Soon after that, me and Garnett decided to pull up from the Knights' headquarters and head back to the White Wolf Store.

　I'd like to think that there should have been ...... a harvest, but with the unexpected trouble of injuring my right eye, I can't let go of it.

　The physical body damage itself, caused by excessive magical load, is a phenomenon that can happen with various skills.

　However, in the case of the 'right eye', its nature and structure are unique, and I must say that it's optimistic to easily assume it's just a natural phenomenon.

' (But what on earth triggered it: ......?)

　He pondered as he walked the short distance to the shop.

　Whatever the principle that caused the cracked wound, there is no doubt that the cause was the analysis of the two swords.

　The question is what triggered it.

(...... I can think of at least three potential reasons for this anyway: ......)

　The first is a pattern where the very fact that he was looking at that sword was a spark.

　In this case, it is not necessary to take it too seriously, as it can be cleared up as a simple affinity issue or that one of the swords was special.

　The second is because he continued to use his power without a break (interval).

　The usual use of the "right eye" was to activate it for the time being, and then benefit from it by squinting at the necessary time.

　On the other hand, this time the body screamed under the burden of drawing out the power for a reasonably long time.

　To use a simple metaphor, you can carry a heavy object back and forth with no problem, but if you stand there holding an object of the same weight for a long time, your arms and legs will suffer - that's the extent of it.

　And the third one is the so-called 'last straw'.

　A horse was carrying a load to the very limit of its weight, and when a handful of straw was placed on its back, the horse's spine broke under the weight of the load and it died. ...... It was a metaphorical story.

　Even a truly insignificant push can be the last step to cross the breaking point.

　The most pessimistic hypothesis imaginable is that the accumulation of the load that has been building up from the use of the 'right eye' so far has almost crossed the limit at that moment.

''(That man (Alfazul) said that the 'Right Eye' was as good as a godsend. If it's the same as Sakura almost being consumed by Hinokagahime, the second one seems the most likely. ......)

　As I continued walking without looking ahead in thought, Garnett suddenly spoke to me in a bottomlessly cheerful voice.

''I mean, have you been acting like that with Ezell before?　I'm getting more open, or more relaxed.
Hmm?　Yeah, ...... because he said he was worried about being estranged from me if his identity was revealed.

　When Ezell found out I was a princess, he hoped I wouldn't use that as an excuse to build a wall.

'Then I thought it would be just as good to be casual about it. ...... Does that bother you?'
'No way!　He didn't feel bad about it, and it looks like he didn't feel bad about it either. As long as you and your friend (friend) can get to know each other, you're welcome.
Good. I broke out in a cold sweat, thinking I'd put you in a bad mood again.
Hey, hey. What do you mean, again?

　Garnett stared at me while walking right next to me.

　From the looks of it, it's a very aware reaction.

　I think one of the good things about Garnett is his unexpected possessiveness, but as expected, his best friend seemed to be out of the picture.

　When I ducked under the door of the main store, which was open for business, Erica, who was on duty at the store, raised her voice as if it was just right.

''Ah!　Welcome back, manager!　Let's get right to it, but do you have a minute?
I'm home. What's going on?
'The manager has a visitor. This is Travis the Adventurer.
Travis?

　That guy is definitely an unusual visitor.

　Although we have a close relationship with that man's party, the leader of the party rarely visits our shop.

　The reason for this is simply because he is an A-ranked adventurer and is therefore busy.

　If you have business as a weapon shop, the branch in front of the dungeon will suffice, and if you have business as a knightly order, there's no point in coming to this store.

''Leila is here to help you, but was it alright?''
...... That means Leila's okay, right?

　With a hint of trepidation, I walked into the back of the store to meet with Travis anyway.

　I sneaked a peek into the living room, which is also used for reception, and found Layla and Travis facing each other across the table, engaged in an awkward conversation.

　Although it was mainly Layla talking and Travis was listening, the topic of conversation was choppy and awkward, and I could see a distorted mixture of excitement and embarrassment.

'It looks like you're trying your best: ......
Do you want to wait a little longer before you go in?

　Garnett twists his body between my torso and the wall and nuzzles his face.

　Neither Leila nor Travis seemed to notice us, but somehow we both seemed to be thinking to each other, 'I wonder if the owner will come back soon.

　Not because we don't like the current situation, but in the sense that we're about to exceed our mental capacity (capacity).

' "No, no, no, no, the A-rank is too busy.

　This time, Alexia leans in longingly from behind me.

　The three of us are dressed in overlapping positions against the wall, secretly observing a man and a woman exchanging awkward exchanges, which is an odd situation to be in.

'Well, ...... I'm sure Travis is busy. I don't want him to waste too much ...... time, no, doesn't that count as wasting ......?
'I know you're happy that your friend finally brought up the idea of floating, Luke. There you go, you're in, you're in.

　Alexia pushed me back from behind, and Garnett shoved me into the room together as well.

　Then Leila and Travis both looked relieved or disappointed as they both welcomed our arrival.