31: Conspiracy’s just a game of probing each other’s belly.

It’s long.

Because of my magic, the whole city knew about the dragon heads scattered across every corner. A damn flood of people had gathered at Lord Bairoroad’s manor.

Orthros, watching from the window, scowled and called for soldiers.

“This is getting out of hand. No choice. Set up a barrier around the dragon heads—no touching. And make a full loop route so folks can walk around the damn thing!”

“Yes, sir!”

Lord Bairoroad’s son gave crisp orders. Soldiers swarmed in, and before you could blink, they’d hammered stakes into the ground and finished the path.

Then, the most pompous knight stepped forward on purpose, holding up a wooden sign.

"Listen! By the mercy of Lord Bairoroad, the Marquis of the Frontier, dragon viewing is permitted! But! No stopping! Keep the pace set by our soldiers—no shameful double lines! Show the Marquis the proper conduct of his subjects!"

As the gate slowly creaked open, villagers surged forward in a rush. From nowhere, a flood of soldiers slammed into them, shoving them back into order.

"Push! Line up! Act like proper subjects of Lord Bairoroad!"

Some officer or knight in a pompous suit of armor bellowed, but it did little good.

Hell, at least they weren’t fighting anymore.

With the military in motion, order returned to the mansion’s front, and in its place, a long line snaked down the main road.

The soldiers had worked hard sealing off the side paths, and though it was still noisy, they’d managed to pull themselves out of the initial chaos.

...Sorry about that, Dad Orthros.

Called back to the main hall, I found everyone already back in their original seats.

“Father, shouldn’t we have charged a viewing fee instead?”

“Jumping in without preparation would only make the chaos worse. Besides, this achievement deserves to be known far and wide.”

Orthros father cut down Flatten’s perfectly reasonable point with a single, sharp dismissal.

To be honest, I’d been thinking the same thing—about charging money—so I couldn’t help but be impressed by Orthros’s words.

“Anyway. Leave the rest to Formalhaut. No worries there.”

Orthros’s quiet remark made Persia’s body twitch for just a second.

Wait—wasn’t Persia’s last name Formalhaut?

“Kyle. To slay a dragon of this magnitude—well done. The human territories will surely expand further because of this.”

“Yes! Thank you so much!”

“Thank everyone who supported Kyle as well.”

““Yes! How fortunate we are!””

Alphard and Persia answered without a pause. Me and Leifan quickly bowed our heads too.

“Reports say the settlement’s population has already surpassed ten thousand.”

“Yes. Construction speed has hit its limit. We’ve temporarily halted recruitment drives we used to run in larger towns, but new arrivals still keep coming.”

“Exceeded expectations. Then, let’s continue governing as is—”

Zaid was grinding his teeth openly. Couldn’t speak up, though. Just glared at Kyle, face red as fire.

Feh. Look at the dragon’s head sitting outside the window, the way the villagers are going wild over it—no way I could say anything now.

That’s when it happened.

The grand hall’s door burst open without warning, and two women stormed in, dressed to the nines.

Both were ridiculously beautiful. So stunning they felt untouchable.

One looked about thirty?

A sultry woman, radiating mature allure like heat off stone.

The other was around my age—early twenties, maybe.

Dressed in a black rose-patterned gown.

Long, sharp eyes. Another impossible beauty. So flawless it gave me chills.

Can people even look like that?

And both of them had chests that could double as weapons.

What the hell is that? Watermelon? A melon?

Two random, out-of-place women just showing up—utterly frozen the room.

“You. Excuse me for a moment.”

“Bela, Raidock… We’re in the middle of something important right now.”

“Of course I know that.”

The voluptuous woman sways her overly adorned dress—her chest bobbing—slowly stepping beside Orthros.

(She’s the former second wife, now the current wife, Bela-mama, and her daughter, Raidock-nee-sama. Also Zaid’s mother.)

I’m gaping, and Kyle quietly whispers in my ear.

Huh? But those two… don’t they look about the same age?

“You don’t have the right to speak to women… but I suppose I can offer an opinion? You?”

“Huh… um.”

Orthros mutters a half-hearted reply.

Bela Lady hides half her face with a fan, her eyes only flicking toward Kyle.

“Kyle… your achievements this time are truly remarkable.”

“W-what?! Y-yes! Thank you! Thank you so much!”

Kyle looks even more excited than when Orthros himself praised him.

What’s going on?

“But the new frontier village is growing rapidly. Isn’t that a bit much for Kyle right now?”

“That’s right! Exactly! Just as Mother said!”

“Hm?”

The words make Orthros and eldest son Flatten’s expressions tighten.

“Fair point, but that doesn’t mean—”

“Fortunately, the new village borders the region Zaid is in charge of. It’d be best to let Zaid, who’s already proven his skill in managing lands, take charge.”

“Huh?”

“That’s a brilliant idea!”

“Mother, you’re truly sharp.”

Zaid and Black Rose Layla follow up on Bela’s words.

I’m frantically trying to recall the map.

True, in the vast frontier marquisate, Zaid’s assigned territory and Golden Dune Village aren’t *entirely* disconnected.

But really, Zaid’s just responsible for the edge of the human settlement zone in the marquisate’s frontier lands. That’s all. The Golden Dune Village is just tucked away deep in a vast stretch of land where humans don’t live.

Isn’t that a bit too much like twisting words?

……

Orthros falls silent, lost in thought.

“Kyle was originally frail to begin with. I heard he was cured by a secret elixir, but did that actually fix his innate weakness? Wouldn’t it be better for him to stay here with the Gandar household, rest, and assist with governance? For his own sake.”

“Ngh…”

What the hell is this guy even saying? Makes sense, sure…

"Father! Exactly! I’m perfectly healthy, and my soldiers are strong as ever! Kyle’s recuperation was the whole point of the settlement effort—mission accomplished! I returned in triumph with a dragon-slaying deed to my name, so let me handle everything from here!"

So that’s the real plan, huh? As soon as they found out the frontier village was a goldmine, they’re already lining up to take it for themselves! Damn it!

"S-That’s—!"

"No, no, my dear brother. I suggested the settlement out of concern for you. But look—you’ve beaten the illness. No need to push yourself anymore. Leave the rest to me! Right!?"

"U…."

Kyle grimaces, face twisted in pain.

Ah, should I just physically remove this guy right now?

"Father, may I speak?"

"Flatten… I allow it."

"Ah, yes. Your mother’s words are sound. With that in mind, I have a proposal."

"A proposal? Go on."

"Yeah. Let Zaid handle the current frontier village. Give Kyle a new frontier to claim?"

"Uh?"

Flatten snapped his fingers. A waiting soldier received a silent order.

The soldier immediately returned, unrolling a massive map.

More detailed than any map I'd seen from the Production Guild. The sheer scale of it—state-level classified—made my throat go dry. I swallowed hard.

No way out now. Didn't plan on escaping anyway.

"Land suitable for Kyle... the reported dragon-slaying site! Right here!"

Flatten's finger landed deep in the untouched wilderness, where the dragon had fallen.

Beyond that, the neighboring nation of Duvatten Empire. And further still, the Zebias Confederation, circling around the mountains.

So that meant...

If we can settle it, it’ll definitely become the most crucial stronghold.

“Nnngh…”

“Kyle seems to have a knack for frontier expansion. Since he’s here, why not put that talent to use? Build a city here—ideally a fortress city—and we’ll beat the other nations to it.”

Hearing that, Lady Bella twisted her brows into a full scowl.

Beautiful woman angry? Noooopeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!!!

“Flatten. You’re saying my son Zaid isn’t up to the task?”

“No no. Even Zaid’s no slouch, but trying to develop both his current territory and this new frontier at once? That’s a heavy load. It’d be better if Kyle laid the groundwork first.”

“Hmph…”

Bella relaxed her expression, lost in thought.

“Mother, isn’t my brother’s opinion better than yours? If we start both projects at once, we’ll see who’s truly better.”

Ah... yeah. Maybe it'd be better if we had a chance to prove Kyle wasn't just lucky.

Hmm...

Orthros, lost in thought.

Kyle. This kind of opinion’s come up. What’s your take on it?

Like hell I’d let something like that get through!

Denied. Denied!

...I’d like to take on that offer.

“!?”

Haha! My brother, you've grown clever indeed!

Wait!?

"However!"

Kyle had been looking down, but now he snapped his head up.

Two things, I need to ask!

What’s up?

The first thing— I want the village's name for myself!

"Huh? You want to take the name 'Goldendown'?"

Yes!

Orthros looked at Zaid, and Zaid shrugged with a tired, “Well, well.”

I’ll grant you that much, I guess.

Another one?

Yes. I’ll take anyone from the current residents of Golden Dune Village who’s willing to follow me—Craft, you’re coming with me!

"Resident, huh?"

That’s…

Ordinarily, common folk aren’t given much leeway when it comes to moving their homes.

This kind of frontier settlement is the exception.

Zaid. How’s it going?

"Can we grant permission? My son Zaid."

Mother?

However, the removal of shared materials or assets from the village is strictly prohibited.

"Mother? You're telling me to head straight to the frontier with nothing?!"

Wait, wait, wait—does that mean even the stored mithril, pre-made potions, and herbs are included?

Haha! I see! Then I’m perfectly fine with that!

...Got it. Just leave the individual guilds and personal assets out, please.

Well, that’s fine. The guild’s not moving its base anyway.

Kyle, you really sure about this?

"...Yes. I’ll be getting the usual frontier development subsidy, right?"

"I’ll promise that."

"Settled then! Kyle’s finally starting to pick up the air of a noble, huh! Heh heh!"

What’s noble about that! You guys are too crude!

But Kyle! Why’d you agree to something like that!?

Kyle keeps his head down, face solemn.

But—

in that instant, he glances toward me, just barely, and there’s a smirk on his face. Like he’s won.

Huh? Why?

That quick smirk drains all the fight out of me. I can’t even speak up during the rest of the discussion. The meeting’s over.

"Craft."

"Y-yes?"

As everyone starts filing out after the meeting’s concluded, I’m called by Orthros Father.

"There’s something I want to talk about later. I want to know the details of the secret elixir. Come to my room."

"Wha—? Ah! Sorry! Got it!"

My words stumble, but I’m dismissed without further comment, and leave as is.

"Lord Craft, please wait here for a moment."

I’m led by the butler to the guest room.

Huh?

So I’m meeting the lord alone after this? No way!

Help me, Kyle! Protect my big brother!

Leifan "You don’t need to add 'Lord' to the Marquis, you know?"

Craft writhes in distress.