Somehow, despite everything, I was properly groomed and released without issue.

In fact, I might have been even more thoroughly groomed than usual.

Normally, I leave my hair to Teresa, who knows my preferences well enough not to choose any high-maintenance styles.

Unless there’s a guest from outside, my hair is usually just simply tied back.

But… my hair right now—what even is this? A braid?

Multiple braids, twisted into a loop at the back… and the sides styled like little horns…?

Maybe this is some sort of revival of a trend that came through the royal capital a while back?

It feels like the top of my head is being pulled, and I can’t relax.

I want to undo it, but it would feel rude after all the effort put into it… and besides, I don’t even know how to undo it.

I guess I’ll just give up.

It’s a bit unsettling, but it’s not a weird hairstyle or anything.

I’ll head to Seriana’s place like this.

As usual, I floated through the mansion using 【Floating Orb】, but the servants I passed by occasionally gave me startled looks.

Is my hairstyle really that strange…?

Tilting my head in confusion, I continued on until I reached Liesel’s office.

Sensing my approach, the door was already open…

“Hey there. Is Seria inside?”

I asked just to confirm.

He nodded and, with a wry smile, replied.

“Madam noticed Sera-dono. The guest has already left, so you’re free to enter.”

With that, he gestured for me to go inside.

“Excuse me~”

Just as he had said, there were no guests inside the office anymore. Instead, the bureaucrats were tidying up papers.

It looked like the morning’s work had wrapped up.

“Welcome, Sera-kun. I heard you were out in the forest, but is it alright for you to be back already?”

“Everyone seemed to be working hard from the early morning, so there wasn’t anywhere left for me to hunt…”

“It’s spring, after all. Things will settle down soon. Anyway, we’re about to have lunch—would you like to join us?”

Liesel extended the invitation, and when I glanced at Seriana, she nodded.

This was the usual pattern.

“Yeah, I’ll join you.”

After I replied, they told me to wait until they finished tidying up.

Looking over at Seriana, I saw her beckoning me with an exasperated expression.

Since they were still cleaning up on her side too, I figured I might as well help.

◇

After finishing up, we all moved to the dining hall for lunch.

As always, both military and civil officials sat together.

We discussed various things, like the state of security along the territory’s roads and the movements of merchants and residents, exchanging and aligning our information.

Everyone was as serious as ever.

Even after the meal, they continued talking without even touching their tea.

Unlike them, I was leisurely complaining to Seriana and the others about the lack of good hunting spots—until I suddenly remembered something.

“Oh, that’s right! Hey, Master.”

Since their conversation seemed to have reached a pause, I decided to ask about it.

Calling out to Liesel, who was seated across the table, he quickly turned to me.

“Hm? What is it?”

“Have you still not named the wolves?”

The wolves we captured in winter had already been assigned masters and had undergone training during that season.

Right now, they were being tested to see if they could operate under the command of other squad members.

The ones I encountered in the forest this morning were in the middle of such training.

I wasn’t sure about the horses assigned to the First Squad, but the wolves seemed to be progressing well.

But they still didn’t have names.

I had assumed their assigned masters would name them, but apparently, Liesel was the one to do it.

Well, since those wolves were presented to Liesel by the adventurers who captured them, it wasn’t exactly strange.

Still, I felt like it was about time they got names.

They were still just being called “that one” or “this one.”

“Ah… The training is still ongoing. Once it’s complete, they’ll officially be assigned to their squads, and that’s when they’ll receive their names.”

“I see…”

To me, Liesel was just an easygoing older brother figure, but to others, that wasn’t the case.

He was the direct descendant of the current king—a duke, a noble of high standing.

The officials present in this room might be used to him, but the regular soldiers wouldn’t have many chances to approach him.

It seemed a little excessive just for naming them, but I suppose formalities and ceremonies had their importance.

As I nodded in understanding, Seriana, who had been chatting with Elena, suddenly turned to look at me.

“You didn’t go and name them on your own, did you?”

“I-I didn’t!”

I flinched for a moment at her sharp question, but I wasn’t lying.

Sure, I’d named them in my head, but I had never said them out loud.

That was within the rules. Totally safe.

Seriana studied my face for a moment, then, seemingly satisfied that I wasn’t lying, muttered, “I see,” and returned to her conversation with Elena.

Phew… That was close.

——————————————————————————————————————————————————————————–

Sera・【Hideout】+1【Prayer】【Mira’s Blessing】【Wind’s Garment】・【Floating Orb】+1【Shadow Sword】【Scarlet Bee Needle】【Fairy’s Eye】【Dragon’s Lung】【Amber Sword】【Danrem’s Thread】【Serpent’s Tail】【Ankle Bracelet】【Amber Shield】【Purple Wings】【Red Sword】【Monkey’s Arm】・4 cards

Seriana・【Area Identification】・【】・39 cards

Elena・【】・【Green Fang】【Amber Sword】・4 cards

Alec・【Strong Strike】・【Red Shield】【Fierce Horned Trumpet】・9 cards