With the Black Wizard Noir as a regular clerk, the daily operations of the White Wolf Store could become even more stable.

　It was especially significant that the time required for paperwork could be greatly reduced.

　Until now, there were times when we couldn't finish the paperwork on the same day and it was carried over to the next day, and as a result of the accumulation of such work, we had to use a regular holiday to make up for it.

　This week, however, everything was completed as planned.

　Thanks to that, I finally got to spend my regular day off as a 'holiday'.

　The situation where the store is closed but I'm not is finally starting to improve.

　--And on the day of the holiday.
　I was visiting the Wakaba-Tei in spring with Garnett.

　I was not involved in the business, nor was it a request.
　I came here purely as a visitor to use the dining room of the Spring Wakaba Tei.

''Hey, White Wolf's. It really doesn't matter what I order, does it?''
Make sure you have enough to go around.

　Garnett looks at the menu list with an amused look on his face as he leans his weight on a chair at the table by the window.

　I haven't told Garnett himself, but the reason I'm here today is not because I wanted to eat out, but because I want this guy to eat whatever he wants.

　A few days ago, when we were discussing whether or not to hire Noir, Garnett was disgusted and disapproving of Noir's motives.

　When it came time to start letting him do his job, he treated me with no problems, but I couldn't help but think that he wasn't feeling very good inside.

　So I decided to take advantage of my first proper day off in a while to get him to change his mind.

　I thought of buying him a meal to make him feel better, and I thought of "buying him a meal", which is just a cheap way to make him feel better.

　But I had no choice.
　I still didn't know much about Garnett's tastes and preferences.

Oh, a cream cake set. I didn't know they started doing this kind of thing. Let's have a little order.
That's surprising.
It's not the fact that they have a cream cake set, it's the fact that I do.　It's obvious.

　Garnett leans over the table in a big way.

　I've been caught off guard, so I quietly look away to cover up.

But it's very rare. It's amazing how much sugar they sell in the countryside. But the price is also very expensive. Here, look at this.
...... Wow, one small silver coin isn't enough?

　Sugar is a valuable sweetener that can only be made in the South.

　Naturally, in the Westland, we have to rely on imports, and until a long time ago, only the truly privileged and rich could use it.

　When I was a child, the only sweetener was honey, and even that was not something that was readily available.

　But since King Alfred practically united the Westlands, trade with the South has become incredibly active, and the amount of sugar in circulation has increased dramatically, so the price has come down considerably.

　But even so, it is still a higher grade of sweetener than honey.

"Wow, really?　Tea's in stock!　I guess we'll just have to go with it. Hey, Sylvia!　Get the order!

　Garnett called out to Sylvia with a look of euphoria on her face.

　Tea is also imported from abroad, mainly from the east, where Sakura is from.

　Tea is also an expensive luxury, though not as expensive as sugar, and in the old days, drinking tea with sugar was a luxury for the privileged class.

　As the Westland developed, the price of sugar dropped, just as it did for sugar, but even today, the common people still drink herbal tea that they can get around them, not tea, on a daily basis.

'Yes, what would you like?'
I'll have two cream cake sets. I'd like a cup of tea.
Two sets and a cup of tea.
Anyway, it's a bold move to get this stuff.
''We've had many requests from high-ranking adventurers and knights. I'll have it ready for you soon, just wait and see.

　Sylvia finished taking her order and pattered off to the kitchen.

　Garnett looked around the dining room in a good mood with his cheekbones.

　Obviously, it's the mood you get when you're looking forward to the arrival of something you like.

'Tea, I see you like it.'
Well. You can't go wrong with something sweet. I haven't had a chance to meet any of them since I came here.
'The only places around here where tea was served for a while were probably really only a few upscale shops.

　Green Hollow Town has developed as a resting place based around the hot springs.

　A small number of upscale establishments existed, including the bathhouse I went to with Garnett before, which would have served upscale food and drink.

　It's a big change to see upscale goods that were only sold in such places now being offered in mass-market establishments like the Wakaba Tei in Spring.

　Green Hollow Town's economy has changed markedly.

　I'm definitely a distant cause, but I still don't know if this change is really a pleasant one.

'Hmm?　Look, White Wolf. There's another guy who ordered a cake set besides us.

　Garnett whispered and indicated a seat in the corner of the shop with his eyes.

　The man there was one man with a gloomy atmosphere - Dustin, the two spearman.

　The two spears from which the two names were derived were also propped up in the corner of the shop, tightly packed with cloth dyed with the curse crest.

'You knew him, didn't you? It doesn't look good on you, dude.
Don't worry. In a few minutes they're gonna think the same thing about us.

　I was inwardly grim as I flicked a lighthearted remark at Garnett.

　It's true that Dustin is eating a cream cake set that doesn't look like it's going to look good, but it never looks good.

　He's just workmanlike, bringing pieces of cake to his mouth with a ghostly expression that is no different from what he normally does.

　--that's right. That guy doesn't like sweets.

　The only person who had a sweet tooth was his partner, who died ten years ago.

　He loved honey and sweet fruit, and would gladly accept sugar as a reward for cash, a precious commodity in those days, to Dustin's dismay.

　I can only count on two hands the number of times I came face to face with that guy, except for the dungeon where he died, but it still left a strong impression on me.

　In those days, Dustin was a cynical but sure warm guy.

　Dustin has already changed - but still, I guess I can't forget what I liked about that guy.

'...... Hey, white wolf. What's wrong?

　Garnett tilts her head slightly.

　It's an expression I haven't seen very often.
　Perhaps she was worried about me, who was on the verge of a gloomy mood?

'No, it's nothing. You shouldn't stare at the other seats too long,
I know.

　In the meantime, Sylvia's cheerful voice was thrown over our seats.

'Two cream cake sets, sorry for the delay!