Elqueeness [EN]: Chapter 548

548

“Anyway, I’m glad we found you, El. Congratulations.”

Compared to that, how kind is Sibelius? He seemed relieved that I hadn’t disrupted his schedule, even though his efforts had been in vain. Just as we ordered, the food arrived, and we began to eat in a more relaxed atmosphere.

“Ah, this is delicious.”

“Really?”

“It’s a flavor I like.”

Sibelius, who enjoys cooking, is quite discerning about taste. If he says this, it means it’s genuinely delicious. We just walked in, but luckily, it seems to be a well-regarded restaurant. The owner, who had been observing our reactions from afar, seemed noticeably pleased to hear our comments.

Just then, the bell rang, and someone entered the restaurant. Sibelius’s hand, which had been reaching for the next dish, stopped abruptly. I was about to ask him what was wrong when a stranger quickly sat down at our table. As soon as I turned around in surprise, I froze at the sight of his face. It was someone I had seen before. A sturdy build, dark black hair, and purple eyes. It was a combination that resembled Davian, but the atmosphere was completely different due to his more intense presence. He was one of the unicorns captured in the slave market that day.

‘How could he be here so soon?’

“Just stay seated, Sibelius. I didn’t come to bring you back. You too, there.”

The moment I reflexively started to get up, a blunt voice followed. I stopped awkwardly, doubting my ears. Sibelius was also unsure of what to do next. The man sighed softly.

“I mean it, sit down.”

Judging by the way he rubbed his forehead, looking weary, he didn’t seem to be trying to deceive us. When I sat down first, Sibelius hesitantly sat back in his chair. “It’s been a while, Arel.” Hearing the barely audible greeting, I remembered the man’s name. He was the most prickly of the three unicorns I had met that day. The man, Arel, sighed again.

“Sibelius, what on earth are you….”

“How did you know I was here?”

“Is that what’s important right now?”

The eyes glaring at him blazed fiercely. Sibelius’s face, already stiff with awkwardness, twitched. Seeing his wandering gaze, I turned to look at Arel.

“Don’t pressure him so much.”

“……What?”

“Don’t glare at him so harshly. And don’t use such a fierce tone. You’re making him nervous.”

Arel, with his mouth open, couldn’t hide his astonishment. He met my gaze as if to say, ‘So what are you going to do about it?’ Then he hesitated and mumbled.

“……I wasn’t glaring, I just have this kind of impression and tone.”

“Okay. I don’t like it, but I understand if you didn’t mean any harm. Then answer my question. How did you find us here?”

“I didn’t come looking for you; I was already here. I had no idea Sibelius would come here… But why do I have to explain this to you?”

“That’s what I’m saying. If you had just answered Sibelius’s question from the beginning, this wouldn’t have been necessary, would it?”

I smiled to imply that he was the one who made things complicated, and Arel looked speechless. Turning back to Sibelius, his face was full of resignation.

“I really didn’t know Sibelius would come here. I should be the one asking. I heard that your last known location was the Effen Kingdom. It’s not a distance you can cover in a day or two, so how did you get here?”

“Well, it just happened.”

“And even if you did come, why this place of all places…? I don’t even know what to say. This country has the most unicorn hunters. Are you aware of that?”

What, it’s that dangerous of a country? Looking at Arel, who was running a hand through his hair with a frustrated expression, I turned to look at Ellyuen, startled by his next words. He was simply looking out the window, seemingly indifferent to the situation. I decided to avoid imagining that he had deliberately chosen this country. Sometimes, it’s better not to know.

“I didn’t know, but I don’t really care. Thanks to that, it’s even better if everyone avoids this place.”

“…Haa, of course, you would say that. How can even this aspect be… No, never mind. Anyway, it seems you’ve been doing well. I’m glad you look healthy.”

“Thanks.”

“You still don’t have any intention of returning?”

Sibelius paused, then nodded. Arel, who seemed to have a complicated state of mind, didn’t seem too disappointed, as if he had expected it. Instead, he glared at me with dissatisfaction.

“I don’t know what that human did to entice you….”

“Deciding to leave the village was my own choice. And El is a good person. He’s my friend. Don’t talk about him like that.”

“……You don’t mean you’re never going to return, do you?”

“That’s not it. But I prefer things the way they are now.”

Even while giving a bitter smile, Sibelius answered honestly.

“For the first time, I feel like I’m alive.”

“……”

“Please, Arel. Pretend you didn’t see me. I’ll return on my own when the time comes. The things everyone is worried about will never happen. I swear in the name of Lusef.”

Arel, who had been frozen as if struck, finally seemed to regain his senses and took a breath. He looked at Sibelius with an expression that said he had a lot to say, then rubbed his face wearily.

“That’s a very weak condition. Of course, the things you’re worried about shouldn’t happen. If you weren’t even aware of that much, I wouldn’t be talking to you so calmly like this.”

The answer that came back was still cold. Sibelius’s expression quickly darkened at the unyielding attitude. Arel, who had been quietly watching his gloomy appearance, let out a deep sigh. The next moment, he stood up from his seat.

“Please give me updates from time to time.”

“……!”

Sibelius, startled, raised his head sharply. I didn’t expect him to do this either. Arel avoided his gaze as if embarrassed.

“Karian and I are Weldi’s milk siblings [raised by the same wet nurse], but I’ve been watching you since we were young. You must have felt a lot of pressure. I know that you’ve been burdened by obligations and responsibilities that someone like me can’t even imagine.”

“Arel……”

“I’ve done a lot of things I shouldn’t have done to you, swayed by the excuse that it couldn’t be helped. I’m just sorry that I realized it so late. I’ll take responsibility and make improvements.”

So, not all unicorns were a problem. Just as Sibelius had suddenly decided to let go, it seemed that he, too, had realized something over the past few days. This time, it was Sibelius’s expression that wavered. He looked bewildered, as if he never expected to hear such words, and he opened his mouth several times before finally speaking after a long time.

“……Thank you.”

“I didn’t say that to hear your thanks. You probably know that the village is facing an important meeting. A decision will be made in a few years at most. Until then, don’t wander around too much and come back.”

Perspective is truly amazing. Even though his tone was still blunt and his face was cold, the words he was saying now sounded completely different. Well, anyone would feel that way if they noticed the tips of his ears turning red.

Arel was about to storm out the door. Not wanting to let go of the opportunity that had rolled in, I quickly reached out and grabbed his arm. He was startled by the sudden stop, and when he realized that it was me who had grabbed him, he glared at me. I smiled brightly, not caring.

“Are you free right now?”

“……What?”

The bewilderment in his wide eyes deepened. Sensing a crisis, he tried to forcefully pull his arm away, but I held on tighter, preventing him from moving. Actually, it didn’t matter if he was busy. The result would be the same anyway.

“Would you like to do me a favor?”

* * *

Regardless of time or place, the most appropriate method to take when I can’t move is simple. It’s to use someone else. And right in front of me was the perfect person for the job. Missing this would be like kicking away a prepared meal.

“It really is Lantasha’s seal.”

Arel, who hadn’t stopped being wary while I was explaining the situation, finally believed me after reading Lantasha’s letter and confirming that the seal at the bottom was genuine. But he still couldn’t hide his displeased expression.

“How did you, a human, become friends with a dragon?”

“I don’t think I need to explain that. Do I have to reveal the details of my friendships?”

“Well, you’re a human who even seduced Rune…….”

Arel’s sigh deepened. He had openly told Sibelius to come to him in front of them, and he was actually traveling with him now, so it couldn’t be helped that he was being resented. He glanced at Ellyuen.

“That guy doesn’t seem human either.”

“Yeah, well…….”

He’s not just not human, he’s a Spirit King, but I decided not to reveal that for the sake of his heart health. Sibelius seemed to have the same thought, as he was about to say something but quietly closed his mouth. Arel, unaware of the consideration he was receiving, was looking at me as if I were a strange creature.

“The sacred artifact of Haiten is still needed, so it’s difficult to return it right away. Since we didn’t set a specific deadline when we borrowed it in the first place, even if you take this letter to the Elder, he’ll just give you a reply asking for a little more time.”

“Um, then can’t we borrow it for a little while? I only need it for two or three days.”

“Since the dragon Lantasha entrusted you with the delivery of the sacred artifact, you probably have the right to request that much. I’ll talk to the Elder about it.”

“Wow, thank you. Then I’ll leave it to you.”

I was inwardly cheering, thinking I had chosen the right person, but for some reason, Arel’s expression became even more complicated. He looked back and forth between Sibelius and me with an uneasy gaze, then opened his mouth with difficulty.

“Sibelius, would you like to talk to me for a moment?”

Sibelius, startled by the sudden request, approached him with a nervous expression. The two unicorns went to a distant place and whispered for a long time. Arel seemed to be questioning him about something, and when he glanced at me and was horrified, it was obvious what they were talking about. Come to think of it, the three unicorns I met that day thought I was a woman. It seems that misunderstanding has finally been cleared up.

“I dyed my hair and cut it, so why?”

“It’s the same reason why they see you as male even when your hair is long.”

“……”

I was trying to escape reality, but my only father wouldn’t help me. I stared silently at his indifferent face even after he stabbed me with a dagger, then I made eye contact with the restaurant owner who was hovering nearby. He had been anxiously watching us, thinking that a fight would break out ever since Arel had suddenly appeared. I gestured for him to come closer, and the surprised man approached me right away.

“Yes, customer. Is there anything else you need?”

“Not really. I just have something I want to ask you.”

“Yes, please ask.”

When I lowered my voice, the nervous restaurant owner also lowered his voice.

“What do you think my gender is, Mr. Owner?”

“Yes? Aren’t you a woman?”

Damn it, it seems like it’s not working at all. Even so, shouldn’t he at least pretend to think about it for a moment? How can he answer so directly! I could clearly feel Ellyuen snickering next to me, which made me even more upset.

“You failed.”

“Ah, I, I’m sorry?”

“Apologies accepted. It’s my fault for being confusing. But since you didn’t pass, you have to answer the next question.”

“Ahaha, I understand. What do I have to answer this time?”

“You’re the one who called Arel, right?”

The awkwardly smiling shop owner froze. He’s not good at lying, I thought to myself as I watched the man’s lips tremble like an aspen leaf. It was as I had guessed. Even though Arel was staying in this area, it was too far-fetched that we happened to run into each other in the same store. He didn’t even explain exactly how he came to be there and glossed over it. It made more sense that someone who recognized Sibelius had secretly contacted him. And there was only one person in this store who could do that.

“What are you talking about? I don’t know what you mean……”

“You can keep pretending you don’t know. But I’m thinking of telling Sibelius that you’re the informant. Is that okay?”

“That’s not okay!”

The man answered reflexively, then quickly covered his mouth with his hand in surprise. I could feel Sibelius turning to look at us after hearing the noise.

“Ah, I see. Is ice cream not okay? Then tell me what is okay.”

“Yes? Ah…….”

I gave him a look that said to just go along with the situation, and the man swallowed hard with a complicated expression.

“……Apple pie and scones are okay. And pudding too.”

“Then give me all of that. And what kind of drinks do you have?”

“Ah, as for drinks…….”

While he was stalling for time by adding to the order, the gaze that had been on us disappeared. Even Arel didn’t seem to notice anything strange. The man, who had been frozen with tension, slowly took a breath with a relieved expression.

“Are you willing to answer honestly now?”

The man, with a bitter expression, nodded as if he couldn’t help it after I asked in a small voice.

“I was the one who informed him. But I didn’t mean to put him in danger. Arel is my friend. And he understands that child… Sibelius. I thought he would be helpful.”

“I figured that’s why I’m just letting it go. You’re a unicorn too, right?”

The man blinked in surprise.

“Can you tell?”

“It’s just a guess based on the circumstances. There’s no way a normal human would recognize Sibelius at a glance. And the only people who would know Rune’s face, who lived locked up in the village his whole life, are unicorns.”

“Ah, that’s true.”

“But Sibelius doesn’t seem to know you.”

“I saw him when he was young, but he probably doesn’t remember.”

The man, who answered with a bitter expression, seemed to have completely given up on making excuses. Judging by the way he referred to Sibelius as a child, he must be quite old. It didn’t seem like he meant that he had forgotten because it had been too long. It was closer to a strong conviction that it was natural for him to have forgotten.

As he unconsciously swept his hair back, his eyes, which had been hidden by his shaggy bangs, were revealed. They were clear green eyes that went very well with his fine brown hair. I hadn’t noticed because he was wearing shabby clothes and had been hunching over the whole time, but he had a fairly refined appearance. Was it just my imagination that someone came to mind when I looked at his face?

“Actually, I’m a little flustered because I didn’t expect to run into him in a place like this. I didn’t think he would make human friends. If it’s not too much to ask, can I ask your name?”

“Sure. I’m El. What’s yours?”

Even as I asked, I already expected the answer that would come back. There were parts of what Arel had said earlier that had particularly bothered me. ‘Why this place of all places.’ ‘How can even this aspect be.’ Rather than just ordinary nagging, I could feel him being conscious of someone in the way he couldn’t finish his words and swallowed them himself. And I had a feeling that that someone was likely to be the man in front of me.

“I’m Rigleo.”

The man readily gave his name. He probably thought that I wouldn’t be able to recognize who he was with just that much information. I wonder what kind of expression he would make if he knew that I knew more than he thought.

A low voice I had heard somewhere came to mind. I also remembered how hard it was for the lips that were forcing down a twisted smile to utter the next words.

That’s why I couldn’t help but sigh. The person who had dominated Sibelius’s entire life, and the person he had confessed to hating. But perhaps the truth wasn’t so simple.

It was the ancestor of Asel I had only heard about.