85. Surprisingly, This Boy Is Tough, Isn’t It?

After the historic meeting with the Lizardmen, we gathered as usual to discuss with Kyle. Some were joking around with Maina and Persia, but when Kyle took his seat, everyone switched from the playful atmosphere.

“Craft-oniisama, thank you for your hard work this week.”

Kyle started speaking casually while sipping the tea the maid had prepared.

“Kyle, you had it tougher. We postponed other reports because of the Lizardmen.”

“It wasn’t something I could decide on my own. I’m genuinely relieved that His Majesty the King accepted it.”

“Yes, it was really good.”

When the conversation shifted to the Lizardmen, everyone’s expressions became serious.

“It might have been the right timing. His Majesty is addressing long-standing discrimination against demi-humans and advocating for demon extermination and territorial expansion.”

“I see, establishing contact with the supposedly extinct Lizardmen at such a time would be a significant achievement for His Majesty.”

“Yes, exactly.”

Nevertheless, it’s impressive that Ortros managed to get the King’s approval in such a short time. He must be quite influential.

“So, what will happen to the Lizardmen now?”

“As discussed beforehand, they will be supported as pioneers for the swamp area we found near the former Golden Dawn.”

So, they will proceed with the swamp development as planned.

“Then it will be a major operation involving adventurers.”

“Yes. It’s a huge task to eradicate the Hydra living in the vast swamp.”

The man I am most concerned about comes to mind.

“Is Zaid going to be okay?”

“Indeed, Zaide Village is closer to the swamp, but from the adventurers’ perspective raised on stamina potions, the development area is at a distance.”

“True, it’s a day’s journey for Golden Dawn adventurers, but three days for regular soldiers… maybe more.”

Raidoch is not considered a standard. Using him as a baseline would be unrealistic.

“As a precaution, I’ll stop by Zaid Village to get his permission before heading to the swamp.”

“What if he refuses?”

“We’ll switch to a backup plan.”

“You’re going to build a settlement along the great river flowing beside Golden Dawn.”

“Yes. However, according to Jurara, who spoke to the officials, the Lizardmen prefer swamps over rivers and wetlands over swamps.”

I see. We should secure as much of the swamp as possible, but politics will inevitably be involved.

All I can do is leave it to Kyle and focus on what I can do.

“Well, we need to do our best, whichever way it goes.”

“Yes!”

I’m not sure how Zaid will react, but personally, I think he will likely refuse.

Kyle seems confident that if he meets and explains directly, it will be okay.

If not, I’ll just help the Lizardmen create a livable village.

It’s better than living in a village polluted by giant poisonous frogs, constantly under threat of attack.

“Well then, here’s a souvenir for you, Kyle.”

I took out three ingots from my spatial storage and laid them on the table.

I hadn’t been able to talk much due to coordinating with the Lizardmen residents this past week.

Kyle’s gaze moved to the ingots and stopped at one of them.

“This is… I recognize the mithril, but what are the other two?”

I exchanged a quick glance with Leafan, and she began to explain.

“Yes. This is a mithril ingot. It takes several barrels of ore to create an ingot of this size. The quality is also very high.”

Kyle nodded, swallowing hard.

He seemed shocked by the value, but the real surprise was yet to come.

“And this heavier ingot is adamantite.”

“This is!”

Kyle widened his eyes and gently poked the adamantite with his finger.

He was handling it as if it were a precious gem, but both adamantite and mithril wouldn’t scratch easily, so he could be rougher with them.

“Um, Leafan. An ingot of this size is quite valuable, right?”

“Yes. While mithril ore prices are rising, the price of finished products is slightly decreasing. However, adamantite is very rare and extremely valuable. With this amount of refined ingot…”

Kyle swallowed again.

Yes, it’s very valuable.

But there’s more, Kyle.

“And the last ingot is… orichalcum.”

Kyle looked up in surprise.

He seemed unable to grasp the situation.

“Ori…?”

“Yes, the legendary metal orichalcum.”

“W-What!? This huge lump is all orichalcum!?”

“Yes, no doubt.”

Yes, it’s astonishing.

Orichalcum is a legendary metal, occasionally found deep in dungeons, but mostly as small processed pieces.

Finding a whole lump is unbelievable.

“This is… incredible.”

“And that’s not all.”

“What?”

I took over from Leafan.

“It turns out orichalcum is an alloy of mithril and adamantite.”

“…What?”

It had been a mysterious metal. People searched for the ore, but it was never found.

The alloy theory had been explored, but no master blacksmith could uncover the secret.

That’s because it required advanced alchemy and blacksmithing skills, and the materials were mithril and adamantite.

I revealed the shocking truth I learned from the Twilight Alchemist emblem to Kyle.

“With these mithril and adamantite ingots, we can create more orichalcum.”

“…!”

Kyle was speechless, repeatedly opening and closing his mouth.

“As expected of Craft-oniisama.”

“It’s thanks to Raidoc and the Casper sisters.”

I waved my hand lightly.

“Now, we need to decide what to do with these.”

Kyle closed his eyes and thought for a long time.

When the tea had cooled, Kyle finally opened his eyes.

“…The found orichalcum will be presented to my father, the Viscount.”

“I see.”

“He will handle the presentation to His Majesty the King well.”

Given the amount found, I expected we wouldn’t get to keep any for ourselves.

However, knowing how to make orichalcum, I wanted Leafan to try making some.

Leafan seemed slightly disappointed, as she likely wanted to experiment with it, given its unique properties.

Looking at Leafan, she indeed looked a bit sad.

Especially considering orichalcum’s remarkable properties, it would have been fun to make items with it.

But with such a large amount, it could become a source of conflict. Kyle’s decision is wise.

As I was starting to give up, Kyle smirked and continued.

“However, the mithril and adamantite will remain Golden Dawn’s property. Craft-oniisama, do you have any good ideas on how to use these valuable metals?”

Kyle smiled, tilting his head innocently.

“Hahaha! Yes, I do! The best possible use!”

“Great. The usage is… all up to you, Craft-oniisama?”

“Leave it to me!”

Thus, the mithril and adamantite ingots remained with me.

Leafan’s eyes sparkled with excitement.

Don’t worry! There’s plenty for you to do too, Leafan!

Later, we made various orichalcum items, but that story is for another time.

Look forward to it!

◆

About a month passed since that day.

In the month Leafan and I were engrossed in orichalcum, Kyle was working with adventurers on the swamp monster extermination plan.

He sent adventurers for reconnaissance multiple times and had Lizardman warriors check if the land was suitable for a village.

It seemed the swamp was an ideal environment for the Lizardmen, who were eager to live there.

Eventually, we decided to split the vast swamp, half for agriculture and half for the Lizardman village, with the Lizardmen responsible for maintaining and defending the farmland.

Kyle probably could have talked to Zaid anytime during this, but he planned to discuss it after all preparations were complete.

He wanted to present the swamp development as a viable plan before proposing joint agricultural development.

I hope it goes well.

When the training for the swamp extermination team was over, and some orichalcum products were completed, we finally set off.

I held up the orichalcum items I had distributed to my companions to the sun.

Reflecting the sunlight, they were complete artifacts.

I made them on a whim, but these might be national treasures.

Sorry, Your Majesty, and Ortros.

I couldn’t help making them.

But they’re too useful to refrain!

Looking around again.

The seasoned adventurers who participated in the dragon battle, the Lizardman warriors, and newly recognized adventurers were all present. The Casper sisters were included too.

Kyle, with some soldiers led by Alphard, was at the front.

Persia was staying behind this time.

Leafan was also participating.

She couldn’t stay behind when it came to eradicating the swamp monsters.

The old Golden Dawn village, now Zaid Village, was built on the ruins of the village where she once lived, destroyed by the stampede from that swamp.

The sight of the warriors lined up was impressive.

Kyle stood at the front and cleared his throat.

“Swamp Extermination Squad! Move out!”

“””Ooooooo!!!”””

Thus began the battle for a new frontier.