Elqueeness [EN]: Chapter 590

590.

Already Reincarnated?

What on earth is going on? I couldn’t follow the conversation at all. I stared at Lapis in bewilderment, then paused. Now that I thought about it, it wasn’t just his appearance that felt different. There was an aura emanating from his entire being that was different from before—a powerful, noble aura that made me feel a bit uneasy. It was similar to the one radiating from Ellyuen. If I wasn’t mistaken, this was definitely…

“Divine power…?”

I mumbled, dumbfounded, and Lapis’s lips curved into a smile. His triumphant look, as if saying, ‘You finally noticed,’ made my head spin. No, wait, seriously, a god? Lapis became a god? Was he a divine soul?

“Let me introduce you. This is Crohachen, a high-ranking god who was born today. He has become the Demon God who will lead the Demon Realm from now on.”

But that wasn’t all. Before I could even process the shock, Ellyuen’s words made my jaw drop again. It sounded like he was speaking in a language I could understand, but I couldn’t comprehend a single sentence.

“Huh?”

“It might sound unfamiliar, but from now on, don’t call him Lapis; call him Crohachen. It’s the new name he received from the Chief God.”

“…Huh?”

For a while, I could only blink dumbly. Lapis becoming a god was shocking enough, but what did he become? A Demon God? Did I hear that right?

In my bewildered state, I reached out and touched Lapis. He could easily have avoided it, but the fact that he remained still meant I could touch him, so I carefully felt around. When I touched him, the aura imbued with divine power felt even clearer—an indescribable sensation, neither cold nor hot, like falling into a deep, dark abyss. It was a bit different from Kanos, but the essence itself was the same.

“Huh?”

“How long are you going to keep doing that?”

Only after having his cheek pinched did Lapis, now Crohachen, finally express his annoyance and evade my hand. Oh, right, he’s not Lapis anymore. Wow, I really don’t know what’s going on at all. I thought I had experienced countless shocking events, but I didn’t know there were still more surprises left. No matter how crazy the world is, how could something like this happen? As I just stood there, gaping, he let out a hollow laugh.

“Is it really that hard to process that I’ve become a Demon God?”

“No, but, this situation is a bit strange, isn’t it? You being a high-ranking god… that means you were once a Spirit King, right?”

Yes, that’s the biggest problem. There are various ways for a god to be born, but only those who have served as Spirit Kings can become high-ranking gods. Moreover, there was a lineage that mainly received demon attributes, right? I had an ominous feeling, as if he guessed my thoughts. Lapis—Crohachen, who met my gaze, grinned.

“That’s right, I was Elquines.”

…Who was what now?

Even when Kanos made a similar confession, I wasn’t this surprised. If it was a joke, it was a bad one, and if it was the truth, it couldn’t be worse. I turned to Ellyuen, hoping for confirmation. I thought he would end this unfunny prank, but Ellyuen also had a troubled expression.

“It’s true. Unfortunately, he was the Elquines right before me.”

“…”

Couldn’t you just tell me it’s a lie? Without realizing it, I stared blankly at the sky. I didn’t want to blame anyone if I could help it, but I wanted to ask the Chief God, who was asleep: Why are you doing this to me?

“In short, I’m your senior. No wonder I felt a strange sense of familiarity with Elquines.”

“Hahaha, this is a real mess.”

My laughter wasn’t genuine. Can this really be happening? If you’re going to be a Spirit King anyway, there are other attributes, right? I wouldn’t say a word if you were a Blue Dragon. A Red Dragon, with so much innate fire that it was eating away at your life. But why Elquines? Did you really have to prove that Elquines were all crazy?

“Ignoring it won’t change reality. Isn’t this good for you? You didn’t want to be separated from me. Look, my appearance is almost the same, and I haven’t lost my memories. You can continue to see me in the future, so you can rest assured, right?”

“Please don’t make statements that could be misunderstood? It’s a bit awkward because it feels very different when you say it like that.”

“Anyway, I’m a god now. Try to treat me with more respect and love from now on.”

“Excuse me, did you go crazy when you became a god?”

“Isn’t your reaction a bit too cold? I even died protecting you.”

Ah, that’s a foul! As I hesitated, he smiled as if he had caught my weakness. I had an ominous feeling that he would milk this for the rest of his life. I wasn’t mistaken, right?

But the smile on his face didn’t last long. It vanished the moment Ellyuen, who had been listening beside him, began to speak.

“Well, then, Demon God Crohachen, who will receive respect and love? Let’s go back to the Divine Realm and resume your duties.”

“…”

Crohachen’s face, which had been smiling so mischievously, instantly stiffened. Conversely, Ellyuen was smiling more brightly than I had ever seen him.

“I have been sincerely waiting for you to be born. Congratulations.”

“Wait a minute! I still have something to say to El…”

“You can do that after you finish your work.”

“It’s too late! Do you think I didn’t see that mountain of documents? It will take at least several decades to finish all of that!”

“Then you know even better that you don’t have time to be doing this. I’m relieved that you seem to have some judgment. Enough with the chatter. Let’s go now. El, I’ll come back after I take care of urgent matters.”

“Ah, uh, see you later, Father.”

“Damn it! I can’t accept this! Why do I have to be buried in work as soon as I’m born!”

Crohachen resisted strongly, but Ellyuen, who grabbed him by the back of the neck and dragged him away, didn’t care at all. Soon, the figures of the two gods were swallowed into a swirl of light. Trowel, who clicked his tongue, met my gaze and shrugged. The only thought that came to my mind at that moment was:

‘I must never become a god.’

Crohachen Bel Bastas. The new Demon God was only called a Demon God because he inherited the authority of the Demon Realm, so it was a bit different from Kanos, whose title itself was Demon God. So his actual title was the God of War and Destruction. It was a combination that made me reflect on my past life.

The circumstances of becoming a Demon God were a bit unfortunate. Originally, the situation was that it would be transferred to Ellyuen, but Ellyuen, who absolutely hated that, noticed that the divine power of the newly born Crohachen was usable and passed it on. Crohachen, who had just become a god and had not grasped the situation, made the mistake of nodding his head when asked if he would accept the Demon Realm, thinking it was a good thing, and that was the end of him. He could be said to be a victim who was tricked by Kanos, who always seemed free, including in modern times and the past. Still, it was amazing that he had enough power to receive the offer.

Fortunately, he also had a sense of responsibility, so he seemed to be working quite diligently, even though he grumbled. As the energy of the Demon Realm began to stabilize in earnest, the number of demons being born also increased rapidly. The Demon King, Asdo, also became busy.

“The new Demon God seems to be very diligent. Prayers are answered immediately.”

“Really? That’s a relief.”

“Yes, Godfather. I was so amazed that I kept praying, and he said he would kill me if I kept bothering him. I thought that whoever he was, he was definitely worthy of becoming a Demon God.”

I don’t know which part he was happy about, but anyway, it was a relief that As seemed satisfied. I couldn’t bring myself to tell him the truth because he might be shocked. He would find out someday, but for the sake of everyone’s mental health, I decided to keep it a secret for the time being.

Ellyuen was also happy because of the new Demon God. He said that the amount of work that had been on the verge of saturation due to the Demon Realm had been reduced by half. I thought I wouldn’t see him again for at least a month or two, but he showed his face in just a week. So I was happy too. It was a happy ending for everyone except Crohachen.

On the day Ellyuen visited again, there was another welcome reunion. Perdes accompanied him, having heard the news that I had returned.

“Perdes!”

“It’s been a while, El. I’m glad you returned safely.”

Seeing Perdes’s brightly smiling face filled me with mixed emotions. The last time I saw him in the past, he had a hollow face and was shedding tears. Kanos had given him a chance to make excuses, but it was difficult to shake off the guilt that I had created the situation. I didn’t know what kind of face to make when I met him again, but when that moment actually came, I was speechless. As if understanding me, Perdes smiled gently.

“I’ve heard the situation roughly. I never imagined you would have gone to the past. I don’t remember, but if it was that era, would I have met you too?”

“Yes, we met. But first, I think I should apologize. I’m sorry, Perdes.”

“What do you mean?”

“I tried to prevent what happened to you, but it didn’t work out. Rather, that incident might have started because of me.”

At my careful words, Perdes looked a little surprised. When he asked why I thought so, I explained the situation at the time in as much detail as possible—the fact that Ain Idris tried to learn swordsmanship and began to grow greedy was because he felt competitive with me. Perdes, who heard the real circumstances that had been erased from his memory, looked at me with curious eyes.

“I didn’t know why he suddenly devoted himself to swordsmanship. There was no reason. But that’s what happened. But even so, it was his own choice. It’s not your fault.”

“But…”

“Don’t worry about it, El. It’s already my past life, and it’s been thousands of years. Rather, I must have made it hard for you. I showed you an ugly side.”

“You weren’t ugly.”

I shook my head and replied.

“Minerva never acted ugly. She was always beautiful, always consistent.”

She loved one person with all her heart and devoted herself to that love. Even in the moment of betrayal, she chose to collapse herself rather than resent the other person. That’s why she was a more pitiful and beautiful person. I wanted to protect her no matter what, although I couldn’t.

A faint ripple arose in her amethyst-like eyes. Perdes, who couldn’t speak for a moment, soon smiled.

“Thank you, El. It’s enough that I’m remembered that way in your memory.”

It was as bright a smile as she had at that time when she looked the happiest. Thanks to that, I was also relieved. So you’re really okay now. You’ve gotten better. It seems that the passage of time doesn’t only solve human affairs. I wonder if I will be able to look back on this day comfortably someday. I don’t know yet. Still, I was just glad to see him smiling brightly again.

Afterward, we held a small party at Evas Eden. It was a celebration party to celebrate my safe return. As before, Trowel brought a special drink to liven up the atmosphere.

“Welcome back, El!”

At the words shouted while holding up a glass, I also raised a toast.

“Thank you all so much. I’m sorry for worrying you.”

“Knowing that is enough, you idiot.”

“Are you feeling better now?”

I smiled and nodded at Ifrit and Mine, who couldn’t hide their worried gazes. Ifrit’s brow, which had been furrowed, relaxed a little.

“Yes, live with a smile like that. Being depressed doesn’t suit you at all.”

“Yeah, I will.”

“Still, it’s good that the spirit world is lively again since you woke up. It’s been too gloomy all this time. The last five years when even Trowel was away were really the worst. I hope this never happens again. I can’t live anywhere with such anxiety.”

Come to think of it, Ifrit was about to watch the end of Akkadon twice already. I couldn’t bring myself to make excuses for shaking my head, so I smiled awkwardly. Trowel also couldn’t hide his apologetic expression.

“The initial calculation wasn’t up to five years. The error widened because I went the wrong way.”

“Yes, I heard that. Where were you wandering around?”

“I don’t want to recall that memory.”

It was Ellyuen who answered firmly. Judging by his serious expression, he must have had a very uncomfortable time. As the atmosphere became such that it could no longer be discussed, Trowel also kept his answer to himself, making a strange expression.

‘I was curious too. I should ask him later.’

I wonder if he will tell me later. I unconsciously swept my hair back, and suddenly there was something caught on my finger. I wondered what it was and pulled it, and a string came along. It was two strands of ribbon mixed with red and blue.

“This is…?”

“What, you’re just now realizing you’re wearing that?”

Ifrit made a dumbfounded expression, but I really didn’t know. To be exact, I didn’t have time to look back at myself. Since waking up, I had been busy adapting to the given reality.

“Ellyuen gave it to you on your birthday.”

When I looked at Ellyuen, he nodded, meeting my gaze.

“It’s messed up. Give it here. I’ll tie it again.”

As he came closer, he took the string from me. When his hand touched my hair, I felt like I was going to cry for some reason. I felt so strange that I couldn’t express it in words.

“Come to think of it, Father, I have something to ask.”

“Yes.”

“The previous Ifrit, do you know how the Ifrit from the same era as Father is doing now?”

Ellyuen, who paused for a moment, answered lightly. It was a slightly reluctant tone.

“I looked into it because I thought you would be curious. After annihilation, he took the path of reincarnation. I only confirmed the record that he was born as a human.”

“I see. That’s a shame. I could have met him if he had become a god.”

Ellyuen forced him to become a god even if he chose the human world. It seems that Ifrit was lucky enough to avoid it well. No, was it because Ifrit chose the human world that Ellyuen was forced to do it? Anyway, it was a pity that I couldn’t see him again, but the following words were very embarrassing.

“I’ve already met him.”

“Huh? You met him? When?”

Could it be that I met him without knowing it? Who is it? I tried to narrow down the candidates among the people I had met, but it was difficult to guess. If he was human, would he have been in the Champagne Mercenary Corps? Surely it wasn’t Isana or Alisa. The circuit of thought was gradually becoming more complex.

“He would have had the name Ha Taejin.”

For a moment, my head stopped. Ellyuen, who had just finished tying the ribbon, turned me around. Only after meeting his calm gaze did my mind come back a little. What did I just hear?

“Taejin is… Ifrit?”

Ha Taejin, who was my best friend? Ha Taejin, who was more upset than me when I got hurt?