Today is the day of Serelin's happy pub date.

“But I have to get things done.”

No matter how much I was helping, I shouldn’t forget my original mission. So, Serelin headed toward the northern gate, while I went to the western gate.

In fact, the reinforcement work on the castle walls had been completed yesterday. What I needed to do today was to check whether yesterday's work was done properly and, additionally, conduct some auxiliary spells that would be good to have.

“It’s kind of like an alibi.”

I thought of it as a task to avoid suspicion that I knew a lot about that fortress.

“Lux.”

Purr!

“Ah, don’t run away!”

It seemed like Knight Lux had caught on to my plan to leave the master key with him again. To be honest, I was a bit disappointed since I had given him a precious special carrot.

“I should probably add a spell that allows him to stand alone with the master key later.”

Reluctantly, I opened a spatial pocket and dropped a large mineral.

Mithril, shining platinum, harder than iron, and excellent at resisting magic.

But for now, it was just a stand for the master key.

“Observation and alarm should be enough.”

Anticipating that an attack from the dimly lit fortress might damage the auxiliary spell, I buried it not near the castle walls but underground. It felt like a makeshift seismic detector.

“Lux. Stop sulking and come here. I’ll give you a carrot.”

Hearing the word carrot, Lux quickly approached me, but he was still eyeing the master key, making me think he would never attempt to do that again.

“This one is quite a delicious carrot...”

Thud!

“...”

...

What the...?

After I gave him the special carrot, he seemed to be dissatisfied with a normal one, spitting it out immediately. I picked up the carrot that had fallen to the ground with trembling hands and tossed it into the spatial pocket.

“...I’m not giving you any more carrots.”

How dare he throw away a carrot! For a while, there would be no carrot soup either.

The target location to lure the hero—no, to attract him—was the magical tool shop in the back alley.

But that wasn’t the only reason I was visiting.

“I’ve definitely heard that there’s a famous gem craftsman in Alphares.”

In the past five years, I had researched and learned various magic and auxiliary fields, but there were still many things I lacked. Gem crafting was one of them.

“I want to create gemstone-type magical tools soon.”

Gems and minerals have an inseparable relationship with magic. The most basic mana stones, as well as numerous ores and gems, serve as materials for magical tools.

And since I wanted to make them beautiful and impressive, gem crafting skills were crucial for me.

So, before leaving the mansion that morning, I asked the hero for a favor when we were alone.

[Hero.]

[Yes, Louis.]

[Could you come quickly to the eastern gate today?]

[Uh... why?]

[I have something to do in the central commercial district... It’s a back alley, so I think it would be reassuring if you could come along.]

[...Got it. I’ll be there without delay. Definitely.]

The time I had to hand over the hero to Serelin was around 7 PM. Since we had arranged to meet around 4 PM, I had roughly three hours to myself.

After finishing the inspection and research tasks, it was almost time to meet the hero.

“Lux. I’ll give you a special carrot.”

Since I needed Knight Lux's help to move quickly, I ultimately agreed to give him the special carrot again.

Purr!

At that, Knight Lux approached me with a look that seemed to say, “If that’s what you want...”

“...That doesn’t mean you, right?”

Such a sly one, like a fox rather than a talking creature.

I climbed onto Knight Lux and headed toward the central commercial district.

“Lux, you’re good at finding the way.”

Even though I was holding the reins, he guided me along the optimized route by himself.

Is this what they call perfect autonomous driving, like in cyberpunk?

When we were almost arriving at the central commercial district, a thought suddenly came to mind.

“...Come to think of it, should I change my clothes?”

The reason was because of the reactions I had seen from adventurers and mercenaries the last time.

[No wonder that robe looked so fancy...]

Now I was going to a back alley magical tool shop. Compared to other places, it was a spot with relatively low-quality people.

You might think they wouldn’t dare touch a noble, but that varies from person to person.

“...Above all, I think the hero would worry too much.”

Anyway, the pretext for bringing the hero along was 'escort.' Therefore, the hero would do his best to fulfill that purpose perfectly.

“The main thing is the date with Serelin, not the magical tool shop.”

So it would be best if nothing interfered with the escorting. I needed to focus on magical tools and gem crafting techniques, and if those guys got in the way, it would only distract me.

“...I’ll change.”

In the end, I summoned a door to my lab between buildings and stepped inside. I put on the tidiest black outfit chosen by an acquaintance and stepped back outside.

It felt a little bare on my shoulders, but...

“Anyway, it was chosen by my female acquaintance, so it should be fine.”

“Hero! Great job!”

“Thanks to you, I barely survived!”

Several mercenaries cheered for a man.

“It was only possible because of your support. Thank you for fighting alongside me.”

Aswell responded to their cheers, putting his holy sword back into its sheath.

If it was the same schedule as yesterday, he would have to fight for another three hours after this, but today he had prior engagements.

“Well then, I’ll take my leave. Tempest.”

Aswell called, and a white horse that had been waiting nearby quietly approached.

Mounting Tempest in one smooth motion, Aswell sped away from the gate.

“I’m late.”

In the end, he was a bit late to the appointment because he had to rescue a mercenary who was in danger.

If it were Louis, she would probably be quite angry for being late, but... just the fact that he had broken his promise troubled him.

“Central commercial district, this way.”

Aswell moved the reins moderately, guiding Tempest along the fastest route.

About 30 minutes later, Aswell arrived at the central commercial district.

He left Tempest at a nearby stable and began searching for his appointment.

“I definitely told her to meet under the clock tower.”

The clock tower was one of the places where citizens arranged appointments in the huge central commercial district. Luckily, it stood tall and alone, making it easy to find.

As Aswell got closer to the clock tower, he suddenly remembered his attire.

Even though he hadn’t gotten hurt and didn’t have dirt or dust on him, he still couldn’t say it looked good.

It was a relief that he had left his armor in Tempest’s saddlebags. Thanks to that, no one recognized him.

Tap, tap.

With no other choice, he brushed off the dust from his current clothes to make them look neat.

Then, he walked slowly toward the plaza where the clock tower was located.

She was probably wearing a white robe as usual.

Thinking that, Aswell looked around for someone in a white robe.

But no matter how hard he looked, he couldn’t find anyone wearing a robe.

“Is she not here yet...?”

If something had happened at the western gate, it was quite possible she would be late.

This was an unavoidable fate as a member of the hero’s party.

“Still, it might be better for me to wait.”

But that wish was easily burst by a finger poking at Aswell’s back.

“Hero, you’re late.”

The voice of his appointment.

In the end, she was the one waiting first.

“Sorry, the battle request took longer than expected...”

He quickly turned around, apologizing.

No, he tried to, but he stopped midway.

It wasn’t a white robe. It was the opposite—a black outfit.

Or was it a dress? If not, what should he call it?

But one thing was certain.

No word could perfectly describe what she was wearing.

“...Louis?”

She was looking up at Aswell with her arms crossed, her sharp gaze piercing through him.

It was unclear whether she crossed her arms to express her anger or to cover her exposed shoulders.

“No matter how much it’s a back alley, there are closing times, you know.”

“Uh, ah, that... the battle dragged on, so... sorry.”

At that, she let out a small sigh. Then she straightened Aswell’s crumpled sleeves and spoke.

“Well, since you’re the hero, I suppose it can’t be helped. Fortunately, the doors haven’t closed yet. If we go now, we won’t be late.”

“That’s a relief...”

“Then let’s go.”

She took hold of his straightened sleeve and pulled Aswell along with her.

Confused by her appearance, Aswell barely calmed his mind and asked,

“Um... Louis. Is that outfit...?”

“Oh, I thought it wouldn’t be good to stand out, so I changed. Do you think it’s not suitable?”

She turned slightly to look back at him while walking ahead.

Aswell couldn’t dare affirm that question.

“...No way.”

“Then that’s good.”

Is that really enough? If she said so, then maybe it was.

The hero, Aswell, decided to stop thinking any further. If he kept thinking, he wouldn’t be able to predict what would happen.