'Sir Felix. For one thing, I'd like to get an opinion from Lord Luke of the White Wolf Forest as well, if that's okay with you?

　Because of the sudden request for my opinion, the eyes of the large conference room were focused on me alone.

　Normally, it would be a natural situation to be nervous, but I was able to take in the situation with a certain amount of composure.

　I'd like to think that this is nothing compared to the time I was summoned by His Majesty the King to attend the Imperial Council, .......

'...... defeat, silence or rescue. I don't know which option to choose, and if it's the first two, there's nothing I can do about it. So I was only thinking of suggestions if the third was chosen.

　My [Restoration] skill is not as good as it should be, but it's not as if I'm good at killing and injuring living creatures.

　The fact that I was able to fend off the brave Falcon, who was converted into a dragonman, and defeat the Demon King's army leader, Norzuri, was the result of a number of first-time killing tactics that were close to deception.

　Moreover, it was a victory after repeated self-repair, and if he had been unlucky, he could have been killed instantly in the process.

　In fact, it would be safe to say that he was able to win because he was fortunate enough to avoid an instant death.

''And what I would consider myself might have already been considered by the Knights. Do you still mind?''
Let's hear it.

　The Golden Fang side commander repeatedly requested me to express my opinion.

　Perhaps he wanted to give the appearance that he had taken in outside opinions as well, rather than pretending that the knights had decided everything on their own.

In supporting the ...... dwarves, we believe it is necessary to rebuild their livelihoods alongside providing them with immediate food and shelter. Otherwise, we would be supporting them endlessly.

　While continuing to speak, I turn my gaze to the large map hanging on the wall.

''Since the Demon King's army has decided to siege the castle, we will probably have no choice but to encircle it. But since there is a distance between the castle town and the Demon King's Castle, I think the town will naturally be on the outside of the siege.

　If you wanted to put the castle town inside the siege, you'd have to surround the Demon King's Castle in a very distant area.

　If the town was still alive and well, it might have made sense to do so, but right now, it was just a pile of rubble and there were no soldiers from the Demon King's army.

''In parallel with the Golden Fang Knights surrounding the Demon King's Castle and holding back the Demon King's army, we should push for the restoration of the main buildings and underground farm in the castle town. ...... I believe that's what I'm thinking.
'And that proposal is predicated on the cooperation of Lord Luke himself?
Yes, of course.

　Especially important are the underground farms.
　The longer we put off rebuilding, the more we have to keep bringing in massive amounts of food from above ground.

　Just the thought of bringing in food for thousands of people for days or months on top of the normal supply is enough to make one dizzy with the sheer scale of the cost.

　I don't know what kind of mechanism the underground farm is made up of, but if we're going to restore something that was artificially built, my [Restoration] skills should be useful.

'A very apt suggestion, indeed. Sir Felix, sorry to interrupt your progress. Please continue.
I understand. Now, Master Travis of Black Sword Mountain. May I have your opinion?
Finally, it's your turn.

　Travis had been looking like he wanted to talk for a while now, so he stood up, motivated by Felix's nomination.

'From an adventurer's perspective, I'd like to see the dwarves survive. Even better if the town is back to normal.

　A brave voice, well-passing and brave, echoed through the large conference room.

'Why is that?'
''The Knights may have the final goal of defeating the Demon King, but that's just the beginning for us. After the threat of the Demon King is gone, we will once again explore the 'Demon King's Castle Realm' and even deeper areas. This is the true nature of an adventurer.

　Travis is right.
　What is left behind after the demon king disappears is an unprecedented underground world (dungeon) where the number of levels is unknown.
　It is a treasure house of the unknown that attracts many adventurers.

When adventurers explore dungeons, it's not uncommon for them to obtain information and supplies from the demons that inhabit the area.
That's why it's more expedient for the dwarves to be alive and well ......
Yes. There are even settlements that have made trading with adventurers their main industry.

　The townspeople in the audience behind me let out a surprising sound.

　It's not a negative connotation, it's more like a surprise when they acquire new knowledge.

　The demon race is not always friendly to humans, and the king of the demon race - some of the demon kings have plans to invade the earth.

　But on the other hand, not all demons and demon kings are hostile.

　There are demons who do not get involved with humans for better or worse, but there are also demons who try to get involved in a positive and friendly manner.

Of course, like the dwarves in this dungeon, there are plenty of people who are cooperative but not careless. But even if you can't trust them completely, it's still an adventurer's duty to think of ways to use them based on that.

　The knights listened to Travis' arguments with interest, regardless of the camp.

　Adventurers and knights have different values and view things differently.

　If you're thinking about hiring adventurers as a workforce to counter dwarves, then the opinion of Travis, who can be considered one of the pinnacle of the workforce, will be of great help.

　--Then people from various positions will continue to express various opinions, and after Felix has compiled them, the final talks between the Silverwing Knights and the Golden Fang Knights will be held.

　During the talks, the residents of Green Hollow were served lunch in the fortress' dining room, and Garnet and I decided to finish our meals there.

　The sight of a large number of ordinary civilians, young and old, male and female, of all ages, gathered in a dining hall that is usually crowded with soldiers, may be quite a rare sight.

　At any rate, I had just secured a table in the corner with Garnett when Sylvia arrived with a tray of lunch.

''May I join you?''
I don't mind, but ......
Why are you looking at me? It's not a problem.

　Me and Garnett sit down in chairs next to each other, and Sylvia sits across from them to start eating.

　The menu for lunch is the same as the one served to the soldiers in the fortress, and although it's modest compared to a knight's table, it seems to be of sufficient quality and quantity to satisfy the average person.

'I'm sorry, Sylvia. It's low quality food for you, isn't it?
'Why are you apologizing, Mr. Garnett? Why is Mr. Garnett apologizing? It's rather amazing that you can maintain this level of quality while cooking in large quantities. I just want to see what kind of equipment they use.

　Sylvia was bringing one dish after another to her mouth while giving her impressions from a cook's unique perspective.

''Oh, by the way, you said you were going to reconstruct the underground farm, but what do the dwarf people usually eat?''
I don't know what's going on. What's up with the White Wolf?
'Various mushrooms and vegetables that are easy to grow underground ...... mostly potatoes. The rest are the kinds of meat we don't eat much above ground.

　I guess I had a bad imagination about the type of meat, but Sylvia and Garnett stopped eating with a snap.

...... It's just that we can't procure what we're familiar with, but it's something that even humans can eat properly.
Ya, I knew it!
Jesus Christ, you scared the shit out of me.

　They resumed their meal with a relieved look.
　It would be better not to ask them what on earth they imagined.

　And so, when everyone had finished eating, a Knight of the Golden Fang Knights came into the dining room and shouted loudly.

''The talks between the two knights have ended!　We need you in the main conference room!