Chapter 182: VOL 3 - 20: Women like that are like a wasp nest.
"Well, it's nothing much—just that we've known each other for a while and decided to form a team to explore the ruin." Zoe replied calmly to Christine's question, casting a glance full of superiority in her direction.
"Rather, I didn't know you were acquainted with Erik, Disciple Taylor." Elara quickly added in a cheerful tone, though her inflection at the end hinted at something more.
"Fufu." Christine smiled elegantly, her eyes throwing daggers at Zoe and Elara, who responded with scornful, defiant stares of their own. Then Christine spoke in a casual tone,
"It's not like we really know each other—it's just that we happened to meet and naturally started talking. It truly is a pleasure to meet such a charming gentleman as Disciple Erik."
At Christine's pointed words, Elara and Zoe shot her warning glares, which she effortlessly ignored as she turned to Erik with a smile and asked.
"But it really is a good thing to form teams for exploration. It must be quite encouraging to work closely with someone as capable as Disciple Erik."
"It's nothing like that. It was just a random idea Zoe and Elara had to help guide me a little. After all, I'm the youngest and lack experience."
Erik lied naturally, which brought beautiful smiles to Elara and Zoe's faces. After all, the star-haired young man had just handed them the initiative regarding the team they had agreed to form—or, in other words, he had just elegantly and subtly crushed the door Christine was trying to force open for herself.
Wanting to capitalize on the initiative Erik had just given them, Zoe quickly tried to speak—but at that moment, a young man approached. He had short black hair with red tips at the top and wore a sleek cobalt-blue plate armor adorned with ornate golden trim, filigree, and runes. A segmented skirt decorated with more runes and a flowing cape hanging from his pauldrons completed his impressive look.
"Hello again, Disciple Belmonte, Disciple Laverne." Ethan greeted politely before turning to Christine with a smile.
"A pleasure to meet you. I'm Ethan Williams, disciple of Master Jessica Roa."