Elqueeness [EN]: Chapter 460

“You’re the customer who ordered the custom gloves a week ago, right? Here are the five pairs of gloves you ordered. I made them exactly as you wanted. Please try them on.”

I nodded and excitedly put on the gloves I received.

Thanks to the cream that hides the writing [presumably a magical cream that conceals inscriptions or markings], I was finally able to order custom gloves that fit my hands perfectly. Since I was getting them made, I specified the material and shape in detail, and thankfully, they seemed to be completed exactly as I described. The feeling of them fitting perfectly against my skin brought a surge of emotion. How difficult it had been to find gloves that fit among the ready-made ones. Now, I no longer had to search every store for new products whenever I had time, nor did I have to be grateful and buy gloves that didn’t fit. The memory of those desperate times brought tears to my eyes, blurring my vision.

“I really like them.”

“I’m glad to hear that. I told you to get them custom-made sooner. Since I have the design, you can just place an order whenever you need them.”

The employee smiled contentedly. He was one of the people who had been sympathetic to my struggles to find gloves. He had often recommended custom-made gloves whenever I visited the shopping district, and when I refused each time, he even offered me a discount. He probably thought I was hesitant because I didn’t have enough money. He seemed to think that I had finally saved up enough money to get the gloves made, and his face was filled with pride as he looked at me.

“But what kind of work do you do that requires so many gloves? You used to come here often to buy them, didn’t you?”

“Ah, I’m learning swordsmanship. Training with gloves on means they get damaged quickly, even with preservation magic [a type of magic that protects items from wear and tear].”

“Oh, I see. So you’re an aspiring knight. If they don’t last long even with preservation magic, you must be working really hard. That’s right, that’s how you should learn. My younger sibling is also a trainee, but their hands are always clean. I don’t know if they even want to do it. They don’t even think about the family who pays for those expensive lessons…”

While I was chatting with the employee, Ahin’s presence had faded away. When I glanced back, he was being guided by another employee. The employee, who had been showing him product brochures and asking questions, suddenly looked surprised, bowed deeply to him, and quickly ran inside the store. Shortly after, the owner of the clothing store rushed out in a hurry. It seemed they had finally realized that he was ‘that’ Ahin Idris.

“Welcome, Idris-nim [a respectful title, similar to ‘Sir’ or ‘Lord’], I’m Luana, the owner of this store! It’s a great honor for our small clothing store to be able to serve such a distinguished guest!”

That one sentence caused a fierce storm in the quiet and peaceful store. All the employees, including the one I was talking to, began to fidget with shocked expressions. Seeing the scene turn chaotic in an instant, I felt relieved. In the first place, there was a clear difference between a customer who came to order clothes and a customer who came to buy gloves. If even their status seemed different, there was no need to say more. Now, Ahin would be guided to a VIP room or somewhere else, and our locations would be separated. It was a very clean ending where I could just say goodbye appropriately.

Just then, Ahin and I made eye contact, and I gave him a light nod. It was a farewell look filled with the meaning, ‘Have a good day! And let’s not see each other again! Or, if we do, let’s not acknowledge each other!’ But Ahin misinterpreted the meaning and sent back an unexpected reply.

“Ah, El! If you don’t mind, could you spare some time?”

“…Pardon?”

“I don’t have any particular plans today. Measuring the clothes will only take a moment. If you have time, would you like to have some tea with me? There’s a nice place nearby that I’d like to introduce to El.”

“Ah, I…”

Having tea together? That’s a big problem. I was about to refuse quickly, but I felt a strange sensation. Based on past experience, there was only one reason why I would suddenly feel this way. Troel or Eluene [likely deities or powerful beings] must be watching.

“Haha, this is driving me crazy, really.”

“Pardon?”

“No, it’s perfect because I don’t have any other plans either. Tea sounds great. Did I mention that I like sweet things? Let’s go, let’s go.”

Ahin’s face, which had been puzzled, brightened up.

“Thank you. Then please wait a moment.”

“Yes, take your time.”

Now that it’s come to this, what does it matter whether he does it slowly or quickly? I waved my hand with a smile, and Ahin’s expression became even brighter. While he was away to get measured, I moved to a seat in the waiting area. The employee who had been talking to me comfortably just a moment ago guided me with an awkwardly stiff face. It was clear that he was intimidated because he seemed to know Ahin well. A deep sense of futility welled up from the bottom of my heart, but it was just a meaningless outcry. Now, whatever will be, will be.

* * *

Contrary to the reluctant start, spending time with Ahin wasn’t as bad as I thought. First of all, the place he took me to was really nice. It was a store specializing in various desserts, including cookies and cakes, and every menu item I ordered was delicious enough to elicit admiration. And surprisingly, our conversation flowed quite well. Ahin was a person who used polite language and enjoyed listening to others, a so-called easy person to talk to. But more than anything, the fact that common topics continued to come up meant that there was no time for the conversation to be cut off.

“Wow, so they only stay by the summoner’s side? Siciel is reliable. Jin, to put it nicely, is curious, and to put it badly, I’d have to say he’s scattered. He often tries to go far away from me.”

“Really? Ah, well, the wind spirit is curious.”

“El, you know too. He likes to touch and fiddle with things. So sometimes he gets into trouble. If he lifts something heavy, his mana suddenly drains away, which is startling.”

“Ah, that’s right. Even with just a little weight, mana drains away. Honestly, I didn’t know that the summoner’s mana was needed even for such trivial actions. I had a hard time getting used to it at first too. There were times when my legs suddenly gave out and I collapsed.”

“Haha, me too. It seems like all summoners have similar experiences.”

The conversation flowed as smoothly and comfortably as water, and it was even enjoyable knowing who he was. Honestly, I was surprised at how well we got along.

‘If he didn’t have plans to betray Minerva, he’d be a really nice person.’

Of course, I couldn’t think of him as a good person because of that premise. However, it hadn’t happened yet, so my mind was really complicated. Ahin, who had no idea what I was thinking, was looking at me with a face full of affection. His blue eyes, shining in a brighter tone, revealed his excited mood.

“It’s like a dream.”

“Pardon? What is?”

“To be able to talk comfortably with someone who has similar experiences. Actually, I’ve wanted to have a summoner friend for a long time.”

“Am I the first summoner you’ve met?”

“No, that’s not it. I’ve met quite a few summoners. I tried to get close to them each time, but they were all too difficult to approach.”

“I see.”

“Yes, so I was so happy that El treated me so comfortably.”

…No, did I treat him comfortably? Haven’t I been openly uncomfortable and avoiding him? Today was unavoidable, but the previous two times we ran into each other, I didn’t even greet him properly and was too busy trying to get away. And he felt that was comfortable? How have others been treating him all this time?

I was gaping in bewilderment when I was reminded again that he wasn’t an ordinary summoner. He’s a Spirit King [a powerful being who rules over spirits], a Spirit King. Ordinary summoners can’t even lift their heads in front of a Spirit King. His contractor would naturally be cautious. Still, I tried to avoid him as much as possible, so I wondered how much worse others had been doing to be considered difficult to approach.

“How do other summoners usually treat you?”

“Hmm, the reactions vary. It’s a bit embarrassing to say it myself, but if I try to talk to them, some of them scream or kneel…”

“…Pardon?”

“Some people cry with emotion. Some people try to cut off pieces of my clothes or hair. Anyway, they generally look at me with worship… Honestly, I find that a bit overwhelming.”

Ah, it wasn’t that they were avoiding him, but rather that they liked him too much.

I felt a sense of understanding and became wistful. Reactions like kneeling or crying were common? It was beyond the level of a celebrity fan club, almost to the level of faith. No, more than that, cutting off clothes or hair is just stalking, isn’t it? What on earth are they doing?

“That… must be overwhelming.”

“Yes, I know they’re good people, but it’s hard to get close to them in that situation.”

“I’m sure it is.”

‘Damn it, I made a mistake. I should have been fussy instead of acting dull!’

Then Ahin would have been horrified first and distanced himself from me on his own. I didn’t know that, and because I was avoiding him, I ended up gaining Ahin’s favor instead! I even made up my mind to have a comfortable conversation today, so it’s impossible to distance myself from him in the future.

“Besides, did you know? El has never mentioned Minerva while talking to me so far.”

“Oh, really?”

I asked as if I didn’t know, but of course I knew. Even if Ahin mentioned it first, I had no intention of ever mentioning it on my own. There was no reason for me to bring up a sensitive topic, for the sake of my heart and mental well-being. But Ahin seemed to think of it as consideration.

“Actually, Minerva and I are in a relationship.”

“Oh, really.”

“I mustered the courage to confess my feelings that I had held for a long time, and miraculously, she accepted me. My goal is to get married within three years. I’m wondering how I should propose to make Minerva happy. I want to have a wedding that suits Minerva, as grand as possible, with the blessings of many people. After we get married, I’m going to sell the mansion I live in now and get a nice new mansion. Minerva likes the city more than the quiet countryside. And also…”

No, I don’t really want to know that much.

I’ve only met him a few times, and today is the first time I’ve had a proper conversation with him. Is he going to discuss his life plans with someone he barely knows? He didn’t look like it, but he was more scatterbrained than I thought. Besides, I didn’t like the way he talked as if he knew Minerva well. It felt like he was invading my territory. I know we’re going to fall apart anyway, but it was hard to stop feeling like some jerk was taking my family away. That feeling seemed to show on my face without me realizing it. I realized my posture had become poor and quickly straightened it, but Ahin had already been staring at me. But surprisingly, he didn’t seem to mind. No, he was making an expression that he liked it even more.

“I guess you’re not interested.”

“…Haha.”

“Most of the people who have become friends with me have Minerva as their goal. No matter how gentle they are, they’re curious about the Spirit King. El is the first person who hasn’t shown any interest in Minerva while meeting me. I wanted to get along with you from the start, but now I really want to get close to you.”

‘…What a scary thing to say.’

I held back the urge to let out a sigh and forced a smile. Ahin smiled along, interpreting it as something else. The atmosphere was truly friendly.

I shouldn’t walk around alone starting tomorrow. Yes, I should. No matter how much Ahin wants to talk to me, he won’t be able to approach me easily if I’m with my colleagues. No, should I just not leave the guild office at all? That might be a good idea too.

“By the way, I’ve been wanting to ask you something since a while ago. Is that what El uses?”

While I was thinking about various things, Ahin asked. His gaze was fixed on the sword sheath hanging from my waist, and his eyes were full of curiosity. He seemed curious that I, a summoner, was carrying a sword.

“Yes, of course. Of course, I use it.”

“Come to think of it, I heard you were learning swordsmanship earlier. So El knows swordsmanship too?”

“Yes, well. I’m still learning, so I can’t say I know it yet.”

“Still, that’s amazing. So you’re going to be a spirit swordsman [a swordsman who uses spirits to enhance their abilities].”

“Isn’t Ahin the same?”

“Me? Haha, I don’t know swordsmanship. I can’t even handle a fruit knife.”

“Pardon? But…”

I was about to retort, but I stopped myself. Come to think of it, I’ve been feeling a sense of incongruity, and I realized the reason why just now. No matter where I looked on Ahin, I couldn’t see Bluster. It seemed that Minerva hadn’t shared her power with him yet.

‘What is this?’

A sigh escaped on its own.

A spirit sword is a powerful weapon in itself. Among them, the wind sword Bluster was the strongest sword on earth. The only sword containing the power of the Spirit King, which had never existed before and would never exist again. I naturally thought that Minerva had created that sword to help her lover’s strengths. That she had given a weapon that matched his overflowing talent. But Ahin says he doesn’t know swordsmanship at all. If that’s the case, I can only think that the sword was made for the opposite reason. Because he’s not a swordsman, he created Bluster because he was looking for a weapon that even someone who couldn’t do it could handle.

Well, with Bluster’s capabilities, it would move on its own and exert its power even if the owner was clumsy. It’s like giving a computer with artificial intelligence to a child who can’t even type. I shouldn’t get involved. I know I shouldn’t, but I couldn’t help but ask.

“What do you think of Minerva?”

“Pardon? Minerva, you mean?”

Ahin’s eyes widened. He seemed flustered that the person who had praised him just a moment ago for not mentioning Minerva had suddenly asked a question.