"Cough..."
Because the atmosphere truly felt a little awkward, Isengard solemnly closed the book in his hands.
He earnestly said to the green-haired girl before him, "Hello. I am Isengard. Isengard Ellen, third son of the Ellen Family, a member of the Imperial Alchemy Association's exploration division, and Ian Silverpeak's collaborator in alchemy and various other fields."
"I take it you are Ian's friend as well?"
The blond youth's words were frank and sincere. Anfa raised her head. The beautiful Elf girl furrowed her brows, thought for a moment, then answered in a rather pleasant voice, "Mm... I am Anfa Emberlamp. I am indeed Ian's friend... both a supporter of his territory and his collaborator."
"Is that so?" Isengard asked with considerable curiosity. "You are Ian's collaborator too? I had never even heard your name before... I never expected him to know a lady of Emberlamp House. He never mentioned you."
"He didn't? That is not strange." Anfa's expression did not change. "We have probably only been working together for a short time, so Ian did not have the chance to introduce me—though it is not too late now."
"Speaking of which, Mr. Isengard, did you come to Canaanmore this time for the Xenobiology Research Institute expedition as well?"
"Yes."
Isengard nodded slightly, a look of realization appearing on his face. "I see. Then you are one of Ian's teammates from... the Dragon-Worshiping Cult?"
Isengard had indeed never heard Anfa's name before, but he had heard Ian mention friends from the Dragon-Worshiping Cult quite a few times—though Sheo had always been the main subject. He only knew that Ian had a group of people centered around True Dragons, ranging from mountain folk to Elves.
And Anfa... judging from the faint traces of dragon scales on her body, she was likely