191: Change in the times—comes out of nowhere, doesn’t it?

Not many royal envoys stayed in Mizuho. We’d already sent the merchants packing straight back to the kingdom, following Kyle’s orders.

Once I confirmed it was just the usual crew left, we all gathered.

Watching Kyle’s soldiers move with brisk energy while he decided on the next steps, I spotted Nobuna sprinting toward us.

Her female warrior garb made her impossible to miss.

Sword and magic—Nobuna wielded the nation’s unique Onmyōjutsu, a special spellcraft, with ease. Light armor, but fully equipped.

“Everyone from the kingdom’s gathered?”

“Yeah. We sent the merchants through the teleport gate straight to Goldendoon. So everyone from the kingdom left is right here.”

Thankfully, the square where the teleport gate was set up lay between the city walls and the fortress walls of the Three Great Houses, so we managed to evacuate everyone without much trouble.

If it had been near the outermost city wall, the samurai rushing around for defense would’ve gotten in the way.

"That’s good. You should head back to your homeland soon, Kyle-sama?"

"Yeah, Kyle should get back quick. I’m here to help."

I’d planned to stay and help in the Mizoho Shrine Nation, of course, but Kyle suddenly looked up in a panic.

"No, Craft-sama! It could be seen as interference in internal affairs! Nobuna-san—has the Mizoho Shrine Nation formally requested aid?"

"No, General Shingen only said to guard Kyle-sama until he returns safely."

Shingen, her grandfather and the nation’s supreme military commander, seems set on sending us back.

I’m starting to panic, despite myself.

“H-Hold up! I heard it’s a major monster assault, right!? We could use all the help we can get!”

“I appreciate the concern. But it’s fine. The warriors of Mizoho won’t lose to mere monsters!”

“But—”

“Craft-sama. We can’t act without a formal request. That goes for you too, Raidock-san.”

“I know. The Adventurer’s Guild rules say we can’t get involved in national military actions without an official request.”

True enough… but this isn’t a war between nations, is it?

“Then again, if the Guild issued an emergency call, we’d be on the field right away.”

"Hard to say. If it were our own country's problem, we could coordinate with the lord, but this is another nation... you know?"

"Especially since Mizho's Adventurer's Guild barely has ties with foreign countries."

The Adventurer's Guild was a massive organization spanning nations, but in practice, it was almost indistinguishable from independent guilds in each country.

Even if they wanted to cooperate, distance and the dangers of travel made communication nearly impossible.

It ties into the issue of adventurer ranks too, but I’ll explain that later.

"Anyway, unless the kingdom sends a formal request through the guild, I can’t get involved. Sorry about that."

I started to say I’d do it myself, but Leifan must’ve noticed, because he jabbed me in the ribs with his elbow.

"Craft. Of course, staff from the Production Guild can’t get involved in disputes between nations, right?"

“Ugh…”

I’m completely transparent.

But I still want to help the guy I became friends with.

“Nobuna-san. We’re planning to return through the transfer gate.”

“Kyle!?”

“That’s the best idea.”

“But I’d like to know the situation in a country that just established diplomatic relations. Could you allow us to send a military observer?”

“A military observer? You want to leave a few troops behind to keep tabs on things, right? I’ll allow it.”

“That’s kind of you, but… don’t you need to check with the general first?”

“No problem. I’ve been given full authority over anything concerning Kyle-sama.”

“Understood. Thank you. …Craft, brother, explain the situation to Alphard and have him send an observer to join us.”

“…Got it.”

I do want to help Nobuna and the others, but if Kyle’s decided it, then I’ll respect that.

And so we returned to Goldendown, switching places with Alphard.

"Damn it... is there nothing I can do at all?"

I kicked a pebble along the ground, muttering it out loud.

Then Kyle turned his face toward me.

"What are you talking about, Craft-sama? There's something you need to do right now."

He smiled, gentle and bright.

That was when I first understood Kyle's true talent.

"What've you got in mind?"

"I'm a lord, after all. I need to think about security, diplomacy—prepare for emergencies."

Yeah, that makes sense.

I know how hard it is for him. That's why I want to help him.

"So, for when the worst happens... I'm asking you to fix the transfer gate."

"Fix it? How exactly?"

The gate currently set between us and the Mizoho Shrine Nation is just wide enough for a carriage to pass through. But in an emergency, I’d like it expanded to allow large numbers of people to move through quickly.

What? Seriously?

If a formal request for aid comes through, we’re not formally allied—but I intend to send troops. Right now, the gate’s too narrow. I’m certain the king will approve, once we confirm it.

I see!

Damn, Kyle—good thinking!

Didn’t abandon them after all, huh?

Just—only if it’s a formal request, that’s all.

You can’t wait till the last minute to panic.

Yes. And…

Kyle hesitates.

What?

No, it’s just… I’d rather not think about it, but in case of disaster, we could take in refugees.

That’s…

True. I don’t want to think about it. But the Mizoho Shrine Nation might fall.

"Either way, be ready to switch the gates to larger ones if disaster strikes."

"Yeah, leave it to me!"

I flashed a clenched fist.

"Leifan, hurry up and finish the great bridge."

"The bridge? Now?"

"Yes. The Mizoho Shrine Nation is far across the great river, but we’ve got to plan for the gates being destroyed."

"Ah! Right! In the worst case, refugees might come overland!"

"Yes. If Mizoho falls into crisis, people from nearby small nations will just start fleeing here. We won’t be able to use the gates then."

Makes sense.

So, if the surrounding nations are already fighting monsters, people might just run without waiting to see how it turns out. Who knew you could think that far ahead?

They don’t even know about the transfer gates. They’ll probably head toward the imperial side—or south. Meaning, the kingdom side.

Understood. We’ll speed up the pace! It was already nearly finished, so it shouldn’t take long.

Once the great bridge is done, please reinforce the northern city wall as well.

There’s a fortress in the northeast of the town—naturally, it already has thick walls.

And between that fortress wall and the great bridge, the area was already walled off and enclosed by the city’s perimeter. If we strengthen this section now, we’ll be ready for when monsters come, not just refugees.

So that’s the plan, huh.

“Raidock’s party—especially Eva—has a request.”

“What is it?”

“From Craft-san, please take the complete version of the orichalcum communication device and handle the information exchange.”

That’s when it hit me.

Why send Alphard—the military commander of Golden Dune—as a spectator officer?

“So that’s it. We’re sharing all the footage Alphard’s seen, together?”

"Yeah. Since Lord Bairoroad and Mr. Javir need to be alchemizing, I don’t think anyone else can handle the communication golem besides Eva."

Eva nodded slowly.

"True. If we’re using a mana-consuming device like this constantly, only someone with the Sunset Alchemist’s mark—or even me, the Wise Man—could manage it."

"Can you do it?"

Eva glanced briefly at Raidock.

"Eva, you sure you can? Don’t push yourself too hard."

"I’m fine. Just… I’ll need a lot of mana potions."

"Understood. Kyle, if you can supply the mana potions, I’ll take it on."

"Of course. Leifan, secure every mana potion in the production guild’s stock. No sales for a while."

"Got it."

Kyle gave the orders briskly.

My little brother’s got style.

"Then, mission start!"

"“““Yeah!!!”””"

And so we all took off running.

"...Do I get nothing at all?"

We ignore Jitarou's muttering for now.

Just focus on your real job—hunting.