Elqueeness [EN]: Chapter 435

435

“The train service is over for today. The train that left a little while ago was the last one.”

I was dumbfounded by the station attendant’s cold-hearted reply. The excitement I felt upon entering the train station had vanished without a trace. No wonder there weren’t many people at the station; I never imagined the train service would be over so early. It was just past noon. I didn’t expect the same level of convenience as in Korea, but I thought there would be at least one or two more trains. I guess I expected too much. But the hardship didn’t end there.

“Then when is the next train?”

“Let’s see. If you’re going to Roham, you can come back in three days. There’s one at 8 AM. If you miss that one, you’ll have to wait five days this time.”

“Seriously? How can the intervals be so long?”

“Geez, is this your first time riding a train? Long-distance trains are always like this.”

“Oh, really? I knew ships were like that, but I didn’t think trains were.”

“Ugh, you really don’t know anything. There’s a train to Omelo, which is halfway, tomorrow. But you’re better off waiting for the next train here than going to Roham from there.”

The station attendant, grumbling, finished explaining and even gave me a portable timetable, telling me not to miss it next time. He was cold-hearted but strangely kind.

“What should I do? The next train is too late.”

“It’s better to do as he says.”

“Can’t we take that?”

There were many other means of transportation near the train station. It was possible to rent a horse, and there were carriages as well. Among them, the most noticeable was a building that looked like a barn. Inside the fence, huge birds with saddles were tied up. I had seen people flying away on those birds a little while ago. In some ways, it was a more exciting means of transportation than the train. However, Ellyuen’s reaction wasn’t very positive.

“I wouldn’t recommend Bizos.”

“Bizo? So that’s what those birds are called.”

“Yes, Bizos are faster than carriages, but they can’t travel long distances. You have to keep changing them, and they don’t operate at night. They’re suitable for short distances, but in your current situation, they’ll only take up more time.”

“Hmm, I guess so.”

To get to the Seik Empire from here, you have to take a train to the port city of Roham, and then take a ship from there. And Roham was a four-day train ride away. I gave up neatly and decided to look for accommodation to stay in until the next train arrived. Fortunately, Ellyuen wasn’t one to save money on these things.

“A special room.”

Rather, he was very generous. Too generous, in fact.

“No, sir. I’m afraid that won’t do.”

With each clinking sound, gold coins fell at the same rate. It was Ellyuen’s reaction to being told that the special rooms were full. When the owner said it was difficult, Ellyuen silently increased the amount of gold coins he was pouring out. A blatant display of money. The innkeeper’s eyes wavered like aspen leaves at the sight of the splendidly glittering gold coins. It was obvious that he couldn’t control the corners of his mouth from rising, even as he expressed his difficulty.

“If there still isn’t one, we’ll leave.”

“……Please wait a moment. I’ll prepare one soon.”

In the end, this absurd scene of extravagance ended in Ellyuen’s victory. The gold coins, far exceeding the standard, created a room where there wasn’t one. I watched him with a dumbfounded expression as he proved with his whole body that there was nothing that money couldn’t do.

“What is it?”

“……No, it’s nothing.”

I had never traveled with him like this before, so it was a side of him I hadn’t known. Ellyuen always used only special rooms in high-end inns. Even when the situation didn’t allow it and we had to stay in a small inn, he always chose the best room among them. He and Lapis, who always insisted on the best wherever he went, were soulmates.

Well, let’s say that’s possible. He could spend his overflowing money wherever he wanted, so there was nothing I could say. But if he was going to spend it like this, I don’t know why he was worried about my sense of money. That’s what I couldn’t understand. Of course, it’s okay for him to spend it, but he might think it’s a waste for others to spend it.

‘Well, I shouldn’t take his help for granted.’

Setting the line for helping the contractor is up to the Spirit King. I have no right to say anything even if he doesn’t give me a penny. Yet, I was already relying on him for my basic needs of food, clothing, and shelter. Accommodation is determined by Ellyuen, so it’s not my responsibility, but I’m the one spending money on food and clothing. It would be really shameless to complain in this situation. But it was inconvenient not to have funds that I could freely use at my discretion. Ellyuen doesn’t seem to care much now, but there’s no telling how he’ll react later. I needed to find a way to become self-sufficient.

It was a natural flow that a group nearby caught my attention. The inn’s first floor, which also served as a restaurant, was full of people. At one of the tables, armed men were laughing and drinking loudly. They didn’t look like regular soldiers, but rather mercenaries or similar professionals.

Seeing them reminded me of a profession I had forgotten for a while. Come to think of it, there was a good job. A high-income job that I could do and earn money quickly.

‘Let’s become a Hunter.’

* * *

“Rejected.”

The reaction to my saying I would become a Hunter to earn money was as sharp as a knife. I was bound to be taken aback because I didn’t know he would oppose it, even if he didn’t welcome it.

“Why rejected? I’m constantly borrowing from you. I’m afraid of my debt increasing here, and I want to earn my own money.”

“Isn’t the way you earn money ultimately using spirit magic? How is that different from being indebted to me now?”

……Oh, does it work out that way?

Ellyuen gives me a look that says, “See?” as I lose my words for a moment. I hurriedly waved my hand, feeling like I was being led on from the start.

“No, you can catch monsters without using spirit magic. I’ll be at least Barus level with my strength? I caught a monster called the Snake Tail Beast with just a branch.”

“You’ve had a grand dream.”

“No, it’s true. I can prove it. I can go catch a monster right now.”

As I sent him a look asking him to believe me, he seemed to be lost in thought for a moment, then told me to hold his hand and give him strength. When I gave him strength with all my might, a slightly frowning face with a dumbfounded expression came to mind.

“Did you learn martial arts?”

“No.”

“Well, you don’t have any calluses for that. ……So this is natural strength. Well, I shouldn’t be surprised anymore now.”

Ellyuen, who had been muttering, looked at me with a searching face after a long time. Perhaps because of the time we had spent together, his gaze wasn’t as wary as it was at first. Although the words that followed were nothing short of embarrassing.

“So? You’re strong, so you won’t use spirit magic? You don’t need the power of spirits? Then why did you become a spiritist?”

“Huh? That’s not what I meant.”

“That’s what it means. Humans are creatures that need food, clothing, and shelter to live, and the most important thing for that is money. But you, a spiritist, said that you would exclude spirit magic in the means of earning that important money. What else could it mean if not that you don’t need spirits?”

“No, but……”

If I use spirit magic, I’m indebted to you!

As I was gaping, Ellyuen’s eyes narrowed.

“Do you have something to say?”

“……No, I was wrong.”

To my surrender, he nodded as if it were natural.

“You seem to have forgotten your place because the schedule has been smooth.”

“No, that’s not……”

“Don’t be mistaken. Independence is something that a capable person does. Right now, you are someone who needs to be under my control. Do you think I’m supporting you because I’m benevolent and have nothing to do?”

My shoulders flinched at the words that awakened me to reality. In the end, making me indebted was also a means to handle me effectively. If I don’t have money, my freedom is limited, and I have no choice but to rely on him.

“As long as this contract is maintained, you will never be free. Don’t waste your time thinking about useless things.”

“……Okay.”

I thought we had become a little closer, but it seems it was just my own thought. I forcibly suppressed the regretful feelings that were stirring in my mind. You can’t be full on the first try, and I had already expected it would take time. But Ellyuen’s words didn’t end there.

“But wanting to become a Hunter is a good idea.”

“Huh?”

“You’ll need a suitable status to meet Lamias.”

It wasn’t difficult to understand what he meant. The Blue Dragon, Lamias, was currently playing as a noble. Moreover, he was said to be a member of one of the most prominent nobles in the Empire. Even a viscount was a big shot that commoners couldn’t easily meet. To avoid being turned away at the door, I had to create a means to contact him naturally.

“A high-ranking Hunter would be good enough. The byproducts of high-level monsters are especially valuable in the noble market, so using that as a means would make it easier to make contact. It’s much better than flaunting the identity of that suspicious cultist. Not a bad judgment.”

I guarantee that no one uses the carrot and stick as effectively as Ellyuen. After staring at him for a while, he frowned slightly.

“What is it?”

“Oh, um. It’s nothing. So, can I become a Hunter?”

“Do as you please. With knight-level strength and high-level spirit magic, you can get at least Axis-level as you are now.”

“Axis? Was that the second-highest rank?”

“Yes, it’s a rank that is treated well anywhere on the continent. If you become the highest Legia-level, you’ll become someone that nobles are eager to invite. Of course, if you reveal that you are a contractor of the Spirit King, the rank will no longer matter.”

As he said that, Ellyuen’s gaze towards me was meaningful, so I was slightly nervous. It was a look that was setting a trap and testing me to see how I would answer. Of course, I had no intention of being careless this time.

“I won’t reveal that. It seems like it would only make things complicated.”

As expected, a short smile crossed his dry lips, as if that was the correct answer.

“Humans will miss out on an interesting sight.”

“Interesting sight?”

“The human who contracted with Minerva is in the Seik Empire.”

That explanation was enough. Just hearing that one word made me naturally picture the complicated situations in my head. Two contractors of the Spirit Kings, who are rare. Those two people are gathering in one place. I didn’t even want to imagine how much interest and excitement would be focused on them. Every move would be monitored, and words comparing them would pour out every moment. Just standing in the same place would draw attention from all sides. Even on a national scale.

“……I still won’t reveal it.”

“Don’t you want to meet someone like you? It’s extremely rare for two King’s contractors to appear in one generation. You two have a very special connection.”

“No. I’m not interested in that kind of guy.”

“It’s a tone with a hint of regret. Have you already met him?”

“I haven’t met him. I just don’t like him.”

“Well, I’ve heard that humans feel a sense of rivalry towards beings similar to themselves.”

“It’s not like that. That guy is……”

He’s the one who betrays Minerva.

I barely swallowed the words I almost blurted out. It was a story I had heard fleetingly a long time ago, but my memory wouldn’t be wrong. Minerva was said to have been betrayed by her human contractor. I don’t know the exact time, but it was said to be about 4,000 years ago, so there was a high probability that it was in this era. That alone made him an object to be avoided.

“What were you going to say?”

“Um, it wasn’t a big deal. Anyway, I don’t have any sense of rivalry towards that kind of guy. I don’t even need to see it to know that I’m better.”

He’s great as a human, but he can’t compare to me, the Spirit King. Ellyuen chuckled at my confidence, which was based on nothing.

“You’re confident.”

“Isn’t it obvious? I’m the first human to summon Elquines himself. Even if you only count the rarity, I’m more amazing.”

“Well, let’s say so.”

Ellyuen brushed it off with a short laugh this time as well. For him now, it was quite a compliment. It seemed he was acknowledging me a little.

However, that assessment didn’t last long.

“Who’s amazing?”

“……”

A groan escaped from the cruel voice that pierced my lungs. I couldn’t bear to look him in the face, so I covered my face with both hands. The city hall building behind me seemed to be mocking me harshly.

To become a Hunter, you have to take a test at a national institution and get a license. Moreover, this test could be taken on the same day you applied. So, it was good that I went to take the test ambitiously as soon as morning came. But once I applied, what was waiting for me was an unexpected hurdle.

‘They should have told me there was a written test too.’

It turned out that the Hunter test was conducted in two stages. Both were held on the same day, but you had to pass the first written test to take the practical test in the second stage. And I was a person with very, very little basic knowledge of this world. Ellyuen’s expression when he saw me coming out with a notice of failure without even entering the practical test site was something I wouldn’t forget for a while.

“I knew you lacked common sense, but……”

He muttered with a face that said he didn’t know what to say. It was the first time I had seen him so dumbfounded. I felt like I was seeing all of Ellyuen’s rare expressions here.

“The Hunter test emphasizes practical skills more. So the written test only has very basic questions. There’s no need to make a test paper, so it’s conducted orally. ……Then why did you fail here?”

“Hahaha, I wonder?”

“Was there anything you answered correctly?”

“About two out of ten questions?”

“Go inside and eat.”

“……Okay.”

When I returned to the inn with a heartbroken heart, the inside was full of commotion. The atmosphere, including the employees and guests, generally felt chaotic. The innkeeper was in the middle of a conversation with people who looked like guards. They seemed to be investigating something, asking and answering, but somehow everyone was watching only that scene. None of the employees even noticed that we had taken a seat at the table.

“A murder case?”

Only after the guards left could I hear the truth from the employee who came to take our order in a hurry. Everyone’s expression was not good, so I guessed that something bad had happened, but it was a more serious matter than I thought.