Elqueeness [EN]: Chapter 477

477

“Don’t mention it. Oh, but did you know that necklace also has a fire attribute?”

His words caught me off guard. “You said it’s a fire attribute?” A beat late, I looked up, and he repeated himself, thinking I hadn’t heard.

“I heard you. But a fire attribute from a shell fossil?”

“Well, not all marine life is water attribute. If that were the case, wouldn’t it be earth attribute since it’s been a fossil for so long? Anyway, it’s definitely fire attribute.”

“I see. I didn’t know that.”

“It’s so faint you can barely feel it. Anyway, I’ve added more fire energy to it. Now you can use it to start fires. You can even use it as a heater in winter.”

Wow…

I blinked, and he gave me a puzzled look.

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

“No, it’s just that you seem very… kind.”

“I’m always kind, especially to spiritists. If you were a fire spiritist, I would have carried you around on my back.”

It sounded like a joke to anyone else, but I had a feeling this Spirit King really would. I nodded blankly, and he muttered with a disappointed look.

“It’s so strange. The sword, the necklace, the blessing power… You have so many connections with fire, so why didn’t you become a fire spiritist instead of a water spiritist?”

That’s what I’m saying. Why *did* I become a water spiritist?

I thought, almost involuntarily. Honestly, Ellyuen needs to understand this. I never thought I’d think like this. But the favor I received without even asking was really touching.

The fairy tale about the bet between the sun and the wind came to mind. I felt like I understood once again why the sun won against the wind.

* * *

The journey back was smooth. The fact that the unknown phenomenon occurring in the Louisa Forest was actually the work of a slave trading ring became a major news story. Every newspaper highlighted the incident, focusing on the inhumane organization that committed such terrible crimes.

The lord highly praised our guild for resolving the incident and gave us a more generous reward than originally promised. He even arranged an airship for our return journey. Thanks to that, the journey that took a full ten days to get there only took less than a day to return.

The only disappointing thing was that the ringleader couldn’t be found among those who died or were arrested. The same was true for the crown prince who disappeared with him. The army stationed on the outskirts was also missing. The number of people counted was smaller than expected, so I secretly investigated, but no one knew about the troops on the outskirts.

I even checked with Ifrit, wondering if the unicorns were mistaken, but it was true that the army existed. It seemed they had quickly fled as soon as they realized there was a problem. The fact that such a large army could disappear so quickly showed that it was definitely not an ordinary trading ring. However, I didn’t bother to inform anyone about this, following Chris’s advice that it would be better to keep quiet for now.

“It’s a matter involving the crown prince of a country. Even if you say something now, you’ll only complicate things because there’s no evidence. The crown prince’s side can just say they thought it was an ordinary slave trading ring and get away with it.”

It was a short meeting that took place while the others were away. Chris, having learned about the situation, calmly gave advice with a serious face. Considering the crown prince who slipped away like an eel back then, it made perfect sense.

“Well, even back then, they tried to make it seem like I was lying.”

“That’s right. You might even get caught up in charges of insulting the royal family. Then it won’t just be a matter of bad luck.”

“What do you think, Chris?”

“They’re definitely involved.”

There was no hesitation in his answer. His gaze turned to Davian, who was sitting quietly on one side of the sofa. His face was painfully distorted as he watched his friend with empty, glass-like eyes.

“Davian was investigating the royal family of the Effen Kingdom. That guy said he met you while being chased by the crown prince, right? In that situation, the guy who disappeared showed up like that, and the ringleader, his master, and the crown prince know each other? It’s obvious to anyone.”

That was right. Moreover, that slave trading ring wasn’t only related to the crown prince. When I thought that far, it naturally led to one conclusion.

“You’re saying that the royal family of the Effen Kingdom is behind the Requiem Guild.”

“Whatever it is, it’s not just ordinary sponsorship.”

Chris, who already knew the situation from me, gritted his teeth. It’s not unusual for a royal family or noble family to sponsor a guild. But if the royal family of another country is behind a guild involved in illegal slave trading, it could mean many different things.

‘Treason.’

It seemed that what I had thoughtlessly considered was true. Even if the Requiem Guild didn’t have such intentions, it would be difficult to avoid suspicion. From the very beginning, joining hands with another royal family and selling off imperial citizens was an act of treason.

Thanks to that, my head throbbed.

‘Did Ain Idris know this when he joined Requiem?’

It’s a problem whether he knew or not. But I’d rather he didn’t know. If he participates in treason, it means Minerva will also get involved, and then things will really get big. I don’t want to see the Requiem Guild succeed, nor do I want to see the crown prince of the Effen Kingdom rise to prominence. It will definitely be a difficult war. Even if that’s not the case, I just don’t want Minerva to get involved in this kind of thing.

“We need solid evidence to accuse them. If Davian regains his senses, it will solve some of the problem. I’ll take care of this, so don’t act rashly. Everyone is watching you.”

I nodded bitterly at Chris, who was earnestly urging me. I don’t know why things are turning out this way. The thing that started just to meet a dragon is becoming more complicated than I thought.

* * *

After returning, the guild became incredibly busy. The news that we had successfully completed a Makina-class request spread widely throughout the capital. Since it was virtually an unconfirmed rank and it ended with the complete destruction of a criminal organization, the guild’s power suddenly surged.

Especially since it was known that I had almost solved it alone, interest in the water spiritist greatly increased. I don’t know what news was spread, but there were even absurd rumors that I had turned tens of thousands of soldiers into ice statues, or that the Louisa Forest had become an eternal winter.

No matter how absurd the rumors were, it was a good thing that the guild became famous. The association could no longer openly interfere as before. The problem was that reporters kept rushing in all the time, trying to figure out the truth. Since I didn’t show my face, there were many who forcibly tried to confirm my appearance by ambushing me.

Some of them used rough methods, but I couldn’t deal with them strongly because of the regulations. There was a common rule throughout the continent that soldiers or hunters should not attack civilians, especially journalists. Because of that, Chris took special measures to deal with the constant disruptions.

“You’re on vacation for a while.”

He grabbed my shoulder with a determined face.

Thus, an unexpected vacation began.

“Don’t you usually rest when you’re on vacation?”

I turned around at Ifrit’s voice. I told him that he didn’t have to follow me, but he followed me wherever I went, silently observing my daily routine. The bewildered expression on his face made me a little puzzled.

“I *am* resting?”

“Um, let me ask you first. What do you think resting is?”

“Not working?”

“Oh, yeah. Of course, that’s also resting. …But usually sword training is included in work.”

He stared at the sword in my hand as if he was fed up. I lowered my gaze to the handle wrapped in bandages, soaked with sweat.

“But I have to do this every day. Trowell said I shouldn’t skip a day. I still can’t control my strength well, so I need practice.”

“It’s good to be diligent, but aren’t you bored?”

“I don’t really have anything else to do anyway.”

It’s not the season for festivals right now, and as for sightseeing in the capital, I’ve been running around every day for running training, so I’m tired of it. The shopping district has also become familiar while I was looking for gloves, so there’s nothing more to see. But Ifrit perked up.

“Why isn’t there anything to do? What creature is more focused on pleasure than humans? You can go out to eat delicious food or go on a trip to a nearby place.”

“That costs money all the time. And it’s not even my money.”

“What? Money?”

“Of course, it’s a bit weird to say this when I’m already spending a lot. But I feel a little bad about being indebted. So I try to use it only for necessary things…”

“Haha, this is crazy. No, how do these guys raise their kids? Your contractor has a lot of money! No, *I* have a lot too! You can spend it as much as you want! No, please spend it!”

“Oh, I’m getting a little excited now.”

“Right? So let’s go have fun.”

“…Together?”

“Then of course we have to go together? Why, do you want to go alone?”

“Ah, no. It’s good to go together.”

When I answered hastily, a smile like sunlight settled on his red eyes.

“Okay, just trust me and follow me. I know all the best restaurants around here. I’ll take responsibility for feeding you only delicious things.”

…Wow, why am I not a fire spiritist?

Ifrit definitely knew how to charm people. When I came to my senses, I was already walking around the street with him. Ifrit knew everything about the capital as if he was born and raised in this area. Most of the food in the restaurants he took me to was something I had never seen before, but it was all so delicious that I couldn’t believe it. Just anticipating where to go next made my heart flutter. It was amazing that I was walking the same street as usual, but the feeling was completely different just because the purpose was different. Ellyuen and Trowell must be having a hard time restoring the territory right now, so I felt sorry for being so happy.

“Come to think of it, Elquines and Trowell seem to be taking a while.”

“Ah, it’ll take a few more days. Especially Elquines will take a while. I’m more surprised that he destroyed the seal so quickly. It was a real hidden card.”

“I heard you joined hands with a high-ranking god, is that true?”

“…Even spirit kings sometimes need help from others.”

That’s true. If it’s a high-ranking god, they’re all from the spirit king’s level, but I don’t know which crazy god participated in such a thing. Was he also an Ifrit from whom Elquines had accumulated a lot of resentment? But if it’s a god I know who would do such a thing….

“There’s only Kanos.”

“Huh? He’s a demon god.”

“……”

I wish you wouldn’t get this right. Suddenly, I couldn’t taste anything from the ice cream I was eating so deliciously. Ifrit was smiling with an interesting face.

“How did you know without telling anyone? Trowell or Elquines wouldn’t have known who that high-ranking god was. You have the demon god’s mark, so it’s not a forgery?”

“Oh, um, it’s a forgery. I just personally know the demon god’s personality a little bit. So I just guessed. I didn’t know it was really right.”

“Hey, I thought you received a revelation.”

Ifrit looked disappointed. Ellyuen was displeased just by the possibility that I was a priest, and Trowell didn’t see it in a good light either, but he seemed to find it interesting.

“…How do you know the demon god?”

“I don’t know him well. I just ran into an angel who came to the garden, and he sent a message that he wanted to help me when he saw me grumbling. So I decided to join hands.”

“Is that all? Why did that god say he wanted to help?”

“It looks fun. Do you know that this Elquines is the strongest ever? So he was interested. He said he was curious about how much he could block the water territory with his own power.”

…It was an idea that Kanos could fully do.

I didn’t know whether to say that it was still the same as always, or to be relieved that there didn’t seem to be any special meaning, so it was a very complicated feeling.

“Ah, but can you keep this a secret from the kids? If Elquines finds out that I dragged in a demon god, he’ll try to seal me this time.”

“I’m Elquines’ contractor.”

“What should we eat next? Meat? Do you like spicy food?”

“…I’ll try.”

I guess I’m an easier person than I thought. While I was inwardly lamenting the feeling of confirming something I didn’t need to know, Ifrit chuckled. But the next moment, his eyes narrowed coldly.

“…I see someone I don’t want to see.”

I wondered what he was talking about and turned around, and I immediately understood the situation. An unexpected face was standing over there.

“Are you El? Are you El, right?”

The person who came up with a surprised expression was Ain Idris. Why did that man come into this store? Besides, he easily recognized me even though I was wearing a hood. This time, my appetite dropped sharply. I couldn’t eat the ice cream anymore, so I quietly put down the spoon, and Ifrit’s eyes narrowed as he looked at it.

“It’s been a while.”

“It’s been a long time. I’m glad I ran into you here. I was in trouble because I couldn’t see you even if I went to the guild office.”

“You were looking for me?”

“Yes, I was curious about how you were doing, and I also wanted to ask about the rumors that are circulating these days.”

It was when Ain Idris, who smiled brightly, was about to sit on the chair next to me.

“Hey.”

Suddenly, a low voice cut off his words and intervened. It was Ifrit, making a sullen face.

“Can’t you see she has company right now?”

Only then did Ain Idris recognize Ifrit and made a flustered expression. He was wearing a magic tool that hid his impression, but he didn’t seem to have thought about his existence at all.

“If you have something to say, do it later. She’s busy playing with me right now.”