Sixteen: That’s the thing, really. The more they trust you, the heavier the tasks they shove on you.

When King Van appeared at the transfer array, everyone dropped to one knee. Kyle bowed deeply and announced.

“Welcome, Your Majesty. Lord Vaindeck Midlights von Maugary.”

“Hmph. How’ve you been, Marquis of Elquisil?”

“Quite well, Your Majesty. Thanks to your exceptional kindness, my domain continues to flourish.”

“Hahahaha! That’s wonderful! Battista, you must’ve had a long journey.”

“An honor beyond words.”

Today, Van wasn’t here in secret—no, he was here as King, in full royal regalia. But still, he looked exactly like his usual adventurer self.

Come on. Is this really how a king should act?

I’d been told in advance to treat him as king today, so I’m kneeling on one knee and bowing my head like I’m supposed to. Feels ridiculous, though.

Still, there’s old Batista and Elra here, so I manage to swallow my words.

“Let’s get started, then. Kyle, show them in.”

“Yes.”

“Get started,” huh? You’re the one who just called for the Elixiric Pioneer Marquis, then switched straight to calling you Kyle. What’s with that?

I suppress the urge to point that out, and follow silently behind the two as they start walking.

We exit the hidden room and move into a small reception chamber meant for fewer people.

Once the maids finish setting out tea, Van waves his hand broadly.

“Now we’re starting an important meeting. Maids, leave.”

The maids exit the room. Van lets out a long sigh.

“Ugh. I hate formality. Relax, all of you.”

“Your Majesty…”

Battista makes a sour face, but Van waves a hand, silencing him.

“Only people who know me are here. If you start with formalities over there, we won’t even be able to talk.”

Battista rubs his head. Yeah. I get it.

And I rub my own. Seriously—can I really act normal in this situation?

Van, as if reading my mind, waves a hand.

“Not some test. Just be yourself. Craft. Leifan too.”

Leifan and I stare at each other for a few seconds, then shrug.

“Uh. You’re really sure about this?”

“Yeah. That’s fine.”

Van grins. Looks like he’s serious.

“Then what was the advance warning for?”

“Didn’t want us messing up somewhere with eyes on us.”

“Huh.”

Can’t really argue with that.

"But there's Battista and Elra too, you know."

"These two know my true self."

I glanced at the two of them, silently thinking, *Good luck with that,* and they both cracked a wry smile, reading my mind perfectly.

"Right, then. Everyone's ready. Let's begin the meeting. Oh, sit down, all of you."

Only Kyle and Van were seated, but at the king's prompt, everyone took their seats.

"So, Kyle. When are we setting out on the diplomatic mission to the small states?"

"I'd like to leave within a month..."

"Problem?"

"Yes. I want to go myself, but that raises the issue of who'll handle the governance of Golden Dune. The civil servant you sent is capable, but I can't just hand over the reins like that."

"True enough... Hmm."

Van rubbed his chin, pausing to think.

"Actually, that might work out perfectly."

Muttering under his breath, Van stood up.

"Batista. We'll use the communication golem. And do you have a spare gemstone for the teleportation array?"

"Of course I do... but..."

A frown creased Batista’s brow. Bad feeling.

Van gripped Batista’s shoulder tight and whispered something in his ear.

"Hmm. Not a bad idea, but are you certain you’re willing to go through with this?"

"Right now, who else has talent like that? Anyone else we can actually move?"

Batista blinked once, then slowly nodded.

"Perhaps you’re right. I’ll contact them and get things ready. Excuse me for a moment... Ah, Kyle-sama. Please authorize the use of the teleportation array."

"Certainly. Uh, Leifan. Please show them the way."

"Yes."

You can't get into the hidden room without Leifan.

Once the two left, Van downed his tea in one gulp.

"Craft. Refill."

"Yessir."

From the teapot the maid had left behind, tea poured in a steady splash.

"...Tastes awful. Should’ve let Leifan brew it before sending him off."

"Then don’t drink it if you’re gonna complain."

Why the hell does the same tea taste different depending on who brews it?

Van didn’t ask Professor Jabir because he knew the man’s household was a total mess. Surrounded by golems that handled his daily chores, the professor himself was catastrophically bad at even the simplest tasks.

"Kyle. How’s the estate running?"

"Yes. Will you be inspecting it later?"

"Awfully regrettable, but I haven't got time. The frontier’s being pushed forward—everywhere, we're building fortresses. Busy as hell. Ah, right. Since we started importing massive amounts of wheat here, food shortages have eased a lot. Good work."

"Thank you. All thanks to Craft-sama and the people of the estate."

"Next up—mass production of rice. If we get that and trade with the small states just right, we can shut up those damn nitpicky nobles. Absolutely have to make it work."

His words made me pause.

"Hey, Your Majesty. You seem kinda tense. Am I imagining it?"

"Call me Van....Good. You caught it. I'm stressed. Really stressed."

"Is the noble backlash really that bad?"

I figured a young lord like Kyle would have plenty of nobles grumbling about him. That’s what I expected.

"It's serious. We really do need to pull the nation together as fast as possible. But there's something else I'm worried about."

"What?"

"The invasion by monsters."

"Huh? I heard alchemical hardening rock’s been spreading. Should’ve made things a lot easier by now."

"Yeah. We've built a bunch of forts between human territories and monster habitats. Pushed the safe zones upward."

"You think there'll be stampedes? Repeatedly?"

"That's part of it. But not all."

What the hell are you talking about?

"I mean humanity as a whole. Specifically, the Zebias Allied Kingdom in the west."

"The big nation beyond the impassable mountain range, right?"

"Exactly. One of the three great powers—alongside our MauGaria Kingdom and the northern Duvatten Empire."

I’ve heard of it. But I know nothing about Zebias.

"Got something new?"

You know how it is—travel to other nations is practically impossible, surrounded as we are by monster territories. We had to break through using wyverns just to bring in that traitor Vela, the second wife of Orthros, and Javir.

Got any communication devices? Or anything like that?

None of the countries have backups. We’re hoping you’ll be able to make them someday. …But you should get that this communication device is an ultra-rare artifact.

Heh.

If I’ve got the materials, I can make as many as I want. Feels weird, honestly.

Anyway, information exchange with other nations is a nightmare. But we’re not completely cut off.

Hmm.

Some high-ranking adventurers have been fleeing from Zebias lately. Seems like things are going badly over there.

Fleeing the country, huh?

A lot of people probably think that. The Zebias adventurers are one of the key forces holding the western defense. They must be feeling the pressure pretty hard, if the people on the ground are thinking that.

...

Don’t know the details, but they say the western side of this continent’s a monster’s territory.

And right at the front line is the Zebias Allied Kingdom. Their situation over there isn't looking good...

I think all three nations have to stand together now. Thanks to you all, we’ve got surplus food and troops. We’ve got to work with the other countries to protect the human realm.

…You’re actually doing a decent job as king.

I’m hitting you.

The conversation was getting too serious, so I lightened the mood a bit.

There’s no proper route connecting the three nations right now. Either you gather strong warriors and push through dangerous monster-infested zones, or you’ve got a dragon knight like Orthros to sprint straight through. But this Golden Dawn has turned that logic on its head.

Van stood up, walked to the window, and scanned the roads stretching out in all directions.

“Built roads cutting straight through dangerous frontiers. Constructed castles capable of fighting monsters. Now I want you to do the same—across the small nations.”

“Why the small nations?”

“They’re sandwiched between the three major powers. Start from there. Build roads linking the three nations. That’s why alliances and cooperation with the small nations are essential.”

Van turned, pointing at Kyle.

“Kyle! Secure the small nations—no matter what! Cooperation, alliance, conquest, merger—doesn’t matter! Don’t pick your methods!”

“Hai!”

Kyle dropped to one knee immediately.

"Yeah. Sorry about the theatrics, but I’m not the one who’s gonna conquer anything."

"I know that! But let me at least *look* like I’m doing something!"

This is getting nowhere.

Checking the comments and tweets, it seems a lot of people just don’t get how strong Ryuuko is.

Sorry about that.

Just assume they don’t know.

And next Monday the 28th, the latest fifth volume is finally coming out!

It might shift a bit due to distribution, but please bear with us!