After sharing information with Theodore, we decided to head back to our homes.

　Just before the end of business hours at the White Wolf Store, we closed the store and sent everyone out of the store with Erica and the others who were about to start cleaning up.

　After doing so, me and Garnett went into the living room of our home and finally decided to take a breather. ......

I'm finally able to take a break. You can't get tired of a job that doesn't use your body in a different way.

　Garnett sits down on the sofa and weakens.

　As I watched its unchanging demeanor, I remembered the journey from the White Wolf Knights headquarters to the White Wolf Store.

　Garnett didn't utter a single word, but continued to walk silently down the slope with a face that seemed to be thinking seriously about something.

　Just recently, I remember seeing Garnett with this expression on his face.

　That was, I believe, when ...... Chandler and Ulysses came to visit early in the morning.

"Hmm ...... what's up with the white wolf? Do you have something on my face?

　Garnett sits on the couch and looks up at me as he continues to stand beside me.

　It's nothing - it's easy to fool me into thinking so.

　However, it felt like there was nothing good to mislead here.

　It's not like we are complete strangers to each other, so it's just a matter of asking and if they don't want to talk about it, they can just walk away.

'No, it seems like you've been having a lot of trouble lately,'
What?　Am I the problem?

　Stopping midway through her leaning forward, Garnett sat back down in a heap on the couch.

　Then he ruffled his golden hair with one hand and exhaled briefly with a huff.

'...... How did you come up with that?'
'The first time was when Ulysses and his friends came into the store. I looked at Ulysses and noticed that he was thinking about something. And ...... he had the same look on his face when he was leaving earlier, as expected.
Well, ...... I guess you can't hide anything from me, can you?

　Garnett seemed to have given up on the idea and began to gush about what he had been keeping in the depths of his mind.

'That's what caused the ...... thing that I had a run-in with those automatons in Asropolis. After all, Bran only grasped that these guys called themselves Agart Ram and that they were sent from the third level .......
You didn't even know you had a connection to the mithril traffickers on the ground.
Yeah, but that's not the point. But that's not the point. They call themselves Agat Ram, and they have the third level as their base: ...... That's enough for me.

　His expression looks more regretful than sad.

　It's as if he's devastated by his own inadequacy.

'If I was alone, I wouldn't be able to stand up to Hadary and ...... Agart Ram's cadre as if I were a blade. I'm not going to be the only one who's been in the business for a while. You said under your breath that you were going to destroy Agat Ram.

　Self-mockery floats around Garnet's mouth.
　As if to disguise the fact that he's about to clench his teeth hard.

'But we won in the end, didn't we?
''While the others are fighting, I'm going to take care of the two arms that were cut off by you [Restoration] and surprise them with all my might.
Still, a win is a win. You're not going to be satisfied if you don't get your revenge alone, are you?
I know!　But it's ...... but it's .......

　I'm not going to be able to get a good idea of what to expect.

It's not just a matter of time before you'll be able to get your hands on a new one.
You?　...... why on earth.
I mean, look at these people around you. You'd think they would.

　Garnett leaned his weight against the back of the couch, tilting his head back and looking up at the ceiling.

'Sakura could f*ck Hadary with a godsend. Ezell's got a hell of a weapon and he's got a head start. Chandler looks like he's been trained by someone more talented than me for ten years.
............
You, therefore, know better than anyone how inhuman the A-rated people are.　Travis and Dustin could take down Hadary if he's not good at it, and Theodore doesn't see dragon hunting as anything more than a pastime.

　He couldn't say the words on the spur of the moment.

　If one disregarded personal feelings and feelings of favoritism, the fighting abilities of the A-ranked guys stationed in Green Hollow certainly surpassed Garnett's, without a doubt.

　If Demon King Gandalf was the strongest class, then the four Demon Generals of the Demon King's Army and Agat Ram's executive Hadary could be said to have the ability to succeed them.

　And I can assure you that all four of the A-ranked guys are in the Demon General class.

　Roy, whom Garnett didn't name, would also be positioned in that class just like Travis and the others if he poured the full output of his skills to summon a large number of spirit beasts into battle.

　The reason Roy doesn't have many noticeable results in terms of combat is because that guy's skills are extremely effective in reconnaissance and scouting as well, so he always allocates his power to that side.

( ...... If you apply Garnett to the same criteria, that means he's a step below the Demon General and A-ranked. ......)

　Of course, ordinary humans were even further below or even lower, and overall, Garnett's ability was lower, but still ranked below the top.

　Roy would also be roughly in this area if he didn't use spirit beasts.

　I think Sakura and Ezell can also be evaluated as being on par with Garnett, but if you take into account the Divine Descent and Ivaldi's sword, respectively, they should be able to bottom out to the point where they can hang their fingers on the Demon General class.

''Huh?　Wouldn't the White Wolf's feel the same way?　He said I'd be a step or two down from the usual suspects.
It's .......

　--No, I'm not. You're strong enough.

　It would be easy to deny this guy's troubles and offer words of comfort.

　But if you wonder if that's really what you want, you still have to shake your head.

I'm sorry ...... that I didn't realize you were so troubled.

　So I crouched down in front of Garnett and placed my hand on his slender shoulder, meeting his gaze at eye level.

'I don't think you're weak. But if you think you're 'not good enough' yourself, I don't think you should deny it either.
Luke: "Luke: ......
'We'll figure it out together. What would make you strong enough to make yourself feel good about yourself? Together.

　I don't know if I'll ever find an answer.
　Maybe I'll end up getting my revenge before I find the means to do so.

　I told him that we would have to worry about it, and Garnett responded with a relieved smile.