Elqueeness [EN]: Chapter 555

“Even if Sibel-nim says otherwise, you and I are destined to be partners. So, I will stay by your side. It’s only natural that we share joy and sorrow.”

But it would have been better not to say those words. Sibelius’s gaze, which had merely been troubled, instantly turned icy cold. His warmthless eyes were filled with a weary, bitter emotion, as if looking at something utterly tiresome.

“Why do you want to be my partner?”

“Because you’re a Rune!”

“Is that the only reason?”

“Shouldn’t that be reason enough? Everyone has different criteria for choosing a partner. I want a partner who suits me.”

“I’m sorry, but I’m not the one.”

“……Am I not good enough for you?”

“I haven’t thought about who is more suitable or lacking. But at least, I have no intention of marrying into the Elder’s bloodline.”

Weldi stopped breathing at the firm reply. Her wide eyes shook with shock, as if she had read the undisguised disgust in Sibelius’s gaze.

“……Let’s talk about this later. That would be better.”

Weldi, who quickly averted her gaze, chose to leave. Karian, who had been standing guard like a folding screen, also moved, following her as she hurried away. Silence fell around them as if a storm had just passed.

“For now, let’s just go together. It doesn’t seem like she’ll obediently return if we send her back.”

“……I’m sorry, El.”

“It’s okay. It’s not your fault. Should I go and comfort her?”

“Me stepping in would be counterproductive. Karian followed her, so he’ll take care of it.”

Indeed, comforting her at times like this would be like giving her false hope. It’s better to remain cold until the end.

“Going off on her own like that. Doesn’t she realize she’s in a foreign place? I don’t know why Arel was sent back in the first place. Karian alone will have a lot on his plate.”

Still, seeing him unable to hide his worry shows that his sense of responsibility is unavoidable. But weren’t unicorns a warrior race? It seems like he’s being particularly protective, not just because of her status. When I subtly probed for the reason, a sighing explanation followed. Her doting grandfather, who was crazy about his only granddaughter, never made Weldi do anything she didn’t want to do since she was little. So, she only learned martial arts and magic to a basic level.

Instead, he thoroughly trained Karian and Arel to be her guardian knights, always by her side. Since she would hardly ever leave the village and was of the Elder’s bloodline, it seems he taught her how to command people rather than moving herself.

I don’t think that’s a bad thing, but it was hard not to feel resentful because it was so different from the treatment I received. Sibelius must have had many more times when he didn’t want to do things to develop abilities stronger than all the escorts combined.

“You don’t like learning? I don’t understand. How can you not like learning?”

Of course, exceptions exist, like Lapis, who spouts nonsense.

Anyway, I felt that Sibelius’s childhood must have been lonely. They would have spent the same childhood, but what was allowed for Weldi wouldn’t have been allowed for him. Since he couldn’t awaken the Rune’s power himself, he must have tried harder to be better at other things. He doesn’t even remember his brother, so he must have forgotten the affection he received from him. Feeling sorry for him, I reached out and stroked his hair. Sibelius, taken aback by the sudden touch, widened his eyes.

“E, El?”

“You endured it well. You grew up very well.”

As I praised him earnestly, wanting to acknowledge him, Sibelius hesitated and lowered his reddened face. Still, he didn’t avoid my touch, so I was relieved that he didn’t dislike it.

“Take care of yourself first.”

Ellyuen, who had been watching this whole scene with a crooked posture, clicked his tongue and sneered. It was a rare heartwarming atmosphere, but is there a need to show off being the Water Spirit King so much by pouring cold water on it so casually?

“Tell me about it.”

Lapis, muttering, had a similar tone. I wish they wouldn’t be so in sync only at times like this when they don’t even get along well.

* * *

The destination, the forest, was located about an hour’s walk from the village. It was a distance where you could see a rough overview by climbing a slightly higher hill. The gray, foggy forest was emitting an ominous aura even from afar. The fact that not a single spirit was visible proved that it wasn’t normal fog.

Perhaps that’s why the village, despite being quite large, was strongly wary of outsiders. I tried to gather information about the forest while buying supplies, but I didn’t gain any significant information. If I even mentioned it, everyone would either disappear in a flurry as if they were having a fit or angrily chase me away. Later, I don’t know how the rumors spread, but not only the merchants but even the people passing by wouldn’t even make eye contact with us.

While we were aimlessly spending time like that, evening quickly approached. Judging that it would be better to start early in the morning rather than entering after dark, we decided to camp at the edge of the forest.

“You’re going to go in there?”

Weldi’s face turned pale only after she realized our destination upon arriving.

“If you’ve changed your mind, you can go back.”

“That’s not the problem right now! If you’re a spiritist, shouldn’t you be able to sense it to some extent? That place is full of dirty energy.”

“Yes, I know.”

Honestly, if it’s this eerie, anyone would feel that something is wrong, not just a spiritist. As proof, a large ‘No Entry’ sign was posted at the entrance of the forest. I heard that none of the priests who went in to purify it ever returned. If that’s the case, there must have been civilian casualties as well. That’s probably why the villagers are reluctant to even mention the forest.

“Is there a reason you’re trying to go in even though you know that?”

“Because it’s dirty, I’m going to purify it. They said it becomes dangerous if left alone.”

“Isn’t going to purify it dangerous?”

“Um, maybe it is. It might be dangerous.”

The purification method was simple, but there was no guarantee that the forest was safe. I tried to find out by asking around, but the villagers were so uncooperative that I had no choice but to face it head-on. Since there were no spirits in the forest, Ellyuen’s ability to look into it beforehand was limited. It would be solved if he went there himself, but I didn’t want to ask him that much. Either way, even if it’s dangerous, the result of having to go in doesn’t change. Actually, have I ever lived my life considering such things? I could see Weldi making a dumbfounded face, but this was the only answer I could give.

Rather, it’s been a while since someone has been grilling me about the reasons why I’m trying to do something. Ellyuen and Sibelius were the type to just go along with whatever I wanted to do. Even when I said I was going to purify the sanctuary out of the blue, both of them just reacted with “Okay.”

Sibelius just agrees without knowing anything, but Ellyuen must have already heard all the conversations I had with the priests in the early morning, but he doesn’t even mention it. It seems like he’s given up on asking what my relationship with the Demon God is. At this point, I was a little curious about what they both thought of me.

“El, the tent is all set up.”

“Oh, thanks. Good job.”

At least I’ll sleep comfortably. I felt pleased seeing the neatly erected tent. Weldi, who was horrified when preparing the meal, didn’t say anything about this. I guess she also found the sleeping bag uncomfortable.

“How can you do such magic……”

No, now that I see it, she was too surprised to even think about interfering. Weldi, who was looking inside the tent, was completely spaced out. Was this the first time she’s seen Sibelius’s tent? I thought all magicians could do it, but it seems like it was surprising even for them.

“Can’t you do it either?”

Since Weldi said she hardly learned any magic, I looked at Karian. He nodded, also looking bewildered.

“Ah, yes. To put it simply, it’s a magic that temporarily materializes illusions, but not only is it technically difficult, but it also consumes a significant amount of magical power. It’s possible to create small objects, but only a few people in the village can use it to this extent.”

“I see. So it was really amazing.”

“It’s a talent that ordinary people can’t even imitate. I don’t understand why someone so strong can’t awaken the power of the Rune……”

I pretended not to hear him muttering with a sigh. To be exact, it’s not that I can’t, but that I’m not doing it, but it was a meaningless distinction at a time when even I wasn’t aware of it. Maybe because this power is so strong, the thing that’s binding my power is also strong. Just like how Lapis’s soul was so strong that it became difficult to find.

Around that time, I felt someone approaching. I didn’t feel it was dangerous, so I left it alone, and soon a small figure appeared in the path. It was a boy who looked to be around ten years old. The surprised boy quickly stepped back and glared at us, as if he didn’t expect anyone to be here. His face was tense and full of wariness.

“Who are you? What are you doing here?”

“Um, we’re just travelers. As you can see, we’re setting up a tent and resting.”

“So you’re just people?”

I tilted my head, wondering what he meant, but nodded for now. “That’s right, we’re people.” The boy’s face became complicated at my kind answer.

“Are you the people who were asking about the forest in the village?”

“That’s right too. Who are you? Do you live in the village?”

“You can’t go to the forest!”

The boy gave an irrelevant answer. Then, as if he was surprised by his own loud voice, he quickly covered his mouth, turned around with an angry expression, and ran away again. In the meantime, his voice echoed again as he looked back.

“I warned you!”

Nameless boy, if you’re going to warn someone, shouldn’t you explain it properly? Seeing a young child come all the way here alone, it seems like there’s a story behind it, but I was too flustered to even think about catching him. I swallowed my bewildered feelings as I watched his small back disappear faster than he came. Sibelius and the others were also flustered and just blinked.

“What’s with that kid?”

“He seems like a village kid. I guess he wanted to tell us not to go into the forest because it’s dangerous.”

“I don’t know if he’s being kind or unkind.”

I chuckled in agreement with the appropriate expression.

“But it seems like it’s really dangerous. What are you going to do, you two? This is the last chance to turn back. Are you really going to come with us?”

Weldi couldn’t answer the question as she turned around. She looked so pitiful, clearly showing that she didn’t want to go but couldn’t bring herself to say it honestly. Perhaps it wasn’t just me who felt that way, as Sibelius offered a reasonable compromise.

“Don’t push yourself and just go back to the village. I’ll come to pick you up when it’s over.”

“……Are you saying that you’re going to leave us behind?”

“I wouldn’t do that. I just don’t want to create an unavoidable situation. If something happens inside, I’ll have to protect you too.”

“Can’t Sibel-nim just not go?”

“You already know my answer.”

Weldi clenched her fist tightly at his cutting attitude. Even as he saw her hurt face, Sibelius’s indifferent gaze didn’t change.

“What are you going to do? Should I take you to the village?”

“No, I’ll go with you.”

Weldi’s eyes burned with stubbornness as she answered firmly. As if anger had swallowed her anxiety, there was no longer any hesitation to be found.

“No matter what happens, I won’t leave your side.”

“……Weldi.”

“You’re not the only one who’s stubborn. Sibel-nim, please know my answer too. I will never give up on you.”

After saying what she had to say, Weldi entered the tent with a haughty face. Sibelius sighed and rubbed his forehead with a tired look. Just as I was about to pat his slumped shoulders and tell him to go inside, too,

“Weldi-nim?”

Suddenly, Weldi burst out again. Karian, who was about to go inside, barely caught her staggering body as if she was about to fall. Weldi, who had turned pale, had a blank look on her face, greatly surprised. Seeing her unusual appearance, Sibelius and I also quickly approached.

“What’s wrong, Weldi?”

“What happened?”

“Ah, inside…….”

What, did a ghost appear inside the tent? That can’t be? First, I cautiously went inside to check. But only the usual cozy living room appeared, and there was no other surprising sight to be seen.

“What is it?”

Ellyuen, who was sitting on the living room chair and reading a book, sent a puzzled look. Seeing him so calm, who would have noticed any problems before anyone else, made the judgment that Weldi had seen something that wasn’t there more firm.

“Father, was there anything strange here?”

“Can’t you tell by looking?”

Like he said, it was a situation where you couldn’t tell even if you looked. There’s no way she was so shocked because the inside was too cozy. But Weldi, who came out and looked around, still couldn’t control her shock, so I had no choice but to ask her seriously.

“What were you so surprised to see, Weldi?”

“Didn’t you see it? Inside…….”

“I didn’t see anything strange. Father doesn’t seem to have seen anything either.”

“No, not something strange, but there’s a god inside…… Huh? Father?”

Weldi, who was answering with a tearful face, paused and asked back. But didn’t she just say god? The words flashed by so quickly that I wasn’t sure if I heard them correctly. So I just gave the answer I could.

“Father was in the living room. Didn’t you see him?”

“……Are you perhaps talking about the person you call Father?”

Then there’s only one father, there’s no way there’s another father?

I blinked, unable to understand the meaning, and Weldi, who jumped up from her seat, went back into the tent. This time, everyone immediately followed. Weldi stopped at the entrance and stared blankly at something. I became puzzled by her spaced-out expression and soon understood when I saw the direction she was looking.

It was Ellyuen who was there. The golden sunset light seeping in from the window was quietly covering his figure as he read a book. Each time his lowered eyelids slowly blinked, his reddish-tinged water hair flowed and shone. It was a serene and mysterious sight that reminded me of a sunset sea. Even I, who had become accustomed to his appearance, was momentarily impressed, so there was no need to mention someone who wasn’t immune.

……Ah, come to think of it, is this the first time Weldi is seeing Ellyuen’s face? Until now, he had been wearing a hood the whole time. I think I know what’s going on. Even the indifferent him frowned slightly, annoyed by the pouring gaze. Weldi lightly stopped breathing as his gaze, which had fallen from the book, turned towards her.