Then we decided to leave the Guild branch and head back to the Knights' headquarters.

　However, Hild and Ambrose are still holding a meeting with only wizards, and Leila is taking a separate trip with Travis, so it's just me, Garnett and Sophia on our way back.

　It's a road that a large number of people travel back and forth on a daily basis, so naturally we arrive back at the Knights' headquarters without any trouble.

　And so, just as they entered the building from the main entrance, the figure of the person they were just planning to look for came into view.

''Oops!　You're home earlier than I expected.

　Ulysses, who had been relaxing near the entrance, smiled deceptively when he noticed our presence and fumbled to get his attitude right.

'Just as well. Ulysses, I have a favor to ask of you.
'Oh?　It's very unusual for you to talk to me directly, isn't it? What's wrong with you?

　Ulysses didn't seem to have any urgent business to attend to either, so I'll just explain the content of the meeting and the role I want to leave to Ulysses here.

　This is a diversionary tactic that makes use of the waterway that flows from the second level to the third level.

　In carrying out this, the best solution is to use the magic-powered ships summoned by Ulysses' skills.

　If the members of the diversionary unit are not to be disposable, the use of ships that can leave the battlefield against the flow of the waterway is a minimum requirement.

　It's easy to achieve this requirement if the ship is operated by water flow manipulation through magic, but such a vessel does not exist around Green Hollow.

　The main reason is that Green Hollow is a town located deep in the mountains, and the surrounding area has little need for sophisticated vessels.

　It would be a huge task to procure and bring them from elsewhere, and even more so to get them to the second level entry point.

　The first level of the mausoleum is still not enough, but breaking through the second labyrinth spreading underneath the Demon King's Castle would have to be a huge undertaking, no matter what one thinks.

　In that respect, Ulysses' ship (skill) was perfect in every aspect.

　The convenience of being able to summon it with a summoning skill to adequate performance.

　It's a level of aptitude that no more comes to mind.

That's a good thing, isn't it? You've been complaining about how bored you are with your job. I think this is the right time to do it.

　Garnett laughed happily and Sophia smiled somewhat relieved.

　However, the reaction that Ulysses showed was contrary to the girls' expectations.

''Well, I don't know. I can't guarantee that it will work out conveniently. After all, it's a skill that's been rusting away for a long time, and to begin with, it's not a torrent or anything like that, it's the stuff we used in the ocean.

　At Ulysses' reaction, which was not too curt, Garnett and Sophia both rolled their eyes and looked at each other.

　They must have thought that Ulysses would be delighted with the cue that had finally arrived.

''I can't be responsible for failure, but ...... no, to begin with, if I fail, I'll be honorably killed in battle before I'm even responsible. Whatever the case, if you still don't mind, then give me an order.
'Oma...... white wolf and what the hell is going on ......'
I know. I called out to him with the proper intentions. I'm going to accompany you to support you with [Restoration], but we can't do anything about this without relying on Ulysses.
"Hey! ......!　I've never heard of you going too!

　Garnett was not busy letting his gaze swing between me and Ulysses.

　Ulysses hunched over and scratched his head, then looked up and looked at me.

Well, I'll follow your orders. So you're not going to say you're going to do it today or tomorrow. As expected, I need to regain some intuition to be of no use to you.
''We need to prepare the adventurers in charge of the diversion, so it should be a while before we get there. I'll let you know the schedule in plenty of time.
Thanks for that. Well, I guess I'll be careful not to hurt my back.

　Ulysses replied in a strangely distracted manner and walked out of the headquarters with a fluttering wave of his hand.

　When the door closes and then disappears from sight, Garnett opens his mouth, not even hiding his confusion.

'...... Ulysses bastard, you must really be okay. You've been rotting with nothing to do, and when the role comes, that's what you're doing .......
It was kind of unexpected: ......

　Sofia wasn't as thorny as Garnett, but I could feel her confusion at Ulysses' attitude.

　But I, unlike the two of them, didn't have much discomfort with Ulysses' behavior.

I don't think so. That was probably just me trying to hide the pressure I was feeling.
Pressure?　You're always so aloof, aren't you?
Just because your attitude is aloof doesn't mean you don't feel pressured.

　If this was the age of what is called the "promising young man" and he was burning with ambition to rise up the ladder, he might have responded to the nomination of the Commander (me) with such enthusiasm that it would have blown away the pressure of the big job.

　But that's a reaction that comes from a guy who is full of energy and physical ability, whose skills still have room to grow and who has hope for his own future.

　However, Ulysses has given up, for better or worse.

　The complaint about being sent to Green Hollow because of an unexpected transfer is not motivated by a desire to return to the top brass, but rather is tinged with the self-deprecation of resignation that one's career has come to a standstill.

　Then a job that only she can do, and one that will affect the big picture, comes to her.

　It was like being offered a full course meal out of the blue after a series of poorly prepared meals, and I guess I wasn't mentally prepared to take the pressure.

'It's ......, so maybe I just need a little time. Time for that guy to convince me that he can do it.