Eighty-three: Travel’s fun, but it’s nice to be back home, huh?

“Ooooh! That’s it! The legendary! Orichalcum!”

I’d gotten so worked up I’d shouted it out, but I wasn’t the only one buzzing.

“What? Seriously?! Real orichalcum, Leifan?!”

“My master once had a magic device made with orichalcum. He said just a small piece embedded in it was worth a national treasure… so how much is this ingot worth, huh?”

“Now that I think about it, ‘Orefalcon’ is kinda a loud name, ain’t it?”

Raidock was just as excited as me. Eva, on the other hand, went pale. She must really know what this is worth.

One guy was the only one who’d misremembered the name. Ignore him.

“Leifan’s sister, is this Orefalcon really that rare a metal?”

"Yeah. It's super rare. We've only ever found it before in ancient magical artifacts—stuff like high-tier enchanted gear or decorations. Probably the first time it's been found as an ingot, huh?"

"Whoa, that's amazing!!"

"That's why it's amazing!!"

"Cut the comedy act already—let me鉴定 it too!"

"Sure! Of course!"

Taking the orichalcum ingot from Leifan. Heavy. Like iron, maybe?

"Alright... '鉴定'."

The moment I cast the鉴定 spell, knowledge floods in from the sigil of the Evening Alchemist.

As expected, a torrent of new information crashes into my brain. The so-called 'whisper of the sigil.' Getting too much knowledge at once can leave you frozen for a few seconds.

Not quite dizzy, but it’s been ages since I felt this.

“Craft?”

“…Nah, nothing.”

Quick glance with Leifan. She probably noticed. That info on orichalcum—flowing straight from the sigil’s whisper—had reached me.

But she doesn’t ask. We nod in silence. No need to speak. We agree—this knowledge stays buried.

Didn’t feel like something you could just toss out there.

Yeah, right.

Orichalcum—the legendary, mysterious metal—turns out to be a fusion of mithril (……) and adamantite (………), of all things. You don’t just announce that.

And that’s not even all. The special abilities it holds? Could be state-level secrets.

This one’s gonna need a talk with Kyle.

Likely, Leifan figured out how to work with the orichalcum too—just by touching it, judging it. But since he’s not saying anything, I guess he’s thinking the same thing.

“Raidock. Just to be sure—did we hand over the metal we found on this trip to Kyle, as requested?”

“Yeah, no doubt about it.”

“Everyone, sorry, but keep the orichalcum thing quiet. No talking about it.”

“I’ll tell the lizardman chief myself.”

“Count on you, Raidock.”

Good thing the hidden room’s just us.

Wait—no, there’s one more.

I turn around. Shururu’s right behind me, somehow.

“Sorry, Shururu. I’ll tell the chief properly. But don’t say anything to the other lizardmen…”

“Got it! Just our little secret!”

It’s not like it’s just between the two of us, anyway. No point correcting Shururu, who’s blasting heart symbols from every inch of her body.

Why the hell am I this popular?

Not that I mind, but when someone’s this forward, it’s overwhelming for a love newbie like me!

Aaahhh!

Don’t cling to my back like it’s nothing!

I’m hit! I’m hit, dammit!

I scramble away from Shururu, grabbing onto Jitarou like a lifeline.

“Jitarou! Did you find anything else!?”

Jitarou gives me a deadpan look.

(You’re running from Craft, huh? You like ‘em big, don’t you?)

(Well, sure I do! But seriously, when they go full predator mode, even I can’t handle that!)

(Just rip it off already…!)

Sorry, Raidock. I used to just envy you, but now that it’s actually happening to me? I’ve got no idea what to do!

Raidock, sandwiched between Eva and Solal, shot us a look like, 'You gotta be kidding me.'

Damn it. Now he’s the kind of guy you can’t even mess with?

“Yeah, done with the room search. Got the loot. Time to head back to the village!”

Under Raidock’s command, we turned around and headed back to the lizardfolk village.

All things considered, we saved the lizardfolk and snagged the treasure. That’s a solid win.

“Raidock… you’re something else…”

“Craft-sama… you’re something else…”

Yeah. That’s a win, right?

“Just step on dog poop, both of you!”

Jitarou muttered curses for a bit, but by the time we reached the village, he was already chatting up Camille. Tough guy, or just completely without principle?

◆

When we got back to the village, the lizardfolk welcomed us with a grand celebration.

The warriors who’d met up in the dungeon were shocked by the village’s state, but seeing how many giant frogs were still being dealt with, they managed to hide their regret beneath relief.

Then one of the warriors tapped my shoulder again.

“We heard you held the village while we were gone. Didn’t think it’d be this much. Thanks—really.”

Watching him bow to all of us, not just me, a smile slipped out. Glad we’d come.

I asked Shururu to arrange a meeting with the village chief. She got us a room in the annex.

Only the chief, Charle, his son, Julara, and Shururu were there.

Raidock and I represented the group. We gave the report on the orichalcum.

Hmm... A rare metal, huh. We’re barely able to work iron. If handing it over to you counts as a favor, then fine. Just tell the other villagers it’s a valuable metal we’ve passed on.

Julara, not the chief, was the one speaking. The chief just nodded beside him.

I don’t get the lizardfolk’s politics, but it looks like Julara’s already got most of the chief’s authority.

“That’d be a big help. So, what’s your next move? Staying here? If you’re coming to Goldendoon like you said, I’ll guide you. Welcome’s open.”

Now it was the chief who answered.

“Aye. We’ll confirm with the warriors who returned tonight. But moving’s basically decided. We’ll be relying on your kindness.”

“Yay!”

“Shururu! Language! And for starters, that’s rude in front of guests!”

"S-sorry, big bro..."

"Ugh... I'm sorry. Anyway, we'll be counting on you. I'm leaving as soon as everything's ready. I'm counting on you to show us the way."

"Got it. We'll get our travel stuff ready too. It's gonna be a long trip, so brace yourself."

"Brace myself."

"Good. Craft, make sure to stock up on stamina potions."

"Got it."

While the village chief and Jurala wore serious expressions, Shururu was grinning from ear to ear.

As soon as we stepped out of the annex, Shururu lunged at me.

"Craft-sama! We'll be together forever from now on!"

"A-ah. But probably, the place the lizardfolk live and where we stay are gonna be pretty far apart."

"I'll live wherever Craft-sama lives!"

"O-oh..."

S-so that's how it is. Planning to live in Goldendown?

No marshes, but it's by the river. Should be fine, I guess.

Maybe build some experimental housing suitable for lizardfolk and have them live there. Should talk to Kyle about it.

“Details can wait till we get there. We’re welcome to have you.”

“Yeah!”

Aaaah! Don’t latch onto my neck! My cheek—my cheek’s getting crushed!

I mean, my whole face is being smothered!

“…Craft-kun.”

“L-Leifan! R-right! Help me with potion-making!”

“I’m setting up the tent right now.”

Leifan turns sharply away, a little too fast.

He’s mad about something!?

Suddenly, I notice the rabbit doll slung at my waist—(scary).

I’m not certain, but I don’t think Maina should see me with Shururu.

Yeah. I’ll be careful when we get back.

We hadn’t finished surveying even six or seven tenths of the land we’d planned, but we were heading back toward Goldendown, dragging the lizardfolk along with us.

I’d been worried about the old folks and kids moving slow, but thanks to the warriors—energized by stamina potions—building a carrier like a shrine palanquin, they carried the slower members easily. We made it back way ahead of schedule.

And finally, when we reached Goldendown, the lizardfolk just stood there, mouths gaping, stunned silent.

A vast plain, lined with towering city walls that looked like mountains. No wonder they were speechless.

Some of the high-rise homes even rose above the walls, peeking over here and there.

Looks like construction’s going smooth—maybe even accelerating.

“W-what the hell is that giant stone fortress?”

"O-oh, we didn’t end up in some terrifying place, did we?"

It’s fine. Kyle’s a gentle guy, so it’s fine!