It's been a few days since the unexpected battle in the underground ruins.

　The construction of the Hollow Bottom Fortress was progressing smoothly, and all the work I had to do was taken care of.

　The demon king also became more cautious after the converted heroes were evacuated, or perhaps he was not attacked even once since then.

　-- And today, the day finally came when the White Wolf Store resumed its normal business operations.

''I've gone through all the preparations for the opening of the store, but ...... I still have to clean this place up too.

　I look over the copious amounts of leaves and twigs scattered across the storefronts and let out a small breath.

　Green Hollow Town is a mountain town surrounded by lush greenery.

　There are trees everywhere you look, and if you're not careful, this will happen in no time at all.

　Up until now, we were forced to shorten our business hours due to the construction of the fortress and we didn't get around to cleaning the storefronts, but from today onwards, we have to do it properly.

''Alright!　Can we get this done before opening time?

　I regained my spirits and started sweeping the storefront.

　I continued to move the broom for a while, and just as I finished clearing away all the fallen leaves and dead branches, two people I hadn't seen in a while came into the shop.

''It's been a while, Luke-dono.''
I heard you got in trouble with the Golden Fang Gang. I heard they got in trouble and almost died.

　The knights of the Silver Wing Knights - Felix and Garnett.

　Felix was dressed in urban, clean and stylish clothes, and Garnett was dressed in active and boyish clothes.

　Garnett was dressed in active, boyish, scruffy clothes.

　If you didn't know Garnett's circumstances, he could be interpreted as a beautiful boy who could be mistaken for a girl.

I have heard that you have made a great contribution to the construction of the fortress. Thank you so much for accepting the daunting task,''
It's the same for me, and thanks to you, I'm finally going to be able to do business at ease.
'That's good to hear. As a matter of fact, I'm interrupting today to tell you something about Lord Luke's day job: ...... here.

　Felix handed me a tightly sealed envelope.

　An emblem with a two-headed dragon motif.
　It bore the coat of arms of the royal court on the summons from King Alfred.

This is a letter of authorization for the mining of mithril and the manufacture and sale of mithril products. The detailed terms and conditions are set out in the enclosed document, but I will also be happy to give you a brief verbal explanation.

　There are three main conditions Felix mentioned.

　Mining will only be allowed if you enter the Millennium Hallway of the Abyss through the hidden staircase of the Sundial Forest - an exception to the closure of the Millennium Hallway of the Abyss.

　The volume of mining and processing per month shall be limited to the quantity set by the Crown.

　A breakdown of the processing and information on the purchasers shall be reported to the Crown - this report shall be made through the Silverwing Knights.

''Those are the general terms and conditions.
That's about what I expected. Of course it's not a problem.
'Thank you. And one other thing I'd like to ask from the Silverwing Knights: ...... Would you be willing to put Garnett there as an escort and liaison officer?

　I wasn't surprised by the conditions for handling mithril, but I was surprised by this request.

　When I suddenly looked at Garnett, he cowered my shoulders with an indescribable face.

''We've already heard about the matter of the brave Falcon falling into the hands of the demon race.
"The top brass of the Golden Fang is in turmoil. After all, a brave man has become a Hexenbiest chimera.
'Garnett. We're in the middle of an important briefing, so be quiet.

　Felix silenced Garnett, cleared his throat, and rejoined the conversation.

Our mission is to find the cause of the failure of the brave men to return, and it is part of our duty to investigate this matter. Of course, we must ensure the safety of your only witness.
So you mean to leave Garnett as an escort ......?
''Yes. I would be grateful if you would allow me to ostensibly hide my knightly status and take the form of an employee hired by the White Wolf Store.

　To be honest, it's a grateful offer from our side as well.

　Now that the conflict between the Westland Kingdom and Demon King Gandalf has become decisive, the more means we have to protect ourselves from unexpected dangers, the better.

　Besides, considering the order of weapons from the Knights and the increase in the number of adventurers, we might not be able to do without hiring a clerk or two.

''I'd be very grateful, but are you sure you don't mind with Garnett?　Not just any other ordinary knight or anything else: ......
''Of course, that's fine. Never mind that you're the brother of the Knight Commander, just use him as a mere employee.

　All I cared about was the gender issue, but come to think of it, Felix didn't really know what was going on.

　Garnett was giving me a look from behind Felix that said, 'Don't talk about anything else.

'It's settled. Well, I was going to force you to stay even if you said no.
What a pain in the ass.
That's all I can do. If I get rejected from this mission, I'm gonna have to deal with some boring, high-powered shit like that. I'll be a lot more comfortable in your neck of the woods, of course.
Thank you. I see you're good at the heavy lifting, so feel free to count on me.
Oh, I'm on it!

　If he said he didn't mind, he wouldn't be forced to say no.

　When the conversation with Felix was over, Sylvia and Sakura came into view from the town.

''Well, I'll leave you to it. If Garnett has caused you any inconvenience, you can always say so. I'll fly right over.
We don't bother you.

　Felix bowed and walked away.

　Silvia and Sakura come to the front of the store to replace it.

'Good morning, Luke!
I'm here to help you reopen for business as usual. Oh, this is an unusual face.
Hey, Sakura.

　Next to Sakura and Garnett, who are exchanging words in a friendly manner, only Sylvia has a look on her face that doesn't allow her to swallow the situation.

''Uh, who are you?''
'Oh?　...... Come to think of it, I've only ever seen Sylvia in armor.
It's Garnett. A lot of things have led me to work here. It's a pleasure to meet you.
...... Garnett, you mean ...... eeeeeeee!

　Yeah, that's a really good reaction.

　Normally I can't see his face because of his helmet and his voice sounds caged, so it's no surprise that I can't recognize the person in front of me as the same person.

''I thought you looked scarier than that!　I didn't know he was like a girl: ......
'Ha ha. Sylvia, that's not very polite to a military man. The first time I saw it, I was also taken aback, but there are a few lords with this kind of face.

　Apparently Sylvia is completely misunderstood, just as Garnett wants her to be.

　I'm not sure if Sakura is ...... pretending not to know, or if she really misunderstood.

I'll continue the conversation inside the store. It's almost time for us to open.
'Yes, Mr Luke!　I have so many questions to ask you!
''I have a lot to tell you as well. As a matter of fact, you see, as of today, I've been promoted to a C-rank.
Wow!　Didn't you just get a D the other day?　Big deal.

　I invite the three of them into the store, surrendering to the first peaceful conversation I've had in a long time.

　Before closing the door, I turn over the small sign that was hanging on the front door.

　--You will be able to find out that the white wolf shop is 'open for business' today.

　My new normal. A day in an irreplaceable place was gently dawning today.