Alright, the next delivery destination is a trading company called Fang Oni Group.

Thinking that, I compared the map and the MAP on my screen to confirm the next destination.

"From the name, it feels like the office of a yakuza, but since I'm a member of the General Guild, it should be okay!! ...Probably. According to the map, it should be at the end of this road."

Walking down the road towards the company with some anxiety, a pleasant fragrance tickled my nose.

"This smell... lavender?"

Looking around, I spotted a florist and approached to admire the flowers on display.

Nice smell. And there are beautiful lavender flowers blooming. Flowers from the other world exist here too.

Huh? There are some flowers I've never seen before, probably unique to this world.

"Welcome!"

As I browsed through the shop's products, I was greeted from behind. Turning around, I met the gaze of a rabbit beastfolk woman wearing glasses.

"Oh, thank you."

She's so mature and beautiful!

"Aren't these flowers beautiful?"

"Yes."

I think they must have thinned out any bad flowers, but the ones on display here are truly beautiful.

"I've grown all the flowers here. People come to see them just like you."

"Wow, did you grow all of these? They're really beautiful flowers!"

"Ufufu, thank you for the compliment. You're a beautiful woman too."

"Hyau!?"

"Hm?"

"I-I'm fhine... I'll take three of these flowers, please."

Might as well buy some lavender to decorate the inn. I think that old lady would get angry if I tried to decorate, though.

"These lavender flowers, right? That'll be one copper coin and five iron coins."

Huh, isn't that price cheap!?

"That's quite cheap."

I said that as I took out money from my item box and handed it to the shop assistant. She received it with a smile and started speaking.

"Fufufu, normally people buy them in bunches or potted, so they don't usually buy the exact number of cut flowers like you."

I see. If you buy them in bunches, it's probably for gifts or offerings, huh? Oh, right!

"Um, excuse me..."

"Hm? What is it?"

As I spoke to the woman who was in the middle of packaging, she continued her work only with her long ears tilted. Those bunny ears sure are convenient. I thought to myself.

"I wanted to ask about the security here and the First Knight Order. Is everything okay now?"

The moment she heard those words, the female shop assistant's hand stopped abruptly, and she turned to face me.

Her expression is scary. Did I ask something dangerous?

"Why do you want to know about that?"

"Huh!? Um, it's for a report to the General Gui- [Excuse me~!] ...huh?"

As I turned to the voice, there stood a muscle-bound man wearing pink clothes like a magical girl!

"W-Whaa!?"

W-What's with this guy!? Thought the frozen white-haired woman.

"Kyaaaaaaaaah!?"

And a beastwoman was screaming over there.

"Wait a minute~! I'm not a suspicious person~!"

""You're plenty suspicious!""

If he says that in that outfit, that's not convincing at all! But since he doesn't have an enemy mark, and he doesn't seem to be causing trouble... is he okay?

"Well, whatever. Old ma-, huh!?"

Suddenly, a fist appeared in front of my eyes, and I felt the wind on my face. And when I looked at the fist, there was a pervert smiling at me.

Th-that was fast!? I let my guard down, but I realized something from that punch just now! This is someone you shouldn't make an enemy of, just like my master!

"I'm not a man, alright? I'm a la-dy! Or Peach~!"

Apologize! If I don't apologize right now, am I going to be killed!?

"I-I am truly very sorry!!"

I bowed my head deeply and apologized.

"It's fine as long as you understaand~."

I was forgiven, but from now on, I'll be more careful.

"Um, Ms. Peach. Can I ask you something?"

"What is iit~?"

"What did you come here for?"

"Well, you, see~. I came to buy flowers as souvenirs for my family, whom I haven't seen in a while!"

She came to see her family! Even though she looks like this? Does she really have a family?!

"So, would you be so kind as to give me a bouquet of Tilkana flowers, my wife's favorite~?"

"Y-yes! Please wait just a moment!"

The shop assistant, saying so, ignored the lavender I ordered and began to prepare the bouquet Peach requested.

"By the way, you."

"Ye- yes? What is it?"

I'd prefer not to be spoken to if possible.

"Could you tell me about the earlier discussion regarding reporting to the General Guild?"

Um, well... Is it okay to talk to this person about it? Just talking should be fine, right?

"Well, you see, I heard about the poor security in this East District from the tool shop and the smithy earlier, so I'm planning to report it to the General Guild. I thought it would be better to gather more information, so I wanted to ask about it from the flower shop I stopped by."

"Oh my~? When I was working here, the security wasn't that bad. Isn't that strange~?"

"You... worked here?"

"Yes, that's right~. Despite how I may appear, I used to work for the Knight Order~!"

No way!? This person was in the Knight Order!? I can't believe it!!

As we conversed, the shop assistant hurriedly approached with the flower bouquet.

"S-Sorry to keep you waiting! That'll be five copper coins!"

"Oh my, thank you~!"

After saying that, Peach handed five copper coins to the female shop assistant, but the assistant's hand trembled as she took the coins, as if Peach's touch made her uncomfortable.

"Phew~ ...here are your lavender flowers."

Ah! The shop assistant also packaged the lavender I ordered. I thought she forgot because Peach's order arrived first.

Thinking that, I received the lavender and put it in my item box.

"Thank you very much."

"It's fine. By the way, about the earlier conversation, I also have a favor to ask regarding the General Guild."

The shop assistant looked at me with a smile unlike before.

"Um, sure, but... why did you have such a stern expression earlier?"

"That's because I suspected you might be from the Uble Trading Company."

What!? I was suspected?

"I realized that wasn't the case as I listened to you, so I'll tell you."

"Thank you very much."

"I want to hear about it too~."

"Alright. You can listen."

The shop assistant responded with an exasperated expression to Peach before beginning to speak to us seriously.

"Well, ever since the First Knight Order took over the East District a week ago, the security has changed drastically."

"How so? I heard the First Knight Order turns a blind eye to crime."

"You've probably heard from those two shops already, but they've been drinking in taverns during the day, saying they're on patrol or something.

They go into blacksmiths and shops, complain about the products, and send away customers who come to the store. But worst of all, they spread false rumors about the stores while using its name.

People outside the East District probably don't believe it. And for the Uble Trading Company, they're 'regulating' stores that are inconvenient for them by shutting them down."

They're just outright villains now.

"...The same old slackers."

"Huh? You know about them?"

"Yeah, that's right~. Although I didn't work there~, I often heard bad things about them~."

Despite the long-standing bad reputation of the First Knight Order, why did the king of this country appoint them to the East District? And what's concerning is the Uble Trading Company.

"Miss, what kind of people are in the Uble Trading Company?"

"Officially, they manage restaurants and are involved in trading materials obtained from ores and monsters related to blacksmithing.

But you know, shops that have joined the Uble Trading Company haven't had any luck. That's what they say. Most of the shops that joined have gone bankrupt, and it's rumored that they're involved in illegal trading behind the scenes."

I see, I'm starting to understand now. The First Knight Order seems to be doing whatever they want in exchange for money and favors from the Uble Trading Company.

"It seems like there's a connection between the First Knight Order and that company. I'll report it to the General Guild later."

"Please do. But please, make sure not to draw attention from the First Knight Order and the Uble Trading Company. Even if you're a member of the General Guild, they're the Knight Order, so..."

"I'm not worried. I have acquaintances in the Second Knight Order."

Well, I said that, but even though it's Guell and the others, I'm not sure whether I can rely on them or not...

"Yeah... but be careful, they seem to use any means necessary to cover things up."

If I ever need help, I can rely on Duke Valdeck, who owes me a favor! But I can't exactly say that, can I?

"Understood. Well then, I have another delivery to make, so I'll take my leave here!"

"Alright, see you."

She looks at me with a worried expression, but I think she can rest assured.

"Well, I'll be going as well~! Thank you for the lovely flowers!"

Peach said that and then winked at the shop assistant.

"...Oh, um, yeah... Please, take care... you too?"

Turning away from Peach, she gave a hesitant answer.

"Well then, thank you very much!"

"Thank you for everything. You're welcome here anytime, cute lady!"

"Hinyuu!?"

My body reacted involuntarily.

"Hm? What's wrong?"

"P-pleashe... don't worry about me!! W-well then!!"

I said that with a flushed face, then quickly left the shop.

"Oh my, what's wrong with that child? Oh well~. Goodbye~!"

"Ah, yeah... um, thank you very much... yeah..."

As Peach left the shop, the shop assistant looked like she wanted to say, "Don't come back!!", but she just saw her off silently.