The man who had just been heckling now wore an unpleasant face.
I disregard it.
Because I'm tolerant.
I turn back and look at the Elf.
[Have I finally been found at last...?]
I suitably replied.
However, she doesn't recognize me for the moment.
I certainly haven't done anything in the last few years to warrant someone carrying a grudge.
I work in order to make my name famous.
The name 'Rudeus of the Quagmire'.
I help others, I don't pick fights, and I am always careful not to get a bad reputation.
I have often been given thanks to by those I wasn't really acquainted with, but this is the first time I have been talked to this way by such a beautiful woman.
She is probably one of those types too...
But then again, my intuition tells me differently.
[Since you are famous, you were easily found.]
[Eh, just a moment ago, didn't you say you had 'finally' found me?]
[Actually, I thought you were still to the East a bit more.]
The woman said as such and quietly watched me with such beautiful eyes.
Somehow, something like drool began to slide down the side of her mouth.
She quickly licks it away.
Heh, is it love at first sight for her?
Or perhaps she desires my body which has recently become quite toned.
I have been training a lot recently, and I am also in a growth period.
And so of course muscles would form.
Muscles.
[Is there something wrong?]
[No, no, there is nothing wrong at all!]
The Elvish woman cleared her throat with a sound like 'Ko~hon[4]' then took a seat next to me.
Suddenly the bar was filled with whispers of "Ooohhh!".
I heard something along the lines of [So that's the Quagmire's woman.]
What a surprising thing to hear.
How is it possible that I have something as outrageous as this woman?
[Fuu~]
She unloads the backpack and places it by her feet, grabs a chair, and with a bang, it hits the ground next to me, then she sits down close.
CLOSE.
WAY TOO CLOSE.
If I was still a DT[5] I would think "What's there to like about this guy?"
[My name is Elinalise. Elinalise Dragonroad. A former party member with your father, Paul...]
[Hmm.]
I see.
Paul's friend.
It might be that she's been searching for me.
[Of course, I am also a friend of Roxy as well.]
[EH!! A friend of sensei! Where is sensei now?]
It's been a long time since I've heard the name Roxy spoken from another person's mouth.
I was excited to hear about it so I leaned in closer.
Elinalise didn't answer the question I wanted to hear about the most.
I leaned in closer still and practically kissed my ear to her mouth.
[I heard it, you know, that you had a manly, crushing solo victory against a rogue dragon.]
[Eh.. well... sort of, though, everyone and I was nearly killed.]
[I can understand why you are Roxy's pride and joy.]
But there was a lot more flexibility dealing with it.
Compared to dealing with Dragon God Orsted, the pressure was significantly less.
If you consider a man like that, the dragon was something strangely calm.
[To hear that I'm Sensei's pride and joy is rather embarrassing after all... Is it because I'm emotional about it inside?]
[Your chest. It's rather strong.]
Before I realized it, Elinalise was feeling around my upper arm and chest with her hands.
It tickles.
She said I was strong, and I didn't feel egotistical about it.
[What's this?]
The fingers of Elinalise were touching something.
It was the pendant I had received from Lilia.
[I see, I see. It's cute and clumsily made. Who gave it to you?]
[My family's house maid.]
[Maid? by chance, are they of the Long Ear Tribe?]
[Eh? No, she's not... why do you ask?]
Oh damn, we changed topics.
[It's not a big deal, however...]
Elinalise seemed to particularly mind the sword attached to her waist.
She shows me what is attached to the scabbard.
It is a similarly shaped pendant.
However, it is far more elaborate than mine.
Mine is an amateur's work - hers is definitely professional.
[...It seems we match.]