Then me and Garnett went to the cafeteria to have lunch and rest there for a while before leaving the headquarters.

'White Wolf's, are we going back to the shop next?'
'No, I have to stop by the Hollow Bottom branch first. It's not really a big deal, but I want to get it done before I forget.

　We were just about to leave the dining room while exchanging casual conversation when Sylvia, who had been cleaning up afterwards, pattered over to us.

''Luke-san. Are you going to the 'Sundial Forest' now?　Then I'd like to ask you to do something for me.
What's up?　If it's something I can do in addition, I don't mind.
'Actually, Sakura and Leila asked me to bring some lunch for you. Both of them should be in the open space in front of the entrance to the 'Sundial Forest', so could you please take them with you?
'Leila?　How come Sakura and ...... again?

　To be honest, it was quite an unexpected combination.

　Sure, today was Leila's day off, but I wonder what kind of connection led her to work with Sakura.

　Although it's strange, they're not the kind of people who would cause any problems, so there doesn't seem to be any need to worry about them.

''All right, the square is just about to go.
'Thank you. Oh, drinks can be found here: ......

　I thought that Sylvia would know what those two were doing, but then it would be a matter of asking the two of them there.

　We left the Knights' headquarters and climbed up the slope in the mountains that we were used to walking.

''I've been thinking about it, this place has changed a lot since the beginning.

　Garnett muttered sincerely as he looked around.

　The first time was a year ago when we came to Green Hollow.

　Back then, the "Sundial Forest" dungeon was still not well known, and the "Demon King's Castle Realm" below it was unknown, so there were not many people passing this slope.

　The residents of the town and fledgling adventurers would only pass through it when they went to the Sundial Forest to pick up wildflowers and medicinal plants, and I remember the atmosphere of a true mountain slope.

　But now, the path has been completely cleared and the bushes on either side of the path have been cleared, and the visibility has improved considerably.

I'm sure things will continue to change little by little in the future. I don't know if that's a good thing or not, though.
It's neither good nor bad. What's funny is that nothing has changed. Let's just sit down and get to know each other better.

　Eventually, you'll be able to climb up a well-maintained slope and arrive at the front of the Sundial Forest.

　This dungeon is what is known as an open-type dungeon, and it looks like a hollow divided into five levels.

　The place where Sakura and Leila are supposed to be waiting is not so much an open space cut out near the entrance of the dungeon - more like an empty space with all the plants and trees removed.

　It was originally prepared as a storage area for supplies when the roads inside the "Sundial Forest" were being cleared, and now it's being used as a random square or park of sorts. ......

There they are. I see.

　As soon as he recognized Sakura and Leila at the back of the plaza, Garnett smiled with a satisfied look on his face.

　Following that, I immediately understand the situation.

　Sakura and Leila, each dressed in comfortable clothing and holding a wooden practice sword, were in the process of facing each other to strike.

　Strictly speaking, the atmosphere was like Leila was training with her sword, borrowing her chest from Sakura, a skilled swordsman.

'Oi, you two. Shouldn't we take a break soon?

　When I approached them, raising my voice, they both made startled expressions together, and then showed different reactions to each other.

　Sakura smiles, and Leila looks away from her gaze awkwardly and embarrassingly.

　It was a reaction that clearly showed the difference in their perceptions.

'This is Luke-dono. By any chance. Did you bring me what I asked Sylvia to bring?''
I've got lunch and drinks for two.　It's rare that Leila is a special training program, but ......
...... Yeah, that's right. That's what I mean.

　Even though we haven't said anything yet from us, Leila took the liberty of adopting a contemplative attitude and began to speak.

'I thought that while training the skills I was given, I should also build up my physical strength. If you don't train any skills, your performance won't improve, and physical strength is essential for anything you do.

　The reason Layla is training herself is obvious without having to ask.

　It's to make it easier for her to get her to accept herself with that man who has avoided young women because of his feelings, Travis ...... 'too strong and might hurt her with his power'.

　Travis has promised to be sincere with Leila's feelings, but the guy is a hardcore who has kept his distance from the opposite s*x for over fifteen years.

　In order to make things work, he (Leila) needs to close the distance from his (Leila's) side as well - I'm sure he's thinking about that.

''If this is the case, I should have trained from the time I was at my parents' house. Maybe I shouldn't have kept my distance just because I didn't want to become a knight.
The Hyndman family's training. That's definitely one to miss out on.

　When Garnett said that to her from the side, Leila looked at her uncomfortably, as if she felt ridiculed, but she quickly realized that it was a misunderstanding and relaxed her attitude.

　The expression on Garnet's face was rather full of sympathy and conviction for Leila.

''I thought this would be enough, but when I opened the lid, my current strength wasn't enough at all to make me impatient. ...... It's a sobering story, man.
...... I think you and I have very different motives. By the way, you were also looking for a way to get stronger in a short period of time. Have you had any success?
Huh?　Oh, no, it's there, but I can't tell you yet... ......

　Garnett bluntly slurred his words.

　That method is a substitute that hasn't even finished reporting to the royal palace yet, and yet the method is the method, so it's not at a stage where it's okay to leak information to the outside world yet.

　However, in Garnett's case, there was a much bigger reason than that, and he only seemed to be hesitant to explain it.

　Specifically, around the appearance of himself during activation.

''Luke-dono, what is it actually like?''

　Sakura gives me a curious sneak earful.

　I look at Garnett, who is a little too busy with Leila's pursuit, and reply with a wry smile.

Of course it was a great success. I'll get back to you at ...... with more details, okay?