91. Trouble Always Starts Small, Isn’t It?

Zaid village is the closest one to the wetlands.

Despite its dangerous and undeveloped location, it thrives as the sole inn town on the way to Golden Dawn.

Initially, I thought Zaid would turn it into the wasteland, but it has developed more than I expected.

It’s already big enough to be called a town, but it’s still referred to as a village.

Could Zaid be somewhat capable?

As I ponder this, I follow behind Kyle.

Together with Alphard, we visit the former Kyle residence, now Zaid’s mansion.

Meeting Zaid… this time I need to restrain myself.

I do regret picking a fight at our first meeting, mostly about my attitude.

This time, I’ll be polite. Depending on the situation, I might still pick a fight, but politely.

“What? Zaid-niisan isn’t here?”

The butler, looking flustered, explains the situation.

It’s not just because Kyle, technically a noble’s son, suddenly visited.

“Kyle… is there a problem?”

I quietly ask Kyle about the situation.

Kyle quickly signals to Alphard.

“Butler, I understand our sudden visit is confusing, but Zaid isn’t avoiding us; he’s simply away, correct?”

Alphard asks the butler with authority, something Kyle lacks.

“Yes, Zaid is currently on an expedition to the wetlands.”

“What?”

Kyle’s face freezes.

…What?

Zaid on an expedition? I didn’t mishear that, right?

Alphard’s expression tightens.

“Butler, explain in detail.”

“Yes, actually…”

What the butler said made us all clutch our heads.

“I never imagined Zaid-niisan would consider developing the wetlands.”

Kyle’s face turns pale.

Zaid’s force is about three hundred, but they haven’t returned despite the expected date.

Alphard turns to me.

“Craft, what do you think of our strength?”

“It’s absurd. According to Jabil-sensei, the soldiers here aren’t even given stamina potions.”

“…I see.”

Alphard swallows his words. He probably wanted to say, “Is Zaid that incompetent?”

Zaid sold stamina potions to passing merchants and established an inn guild.

I can’t tell if Zaid is capable or not.

As I ponder, Kyle raises his face.

“Craft-niisama.”

Oh, Kyle. I know what you’re going to say next.

Kyle’s words are as I expected.

“Zaid-niisan might be in danger. I want to help him.”

His eyes are serious.

Despite Zaid’s disdain for him, these words come from Kyle’s heart.

I should set aside my feelings towards Zaid and support Kyle.

“Got it. Leave it to me.”

I was planning to fight monsters in the wetlands anyway.

“But…”

“Hm?”

“What about Myrna…”

“Ah.”

Alphard lets out a foolish sound.

We hadn’t mentioned leaving her with Jabil-sensei.

“It’s okay. We’ll ask Jabil-sensei.”

“That’s a great idea. Jabil-sensei must have guards assigned.”

Kyle sighs in relief.

“Come to think of it, Kyle, you know Jabil-sensei, right?”

“Yes. I haven’t told you much about it.”

On the way to the mansion, Kyle tells me something quite important.

“My birth mother was Illumina-kaasama. She died after giving birth to me and Myrna.”

Kyle lowers his face.

Saying, “It’s not your fault.”, is easy, but it won’t change Kyle’s heart. I stay silent and listen.

“Nii-san knows that Myrna and I were weak since birth. Father gathered doctors from all over the country.”

Viscount Orthros is essentially the second most powerful in the country. More powerful than a duke, practically.

I understand this a bit, having studied while accompanying Kyle.

Orthros used all his power, but still couldn’t cure the illness. That’s why the elixir was needed.

“Among the doctors, Jabil-sensei was the most trusted.”

“Of course, he was.”

I swell with pride hearing Jabil-sensei praised, causing Alphard to frown. Why?

“At the time, Jabil-sensei was the personal doctor of Bella, the second wife. But father begged her to treat us.”

I notice something odd.

“Huh? Why was he Bella’s personal doctor? With her skills, she should be assigned to the Viscount.”

Even now, she’s with Zaid, which is odd.

“That’s because Bella-sama is from the Dubbaten Empire.”

“Empire?”

I’ve heard they occasionally skirmish with our country…

War hasn’t escalated due to successful diplomatic strategies and geographical reasons, apparently.

I don’t know much about that.

“Yes. Bella-sama is the daughter of a duke from the Dubbaten Empire. It was a political marriage.”

“…”

I see. That’s what diplomatic strategy is about. No wonder there’s been less war.

With the monster threat, war seems absurd.

“Because of special circumstances, Bella-sama came with only one attendant.”

That’s harsh. Whether it was the kingdom’s or empire’s intention, I don’t know.

“No, it was more of a physical issue.”

“Physical?”

“…Sorry, I can’t explain.”

Kyle hesitates.

“If it’s a secret, don’t worry. Just continue.”

“Thank you. Bella-sama brought Jabil-sensei with her.”

Given the flow of the story, that makes sense.

I sort things out in my head.

“So, Jabil-sensei was Bella-sama’s attendant, not directly under the Viscount. The Viscount had to beg her to treat you two. Right?”

“Yes.”

I see, and Jabil-sensei ended up as Zaid’s attendant. The Viscount had no choice but to accept it.

“What a good guy, the Viscount.”

“Of course!”

Come to think of it, Kyle has never complained about the Viscount.

“Jabil-sensei cured Myrna’s illness.”

“Myrna’s illness was cured just before coming to the frontier, right?”

“Yes. I received palliative medicine, allowing me to be in charge of the development.”

“I see.”

Jabil-sensei cured Myrna’s illness and created a medicine to alleviate Kyle’s symptoms.

Sending them to the frontier right after shows Zaid is a typical noble.

As I internally seethe, we arrive at Jabil-sensei’s house and hear her voice.

“That’s impossible!”

“Hahaha! You’re always cautious!”

“Sir Van is always reckless!!”

In the alchemist’s herb-filled garden, Jabil-sensei argues with an unknown man.

The man, with a trimmed beard, looks robust.

His short auburn hair is messily styled, and his well-trained chest muscles peek through his open collar.

He appears to be in his late thirties.

His hearty laughter resonates around.

He’s dressed in flashy yet well-tailored clothes, not quite like a pirate captain or a flamboyant noble.

A commoner would look out of place, but it suits this man.

…He’s definitely not one of the alchemists I know.

Trying to check his crest, I look at his left hand, but he’s wearing ornate gloves, hiding any sign of it.

A noble…?

He’s excessively free-spirited for one.

My intuition tells me this man’s exuberance is genuine.

“Is he a friend of Jabil-sensei? A different type of handsome than Raidoc or Kyle.”

That man will be popular with women!

I can tell!

“Craft, can I beat that guy?”

“Jitaro!? Where did you come from?”

I understand how you feel, but no, Jitaro!

I sense a lot of trouble ahead!