4: You know, when you’ve got someone you can’t stand, you just wanna push back, right?

“This is my younger sister, Maina Bairoroad. We’ve ended up traveling together for various reasons. Now then, Maina, say hello.”

“Y-yes… please… to… meet you…”

She peeked out just slightly from behind her brother Kyle, bowed her head, then quickly hid again.

The dress wasn’t exactly suited for a frontier village, but it looked good on her—no question about that.

“Kyle-sama… and Maina-dono as well!?”

The guildmaster’s voice cracked in shock. It would normally be impolite, but this was that kind of situation.

Fortunately, all three nobles seemed unbothered by the guildmaster’s reaction.

Well, I can’t read their minds, but still.

“Yeah, isn’t that an honor?”

“S-sir, of course, it’s an immense honor. But as I’ve already explained, the frontier settlement we’re heading to is quite treacherous. I can’t, in good conscience, guarantee your safety.”

“What? I know the frontier’s dangerous. Right, Kyle?”

“Yes. Brother Zaid.”

Kyle answers, tense and stiff.

“N-no… but… still…”

“Relax. I’ve arranged top-tier security. Alphard Promise! Persia Formalhaut! Step forward!”

““Yes, sir!!””

A sharp-eyed man and woman step forward in unison.

Their posture, their gear—clearly seasoned professionals.

The man’s armor is clearly from the Holy Knight Order’s light set. The woman’s is definitely from the Royal Guard’s light armor.

Both have intricate sigils etched on their left hands.

"Alphard’s a prodigy—leading a Holy Knight Order detachment at such a young age. Persia was second-in-command of the Royal Guard’s all-female protection unit. Both are top-tier, no question."

"So those two are the ones famed for... I see. As promised defensive forces, they’re more than sufficient..."

In this world, an individual’s strength can outweigh an entire unit’s. A powerful lone fighter is worth a full infantry company.

I see. If it’s about guarding the frontier village, having these two around might be enough.

Still, the question remains—will they protect anyone outside the nobility?

"Hey, no need for thanks."

"Truthfully, it’s impossible to create an environment befitting Kyle-sama."

"Guildmaster, I’m fine."

"But—"

"He said he’s fine. No need to worry."

"That’s—"

Zaid leaned close to Kyle, a shadowed smile playing on his lips.

“What? Whether the frontier village succeeds or fails—entirely your responsibility. If you fail, it’s because you’re incompetent. Of course, I know how capable you are. I’m sure you’ll deliver results that’ll please Father, and strut back in triumph, right?”

That damn smirk—suddenly, I got it.

This bastard doesn’t expect anything from his little brother.

If anything, he’s set this up just to make him fail.

The way Kyle stood, jaw clenched, trying to hold it together—mirrored my old self too damn perfectly.

“Ah, we’ve sent settlers there before, time and again. Every single attempt failed. I’m counting on your hard work, Kyle. Oh, don’t worry. While you’re gone, Brother and I will keep Father happy. Take your time, now.”

“……”

Damn it. I’m getting furious.

You’re the one who’s been deemed useless all this time due to being frail. You’re not going to miss this chance, are you? Please, make it a grand success. Surprise us.

Ah, I see.

So that’s how it is. Trouble cleared out, or whatever. Just tossed aside because it’s not needed.

That’s the way it works.

‘Craft. You’re fired.’

I couldn’t help but remember the moment I was thrown out of the party just days ago.

So I ended up doing something completely insane.

……Don’t worry. I’ll be the one to pioneer this. I’ll make it succeed. You’ll see.

“Craft-kun!?”

“Hmph?”

I slowly rose to my feet and placed a hand on Kyle’s shoulder.

Not just Alphard and Persia—soldiers started to move, but froze at Zaid’s signal.

Kyle looked at me, puzzled.

“Who are you?”

“Craft Walker. Former adventurer. Now a guild artisan. I’ll be joining this expedition.”

"Ex-adventurer? Switched to the Production Guild, huh?"

"Yeah."

"What do you expect from a newbie?"

"I'll support this one. I'll show you what pioneering can achieve."

(Whoa! Craft-kun!)

You might get your head chopped off if you're not careful.

"Hahahaha! Yeah! That's right! Pioneers need that kind of spirit! Yeah! But isn't that a bit too bold?"

"This was supposed to be undercover, unofficial, right? Just keeping up with the tone."

"Ah, yes. Sounds like something a power-averse adventurer would say."

"Shall I punish you for that?"

"No, I'll let it slide. But I expect you to deliver results. Make me laugh with them."

"I promise."

Zaid’s expectations will be nothing like what I have in mind!

My crest whispers to me.

We can do it!

"And besides, Lord Kyle has already delivered one result, hasn't he?"

"What?"

Zaid’s brow furrows.

"I saved a whole bunch of wagons by hiring me. Really cut down on the budget, didn’t I?"

"Huh? You got storage, huh?"

"Yep."

"But Kyle didn’t specifically name you, did he?"

"Ah, luck’s part of the skill, right?"

Zaid’s eyes went wide, then he burst out laughing.

"Haha—haha! Oh, right! Yeah! Exactly! The point’s the result!"

Zaid kept laughing, completely unable to stop.

Damn it. That guy’s really annoying.

"Haha… thanks for the laugh… well then, I’ll be off. Good luck to you."

Chuckling to himself, Zaid walked back with his soldiers.

Should I give him the finger?

"Hey! Craft! What are you doing?!"

"Seriously! I nearly sweated a whole lake!"

"Sorry, couldn’t hold it in."

"Um…"

Ah! It's Kyle-sama! My subordinate's been acting most disgracefully!

No. That’s not—

Kyle, my deepest apologies—forgive the intrusion.

I knelt on one knee before Kyle and bowed my head deeply.

"Please, raise your head! I— I was really happy, that's all!"

It means a lot to hear you say that.

But can I ask just one thing?

Yes

Why’d you go and do something like that?

That’s… I’m sorry to bring up something so personal, but Kyle’s situation—it just mirrors my own.

"?"

I was a adventurer not long ago. They called me a useless extra.

Not just once.

Again and again.

“Ah…”

I don’t know about Kyle’s situation, but it feels like I’m being cold-shouldered by Zaid.

…Please look up.

Prompted again, I slowly lifted my face. Kyle’s expression was twisted with bitterness.

"Truth is, I'm frail. Compared to my two excellent brothers, I'm truly useless."

"No! Lord Kyle is a noble soul who truly cares for the people!"

The guildmaster shouted without pause.

"I don't have the power to save anyone... But! I volunteered gladly, just to help the people, even in the smallest way!"

Ah, this kid really is pure-hearted. Kind.

"So, though I'm unworthy, I'll do my best. I'd be truly grateful if you'd all lend me your strength."

"...I've already said it. Leave it to me. I'll make this work."

"Those words mean a lot to me."

What I hate. Injustice.

This child shouldn't be handed something like this.

"We guild members will give it our all!"

"Yes! Me too!"

The settlers, who had held back until now, steeled their resolve and rose one after another.

"O-oh! We're in too!"

"I know. I heard about how Lord Kyle called for tax cuts during the lean year."

"Yeah! For Lord Kyle!"

Not just the guildmaster and Leifan, but the settlers who'd held back until now also began clenching their fists, one after another.

Of course. With Zaid acting like that, it was bound to happen.

"Thank you! All of you!"

Maina, hiding behind Kyle, shyly bowed her head.

Later, the escort adventurer party joined up, and they set out.

Alphard and Persia, the two guards, remained impassive the whole time.

◆

The journey was just walking, straight ahead. Boring as hell.

Even though he was a former mage, he was still an adventurer at heart. Long walks didn’t faze him.

Leifan, too, seemed unfazed—probably from his gnome blood.

The settlers, on the other hand, all looked utterly drained.

If they’re this worn out already, the journey ahead doesn’t look promising.

Even Kyle and Maina, riding in the wagon, showed clear signs of exhaustion.

Yeah, well, it’s not a noble’s carriage—just a cargo wagon, after all.

At night, tents lined up in the forest.

Bonfires blazed all around, trying to keep the night’s beasts at bay.

“Hey, Craft. Heard you changed careers.”

“Yeah, Raidock. Long time no see.”

It was Raidock, the adventurer, who arrived.

A lean swordsman, once part of the same party we’d been in.

“Huh… I’ll admit, adventuring talent wasn’t exactly your strong suit…”

“Don’t say it.”

“Sorry. But joining the Production Guild? That’s a surprise.”

“Same here.”

“Settlement outpost, huh… I’ll leave the road’s safety to you.”

“If it comes to it, I’ll cover your back.”

“Hah. I’ll keep my expectations low. Seems like we’ve got a decent guard to rely on.”

Saying that, Raidock turned back toward his companions.

He’s no slouch, that one.

Adventure Rank C.

A reliable guard, if you’re thinking about hiring someone.

I haven’t tested him yet, but since I got the alchemist’s sigil, my old attack spells should’ve gotten a serious boost. If things go south, I’ll jump in too.

“Anyway, the real issue is the common settlers.”

I spoke to Leifan, who’d been eating with me.

“Mm. The journey’s supposed to take about a month. We’ll be trudging through forests and grasslands, but we might end up taking twice as long.”

“Yeah. Just realized—there’s a potion for stamina, based on alchemy knowledge.”

“Boosts stamina dramatically for a set time.”

"Yeah, it's pretty simple to make—was thinking of brewing some and handing them out to everyone."

"Sounds like a good idea... but we're low on herbs."

"What? I checked when we packed—there was a whole barrel of dried herbs, right?"

"Uh, the amount needed for one stamina potion is supposed to be a whole bucket. We're way short."

"Wait...?"

"Wait...?"

Something's off. According to my skill, the amount needed is just a spoonful.

A barrel of herbs should be enough to make thousands—no, tens of thousands—of potions.

"Can I at least try making one?"

"Sure. The herbs were meant for us to use anyway."

"Ah."

Pull the herb barrel from the item box.

Pour a spoonful into a cup of water.

"Alright, first spell ever—kinda nervous... but here goes! Alchemy: Stamina Potion!"

The cup gave a faint glow. The water, once clear, now had a slight yellow tint.

"Excuse me for a sec."

Leifan took the cup, then seemed to activate a鉴定 (identification) spell.

Huh. I remember learning that too.

I've been cramming so many spells all at once, I barely even know what I've got anymore.

"Wha—!? What is this!? No way!!"

"Whoa! What's wrong!?"

"I can't believe it! With all that material... and the quality's rated 'Legendary'!!"

"Huh?"

I don't get it.

I just hit #1 on the daily leaderboard!

Thanks to all of you!

Keep supporting me, please!

I'll do my best to update twice before tomorrow's Sunday!