Elqueeness – Chapter 36

Posted on July 8, 2016

TLN: Thank you Solitaire for sponsoring another chapter.  Thank you Stephen for the donation for Elqueeness & Legend of Legend.

As they got closer to Kalmore, the days started to become colder. The trees started to show branches without leaves, and the blowing wind became a little bit more colder. It wouldn’t be amiss to call it winter. However, the weather wasn’t the one making the party members cold…..

“Irial, dear~ Are you cold? Come here. I’ll make you warm~!”

“Ah-eeng.(TLN:cutesy noise) Really, Harold…”

…the two of them were making them have goosebumps upon goosebumps. Even though the temperature was changing, another factor was making them feel cold. Even I, who can’t feel the temperature, started to feel a chill. As this continued, Matey and Hosane’s face started to turn pale, and I couldn’t blame them.

I let out a sigh at the couple causing a massive disruption. The sight of them bickering and fighting was a distant memory now. After confirming their hearts, the two of them became inseparable like sticky rice.

Dear~ My baby~ They used such goosebump inducing words… They didn’t hesitate to show excessive displays of affection like kisses and hugs. They were rubbing salt on the wounds of the people who were still single. However, it was more of a problem, because they didn’t care if it bothered the other people.

“Hey…Harold, Irial. It isn’t just us, so…Other people are watching, so the kissing is…”

I tried to warn them, while I perspired. However, they replied with an uncaring attitude.

“Usually, couples have to frequently confirm their affection, El! You are a man, so remember it!”

“Ah-haha…is, is that so?”

“Shit. What do you mean by that?? El! Don’t be bewitched by that bastard’s words! You turncoat! Fine, go eat and live well by yourself!! ”

Finally, Matey’s eyes flipped with jealousy, and he continued to cry out. Even Hosane, who was next to him, started to actively nod his head at his words. However, Harold wasn’t someone who would blink his eyes at those word. Instead, he grinned as if he was trying to provoke them. Then he hugged Irial’s waist more energetically.

“Why do you want me to live well by myself? I’ll live well with Irial by my side~ You guys are single, so I should wish you luck~ Mwahahaha!”

“Eeek~ You damn bastard!”

“I want to kill that bastard!”

“Should we throw a spear at him?”

It was lunch time. The procession had stopped for a meal. All the mercenaries started glaring at Harold with cold eyes. However, they had to swallow their tears and turn back when Irial spoke…

“Oh yeah? Why don’t you lower your eyes? Who are you glaring at right now? Ahng?(TLN: SFX a delinquent usually makes) You want to be whipped to death?”

“Ah-ee~ Dear you are so cool~~”

“Oh-hohoho~ Of course, dear~ If they bother you, then just tell me from now on. I’ll beat all of them up.”

“Oong, oong! I’ll only trust you dear~~”

“ ……. ”

My god…Are they the same people from a month ago, who went nuts ,as they went after each other’s throat?  I heard before a relationship could really mess people up, but I could only shake my head with a ghastly expression  when it was confirmed.  Harold and Irial was progressively letting the chicken feather fly, and Sherry could only look on in envy.  I couldn’t understand either of them.  (TLN: the term chicken feather is a literal translation.  I’ll try to explain it more on the bottom if anyone is confused.)

Is it because I’ve never had any dating experience in the past?

“Shit.  I used to be the president of the Couple Interference Committee!”(TLN: single guys get together and prevent couples from happening. It is kind of like fans of idols preventing them from dating.)

“Huh? What did you say, El?”

“It..it’s nothing, Matthew.”

Tromwell was looking at me with wide eyes, and it made me feel embarrassed.  So my face became red.  Now that I think about it, his age was around 4000 years old. (4230 year old to be precise)  He probably dated at least once during his vacations up until now.  Maybe Trowell had belonged to a goose bump inducing couple before?

At a glance, he was calm, cool and gentle.  I couldn’t imagine him acting silly like Harold, and calling someone “Dear~”.  His image would be broken into pieces…..

“I’m sorry, Matthew…”

I couldn’t help, but apologize.  Since I didn’t explain my thoughts before or after, the apology caused him to be confused.  However, he smirked soon as if he understood what I was thinking.

“Well, I can’t deny I have some dating experience…but it wasn’t to that degree.”

“ Kul-uk.(TLN: wet cough sfx)  Is that so? Ah-haha… ”

“I’ve had others pursue me aggressively, so I’ve been put in an awkward position several times. As you can see, my looks are like this.  Most of the women with fond feelings toward me were young ladies(TLN:implies teenager).  So most of it ended at that.”

“He-eh…  How should I say this…couldn’t you change your appearance with that magic called Polymorph?”

I asked with an expression filled with curiosity, and he slightly nodded his head.  I found out that it was a very high ranking magic, so one had to be, at least very least, in the 6th Circle to attempt a perfect change.  The restriction on my strength would put me in the 4th Circle, so it wasn’t something I could attempt even if I lived out my life here.

“Sometime, I ask the dragons to change my appearance.  However, if it is just minor changes, it is possible to do it with the power of the Spirit magic.  This is our original appearance, but it is possible to project a different outer appearance to others.”

“Gasp. You can turn into your adult form right now?”

“Yes. Why? You want to see it?”

Of course, I want to see it! I looked at him with starry-eyes, and he laughed awkwardly. He said he’ll show it to me when he has the chance. Then he said in a small voice that ‘Only my height increases’, and he tried to stress this point.

“So don’t expect too much. I’ll be embarrassed.”

” But it’s so fascinating. Huh? Can I change my appearance too?”

“You can…but there won’t be any drastic changes. Your hair color and eye color will never change. Only your height and body will become bigger or smaller. We don’t age like humans, so it is hard to make ourselves look older. This why most of our vacations are cut short unless we borrow a dragon’s power.”

“Hmm. So that’s how it is…”

If looked at it that way, does that mean Dragons were an essential existence that can’t be excluded from the vacation? I would be able to use mana to my hearts content without any consequences, and my looks could also be be serviced to be different occasionally . On most vacations or any other event, the dragons minded their own business, and they didn’t ask for help.

‘ Ah, of course in Lapis’ case, he was exempt from the last part.’

He was the type of person, who will be restless to butt into other people’s business. He seemed to be a mutant among the dragons? Now that I think about it, I seemed to be meeting people in unique circumstances. Even though he didn’t have much mana, Isana had summoned a Spirit King. Elwien was the first god to adopt a son. Then there is Lapis, who was trying hard to get involved in someone else’s vacation…..

‘Well…I’m not normal either, so I shouldn’t say anything.’

Well, it would be like a pot calling the kettle black.  First, I’m not really a proper Spirit King, so I wasn’t in a position to put the blame on others.  I smirked as I returned my gaze toward Irial, and Harold.  They were still pushing the party into the chicken feathers.  It seemed Hosane and Matey had reached the limit of their patience.

Hosane’s shoulders was about to convulse when he, who had close his mouth tightly up until now, exploded.

“From now on, I’m going to ban relationships between those of the same company!! Both of you stop it and get away from each other!! There are children here, so don’t behave so indecently!!”

“Uh muh muh~(TLN:sfx) Leader is having a tantrum since he is jealous.”

“Ke ke ke. Leave him alone, Irial. That is basically the sadness of a single man.”

“What did you say? At least reflect upon your actions a little bit, when a person says something to you, you bastards!”

Hosane yelled with a red face. As a single person, his figure elicited a keen sense of pity. He looked like he would faint. The future of being a 30 years old was right in front of his nose. He was becoming afraid of his future yet his junior colleagues was chatting and giggling with his lover by his side. Not many people would accept this with a gracious heart.

Sherry was busily preparing a meal, and at that moment, she mumbled some words in passing.

“You just have to accept my feelings.”

“What…what did you say?”

Hosane was taken aback, but she didn’t even blink an eye. Her rejected unrequited love must have soured. Any ways, she pushed on in an uncompromising fashion.

“Did I say something wrong? Do you think you’ll get to have another pretty woman again? I’m sorry but~ My motto is if I can’t eat it then others can’t eat it either. I won’t stand by and watch you be happy with another woman. For your whole life~~, you’ll grow old and die as a bachelor.”

“Cough…”

As if her resolve had reached deep within her bones, she shot back with fire burning in her eyes. Hosane could only cough awkwardly. After he thought for awhile, he looked at Sherry again. Unlike before, Hosane had a very gentle expression on his face as he looked at Sherry. Maybe his heart had weakened from her words, or maybe it was an expression trying to appease a child. At the very least, it boded well for Sherry.

Was it because of this? A small amount of color started suffusing her fierce face. Hosane, who was watching her silently, let out a sigh, then he spoke.

“What is so good about an old man like me? You are only 17 years old. You’ll have plenty of time to meet a good person, so I don’t know why you are saying that. Even if you have an eccentric taste…”

“Hosane isn’t an old man! Aren’t you only 28 years old? Moreover, there aren’t any man who is as kind and dashing as you.”

“Ha-ah. Thank you for the compliments. Are you perhaps confusing your feelings towards me with the love towards a father figure? I still think you should change your mind…”

“Ughh… Stop treating me like a kid! I’m at an age where I know all the relevant information! I’m not stupid enough to confuse a love for a father, and a love for a lover!”

Truthfully, in an adult’s perspective, 17 year old was basically the same as a naive young brat. This was compounded by the fact that she was someone, whom he helped raise.  He had viewed her as a daughter. Even if Hosane had some interest, he had a hard time differentiating his feeling.  He didn’t know if his feeling were that of seeing a daughter or a romantic feeling.

This was why he put his head down to give Sherry another chance to think about it. However, she didn’t even realize his intention. She unhesitatingly gave a strong answer. He could only scratch his cheek, while he had on a difficult expression.

He looked to the sky once then he looked at the ground once. He looked around his surrounding with a blank face, then his gaze landed on me last. His eyes became resolute as if he made up his mind. He must have remembered the quiet warning I gave him…once he becomes 30 years old then they’ll call him a robber.(TLN: cradle robber) The shock of hearing those words must have settled in his heart. Also, Harold and Irial being physically affectionate lit a fire on his feelings.

After a while, Hosane’s face visibly stiffened. He swirled the spoon inside his pale bowl of stew, and he spoke calmly.

“You’ll regret this. I guarantee it.”

“No! I won’t!”

“…I’m not as affectionate or fun as you think I am.”

“I’ve already known that from the years we’ve lived together. What do you take me for?”

“….I’ll never be able to act like that bastard, Harold.

“I didn’t expect it in the first place…what, what are you saying? Those words?”

She finally realized the intent of Hosane’s words. Sherry stared back dumbly with her mouth open. It wasn’t just her. Harold, Irial, Matey and even Tromwell were looking at their leader with shocked expressions. I had already had known about his tormented feelings early on, so I wasn’t really surprised. However, he hadn’t show any indication to the others, so when he accepted her feelings so easily, everyone couldn’t help but be surprised.

As if she was embarrassed to think about it, Sherry’s face uncharacteristically became red. She looked like she was about to cry as she started asking questions.

“That answer…you are going accept my feelings… Is that right?”

“…Kkhmmm.” (TLN: he cleared his throat)

“Give me a proper answer, you dolt! Don’t build up my expectations. Just give me a proper answer! You mean you want to go out with me, right? Am I right?”

“…if those two don’t make fun of me.”

“Huk…”

As Hosane said this, he pointed his finger towards where Harold and Matey was sitting. They were making an expression as if they had been aggrieved. When Sherry looked at them with sharp eyes, they desperately shook their heads from side to side. They didn’t want to get involved in someone else’s relationship. They didn’t want to sacrifice themselves in a heroic manner, and suffer the consequences.

In my mind, I thought that moment will probably be the brightest point in her life.

“You idiot!”

“Ooh-ahht-”

Sherry was deeply moved, so she ignored the gazes of the other people. She hugged Hosane’s neck, and she started to cry. At first he was taken aback, but Hosane couldn’t help but smile. Her shoulder started to tremble as she felt all the sorrows she had experienced. He slowly patted her shoulders. His attitude was very gentle, and loving. The party members watched them with unbelieving eyes, and everyone laughed despondently.

“What is happening here…”

“Koo-hook! Finally, my Sherry was taken by that unsociable human!”

“Huh huh huh huh…”

It was 3 days before they reached Kalmore, and it was in the tranquil evening of an early winter. After Harold and Irial, it was the moment when another couple was officially born in the Champagne Mercenary.

***

The Marquis of Kalmore was Isana’s older male cousin, and he was within the territory ruled by the Duke Karwell de Conchell. It was basically a free trade city, so it was a merchant’s heaven. Any import or export had to use their port to get to either the Alphonse Empire or the Karter Empire. They had to pass through this city to trade. The shortest route between the two Empires was called Cariphae, and it was within the Kalmore’s territory.

There were other trade routes, but excluding Kalmore all the other territory’s port was within the reach of the Pirate Kingdom’s Algeriman Island. This was why most of the trade routes was closed long time ago. Even if one doesn’t meet a pirate on every trip, just one attack could cause significant harm. They didn’t feel the need to purposefully use other trading routes when a safe one was available.

It wouldn’t be a problem if the military could punish them, but the pirates were too skilled in naval warfare. Moreover, if a war was started, the consumption of the nation’s strength would be quite significant. Even if they weren’t in a dizzying situation where the current bid for emperor was in turmoil, the empire’s hands were tied. Moreover, the pirates hadn’t caused enough damage for them to respond in an uncompromising fashion.

From the perspective of the merchants and the Empires, this was why Kalmore had to be defended with their eyes wide open.  It was also the only free trade city that could be used by Soltere. Each country had a large branch of their government represented there.

One interesting fact was that the overall public security was several times more developed at Kalmore than other places. Since a lot of foreigners pass through there, they had worried the permanent residents would get into a lot of disputes with the foreigners. The Marquis had 20 thousand personal soldiers. If Isana wanted to retake his throne, it would be best to get his assistance, but it wasn’t necessary.  Even without their local support, he would be able to gather enough force to contend for the throne.

Currently, they were approaching Kalmore, and they were in an awkward position. The castle gates were guarded very closely. It couldn’t be compared to any of check stations they had visited before. The guards were watching very closely, and they were
searching everyone very thoroughly.

Maybe the Archduke’s knights had joined forces with the guards. It would be hard us to pass them even if we showed them our mercenary plaques.

“He-eh. They aren’t playing around. The inspection is quite thorough.”

“Ha-ah. I guess it is…”

There was a long line, and the knights were checking the face of every single person. I looked back at Isana with a difficult expression. It wasn’t as if Isana hadn’t predicted such an event might happen, but he didn’t have easy solution to the problem. He stood there with stiff shoulders.