After that, I also parted ways with Sakura, who was going back to the front room to pick up her stuff, and decided to go see the annex's quarters alone.

　I'll be greeted in turn by Hild of the Rainbow Rainbow Scales Order, Mark of the Purple Jade Order, and Sophia of the Blue Peacock Order ...... the knights who have already arrived, and make sure the move is going smoothly.

　Once that's done, it's time to check the common areas.

　In order for the knights to spend their time as comfortably as possible, the living environment has been prepared in various ways, including a large bath that draws in the town's famous hot springs.

　When I stopped by to check out the dining room first, it was just at the time when Sylvia was arranging the cooking utensils and other items.

''Ah, Luke-san!

　When Sylvia noticed my visit, she stopped her work and ran over to me.

'Things are going well over here. The new equipment is nice after all.'
Sorry, I'm sure you're busy working at the inn.
No, it's just another important job I'm undertaking as the Wakaba Tei.

　Saying that, Sylvia stretched her chest.

It's a pretty good job to begin with. If you consider that the overhead costs and hot spring tax are held by the knight's group, the actual income is better than running a normal inn of the same size.

　The living environment of the headquarters, such as the preparation of meals and the cleaning of the large bathrooms, is outsourced to the Spring Wakaba-Tei, who are professionals in their field.

　I've heard that many other knightly orders also outsource jobs that are not directly related to official duties.

　It is said that a base that has a lot of knight apprentices would have them do these menial jobs as well, but the day when the White Wolf Knights would have apprentices would be in the distant future.

''And ...... I thought I could finally be of service to you with this.
'...... I didn't know you were thinking that. You've always been a great help to Sylvia, haven't you?
'Thank you. But I didn't think so.

　Giggling, Sylvia leaned against the wall by the window and turned her eyes out of the window to look into the distance.

'Not to mention Sakura, and Erica's pills are very popular, aren't they?　And I feel like I'm being left behind because you all keep going deeper and deeper into the dungeon ...... Oh, I don't mean to complain or anything?

　Sylvia gave a small wave with a deceptive smile.

''I just thought that everyone has gotten far away from ...... that way. So I'm honestly very happy to be able to help the Knights do their work up close and personal.

　I don't feel like I'm being overreacted to.
　What kind of response am I supposed to give to being able to confide my heartfelt and honest feelings?

　Happiness, gratitude, awkwardness, apology and embarrassment.

　There are so many different emotions that come to mind that I can't seem to narrow it down to just one right away.

　He couldn't decide immediately whether he should apologize for causing such trouble, or whether he should stop because it would only make him feel even more uncomfortable.

　I let my thoughts run through my mind for a breath, and after calming myself down, I decide to express my most positive feelings first.

'I'm the one who wants to thank you. I think I've been helped enough in the past, and now I'm going to be taken care of even more than ever before.
'Hmmm ...... I'll be coming over here as much as I can, so I'll look forward to seeing you then.
''Yeah. But the Spring Wakaba-Tei is really okay, right?　It's like having a monopoly on the signature girl over here, isn't it?
'I'm fine. I'll do my job at the inn properly, and I have several other popular employees.

　After giggling once, Sylvia exhaled deeply with a heartfelt and clear face, and then lifted her back away from the wall by the window.

'...... All right!　Well then, I'm going to finish getting the kitchen ready!　I'm just trying to do one more thing!
Oops. Sorry, did I interrupt you?
No, thanks to you, I'm very motivated. I'll finish everything by dinner time.

　With a smiling Sylvia sending me off, I left the dining room where preparations were underway for tonight.

　Immediately after I walked out through the doorway and into the hallway, a familiar voice was thrown at me from the side, unexpectedly familiar to my ears.

'How's it going?　The headquarters setup is coming along nicely.
What?　...... What is it you? You were startled by the sudden voice.
Sorry, sorry. I didn't feel like going in at the last minute, so I was just waiting for you to leave.

　Garnett laughed and stopped leaning against the wall and started walking down the hallway, following right next to me.

　From what he just said, it seems that Garnett came to the cafeteria at the same time that Sylvia and I were talking, but he stopped mixing in with the conversation and waited in the hallway.

'...... I'm not talking about anything else weird,'
'What?　...... hahahaha!　What the hell are you talking about?　I know that!

　Garnett held her abdomen with one hand and smiled broadly as she slapped me on the back with a bash.

You think I'm going to get all worked up over Sylvia?

　There is no sign of anyone else in the corridor at all, but she whispers such things in a blatantly subdued voice while looking into your face, as if she is trying to be a reminder.

　I'm sure the previous statement would be accepted by others as just 'chit-chat that doesn't quite understand the context' even if they heard it, but the current one is indeed too meaningful.

　While troubled by the reaction in a completely different way than when I was talking to Sylvia, but that doesn't mean I can't have no reaction, so I try to think of the safest possible response, using my mind to think of the safest possible response.

'Was it the other guy you were dealing with?'
Well, I don't know.

　Garnett smiled and diverted the conversation with a grin, then suddenly walked quickly and took a few steps in front of me and turned around on the spot.

I'm sure you'll be able to finish moving and setting up by dinner at this rate, so we're talking about using the dining room to eat with the knight's men. What are you going to do?
Have you responded yet?
Me?　I'm holding off for now. If you're planning to eat somewhere else, I'm going to do it.

　I see, so it's up to me to decide what Garnett will do.

　At the moment, I don't have any particular idea of where I'll finish dinner.

　I was thinking it would be fine to go to the Spring Wakaba-Tei as usual, but with the way things are going, Sylvia will probably stay here and do the first cooking job.

　Besides, it's not a bad idea to deepen the friendship between the members of the Knights - including my brother (Mark), whose sense of distance has not yet been reduced - with each other.

''Then let's do that. It's a bit sudden, but it's also a social gathering for the group.

　And so the White Wolf Knights' headquarters, the first day of its set-up, passed smoothly.

　There will be unknown wonders and big jobs ahead, but at least for now, it will be peaceful and serene - for now.