-- I'm sure I'm not mistaken if it feels like all I've been doing these days is repeat meetings.

　The secretive mithril trafficking organization that works in the dark on earth and the survivors of the ancient magical civilization that lurks on the third level of the dungeon Ark of the Elements - those who have abandoned their human bodies and imbued their souls with puppets, Agart Ram.

　The kingdom of Westland and the forces of Gandalf, the demon king, have one thing in common: they both regard Agat Ram as an enemy.

　Gandalf proposed a strategy for Agart Ram.

　The plan was to send the main Allied Forces to the third level by a route from the fourth level, which they didn't know about, under the pretense that they were going to attack the third level from the second level in a straightforward manner.

　It sounds simple when put into words, but in any case, an enormous amount of preparations would be required for this.

　In addition to securing the raid routes and means of transportation, there is also the selection and training of personnel in charge of diversionary operations, as well as the procurement of budgets and supplies, and a mountain of other things to be done.

　If I were a mere adventurer, I should have just left the small stuff to the people in high positions, but right now I fall into the latter category.

　As a result, the adventurers involved in the mission have thrown a lot of hassle at me, and I've been forced into meetings and mediation on a daily basis.

...... I would like to conclude that the selection of the members involved in the raiding operation will be based on the above information.

　Florence, the head of the guild branch, goes to wrap up today's meeting with a relieved look on her face.

　She's also had a busy time as the person in charge, so I guess she's happy that one of those things has finally come to fruition.

　Of course I feel the same way.

　The selection of members for the diversion was quite a challenge.

　It's impossible not to feel a sense of accomplishment that it's been taken care of.

''Commander Luke, thank you for your hard work. Thank you for allowing Lord Ulysses to participate in the operation. I'm sure his ship will be a great help to the mission.
'No, it was his own choice to participate in the mission. I'm sorry to say that I'm the one who left most of the selection of adventurers to you, Branch Chief Florence.

　Me and Florence have been friends since our young adventurer days, but we interact with each other at meetings in an attitude that is commensurate with our titles.

　Commander of the White Wolf Knights and the head of the Hollow Bottom Chapter of the Adventurer's Guild.

　Both of them are in a position where they are forced to carry the center of the operation, whether they want to or not.

''Let's dismiss it for today. The date for our next meeting is--










Hey, good job.

　As I left the meeting and headed for the dining room, Garnett, who had taken a seat earlier, waved a fluttering hand, resting his weight on the back of a chair.

　The table shows signs of having finished a full meal, and a girl about ten years old - Florence's daughter, Lisa, sits in the seat across from me with a clear face and a well-behaved face.

　I had asked Garnett to keep an eye on Lisa while me and Florence attended the meeting.

'Thanks, Mr. Garnett. Has Lisa been good to you?
Well. It's all very quiet. The white wolf is going to eat his dinner.

　Garnet invited us to join her at the table.

　Lisa's expression seemed to soften a little as her mother, Florence, sat down next to her.

'Welcome, Luke,'

　As if she had seen me and Florence sitting in our chairs, Sylvia came to take our orders with a big smile on her face.

　This diner is like a branch of the Spring Wakabatei, and Sylvia and the other employees of the main building often come to help.

I'll have the daily lunch for two people for now. And I'll have two sets of Belize Cake. Give the cakes to these two guys.
What? Are you sure?

　Lisa's eyes sparkle with surprise.

　The cake set is a popular menu item at the Spring Wakabatei, but the price of the tea and cake set alone is enough to eat a small lunch.

　The only way to get sugar and tea is by importing them from the south and the east, respectively, which makes them more expensive than other luxury items.

　However, this is still much cheaper than it was a long time ago - when we were kids.

　Anyway, for a girl like Lisa, a cake set is not something she can eat anytime, although she would like to eat it any time of the day.

　And, incidentally, there's another one.
　A girl a little older than Lisa also seemed to be excited about the sweetness she hadn't had in a while.

'Well, it's been a long time since I've had a cake from Wakabatei ......, is that a Belize cake?　Not fruitcake?　Is this a new menu by any chance?
'Yes. I used a lot of berries from a nearby town. They're not dried fruit, they're freshly picked.
Strawberries and cranberries. You've done a lot of experimenting, haven't you?

　Garnett doesn't even hide the fact that his voice is bouncing and he's laughing with his cheekbones on the table.

　You don't have to worry about ...... forgetting the premise that you're faking your gender.

　His laugh is too bold, and to a third party who doesn't know what's going on, he's likely to look like a rough and tumble beautiful boy with a sweet tooth.

　Well, if you tell him that, he'll just tell you that he doesn't have a sweet tooth.

...... an?　Do I have something on my face?
'If I had to ask, brown sauce on the side of your mouth. You had meat for lunch.
Shit.

　Garnett sticks out his tongue and licks the sauce and throws a look in the right direction with an innocent face.

　The gesture seemed strangely cute, and I couldn't help but burst into a smile, causing Garnett to stare at me.