-- After the exploration of the "Sundial Forest" was over, we returned to the Green Hollow Town guildhouse.

　We returned to Green Hollow Town's guildhouse, and since Noir hadn't woken up, we had to let him sleep in a room in the guildhouse for now.

　In the meantime, I explained to Felix what happened before we found Noir.
　We didn't have time to talk about it, since our priority was to get back to the ground safely before we returned home.

...... Where do I start?

　Even I can't believe it.

　A large hole with a door that existed on the precipice of the fifth level.

　The noir that had fallen right underneath the great hole.

　It is very hard to believe that there is no connection between those and the dragon that appeared twice.

'...... I see. It's not something we can ignore. Our original mission is to investigate the reason why the brave Falcon's party ended up not returning. We can't afford not to hear from her.

　Whether or not I'm the cause of the unreturned heroes, or that I'm trafficking mithril, is not the important issue for Felix and the others.

　These were just hypotheses twisted by a minister, and they were only visiting Green Hollow to destroy that possibility.

　The real purpose was exactly what Felix had said, and Noir was the definitive living witness.

'But it's also the knight's duty to prevent this town from being endangered. I will cooperate as much as possible. ''Caretaker-dono, what is your first response?''
''Ohhhh, how did this happen ...... I thought it was a harmless E-ranked dungeon?''

　Next to Felix's head was a man named Malcolm, the caretaker and tavern owner of the Guild House.

　This was a case involving the 'Sundial Forest', so of course he had to talk to him as well.

　Malcolm is also the father of receptionist Marida, and he comes from a family that has been doing business in Green Hollow for a long time.

　...... In other words, this person is neither an adventurer nor a knight.

　He is just an ordinary person who only took on the role of a guild house as a sideline after the 'Sundial Forest' was certified as a dungeon.

'I took on the guildhouse because I thought it would be safer if it was an E rank ...... If I had known this would happen, I would have been doing just one tavern for a long time.
Superintendent. Please get a grip. We can't interfere with what's going on within the guild, so you have to deal with it.

　To Malcolm's dismay, even the normally calm and collected Felix looked confused.

'What is it?'

　Garnett peeked out from the gap in the door.

　Garnett was wearing the helmet I had [restored] and had returned to the same full body armor as when I first met her.

　Seeing this figure with the understanding that she's a girl inside, I get some strange impression.

''d*mn it, what's going to happen if the guild house manager freaks out? You're in charge, right, just in case.
'That's understandable. A small guild house is a sideline to a tavern or inn. We have the guidance and training appropriate to the rank of the nearest dungeon, but we're often unable to handle more than that.

　I tried to follow up on it, but I can only say that I underestimated the business of the guild house, as it were.

''You're a pathetic guy. White wolf, shouldn't you be the manager of the guild house, anyway?
'You're kidding me. I'm sure they've taught you what to do in these situations: ......
'Garnett!　I ordered you to get some rest!
Oh, shit!

　Felix scolded him and Garnett flapped away.

　Meanwhile, the caretaker, Malcolm, has been mumbling and mumbling about something with his head in his hands.

　Felix was looking at me like he was in trouble and asking me to do something about it.

　I'll do what I can to help.
　I'm going to have to do what I can to help.

''Anyway, I'll contact the guild branch. With the equipment and personnel here, we'll have to use the fast horse to deliver the letter.
'Then we'll let Bradford do it. I was going to have him deliver the report to the Order, and I'll have him carry the Guild's letter with him.
Thank you. Mr. Malcolm, please hurry up and prepare the letter. You've kept the guild's designated form, haven't you?
Yes!

　Malcolm rummaged through a drawer in a panic, pulled out a form and pen for the Guild's internal report, and offered me a poor, confused look.

　...... You want me to write to me?　You're the caretaker, aren't you?

　I no longer have time to question and answer.
　Fortunately, I have a template for this kind of writing in my head.

　I hurriedly substituted the main part of the report and thrust back my pen to have him write the final signature section.

'When you've signed it, put it in an envelope and seal-wax it!　Leave the rest with the knight over there!
'Sealing wax?　Huh, sealing wax, yes, sealing wax!
If you don't deliver it before nightfall, the chapter will be slow to respond!

　If Garnett were here, he would be swearing, ''This guy can't even report to his superiors?

　No matter how much of an adventurer's guild they are, they are not able to do a perfect job at the end of the region.

　During his fifteen years of activity, he had encountered unbelievable staff members more than once.

　And, inevitably, experience of how to deal with such cases.

''Also, we need to confirm the safety of the adventurers. Check to see if the guys who submitted the application to explore the 'Sundial Forest' have returned.
Wow, I get it: ......!
'It's best if it's someone who remembers the adventurer's face. Let's ask the receptionist, Marida, to do it for us.
Yes, sir!

　Malcolm left the letter with Felix and ran out of the room, almost falling down.

　At all events, it's hard to know who's in charge of the guild house.

The only thing I want to do is to go back and check out the site again, but ...... Sakura is out of magic, so I'll have to hire a suitable adventurer. ......

　Sakura used up her magic power due to the fact that she fired 【Shrinkage】 too many times, and she went down early after returning to the guild house.

　I don't think there is no problem for her to walk around anymore, but I don't want to push her any further on the stone.

　As I was wondering if I could call out to him now and see if anyone would catch him, Felix made a grateful offer.

'Then I'll go. I'll also set up a magical barrier to protect you, although it's very weak. If we take the time to deploy it, we should be able to prevent the dragons from coming out if the doors open unexpectedly.
I'd appreciate it if you could go to ...... for everything.
'No, I owe Lord Luke a great debt of gratitude for saving Garnet's life. This degree is well deserved.

　With that, Felix was just about to leave the room when Sakura jumped in, almost bumping into him.

'Oops!　Sakura-dono, are you feeling well?
It doesn't matter!　That black wizard lady is awake!

　-- Noir regained consciousness.

　Felix and I exchanged glances with each other and ran out into the room with Noir, leaving everything else behind.