Mid-February marks the beginning of the rainy season this year once again.

As always, the rain continues to fall outside, but fortunately, no problems have occurred so far.

The food stalls in front of the Adventurers’ Guild, which started last year, are reportedly doing well even in this rain, just as they did in autumn.

The temperature is milder than it was in autumn, and the number of users has likely increased.

Preparations within the territory for the rainy season also went smoothly—perhaps luckily—thanks to the monster attacks late last year, which reduced the number of surrounding monsters.

Preparations for after the rainy season are already complete.

Next would be preparations for the summer memorial festival, perhaps?

As for autumn… that will probably become clear around the time summer begins.

We should be able to take it easy for a little while.

Even here in Liesel’s office, although it’s just past noon, most of the work has already been completed, and the atmosphere has grown relaxed.

Maybe we could just call it a day already…?

“Seria.”

Perhaps affected by the room’s atmosphere, I was letting my thoughts wander when Liesel approached me.

She was holding some documents in her hand, but it didn’t seem urgent.

“What is it?”

“I need your signature on this.”

With that, Liesel handed me the documents.

The content was about joint training between female soldiers and female adventurers.

During the memorial festival, the number of visitors requiring security will increase compared to usual.

This year, there will likely be fewer foreign guests, but more nobles from within the territory will gather.

Naturally, they’ll bring their wives and daughters along.

However, the current female soldiers alone might not be enough, so female adventurers are to be temporarily hired to fill the gap.

Since their only role will be guarding, both active and retired adventurers are included, and this document is a request to have the Adventurers’ Guild issue a notice.

I read through it. There were no issues with the content.

Below Liesel’s signature, I added mine.

“Sera.”

I called out to Sera, who was on the sofa in the reception area.

Just earlier, I could see the top of her head above the backrest… but now she must be lying down.

I was about to call out again when a snake appeared in her place.

Along with the usual two eyes, a third one on its forehead… Mitsume.

“…What?”

Shortly after Mitsume, Sera peeked out as well.

She rubbed her eyes and spoke groggily—it looked like she’d been napping.

She really can sleep anywhere… this girl.

I let out a sigh, but this was nothing new.

“Well… whatever.”

“Sure, sure. …Ugh. Do I have to take it to the Adventurers’ Guild?”

I handed Sera the documents as she approached, and after a pause, she let out a small groan.

Even though she barely skimmed through it, she seemed to grasp the contents fully.

It might be hard to imagine from how she normally acts, but this girl is surprisingly clever. She probably already understands what I’m asking of her.

“Yes. You can use the underground passage.”

I said that to Sera, who looked visibly displeased.

She often acts freely, but she still draws the line when necessary. While she may show her true colors in private spaces, it’s rare for her to be so openly sulky in front of others like this.

It’s raining outside, but using the underground passage solves that issue.

Though… that’s not the only reason.

Recently, I ordered her to stop using the 【Floating Orb】 for a while and walk on her own feet instead.

She even finds the walk from my room to here bothersome, so asking her to go all the way to the Adventurers’ Guild must seem unreasonable.

“Sorry about this, Sera. I want the Adventurers’ Guild to start preparations immediately so we can move as soon as the rainy season ends. The branch chief should still be in town today, and you’d be able to deliver it directly, right?”

“Ah… Yeah, the branch chief is scary, after all.”

In response to Liesel’s words, Sera looked over at the civil officials in the room and nodded.

True, Branch Chief Kahn is a stern-looking man who charges into the front lines himself—quite the rough type.

The civil officials would likely have trouble dealing with someone like him.

However, Kahn is also a senior officer in the Knight Order and a man of etiquette.

If he knows it’s a request from Liesel, he won’t ignore it and will obediently comply.

To be honest, he’d be much easier to deal with than Sera in a work situation.

Yet Sera, apparently unaware of all this, mumbled “Can’t be helped…” and trudged toward the door.

“Did I put Sera in a tough spot?”

After she had left the room, Liesel asked in a guilty tone.

“It’s fine. That girl… ever since she stopped using the 【Floating Orb】, she only goes back and forth between my room and here…”

I sighed as I said that, and Liesel burst out laughing.

“And… Liesel? Over there, is that alright?”

“Ah, Carlos…”

When I pointed toward the lounge, Liesel nodded and began giving Carlos, who was standing behind her, brief instructions.

She brought the document all the way to me personally, then assigned the job to Sera, even though it wasn’t urgent…

I can already guess what this is about—she wanted to speak with me.

Well then, while I’m waiting, I suppose I should give some instructions to Elena and Teresa too.

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

Sera ・【Hideout】+1【Prayer】【Blessing of Mira】【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 Recognition】・【】・39 cards

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

Alec ・【Strong Strike】・【Red Shield】【Fierce Horned Trumpet】・10 cards