Elqueeness [EN]: Chapter 94

Chapter 94

“Then how about the handsome type? Brown hair and brown eyes. Wouldn’t a slightly more masculine face than now be okay?”

“Brown is my least favorite color. It reminds me of those dung beetle [insects that feed on dung] gold guys. They insist it’s gold, but is it really gold? It’s dung color.”

“…Then black hair?”

“It looks dull, so I don’t like it.”

“I can’t *match* everything to your taste.”

“I’m the one casting the magic.”

“You said you’d *reflect* our opinions.”

“That’s only if I agree.”

In the end, after a long argument, I cleanly declared *defeat*. I delegated full authority to Isana, the person involved. Saying it’s delegation is really the same as letting Lapis decide. Isana, being human, wouldn’t be able to *go against* his demands. In fact, the appearance completed after a few words was entirely *matched* to Lapis’s one-sided *assertion*.

“Silver hair and gold eyes? Isn’t that too *flashy*?”

“I’m telling you it’s fine. Now, shall we *execute*? Polymorph!”

Regardless of how others felt, Lapis seemed thrilled that things were going his way. As he chanted the spell, a brief wave of mana appeared with a subtle light from Isana. Fortunately, it was hidden by the hood, so it wasn’t very noticeable.

“It’s done. You can take off the hood now.”

“Huh? Is it *already* over?”

“How long did you think it would take? Anyway, it’s definitely changed, so trust me and take it off.”

At Lapis’s words, Isana hesitated for a moment and then slowly lowered the hood. The moment the appearance was revealed, I almost *burst out* a gasp. The handsome boy with blond hair and blue eyes had completely disappeared, and in his place was a fairy with *brilliant* silver hair that *draped* to his shoulders, transparently white skin, and *captivating* gold eyes.

“El? How do I look?”

“…….”

Isana tilted his head cautiously, asking me, who had *frozen*. Every time he blinked his eyes, it seemed as if *pure white* light *powder* fell from his *silvery-white* long eyelashes.

‘This isn’t even human anymore!’

“Good, it’s *passable*.”

While I was *aghast* at the changed appearance, Lapis nodded with a satisfied face. I turned to him and ground my teeth *lowly*.

“… *Passable*? This is too *conspicuous*. Did you *ignore* my *request*?”

“You don’t know anything. Anyway, just my appearance and yours are *conspicuous* enough. To *match* the *balance*, it has to be this *degree*.”

“So you’re *deliberately* trying to *attract* *attention*? It would be better to just press down the hood!”

No sooner had Isana taken off his hood than the surroundings were *all astir*. The *attention* that had already been *attracted as much as it could be* because of Lapis *heated up* as if *exploding* upon seeing his fairy-like appearance.

“Oh my god, look at those people over there. They’re *really* too *beautiful*!”

“Are they both male? Are they elves? They don’t seem human.”

“Ah, I want to go *closer* and *talk*…….”

The voices of women *chattering busily echoed* in my *ears*. Men were no *exception*. They were all *gazing* *without a soul* in their faces. When I *glared at* Lapis *as if telling him to look*, he shrugged his shoulders *lightly*.

“Originally, *talented people receive the attention of the crowd*.”

“So are you saying you did well?”

“What did I *not* do? Anyway, it’s completely different from the *original appearance*, so it’s *done*, right? Is there anyone around here *suspecting* Isana?”

“Ugh, that’s *not* it, but…….”

“There you go. Then there’s no *problem*.”

“…….”

Hmm, is that so? I felt *uneasy*, but listening to it, it wasn’t all *wrong*. Rather, I thought it might be better in that it’s not easy to *associate* the *original appearance* because of the *flashy appearance*.

In the meantime, Isana was *looking around here and there*, wondering about his changed appearance. Seeing him *fiddling* with the *ends of his hair* with a *curious* face made me feel *unnecessarily awkward* because I was *excited alone*.

“Isana, how about you? Do you like the *changed appearance*?”

“Uh-huh, I’m *okay with anything*. I’m just glad I can *take off* the hood.”

“Well, it’s a *relief*, but…….”

Well, I could *go out comfortably sometimes*, but in Isana’s case, he was always busy *covering* the face, so the *mental stress* must have been *considerably great*. In his *position*, anything would be *grateful* if he could just be *free*.

“But is this *silver hair* a *color* that actually *exists*? I’ve never seen *silver* that *sparkles*.”

“Well, wouldn’t it be because it exists that he *made it*?”

In fact, it was a *color* that I was seeing for the first time as well. Minerva’s *silver hair* was also a *very rare* *color*, but Isana’s *hair* now also had a *rare* *special feeling* in its own way. Then Lapis *bragged and answered*.

“When Silver *race* *polymorph* to humans, they *have hair* of that *color* *right away*. They *change* *on purpose* to a different *color* because it’s too *conspicuous*.”

“There you go! It’s *conspicuous*!”

Even the same *race*, the *dragon*, chooses a *color* that they *change* *on purpose*! What is this *damn dragon* thinking? But the *answer* that came back was too *confident*.

“It’s okay. Anyway, it’s not as much as your *hair color*.”

“…….”

What *words* can I *defeat* that *guy*?

What’s more *infuriating* is that the *words* are an *undeniable fact*. Even I think my *hair color* is the *most* *noticeable* among the three of us.

In the end, I *chose* the *side* *silently*. Why is it that every *things* I get *involved* in is so *tiring*? It was *really not a smooth game*, as Troel said.

* * *

The *snow pouring* *without rest* didn’t show any *signs* of *stopping* even as *time passed*. In the *meantime*, the *day* was almost *setting* and it was *already a dark evening*. In the end, we decided to *postpone* the *temple’s* visit to the *next day* and *sought* an *inn* to *stay* *overnight*.

Fortunately, it wasn’t *difficult* to find *accommodation* because it was a *big city*. *Large and small inns* *were lined up* *in every alley*.

“Welcome.”

As I *opened* the *door* and *entered*, a *girl* *appearing as an employee* of the *inn* *hurriedly ran out*. The *hall*, *busy* because it was *mealtime*, *vibrated* with *delicious food smells*.

“There are three of you. Meal and lodging, which one are you here for?”

“I’m trying to *stay* *overnight*, but is there a *room*?”

“Yes, of course. You can *choose* between *private room* and *dormitory*. Among the *dormitories*…….”

But at that *moment*, the *girl*, *continuing the explanation skillfully*, suddenly stopped talking and widened her eyes. She had *discovered* Lapis. As her *eyes met*, the *girl’s* *face*, *opening her mouth blankly*, *began to turn red* *in an instant* like a *ripe tomato*.

It wasn’t just the *girl*. The *eyes* of all the people in the *inn* *hall* *all turned* *at once* to him. It was an *event* that had already *happened* in the *previous store*, so it wasn’t *new*, but it was *really* a *great presence*.

‘But after all, the main body is nothing more than an expanded version of a *lizard*…….’

I *let out* a *sigh* *lightly* and asked.

“What about the *dormitory*?”

“Ah, ah, yes! Among the *dormitories*, there are *standard rooms* and *special rooms*. You can *decide* *which* *side* you want to do.”

The *girl*, who had *come to her senses* *only then*, *continued* the *explanation* with a *flushed face*.

Generally, *special rooms* are *several times more expensive* than *standard rooms*. In *Korea’s* *concept*, it’s almost *suite room* *level*? Not only do *not many inns own special rooms*, but in this *world*, it was almost like the *exclusive property* of *nobles* or *only they stay*.

“If we do *dormitory*, it’ll be *okay*, right? Do we do *standard room*…….”

“Do *special room*.”

The *person* who *intervened* was Lapis, of course.

He was *looking down* at me *blankly* *as if languid* with a *bored expression*. Even the *resident* of *Phoenix Merchant*, who has *money overflowing*, can’t *dare to stay* in a *special room*. To *demand* *confidently* *without caring* that, is he going to *use* *recklessly* because it’s not *his own money*? I *glanced at* him *slightly*.

“There’s no *need* to do *special room* for *staying* *overnight*.”

“*Unconditionally* *special room*.”

“Oh my, I got it. Lai, then I’ll do *special room*.”

“Okay.”

With the *answer*, Isana *took off* the *hood*. At that *moment*, a *low groan* *flowed out* *again* from the *girl’s* *mouth*, who had been *stiffened*. It was an *expression* *terrified* at the *beauty* *flashy* not as much as Lapis, but not *no less*.

“I’ll do *special room*. How much is the *price*?”

“Yes? Ah, that, um…… that is…….”

The *girl* couldn’t *continue* *answering* *properly* to the *question*, *unable to recover* from the *shock*. Then a *middle-aged man*, *unable to watch* *nearby*, *came* and *scolded*. He seemed to be the *owner* of this *inn*, *probably*.

“Betty! What are you *doing*! You’re *making* *customers* *wait*!”

The *man* *looked at* the *girl* with a *strict face*, then *said* with a *friendly smile* *towards* us *soon*.

“Welcome, customers. What can I *help* you with?”

“I want to *stay* *overnight* in a *special room*.”

“Oh my, you really *chose* *well*. The *special room* of our *inn* is *famous* for being *beautiful* *scenery* *to the extent that nobles in the capital often visit*. You’ll *definitely not regret it*. More than that, you’ve *gotten* *snow* *a lot*. Betty, what are you *doing*. *Hurry up* and *bring* *something to wipe* *without*.”

“Yes, yes!”

As he said, the *snow* *met* *briefly* had *piled up* *quite a bit*, and it was *already* *soaking wet* *melting* *wetting* the *floor* *dripping*. The *girl* *called* Betty *brought* *hurriedly* a *dry cloth* and *handed* it to *us*. What was *unexpected* was Lapis’s *reaction*.

“Ah, thank you. You’re a *kind* *young lady*.”

He was *giving* *thank you greetings* *smiling* *kindly*, *not* *unfitting*!

He was even using *honorifics*. Wasn’t *cutting off the end of words* *for the first time* his *specialty*? I *became flustered* and *looked back*, he *received* my *gaze* with an *unconcerned face*. I knew he was *shameless*, but it looked like he even had *con artist* *tendencies* now.

Thanks to that, the *girl’s* *face* was now a *burning brazier*, *beyond* *tomato*. I was *secretly worrying unnecessarily*, wondering if she would *become ashes* *like that*.

“What are you *doing*? *Wipe* *hurry up* *without*.”

“Ah, yes.”

Isana, who was *frozen* *similarly* with me, *answered* *awkwardly* to his *words*. Lapis *wiped* *clothes* and *frowned* *looking at* me.

“Why aren’t you *taking off* the *hood*? Do you want to *keep wearing* the *falling water* *wet*?”

“I’m *okay with anything*.”

Even though it was the *appearance* of a *human*, I didn’t *feel* the *same* *getting wet* because the *essence* is *water*. That’s why I didn’t have *any thoughts* *particularly*, but Lapis’s *opinion* was *different*.

“I’m not *okay*. You look *miserable* *just like* a *mouse* *hit* *by rain*.”

“What? *Miserable*? Why is *getting hit by rain* *miserable*? Are you *disregarding* *rain* *now*?”

“I’m not *disregarding* *rain*, but I’m *disregarding* *you* *standing* *liking* *wet*. It’s *common* *etiquette* to *take off* *wet clothes* *indoors*, okay? Even if you don’t have *common sense*, *distinguish* *place and time*.”

‘The one who doesn’t have *common sense* is you!’

I *endured* the *thing* *shouting* *like that*. It was a *situation* *disadvantageous* *on my side* *now that I think about it* because.

“Damn it, I’ll *take it off*, what! *Take it off*!”

Then the *employee* *girl* *giggled* and *laughed* because our *conversation* was *interesting*, or what. It’s not like *two grown men are doing a comedy*, and what *childish act* is this *instead*? My *face* was *all burning* when I *thought* *how* our *appearance* would have *looked* to *other people’s eyes*.

I *immediately* *took off* the *hood*, then *shook off* the *water* *thoroughly* *as if to show*. Then I *felt* the *air* *quieted down* *strangely* *suddenly*. When I *raised* my *head*, people were *looking at* me with *stiff faces* *all*. Even the *inn* *owner* *this time* was *the same*.

‘What, what is it? Did I *shake* *too violently* *water*?’

I *frowned* *slightly* at the *phenomenon* *unable to understand*. The *inn* *owner*, *seeming to come to his senses* *only then*, *made* a *smile* *hurriedly*. However, he couldn’t *stop* *just* the *cramps occurring* on his *mouth*, *proving* that it was a *forced smile*.

“Umm, I’ll *confirm* *again*, *customer*. Is it *correct* *one special room* *dormitory*?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“Hmm, the *dormitory* *room* is not *divided*.”

“That’s right, because it’s a *dormitory*.”

“Ahaha, I’m glad you *know*.”

*Cold sweat* *formed* on his *face* *smiling* *awkwardly*. I couldn’t *help but frown* *more* because I couldn’t *know* *what intention* *the words were*. What was *more* *incomprehensible* was the *employee* *girl’s* *attitude*. When my *eyes met*, her *face* *turned cold* and *suddenly*, she *turned away* *snappishly*, wasn’t she!

‘What, what? Did I *make a mistake* *what*?’

The *girl*, who had *sent* *warm gazes* even until *a little while ago*, didn’t *become* *adapted* *more* *the attitude changed* *suddenly*. In the *meantime*, the *inn* *owner* *called* *another employee* (this time it was a man) and *entrusted* our *guidance*. The *employee* *made* a *nice person smile*, *fortunately*, was *showing* *an attitude* *friendly* to me as well. He *spoke* *politely* *grabbing* my *sleeve*.

“Customer, I’ll *take* *the clothes*.”

“Ah…….”

I was *trying* to *answer* *it’s okay*, a *strange thing* *happened*. The *employee*, who was *sending* *gazes* to my *back* *suddenly*, *suddenly* *turned pale* *blue* *face*. When I *turned* my *head* *in embarrassment*, I saw Lapis’s *appearance* *glaring* *frighteningly*.

“Don’t *touch* *other people’s things* *recklessly*.”

The *employee*, *intimidated* in *just one word*, *stepped back* *quickly*. And I *couldn’t* *help but look* *speechless* at *that guy’s* *words*. What? *Don’t touch* *recklessly* *what*?

“What are you *doing* *now*?”

“I *hate the most* *people* *touching* *my things* *without permission*.”

“You’re *again* *treating* *people* *like things*…….”

But my *words* *were not continued* *any more*. Because of the *inn* *owner* *intervened* *abruptly* *without noticing*. Moreover, the *content* was *enough* to make me *aghast*.

“Hahaha, you’re *really* *good-looking men and women*. I’m *feeling* *good* *seeing* a *couple* *matching* *so well* *like this*.”

“……Yes?”

“Is the *other* *group member* *with* *still* *young*, is he your *younger sibling*?”

“Ah, well…….”

I *nodded* *unwittingly* because I couldn’t *know* the *intention* of the *question*. Then the *inn* *owner*, who was *looking* with *anxious gazes* *for some reason*, *brightened* his *face* *as if relieved*.