovered. It’s so elaborate that even I have difficulty recognizing it. At best, they’ll find it strange that a high-ranking priest has no divine power.”

“Oh, really?”

“Instead, you can’t avoid disciplinary action. Of course, you’ll be locked in the prayer room during that period. Then the Demon God will recognize you.”

“……”

Either burning at the stake or being discovered by Kanos. Haha, what is this? Either way, there’s only the worst outcome. I should be glad that I don’t have to agonize over it anymore. I smiled with a much lighter heart.

“Let’s run away.”

Ellyuen’s brow furrowed.

* * *

That heartless Ellyuen disappeared, telling me to handle it myself. He was a ruthless Spirit King who didn’t care about his contractor’s crisis. Abandoned, I decided to wait for the right time to move. That time soon came. The best time to secretly plot something. It was dawn.

“El.”

However, it seemed I had underestimated the escape. As soon as I carefully went downstairs, I heard a voice calling me. Surprised, I turned around and saw a small shadow cast in a corner of the living room. It was Ransi.

“Ah, Ransi. Aren’t you asleep yet?”

“Yes.”

Haha, isn’t it almost three in the morning? This kid really doesn’t sleep at night.

Actually, I didn’t want to go out the door honestly while escaping. It’s just that the window latch was a unique shape that I had never seen before, so I didn’t know how to open it. I should have just ripped it off and jumped out. I forced a smile and glanced at the closed doors. Fortunately, no one else seemed to be waking up yet. Still, if the conversation gets any longer here, someone will definitely notice and wake up. Should I retreat first and then try again? That’s what I was contemplating.

“It’s okay, El. The adults are all sound asleep. They won’t wake up until morning.”

But Ransi’s next words were unexpected. Surprised, even more unexpected words came back.

“Everyone drank water with sleeping pills in it.”

“……Huh?”

“I was originally going to wake you up, but there was no need. You’re leaving now, right? Don’t worry about this side and go. But why are you alone? Where’s El’s father? Did he already leave? I didn’t see him leave.”

It didn’t take long to assess the situation. It’s just that I couldn’t believe it, so I needed time to organize my thoughts. So, this little kid deliberately put people to sleep. She realized I was going to run away secretly and was helping me.

“Ransi, you……”

Unable to hide my agitation, I looked at her, and Ransi made an awkward expression.

“Actually, I overheard Mr. Simon telling Mom earlier. If the investigation team from the city hall comes, El will be detained regardless of whether the summoning is real or not. The fact that a high-ranking Demon God priest visited this area alone is something that needs to be investigated.”

“Oh, really?”

“Yes, the royal family and the Demon God’s clergy aren’t on good terms these days. Maybe El lost his memory because of that. El, did you know that?”

“Well, no, I……”

“I’m prepared to be scolded. But I hate the thought of El being captured even more.”

While saying that firmly, Ransi tightly gripped her skirt. Even though she was speaking bravely, I could see that she was actually scared.

“……Why are you helping me? Your mother might have been hurt because of me.”

“You said that wasn’t the case.”

“What if I lied?”

“I believe El. But even if it’s true, it doesn’t matter. Even if El summoned a demon and caused the rift, it wasn’t El’s intention for that mana beast to hurt Mom. Besides, El was the one who saved Mom.”

I was speechless for a moment at the calm answer. No one knows a person’s true feelings except for themselves. Believing in someone completely is not as easy as you think. It’s even more so if you haven’t known each other for very long. But this little girl was doing something so difficult without any hesitation. Risking danger to help me, whom she didn’t even know well.

I lowered myself to Ransi’s level and met her gaze. Looking straight at her face, I could see her trembling eyes more clearly. So that her expression wouldn’t harden any further, I gave her the brightest smile I could.

“Thank you for believing in me, Ransi. I really didn’t summon a demon. You won’t be disappointed. I swear on my honor.”

Ransi’s small breaths slowly returned to their original rhythm. Her eyes, filled with vitality, shone like stars, and a small smile spread across her lips.

“Yes, I know.”

Coming outside, the cold air of dawn stung my cheeks. The group of stars embroidered in the sky was brightening the surroundings quite a bit. Ransi followed me to the fence outside the door. I told her it was okay, but I couldn’t stop her from insisting on seeing me off.

“Go back now. Thank you for everything.”

“Me too, El. Be careful.”

After saying goodbye, Ransi reached out her hand to me. “The adults do this when they say goodbye.” At her cute words, I smiled and responded to the handshake. However, I felt a little down when I actually held her hand. I could feel calluses on her hand that didn’t suit a child. I should have made a well after all. I had to get as far away as possible to avoid unnecessary conflicts, but I felt sorry to just leave like this.

‘Hmm?’

Perhaps because that feeling was reflected, I suddenly caught an unexpected sensation. I stopped shaking hands, took my hand away, and looked at Ransi for a moment. Then I reached out my hand again.

“Ransi, would you like to hold it again?”

“……? Yes.”

Ransi followed obediently, even though she was puzzled. After repeating that process several times, my guess solidified into certainty. I was sure. Every time I touched her, Ransi’s affinity with nature was increasing. At this rate, she would be able to summon Naias right away.

When I was the Spirit King, this wasn’t strange. Even ordinary people could become spiritists as much as there was a Silver Grace contract [a type of magical pact]. But the fact that it’s still the same now that I’ve become human, isn’t this a bit of a scam? Well, now that I’m seeing natural spirits, it’s not surprising anymore.

“Well, who cares? As long as the result is good.”

“Yes?”

“No, it’s nothing.”

I was able to give her a better gift than a well. I reached out my hand to Ransi with a light heart. Ransi, who was used to the process after several repetitions, grabbed my hand without me even asking.

“Ransi, would you like to repeat what I say from now on? If you do well, something good will happen.”

“Something good?”

Looking at her innocent face, I felt like a bad adult luring a child with sweet words for no reason. I had Ransi recite the spirit summoning spell. There was no need to worry about what would happen if it didn’t work. That’s because the humidity around us increased as soon as the spell started. A thick fog spread out and bubbles burst out. And finally, Naias appeared from within.

Ransi’s eyes widened as a small figure suddenly popped out of thin air.

“A, a mermaid?”

“No, it’s a spirit.”

“A, a spirit? Is she a spirit?”

“Yes, she’s called Naias.”

“Naias? Naias, the water spirit?”

Ransi, who had swallowed her breath, opened her mouth blankly. As a smart child, she seemed to already know about Naias, so there was no need for further explanation. At that time, Naias, who had been spinning around Ransi, spoke.

– Hello, nice to meet you. You summoned me?

“……Are you talking to me now?”

– Yes, I’m Naias. Who are you?

Ransi looked back at me with an uneasy expression. I nodded with a smile, and a loud sigh followed. Her face was determined, like someone who had made up her mind before the final battle.

“I, I’m Ransi. I’m called Ransi.”

– Ransi. What a pretty name. Do you want to make a contract with me?

“A contract?”

– Yes, a contract. Let’s be friends. Let’s play together.

Ransi’s face was flushed with the cheerful suggestion. Her eyes, filled with anticipation, sparkled like stars.

“I want to play. I want to be friends with you.”

– Okay, I promise.

The next moment, Naias, who smiled brightly, became a stream of water and seeped into Ransi’s forehead. It was the moment the contract was completed. However, the person who was the party to the contract didn’t seem to understand the situation she had experienced very well. Ransi, who touched her forehead and blinked several times, looked back at me with a dumbfounded face.

“What happened, El? What just happened?”

“You made a contract with Naias. You’ve become a spiritist.”

“Really? I’m a spiritist?”

“Yes, a low-level water spiritist.”

“Oh my god…… I can’t believe it. Where’s Naias? Where did Naias go?”

“She probably went back to the Spirit Realm. The summoning circle that connected her to this place has disappeared. But since you’re connected to each other, you can call her anytime now. Try saying ‘Naias Summon’ once.”

“Naias Summon……?”

Then, with the sound of a water droplet bouncing, Naias appeared again. It was the moment when Ransi’s eyes widened like a rabbit. I swallowed my laughter at that honest face. I felt like there had been a similar situation like this sometime, and everyone’s reactions were similar at times like this.