-- utterly, Chandler has done me a total disservice.

　It's a good idea to have a good time with your friends.

　It's clear that staying here will only serve as a conversation starter, so I was about to leave Chandler and return to Garnett's group when a voice called out to me from another direction.

'It's been a while, Sir Luke,'
'Chairman Dorothea. It's good to see you looking so well.

　The voice was Sylvia's grandmother, President Dorothea.

　The costume was not that of a woman's, but rather one that was mainly black, similar to a formal dress for men, and one that clearly showed off her squat, tall figure.

'Who wants to see an old lady in a dress?　These clothes are just right.
He hasn't said anything about the outfit yet: ......

　Mr. Dorothea started the conversation with such a light joke, and naturally let the conversation turn to the main topic.

The reason I'm here is to help you with your business negotiations. The reason I'm here is to conduct business. Even if you're young, you don't need to be as glamorous as you would at a ball.
You see, that's why you approached me like this: ......
I will. I don't want you to sign a contract right now, but there's something you need to hear.

　The Sun Dial Chamber of Commerce is a chamber of commerce that is active throughout the kingdom, and each of the knights, including the White Wolf Store and the White Wolf Knights, are also indebted to them in some way.

　It's a good idea to be able to have a good time with your friends and family.

　Moreover, it is the chairman's own proposal on such a large stage.
　It was impossible for me not to care about the content.

''I'm constantly gathering information about Green Hollow's 'Demon King's Castle Realm'. No, I think they've changed the name to 'Ark of the Elements' now.
''Strictly speaking, it's a form of the 'Elemental Ark' that includes the hierarchy that we used to call the 'Demon King's Castle Realm', but the entire thing is now called the 'Elemental Ark'.
'Yeah, it was. With that in mind, we need to talk. We should be needing a lot of supplies in Green Hollow soon. Can you make preparations for receiving those supplies with the Knights and Guild?
Now?

　If there is progress in dungeon exploration, there will be a need to bring in new supplies accordingly.

　However, if I'm to be frank in my interpretation of Chairman Dorothea's tone, it sounds like we're in urgent need of a large quantity of supplies, so it's best to get a system in place to receive them as soon as possible.

　Currently, dungeon exploration is showing no signs of progress, and if you're short-sighted, it's hard to say that we're in a period of stability. ......

'It's just the instincts of a long-time businessman. A lot of times when you get into a situation like this and you let your guard down, things move all at once and you get frothy.

　President Dorothea selected a non-alcoholic beverage from among the drinks on offer to those in attendance, lightly cleared her throat, and then continued with more words in a fluid tone.

It's a good thing that you're not a fan of the current king," he said, "especially when the ...... warfare had been slavishly going on for decades before his rise to power. It's a matter of always having an adversary. Even if you think you've settled down, it can be nothing more than a time of attack in the eyes of your opponent.
...... So you're saying that it's time for the Demon King's army or some other force to attack?
It's just one of those possibilities. It's just one of the possibilities, or it could simply be that one of the adventurers will make it. Either way, ...... I've been reading that there's going to be a big move soon, and that's all. That's all there is to it.

　Certainly the possibility of that happening is 'there' in a realistic category.

　The one that the adventurers will succeed in their quest is the obvious one, and the other one is a point that I have to agree with.

　If it's a normal dungeon exploration, they can usually seek out treasures that don't run, hide, or fight back - not necessarily gold and silver treasures, of course - and take their time to explore at their own pace! .

　However, in the case of the Ark of the Elements, it's an attempt to find the place where the Demon King's Army and their opponents are hiding, so just like in a war, it's natural for them to make a move on you.

　But there is one thing that inevitably bothers me.

'...... I have one question. Is that really based on a businessman's intuition(s)?　Isn't there some other reason to think that there must be some other big move going on, for example ......?
That's what I'm talking about. If you are easily convinced by this, you haven't been an adventurer for fifteen years.

　Chairman Dorothea took my noticing of that one point as if it was a delightful thing.

　Nevertheless, he seems to be talking as if he appreciates the fact that I've been an adventurer for fifteen years more than the fact that I'm not the manager of a weapons store or the leader of a knighthood, but rather that I've been an adventurer for fifteen years.

　I'm not sure that I'm going to be the only one who can do that.

It's not just a matter of time before you get to the point where you're going to be able to have a good time with your friends. I'm sure it would be a lie if nothing happened after all this preparation," he said.

　Dorothea had changed her title to me from the first Sir to the Commander.

　I don't think it was a meaningless change, only for this person.
　In other words, it should be taken as an unspoken presentation of information, not because he is a knight, but because he is a Commander, and that is why he will know it.

'I understand. I will plan to proceed that way when I return to Green Hollow. It looks like I'll have enough evidence to convince you of that soon anyway.

　Is it a sign that underground forces are moving, or is it a good sign that there is progress in the search?

　Either way, it must not be unrelated to the people I was going to meet.

　And just as we finished our conversation, Abigail came through the crowd to call me.

'Master Luke,' she said. We have been summoned by the royal court attendant. I understand the meeting is ready to begin, so please move to the reception room at the back of the hall.
'...... Okay, I'll be off in a bit. Take care of Alma for me.
Yes, sir. I will take care of you and your friends, and I will take care of everything else.

　Abigail bowed and turned back, and then looked at President Dorothea one last time before turning to look at her as well.

'Sylvia is over there, too. If you haven't seen her yet, and you have time to spare, you should meet her.
...... So let me take you at your word, then. I don't know how long I'll be able to see my grandchildren's faces.

　Chairman Dorothea also started walking in the direction of where Abigail had left off.

　I then turned on my heel in the opposite direction and decided to head to the place where the uncomplicated aspects of the situation would be waiting for me.