NOVEL NEXT Chapter 177
177. People Always Crave What They Don’t Have, That’s Just Human Nature, Isn’t It?
“Alright, let’s finish it up.”
“Yeah!”
What had been set up in a warehouse-like building was, of course, the teleportation gate.
On the kingdom side—Golden Dawn—the counterpart gate had already been installed. Whether to set one up in the Mizuho Divine Kingdom was left to Kyle’s discretion.
The teleportation gate on the Golden Dawn side was already secured within a dedicated building, so there were no security concerns.
Kyle seemed to view trade with the Mizuho Divine Kingdom as the first step toward uniting humanity, so he quickly decided to install it.
Using alchemical magic, I completed the teleportation gate.
“This is the final test!”
I nodded, activated the magic communication tool, and connected to Alphard.
We had informed them last night about connecting the teleportation gates, so the response came immediately.
[Craft, is that you? We’re ready on our end. How is Kyle-sama?]
“You asked yesterday, didn’t you? He’s the same as always.”
[Kyle-sama has always had a weak constitution! We never know when something could happen!]
Thanks to the elixir, he’s perfectly healthy. If anything, he’s getting stronger every day.
“Yeah, yeah. He’s out there sparring with samurai, so don’t worry.”
[What!? You! What are you making Kyle-sama do!?]
“Huh? Why are you yelling at me?”
[You’ve made Kyle-sama take up a sword and fight, haven’t you!?]
“Idiot! Your imagination’s running wild!”
He’s so overprotective, it’s ridiculous!
“We’re keeping the Mizuho bigwigs waiting, so let’s run this test already!”
[Is it really okay?]
“If you’re worried, just come here and see for yourself!”
[You’re right! I’ll connect immediately!]
Alphard set the magic stone and activated the teleportation gate, eager to see Kyle again.
Seriously. He checks on Kyle every night through the shared vision in the communication tool…
I also set the magic stone and connected the teleportation gate. Alphard immediately burst through the gate.
…Aren’t you the Golden Dawn’s commander?
Wait, no. That’s Zaid, right? So, I guess it’s fine?
“Can the head of defense really just come to another nation?”
“I’ll return as soon as I see Kyle-sama’s face.”
“Fair enough.”
Man, Alphard and Persia really adore Kyle. I can’t talk since I’m not much better, but at least I’m not this overprotective.
Even though I didn’t say that out loud, Leafan gave me a sleepy glare.
“Craft, you’re just as bad, you know?”
I shrugged in response and opened the building’s door.
“Thank you for waiting. The teleportation gate is now installed.”
“Oh! We’ve been waiting!”
Without even checking for danger, Shingen barged into the building.
“It’s quite large, isn’t it?”
“It’s big enough for a carriage to pass through.”
“Hmm…? And you are?”
Shingen turned his face toward Alphard. Naturally, since only Leafan and I were supposed to be here, it was a surprise. Even if he understood that a teleportation gate was being installed.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you! I am Alphard Promise, commander of the Holy Knights of the Elixir Frontier Domain!”
“Oh? So, you’re Kyle’s right-hand man. You’ve got sharp eyes.”
“Thank you!”
I’d already explained the samurai’s appearance to Alphard, so he quickly recognized Shingen as a general.
…Well, with his eye patch, beard, and muscles, plus the fact that he entered the room before Kyle, there wasn’t much room for doubt.
Hanbei glanced briefly at Alphard and muttered quietly.
“I see. So the teleportation gate is already connected, and you came from there.”
“Yes, sir!”
“Then I’ll go at once!”
“Father!?”
Before Hanbei could stop him, Shingen disappeared into the teleportation gate.
What a chaotic process.
“…Huh!? Craft! Alphard! Let’s go too!”
Kyle, who’d been stunned, hurriedly ran through the gate, and Alphard and I scrambled after him.
“Gwahaha! Truly… I am standing in another land!”
The Holy Knights stationed on the Golden Dawn side were visibly bewildered by the lone, imposing man who appeared.
Under normal circumstances, they’d have to treat him as an intruder. But since they were aware that foreign dignitaries would be arriving today, they couldn’t act.
Kyle rushed forward and stopped the knights, who breathed a sigh of relief.
Hanbei, Kagetaka, and Masamune followed behind me and Alphard.
“Father! We were invited here! You can’t just act on your own!”
“Oh, my apologies. Gwahaha!”
“Don’t just laugh it off!”
Oh no. This guy’s definitely the same breed as Van.
The Mizuho samurai took a fresh look around.
The building housing the teleportation gate had a massive double door, larger than the gate itself, which stood wide open.
Outside the gate was a large plaza, lined with stables. The plaza and building were surrounded by walls made of alchemically-hardened stone, and another large double gate, identical in design, served as the entrance. This one was closed.
Kyle stepped in front of the Mizuho delegation.
“If you proceed a little past that gate, you’ll enter Golden Dawn. For today, please remain within these walls.”
He gave them a word of caution, but whether they were listening was another matter…
The samurai’s eyes were all fixed on one point.
Golden Dawn.
The vast city walls. The impenetrable fortress walls. And the majestic, awe-inspiring castle.
But that wasn’t all. Towering apartment buildings, as tall as the city walls, rose like bamboo shoots.
Anyone seeing it for the first time would be speechless, and these men were no exception.
“What… is that… fortress?”
“A ‘fortress’ doesn’t even begin to describe it.”
“Is it… an illusion!? A threat from the kingdom!?”
“Kagetaka… We’re about to start trading with them. What would be the point of deceiving us now?”
“Ugh…”
Once trade begins, they’ll be able to enter Golden Dawn as much as they like. Hanbei was right; deceiving them now would serve no purpose. Still, I understand why it feels unreal.
Kyle cleared his throat and straightened his collar.
“Let me continue. This plaza will be used for cargo inspection. If everything checks out, you’ll exit through the main gate and head toward the Golden Dawn you see before you. I’d like the Mizuho Divine Kingdom to prepare a similar inspection plaza.”
Since it’s international trade, even if we don’t impose taxes, neither side can afford to skip inspections.
“Hmm. So we just need to build a walled-off plaza?”
“Yes. If necessary, we can provide alchemically-hardened stone.”
“No, this much space can be built with stone walls quickly.”
“Understood. If you can tell me the expected completion date, we’ll prepare to start full operations on that day. Until then, we’ll run tests. Keeping the teleportation gate open consumes a lot of magic stones, but the kingdom will cover the cost for now. Once trade begins in earnest, we’ll ask Mizuho to either provide or purchase them.”
Kyle pointed to the magic stone installed on the gate.
“What grade of magic stone is required?”
“A cyclops-grade stone lasts about an hour. It depends on size and quality, though.”
“Hmm. That’s manageable for our nation. We’ll prepare as much as we can.”
“Thank you.”
“Father, we can finish the walls and gates in just a few days if we rush. How about starting full operations in ten days?”
“Very well. If you say it can be done, then let’s do it.”
It seemed Hanbei wanted to start trade as soon as possible. I understand the sentiment. From our side, salt and fresh seafood are highly welcomed, so sooner is better.
“Let’s schedule it for ten days from now. What about a ceremony?”
“For now, it would be best to limit trade to selected merchants on both sides. We need to identify any problems before opening it to the public.”
The old man Shingen isn’t just strong—he’s sharp, too.
“Understood. We’ll proceed with selecting merchants on our end as well.”
“Good.”
Kyle, leave choosing merchants to Akindou, okay?
“However…”
Shingen stroked his beard.
“That massive city, the vapor drugs, the hardened stone, the teleportation gates, the orichalcum… The kingdom has been hiding some very convenient things.”
Kyle smiled in response.
“You’re mistaken, Shingen-sama. These weren’t hidden. Everything you mentioned was created in the past year by the alchemist standing right there—Craft.”
Wait, Kyle!?
“Oh… All of this?”
“Yes! He’s also mass-producing legendary-grade stamina potions, healing potions, and more. He’s passionate about spreading his techniques, and I deeply respect him!”
“Oh-ho… So he’s the greatest alchemist of all. Impressive.”
“Yes! Craft… is truly amazing!”
Kyle, stop!
The three samurai are looking at me like ogres spotting their prey! Notice it already!
That day, I spent the entire time being stared at passionately by three of them.
Of course, that excludes Kagetaka.
Apparently, Kagetaka didn’t care about me any more than his bangs. The other three should take a hint!
That night, just before bed, Kyle smiled at me.
“I’m glad everything ended smoothly, Nii-sama.”
“Smoothly… did it?”
For the next few days leading up to our audience with the living god, Muten, we were trapped in the hell of national negotiations and endless hospitality.
For some reason, every Mizuho citizen (beastkin included) we met tried to recruit me to the Mizuho Divine Kingdom.
I’m not going!
I’m not going, okay!?
A few times, beautiful or cute—or sometimes stunning—women proposed to me, which earned me plenty of icy stares from the women on our side… But for the most part, the busy days passed without incident.
Tohoho…
And finally, we were granted an audience with Muten Ingram. As representatives, Kyle and I headed to the residence of the living god, a place truly fitting for the boundary between the human and divine realms.