The next day, the White Wolf Store hired a few adventurers and opened for business.

　This time it wasn't to make up for the lack of labor.
　It was a request to have them take turns patrolling the perimeter of the store during times when there are few visitors.

　It wasn't just my shop that was sending out these security requests, but I was able to find adventurers all over Green Hollow who seemed to be on guard.

　The survivors of the Mad Golem that destroyed part of the Hollow Bottom Fortress have yet to be found.

　Even though they weren't much of a threat compared to the dragons, they were still the remaining troops of the assassins released from the Demon King's army.

　Thinking about it in case of an emergency, it is a natural choice to increase security.

　Of course, it's not impossible that they could have stopped functioning in the mountains long ago.

　-- and so the day passes without incident, and at about the same time as the sun sets, the sound of the bell announcing the time can be heard from the town's central square.

　The end of the business day came without much trouble today.

　I don't know if hiring adventurers for security worked or if there was actually no threat looming, but even if it was the latter, it wasn't a waste of money.

　That's what safety measures are all about.

　Only a fool would complain that buying a lifeline down a cliff was a waste of money when you can safely descend it without slipping off a limb, for example.

"...... Oh, um, ...... Luke. I need to talk to you about ...... time, if you can get it ...... ok?
Yeah, that's good.

　As we were getting ready to close, as usual, Noir spoke to me in a reserved manner.

'That ...... bran thing ...... is .......'

　I stopped the work I was about to finish and turned to Noir to listen intently.

　This morning, I had given Noir the testimony Dustin had told me.

　He said that during the battle with the Demon King's Army that surrounded the human side of the base being built in the "Demon King's Castle Realm" - in the middle of the battle, a person who seemed to be Bran appeared and acted in a manner that could only be considered as supporting the Demon King's Army.

　Strictly speaking, only the face could be confirmed, but Dustin says it is a perfect match for Noir, and it is almost certain to be Bran himself.

　Noir was naturally terribly upset when he heard this story and appealed to him to wait until the night because he was going to sort out his feelings.

　And now, as promised, he has brought his thoughts together and brought them to you.

"I was ...... prepared ...... I was going to, but I'm ...... sorry ...... my head It's a blank slate: ......
It's no use. They're sisters, for God's sake.
"...... Thanks, u...... and ...... so if Bran is the enemy of Luke's If you are going to be: ......

　Noir took several breaths and eventually, as if he had made up his mind, he looked straight at me.

　He squeezes his thin, white hands tightly together and squeezes out the words with determination.

'I will fight Bran ......!　You won't believe me, maybe ...... but ...... no, no ......, you don't have to believe me... ...This is my, my resolution to ...... that ......

　I did my best to raise my voice, but it was getting quieter and quieter.

　Apparently, he had paced his lung capacity wrong.

　Noir took another deep breath and then voiced the rest of the words again.

'...... I'm a coward. I don't want to carry the same guilt ...... twice,

　With that, Noir bows his head deeply and leaves the store without waiting for my response.

　I can hear Noir and Erica's conversation leaking out from behind the closed front door.

　It's a good thing that you're able to get the most out of this article.

The first thing that comes to mind is the fact that you're not going to be able to get your hands on any of these things. Are you done talking to the manager?
"Umm, yeah, ...... So, let's go home... ......
The next holiday I promised to go to the 'Sundial Forest' to pick herbs, may I invite my friends too? Well, I mean my friends, Sylvia and Marida.
'...... Right. The four of us should go together ...... No, you might want to invite Sakura too, because she's strong ...... and you can count on her if you do. ......

　When their conversation was growing distant and I couldn't sense any sign of their presence, Garnett, who had been spying on me from the back of the store, appeared.

'Fighting Bran, huh? I'm sure you're serious right now, but if you see them in person, they might change your mind.
'There's no denying it. But it's enough that you put it into words. I was even thinking about the possibility that you might not say anything at all and not say anything at all.

　It doesn't mean that I don't trust Noir at all.

　It's the result of imagining the reaction of a human being who learns that his immediate family has taken the side of the enemy, and thinking that such a pattern is possible.

　Whether it's familial or romantic love, affection is a powerful driving force that drives humans.

　His Majesty Alfred even rose to the throne of the king as a result of his love for the princess.

''Hey, White Wolf.

　Garnett sat down in the chair behind the counter that I usually use and threw a gentle voice at me with his cheekbones in the air.

'You'll have to trust Noir. Let's pretend that I'm in charge of being suspicious and wary. It's easier on both of us that way.
I'm sorry to bother you at ......, but I don't want to worry about it. But it's okay. I decided to hire Noir knowing that the time will come for this to happen. I know it's not easy to trust and doubt, but I'll do it.

　As soon as he learned that the brave man had been turned into a chimera with a dragon by the demon race, he expected the other two to turn against him in some way or another.

　Bran couldn't be an exception to that rule.

　It was within our expectations that he would also be an enemy of humanity's side, and the only thing we didn't expect was for him to show up at that time.

''Hmph, do what you want.''

　Garnett had a soft smile on his mouth while snickering.

　I've always given Garnett a lot of trouble, even though we share all of my secrets, I've always given her a lot of trouble.

　I have to at least return the favor by making the weapons and armor that I promised to use as high performance as possible, and yet as quickly as possible.

'That's right, Garnett. I just got word from Travis that he's gotten an agreement from the blacksmith in question to produce weapons. He said he's in a town that's within a day's ride of a horse and back, so why don't the two of you go to a meeting on your next regular day off?
We?　Me too?
I thought it would be best to have it made in a size and shape that was easy to use, and then have the mithril [synthesized] later.

　Garnett pretended to think for a moment, then smiled like a boy who had been invited to play.

'Okay, you two are going together. You don't need any extra baggage, do you?　You're the only one who has enough to protect me.