62: You know, harboring resentment like that’s just pathetic.

Morg, head of the inspection party, muttered under his breath while keeping up a smile, stepping forward to stand before Zaid, who had been waiting.

“Pleased to meet you. I’m Morg Mode, deputy minister of the newly established Frontier Development Ministry. Please do me the honor of recognizing me. Lord Zaid Gandar Bairoroad.”

“Just Zaid is fine.”

“Thank you.”

The way he looked down his nose at Zaid, the way he was dressed—either way, it screamed noble class.

Morg himself came from a noble family, but he’d clawed his way up through sheer merit, and he valued ability above all else.

So he didn’t care much for people who thought themselves special just because they were born the son of a powerful marquis.

Technically speaking, noble families aren’t noble—only the head counts. Normally, the whole bloodline is treated as noble, but Moog isn’t the head, so more accurately, he isn’t noble at all.

Zaid’s attitude was so damn arrogant it made me wonder if he was even really Kyle’s brother.

And yet, there he was, lifting one corner of his mouth and offering a handshake. Moog sighed, reluctantly shook back.

“Nah, nah—didn’t expect envoys from the capital to be here. And not just any village, but inspecting Golden Dune?”

“Had no time this time—just a quick, low-key inspection. You’re well-informed.”

“Hah. Gathering intel’s a noble’s serious duty, after all!”

“Ah. Zaid-sama seems quite capable.”

“Being praised as such by the Deputy Minister? I’m truly honored. But—Department of Colonization? First I’ve heard of it.”

"It's a newly established department. The human habitable zone is constantly pushing back against the monsters' territory. We haven't had wars with other nations lately. Now that our strength has built up a bit, we should move forward. This is the ministry for that."

"I see. Very impressive."

Morg and Zaid exchanged polite formalities when, beside them, the court alchemist Elra leaned in and whispered to Morg.

(Seems like we might get caught like this. I’ll go greet Master Jabir. I couldn’t make a quiet appearance toward Golden Dune earlier.)

(Understood. Take care.)

(Yes.)

Elra slipped away smoothly from the spot.

Zaid didn’t even glance after her as she left on her own. He simply beckoned toward the village and began leading the way inside.

His conversation was almost entirely bragging—just how amazing he was, over and over.

—So, right now the inn’s the main thing, but income’s solid. You’ll see it grow even more soon.”

Morg was letting Zaid’s boast bounce off one ear and out the other, so he finally got it when the man’s rambling finally wound down.

This Zaid’s Frontier Village was naturally a stop on the way to Goldendown.

A settlement this big out here, so far from the human habitable zone? That’s downright insane. If he really built it from scratch, then Zaid’s damn impressive.

Humanity’s golden age is ancient history.

Long before recorded time, they say mankind once had a great magical civilization—then wiped out by monsters.

No one knows the exact truth. But after that, the monster era dragged on for ages.

Still, humans slowly multiplied. Built a few nations. Finally managed to secure their survival zone.

Still, humanity’s domain was too narrow in this vast world.

Expanding our survival zone was urgent. If Zaid was leading the charge, he was the kind of man a nation should back.

But we’d already gathered all the info on this village.

The village had grown from the old Goldendown village. Located right in the middle of the long road connecting the frontier marquis’s human settlements to present-day Goldendown, it had naturally evolved into a staging post.

Of course, that’s why frontier expansion always fails—no matter how much groundwork is laid. Zaid had just kept it going. You could call that competent.

But...

Mog couldn’t stand Zaid’s attitude anymore. He finally blurted out what’d been bugging him.

“Huh. I’ll admit it—this place doesn’t even feel like a frontier.”

“That’s right. That’s exactly right.”

Zaid nodded with satisfaction, but froze at Mog’s next words.

“But why isn’t alchemical reinforcement stone used here? All the necessary materials have passed through.”

“W-well… that is…”

“The reason you’re not using something so convenient? I’d truly appreciate an explanation.”

Zaid cleared his throat, then straightened up, smirking.

“Oh, nothing much. The price of volcanic ash and lime’s been skyrocketing every day. Volcanic ash is a nuisance to begin with—just fallout from the nearby plains—but those greedy merchants are charging through the roof. Lime’s price hike’s no joke either. Why bother with stone when wood’s perfectly fine for village construction?”

Mog wasn’t the only one stunned. The clerks and knights traveling with him fell utterly silent.

The plain covered in volcanic ash was a good distance from here. Considering transport costs, the price going up was expected. But it wasn’t just that. Since the method was published by the academy, demand in the country had skyrocketed. There were plenty of places where ash and lime were abundant, but did Zaid really not know that rising demand meant rising prices?

Ash wasn’t even meant to be sold before. It was just cheap until now.

The price didn’t jump—it just got back to what it should’ve been.

But more than anything, does this man even understand the practicality of alchemical reinforced stone?

And besides, this village isn’t just got the materials. It’s got the famed alchemist Jabir too. Everything needed for production is right here.

“Zaid-sama. I assume you haven’t seen Goldendown in person?”

“What? I’ve heard the reports. Looks like they’re building fortresses and city walls.”

"Details?"

"Huh? I've heard it's pretty big."

Mog suddenly realizes.

Either Zaid's interpreting the report however he wants, or the report's been sugarcoated to not piss him off.

"Zaid-sama. Currently, Goldendown's defensive strength, wall-wise, matches that of the capital."

"What... what?"

"Of course, the capital has plenty of soldiers and mages, so in terms of combat defense, it's not even comparable."

Zaid blinks several times.

Maybe, just maybe, he's starting to grasp what Mog—official of the capital—is actually saying.

"Of course, the capital's already rushing to implement alchemical reinforcement stones. New walls should be finished in a few years."

"New walls at the capital... in a few years?"

A city the size of the capital? Walls built like that take decades… if you’re lucky, a century.

Hearing it’ll be done in just a few years? Price tag’s nothing. Not even worth mentioning.

Hell, compared to hauling massive stone from quarries, it’s practically free.

And the design? Open-ended. Leifan, that blacksmith, found a way to lace iron beams through the core—strength spikes, no doubt. Maybe even a thousand-year wall.

Alchemical reinforcement stone, developed with high-tier alchemy? Uses a ton of magic to make, but barely wears down at all.

So this guy’s just tossing it aside because it’s “expensive”?

Calling a powerful weapon for frontier expansion—something that could change everything—worthless?

Mog’s voice hardens, barely hiding his irritation.

Seems like Zaid-sama can't make use of even the alchemical enhancement stone or the renowned Master Jabil's expertise. I'd suggest you see Kyle-sama's frontier settlement for yourself—once.

Zaid wasn’t thinking about the usefulness of alchemical reinforced stone. wasn’t thinking about how to use Jabir.

The first thing that popped into his head was the fact that he was seen as lower than his useless brother.

So Zaid decided to panic and prove his worth right away.

Wait! Hold on! I’ve been spreading my efforts too thin on other things! The village’s reinforcement’s been put on the back burner!

"...hmm?"

To Mōgu, Zaid’s vanity was obvious in an instant. But this was the frontier.

Tugged at my collar and urged forward, maybe something interesting’d come up.

Actually, just a bit outside this village, there’s a massive swamp.

"Swampland, huh. No danger, then?"

Swamplands usually teemed with dangerous monsters. If it was near the village, it’d be a downright perilous zone.

"No, I said it’s a bit away. Not close enough for monsters to come charging in. Besides, I’m planning to develop the place!"

"...Oh?"

Mogu perked up a little.

The kingdom had tried taming swamps before—many times. Most failed. But the few that succeeded? All turned into lush rice paddies.

Rice was just as vital as wheat. Being able to grow it in bulk? That’d be a game-changer for the kingdom.

"That’s impressive. If you pull it off, you’ll definitely earn a medal from the king himself."

"Y-yes! That’s exactly why I’ve dedicated everything to this!"

If that’s true, I’d have to retract everything I’ve said so far. But Mogu only had suspicion, nothing more, based on past experience.

“So, Zaid… what exactly is this plan, and how far along is it?”

“S-ss… that is…”

Zaid stammers. I sigh inwardly—just as I thought.

“Ah, of course. It’s still classified at this stage, isn’t it? My apologies.”

“N-no, I’m sorry. But the plan is progressing steadily, I assure you!”

“Ah, I see. Then it’d be rude of me to press further here. And this is a perfect moment to call it quits. We’ll be heading to the inn.”

They’re probably already preparing rooms at Zaid’s mansion, but to Mogu, that’s the last place he’d want to be invited.

While Zaid hesitates, unsure how to respond, Mogu swiftly leads the inspection party away, without a backward glance.

“Gh… if I stop him now, he won’t explain anything.”

Zaid rushed to follow the inspection party, but couldn’t think of a single thing to call out, and stopped short.

Then anger bubbled up, hot and sharp.

I built this village on this worthless frontier land—now they’re mocking me?!

Zaid meant it, every word.

He let out a voice that rose from deep in the earth.

“Kyle… you won’t get away with this!”