Elqueeness [EN]: Chapter 584

584

“I want to look around Arkadon.”

“What?”

Everyone’s eyes widened at my sudden words. Seeing their eyes, all round as if they were stamped from the same mold, made me laugh.

“It’s been 300 years, they say. I want to see how the world has changed during that time, and what kind of people fill it. I want to visit Isana’s and Alisa’s graves, if they still remain.”

“El…….”

“It’s okay. I’m fine now. Well, I’m not really fine, but… I won’t act pathetic anymore. It was just too special to forget easily. I want to have my own time to let them go.”

In fact, it still doesn’t feel real. That’s why I wanted to see the changed world even more. To see with my own eyes that the places I knew are no longer there. That I can’t meet them anywhere. Then I think I can accept and acknowledge it. I’ll probably cry again then, though. But I had to confirm it.

“Okay. If that’s what you want to do, you should.”

“Experiencing new cultures will also help you change your mood.”

Trowell and Mine also nodded in agreement.

“What are you going to do about your body? You only had two contractors, and now both of them are gone. Well, it doesn’t matter if you’re going to wander around as a natural spirit.”

Ifrit pointed out something I hadn’t thought of. Ah, now that you mention it, that’s right. I don’t have any contractors anymore. As I was receiving a strange shock, Trowell quickly interjected.

“You can just make a new contract. I’ll introduce you to a good dragon.”

“Which dragon? Is there any dragon who would try to step up without worrying about that guy’s eyes right now?”

“Ifrit, please…….”

Trowell, who groaned lowly, rubbed his forehead. I wondered what this situation was and looked back at Ifrit.

“What do you mean?”

“You’re not going to contract with a Blue Dragon, are you? After what happened.”

“What happened?”

“Look at him. The defense line collapsed because of the Blue Dragon. Don’t you remember being angry then and saying you would never interact with the Blue Clan again?”

Ah, that’s right. It wasn’t that long ago, but it already feels like a long time ago. Even so, I felt awkward because the Blue Dragon, Lamias, was the one I hung out with the most in the past. While I was doing that, the water spirits of reality seemed to have faithfully kept my word. For the past 300 years, no Blue Dragon has been able to contract with a water spirit. In fact, I didn’t feel particularly sorry because Okal’s actions themselves hadn’t been resolved yet.

“I can just contract with another dragon. The Blue Clan isn’t the only one with water attribute dragons.”

“That’s why it’s difficult.”

I asked, puzzled, and Trowell and Mine exchanged troubled glances. My eyes widened at the following answer.

“Actually, the Elder has awakened. That guy is a Blue Dragon. I told you before, right? The guy who was similar to Lapis.”

“……Lamias, you mean?”

“That’s right, that guy. He’s always been obsessed with the Water Spirit King, so he won’t let anyone contract with you.”

I never thought Lamias would have awakened. Considering the conversation I had with Lapis, contracting with him was something I had been pondering. I didn’t expect the time to make that decision to come so quickly. It was a truly cruel fate.

“What are you going to do, El? Lamias made a fuss as soon as he woke up when he found out about it. He wanted to meet you and apologize, but he kept putting it off because you were asleep. Do you want to meet him at least once?”

“Oh, um, is there no chance that a human will summon me before that?”

“That coincidence won’t happen twice.”

I guess so. Isana summoning me was a near miracle. I was unknowingly escaping reality for a moment. “Why is it such a fuss every time you make a contract?” Ifrit clicked his tongue. I agreed. I don’t know why I have similar problems every time I make a contract.

“Has Lantasha not awakened yet?”

“Unfortunately, not yet. But you’re talking as if you know the dragon? I thought you went to the past timeline, but did you meet Lantasha there too?”

He didn’t ask what kind of world I had been to, so he seemed to already know the general situation. I didn’t think there was any need to hide it, so I nodded.

“Actually, I know Lamias too. I often received help from him. He must have forgotten me over there.”

“Huh, hearing you say that makes me realize that you really went to the past. Well, that’s good. It’s like you settled the grudges of reality in the past. So you don’t have any aversion to the contract, right?”

“Well, yes…….”

“Are you worried about Lapis?”

Trowell asked. I felt a pang as if my inner thoughts had been read. I hesitated and nodded, and Ifrit frowned. Trowell, who stepped forward to stop him from saying anything, looked back at me with a serious gaze.

“Just think simply, El. You may be feeling complicated in many ways right now, but don’t worry about anything else. Just focus on what you want to do.”

When I heard those words, my thoughts became much clearer. Maybe it was a problem that didn’t need to be worried about in the first place. Lapis told me to live in reality. The answer I would give was already decided then.

“I’ll meet Lamias first.”

“Will you? Then I’ll tell him.”

Trowell smiled brightly, as if he could see the face he would be happy with. I seem to see a face here that I hardly ever saw in the past. I was curious and stared at him, and he blinked with a flushed face.

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

“No, I just thought your personality had changed a lot.”

“Ugh, El. I’m really sorry about that time.”

Trowell, who swallowed a groan as if he had been ambushed, covered his face with both hands. I didn’t mean to torment him, but it ended up being a pointed remark, so I was also embarrassed. “No, Trowell. I don’t care at all. I really don’t care.” I tried to say it in a hurry, but it didn’t seem to help much. Rather, he was even more at a loss.

“Hey? We’re here too, you know? Can you please not talk about things that only you guys know?”

“That’s right. I’m starting to feel left out.”

Ifrit and Mine grumbled. Only then did I make eye contact with Trowell, who had finally calmed down, and laughed together.

“Come to think of it, I don’t think I’ve said what I should have said a long time ago.”

Without hiding his embarrassed feelings, Trowell took my hand. His tearful voice was carried on the gentle breeze.

“I’m glad you’re back, El. I’ve been waiting for you a lot.”

I took a deep breath and smiled as much as I could.

It was the words I had wanted to hear all along.

* * *

The meeting with Lamias was swift. After receiving the news from Trowell, he wanted to set the date and time first. When I said it didn’t matter, the summoning circle immediately appeared on the spot. It was clear from that hasty interval that he had no intention of waiting from the beginning.

『Hello, Elquines? I’m Lamias.』

『I heard you said you wanted to meet me. Thank you so much for giving me the opportunity. I’ll make sure it’s not a wasted time.』

I stared at the golden magic circle flickering in front of me, a bit anxious at his tone. It was definitely a familiar voice, but the tone was completely different. It felt strange to think that I had returned to being strangers with someone I had been talking to freely until recently.

『Umm, Elquines?』

I stepped onto the summoning circle because I thought he was about to cry if I made him wait any longer. Soon, there was a dazzling white light and a dizzying sense of falling as if I was plummeting from a great height.

“Huk!”

When I felt the ground beneath my feet, I heard a loud breathing sound from somewhere. When I opened my eyes, I saw Lamias covering his mouth with both hands. Like his unchanged voice, his appearance was exactly the same as I knew it. I almost greeted him happily because I didn’t feel the 4,000 years of time at all. However, I was puzzled because he was trembling as if he had been shocked.

“Lamias?”

“Heok!”

As soon as I called his name, he took a big breath. I knew that the breathing sound I heard earlier was also made by Lamias, but why is this dragon acting like this? When I looked around, I saw Trowell standing a step away. He was shaking his head as if he had given up. I was about to ask what happened.

“I’m crazy. What should I do? His voice is like a lark.”

……What was that supposed to mean? I was dumbfounded and turned around, and Lamias, who had met my gaze again, was stomping his feet. He took a deep breath and carefully stared at me. It was a very burdensome gaze, like looking at a newborn animal.

“Ah, hello, Elquines! I’m Lamias who summoned you.”

“Yes, I know that.”

“Heok, he’s using honorifics! How cute!”

Do I really have to have a conversation? I have a strong feeling that I chose the wrong path. Trowell was sighing deeply. I could feel the regret in his deeply sunken gaze that he had created an unnecessary situation.

I was just as embarrassed. Was Lamias this kind of person? The Lamias I knew was laid-back, but he had an authoritarian side, but I couldn’t find any dignity in the one in front of me now. If his appearance wasn’t the same, I would have thought he was a different person.

Well, he was originally a fool who threw away his face in front of Ellyuen. Ah, could it be that I’m Elquines now, so I’m the target? My heart cooled down when I thought that far.

“Goodbye.”

“Heok! Why, why? I’m sorry for whatever it is! Please don’t go!”

When I bowed and tried to turn around, Lamias, who was terrified, clung to my feet as if he was prostrating. But since it was still before the contract, I just passed through him. Still, even bad feelings are feelings, and when I saw his face looking up at me desperately, I felt sorry for disappearing like that.

“That’s why I told you not to get excited. You should be showing a good impression, but why are you losing points instead?”

Trowell, who looked at me with a face that understood my hesitation, scolded Lamias. Lamias had an unfair expression on his face.

“But! There was no mention that he would be this beautiful!”

A dry cough came out naturally. No, is this dragon really crazy? I was shocked and looked at him, but his strange behavior didn’t stop.

“This is really cheating! Why are all the Elquines like this to me? The previous one was unbelievably beautiful, but this Elquines is also perfectly my type! If I had known this would happen, I wouldn’t have gone into hibernation! I could have been the first contractor!”

“……I think you should worry about the contract right now.”

Trowell clicked his tongue. That’s exactly what I wanted to say. I should have left a long time ago, why did I stay and give him a chance? Now I know why Ellyuen treated him so coldly in the past. At that time, I thought it was too harsh, but now that I’m in this position, I feel completely different. Now that I see it, Ellyuen had a strong sense of patience.

I’d rather wander around as a natural spirit than contract with a perverted dragon. As soon as I came to a conclusion, I cut off the connection with the summoning circle. I waved my hand as a last courtesy to Lamias, who was turning around with a flustered face. It was a farewell greeting with the meaning of, *it was unpleasant being with you, and let’s never meet again*.

“No! Don’t go-!”

I didn’t care about his earnest screams.

Until then, I had no intention of dealing with Lamias again. But how can things in the world be solved with a single stroke? Several hours later, I was back at the meeting to face him again. Even if I wanted to ignore him, he kept summoning me while crying, so I couldn’t stand it anymore. I don’t know if he doesn’t know that this will only fuel his anger, but the dragon who is willing to die only knows how to go straight.

“I was really wrong.”

Still, having learned a great lesson, Lamias, who I met for the second time, was quiet and subdued. I had a lot to say, but I just let out a light sigh. Trowell, who looked more tired than me, also sighed next to me. Lamias carefully looked around, flinching every time the two spirit kings sighed.

“I was too excited earlier. I think I lost my mind being so happy to face the new Water King. You probably weren’t happy about this place anyway. I’m really sorry.”

“It’s okay if you don’t do that again.”

“Of course! I’ll really be careful.”

I can’t believe him even if he says that. I’ve seen him flirt with Ellyuen more than once or twice. Still, he’s quiet for now, so I decided to move on for now. Anyway, as he calmed down, there was progress in the conversation. Before getting to the main point, Lamias asked me for my understanding and sent a signal somewhere. Then, a group of people appeared, splitting the space. They were all Blue Dragons with blue hair. It wasn’t difficult to find the figure of a boy standing quietly among them. It was Okal, Lamias’ grandson, who was in charge of the water defense line on the day of the final battle.

As soon as his eyes met mine, he lowered his head deeply. His impression had changed so much that I honestly wondered if it was really Okal at first. When I first saw him, he looked like a haughty aristocrat, but now he looked much more easygoing. I hadn’t realized the passage of time, but seeing him made me realize that time had really passed. Lamias, who looked at his frozen grandson with a bitter expression, opened his mouth.

“I heard about all the mistakes Okal made. I never thought such a big thing would happen while I was asleep……. It was really reckless, and there was no room for excuses. I want to apologize as the head of the Blue Clan before I am the grandfather of that child.”

When he bowed his head, all the other Blue Dragons followed suit. It was a situation I created, but I felt uncomfortable seeing the heavy atmosphere.

“I’ll accept the apology. But that’s not all you wanted to say, right?”

Lamias nodded with an awkward face.

“It’s really shameless, but can you give us another chance?”

“A chance…….”

“It’s too painful for us, the Water Clan, to not be able to interact with the water spirits. Okal has also reflected a lot during that time. Of course, I’m not saying that 300 years is enough time. But I hope you’ll take into account that he didn’t make the mistake on purpose.”

“What if my anger hasn’t subsided yet?”

“Then…… there’s nothing I can do. I’ll wait until you forgive me.”

The spirit contract has not yet been concluded. Even at this moment, Lamias was consuming mana to maintain the summoning circle. His face was turning pale in real time, but he was enduring it without showing any signs, so it was difficult to be mean anymore. I’m really too soft-hearted.