92: Brother's growth, makes you wanna cry, huh?
Zaid had left for the marshlands with his troops, so he wasn’t in the village.
We headed to Professor Jabir’s manor—both to gather intel and to leave Maina in safe hands—only to run into a big, beefy man arguing with the professor.
He was mid-sentence, but urgency on our side meant I had to interrupt, even if it was rude.
“Professor Jabir? Craft here… busy?”
Before the professor even turned, the big man spoke first.
“What? Depends on the matter—can be busy or idle.”
“Nah, I wasn’t talking to you.”
I’d called out to the professor. But it was the red-haired man in what looked like a captain’s coat who answered.
Wait, who the hell are you?
The professor turned, spotted me and Kyle, and his expression brightened.
"Oh! Craft... and you too, Kyle-sama! Welcome, welcome!"
Professor Jabil rushes toward us like he's fleeing something. You'll trip if you run like that.
Ah, fell down.
I scramble to help, but before I can reach him, the red-haired giant is already lifting the professor up with a quick heave.
"Haha! Still as clumsy as ever, aren't you!"
"Ugh! Shut up!"
The giant laughs hard, clutching his stomach, while the professor turns bright red and fumes.
Yeah. Not liking this at all.
After brushing off the dust, the professor stands straight in front of Kyle and gives a graceful bow.
"Long time no see, Kyle-sama."
"Yes. Long time. I've heard quite a bit through Craft. Glad to see you're doing well."
"Likewise, Kyle-sama. Though I've failed to cure even one of your ailments, this humble one still offers congratulations on your full recovery."
"Not at all. If it weren't for your efforts, Javir, I'd have been called to the heavens long ago. I truly thank you again."
"Such kind words are too much..."
Oh!
What a breathtaking sight!
Persia would’ve been bawling if she were here!
"Hmph, so you're Kyle... You've grown, haven't you?"
And then, a crude interruption cut through that moving scene!
Old man! It's you!
And acting all familiar with Kyle!
"Uh... I'm sorry. Did we meet before?"
The moment the old man reached for Kyle’s head, a blade, drawn bare, blocked him.
"Who are you...? What—!?"
The sword was drawn in an instant—of course, by Alphard. I didn’t even see it move!
Standing between Kyle and the old man, blade raised—pointed at the old man.
That’s what I meant to do.
"Uh?"
"Huh?"
The old man’s figure had just vanished from where he should’ve been.
Not just teleportation-level. I mean, gone. Completely erased.
No—more like, that’s what it looked like.
“Ah…”
“Hahaha! Look at you, grown so big!”
“Wha—?!”
The old man had somehow slipped behind Kyle without a sound, now raking his fingers through Kyle’s hair like he was some kind of rag doll.
Not just me. Alphard. Jitarou. Leifan. We all went stiff with shock.
Leaving Raidock behind with the main force was a mistake!
This old guy’s definitely Raidock-level!?
Maybe even higher!
Everyone close to Kyle—every last one—drew their weapons at once.
“Get your hands off Kyle!”
“You touch him again, I’ll melt you down to nothing!”
“Stop… they’re too close…!”
Tension surged like a tidal wave—except for this old man, who was perfectly relaxed.
“Ah, no need to do anything. Haven’t seen this in ages. Feels nostalgic, y’know.”
“Um… do you know me?”
A acquaintance…?
“Yeah. You were just a kid back then. Can’t really remember, can I? Javir! Do something about this!”
The red-haired old guy scratched the back of his head, looking flustered, calling for Javir’s help.
“Ah! Good heavens! Good heavens, I tell you! Kyle-sama! Craft! And you guards! This man’s safe! Put your weapons away!”
Even though it was my respected teacher speaking, this was still… too much.
“Teacher, who the hell is this guy?”
“Ah, this man here… well…”
The old man cut in before the teacher could finish.
“My name’s Van! Van Vine, adventurer!”
An adventurer?
Makes sense, both in skill and looks.
But...
"Adventurer... huh?"
"Yup! That's right!"
But seriously—what the hell is this guy?!
Kyle looks just as confused.
"Uh, do you know me, sir?"
The red-haired man grins, smug.
"Yup! I've even guarded Lord Orthros of the Frontier before!...Yeah, that's it. Now I'm guarding Javir. Right? Javir!"
"U-uh... yes, that's right..."
Man, the teacher's face is totally twisted!
He totally just made that up!
"Uh, Teacher. If you're in trouble, I'll take this guy out—full force?"
Not alone, but Alphard and Leifan and Jitarou are here too. If we pool our strength, we can handle it.
"Out! No! Absolutely not, Craft!"
"Huh? If you're okay with that..."
Ugh! You hear me!? You absolutely can't order an attack, Kyle-sama!?
Y-yes...
No hostility. But is this really okay?
Still, the teacher’s been this worked up, so...
Alphard’s face is tight.
"Lord Javir. Are you certain... this man is truly safe?"
"Indeed. I guarantee it."
Something’s going on here. I’ll drop it before I get in deeper.
"Kyle. You sure about this?"
"S-sure, I think. He seems fine... um..."
The old guy’s been ruffling Kyle’s hair nonstop since earlier.
If he had any ill intent, he’d’ve killed him already.
"So. You’ve brought troops. You finally come to kill Zaid?"
"N-no!?"
Unusual—Kyle’s flustered.
The old guy’s been calling all the shots since we got here.
"We came to exterminate the monsters in the swamp. We were checking in with Zaid-sama, but heard he’d headed that way."
Back to the point at last!
Then, Master Javir frowned. The red-haired giant gave a smug grin.
"Hmph. Been worried sick, he hasn’t come back."
"Um... is Zaid-sama’s strength... still okay?"
The teacher folded his arms across his flat chest.
"To be honest... it’s looking grim."
"Exactly...! Craft-sama! We’ll send every last unit to rescue him!"
I was about to nod when Van cut in, eyes lit up with interest.
"Rescue? Just leave him be. Kyle, Zaid’s nothing but a nuisance to you, isn’t he? You’d be next in line for the Marquis’s title now."
Damn it...
He’s definitely some kind of adventurer, judging by how he looks and how strong he is. But you could easily say he’s ex-nobility too. Knows too much about the situation.
“Van-san. I’ll say this clearly, since there seems to be a misunderstanding. I have no intention of succeeding my father… the Marquis of the Frontier. He made it clear to me himself—my succession would go to either Flatten or Zaid. So I’m not going to abandon my family just for status.”
Kyle speaks with unwavering resolve.
Yeah, that’s exactly you, isn’t it? Persia would probably cry if she saw you right now—so damn noble.
Then Van’s old man bursts out laughing.
You damn fool. I’m gonna punch you.
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