Elqueeness [EN]: Chapter 586

586. The Statue Inscription

“Didn’t the lord dislike it that much?”

“There’s no reason to dislike it. It’s his achievement anyway.”

“What do you mean?”

“Hussen de Aures, Duke. It’s the name of the first lord.”

My mouth fell open involuntarily. If it was Hussen, it would definitely be *that* Hussen, but all the titles attached to that name were unfamiliar. Then I remembered Isana’s explanation. As a reward to the meritorious subject and great swordsman who became a Sword Master, he was given the title of Duke along with the northern territory.

Hussen himself was so awkward with the new title that he shuddered whenever he was called Aures. He was so burdened by the position of Duke that he left the administration to an agent and continued to work as a mercenary. All the other Champagne mercenaries were the same. So, in fact, no one knew who the lord was for decades. He officially revealed his identity in his later years, and even his children found out at that time. They were truly remarkable people in many ways.

“So, the lord’s family officially started to be active from later generations. But the residents of the duchy always cite Hussen as the most respected lord.”

Perhaps because they were comrades, Trowell’s expression was filled with affection and longing as he explained. When I asked if they had continued to interact afterward, he said no. He said he checked on them from time to time but didn’t bother to meet them. But he did visit them at their deathbeds to say his last goodbyes.

“They all closed their eyes due to old age. Iril grumbled that it was an un-mercenary-like death.”

Just hearing the words made the scene seem to appear before my eyes. Iril was the first to pass away, he said. Her husband, Herol, closed his eyes the following year as if following her. Sherry, who had been suffering from depression since the death of the two, couldn’t last three years. Mighty lived a long life, but Hussen lived the longest. He wanted to follow everyone early on, but the body of a transcendent who had become a Sword Master interfered with his rest. So, he was rather happy when his last day came. He spent time in front of Sherry’s grave every day, and quietly closed his eyes in front of it.

Hearing that made the weight of farewell feel even greater. If I had stayed here, would I have been able to watch the people leaving one by one with a comfortable heart? Maybe Ellyuen was right; this was better for me. Soon, Trowell, who had come out of his reminiscence, turned to me.

“There are also tombstones left by them in their later years. Do you want to see them?”

“Really? I want to see them.”

He took me to a plaza in front of the downtown area. In the middle of the park-like place, statues of six mercenaries, each taking a fighting stance, were erected. I recognized them as the Champagne mercenary group at a glance. Trowell would have already left them by then, but he didn’t forget to take care of ‘Matthew’s’ statue. As I was examining it with a feeling of joy and wonder, the inscription on the tombstone in front of it caught my eye. It was written item by item, and the handwriting was all different, as if several people had carved it themselves. The problem was the content.

1. We saw the Spirit King! Surprised, right?

2. Actually, there’s an even bigger secret. Offer gold coins if you want to know!

3. Ignore the words written above.

4. Ignore the 3rd statement even more!

5. Those who follow the 4th statement will be considered insubordinate. I’m the lord.

6. Don’t write this kind of thing on the tombstone. How childish.

7. Iril-unni [older sister] grumbled.

8. Our madam is scary. Everyone should know that.

9. Herol, who is caught and living there, said humbly.

10. You can’t do this here, Duchess.

11. This is ruined. It’s invalid. Let’s make it again.

12. You started it in the first place, Herol.

13. You were the one who wrote funny phrases from the beginning, Lord.

14. Please grow old gracefully.

15. I’m already a great adult, right? Don’t talk nonsense. Everyone stop! You meddling old people!

Laughter burst out, making it hard to come to my senses. Even near the end, it seemed that several people had written on one line, perhaps because there was not enough space. The 모습 [Korean: appearance, figure] they often fought in those days came to mind. They were still the same until the end.

“Everyone carved it as a joke, but the aide preserved it as it was. They probably didn’t know that this would really be erected in the plaza. They pleaded and begged and tried to get rid of it, but the aide defended it with an iron wall.”

“I really like who that aide is.”

“It’s someone you know too.”

“Huh? I know?”

Surprised, I looked at him, and Trowell smiled and nodded.

“In fact, the aide’s role was the biggest in helping them establish a base here. He is still dedicated to the Aures ducal family.”

“If he’s still alive, is he not human?”

Again, he nodded. Not human. Among the people I know, who could be connected to the Champagne mercenaries? The demons have all returned to the Demon Realm, so it can’t be them, and Diagon or Messeterius didn’t seem to fit.

“Ah, maybe Sibelius?”

“Check it out yourself.”

Trowell, who smiled lightly, pointed somewhere. A two-wheeled carriage had just arrived there. It seemed that he had business at the clothing store in front of it. A girl with bright blonde hair got off first, followed by a boy who looked about the same age. But the boy’s appearance was quite familiar.

“…Ocal?”

He had black hair, but it was definitely Ocal. Why is he there? Confused, I turned around, and Trowell nodded.

“Ellyuen seems to have guided him to meet you.”

“Father?”

“He was the right person to help Hussen’s group in trouble at the time. I added a little seasoning too. But it was Ocal’s own will to help them.”

I don’t know what’s going on. Ocal, who hadn’t noticed me yet, was all focused on the girl who got off first.

“Young lady, how many times have I told you not to get off before me! Please wait until I open the door for you!”

“I’m fine? I have arms, so I can open the door myself.”

“But the dignity of the nobility…”

“That dignity! Does that mean I’m not a noble if I don’t keep it? Let them say whatever they want. Anyway, the kids who talk behind my back will talk about my mercenary bloodline even if I act like a noble.”

“That’s true.”

Ocal, who was sighing, suddenly stopped. He finally found me. At first, he blinked blankly as if he didn’t understand the situation, but soon he started to panic noticeably.

“What’s wrong, Khan?”

“Ah, that, uh, ah, young lady! I think I have some urgent business to take care of, so I have to leave for a while. Are you okay without me?”

“What? What is that? You promised to pick it out together.”

“Then I’ll be back!”

Ocal, who turned around as if he was listening to the answer, ran to me in one breath. Perhaps because it was an unexpected situation, his face was very pale.

“I see the Water King and the Earth King.”

I stopped him from kneeling down. I just stopped him because it seemed like too much of a greeting, but he looked like the world had collapsed, which made me embarrassed.

“What are you doing here?”

“That’s…”

“Trowell said you helped Hussen’s group. Is it because of me? To relieve my anger?”

“…I can’t say that I didn’t have that intention at all at first. As a sign of repentance, I wanted to do anything I could. But now I’m doing it because I enjoy it.”

Looking at his clear eyes, it didn’t seem like a lie. I just thought he had become easygoing, but now that I see it, he looks more comfortable.

I looked back at the clothing store where he was a little while ago. The girl was not going into the store and was staring at me. I didn’t know because I only saw her back, but when I saw her face, she looked like a mix of Hussen and Sherry. I was disappointed that Isana’s descendants didn’t resemble her at all, but this one was so much like a descendant that it was amazing. I would believe it even if she was not a descendant 300 years later, but just the daughter of the two.

“Is that girl a descendant of Hussen and Sherry?”

“Yes, that’s right. She is the Aures young lady and the designated successor to the next lord.”

“She looks a lot like them.”

“Their bloodline seems to be a bit strong. Every child born looks like that.”

I laughed at that. Perhaps because both of them had good looks, the appearance of the descendants who continued as they were was also outstanding. In the case of Iril and Herol, unfortunately, the lineage was passed down to the side that resembled the father. Still, they inherited the tall height and bulk, so they were rather satisfied.

Surprisingly, Mighty also left descendants. He remained a bachelor for quite a long time, but it seemed that he miraculously met a partner who suited him. However, those descendants immigrated about a hundred years ago, and after that, they didn’t know what happened.

“Still, everyone will be living well. They are all good at taking care of themselves, just like their ancestors.”

“…I see. The Champagne mercenaries were special to me. Thank you for taking care of their descendants.”

“Ah, no. I was also special to them. I’m really doing it because I enjoy it.”

Ocal’s face, who was flustered, was as red as an apple. I asked, looking at his clean forehead.

“It seems like you haven’t made a contract with the water spirit yet?”

“That’s…”

Just looking at his hesitant appearance, the reason was obvious. He seems to think that he doesn’t have the face to make a contract rashly.

“I told you I’d cover it up. After seeing this, I would have covered it up even if I didn’t have a friendship with Lamias. In fact, that day was a harsh accident for you too. I know you’ve repented, and I don’t want anything more than that. So, don’t unnecessarily torment yourself.”

“…”

Ocal looked at me with tearful eyes.

“Ah, unless you don’t need a contract, it doesn’t matter.”

“Ah, no! I wanted to make a contract. Thank you, really, really.”

Tears finally welled up in his eyes as he bowed his head. He says he’s sincerely happy, but he must have been carrying a heavy yoke in his heart. I slowly patted his shoulder. After doing that, I felt even more relieved.

“Why don’t you make a contract with me this time?”

It was a word I said half impulsively. Then Ocal, who had rabbit eyes, started hiccupping. It was a bit strange that the reaction that followed was just because he was surprised. His face turned red and then pale in an instant, and he was sweating profusely.

“Ocal?”

“Ah, I’m sorry! It’s definitely not that I don’t like it! Rather, it’s a very honorable and desirable thing! But that’s, if that happens… that, my grandfather will kill me this time. Surely, definitely, that’s what will happen… In fact, if my grandfather hears that I met the Water King and had a conversation here…”

“Ah…”

“Still, you recommended it, so I’m prepared for death…!”

“Haha, no. It’s okay. I didn’t mean to put pressure on you.”

Only then did the gray color return to his stiff face. It was a complex expression that felt both regret and relief at the same time. My mood was complicated as well. If he’s merciless to his grandson, the other Blue Dragons won’t be any better. I clicked my tongue inwardly and patted Ocal’s shoulder again.

“I think it’s better to go now. It looks like she’s still waiting for you.”

“Yes? Ah…”

Only then did Ocal become aware of the girl standing in front of the clothing store. After saying goodbye urgently, he ran towards the girl in a hurry. The accusations of who those people were and the complaints of why he wasn’t going in yet were not giving in and fighting back. It was a cute sight that made my heart flutter.

Leaving the bickering two behind, I left with Trowell. I thought my heart would hurt every time I realized the changed world, but this time it wasn’t. Rather, I was looking forward to what stories would be waiting for me next. I was curious about what I would look like at the end of this journey.

* * *

The next destination was a coastal village. Is it because of the big background of the sea? Until now, everywhere I went was unfamiliar, but somehow this place had more familiar scenery. After looking around a bit, I felt like I knew where it was. The border area adjacent to the elf’s territory. When I took a boat on a journey to find the magic sword, it was a village I stopped by as an intermediate stop.

“It’s the same here.”

“Right? It’s difficult to develop this area because of the elves. It’s probably a place that hasn’t changed much in 300 years.”

Did I meet Endil here? It was a place I passed by briefly, but I was glad that there was still a familiar place in a world that had become completely unfamiliar. For a while, I just stared blankly around. Trowell also left me alone so that I could enjoy it to my heart’s content.

The large ships lined up in a row and the large square on the pier were all the same. I saw Endil for the first time in that square. I didn’t even know I would see an elf, but I was surprised that he even fought with people, and Kaitain, who was talking about the elf’s gentle nature, was very embarrassed. There were so many things that happened after that.

The square, which was full of people at the time, was still full of energy. The only difference was that there were many other races besides humans. Perhaps because it was close to the elf’s territory, it seemed that it had become a village where many races lived.

“Ray~! Let’s go together!”

I was walking around slowly, but suddenly I heard a high voice from behind. When I turned around without thinking, I saw someone running. It was a man who looked like he had just become an adult. A woman who looked about the same age was chasing after him.

But the man, who I thought would just pass by, stopped in front of me. He was out of breath, but his gaze was fixed on me.

“It’s true. I really met you.”

His brightly smiling face was full of surprise, admiration, and joy. Is he talking to me now? With a bewildered feeling, I calmly looked at the man’s appearance. His hair, tied down a little long, was a bright lavender color, and his eyes were mint green. He was a beauty with a delicate atmosphere that went well with his transparently white skin.

No matter how much I look back on my memories, I have never met someone with this combination. But for some reason, I felt familiar. The fairy-like appearance gave off a refreshing and refreshing energy. It was a little different, but essentially very close to me. It was an energy that humans could not have.

‘This person… is not an ordinary human.’

I reached out to him as if possessed. Then the man, who came closer as if he was happy, held my hand tightly.

“I wanted to see you so much. I missed you so much.”

It became clearer when I touched him. Only then did I remember the name the woman who was chasing after him called him.

“…Ray?”

The man raised his head with tearful eyes. I took a deep breath at the face that overlapped with the one in my memory. Ah, it was that child. The child that Nias saved by exchanging his life.

“It’s Ray.”