That evening, I decided to visit the branch chief's office with Erica, the potion officer, to talk with Florence, who had finished dealing with the collapse.

　The business, of course, was about the request from the Adventurer's Guild via Florence to add a specific type of potion to their product lineup.

　The first time we tried to talk about it, we were halfway through the collapse accident, so we wanted to get as much done as possible today.

　-- so we will discuss the detailed conditions while also getting opinions from Erica, the person in charge, about the detailed conditions.

　The type and amount of potions to be manufactured should be adjusted within the scope of the amount of work Erica can undertake.

　The special materials needed will be procured at the guild's own risk and expense, and will be delivered to the White Wolf Store at a low price, but in exchange for a reasonable discount when they are sold to adventurers.

　This request is not for the guild's financial benefit, but to provide indirect support to adventurers, so please do not purchase large quantities for non-adventurers.

　Erika was nervous at first, but as the discussion progressed, she gradually got used to the situation, and eventually she was able to assert her own convenience without hesitation.

　It's a true "growth is visible" kind of guy.
　For Erika, who hopes to have her own shop in the future, this discussion will be a good experience.

'I hope that's all we'll be able to do at .......

　After the discussion, Florence smiles as she packs up her papers.

　Next to me, Erica leaned limply against the backrest, letting out her exhaustion along with her breath.

　It was the first time she'd been in a meeting with an outsider as the person in charge, so apparently her mental fatigue was even greater.

Good night. I still need to talk to the branch chief, so go home with Sakura and the others first.
Roger that. ......

　Erica left the chapter president's office with a look of contentment and exhaustion on her face.

　Then, once again, she and Florence faced each other alone.

'Lisa's grown up before I knew it. Kids grow up so fast.''
'Yes. But since I've been so busy lately, I don't think I've been able to spend much time with her. Maybe that's the reason why she is becoming more and more difficult to deal with.

　Florence placed the bundle of documents in her lap and gave a troubled smile.

'I don't have any kids, so it's hard to say.
'I just didn't know what kind of things to talk about, even if I could get some time sometimes. I don't even know what kind of things she's interested in, kind of: ......

　This must be another problem for him because of his high position as the head of the branch.

　To rise to this high position while raising a daughter on your own is an achievement worthy of respect, to be honest.

　For me, before I took a leave of absence from adventuring, there was so much difference between the two that I was looking up so much that my neck hurt.

　However, because of that, there must have been many obstacles to overcome, and I'm probably still in the middle of overcoming them.

But you don't regret anything, do you?
I wouldn't do that. It's my choice.
That's good.

　When Florence had told me that she would not remarry and raise Lisa as a guild staffer after A(I)Tsutsu's death, I had been worried that we were really going to be okay.

　As it turned out, it was a completely unnecessary worry. We were reminded that we had underestimated Florence.

　But raising our daughter well and moving up in the guild while raising her well doesn't necessarily mean that she will be mentally satisfied.

　So it was a pleasure for me to hear how you feel.

''I talked to Lisa earlier, and she seemed interested in how your parents got together and what happened before you got married.
What ......?
He doesn't remember his father very well, so it's like he wants to hear those stories.
'Speaking of which, I don't know much about that guy ...... thanks, Luke. I'll talk to that boy when I have time.

　I've finished telling him what I had to tell him about my daughter (Lisa).

　I think it's time for me to leave, so I sit up and ask one last question.

'After all, is it good to have a family?'
It's not natural. How could you do that ...... oh!　Perhaps you've finally found the right person?
No way. I'm just asking.
'Really?　Because - no, it's still nothing.

　Florence smiled a smile that was clearly misrepresenting something.

　Most of the time, this guy would make this kind of face when he thought it would be more interesting to keep quiet.

　In short, it's a case of sensing a hint of 'it's not going to be a serious problem and it's just a fun nuisance to watch from the side'.

'What the hell, you're bothering me,'
I'm fine. Come on, I'm out of here. I still have some work to do.

　A smiling Florence had forced me out of the chapter leader's office.










　As I was leaving the chapter leader's office and heading out of the building, my eyes met with Garnett, who was leaning against the wall near the entrance.

'Yo, white wolf. You're late.
Jesus, I thought you were home with the cherry blossoms.
Don't make me keep saying it, a**h*le. My job is to be with you.

　Garnett told me that with a deliberately furrowed brow and I couldn't help but look at my surroundings.

　It was an expression that would have been strangely misunderstood if someone had asked me, but fortunately, there was no one nearby.

　Or rather, if you think about it calmly, it's probably because there's no one else around that Garnett would have said it this way.

'Well, let's go home quickly. Even though I have to work ...... tomorrow, the branch office is opening, so it will be a little easier.
If you don't make it easy for me, it won't be worth the trouble of preparing for it.

　At any rate, Garnett and I left the Hollow Bottom Branch with Garnett and climbed up the well-maintained slopes of the dimly lit 'Sundial Forest'.

　Garnett is in something of a good mood and his footsteps are more nimble than usual.
　I'm not sure if this is a good idea or not, but it's only a slight difference compared to the usual.

　Eventually, we climbed up the slope and approached our home for the first time in half a day, when we saw a strange man standing in front of the house.

'What the hell, that guy is ......'
Wait. That's my contact in the Silverwing.

　After tugging lightly on my wary arm, Garnett steps forward.

　At the same time, the man turns to me and straightens his posture.

'Excuse me for being so late, Sir Garnett. I'm here today to deliver an important letter to Sir and Lord Luke.