Twilight Alchemist 158.1

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158.1. Even Villains Are Necessary, Isn’t It?

Myrna was pouting.

With an unmistakable “I’m angry” attitude, she puffed up her cheeks and looked away.

Persia observed her with a mix of sympathy and mild concern.

Amid the preparations for the departure of the diplomatic mission, I noticed something odd: Myrna seemed to be getting ready to leave, too.

Most of the luggage was packed into a special storage unit for my [Spatial Storage] ability, but strangely, a corner of that space was filled with Myrna’s belongings.

Myrna kept coming by, dropping off her bags one by one.

…It’s mostly clothes.

I shot a glare at Persia, who was loyally guarding Myrna.

Taking a few steps back from Myrna, who was intently packing, I whispered to Persia.

“Hey. Why is Myrna preparing to come?”

“You’re the one who selected the mission members, right? I figured you’d be the one to tell her.”

This guy!

Se’s just trying to pawn off the hard part on me!

“No, no! If you’re her guard, you should stop her!”

“The trips back and forth between Myrna’s room and this storage room make for just the right exercise.”

“That’s not what I’m talking about!”

Maybe because my tone got a bit rough, Myrna raised her head and looked at me.

Noticing me, she came over with a happy smile, pointed proudly at her luggage, and puffed out her chest.

If this was actually needed, I’d praise her. But…

I threw Persia a frustrated glance, then crouched down, sighing, to meet Myrna’s gaze.

“Myrna. You’re not coming on this inspection trip.”

Myrna blinked a few times, tilting her head in confusion.

“…Huh?”

It looked like she didn’t understand. She probably hadn’t even considered the idea of not coming along.

“You’ll be staying behind.”

“Stay…behind?”

“That’s right. Where we’re going is dangerous. I can’t take you there. And don’t you have your schoolwork?”

As I tried to explain, she looked up at me, wide-eyed, as if she couldn’t believe what she was hearing, then puffed out her cheeks and turned away, which brings us back to the start.

Myrna was pouting with the force of an actual “hmph” sound.

“Persia. Do something about this.”

“Hehe, even angry, Myrna-sama is adorable.”

“Oh, come on!”

This girl is useless. I need to handle this fast!

As I struggled to persuade Myrna, Kyle and Zaid came over. Alphard and a holy knight followed as guards.

“Craft-niisama and Myrna? What’s going on?”

“Huh? Oh. Kyle, can you explain? Myrna’s upset because she can’t come with us.”

Kyle’s eyes widened as he stepped in front of Myrna.

“Myrna, I understand how you feel, but we can’t take you along. The small states we’re visiting are like a cluster of city-states, each with different politics. Anything could happen.”

Kyle gently explained, but Myrna stayed turned away, unmoved.

Then Zaid took a step forward.

“Myrna. I’ve heard your grades at school haven’t been good.”

For the first time, Myrna flinched, glancing at Zaid.

“I’ve also heard you’ve been skipping out on your noble training and slacking off.”

A drop of sweat ran down Myrna’s forehead.

“Jabil told me that the last of the curse was lifted and that you’re in excellent health, but are you exercising? Studying? Practicing etiquette? Or are you simply trying to escape the responsibilities expected of an Elixir territory resident by packing for this trip?”

Zaid’s stern gaze bore down on her, and sweat began dripping from Myrna’s face.

“If you can’t fulfill your obligations, do you think you’re fit to hold an official position—or even to carry out a mission assigned by His Majesty?”

“Ugh…”

Myrna’s eyes filled with tears as she finally turned and ran away.

Though this is partly her own doing, I secretly hoped she’d be able to recover from it. Being hated isn’t fun.

“Zaid, don’t you think that was a bit harsh?”

“…“

Zaid glared at me silently.

“Craft, come with me.”

Without waiting for an answer, Zaid started walking. The holy knight tried to follow, but Zaid waved him off, saying, “I don’t need a guard.”

I sighed and followed behind Zaid as he marched on.

◆

We arrived at a large balcony overlooking the town below.

A maid who was cleaning tried to prepare tea, but Zaid waved her off, sending her away from the balcony.

…He has the aura of nobility perfected.

Zaid leaned against the railing, and I stood beside him.

“…It’s enough for me to play the villain.”

“Huh?”

It was a quiet murmur, barely audible over the breeze.

“Managing a domain isn’t all pleasant. Sometimes, tough decisions are necessary, even if it means being resented.”

I straightened up a bit, ready to listen.

“Kyle is talented but too kind. That’s why he’s popular with the people. But it also means that if he deviates from their expectations, they might turn on him all at once.”

Come to think of it, Kyle’s father, Margrave Veil Road, mentioned something like this. Though Van had dismissed it back then.

“That’s why a ‘villain’ is necessary. Someone who stands beside Kyle and takes on all the animosity.”

A gust of wind lifted Zaid’s hair.

“And you plan to be that villain?”

“That’s right. I’m suited for it, wouldn’t you say?”

For the first time, Zaid let a faint smile cross his face.

Is this his way of atoning for Kyle?

“No, that’s not it. His Majesty entrusted me directly with managing this domain. I’m merely choosing the most efficient approach.”

“I see.”

We stood there for a while, simply listening to the sound of the wind.

“Craft. Take care of Kyle.”

“You don’t have to ask.”

“No, that’s not what I mean.”

I raised an eyebrow.

“Have you noticed? Both Kyle and Myrna call you ‘Nii-sama’ but refer to me and Flatten as ‘Nii-san’.”

Thinking back, it did seem that way.

“So? I don’t see the connection.”

“It means that they trust you that much, even unconsciously.”

“That makes me happy.”

I hadn’t realized Kyle trusted me so much.

“It’s not just about this diplomatic mission. From now on…please continue to support Kyle.”

Finally, the conversation clicked into place.

And I had no reason to disagree.

“Got it. Leave it to me.”

“I, too…”

Zaid looked up at the drifting clouds.

“One day, I hope to be called ‘Nii-sama’.”

“I see.”

With that, our talk came to an end.

Everything will be all right.

As long as Kyle is the lord, our future will be bright.

Just as I clenched my fist, a raindrop landed on it.

Without noticing, the sky had clouded over, now dark with rain clouds that suddenly covered the sun, as if mocking our resolve.