Riveria's age was no secret in this world. After all, most Elves revered royalty, and the birth of an Elven princess was usually announced far and wide.
On top of that, powerful Adventurers drew plenty of attention. Even by following scattered clues and piecing together rumors, people could make a fair guess at Riveria's age.
But knowing and saying it to her face were two very different things.
This was the first time Bell had ever met someone so blunt.
What's more, Elfy had even judged from Riveria rushing to the door that she was harboring romantic feelings.
Was that a young girl's intuition, or had she simply made it up on the spot?
Elfy gave no answer, nor did she get another chance to spout any more nonsense.
Jade-colored hair fluttered in the wind, as if infused with an icy magic capable of annihilating everything.
Dark clouds gathered, and waves of cold seeped through the air.
Even Bell, standing beside her, could feel Riveria's anger churning.
A strike from her staff? Ice magic? Or something even more brutal?
Bell knew perfectly well that the moment he opened his mouth, that unstoppable blaze would burn him too.
At this point, there was nothing he could do but offer silent condolences.
Elfy was the one who had spoken without thinking. Whatever punishment she received had nothing to do with Bell.
Just as he was silently wishing Elfy luck, Riveria reacted first.
"Elfy, Bell Cranel, come with me."
Riveria's voice was quite gentle.
Like the calm before the storm, it only made him more uneasy.
"Okay!"
Elfy's smile was still as bright as ever.
"I think I'll pass."
In an extremely rare moment, Bell chose to retreat.
A wise man did not stand beneath a dangerous wall.
Bell was not about to rush forward and be baptized by her wrath.
"What are you thinking? I'm taking you to meet the others."
Riveria spoke gently as she led the way.
The dark clouds around her seemed to vanish in an instant, leaving only the elegance and beauty of a princess behind.
"…Could Elfy-san actually be a hidden powerhouse?"
Bell could not help muttering.
Elfy had managed to ignore Riveria's killing intent and somehow defuse that overwhelming rage without even trying.
Such a feat could only belong to a once-in-a-generation genius.
"Good question. I am the [beautiful girl who gets along with everyone]..."
"Genius-san, I've already memorized that title. You don't need to say it again."
Bell cut off Elfy's self-introduction.
He really could not imagine how Lefiya managed to share a room with this human girl.
That golden-yellow-haired Elf's habit of slipping into wild fantasies at the slightest chance was probably inseparable from Elfy's influence...
"What's that supposed to mean? Are you looking down on me? I want to get stronger too, but I don't want to go through brutal training like Lefiya."
Elfy complained softly.
"…"
Bell was momentarily speechless.
With that mouth of hers alone, Elfy could bring endless trials upon herself. What did training even have to do with it?
As Bell thought about it, a sudden flash of insight struck him. He seemed to understand why Riveria had swallowed her anger.
Elfy's personality could not simply be called innocent.
Even the sheltered Ais, after being struck by Riveria, had been left with enough of a mental shadow that she never continued asking why Riveria was called "Mama" when she had no children.
But Elfy was different. She probably had no idea what it meant to learn from a lesson.
Stating facts with a cheerful smile. That was simply the kind of girl she was.
That was why Riveria had chosen to let it pass. If she kept pressing the issue, Elfy's mouth would only ignite even more fires.
"We're here."
Riveria narrowed her eyes and looked toward the people near the training ground.
Judging from the boy's attitude, he had probably guessed why she had let the matter drop.
But there was one thing Riveria hoped she had not revealed.
Elfy was a perceptive human girl. Though her jokes sometimes went too far, most of what she said was based on objective fact.
What that talent had exposed was not only Riveria's age and history of being single, but also her fondness for the boy.
Riveria was not dense.
After realizing that she was jealous of Lefiya, the experienced Riveria immediately understood that the feelings she held for Bell Cranel were, without question, a kind of love she had never experienced before.
If before it had only been fantasy and jokes, then the budding affection stirred by this fluttering in her heart had now truly begun to take shape.
No, perhaps this love had been growing inside her all along, and Riveria had only now fully understood it.
So she had already fallen for the boy.
That was exactly why, when Riveria heard Elfy's careless words, she had instantly felt unbearable shame.
She absolutely could not lay a hand on Elfy. Otherwise, the topic would inevitably dig deeper into her feelings for the boy, and by then, even Riveria herself could not imagine what state she would end up in.
But that did not mean Riveria intended to let Elfy off.
"This is Bell Cranel of Hestia's familia. He'll be acting with us during this expedition."
Riveria introduced the boy to the other women.
"My name is Line Arshe."
A black-haired girl wearing glasses spoke softly.
She fidgeted with the hem of her skirt and added, "B-Bete caused you trouble. I hope you won't hold it against him…"
"Yeah, I'm not holding it against him."
Bell answered honestly.
Bete had already been beaten black and blue by Ais. As punishment for his foul mouth, that was enough. Since he had not continued hurling insults afterward, Bell had no reason to dwell on it.
That said, the very first thing this human girl named Line brought up was Bete. Her feelings were painfully obvious.
After Line nervously stepped back, another girl came forward.
"Why are you walking together with Riveria-sama?! Don't tell me… hss…"
"Alicia-san, long time no see…"
Bell's smile was rather helpless.
They had exchanged only a single line each, yet Riveria's expression had already turned ice-cold.
She casually raised her wand, and the beautiful face of the blonde Elf was instantly dyed with a familiar fear.
"I-I'm done saying hello…"
Alicia said nothing more and hurriedly retreated.
The next one to step forward was a catgirl with glossy black hair.
"Anakitty Autumn. That is my name."
Unlike the other women, this girl gave off a calm and steady impression.
Though she was a catgirl, there was no "nya" suffix in her speech.
After the women had finished introducing themselves, Riveria spoke softly.
"Only a few people here…"
"Well, that works out. The four of you will have a mock battle with Bell Cranel."