NOVEL NEXT Chapter 180
180. Troubles Always Arise When You’re Busy, Isn’t It?
My name is Craft Walken.
Former adventurer, former magician.
And now, I’m working as an alchemist in a production guild.
I rotated my stiff shoulders and gazed down at the stack of notebooks before me.
These notebooks are my memoirs. I had just finished the sixth volume.
“Alright then…”
I reached for a new notebook from the shelf and pondered over how to start the seventh.
The ending of the sixth described how “a small nation south of the Mizuho Divine Kingdom was obliterated overnight by a monster stampede, a piece of news that spread rapidly throughout Mizuho”.
Naturally, the monsters causing the stampede were heading straight for the Mizuho Divine Kingdom.
But before recounting that, I’ll note a bit about the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Kingdom of Maugaria and the Mizuho Divine Kingdom.
I twirled my pen between my fingers pointlessly for a while, then dipped it in ink and resumed writing.
To begin, how about this:
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“Craft-niisama, can I talk to you?”
This happened around the time when diplomatic relations between the Mizuho Divine Kingdom and us were established, and a transfer gate had been completed.
Kyle had been busy traveling back and forth between Golden Dawn and Mizuho.
He invited me for dinner during one of his rare breaks.
“Sure. If it’s something I can help with.”
At that time, preparations for full-scale trade with the Mizuho Divine Kingdom were in full swing,
and my production guild was swamped with work.
But a request from Kyle wasn’t just a lord’s business—it was a plea from a dear younger brother.
Of course, I’d help.
“So, what’s up?”
“Well, the wetlands development is behind schedule.”
“What? Isn’t that the area where the Lizardmen have been putting their backs into it? They’re not slacking off, are they?”
The Lizardmen had lost their homeland for complicated reasons and started anew in Kyle’s territory.
Grateful to us for helping them, they had been working on the wetlands with unwavering dedication.
There’s no way they’d slack off.
Come to think of it, things have been peaceful lately without Shururu’s advances.
She’s adorable in looks and personality, but being so aggressively forward is intimidating.
Frankly, I’m a bit relieved.
…Don’t call me inexperienced with women.
“Of course, the Lizardmen are working diligently as a team. The problem is the number of monsters.”
“What? Didn’t we defeat the wetlands’ master?”
I won’t forget the battle against the eight-headed hydra, which was even tougher than fighting a dragon.
Disorganized monsters shouldn’t stand a chance against the Golden Dawn adventurers or the Lizardmen honed by stamina potions.
“The problem is the vastness of the wetlands. The Lizardmen and adventurers are simply not enough to cover the area.”
“True, the wetlands are about the size of a small domain.”
“Yes. While the Lizardmen warriors grow stronger by the day with training and combat, monster extermination in the sprawling, dense wetlands is proving extremely challenging.”
“I see. So you want me to help with extermination?”
“No, that’s not it.”
“Huh?”
I thought he’d ask me to help wipe out the monsters alongside Raidoc.
“It seems the types of monsters appearing in the wetlands are increasing.”
“Types?”
The hydra used to rule the wetlands as their master.
With it defeated or driven off, it’s not surprising for other monsters to move in.
“That’s not unusual, is it?”
“It would be if the numbers were small.”
“So, there are unexpectedly large numbers moving in?”
“Exactly.”
“Doesn’t that mean we just have to deal with them?”
“No. The Lizardmen suspect there’s some reason behind the monsters’ unusual behavior. That’s why I want you to investigate.”
“The reason different monsters are gathering there, huh…”
I tilted my head slightly.
If it’s an investigation, wouldn’t it suit Jabil-sensei, who’s now with Kyle, better than me?
But sending him into such a dangerous place overflowing with monsters isn’t an option.
Last time, I let my guard down and brought him along, but he should stay in safe areas.
Understanding why Kyle asked me, I nodded.
“Got it. Can I bring Raidoc and the others?”
“Of course. I’ll formally request the adventurer’s guild to assist.”
“…I guess I’ll bring Jitaro too.”
“That might be wise.”
He’d sulk if excluded, after all.
“What about Leafan?”
“I’ll leave that decision to you, Nii-sama.”
“Alright. I’ll think about it.”
As the discussion wrapped up, I noticed Myrna, who had been quietly eating beside Kyle, staring at me intently.
“…”
She looked at me with eyes that seemed to say, I want to join the party.
But no, I’m not taking her to the dangerous wetlands.
Sure, it’s no riskier than our journey to the Mizuho Divine Kingdom, but that was a one-time necessity.
If I give in to her whims here, it’ll set a precedent for the future.
I need to be firm.
“Kyle! Do something about her!”
…I could almost hear someone retort. You’re passing the buck?
But this is the right call.
“Sigh… Myrna, surely you’re not planning to secretly follow us again, are you?”
“Ugh!”
Myrna flinched, her body stiffening.
“I won’t allow it this time.”
“Ugh…”
“Besides, next time, Zaid-oniisama will scold you severely.”
“Huh!?”
Myrna’s face turned pale.
Kyle glanced at me briefly before addressing Myrna again.
“Listen, Myrna. I’ve received the Elixir family name. Though we’re siblings by blood, I’m no longer part of the Veil Road lineage.”
“Huh?”
Kyle shot me another glance. He wanted me to understand this too.
“So, officially, your brothers are Flatten-oniisama and Zaid-oniisama now.”
“Oh…”
“Right now, you’re under my care only because Father, Marquis Veil Road, asked me to look after you and send you to school. So, I’m just your guardian.”
“We’re not siblings anymore?”
“Of course, we’re blood siblings. But not on paper.”
“…”
So Kyle is no longer aVeil Road Bale Lord, huh?
He wanted her to grasp that.
“In short, Myrna, the one who has the duty to discipline you isn’t me—it’s Zaid-oniisama.”
“Huh!?”
“If you’re prepared to face Zaid-oniisama’s wrath… feel free to act out again.”
Kyle smiled warmly, while Myrna turned pale and shook her head furiously.
Kyle really has a gift for leadership.
Once again, I was struck by his exceptional capabilities.