244: They say the bomb comes last.

The capital city of Gandar.

The capital of Lord Bairoroad, the Marquis of the Frontier, ruled by Kyle’s father.

It’d been ages since I’d been here, but it looked like it had grown a lot since last time.

You could see the reinforcement of alchemical-hardened stone along the city walls, and most of the market walls too.

Jitarou bounced around, looking at the streets.

“Whoa! Feels livelier than before, huh!”

“Yeah, looks like they’ve expanded the market districts.”

“Just carts and warehouses everywhere!”

Must be because it’s a major trade hub—more commercial zones had been added, with space for dozens of carts to park.

Yeah. I’ve been seeing hundreds of carts moving back and forth. Might even be more than in Golden Dune.

…Nah, actually, makes sense when you think about it.

No matter how much you smooth out the road, Golden Dune’s still the farthest edge of the kingdom. You wouldn’t just stroll through unless you had a caravan with escorts, like the ones that go through Akindōn.

Plus, what’s actually shipped out of Golden Dune? Only food stuffs. Mostly wheat.

Honestly, I forgot what they call that wheat. Forgot it, I did!

Potions cost a lot more than wheat. Like, orders of magnitude more. Even if you wanted to buy in bulk, you’d hit a hard limit on cash.

On the other hand, Gandar’s right in the Marquis’s backyard. It’s the endpoint for goods coming from Golden Dune, the final stop before the next stretch. Even if it’s pricier than Golden Dune, it’s the safest place to buy. Most merchants end up stocking up here.

Some real go-getters even make it all the way to Leifan Town just to cut the price.

Most of the big merchants and large caravans come straight here to Goldendown for supplies.

Maybe it was because of those circumstances—Gandar City was buzzing with life.

I was just about to turn into a sightseeing tourist when Eva gave me a cold stare.

Ain’t goin’ to the Marquis’s place, huh?

Don't say something so scary! There's no way I'm going without Kyle! This is just a damn transit point!

Once, I was stuck alone with my old man—couldn’t take that kind of air between us!

Something about Kyle looked like he was deep in thought, but what do I know about nobles’ secrets? Can’t guess that kind of thing.

Then, Persia started making a tone-deaf remark.

But Maina’s here. Isn’t it only natural to greet her father, Lord Bairoroad, the Marquis of the Frontier?

Oi! Don't go adding unnecessary stuff!

While I’m fumbling around, trying to figure out how to cover it up, Maina tugs on Persia’s sleeve and shakes her head side to side.

“Are you sure about this, Lady Maina?”

“Mm.”

“Then I understand. Hey, Craft! Looks like Lady Maina doesn’t need to meet her father after all!”

“Because I saw it happen!”

Why are you reporting that so confidently? Like some knight’s duty or something?!

Leifan leans in and whispers to me.

“Isn’t it a bit much, making Lady Maina worry like this?”

“Uhh… yeah, maybe?”

I had a vague sense I’d made her uncomfortable, but I guess even from the outside it was obvious.

Persia must’ve read my expression, because she just stares at me, exasperated.

“You’re thinking something right now—can’t miss it. It’s not your imagination. You’re definitely in the wrong.”

“W-well… harsh.”

“Isn’t it a kind of advice, though?”

“Ah, yeah.”

Eva’s stare—flat, unimpressed—made my pulse jump a little.

She’s giving me this advice because she’s thinking about me.

Could it be… I actually like older women? No no no, don’t go there!

Wait—my first crush was that young nun from the orphanage. And I remember Azuur, the fox-girl I grew up with there, getting real mad whenever I looked at her. Like, real mad.

Huh… that nun was kind of a hard case too…

No no no!

I shook my head hard and shoved that dirty thought out of my mind.

Eva’s my friend! My ally! And she’s definitely into Raidock!

Can’t think like that! Not ever!

…Maybe it’s because I noticed it now, but the way her eyelashes flicked at me made my chest tighten weirdly.

I get that you don’t wanna meet nobles, but you’re already on friendly terms with Kyle, and before that, you’ve got a casual rapport with the king—

Then Eva freezes mid-motion. She leans in, face suddenly right in front of mine.

Tch, too close!

You listening at all? You’ve been acting weird since a bit ago. You sick or something? You look flushed.

She slides her hand to my forehead, smooth and natural.

Her face fills the whole damn view—right up close!

Skin like she’s never seen a day of hard work. Not like a damn adventurer at all.

Breath brushing my face. Mind’s going to pieces.

Yeah. That’s the problem. Staring this close at her face.

I force my eyes straight down.

…….

Yeah. Seeing it up close like this, you really get a feel for how big the Twin Hills are. Sisters, but Marilyn and Camille are all different sizes. Eva’s right in the middle—balanced…

Gyaaaaaaah!

Get lost! You damn, twisted soul of mine!

Ignoring my inner panic, Eva’s younger sister Camille darted over, eyes sparkling.

“Big sister. Craft’s sick. A fatal illness. If we don’t tend to him, he’ll die.”

“Whaaaat!?”

“Sorry. ‘Fatal’ was a bit too strong. But he should rest for a while.”

She appears out of nowhere, declaring something completely nonsensical with a straight face. Though she’s got nothing to puff up her chest with, really!

No. My mind’s breaking.

Ignoring me, my brain locked up and frozen, the two of them keep talking.

“Could it be a cold? He feels a bit warm, maybe?”

"Go straight to the inn and stay by her side… no, watch over her constantly."

"Constantly!? That’s—how can a man and woman be alone like that?"

"Opportunity."

"W-what kind of opportunity is that!?"

"About time she realized how she feels—"

A figure bursts in.

It was Lilirily. Dressed in that sloppy, unkempt mess, I thought for a second it was a ghost.

Relax. Just a pervert. And a pervert yelling.

"Hey, hold up! I’m taking care of Maina—got it!?"

"Maina!?"

We three blurted it out in unison, but Lilirily ignored us completely, creeping closer.

"Nu-fu-fu-fu. Heard it from Lord Jabir. The one who was thought to be just a Seal Officer’s idle rambling—the one who helped establish the noble estate, the one who published countless joint papers with little Jabir-chan. Made a fortune off mass-producing wheat, hardened rock, and various potions! Naturally, she’s got strong ties with the nobility too (..)."

She rambled on, her momentum freezing us in place, but she didn’t stop—Lilirily pressed on.

"Plus, look closely—she’s not bad-looking. Not some wizard’s beanpole frame, nor overly muscular. That’s a high score! Nu-fu-fu-fu."

Quit eyeing me like you’re licking every inch of my body!

I’ve made up my mind! I’m marrying Craft Walker! Marilyn! Take care of me, you adorable little thing! Pay for my research! And while you’re at it, let me live with you!