Chapter 197 The tsundere elf has returned?
(POV: Lumiere)
The two already introduced themselves to me.
The elegant, blond-haired aristocrat was Lucilia Delia, while the adventurer was Grome.
"Ah, I see. Lucilia Delia, Grome, it's my pleasure to make your acquaintance," I said. "I'm Lumiere Del Silva... leader of Silva Citadel."
Lucilia and Grome nodded strangely.
Pointing a hand towards the Sangria, I told them, "This is Sangria, the vigilant guardian responsible for surveilling our domain's surroundings."
Sangria bowed her head humbly, her eyes cast down as she softly confirmed her identity.
"My name is Sangria."
There was an awkward pause as Lucilia and Grome exchanged a glance before uttering in unison, "Ehhh, yeah, we got that."
I raised an eyebrow at the redundancy.
"Sorry," Sangria apologized.
Lucilia smiled and replied, "No need to do that."
"Yeah, what she said." Grome grinned.
Sangria calmly nodded.
"Well, now that that's outta the way. Is there something you'd like to discuss?"
Grome shifted his weight, resheathing his gleaming spear into the protective clasps on his back.
Lucilia stepped forward. She rubbed her chin skeptically.
"Lumiere, is it truly you? The renowned leader of the Silva Citadel?"
No.
There was no way I was renowned.
I scratched my head in mild confusion.
"Uh, yeah, I just said that... is there an issue?"
Lucilia waved her hands dismissively, a delicate smile tugging at her lips.
"No, no problem at all. It's just... we came here specifically to meet you."
Raising an eyebrow, I inquired further. "You came here... for me?"
Before Lucilia or Grome could respond, a voice echoed from the depths of the small forest nearby.
"It's been a long time, Lord Lumiere."
There was a slightly sexy edge to this voice.
I'd heard it somewhere, I just couldn't place my finger on it.
How was someone able to bypass my [Magic Detect] ?
If she didn't talk, I doubt I'd have known someone was there... well, unless I focused hard enough.
Still, I should've sensed their presence long before now.
"Who's there?"
My eyes instinctively shifted towards the source of the sound.
"I'll take care of this."
Reacting swiftly, Sangria conjured a small dagger made of shadows and launched it towards the forest where the voice had originated. Surprisingly, the dagger was just as swiftly deflected, producing a metallic clang that resonated in the air.
If they could easily repel Sangria?s assault so easily, they were definitely trouble.
"My, my... I almost lost my head," said the voice.
I observed the figure emerging from the dense forest.
Her striking appearance.
She had golden hair cascading down her back, accentuating her emerald green eyes. Her confident smile bordered on being dangerously tempting. She wore a beautiful blue dress adorned with intricate golden armor pieces, an ensemble that accentuated her elegant yet adventurous spirit.
With a poised gait, she approached me.
"Hello, Lumiere," she greeted. "It's been quite a while since we last met."
Recognition flashed across my face as I locked eyes with her.
"Ophelia... long time no see," I replied, unable to suppress a small smile.
Without hesitation, she extended her hand towards me, and I took it gently. But no sooner had our skin touched, than Ophelia's confident facade crumbled. Her cheeks turned a rosy hue, and her ears twitched with embarrassment.
In a soft, bashful voice, she scolded me, "I-I-Idiot! I didn't say you could hold my hand."
Caught off guard, I scratched my head sheepishly. "Eh?"
"Have you forgotten already...!"
"Forgotten what?" I asked, confused.
She turned to face me. "The kerchief! I want the kerchief I gave you back at the dungeon!"
"Ohhh," I chuckled. "That."
Grome and Lucilia exchanged puzzled glances.
"Dungeon?" they chimed in simultaneously.
Ophelia swiftly turned to them, a proud smile on her face.
"As I mentioned earlier, I know Lumiere quite well," she retorted confidently, before directing her attention back to me.
Rubbing my chin in thought, I let out a contemplative hum.
"Well, I wouldn't say pretty well," I pondered aloud.
As if struck by lightning, Ophelia's demeanor abruptly changed.
She stood up straight, leaning in closer towards me.
"Just shut it! We know each other incredibly well," she asserted with a hint of frustration. "So just accept it!"
I rubbed the back of my head and conceded with a chuckle, "Sure, sure, no problem."
Observing the interaction, the calm Sangria bowed her head.
"It's nice to meet you."
Ophelia gently waved away her greetings. "No need to do that, if anyone should then it's this idiot over here," she pointed at me.
What did I ever do to this lady? If she wasn't shattering my eardrums with her voice, then she was reminding me just frustrating my presence was to her.
Honestly, I need a break.
Ophelia scanned my attire, her emerald eyes narrowed in confusion.
She pointed at me, her mouth agape, but no words escaped her lips.
I glanced down at my simple overalls and straw hat, realizing what threw her off.
"Oh no, I uh, wore this for some field work with my subordinates."
I chuckled softly.
Ophelia placed both hands on her waist, a stern look etched on her delicate face.
"Well, that certainly explains your outfit," she replied with understanding.
Lucilia, always quick to divert the conversation, chimed in, "Woah, Woah, Woah, we're way off topic."
"Actually," I cleared my throat, "You guys are the ones who showed up out of nowhere."
Ophelia's eyes widened, and she shot me an indignant glare.
"That's not the point!" she retorted, frustrated. "We have good reason to come here."
Jeez, this woman... let me be happy.
But then, a moment of realization fueled a curiosity within me, I held her gaze and asked, "So, you came here to see me?"
Ophelia's cheeks puffed out, and she averted her gaze, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Shut up, Lumiere. No one cares about you," she muttered, feigning indifference.
A gentle smile spread across my face as I reassured her, "Trust me, I know that feeling all too well."
Before the conversation could continue, Grome interjected, his deep voice. "But I thought," he began, his voice trailing off hesitantly, "that maybe you wanted to take this job just to see Lumiere again."
"SHUT UP!!"
Embarrassment washed over Ophelia like a tidal wave, her pride wounded. Without warning, she shot her hand forward, releasing a powerful gust of wind that sent Grome hurtling into a nearby tree.
"Ouch," said Lucilia and I.
We winced simultaneously, our faces twisting in discomfort.
Sangria, always a step behind, uttered a dull "ouch" several seconds later, as if she'd just realized the pain.
"Ehhh, I'll go help him!"
Lucilia swiftly made her way towards Grome. The armored adventurer twitching on the ground.
Ophelia, on the other hand, hmph'ed in annoyance and turned her gaze away from the scene unfolding before us.
I sighed softly, my hand instinctively reaching out to lightly touch her arm.
Thankfully, she didn't punch me.
She was taller than me before and now, but I felt like my height added a bit since the last time we met.
"You're the same as ever," I murmured warmly.
Ophelia's emerald eyes narrowed, her curiosity piqued. "What'd you mean?" she asked.
A soft chuckle escaped my lips as I looked at her attractive features.
"Charming," I stated simply.
The air crackled with anticipation as I waited for Ophelia's response.
She remained silent, her lips pressed into a thin line as she processed my words.
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