On that day, we completed the 【Restoration】 work of three different six underground farms on schedule.

　The work progressed smoothly without any problems, and it was an ideal start to the reconstruction of the castle town.

　The luminescence on the ceiling of the "Demon King's Castle Realm" is fading, reminding us that "night" is almost upon us.

　It's time to return to the garrison.

　If the luminescence on the ceiling subsides, it will not only get darker, but the temperature will also plummet and we won't be able to continue working outdoors.

''I've been thinking for a while now that the atmosphere is calm for being so close to the front lines,''

　While walking through the streets of the town that had been completely reduced to rubble, Sakura spoke her frank opinion.

　It was her companion, the Knight of the Golden Fang, who answered her.

''The entire Demon King's army has withdrawn within the city walls, and we have surrounded the city walls and are waiting for the order to begin the attack. It's a complete standoff, so to speak. Probably, the peace will continue until we launch an offensive.

　Yet another knight adds a supplement.

'On reflection, our vigilance network is as tight as it can be. There is no way we will allow them to pass through as before.
"Even at this point in time, the existence of a Demon King's Army unit in the Demon King's Castle Realm has not been confirmed at all. Even if they are hiding there, they're probably just scouts acting alone.

　As I moved and listened to the conversation, I casually turned my attention to Garnett.

　Garnett returned my gaze and gave me a small nod.

　Garnett seemed to agree that the Golden Fang Knights' siege was complete.

''Oh no, it's really great!　That Gandalf's army is stuck in the castle, running for cover!　The wards to keep the dragons out are back in place, and they can fix the town like Master Alphasul!

　The dwarven youth was in a different good mood from the frightened demeanor of the outward journey, as if he was a different person.

　Incidentally, the wards to repel dragons were stretched from the four corners of the town as a base point, and are identical in principle to those covering the Hollow Bottom Fortress.

　It had also been destroyed by the Demon King's army, but I wasn't the one who repaired it.

　The Golden Fang brought in a new one and set it up anew, and it's heavily guarded by a squad of knights.

''Then, Luke-dono. Good luck tomorrow.''

　The knights and the dwarves will be separated here as they arrive at the edge of the ruined town.

　The knights will return to the garrison shared with the siege forces, while the dwarves will return to a special camp set up in the ruined town.

　And the place we were returning to was a large encampment deployed not far from the ruins.

It's nice to be able to sleep near a workshop after all. When we were building the fortress, we had no choice but to go back and forth every day.

　This encampment was made up of several full-scale tents, with a large tent set up in the center that doubled as a dining and cooking area.

　Since there is a good distance between the ground or fortress and the castle town, going back and forth every day would be too time-consuming and wasteful.

　So, a simple place to stay was prepared for the adventurers and townspeople who volunteered to help in the reconstruction work.

　Of course, the security is as tight as that of the Hollow Bottom Fortress.
　There are special wards to ward off dragons, a wall similar to a military base, and a squad of knights stationed there.

　I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make your life easier and more fun.

''Well, ...... dinner first or sweat first? What about you guys?
I'd like some food first.
'I agree with you. In fact, I've been very hungry for a while now.
Well, I'll do that. I'm sure you're ready to go by now.

　Since it was close to night, a delicious smell of food was wafting from the cooking area.

　On the way to the large tent where the cooking area was located, Garnett let out a dismayed voice as he looked at another tent set up in the corner of the encampment.

It's a good thing," he said. I didn't think they'd actually build a big bath.
'And that one, I heard the residents worked together to voluntarily prepare it. Maybe I underestimated Green Hollow's passion for baths: ......
We'll be grateful for your kindness to let us use it, too.

　Underneath the big tent over there is a large bath made by the residents.

　Of course, it's not a natural hot spring, but rather one made by heating water from an underground river.

　Because Green Hollow is a hot spring area, residents have a strong tradition of bathing.

　It's a good idea to have a temporary bath, even though the knights and adventurers who are accustomed to camping out are half stunned.

　Incidentally, Garnett and I were on the dumbfounded side.

　I would gladly use it if the environment allowed bathing, but I am the type of person who will make a strict distinction when camping.

　Otherwise, there's no way you can spend several days exploring or on an expedition.

'Good work, Luke-san.

　As I walked into the large tent, Sylvia approached me with a smile from the cooker.

''The main dish is almost ready soon, would you like to go eat?''
Yeah, can you do that?　Garnett, Sakura, and I are the three of us.
...... really got down to Sylvia, too.

　While looking at Sylvia, who was working crisply, Sakura muttered in a voice laced with surprise and a little anxiety.

　Sakura probably had no intention of letting him hear her, but Sylvia heard the murmurings well, and turned around with her hands on her hips and a confident face.

''With the whole town working together, the Spring Wakaba Tei can't afford to do nothing. Besides, it's good practice for us to cook a lot of food at the same time. It's also a good opportunity for me to hone my skills.
M...... I can't disagree with you when you say it's a training exercise.

　Sylvia is not the type of signatory girl who only does customer service, but is also heavily involved in the cooking of the inn.

　As she showed her interest in the mass cooking of Hollow Bottom Fortress the other day, her curiosity and ambition regarding her area of expertise is quite high.

　For now, we sit at the table in the great tent and wait for the dinner to be finished.

　Soon, the other adventurers and residents gathered one by one, and more than half of the seats in the dining hall were quickly filled.

　The high-ranking adventurers who were responsible for defending the base were also in full force.

　In addition to familiar faces such as Black Sword Mountain's Travis, Two Spear Master Dustin, and Dragon Slayer Theodore, there are several adventurers who have recently arrived with a rank of B or higher.

　The joke that they are stronger than the Knights is not necessarily false.

　And among the crowd waiting for dinner, Noir and Alexia were also present.

''Oh, Luke-kun, you're back too? How's the work progressing?
Great. How are you doing?
I'm very busy. I'm about to be put in charge of a variety of tasks as a technician, which is rare in this area. Well, I try not to be overworked, so I say no to that, but...

　Alexia is not an adventurer, but a mechanical engineer by trade.
　She'll be able to get around on her own well without me telling her that.

''I mean, you should be more worried about Noir than me.
Is it really that hard?
No, it's mainly the people skills. His work ethic is admirable, though.
Yeah, .......

　Noir remains silent, his gaze swimming awkwardly.

'...... Don't take it too hard,'
"Wow, okay, ......, don't do it, don't do it, ......, do my best.

　Everyone has an area that they are not good at.

　There is no reason why we should never have to overcome them, but we want to support them in their efforts to do their best, even if they are not good at it.

"What's more, if Erika from the Walnut Street is there, it's like all the people involved in the White Wolf Store are here. Well, that guy's probably not here, though.

　As Garnett laughed and said that, the soup was placed on the table at the same time as a familiar voice.

'Wouldn't it have been wrong if I'd stayed?'
"Whoa!

　What a rumor. The actual Erika herself was standing there in her serving uniform.

　I wasn't as overzealous as Garnett, but I couldn't help but be surprised that Erika was here.

'That's right, I wouldn't have had to come down just to supply the potions, though. Sylvia asked me to come down because there weren't enough people to serve the food. Since the whole town is working together, I should do what I can to help.

　Erica laughed at Garnett in the friendly, general manner she had when talking to me, Noir, and other older people her age, which was different than when talking to me and Noir and other older people.

　To Erica, who didn't know that Garnett was a knight, Garnett was probably just a bad boy of the same age working in the same office.

　That's why Erica's words don't feel tall or false.

　The fact that she felt this way from her heart came through loud and clear.

　I'll do what I can - oh, that's right.
　Even the [restoration] of the ruined town and the underground plantation is just a cooperation that I can do.

　I must never forget this initial intention so that I don't get carried away with being praised as being like a god.