Episode 249.1


    (EP-249.1) Caged #4


    249 – Caged Bird #4


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


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


    A mansion built on a lot ofnd in a high-end residential area. The estate is so vast that you need 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 used, 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 thisrge garden waspletely 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 was. Listening to them made me a little upset.


    Such refined bourgeois.


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


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


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


    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 ofst 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 people instead of going herself.


    It wasmon 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 traveling with 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 weed us upon arrival, knowing about our visit.


    “Theo-kun, wee.”


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


    “Professor Ste, what brings you here?”


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


    “I was called herest night. This vi has a teleportation gate. For the details…”


    Seukseuk-.


    Ste gave a light nce at the elf maids. By that, she meant she would exinter since there were ears listening.


    At that moment, Elga interjected.


    “A teleportation gate? In a mere vi?”


    It was natural for Elga to react that way.


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


    Because of their limited quantity, they can only be operated in a few ces in Angmar, apart from the pce. Most of these ces were critical strongholdsparable to the court.


    Much less installing such a gate in a vi? 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 Ste’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 disyed in a ss case.


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


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


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


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


    “What even is that?”


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