'Yes, sir. Here's the takeaway dinner you ordered. It was good for four, wasn't it?
Thanks again. Is this enough to pay for it?

　In the dining room space of the Spring Wakaba-Tei, I receive a basket containing dinner for four from Sylvia.

''I could have gone to make it, you know?　You don't have to come all the way down here to get it.
'That's no good. You'd better not go out unchallenged until the Knights arrive.

　Some days have passed since the Tri-Brook City incident, and the scheduled arrival date of the Silverwing Knights is finally approaching.

　The town is filled with an atmosphere of mixed anxiety over the fact that the Mad Golem has yet to be discovered, and a sense of relief that the Silverwing Knights will be coming.

　The adventurers relaxing in the inn were similar, looking a bit relaxed from the fatigue of the incessant security requests and the expectation that the situation would soon settle down.

''By the way, Garnett-san. Your new clothes look good on you. I see you and Luke-san are matching.
'Heh, really?　It's a lot easier to move around than I thought it would be.

　Garnett spread his arms to show off his new clothes.

　A well-built jacket and sturdy long boots.
　It's an adventurer's equipment of the same design as the one I'm wearing.

　Originally, a cloak for further outdoor activities would also be attached, but as expected, I've had it removed for now.

I'm sure you'll be able to find some great materials to use for this. Isn't that right, white wolf?
Is that so?

　As I listened to Garnett's strangely good-humored bragging, Sylvia turned her gaze towards me for an explanation.

''Ah. It's made of dragon leather for the leather part.''
Dragon!
'Boots and knee reinforcement and all that. The jacket also has a leather lining between the surface and the lining, and even a normal leather would only cause a minor cut with a knife, but since it's ...... dragon leather, I can't imagine how far it would protect against that.

　I was introduced to a craftsman that Theodore is familiar with, so there is no doubt about the quality.

　By the way, I had my equipment reworked to the same specifications as well.
　Without a doubt, these are the most expensive clothes I've ever worn in my life as an adventurer.

　The reason why I had it made without changing the look and feel is simply because I liked it, and in the case of Garnett, this is what he wanted to do.

'It's awesome ...... this is the dragon ......'

　Sylvia looks at Garnett's equipment with interest.

'But hey, it's a bit too stiff for everyday wear, or something. I don't know how you can go camping in these things.
'I'm used to it, I'm used to it. Shouldn't you only change your clothes when you're diving in a dungeon?
You don't have to do that.

　In my case, I was so accustomed to this outfit that I was able to spend time in the camp during my adventures and in my normal life without feeling uncomfortable.

　If you ask me if that's a good thing, I can't shake my head with confidence.

It's a good thing. We're going back to the store, but you have to be careful. Even the Wakaba-Tei in spring can't be said to be absolutely safe, you know.
I know. You be careful, Mr. Luke. Luke's already an integral part of this town.
I think that's an exaggeration: ......

　Anyway, I finished greeting Sylvia and was about to leave the inn when Erica ran up to me, fluttering her long, fluffy hair.

''Manager!　Are you going back to the store now?
'Yeah. I need to bring home some dinner before it gets cold, or Sakura and Noir will be mad at me.
I don't think he'll be mad. Sakura will be very, very disappointed.

　It's much harder to deal with that side. I just want you to get angry.

''Well, Noir-san and the others are staying at the shop today, right?
'I've asked you to do so until the Knights arrive. Since we're dealing with something as valuable as mithril, we'll have to be extra cautious.
'Um, so... ...... So, I guess I should join you, too?

　He asked me that with an uneasy look on his face, so I looked at Garnett and thought about it for a bit.

　I don't think he's saying that he wants to fight with me if it comes to that.

　I haven't heard that Erica has skills for combat, and if she wants to sit with me even though she can't fight, I have no choice but to stop her.

　Then again, the intention of the question is the opposite of this.
　It's probably just a distant confirmation that it's okay to wait in the Spring Wakaba Tei - in other words, a relatively safe place.

''It's okay. Erica, you can wait here with Sylvia. We'll take care of the dangerous stuff, okay?
'Yes, sir!　Thank goodness. ......

　Erica pats her chest in relief.

　Not wanting to fight is a natural reaction for a normal person.
　The adventurers and knights who voluntarily run into danger are special, and usually think of moving away from danger.

''Manager, please tell Noir-san not to just be reckless. I still have a lot more to teach you.
Of course. I won't let you push me around.

　I say goodbye to Erica, who seems relieved, and this time I head back to the White Wolf Store.

　As I walk down the main street in the dusk towards the "Sundial Forest", I exchange casual chatter with Garnett, who is still in a good mood.

　This bustling town and the fact that Garnett is next to me is an everyday scene that I've become completely accustomed to.

The white wolf. I'm not sure if we're all dressed together now, but do we look like brothers or something?
Father and son?

　I jokingly replied, and Garnett poked me lightly in the side with his elbow.

'You usually say something like, 'I'm not that old,'
'I mean, if I answered seriously, all they'd think of me is, "That's Luke and Garnett from the White Wolf Store.
Well, that's just as well. You're a celebrity, man.

　It was not an egotism, but a fact.
　Because of the many things that had happened since he'd come to Green Hollow, he was remembered by many of the residents and adventurers.

　Whether that had anything to do with what Sylvia had said about being 'essential to this town' was something I couldn't evaluate myself, though.

'By the way, Garnet. You've finished your clothes and sword for now, but is this enough?　If I may say so, no matter how much dragon leather it is, I think it's more fragile than normal leather armor at that level.

　When I mentioned these concerns, Garnet chuckled and tugged at the chest of his clothes.

'No, it's more than enough. You know that my main skill is physical enhancement, right?　There are various enhancements, but in my case, I'm the type that gets enhanced with my equipment as well.

　According to Garnett, her skills are enhanced not only physically, but also in her clothing at the same time.

　Otherwise, if she ran as fast as she could, her shoes would be torn and blown off, and if she struggled in armor, the sheet metal would be crushed and unable to be removed.

　Even when Garnett kicked down the wall of the Thousand Year Corridor of the Abyss, if the legs of the armor had not been strengthened, it would have been dented and distorted so badly that it would have been unable to walk.

'The efficiency of strengthening equipment depends on the material. The efficiency of strengthening equipment varies depending on the material. Of course, even weapons can be strengthened. We can't beat a skill dedicated to strengthening weapons, but a high ratio of mithril alloy would be a great deal better.

　The reason why the sword that Garnett was using in the last battle was broken by the Demon General Norzuri was probably because it was a store-bought product with a mithril content of about a single digit percent.

　That was also much more powerful than an ordinary iron sword, but it was hard to believe that the sword handled by the highest echelons of the Demon King's army was an ordinary weapon, and it was probably pushed aside by the performance gap.

'I see ...... that's a pretty powerful enhancement skill.
Instead, you have to be aware of every single time you activate it to make it work, and it keeps consuming magic the whole time it's active, so there's a lot of hassle.

　Garnett cowered his shoulders with a bitter smile.

It's very rare that I get hurt in between because I'm out of breath if I don't stop it often enough," he said, "but you know .......
'You were taken by surprise by a dragon. Even now, a chill runs down my spine. I'm sure you're not going to be able to get away with it.
It's like you can't draw out magic power unless you hold it in your hand. It's not easy to use.

　With that conversation, Garnett and I walked through the main street of Green Hollow and up the gentle slope that led to the White Wolf Store.