A conference room and workroom attached to the reference room.

　As Chandler had said, Mark was propped up at the large table there, muttering his resentment of the extra unscheduled workload.

　Besides Mark, another person, Hild, the rainbow scale, was also working on a report in the same room, but this one was more immersed in contrast to Mark.

　I was hesitant to talk to Hild, as it seemed to interfere with her, so I decided to talk to Mark first.

I'm not sure what to say. Your progress is not ...... good, is it?
'Of course. It's so different from the work I've been doing with my former Order that I don't know what to report.

　I understand that feeling painfully well.

　Ever since I took a leave of absence from adventuring a year ago, I've been baffled by the unfamiliarity of the job.

By the way, what's going on with Sir Garnett's brother and others?　We didn't end up being able to join up with them because of the chaos after the battle ended, though.

　Garnett answers the question that Mark has mentioned as a chat, with another casual attitude.

'Valentine is back on his own. He came to my place last night after I left you guys. He said he was going to take a rest in the hot springs here for the time being, as his body is aching from being away for the first time in a while.
...... I hope they don't do anything weird without people knowing.
We'll have to wait for the local adventurers to report that. Well, they're probably staying at a fancy inn anyway, so I don't think we'll ever see each other in our normal lives.

　The Wakaba-tei is the largest inn in Green Hollow, but it's not the most expensive.

　Rather, it's a simple, easy to use, commonplace inn that is designed to accommodate many ordinary travelers and adventurers.

　It is said that the inns used by the aristocracy and other wealthy people have large grounds away from the hustle and bustle of the city, where they can relax and enjoy the hot springs.

　For Valentine, who does not like to show his true face, such an environment is probably essential.

'So, if you're a Hild, you can go to ......

　When I looked at him fearfully as I called his name, Hild didn't stop writing up his report, surrounded by a large amount of material.

'Please wait a moment longer!　I have a lot to report to the Royal Palace and the rainbow scales!
...... Well, that's what happens. And all of the stories I've heard from Fraxinus were far removed from the earthly norm, so...

　In the time between the end of the battle and our return to earth, we had received more detailed information from Fraxinus.

　However, the focus of the reception was on Hild, an expert, and Garnett and I didn't understand most of the jargon, so we were only there on the premise of having Hild put the information together later.

'I'm looking forward to your report, Hild. It's too technical, too much information, it was too much information for me to handle anyway.
'Leave it to me. It's like my day job!

　It is truly like a fish out of water.
　Hild continues to work with more vivacity from his heart than I've ever seen before.

　I was about to leave soon, so as not to disturb him, when Mark asked me a casual question.

'By the way, do you know where Sir Sophia is?　He's never come back since he told me to go off somewhere and never came back.
Hmm?　Yeah, I've got a little favor to ask of Sophia. I think she's probably in town by now.










　--Just about the time Luke White Wolf came to the Knights' headquarters.

　Sophia Wedgwood, a member of the White Wolf Order, had visited a certain facility in Green Hollow on the order of the Commander.

''We've been expecting you, Sir Sophia. Garnett has informed me of your story, sir.
'Sir Felix. Thank you for accepting my urgent offer.

　The one who greeted Sophia was Felix, the vice president of the Silverwing Knights and head of Green Hollow Chapter.

　The young man, who could be called the executive of the Silver Winged Knights in both name and reality, invited Sophia into the back with a friendly attitude and a smile.

''As you already know, this is some sort of incarceration facility. It's a facility that was established with an eye to the increase in the number of crimes due to the increase in the population as the dungeon investigation progresses in earnest.
I'm told the facility is designed to detain both suspects awaiting trial and sentenced prisoners.
Yes. Normally, it should be a separate facility, but it's a bit of a unique situation, so we've made a special exception.

　As befits the use Felix described, the facility is heavily guarded.

　Not only is there physical security, such as guards and patrols, but there is also a thorough magical network of vigilance, using magic and magical tools.

''I've heard that thugs are also incarcerated, but what exactly?''
It's only to the extent that there's a possibility of imprisonment. Most of them are detained for a few days to encourage them to reflect on what they have done. So he's probably going to be the biggest inmate I've ever seen in my life.

　While exchanging such conversations, a strange-looking figure wavered into Sophia's view as she was led to the deepest part of the facility.

　A man who looks like a wizard, wearing a thick robe that covers his entire body and his face is covered by a front hanging with a dyed eye pattern, is Sir Ambrose of the Order of the Suigan, a man who looks like a wizard.

It's finally here. I've been waiting for you, Sir Sophia.
'......?　Lord Ambrose: ...... you ......
Could he speak, I guess?　I don't remember Valentine introducing me as 'unable to speak', so you'll have to dig into your memory.

　Sophia was so preoccupied with her thoughts that she couldn't take over a second phrase.

　For this, it wasn't like she was able to read his mind by magic or something, she simply expected to be surprised.

'Switching with Valentine was one of my plans from the beginning, so I didn't dare to speak as a preparation. That's all there is to it.
"It's true that ...... was our foresight that you would not speak. But why are you here?　You didn't get a request from Sir Luke, did you?

　Ambrose disclosed information about his own actions in a matter-of-fact manner, speaking in a way that contradicted the image of their first meeting, fluent but not allowing him to decipher his inner thoughts.

'Of course it's my personal decision. I have permission from the Silverwing to enter this far. Considering the occupation of the guilty(-) person(-) you plan to meet, I thought it would be preferable for an expert to be present.
...... What if I didn't allow you to be present?
'I'll just give up and go home. It's really just a personal act of kindness, you know. It's just a way to make up for the deceitfulness of the trick.

　Kindness ...... I have my doubts that this is really the case.

　But it was also true that I could see no rational basis for rejection.

'I understand. And Sir Felix, if you'll allow me?
"If that's all right with you, Sir Sophia. Then I will unlock the door for you.

　The cell is unlocked and locked up tightly.

　The interior is brand new, and is not the unclean environment one might expect from a prison, which can quickly become hazardous to one's health.

　And in the living space separated from the entrance area by a solid cage, a white woman who has lost her left arm is sitting on a chair provided and looking up at the high light window.

　I see, it looks a lot like her - this was the first time Sofia had met her, but she frankly had that impression.

''I'm Sophia Wedgwood of the White Wolf Knights. Bran of the Magic Gorge, I have an important story to tell you.