Give ...... Luke White Wolf Green Hollow Town and the surrounding area, because ......!

　I couldn't believe what the letter said, and I couldn't help but crowd Sofia.

　But Sophia is completely unfazed and looks back at me without a care in the world.

'What do you mean?　Why Green Hollow!
'Green Hollow Town and the surrounding area are under the direct control of His Majesty the King. Should the need arise to grant new territory, it will, as a general rule, be ceded from the territory under direct control.
'I know that, but!　Why, of all people, was Green Hollow chosen!
You don't have to ask me. I'm just telling you the decision.

　I've been told back the obvious, but I'm still not convinced.

　After I escaped from the Thousand Year Corridor of the Abyss with my life, the people of this town accepted me despite the fact that I was an outsider.

　Since then, I've been doing various things to repay the debt to this town.

　That's the main reason why I helped in the Demon King's War, and I've been trying to keep my original intentions in mind ever since I decided to become a knight.

　And now I'm going to be the lord of Green Hollow.
　If this is the result of struggling to repay the town's debt of gratitude, then you can't help but fall over yourself.

''I don't know the exact circumstances that led to the selection, but I can only imagine.

　Sofia moderately separated the distance that had become too close, and then turned to me again.

''As you know, the Knights of the Order is a group of knights from other countries who were sent down to the kingdom in the course of His Majesty's unification project and were entrusted with some of the kingdom's official duties as well as the addition of territory.

　As a prelude to the history we've heard so many times, Sophia goes even further.

''At this time, the newly granted territories were chosen to be as close to the appointed land as possible. The case of the White Wolf Knights must have followed that precedent as well.
...... Do you have those rules in place?
'It's not explicitly stated. But even in cases where additional territories were granted later, this law is basically followed. With the exception, of course, of some knightly orders whose area of activity covers the entire continent.

　Sophia didn't wait for me to respond, but switched the focus of her words to the mark behind me.

"A typical example would be the Purple Jades Order over there.
''Ta, it's true that most of our territory is concentrated near the eastern edge of the continent. Commander Justin said, ''If anything happens, we'll be the first to catch fire, and that's why we can be serious about it. ......''

　Puzzled by the sudden turn of the conversation, Mark gave the explanation he thought he had been asked to give without saying a word.

'Thank you, sir. That's what I mean. Because if the territory, which is the 'thing to protect' for a knight, is irrelevant to the mission, it will inevitably affect morale.

　It's not hard to understand the logic itself - the strong connection between the Knights and the appointed territory and make it no longer 'someone else's business' - that logic itself is not hard to understand.

　In short, this is a policy with the intention of making it possible for the territory's prosperity to be directly linked to the seriousness of the mission.

　Just as the Purple Jade Knights, which is responsible for vigilance and trade on the eastern continent, holds most of its territory on the eastern edge of the continent.

　The exception to this is the Silver Wing Knights, the Golden Fang Knights, and the Blue Peafowl Knights, who are supposed to be sent to various locations across the continent.

''To begin with, the military organizations of each country that became the prototype of the knights' group descended to the kingdom in exchange for the relief of their territory. It's quite natural that the Royal Palace has come to a policy that inspires the knights' will to 'protect their territory'.
...... That's a consideration I don't need. You don't have to do that, Green Hollow will defend you against whatever you turn into.

　I affirm this from the bottom of my heart.

　If you want to protect your territory, you need to be serious about your mission, and even if you don't have a situation prepared for you, I'm going to put the Green Hollow first and act accordingly.

You may be right. But as far as the ministers of the palace are concerned, this is a declaration without any guarantees. Even if they have the confidence of His Majesty's personal trust, they will still need a 'tatemae' to reassure them.

　Sofia doesn't have any reservations about it, she just lays out the so-called 'practical logic' guys one after the other without any hesitation.

　Just from this short conversation alone, I could keenly feel that she is someone who puts logic before emotion.

　And yet, she's the type of person who doesn't ignore emotional elements at all, but rather incorporates other people's illogical emotions, such as a knight's values or a minister's insecurities, into her logic.

　Based on my own personal likes and dislikes, this kind of person is--

I understand. Thank you for the detailed explanation.

　-- honestly, it's a desirable category.

　Needless to say, it goes without saying, but it's not about attractiveness as a member of the opposite s*x, etc., but rather as a collaborator who can work together.

　Even if Sophia was a male knight, I would have come to the same conclusion.

''But just to be sure, can't I inquire as to why Green Hollow was selected?
"Very well, sir. I'll send the questionnaire back to the Royal Court. Could you also tell me why it would be inconvenient for you at Green Hollow, as I would like it to be noted at that time?
...... That's what it's all about.

　I held my hand to my forehead with a light headache as I thought of what would happen if the territory was decided upon.

'Green Hollow is too familiar to me. I think I've gotten used to being a member ...... of the town, a rook in the arms shop, and I've treated the residents as if they were my neighbors. I can't believe it's a lord all of a sudden. ......

　If other lands had been chosen, they would have been able to behave in Green Hollow no differently than they had in the past.

　Many of the Silverwing and Golden Fang knights sent here were friendly and confidant with the residents of Green Hollow.

　They're 'Lords-sama' who have a territory somewhere else, but regardless of that, they've been able to form friendships, and I thought that's how I would settle down too.

　But no matter how much, if I became the 'Lord of Green Hollow', I wouldn't be able to hope for the same relationship as before. ......

　As I was pondering endlessly over my unanswered questions, Garnett unexpectedly reached out an arm and placed a hand on my shoulder, looking into my face and laughing at me.

'It's okay. We all know exactly what the white wolf's are like. As long as you're still the same, you'll end up in the same place over there too.
Garnett: "Garnett: ......

　A sense of relief surged in my chest as I received the encouraging words.

　Contrary to me, who felt more or less at ease and my expression was loosening, Sophia was staring at Garnett with some kind of grim face.

''Excuse me. Sir Garnett, what is that attitude towards the leader of your Order? ''Too familiar!　Look, an organization is about discipline first and foremost: ......

　Garnett's face contorted as if to say, 'Oh shit,' and then turned his gaze back to me and gave a wry smile.

I'm not good at it," she said. I'm not very good at that," he said. If only Felix were here, he'd be able to handle it all: ......
...... You know how it is that you and your horse don't seem to be on the same page.

　If he's going to keep an eye on me, even my usual attitude, it's the worst thing I can say about my compatibility with Garnett.

　I'm convinced of this from the bottom of my heart, and I can't help but foresee the emergence of a new kind of trouble.