The Invitation from Death

Ensi pulled the blanket up to the bridge of his nose and rubbed his face against the pillow, sniffling. It was only after the allergic reaction broke out that he remembered why he had stopped accepting food through the merchant group: he never knew when or to what he might have a reaction.

The Eclipse Merchant Group was known for traveling far and wide, receiving goods from every corner of the world where a road existed. As its master, Ensi frequently encountered new things.

Food was no exception. In his younger years, Ensi actually enjoyed trying exotic dishes. Back then, he hadn’t restricted the items brought in by the guild, which led to an incident similar to today’s.

However, at that time, it had ended with nothing more than a light cough and itchy skin, so he simply stopped eating food from the merchant group.

But why did this have to happen again today of all days? And even more severely than before.

His face was surely swollen. His fingers were puffy, so his face likely followed suit. Thanks to Agniele, the anomaly had been identified early enough to prevent the symptoms from worsening, but Ensi couldn’t help but lament the fact that the reaction had manifested right in front of him.

Hidden within the bed, where thick curtains were drawn so tightly that not a single sliver of sunlight could seep through, Ensi let out a pained groan.

“Young Master.”

He had been pressing his finger against his cheek to check the swelling when he heard the familiar call. He purposefully shifted under the covers. He was too embarrassed to speak after the commotion he’d caused. However, he couldn’t bring himself to ignore her entirely, so he acknowledged her presence with a rustle of movement.

“The Young Lord says he wishes to speak with you.”

Startled by Emma’s words, as he had assumed Agniele would have left by now, Ensi bolted upright. As the blankets that had tightly cocooned him were cast aside with a loud rustle, the corners of his eyes, stained a vivid red, were clear even in the pitch-black darkness.

“Why? I naturally assumed you would have handled things, Emma……!”

Ensi couldn’t finish his sentence before a cough escaped him. His suddenly irritated throat flared with pain, and he frowned, covering his mouth.

It went without saying that abruptly leaving was more than just a matter of being rude. Ensi knew this, but he had fled because he lacked the courage to show Agniele such an unsightly appearance. And yet, Agniele wanted to talk.

Unable to overcome his anxiety, Ensi bit his lip. He clenched the blanket over his thighs, so agitated that a discarded habit had resurfaced.

“Calm yourself, Young Master. You can simply speak with him through the curtains.”

“But…….”

“The Young Lord also said that it is fine if you do not face him directly.”

At Emma’s calm, soothing voice, Ensi finally gave his permission in a small, muffled whisper. Remarking that he had made a wise choice, Emma checked the bed curtains once more before heading out.

“Thank you for waiting. Now, please come in—”

As soon as she opened the door, she found Agniele waiting with a face full of anxiety, but Emma feigned ignorance, lowering her gaze and stepping aside.

Brightening at the news of Ensi’s permission, Agniele entered the room in a single stride. As if the bed curtains weren’t enough, thick curtains were drawn over every window, leaving the room shrouded in darkness.

Agniele stood still, waiting for his eyes to adjust to the gloom. Once he could distinguish shapes, he moved the remaining distance to the bed where he felt a small presence.

The bed was veiled by hangings thicker than the window curtains, making it impossible to see inside. However, being sensitive to presence, Agniele quickly caught the sound of restless movement from within.

“I am sorry for being stubborn when I knew you weren’t feeling well. I just couldn’t bear to leave like this.”

A voice lower than usual filled the bedroom. The fingertips of Ensi, who was burying his face into a pile of blankets, trembled slightly.

“—It is fine.”

The sound was muffled as if obstructed by something, but Agniele felt relieved just to hear the response. He reflexively reached toward the curtain before realizing his action and curling his hand into a fist.

“I am the one who should apologize. Not only did I leave abruptly, but I am also being stubborn about not showing my face.”

“You don’t need to worry about such trivial things. I know it was an unavoidable situation. More than that, I—”

“I am sorry, but…… I would like you to return for today. When I feel better, I will send word again.”

The fact that Ensi was trying so hard not to show his face bothered Agniele even more. So did the way the voice that usually resonated in his ears had sunk so low, all because of a single snack.

Agniele had many things he wanted to ask and say, but his words were cut off by Ensi.

“……Very well. Rest well.”

Faced with a voice that held a hint of desperate pleading, Agniele had to withdraw quickly, the effort of entering the room yielding little reward.

[—So you’re saying the reason you’re wearing a veil is because of an allergy?]

“It shows no sign of subsiding. Even though the other symptoms have already disappeared.”

It had been two days since the redness and small hives on his face refused to vanish. From past experience, Ensi knew there was no medicine particularly effective for allergies. He had guessed it wouldn’t heal easily, but why did the hives have to be the symptom that lasted the longest?

Supplying a suppressed sigh, Ensi touched his forehead.

[Then it’s been a while since you’ve seen Agniele, hasn’t it?]

Ensi nodded slowly at Titania’s question, which carried a trace of light laughter. Unlike Titania, who seemed to have expected as much, Donovan, sitting beside her, blinked with a puzzled expression.

[Why can’t you see him? I thought you’d meet him while covered with a veil like you are now.]

[You’re so insensitive, Donovan. What if the veil blows away in the wind? The ribbon could suddenly come undone. Of course he can’t meet him!]

[Isn’t that a bit of an overreaction?]

[When you’re in a similar situation later, you’ll understand, Donovan. Besides, it’s something to worry about since you said Agniele is a face-lover.]

Ensi, who had been quietly listening to their conversation, flinched at the word “face-lover.” The reaction was so slight it didn’t reach those beyond the crystal ball.

[What does that matter? That was just the catalyst. In the first place, if someone loses interest just because of some hives from an allergy, then that person is simply bad.]

[True, that’s a fair point. But…… even if you know it in your head, you can’t always change your behavior immediately.]

Titania trailed off, observing Ensi through the crystal ball. She had thought he was fine, unlike herself, but perhaps that had also been her misunderstanding.

Why do childhood years, which one has no power to change, cling so stubbornly?

Watching the veil flutter in the wind coming through the window, Titania pressed down firmly on the thigh of Donovan, who was about to speak again. Meeting Donovan’s eyes as he turned his gaze, she shook her head slightly, signaling him to stop.

Though he had much he wanted to say, Donovan eventually fell silent at Titania’s restraint, swallowing a sigh and lowering his head.

“So, the reason you contacted me?”

Ensi tapped the armrest with a thud to draw their attention and refresh the heavy atmosphere.

[……Things got complicated, Ensi.]

Recalling the original reason for the call, Donovan let out a groan. He raised his arm to tear at his hair but was stopped by Titania.

“Complicated? How?”

[Simply put, he was kicked out twice. He was expelled without even seeing a face because they didn’t want to meet a living person full of vitality. But the important thing is—]

[They said they won’t meet anyone who isn’t close enough to death to transfer “evil energy” to me! They said I don’t even have the qualifications of a proxy.]

“Qualifications of a proxy. How grand…….”

Donovan’s words made it sound as if the opponent had seen through his intentions—everything from the purpose of his approach to the person who actually desired the Mystery.

[What you’re guessing is right, Ensi. She invited you through me.]

Ensi tapped his finger against his cheek. It was a strange feeling to have it confirmed by an entity that brings death that his body was one that could die at any moment, but he wasn’t particularly displeased.

It wasn’t as if the path was blocked entirely; he simply had to go himself. Ultimately, the fact that he could obtain a way to treat his illness was more important.

“I’ll do that, then.”

[Don’t say it so easily. It’s dangerous!]

“You met her too.”

[That’s because I have the certainty that I won’t die! But that’s not the case for you, Ensi. Why are you so calm?]

“Didn’t you say I just need to talk? As long as she doesn’t use tricks like hypnosis or brainwashing, I think just having a conversation will be fine.”

[Those close to physical or mental death are weak to temptation. Even if the entity bringing death doesn’t use such tricks, they often fall for it on their own. The Wanderer doesn’t use those tricks, but still……!]

“Then I’ll be fine too. For now, I can’t die even out of spite.”

[That—! Ensi!]

At a loss for words, Donovan writhed in frustration before finally giving up on persuasion. He curled his body inward and pressed his forehead against the armrest.

Titania considered whether she should try to persuade Ensi in his stead, but seeing Ensi tilt his chin nonchalantly, she abandoned the thought.

Somehow, she felt as if the corners of his mouth, hidden behind the veil, were turned upward.