(EP-145.1) #5

145 – Pincer #5

Elga looked at Kalira and asked.

“Who is this?”

Come to think of it, Elga had never met Kalira, this was actually the first time.

With such very different backgrounds, I was pondering how to introduce them to each other, when Kalira opened her mouth first.

“My name is Eld Orbans. I’m working as a physician here at Ark.”

Eld Orbans was a pseudonym to conceal her true identity as Kalira, the daughter of the Skull Baron Family.

“You must be Lady Lioness? You’re as beautiful as the rumors say. You are dressed up so elegantly, may I ask where you are heading?”

I could sense Kalira quickly scanning Elga. And like she said, Elga had indeed put more effort into her looks today than usual.

She was wearing a white dress with open shoulders, glass shoes adorned with flowers, and was carrying a small bag on her shoulders. To top it all off, she also wore a round-brimmed hat decorated with feathers.

Considering that Elga usually rocked with dolphin pants and a sweatshirt, it was evident that she had put extra effort into her appearance today.

“Perhaps, you are going out for a drink with your lover?”

“…….”

Instead of answering, Elga openly scanned Kalira from top to bottom.

The reason she could behave so boldly was that she knew there was a significant difference in their social status.

“… Anyway, so what were you two talking about?”

“It’s not a big deal, just a casual chat. Well then, Theo. I should be heading to work now. See you next time.”

After a leisurely smile, Kalira took her leave. She seemed to have read the atmosphere and didn’t linger.

Elga, who was watching her disappearing figure with narrowed eyes, asked.

“Who is that woman?”

“Ah, she’s a physician here at Ark. But it’s not like what Elga-nim is thinking, we’re just acquaintances, please don’t misunderstand.”

Hmph, Elga snorted.

“What was I thinking!? There’s clearly nothing going on between you two!”

Was what she said, but Elga looked obviously displeased.

If our weekend date started out like this, it could get worse in many ways.

So, I quickly went back to my room, took a shower, put on a clean robe and headed back outside.

“To the center of Gracia, please.”

Elga and I got on a carriage heading towards the city, sitting face to face with each other. Because of this, I could smell a faint floral scent coming from Elga.

It was unusual since she typically smelled closer to apples.

Could it be that she was wearing perfume?

Her attire was also similar to that of a noble lady going out for a drink, and now that I looked at her closely, her face seemed to have a subtle touch of makeup.

Wait, Elga was wearing makeup?

I was shocked by this surprising revelation.

Blessed with blonde hair and blue eyes, Elga already looked striking. She naturally attracted the awe and attention of any beholder without any need for embellishment.

But when she did put on makeup and dress so refined like today, she would look the true definition of a ‘noble lady.’

“What are you looking at? Stop staring.”

Elga said as she raised two fingers, as if she would poke my eyes out if I kept looking.

I complimented Elga, who had dressed up especially beautiful today.

“If I had known this, I would have done something with my hair as well.”

To be honest, I had no knack for dressing up.

I’d never really done things like this. I always thought that as long as my clothes and appearance were presentable to others, everything would be fine.

As I sat face to face with Elga, I couldn’t help but wonder if anyone would think of us as lovers.

“Elga-nim is all dressed up so beautifully. I would only look like a servant next to Elga-nim.”

“What are you talking about? You ARE a servant and I am the lady.”

Saying so, Elga quickly turned her head and looked out the carriage window. Despite that, she looked to be in a good mood. It seemed that my compliment pleased her.

“… Today you are my servant. So you have to take good care of me, understand?”

“…….”

In the slightly awkward and shy silence that followed, the carriage continued to ride on.

* * *

“Today, I’ll be observing what you do. Then I’ll decide whether I’ll help you or not, or whether I’ll trust you. So, show me your sincerity!”

Elga firmly stated as she got off the carriage.

Translating it to simpler terms, she was telling me to successfully lead the date.

Actually, I had various plans prepared for today’s date.

“In that sense, let’s go to the zoo.”

However, Elga’s words changed everything.

I asked, prepared to make a complete overhaul of my plan.

“The zoo?”

“Yes! I heard that they recently brought in some wild beasts for the theater! There should be a lion!”

Elga seemed thrilled at the idea of seeing a lion. However, I couldn’t help but wonder if she could walk around comfortably with what she was wearing.

“Let’s go!”

Elga’s mood seemed to brighten as she started walking ahead, ready to carry out her pre-planned agenda.

I ended up following Elga to a place called ‘Veropero Theater’.

It wass a huge area resembling an amusement park or a theme park, where numerous animals were housed in large enclosures, sleeping peacefully.

But then again, there was nothing else a caged animal could do other than sleep.

Among those animals, Elga was searching for a lion.

However, it turned out that the beast brought in by the theater was not a lion, but a Tureuki Tiger from the desert nation of Tureuki.

“… What, a tiger?”

Elga was terribly disappointed to see a tiger wandering around in a cage.

“Do you hate tigers? Aren’t lions and tigers similar?”

“What are you talking about? Tigers don’t have manes.”

‘I see.’

Elga seemed to prefer a lion’s majestic mane.

Nevertheless, the opportunity to see a wild beast like a tiger in this world, even if it was trapped in an enclosure, was not a common one. So, she quickly shook off her disappointment and her eyes lit up.

“Hey, do you think you could win if you fought it?”

“… Against a tiger?”

“Yes!”

I wondered how a person could defeat a tiger, but considering my steadily improving magic skills, it might actually be possible.

Since I was confidently defeating gigantic Hercules Wasps, I thought I could handle it even against a tiger.

But still, I’d rather avoid fighting if possible.

“How about Elga-nim? Can Elga-nim defeat a tiger with her bare hands?”

I became curious if Elga could win against a tiger. Of course, she should be able to. However, what if she were bare-handed?

At my question, Elga looked at me and raised her brow.

“Didn’t you hear the story of me defeating a lion with my bare hands?”

“Ah-.”

I recalled a rumor I heard back in Angmar.

A black lion that was raised by the Lioness Family escaped and started wrecking havoc.

It was said that it was Elga who suppressed it, strangling the lion with her bare hands and crushing its neck to death.

“… That was real?”

“Of course!”

As expected, Elga was powerful. It was a miracle how I survived when she went berserk.

━Keongkeong!

Just then I could hear a familiar barking.