'I am pleased to meet you. Lady Valentine Argentia. We never imagined that the clan leading the Silverwing Knights would come.

　Valentine Argentia.
　The second brother of the Argentia family that leads the Silver Wing Knights.

　The man who was supposed to take over the family after the death of his eldest brother, the original heir, but for some reason--some say he was seriously injured, others say he was taken ill--he was unable to take on the duties of a Knight Commander, and was unable to take on the role of the Knight's leader. He is gone and no longer shows his true face to his immediate family.

　This is all Sophia knows about this person.

　Probably, the only people with more information than this are his parents and siblings and a very limited number of people in the royal court.

''Hm?　Oh, yes. This was the first time I'd met you in person. I'd heard reports of your time in the Silver Wing unit, so I didn't feel much like it.

　Despite the odd outfit of a white mask and formal wear, Valentine responded with a strange, humanistic attitude with gestures.

　It's as if he's hiding his face, instead expressing his expression with his gestures.

'I'll go and brew you a cup of tea. I don't know if it will suit your palate.
No, thanks. We're not supposed to show our real faces in public.
'...... I'm sorry about this. By the way, ...... may I ask for the name and identity of the person you are bringing with you?

　Sofia stopped midway to get up from her seat and shifted her gaze to the second guest sitting diagonally across from her.

　Dressed in a robe that was strewn with dubious magic tools like accessories, and hiding her face with a front droop with a pattern of eyes, the figure was definitely a person involved in magic, no matter what one thought.

　It's not the type that works out in public like Noir of the White Wolf shop or Melissa the adventurer, but the kind that repeats research that can't be made public, hiding in its own territory.

Oops, I almost forgot. I almost forgot. This is Ambrose. He's a member of the Order of the Green Eye, and he's kind of my doctor.

　Sophia felt at least two kinds of discomfort in this short statement.

'Speaking of the Suigan Knights, I'm told that they are a knightly order that monitors the activities of wizards and alchemists across the continent and serves as a point of contact for their official procedures. However, that side is more like ......
"Do I look like I'm being watched?　That's understandable.

　Valentine showed an unconcerned attitude in answering Sophia's question, which could be perceived as impolite.

''I'm sorry. Even though it's the Blue Peacock Knights, I don't necessarily know every detail about the Knights outside of my charge.''
'Yeah, so when you get your next assignment, you'll have enough knowledge to get to the assignment, right?　It's the same with the Suigan Knights, but as expected, there are many times when the expertise required is too much for them to handle.

　Instead of Ambrose himself, who remained in eerie silence, Valentine eloquently uttered an explanation under his white mask.

　Just by listening to the explanation so far, Sophia could roughly understand what Valentine was trying to say.

''I see. In order to properly monitor the activities of wizards and alchemists, knowledge of magic and alchemy is essential. However, there is a limit to the knowledge a knight can acquire in the sidelines of their official duties: ......
'So we have experts in magic and alchemy as members of the group. I'm sure you'll be able to find out more about this as well. In other words, he's a wizard by trade.

　I had to be convinced when Commander Luke was cited.

　He was also knighted on recommendation, and because of the veteran adventurer's experience, he was given the responsibility of overseeing the adventurers exploring the dungeons of this land.

''Then, as for the wizard being your doctor: ......
My body couldn't be touched by ordinary medical procedures: ...... What more explanation do you need?
...... No. I apologize for the unintentional question.
I don't mind. Anyway, let's get to the point.

　Valentine bent forward in his chair, propping his elbows on his legs and resting his chin on the back of his crossed hands.

'I heard from the garrison,' he said. I heard that Lord Commander and Garnett are not present because they are hiding in the dungeon. I heard that they are in the middle of an important mission.
'Sir Garnett has been very energetic in his role, sir. I have the impression that he is a little more of a personal bodyguard than a guardian knight.
That's good to hear. But it's a pity he's not here. I was hoping you could show me how my blood brother and my future brother-in-law (Otto) worked.

　Shaking his head in relief, Valentine quickly slumped forward, tilting his center of gravity back and resting his weight on the back of the chair.

　Is he really sorry - a faint suspicion passed through Sophia's chest.

　It doesn't mean she's lying about wanting to see how they work.
　It's a shame that he's absent ......, that is, a doubt in the direction of whether it's true that his absence was unexpected.

'...... No, wait?　If you know where they are, you can go to .......
''With all due respect, Mr. Valentine. As someone who is in charge of the White Wolf Knights' absence, I cannot overlook the entry of a non-adventurer or knight into the dungeon.

　An eerie silence blew between them.

　Sophia continued to look straight at the faceless Valentine, feeling thirsty from nerves.

　No doubt. Valentine Argentia wants to go down to the dungeon.

　He must have prepared the appearance of going to meet Garnett and Commander Luke as a cause for that.

　A short huffing sound escaped from inside the mask, and Sophia couldn't help but feel her spine tense up.

''I'm in trouble. I'm really troubled. To tell you the truth, I came here to tell Garnett something important.'
...... I will take the message. I'm sure Lord Garnett will be back before too long.
''No. You can't risk leaking this information to the outside of the Silver Wing Knights and Argentia. In the first place, waiting for their return could be two(-)times(-) hand(-).

　What makes it twice as hard? I'm sure you won't get an answer if you ask that question back.

I'm going to stay here myself for a while ...... Oh, and of course it's for the hot spring cure. I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make your life easier. I really have no ulterior motive.
............
'Anyway, I could wait for them to return if I just wanted to pass on the information, but it's not very efficient to wait for them. I'd like to avoid it if I can. Can't we do something about it?

　Sophia was often immersed in her thoughts, wondering what the best thing to do was within the scope of the decisions she could make.

　Even if she rejected him because there was nothing she could do about it, it was unlikely that he would back down entirely.

　He should also consider the possibility of using his influence as a member of the Argentean family, or the magical powers of his companions, to push a reckless side wheel and dive into the dungeon.

　If you need a force, hire an adventurer.
　There will be some personnel back on the ground who can guide you along the way.

　If that happened, it would be difficult to keep their activities under the control of the White Wolf Knights.

''Yes, I have an idea.''
...... What is that?
I'll stay here on earth. In return, you will take this Lord Ambrose to them. I can leave him a sealed letter with the secrets in it.
So ......, but the Suigan Order has nothing to do with this dungeon: ......

　Valentine struck a decisive move as Sophia's panicked wit took control of her.

''You can make a connection right now. The personnel sent to the White Wolf Knights from the Suigan Knights ...... actually, Sir Ambrose is the best candidate for that.
What: ......!
He's been holding off on responding because of my treatment, but we've been talking to the extent that as soon as he shakes his head, it will be official: ...... How about that?

　Sophia was at a loss to argue.

　Basically, the choice of personnel sent by the various knights was not something that could be refused unless there was a serious moral issue.

　Otherwise, Commander Luke, who wanted a homos*xual knight as a token to his fiancée, must have returned himself (Sophia) prematurely and asked for another knight.

'...... I understand. However, acting alone is unacceptable due to various dangers. You will act as part of the party we will provide you with.