Elqueeness [EN]: Chapter 485

485.

Stepping outside the hall, I was met by pitch-black darkness. The sky, which had been twilight when I arrived, was now completely submerged in ink. The cooler air brushing against my cheeks helped clear my head a little. I took several deep breaths, then bit my lip. I moved to a corner as inconspicuous as possible, squeezing myself into the deep shadows. Once I felt like no one could find me, I finally started to calm down. Or, actually, I wasn’t sure. It felt even more agonizing.

“Haa…”

I couldn’t tell if what was surging up was anger or tears. I wanted to leave this place immediately. I wanted to go home. I wanted to see Ellyuen, my father. My clenched hand trembled incessantly. I felt like if I opened my mouth, I would vomit everything that was building up.

“This is really the worst…”

* * *

Quite some time had passed when I returned to the banquet hall. The chaotic atmosphere that had just begun was now in full swing, a place for genuine socializing, with people dancing and enjoying themselves. In the meantime, the number of people had increased, and the interior was even more crowded.

Finding Chris in the space filled with so many people wasn’t difficult. He was isolated in a corner, unable to mingle with anyone among those gathered in groups of three or five.

“Why are you here all alone?”

When I approached and asked, Chris flinched warily, then slowly examined me. He couldn’t recognize me right away because of the magic tool.

“El?”

When he asked cautiously, I nodded, and he immediately looked like he was about to cry.

“Ugh~ Yanma, what happened to you? I thought you abandoned me and just left.”

“I’m sorry. I suddenly felt a little sick.”

“Oh, did you get indigestion? Was it because you drank the beverage so quickly earlier? Are you okay now?”

“Yes, I feel a bit better.”

When I nodded, Chris looked me up and down, then sighed deeply. “I can’t read your expression at all because of that damn magic tool.” He grumbled discontentedly, then looked at me with even more worried eyes. He had a look of hesitation, as if wondering whether he should speak or not.

“Is there something you want to tell me?”

“Well, I think I should tell you this, but I’m worried it might make you suffer more when you’re already not feeling well.”

“It’s okay. What is it?”

“Actually, Duke Cepion was looking for you earlier.”

“Ah… Was he?”

I knew. That’s why I ran away to avoid him. I thought I looked pretty terrible, but fortunately, it didn’t seem that way. Well, most people were far enough away that they couldn’t hear the conversation between them.

“To be exact, it was Ein Idris who was looking for you. The Duke and everyone else came in a rush, asking where you were. It just so happened that you left the banquet hall at that exact moment. I made an excuse that you went out for some fresh air, but Duke Cepion asked when you would be back, and there was no way to know if you would really return. I was sweating bullets trying to make excuses.”

“You went through a lot.”

“It was a luxury, though. When else would I ever get to talk to a great noble? I even saw a Spirit King right in front of me. Wow, a Spirit King. I thought my heart was going to explode.”

“What’s so new about that?”

“Huh? What did you just say?”

“No, I didn’t say anything.”

I suddenly wondered what kind of expression he would make if he knew the identities of Ellyuen and Trowel. He was getting along with Ifrit so casually, as if they were close friends. He would need a truckload of blankets to kick in his sleep [a humorous expression for being extremely surprised or shocked]. But before that, I’d have to give him a tranquilizer in advance so he doesn’t have a heart attack.

Still, the fact that I was thinking about this meant I had some余裕 [yoyu, Japanese for ‘room’ or ‘leeway,’ indicating a sense of composure]. Swallowing my bitter feelings, I looked around the banquet hall. Duke Cepion and Ein Idris in the center were still surrounded by many people. …And Minerva was next to Ein Idris as well.

Seeing him smiling made the nausea I had barely suppressed rise again. I didn’t want to get involved with Ein Idris. The current me was just the result of everything that had happened in this era. Knowing what would happen in the future but turning a blind eye was already difficult enough. But why? The reason he decided to learn swordsmanship, the reason Bluster took the form of a sword, why did it have to be because of me?

A leech with sharp thorns crawled all over my body. Those thorns shouted in unison. It was the voices of those who had once dominated my entire being, voices I thought I had completely shaken off.

“El?”

The voice calling my name snapped me back to my senses. I quickly turned my gaze and saw Chris looking at me with a serious expression.

“Are you really okay? If you’re not feeling well, you don’t have to push yourself. We’ve made a rough impression, so let’s just go back.”

“Ah, no. I’m sorry, Chris. I was just lost in thought for a moment.”

When I hurriedly smiled, Chris’s expression became even stranger. He scratched the back of his head awkwardly, then opened his mouth with a small sigh.

“Well, El, I might seem a bit unreliable…”

“You’re not.”

“I’m glad you think so. Anyway, tell me anything when you need help. Don’t keep everything to yourself.”

“…”

“You’re so mature that I often forget you’re still at an age where you’re growing. I’m still a Guild Master, you know. A Guild Master exists for Guild Members to rely on, so feel free to lean on me sometimes.”

“Aren’t you getting too serious all of a sudden?”

“Haha, a bit, right?”

I smiled calmly at Chris, who was scratching the back of his head awkwardly as if he was embarrassed himself.

“It’s not bad, though. Thank you for worrying about me.”

However, Chris’s expression as he smiled back wasn’t very bright. Maybe it was because he had been through so much. He seemed to sense that I was still putting up a wall with just that one sentence.

“Ah, by the way, those higher-ups don’t seem to be interested in this side at all now. What are you going to do, El? You wanted to meet Duke Cepion.”

It was just like him to skillfully change the subject without delving deeper. I forced myself to ignore the rising self-doubt and went along with the situation he had created. Yes, meeting Duke Cepion was the priority now. I had to meet him and find the Soul Stone, the whereabouts of Lapis. Once I reminded myself of my original purpose, I felt relieved.

“Of course, I have to meet him. I will definitely meet him.”

“How are you going to do that? We can’t even get close on our own. People won’t clear the way for us, will they?”

“Wouldn’t it be possible to create a situation where they would clear the way on their own?”

“Easier said than done, but would that be possible? Ah, are you perhaps going to summon a Spirit here? That would definitely get you noticed, though.”

“I have no intention of making a spectacle of the Spirits.”

“Then?”

“Have you forgotten why I became famous this time?”

He stared at me with a puzzled expression, then soon opened his mouth blankly. It was because I had removed the magic tool I was wearing instead of explaining. The shock that filled his eyes as he belatedly realized the situation was clear.

“…Ugh, crazy. It’s been a while since I saw it head-on, but the destructive power is amazing.”

“Looks like it’ll be effective, right?”

“Is that even a question… You’re wearing such flashy clothes right now, so it’s even worse. Even if you were with your brothers, you’d be the most noticeable.”

“That’s good.”

“Ah, no, wait. Wait a minute, El. Honestly, I don’t know if this is okay. I’m feeling really complicated right now. You’ve learned to use your appearance. It’s like seeing wings on a tiger [becoming even more powerful]. No, it’s like witnessing the awakening of the strongest weapon in humanity… ?”

“Then I’ll be off.”

I left him behind, muttering nonsense with a dazed look, and started walking. As I approached the crowded people, those who felt my presence and turned around unconsciously froze. The reaction wasn’t much different from Chris’s earlier. I smiled at the eyes I met, and short breaths burst out from among the frozen people.

“Excuse me, may I pass?”

At those words, the people who had been staring blankly moved back as if possessed. A path quickly opened through the crowd that parted to both sides.

“Thank you.”

After giving a short nod, I walked straight to the center. The sound of people asking each other who I was grew louder behind me. Once the path was cleared, it didn’t take long to reach where Duke Cepion was. The Duke, who had been in the middle of a conversation, turned this way and paused. Ein Idris, who was puzzled by the reaction and turned his head, did the same.

Stinging gazes poured in from all directions. I smiled at Duke Cepion, who was shining his eyes intensely as if he was exploring me.

“Nice to meet you, Duke Cepion.”

“…Who are you?”

“I heard from my companion that you were looking for me. I apologize for the late greeting. I am El, a Hunter belonging to the Guild of Dawn and a Water Spiritist.”

The commotion around me grew louder. People who remembered me from the beginning of the banquet were saying it couldn’t be and were confused. Duke Cepion also blinked with a face as if he had been hit.

“Um, are you that Spiritist?”

“Yes, I am pleased to meet such a prestigious Duke. Thank you for inviting me to the banquet.”

“…No, I should be thanking you for coming.”

The Duke’s expression, who answered half a beat late, looked a little complicated. I couldn’t tell if it was out of goodwill or aversion, so I averted my gaze for the time being. There was no room to think about anything else because what I had to do in this place right now was so clear. Forcibly enduring the body trying to tense up on its own, I slowly turned my head. Towards Minerva, who was looking at me with curious eyes.

“…”

I was prepared, but my heart beat loudly when I stood right in front of him. I quickly lowered my eyes to avoid meeting his gaze. In the Empire, it was polite to look directly at the other person when greeting or talking to them. Avoiding eye contact was considered to be harboring dishonest intentions, so it was avoided even to save face. However, in this place right now, I didn’t feel an atmosphere of blaming my attitude or finding it strange. It was difficult for humans to be calm in front of a Spirit King unless they had extraordinary courage. Everyone was in a similar situation, so they didn’t care. I hoped Minerva would see it that way too. I hoped that taking a deep breath before opening my mouth would also be seen as just being nervous.

“One who is guided by nature greets the noble wind. I am El, who walks the path of water.”

The voice that responded was calm and concise like a gentle breeze. His gaze lingered a little longer, but it was only a slight interest, and there was no way to guess what he was thinking. However, even though he must have recognized that I was Elquines’ contractor, he didn’t show any sign of it either. I felt a silent consideration, so I clenched my fist tightly.

I’m sorry, Minerva. I’m not happy at all. I didn’t want to see you like this. I had no intention of getting involved with you in this way. I didn’t want to know any of these things.

I tried to force a smile to keep my face from distorting, but it felt like my mouth was twitching. Thanks to that, I felt as exhausted as if I had finished a marathon when I greeted Ein Idris.

“It’s been a while. How have you been?”

“Ah. Yes, yes, El. Oh, it’s been a while.”

He had been spacing out from the moment he found me, and he continued to fumble even as he answered. He must have already known my appearance, but he seemed newly embarrassed when I dressed up properly. I thought I would be angry when I saw him, but seeing him unable to hide his agitation to the point of being innocent only made my head more complicated.

“Haha, it’s refreshing to see El-nim here. I knew you were originally beautiful, but seeing you dressed up like this, I can’t help but be amazed.”

Fortunately, the voice that came right away barely stopped my mind, which had been falling endlessly. Seeing the face of the Master of the Grim Reaper Guild, who had revealed his intention to stand out in any way possible, made me feel much calmer.

“…I guess there are times when you can be helpful.”

“Pardon? What did you just say?”

“I said thank you for the compliment.”

The Master of the Grim Reaper Guild smiled even while making a sullen expression at my nonchalantly glossed-over words.

“Anyway, you’ve come at a good time. The ending of this tedious conversation will finally come. So, what do you think, everyone? Do you believe our story now?”

Everyone made awkward expressions at his words as he looked around. I wondered what he was talking about and looked at him, and Duke Cepion, who had been snickering, opened his mouth.

“Actually, we were talking about you.”

“…About me?”

“Recently, every newspaper has been buzzing with stories about you. Among them, the most notable content was about your appearance.”

I felt like I knew the rest of the story even without hearing it. The words that people who saw me here would say were obvious. They would have evaluated that I was ordinary when they actually saw me, unlike the rumors. It seemed that only Ein Idris and the Master of the Grim Reaper Guild didn’t think so. As expected, Duke Cepion’s explanation that followed was as expected.

“Because people who claimed to have witnessed it were making different claims, the conflict didn’t end easily.”

“I see.”

Was that useless debate what the upper class was doing, huddled together in the center? I turned to the Master of the Grim Reaper Guild with a sullen feeling, and he puffed out his shoulders with a proud face. He seemed very proud that the result of that pathetic conflict had ended in their victory. I didn’t know why some random guy who wasn’t even our Guild Master was benefiting from my appearance. Chris, on the other hand, was stuck in the corner and couldn’t even dare to approach this side. As I was feeling dumbfounded, Duke Cepion smiled deeply.