Twilight Alchemist 31.2

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31.2. Conspiracy Is Like A Probing Of One's Belly, Isn't It?

"..."

Orthros fell into silent contemplation.

"Kyle was originally weak-bodied. I heard he was fully cured with elixirs, but has his innate weakness been resolved? Perhaps it would be best for Kyle to remain here in Gandarl, aiding in governance while recuperating. Wouldn't that be beneficial for Kyle?"

"Hmm..."

Who is this woman? She's making sense, but...

"Father! That's right! I am perfectly healthy, as are the soldiers under my command! The settlement, which also served as Kyle's recuperation, has fulfilled its purpose! Having returned triumphantly from slaying the dragon, I shall take care of everything from now on!"

So basically, as soon as they found out the settlement was promising, they decided to take it for themselves! Damn it!

"That...!"

"No, my dear brother. I recommended the settlement for you, thinking of your well-being, but you've clearly triumphed over illness. There's no need to overexert yourself anymore. Leave the rest to me, your elder brother! Right?"

"Ugh..."

Kyle grimaced in discomfort.

Hey, should I physically remove this guy?

"Father, is that acceptable?"

"Flattan... I permit it."

"I see, what Lady Bella says is indeed reasonable. In that case, I have a proposal."

"A proposal? Go on."

"Yes. Entrust the existing settlement to Zaid and grant Kyle a new territory to develop."

"Eh?"

Flattan snapped his fingers, and a soldier who had been standing by received some instructions.

Immediately, the soldier brought in a huge map.

It was much more detailed than the maps shown at the guild. It was a state secret-level map spread out before me, and I swallowed hard.

With this, I had no choice but to go along. Not that I had any intention of choosing anyway.

"The suitable land for Kyle... is the place where the dragon was defeated, as reported!"

Flattan pointed to a vast undeveloped area deep in the wilderness, the location where the dragon was slain.

Beyond that lay the neighboring Dubatten Empire and, although it bypassed the mountain range, the Zebias United Kingdom.

In other words.

If settled, it would undoubtedly become a crucial outpost.

"Hmm..."

"It seems Kyle has a talent for frontier development. Why not make use of it? If we can establish a city here. Preferably a fortified one, we can outpace other nations."

Upon hearing this, Lady Bella visibly furrowed her brows.

When a beauty gets angry, it's so sexyyyyyyyyyy!

"Flattan. Do you find my son Zaid inadequate for the task?"

"No, no. Though Zaid is commendable, managing his current territory and the new settlement would be challenging, wouldn't it? If Kyle can lay the groundwork ahead of him. It might be better."

"Hmm..."

Bella's expression softened as she pondered.

"Mother, isn't my brother's suggestion wonderful? Starting developments simultaneously would make it clear who is more competent, wouldn't it?"

"Ah... yes, that's true. It might be good to have an opportunity to prove that Kyle's success wasn't just a fluke."

"Hmm..."

Orthros pondered.

"Kyle, there's such an opinion circulating, but what are your thoughts?"

What thoughts? There's no way I'm accepting that crap!

Denied! Denied!

"...I would like to accept that proposal."

"!?"

"Hahaha! As expected of my brother! You've become quite clever!"

What the hell!?

"However!"

Kyle, who had been looking downcast until then, suddenly lifted his face with determination.

"I have two requests!"

"What are they?"

"First, I'd like to choose the village's name!"

"Hmm? Do you mean you want to use the name Golden Dawn?"

"Yes!"

When Orthros glanced at Zaid, Zaid shrugged as if to say, "Well, that much is fine."

"Secondly?"

"Yes. I'd like to bring along someone from the current Golden Dawn village residents, a crafts. Someone who can accompany me!"

"A resident?"

"Well..."

Normally, permission to move from one residence to another is rarely granted.

This settlement was an exception, given its nature as a new frontier.

"Zaid, what do you think?"

"I see no issue with granting permission. My son Zaid."

"Mother?"

"However, I'll forbid the removal of shared materials and assets from the village."

"Madam Bella!? Does that mean we have to go to the new settlement empty-handed!?"

Hey hey hey, does that mean including mithril, stored potions, and medicinal herbs?

"Hahaha! I see! In that case, it's fine!"

"...Understood. However, please exclude personal assets and guild property."

"Well, that's fine. There's no need for the guild to move its base."

"Kyle, are you sure about this?"

"...Yes. Am I entitled to regular settlement subsidies?"

"I promise you that."

"Then it's settled! Kyle, you're finally starting to embody the dignity of a nobleman! Hahaha!"

What dignity! You guys are too vulgar!

But Kyle! Why did you agree to this kind of talk!?

Kyle remained with a solemn expression, his face still buried.

But.

At that moment, Kyle glanced at me with a faint smile, as if to say "I did it."

Huh? Why?

I got momentarily disarmed by that smile, and before I could interject in the subsequent discussion, the meeting ended.

"Craft."

"Yes, um..."

As we announced the end of the meeting and everyone began to leave the room, Orthros called out to me.

"I have something to discuss with you later. Come to my room to learn more about the elixir."

"Huh!? Oh! I-I see, understood!"

Despite my jumbled response to his sudden words, I wasn't particularly reprimanded and proceeded to leave the room as instructed.

"Craft-sama, please wait here for a while."

Guided by the butler, I got led to a guest room.

Huh?

Am I going to meet the lord alone later? Seriously!

Help me, Kyle! Protect your big brother!