As soon as I finished meeting with Travis, I went back to Garnett and Layla, who had me waiting inside the chapter.

　The place is in the backyard. It was confirmed that there were no people in the vicinity.

　The purpose, of course, is to pass on the message Travis left for me to Layla.

　That I'm afraid to treat young women from past experiences.

　That he wants to improve eventually, but he doesn't want to use a girl he doesn't know for that purpose.

　That's why he can't respond to Leila's feelings for him - he'll let Travis tell him all of this honestly, that the burden is too much for him to win.

　I was sure he would be sad, but surprisingly, Layla's reaction was calm, rather like hearing the joyful news.

'You are not only powerful, but also kind-hearted ...... to care for a woman whose face and name you don't even know.
Why are you acting like you're in love with her again? Isn't this a situation where you get dumped or something?
'No!　That's not true!

　To a quizzical Garnett, Leila returned a strong denial.

'I understand your thoughts, Travis-sama. I can't offer you an unreasonable offer, however, I believe it's too soon to give up.
What?　You're the kind of guy that you can't get a hold of by any stretch of the imagination.
'He says he can't put the burden on a stranger, so we just have to earn his trust little by little.

　It may indeed be theoretically true.

　What that guy doesn't want to do is involve a strange girl in the reckoning of a past he's been dragging around.

　He just couldn't hope for a solution because he's avoided contact with young girls in the past and didn't have anyone he could get involved with, but if he had a close member of the opposite s*x, the situation would have been completely different.

　...... Well, there was no way Travis could make such a partner on his own, so an oddball like Layla who would approach him on her own would have been essential.

'Master Luke!　Do me a favor!

　Layla turned the point from a stunned Garnett to me.

'If Travis-sama has asked for your help in the search, I would like to be a part of it!
On a quest?　Does that mean you're going to be an adventurer?
''No, the adventurer registration probably won't be approved by the clan. Therefore, would you be willing to allow me to join the White Wolf Shop as a member of the White Wolf Shop, just like Lord Noir?

　Leila's family, the Hyndman family, is one of the families that make up His Majesty's Kings Kings Kingsguard, the Order of the Dragon King.

　Even though she is the youngest member of the family, she is also a member of the family, so she would be subject to various restrictions on her actions.

''Are you sure it's okay?　I'm not talking about my parents' permission or anything like that, it's about your strength and ability and that. I can't give you permission if you can't keep up with the dangerous search.

　Without a doubt, Leila must be serious.

　But, no, that's why I can't just shake my head easily either.

You're going to have to be a bit like Travis, but for me, I'm in charge of someone else's daughter. I can't overlook joining the search just because I want to get close to Travis.

　Sakura and Alexia, for example, are active adventurers and have combat skills, so there's nothing wrong with them.

　Noir isn't an adventurer, but he has the ability to take on difficult dungeons as a member of a brave party, and above all, he's prepared to throw himself into danger.

　However, if Sylvia or Erica said they wanted to explore the 'Demon King's Castle Realm', I would oppose them with all my might.

　The reason why the two of them were working in the 'Demon King's Castle Realm' during the Demon King's War was an exception because Green Hollow was supporting the knights with all its forces.

　If they were just providing logistical support in a safe zone like that, it's still not very permissible to step into a realm where you don't know what kind of danger is lurking.

'You don't mean you want to support Travis's search in a safe place, you mean you want to be in the immediate vicinity, right?　If that's what you're talking about, go to .......
'Don't worry. I too am a daughter of a knight's family. I have the skills to ensure physical robustness.

　Leila placed her hand on her chest with a serious look on her face and declared emphatically.

The first thing that comes to mind is the fact that it's not a far cry from those who are working on the front lines. But I am confident enough to put Luke-sama and Travis-sama at ease.
'...... Is that skill like increasing your strength?　Or is it something that makes your body physically sturdier?
'Both. I wasn't raised as a knight because I didn't have any talents related to hurting humans, but I've learned several other skills that are required of a knight.

　The reason why Travis became distressed like that is that he couldn't control his own body, which was strengthened by his skills, and he hurt a girl close to him, even if it was an irresistible force.

　If that's the case - although it's a terribly simple idea - if it's a physically sturdy woman, that guy might be able to treat her with some relief.

'If you're unsure, feel free to check. I'll prove it to you right here.
"Check it out: ......

　Her red eyes narrow sharply.
　Layla is serious; she wants to show that she can accompany the A-ranked adventurer on his quest.

　Perhaps sensing that she wouldn't shake her head even if I told her she was reluctant, Leila switched the object of her demands to Garnett.

'Garnett-dono. Please.
...... Shucks.
Oh, hey!　Garnett!

　With no time for me to stop him, Garnett jumped back in a big way with his enhanced legs and sank down low with enough distance to help him.

'You want to prove you can keep up with the man you're in love with?　Then we'll have to do it!
'Yes!　Come with all you've got!

　-- With a ferocious, yet even refreshing smile, Garnett rushed into a straight line with the speed of an arrowhead (bolt) released from a crossbow (ballista).

　Garnett's sharp kick slammed into Leila's body, who had taken a defensive stance beforehand.

　Leila is blown away like a piece of paper.

　By the time my kinetic vision followed the figure, Leila had already been slammed into the outer wall of the branch.

''...... horse(bah), you idiot!　What the hell are you guys doing!

　In a great hurry, I run up to Layla and try to [repair] the injury.

　But before she could do so, Layla stood up on her own, poked her hands into her trembling knees, looked up, and smiled with blood smeared on the corner of her mouth.

''See ...... it will be fine ......?''
''Utterly too absurd, is this the kind of thing you ...... knights are usually like?''

　I should say I was stunned or overwhelmed by the 'proof' of too much power, but I'm not sure if I can deny it anyway.

"...... Okay, I get it. I'll add you to the membership when I help Travis.
"......!　Thank you!

　Leila with a big smile on her face.
　The expression on her face was exactly like a maiden in love - except that her mouth was smeared with blood.