Elqueeness [EN]: Chapter 518

518

“Duke Sepion? What are you talking about?”

“Umm, I’ll explain everything later. For now, you can rest assured.”

After calming down the flustered Ayira, I turned to look at Lamias, who was standing primly as if trying to appear serious. I wanted to ask him what he was doing, but I had also done something without permission, so I had nothing to say. No, but didn’t you send me to this banquet in the first place? Lamias should keep his mouth shut, even if he had ten mouths to speak with.

More than that, how did this dragon know I was here? Did he attach a tracking device without me knowing? It was an absurd thought to dismiss, but honestly, he was someone who could do that. Despite my sullen gaze, Lamias leisurely examined Ayira and Edis. He smiled, crinkling his eyes, and said,

“I will escort you two to Sepion. You, return to the banquet hall.”

“Ugh, go back?”

“If they find out you disappeared from the hall without a word, they’ll become suspicious.”

Ah, that was true. The Crown Prince was already watching me, and if I just disappeared from here, it would be like advertising that I was involved in this incident. Of course, even if I provided an alibi, the suspicion wouldn’t change much. There was no need to complicate things further. It seemed better to go back to check on the situation there.

“I’ll finish up here and go. Let’s talk in detail later.”

“But…….”

“It’s okay. He probably doesn’t have any ulterior motives right now, so just go with him. Davian will be there.”

Ayira, who seemed reluctant, nodded with a much more relaxed face when Davian was mentioned. Now that I think about it, I should ask how the two of them know each other later.

“Then, see you later.”

As I finished my greeting and was about to turn around, a hurried hand grabbed my arm. I sent a questioning gaze, and Ayira, after taking a short breath, opened her mouth with a serious expression.

“I’m Ayira.”

I wondered why she was saying a name I already knew, but then I realized that we had never formally introduced ourselves. I had unilaterally built up inner intimacy, but Ayira didn’t even know my name. I hadn’t even thought of that simple fact. I must have really been out of it.

“I’m Elle.”

We looked at each other and laughed for a moment. I don’t know why this simple self-introduction had been so difficult all this time. It felt like we had gone a long way around and finally reached the starting point.

* * *

The return trip was easily resolved with the help of Seciel. Seciel quickly flew up and landed on the roof of the mansion, safely dropping me off in the backyard connected to the terrace. I checked my attire and entered the hall, where gazes poured in. The banquet hall, with its leisurely music flowing, didn’t seem to have changed much from when I left. Well, if they showed any signs of an intruder, it would be like admitting that the mansion’s security was terrible, so they would try to hide it as much as possible.

“Elle, you’re still here.”

I was about to check if that Crown Prince bastard was there when Ain Idris hurriedly approached.

“I hadn’t seen you for a while and thought you had gone back.”

“I wouldn’t just leave without saying goodbye. I was just looking around the backyard.”

“You don’t seem wet at all for someone who was in the rain.”

The response came from a completely different voice. I already knew he was coming, but I deliberately turned around, feigning surprise. The Crown Prince was standing there with a sterner face than usual. I responded with a calm smile to his probing gaze.

“I was careful not to get wet.”

“As a water elementalist, you didn’t just dry yourself off after getting wet?”

“I could use that method too.”

It’s not just drying. I can even do on-the-spot laundry for dirt. Why are you even trying to test me with something like this? I casually parried, and his gaze became even more intense. Ain Idris, who was watching the situation from the side, gave an awkward smile, noticing how blatant it was even to others.

“Actually, Luciel was looking for you, Elle.”

“Oh, really? If I had known you were looking for me, I would have come in earlier. Did you have something to say to me?”

“……Nothing.”

I could read a fierce anger in his cold eyes. He had suspicions but no certainty, so he seemed extremely frustrated.

“Let’s see how far you can go acting on your own.”

The Crown Prince bastard had a knack for delivering threats in a strange way. It was fortunate that I understood the situation; if I didn’t know anything, I would have wondered what nonsense he was talking about. Still, suspecting someone without any evidence was a bit much, wasn’t it? Of course, I was the one who did it, though.

‘You kidnapped and tortured someone, yet you’re so confident.’

It was even more difficult to hold back the urge to lash out. I wanted to hit the back of his head as he turned away after saying his piece. Ain Idris sent me a questioning look, so I shrugged, indicating that I didn’t know what was going on.

“Would you like something to drink?”

Just then, an employee approached and offered me a tray with drinks. Feeling that it was a strangely coincidental moment, I glanced at the Crown Prince. Sure enough, he was secretly watching me. He must have done something to the drink. I was about to refuse, but I knew he would approach me in another way anyway, so I picked up any glass for now. If I had to defend myself, water would be better. I took a small sip, just enough to wet my throat, and felt a languid sensation spread through me. It must be a sleeping pill.

The Crown Prince seemed quite pleased that I obediently drank the beverage. Let me say again, people don’t know much about elementalists. Why can’t they think that I’m resistant to poison, even though they know I’m a water elementalist? The slave traders also had trouble catching me because the hallucinogens took the longest to affect me (and even then, I wouldn’t have been caught if it weren’t for Ifrit). Don’t villains talk to each other? Well, that’s why they’re villains.

He said he’d see how far I could go acting on my own. How far should I indulge him to make him even more frustrated? I thought about pretending to drink more to completely let his guard down. But suddenly, someone snatched the glass away from me. It was a man I had never seen before.

“Why are you drinking something so tasteless?”

“……Excuse me?”

Who is this guy? I looked closely, wondering if I knew him, but it was definitely a face I had never seen before. I blinked in bewilderment, and the man smiled, tilting the glass and pouring the drink onto the floor. The people around me were flustered by the sudden outburst and began to stir. “Elle, are you okay? Who are you?” Ain Idris wrapped his arm around me protectively, wary of the man, which was understandable. It looked like he was openly picking a fight.

I just calmly stared at the man. I had a feeling I knew who he was. A very strong and unpleasant feeling. He seemed to know that I recognized him too. The look of enjoyment in his eyes intensified.

“Why did you come back instead of just leaving? That’s why you almost got into trouble.”

“……Why are you here?”

Karian.

I chewed the name that made me want to vomit inside my mouth. I never imagined I would run into the guy I never wanted to see again here. The fact that he knew I had gone out and come back meant he had been watching from somewhere. It also meant he knew why I had left. Could this guy have told Ayira the location of the secret chamber? My insides felt hot as if I had swallowed a ball of fire.

“The atmosphere is just right, so I thought I’d break the ice.”

“Stop it and just leave.”

“I don’t want to?”

……Yeah, seeing him, I understand. Villains don’t not talk, they just ignore what the other person says. I took a deep breath, feeling my blood pressure rising, and Ain Idris asked,

“Elle, do you know him?”

“……Do I know him?”

How could you think I know someone like that? I looked at him with a dumbfounded expression, and Ain Idris looked apologetic. “I’m sorry. I thought you knew each other…….” I was dumbfounded again by his cautious apology. Looking at him, he’s secretly timid.

“Are you going to be so serious? I helped you, but that’s too much.”

I was speechless at his sulky attitude. I didn’t need your help, okay? Karian helping me? Just thinking about it gave me goosebumps. Karian laughed as if he found it amusing that the expression was written all over my face.

“Wow, you really hate me, don’t you? I can see the disgust on your face. You’re too honest, so I don’t hate it. Is it because you’re a beauty even when you’re frowning?”

“Stop talking nonsense and get out of here.”

“Don’t worry. I’ll leave on my own when I’m done with my business. Just don’t interfere with my work.”

What is he trying to do?

The speed of my heartbeat increased with anxiety.

“Who are you from which family? What is this sudden outrage in a pleasant place?”

The Crown Prince, who had come closer, asked with a stern face. He had openly poured the drink on the floor in a place where everyone was watching, so it was only natural for the highest-ranking person to pay attention. Of course, the Crown Prince’s authority only worked when the other party was a human. Karian didn’t even sneer.

“You stay out of this.”

“……What?”

“My business is over there.”

Gasps of astonishment erupted from all sides at the arrogant and insolent remark that was unbelievable to be directed at the Crown Prince of a great nation. And I tensed up for a different reason. Karian’s gaze, saying he had business, was on Princess Anais. Noticing the gaze, the Crown Prince quickly stood in front of his sister.

“What is your purpose? What kind of guy are you?”

“What do you think I am?”

“You’re like a mayfly. Do you think this crazy behavior will be tolerated?”

As expected, threats didn’t work this time either. Karian shrugged and, instead of giving a special answer, began to peel off his face like he had done before. Short screams erupted from the people who were faced with the unexpected sight. Regardless, Karian calmly took off the things that were covering him one by one.

The face of someone I didn’t know disappeared, and a face that was obviously gorgeous appeared. As the wig he was wearing fell off, revealing the dark black hair that had been hidden, and when his red eyes were finally revealed, the surroundings became so quiet that not a single breath could be heard.

“A, a demon…….”

Someone muttered after a long time. Only then did the people who had been freed from the magic come to their senses and retreat in droves. The Crown Prince and Princess also retreated to the back under the protection of their guards. The only one who couldn’t move was the Crown Prince, who seemed to be captivated by Karian’s gaze.

“Brother!”

“Your Highness the Crown Prince!”

Voices of concern desperately called out to the Crown Prince, but there was no one who could ignore the intangible space formed between the two beings. The Crown Prince’s face was stiff. It was the first time I had seen the usually slippery guy make such an uneasy face.

“Do you know what my business is now? You’ll know for sure, even if no one else does.”

“……Why a high-ranking demon.”

“You thought we wouldn’t get involved? That’s right. That’s how it usually is. But this time, you guys messed around a bit too much. You should know your place, even if you’re greedy. I gave you a hint, but you didn’t even notice. So I’m here to give you a warning in person.”

“A warning, you say?”

“Yes, a warning. You, a human, have the power of bewilderment?”

The Crown Prince’s face twitched as he was hit right on the mark. Karian smiled even more sweetly.

“But I’m better at this. My master, who has lived the longest in the Demon Realm, said that no one can follow me in this field. It’s not as good as I’d like, but I can still play with a human or two. Do you want to check it out?”

“……I refuse.”

“Don’t hesitate. It’s already too late anyway.”

The Crown Prince, who had been frowning, gasped with a stiff face the next moment. It was the face of someone who had realized that things had gone wrong. What had happened could only be known from the situation that followed.

“Kneel.”

At Karian’s command, the Crown Prince immediately knelt down. The horrified people swallowed their groans. Even the Crown Prince himself looked embarrassed. The atmosphere inside the hall instantly stiffened.

After that, Karian continued to give instructions to the Crown Prince. He made him do push-ups and jumping jacks. He also ordered ridiculous movements, but the faces of the people watching became paler and paler. As the surroundings became quieter, Karian turned around with a bored face.

“Gee, I told you to laugh, but no one is laughing. Is this not fun?”

Someone burst into tears. Thanks for the appropriate response, Karian shrugged, feeling embarrassed.

“Why are you doing this? Are demons proud of humiliating those who cannot resist! If you have the honor of a strong person, stop it now!”

The enraged Crown Prince shouted with a distorted face. Despite being terrified, he was still saying what needed to be said, so he was a brave person, as expected of someone who had been appointed as the next emperor. Even in this situation, I felt it was a waste for him to be caught up in the Crown Prince’s plot.

“Honor…….”

Perhaps that’s why Karian nodded this time instead of ignoring or laughing at the words, as if he had heard a very plausible argument. The docile reaction was even more unsettling.

“Well, was I being a bit childish? Okay. Then, to uphold the honor of the demons and meet everyone’s expectations, shall we do it that way?”

Clap, clap, he clapped his hands a couple of times as if a performer was drawing the audience’s attention, and then lightly raised his arm. Then, a jet-black magic power rose from his hand, and a sword with a dark gray color appeared. Karian threw the sword at the Crown Prince’s feet.

“Now, pick up the sword.”

The Crown Prince picked up the sword as he was told this time as well. With the appearance of a weapon, a tension that could not be compared to the previous one flowed. Everyone was waiting with tense faces for what would be said next.

“Kill your sister with it.”

“……!”

The command that followed was beyond imagination. As much as the surroundings were shocked, the Crown Prince’s face was also stiff. But his body was faithfully carrying out the command even at this moment.

He gripped the sword and slowly began to walk. The guards stepped forward to protect the princess, but they had no weapons to speak of. It was customary not to carry weapons at banquets. In a world where magic and sword energy were rampant, it seemed meaningless, but the logic was that tools that could threaten the opponent should not be visible. This was also because the higher the position, the more likely they were to wear magical tools that defended against most attack magic.

In the end, they tried to subdue him with their bare hands. But the Crown Prince seemed to know how to handle a sword. Or was it the ability of the sword itself? In an instant, two guards were knocked away. “Aaaagh!” As the Crown Prince actually attacked people, screams rang out everywhere. Rather, the princess, who was the one being threatened, seemed to be the calmest.

“O, Brother.”

“Run, Anais! My body won’t listen……!”

The Crown Prince, gritting his teeth, shouted with difficulty. His arms were trembling as if he was trying to endure somehow.

“Jin, Summon!”

It was at that moment that Ain Idris stepped forward in front of the princess. Hope appeared on the faces of the people who heard his cry. I also thought that Jin would appear soon and end this situation. But contrary to expectations, there was no response. It seemed that not even a faint breeze was blowing, let alone Jin appearing. Bewilderment appeared on the faces of everyone who had been relieved. Karian was the only one who was calm.