For now, I send Sir Oswald out of the Knights' headquarters with a promise to send him back to the inn as soon as the improved version is completed.

　Aside from the Silver Wings and the Golden Fang, who have been with us since the beginning, this was virtually the first product development request from another knight order - this job, which I was anxious about whether it would work or not, was also becoming a success.

　The contributors this time would be Noir and Alexia, after all.

''I'll have to properly thank you two later.
How about a special allowance?
I'm thinking about that, of course, but I'd like to do something else, too.

　As I was walking down the corridor while talking to Garnett, I bumped into Sylvia near the dining room.

　Apparently, she had just finished preparing lunch for the Knights, and the atmosphere was a bit careless when she was taking a break from her work.

　Sylvia smiled a slightly bummed out smile, perhaps because she had been seen with such a timely face.

''Has Mr. Oswald already left?　Then I'll go collect the cup later.
Thanks for the help.
Not at all. Lunch is ready now, if you two would like to join us.

　There was a nice, appetizing aroma wafting from the cafeteria.

　We were going to finish our lunch before heading back to the White Wolf Store, so if there's enough for us to eat, we'll be grateful to use it.

　I was about to bring that suggestion to Garnett, but before I could, Garnett opened his mouth.

'Hey, White Wolf's. Next time, let's take Noir and Alexia to the Wakaba-Tei in the spring for a meal. It's your treat.
'Ooh, that's nice. ...... Wait a minute. Is this a free for all?　It's part of my job to do it, and I'll pay for it out of the store's money.

　Sylvia chuckles as she watches the messy exchange between me and Garnett.

''It's kind of like the two of you are brothers. Oh ...... but if you think about it, they will eventually become real brothers-in-law (siblings), right? I guess it's because we live together, after all.

　Sylvia smiled and put her hand on her slightly tinted cheek.

　Next to me, who was laughing and fooling around, Garnett silently and casually looked away from me.

　It is true that Alma and I, ostensibly treated as Garnett's sister, are supposed to be engaged, and inevitably Garnett will be my brother-in-law.

　It's just a reaffirmation of an obvious fact, but when I hear it from Sylvia's mouth, I feel indescribable.

( ...... What a feeling it was when your mother found out that you got along with a girl when you were still in your home village.

　Suddenly a nostalgic feeling passed through his chest, but he didn't dare to say it.

　It would be disrespectful to Sylvia to say she was like her mother, and it would be a topic that would make Garnet sullen in all likelihood.

'Speaking of living together. Isn't it about time you finished working on the bathroom?
Hmm?　Yeah, I know. I've had it going on alongside my work, but it's finally taking shape.

　Just as I'm relieved that the topic has changed, a completely unexpected voice interrupts me from the side.

'Speaking of construction, did they break down in the big bathroom?'
Ambrose?　What's going on here?
'I don't think you should call the front of the cafeteria 'this place','

　Normally, yes, but it was hard to imagine Ambrose making a trip to the dining room.

　If you're going to eat, you should be able to get rid of your prehensile, but can you do it in front of the other members of the group?

I'm not sure I have a body that can live without nutrition. I have no taste buds, and I don't think I've ever messed with them. I'm sorry if I disappointed you.

　Ambrose said as if he had read my thoughts and spoke to Sylvia in a familiar manner.

'Miss Sylvia,'
'Of course it's ready. You'll take it back to your room as usual, right? Just a moment.

　Sylvia answers with a smile and turns back to the dining room.

　I see, it's simple if you understand.
　So, since it is not possible to eat in front of the other members of the group due to the necessity of hiding the true face that has been remodeled, they are taking it back to their own rooms to eat?

　There must have been some guests at the Spring Wakaba-Tei who wanted to eat in their own rooms, so it must be something Sylvia is used to.

''So, what do you mean by construction?''
I'm talking about my house. It's too much trouble to go down to town and rent a bath every time, so I've decided to have it made at home.
That's not very common in Green Hollow, but we don't give a shit about that.

　It is not free to bring in hot water from the source.

　I'm not sure if it's because of the commonplace public bathrooms in the town, or if it's because many people think it's more convenient and economical to use them rather than having to prepare a bath at home.

　I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make it work for you.

I'm sure you'll be able to find out more about this in the future.　Lord Garnett also lives with us: ......
"I'm not going to let my employees use it, okay?　I don't want you to get any weird misunderstandings.
That's, well, you won't be misunderstood: ...... Well, I don't have to tell you what to do, do I?

　I didn't consciously gather this information at all, but the ratio of male to female employees at the head office is unusually skewed.

　It's best not to let them create a strange rumor.

Oops. 'Oh, yes, Sir Ambrose. I don't know if I can actually do it, but there is one thing I need to ask of you.
A favor?　Just say it. Let's hear it, if only to ask.
Then be my guest. It's only a personal request, not an order from the Commander. ......

　I'm going to properly preface it so that it doesn't become public or private, and I'll tell Ambrose about the idea I had vaguely in mind before.

''You know that White Wolf Store has been asked by the Ash Hawk Knights to develop a thermal barrier, right? At any rate, it looks like we'll be able to take the product to completion, but depending on the amount of ...... orders we receive, we might not be able to keep up with the manufacture of the cloth spells inside the disposable type.

　Currently, there are only two staff members involved in the production of magical tools: Noir, a regular employee, and his sister, Blanc, who is in the process of atoning for the crime of turning over to the Demon King's Army.

　Not long ago it was Noir alone, and the productivity of magic tool products has greatly improved since Bran began subcontracting manufacturing as a form of atonement for his contributions to society.

　However, when it comes to 'providing a steady supply of disposable products to the Knights' troops, as expected, there is no guarantee that two people can make up for it.

You are a member of the Order of the Suigan, isn't it the mission of the entire continent to monitor wizards?　If you know any wizards who live in the north and are in need of money, could you introduce them to me?