You know, some things you don’t realize unless someone points them out.

Sorry to keep you waiting.

I’m going to do my best.

When the marsh extermination squad advances near the central marsh, they rescue Zaid’s private troops.

According to the soldier, Zaid and his private force stepped into the dangerous central marsh, but were attacked by a horde of hydral, scattered and broken apart.

Kyle resolves to rescue Zaid and his private troops.

Raidock leads the adventurer squad, and Julara leads the lizardman squad—combined, they begin their exploration deeper into the marsh.

Calling it the “deep marsh” or “central marsh” sounds simple, but the area is vast—wide enough to fit an entire city-state with its territories.

The exploration won’t be easy.

Kyle’s留守 group sets up camp, preparing to follow the others.

I finished my assigned task.

"Hey, Leifan. Ain't my job kinda light?"

All I'd done was check inventory and wander around the soldiers, asking if everything was fine.

"Craft, your job is rest! Gotta be ready to move fast if something comes up!"

"Ah... yeah."

Guess I wasn't exactly living up to my duty as Kyle’s guard.

I settle into a supply wagon set up next to the one for Kyle and Maina.

Then, Master Javir walks over.

"Craft, got a moment?"

"Of course, sir. Just brewing tea. Please, have a seat."

"Uh-huh."

I shove tea leaves into the pot and pour hot water in.

The water’s magic-made.

Back in my adventurer days, that kind of magic use was unthinkable.

Sorry it’s just a cheap cup, but I hand it over to Master Javir.

“Hmph. You’d do well to learn a bit more about brewing tea.”

“U… sorry. Same leaves, but Ryuuko’s brew tastes better…”

“Think of it like alchemy. Same as managing herb extracts and temperature.”

That hadn’t even occurred to me!

“I’ll improve.”

From now on, I’ll make learning to brew tea from Ryuuko part of my training.

Clenching my resolve like a fist, my teacher stiffened his expression.

“Hmph. Now, the real matter. Just how much do you understand about orichalcum?”

“Orichalcum?”

“Hmph.”

An alloy of mithril and adamantite—perfect balance in weight and magical properties. Ideal for weapons and armor.

Plus, alchemy can turn it into a mind-sensitive metal. Handy for communication devices.

I explained all this, throwing in the proper terms, to my teacher.

My teacher shakes his head weakly.

"I’m not asking about its physical properties. I’m asking about the effect the orichalcum has."

"Effect... like what?"

Should I imagine it causing a commotion three times bigger than when mithril was discovered?

"Hmph. Then it’s a lecture. First off, the metal itself— orichalcum—is hardly known at all."

"Right, even some adventurers don’t know about it."

"Mm. Just a rumor, really. Something like 'an incredibly rare metal'."

"Yes."

"Meaning, hardly anyone outside a very small circle knows what orichalcum actually is."

"I see."

"And among those few, the mental sensitivity you’ve confirmed? That’s something never known before."

"Really?"

I tilt my head, and my teacher holds up the orichalcum ring.

This communication device you made—how it actually works, I can’t figure it out.

"Wait. So you actually knew about this device itself, Teacher?"

Just like I expected from you, Professor Javir.

"Ah. I’ve never held one before, but I’ve heard of it."

"Then you knew about orichalcum’s properties too?"

"No. I’ve heard it’s used in magic devices, but I never knew anyone was actually exploiting the metal’s unique traits."

"I see."

If even the Teacher doesn’t know, then there really aren’t many people who do.

"So, Teacher. Is there something wrong with it?"

"Idiot. There’s nothing but problems with it. You’re probably thinking of it as just a handy little gadget, but the value of this device? It’s beyond measure."

"Beyond handy?"

Sure, it’s handy to chat from a distance—obviously—but I figured, given how it’s being used militarily this time, that its value was already off the charts.

“Hmm… say, if someone with a magical device were in the capital, and heard the price of crystals was rising there, what would you do?”

“Easy. I’d go straight to Akindoo… have a merchant buy up a massive stock… wait—!”

I’d only ever thought of it from an adventurer’s angle before. But from a merchant’s? That’s an insane profit potential!

“Now, what if you heard about a coup in the neighboring empire, and they’re sending a huge army our way?”

“…Without that intel, we’d be caught off guard. We’d take a devastating hit.”

Now it’s the military angle.

Wait.

This communication device… is way worse than I thought?

Seeing my face change, Master Javir nods.

"Seems you're starting to get it. This magical device is far more remarkable—and far more dangerous—than you might think. Though, given how much magic it drains, it's not something just anyone can use."

Funny thing. When I gave the ring to Eva, she muttered something like that, too.

Guess professional mages really are sharp.

I thought I had a decent grasp of it already, but apparently not quite enough.

"So, uh… should we seal it off then?"

"No, keep using it. But don’t make any more of them."

"Got it!"

My teacher nods, satisfied.

"Well, as for the communication device, only your trusted allies should have it. But as for weapons—might be okay to let a few out into the world."

"What do you mean by that?"

The fact that orichalcum’s been found can’t be hidden anymore. Word’s already spread that Kyle-sama’s in control of it.

“Looks like it.”

I nearly flipped over when that Akindoo fellow came begging to sell us a whole wagon full of gold coins.

How the hell did he make that much?

If people find out orichalcum’s being used to forge weapons, and those weapons are ending up in the hands of nobles and adventurers, the rumors’ll die down. No one could’ve guessed they’d found it in ingot form, not at that scale.

Wait.

I told the master about the ingots, but did I mention there were ten of them?

Oh well.

“Then I’ve got a plan.”

“What’s that?”

“Seeing how Raidock’s gonna be the hero again, no matter what, why not just hand him an orichalcum sword as a special reward? That’ll cover it, right?”

“Hmph.”

The teacher stood silent, arms crossed.

“Still… feels a bit excessive for a reward, don’t you think?”

“True… well, we’ll sort something out with Kyle.”

“Ah. Kyle’ll think of a proper way to justify it.”

It’s a real relief that even the teacher trusts Kyle.

“From now on, I’ll be consulting Kyle about the orichalcum.”

“Understood.”

That’s when I nodded—and the sound of battle echoed from outside.

“What?!”

I jumped from the carriage. Kyle’s private troops were already moving, bustling about where they’d been resting.

One of them dashed toward me.

“Craft! Hydras approaching from ten o’clock! We can handle them—but there’s quite a few! Stay close to Kyle, just in case!”

“Got it!”

I hustle toward the carriage with Javir and Kyle and Maina.

Close by, really.

Then Van Vain, the self-proclaimed adventurer, stands in front of the carriage.

Red-haired beard, probably some noble old man.

" heard the hydras around here had been cut down, but they’re back again?"

Van rubs his chin, calm.

Adventurer, probably lying—but seems used to rough stuff.

"Normally, I planned to clear out the shallow wetlands and this area a bit deeper before moving. You get the idea?"

Van shrugs.

"Ah. Because there’s a whole damn horde of hydras spread all over this godforsaken swamp."

"Exactly. My plan was to take out as many hydras as possible before hitting the most dangerous part—the center of the swamp, where plant density spikes crazy—before charging in."

"Guess we can't just leave someone in trouble, huh."

"Uh-huh."

Zaid's a pain in the ass, but he's still Kyle's brother. That's a fact.

Personally, I'd love to see him get what's coming to him.

Whether he's even still alive's questionable.

We haven't confirmed his status yet, so searching is urgent.

Considering Kyle's soft heart, he'd probably want to save him if he could.

Combat sounds are getting louder.

Kyle peeks out from the supply wagon, nervous.

"Craft兄様..."

I smile to calm him.

"Relax. There are a lot of them, but your troops are solid."

"I know that. But..."

He doesn't seem to be struggling, but should we go help?

I'm caught in thought when Van quirks a grin.

"Fine. I'll go."

Van grabs his sword—white, massive, nearly as tall as he is.