Elqueeness [EN]: Chapter 89

89.

“You definitely saw it earlier, Deron, right?”

“Yeah.”

“What do you think?”

Deron hesitated to answer. He was just as incredulous as the anxious-looking Serpis about what they had witnessed.

It had all started when Serpis suddenly appeared and forcibly dragged him away, excitedly repeating vague words that made no sense until he saw it for himself.

Initially, Deron was simply annoyed. Serpis was known for secretly causing trouble, and he assumed she was up to something ridiculous again. But having witnessed the scene, he finally understood her agitation.

“I hadn’t heard that the Emperor was a spiritist.”

“And a strong one at that. He killed the Behemoth I sent with a single blow.”

“That’s no surprise. He summoned Cyciel. The highest-ranking water spirit.”

“What, so he’s a high-level spiritist?”

Deron nodded casually at her shocked reaction. The Emperor’s abilities were surprising, but something else occupied his mind. He looked back at Serpis, his expression anxious.

“Serpis, about that boy with the blue hair. Was he with the Emperor when you sent the monster?”

“Boy? Oh, you mean that priest?”

“Priest?”

“He had healing abilities. Thanks to him, it was a real shame. I could have killed at least one of them.”

Deron sighed quietly at her grumbling, confirming his suspicion.

“…The Water Spirit King, then.”

“…What?”

Feeling her breath catch, Deron said grimly, “Elquines, the Water Spirit King. His unique healing ability is as powerful as the God of Healing. Did you see that boy’s appearance? Water-colored hair and eyes are rare in humans. Besides, when the Emperor was exhausted, he directly manipulated the water’s energy, something impossible unless you’re a Spirit King.”

“N-No way! The Spirit King is helping the Emperor?”

“I’m more surprised you didn’t realize his identity after seeing him heal. It must have been different from the divine power used by priests.”

“N-No! It was similar! It was the same unpleasant energy as a priest!”

“…Forgive me, I forgot that your criteria for distinguishing things are quite simple.”

Serpis’s face flushed at the blatant mockery. She had, in fact, found it strange. It was unusually powerful for a priest, and its manifestation evoked a strange sense of fear. No matter how powerful a priest he was, she shouldn’t have felt that from a mere human.

Still, she hadn’t paid much attention because he was a priest of Eluen. The God of Punishment, second only to the Demon God in notoriety among the demons; she had dismissed it as an instinctive revulsion derived from that association.

“What on earth is going on? Why is the Spirit King helping the Emperor? Did the Emperor summon the Spirit King?”

“I can’t know that much. However, things have become more interesting for us.”

His tone was odd. Serpis narrowed her eyes at Deron.

“…What, are you not going to report this either?”

“There’s no need, is there? We’re just watching from afar anyway.”

“Hmph……”

The tense atmosphere dissipated instantly, replaced by languidness. Serpis smiled seductively and moved closer to Deron.

“I find brave men attractive. Are you perhaps trying to impress me?”

“What nonsense.”

“I’m saying that Duke Deron seems to be enjoying reckless adventures too much lately. Are you really okay? If the Demon King finds out this time, he’ll be truly angry.”

White, slender fingers slowly stroked his shoulder and arm, an overt seduction. Deron ignored it and retorted.

“Our Demon King has forgotten one thing.”

“……?”

Ignoring Serpis’s questioning gaze, Deron smiled coldly.

“That in the Demon World, the only being I serve is the Demon God.”

* * *

As they approached Clamore, the weather grew harsher. The trees were bare, and the wind intensified. It was autumn in name only; winter had already arrived.

The Duchy of Clamore was surrounded by the sea on three sides, a free trade city frequented by foreign merchants. All trade using sea routes passed through it, the closest shortcut and distribution network to other continents. Clamore was also the safest trade route.

During the Emperor’s disrupted reign, the country suffered internally and externally. The Swart Empire was struggling with the rise of pirates. Several routes to other countries were virtually occupied by pirates, making Clamore the only one that had successfully suppressed them.

Duke Caeld de Concel, Isana’s cousin and the lord of Clamore, was a former naval officer who had led numerous battles to victory. Upon retiring from the central aristocracy and returning to his hometown, countless knights and soldiers who admired his martial prowess followed him.

Consequently, his territory possessed tremendous military power. The naval force alone numbered over 20,000, and the city’s security was far superior to other places, making it the safest city for merchants and the city with the largest commercial district.

However, upon arriving in Clamore, they faced a difficult situation precisely because of these factors. The inspection at the gate was more thorough than in any other city.

The guards didn’t just look at identification cards; they checked each face individually. Moreover, the Grand Duke’s soldiers vigilantly watched the procession. Passing through using their previous methods seemed impossible.

“The inspection is very strict. Does it seem more severe than before?”

“I heard the number of refugees has increased recently. They’re keeping a close eye out for wanted people.”

“Tch, it’s so slow. At this rate, we won’t even get in today.”

The line in front of the gate was endlessly long and crowded. People complained about the slow pace. Conversely, I grew more anxious as we moved forward. Remaining still meant certain discovery. Isana also looked nervous, as if uneasy.

‘What should I do? Would it be better to part ways here?’

They were only supposed to be with Hussen’s group until Clamore. With their destination in sight, separating wouldn’t seem strange. They would have to rethink how to get through the inspection separately, but it was better than being discovered together.

Having decided, I looked up at Hussen. But just as I was about to speak, he turned to us and said, “El, Lai, I need to tell you something. Can you spare some time?”

“Yes? What is it?”

Taken aback, I swallowed my words. Hussen’s expression was serious.

“It’s important that you know. There are too many people listening here, so we should move.”

Before I could react, he started walking. As if prearranged, the other Champagne mercenaries followed. Isana and I slowly followed, bewildered.

They arrived in a forest next to the wall. Despite being midday, the area was dark due to the dense trees, and there were no signs of people passing by. The wall adjacent to the forest was covered with thick bushes, making it seem eerie.

“Hussen, what’s going on?”

Sensing a different atmosphere, I asked cautiously. Hussen walked to the wall, bent down, and dug through the bushes, revealing a moss-covered section. Surprisingly, there was a hole, large enough for a small person to enter.

“This is……”

“As you can see, it’s a passage that leads inside the castle. Few people know about it.”

“Why this……”

“If you go through here, you can avoid the inspection.”

“……Yes?”

I doubted my ears.

Avoid the inspection? Did he already know they were on the run?

As I stared blankly, they gazed at us warmly. I was even more bewildered, as they hadn’t shown any signs until now. Why were they being so kind without asking anything?

Then, Hussen knelt on one knee. Everyone else followed.

“Hu, Hussen? Why are you all doing this?”

Startled, I hesitated. Isana looked embarrassed. But Hussen’s next words shocked us.

“Please forgive us for not showing proper respect, Your Majesty. Please return to the palace safely.”

“……!”

Silence fell, a cold air passing. Time seemed to stop; even the wind was silent.

Isana stood frozen. Finally, his hardened lips parted.

“How……”

The voice was faint and trembling. Hussen replied without raising his head, “We didn’t know from the beginning. But we suspected after seeing that Your Majesty’s age was similar to that on the wanted poster, and that you were trying to hide your face.”

“But…… Why didn’t you report me? Why have you been……”

“We are subjects of Your Majesty.”

“……”

Isana stopped breathing again. Hussen said with determination, “I am just a lowly mercenary who doesn’t know much about the affairs of high-ranking people. But I have learned that the Emperor is not made by humans but is bestowed by God. The Emperor of this land now is Your Majesty. How dare we report the Emperor?”

“But…… you could have been in danger.”

“It is to protect the foundation of this empire. Even if we lose our lives, it is natural to do so willingly.”

“……”

Isana was speechless. After a moment, he slowly raised his trembling hand and lowered his hood, revealing his long golden hair and calm blue eyes. It was the first time he had revealed his face since the start of the journey.

“We, we behold Your Majesty’s face!”

Hussen and his group shouted, bowing almost prostrate. Even though they knew his identity, seeing his true appearance seemed to shock them. Isana exhaled a suppressed breath.

“Everyone, raise your heads.”

“……”

“It’s alright. Everyone, raise your heads and look at me.”

Hussen and his group hesitated, then slowly raised their faces. Isana took in their appearances, his breath short.

“I have been a terrible Emperor so far.”

“Your Majesty……”

“Trapped within the position of an Emperor in name only, I was just a powerless child who couldn’t do anything. And perhaps I won’t be able to achieve what you expect in the future either. Still, won’t you regret helping me?”

The question was quiet and precarious. Hussen and his group exchanged glances. Herol broke the silence.

“I remember what Your Majesty said before. You said that a world ruled by uncorrupted officials, a country where no one dies unfairly, would come. I believe those words.”

“……”

“Even if such a world is not achieved, it doesn’t matter. It is enough for us to know that there was an Emperor who had such a heart. Your Majesty, I dare to say, please don’t lose yourself. The path Your Majesty takes is the path that all people take. No matter where that direction points, we will follow the path you take.”

“My path……”

Isana quietly recited his words, engraving them in his mind. Hussen and his group watched anxiously. Soon, Isana raised his clear eyes, as if he had organized his thoughts.

“God sends an Emperor for the people, and the Emperor is said to be a mirror reflecting the people. Even though I haven’t shown anything yet, you believe in me. Shamefully.”

“Your Majesty……”

“I promise you this. No matter what happens in the future, I will never give up. In order not to disappoint those who said they believe in me, I will never be discouraged or retreat first.”

“Your Majesty!”

Hussen and his group were filled with emotion. Isana raised them one by one, held their hands tightly, and said,

“Although you are mercenaries, the spirit you have shown me was no less than that of a knight guarding the empire. Until my last breath, I will not forget your courage and loyalty.”

“It was an honor to serve you even for a short time, Your Majesty! May God’s blessings be with you on your way ahead.”

Isana smiled faintly at the polite greeting. His reddened eyes were full of tears.

He had a similar expression when he parted ways with the Perises. The difference was that he was smiling much more resolutely now. Even though he felt regret, he didn’t dwell on it. His gaze was no longer fixed on the past but was looking to the future. He had grown beyond recognition. If his knights saw him now, wouldn’t they be overwhelmed? Even without seeing it, I could picture them with teary eyes. Isana’s growth was their greatest wish.