(EP-249.1) Caged #4

249 – Caged Bird #4

The main estate of the Bellhawk family was located in the southern plains.

But what could be called their headquarters was in Monarch City, the capital of Angmar.

A mansion built on a lot of land in a high-end residential area. The estate was so vast that you needed to take a carriage ride from the garden to the mansion’s entrance.

After riding the carriage for several minutes, I still couldn’t see the entrance. All I could see through the window were trees and grass.

“Hey, stop fidgeting; it’s distracting.”

Elga, sitting across from me, scolded as I kept looking out the window. Feeling a bit unjustly accused, I retorted.

“Isn’t it taking too long to get from the garden entrance to the mansion?”

“It hasn’t even been ten minutes yet, why are you fussing? Isn’t this kind of garden standard?”

“Sir Theo, I must side with Lady Lioness this time. To be surprised by just a garden of this size, Huhu.”

Elga and Mirna acted as if the size of this large garden was completely normal…

Then they started boasting about how extensive and magnificent the gardens at their respective family estates were, and how many amazing the flora and fauna they possessed. Listening to them made me a little upset…

Such extravagant bourgeois.

If Marmar and the imps heard this, they’d probably start a revolution!

“Even so, this garden is really large. Look over there. Tigers, white deer, giraffes—so many different animals.”

Elga glanced out the window and scoffed. As she said, the Bellhawk family’s villa garden wasn’t just vast; it was filled with fascinating beasts.

Even within Angmar, only a family like the Bellhawks could decorate such a garden. I wondered what Aira would say if she were here.

Just then, Elga spoke.

“That Aira. She starts things and then leaves them for others to handle. I’m busy too, you know. I still need to check the results of the test back home.”

Mirna asked the grumbling Elga.

“Test?”

“… Something like that. Anyway, she’s a master at creating trouble.”

Elga seemed annoyed that Aira had offloaded the work onto her, when she was already busy. At the end of last night’s banquet, Aira had announced that she would visit the elves’ home but then said.

━And the task shall be carried out by Sir Theo, the court mage appointed by me, along with his entourage. Treat them as you would treat this Queen~.

In other words, she sent her pawns instead of going herself…

It was common for Aira to use me as her stand-in or avatar. Honestly, it was more convenient for me that way.

If I wanted to work while escorting Aira, I probably would have to split my brain into four instead of two.

After traveling diligently, we finally arrived at a mansion covered in ivy.

Numerous elf maids welcomed us upon arrival, knowing about our visit.

“Theo-kun, welcome.”

I was startled when I met the eyes of the woman standing in the center of the group.

“Professor Stella, what brings you here?”

Standing in the middle of the maids, wearing a long-brimmed purple hat, was Stella Bellhawk. She responded to my question.

“I was called here last night. This villa has a teleportation gate. For the details…”

Seukseuk-.

Stella gave a light glance at the elf maids. By that, she meant she would explain later since there were ears listening.

At that moment, Elga interjected.

“… A teleportation gate? In a mere villa!?”

It was natural for Elga to react that way.

Teleportation gates were large magic circles made using ancient steles invented by Solomon.

Because of their limited quantity, they could only be operated in a few places within Angmar, apart from the palace. Most of these places were critical strongholds comparable to the court.

Yet, installing such a gate in some villa? Unthinkable. But it seemed the Bellhawk family had the resources to make it happen.

“It’s hot outside, so let’s go in. I will be acting as your guide. I’ve also prepared rooms for each if you want to rest.”

Following Stella’s lead, we handed our luggage to the maids and stepped into the mansion.

‘Impressive.’

That was my first impression of the mansion’s interior.

The mansion was so spacious and the ceilings so high that I had to crane my neck to see it all. Gleaming marble and columns that seemed like they belonged in a mythological temple.

The carpet underfoot was plush, and everything glowed with luxury. I didn’t know where to look.

At that moment, Elga shouted as she spotted a piece of leather displayed in a glass case.

“Look at this, it’s lion skin…! And not just any lion skin…! It’s a black lion skin…!”

She looked like a niece discovering her cousin’s room full of toys.

“Amazing, it’s really black lion skin! No matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t find anything for sale. I never thought I would see it in a place like this.”

I wondered what made her fuss so much. Mirna asked Elga, who was practically glued to the glass.

“What even is that?”

“ ‘What is it’? Mirna, don’t you know what this is? It’s a black lion skin!”

“I can see that.”

“These lions are rare and only found in the Nemea region. Their skin is both soft and tough as iron. It’s so durable that it’s like armor on its own. If you use this as a cloak…”

I didn’t understand everything, but it seemed like it was a dream item for Elga. Seeing such a coveted item in someone else’s house, how could she not be agitated.

Of course, Mirna grumbled, “You’re not a kid.” But then, Mirna’s red eyes widened.

“T-This is…!?”

Edited by: faker