265: Let the settlement be left to us, they said.

The news of Kyle Goldendown von Eriksil, the Marquis of the Frontier, being declared fully healed spread like wildfire across Eriksil Province and throughout the entire Maugaria Kingdom, centering on the capital.

Having received the seal of approval from the medical team led by Professor Javir, Kyle was immediately ordered by His Majesty the King to host a grand ceremony in Eriksil Province. The moment he returned, the place was in chaos.

I wanted to take my time rejoicing in reuniting with Kyle, but Van damn well dumped a mountain of work on both Kyle and the Production Guild. I barely managed a quick hello after the exam—no real conversation at all.

We’ve been bumping into each other all day for meetings, sure, but we haven’t had a single chance to sit down and talk properly in days.

Today, the Production Guild was a battlefield.

Lord Bairoroad’s Leifan was spinning in place, barking orders in every direction.

“Delivery of this potion’s delayed. Get it moved out—now! Progress on the royal ceremony venue?! We’re short on artisans who can handle solidified rock. Recruit them—quickly! Yes! From the capital! Check with Batista for transfer gate authorization! Craft, get that report on the investigation done—now!”

“Y-yeah! Got it!”

That’s how it went.

He’s treating people like dirt. That damn Van!

I mutter curses under my breath toward His Majesty, but hey, that’s what kings are for—getting away with it.

They’re gathering nobles from across the realm for some big announcement Van’s making. Ceremony’s gonna be massive.

I thought it could’ve just been in the capital, but when they say it’s also to announce Kyle’s recovery to the locals, I can’t argue. Damn it. He’s hitting me right where it hurts.

But pulling off a ceremony like the one normally held in the capital, right here in Elixir territory? That’d be a massive feather in Kyle’s cap. Can’t exactly stand by and not support that.

The last time Kyle was knighted, it was big. But this? This is on another level entirely. Back then, only the nobles who could make it showed up. Now? The king himself ordered every noble in the realm to attend. No joke.

The roads are swarming with guards. Inns are packed. Carriages, building materials, manpower—every single guild in the kingdom is scrambling.

All the expenses are coming straight from the crown. I’ve even seen Zaid and Van yelling at each other, shouting, “You gonna bankrupt the treasury!?”

Yeah, Van just leaned back, poking his ear, and ignored it all.

The money’s flowing through the whole kingdom. Never seen anything like it. The biggest boom the country’s ever known.

The news of the demons’ revival was spreading too, but it was drowned out by sheer joy.

Maybe van’s whole plan was just to erase the fear. The cruelty of demons? That was the kind of story you’d hear in bedtime tales since childhood. I was an orphan, but even the church at the orphanage was full of those same stories. I know.

And yeah, every demon I’ve met was a total bastard. No doubt they’re enemies of humanity.

After nearly a month of preparation, the grand ceremony hosted by the king himself finally began.

The massive circular coliseum’s field was packed with nobles. The stands were filled with common folk and a few invited guests.

The ground was lined with lavish chairs for the nobles, arranged in order of rank. Even each individual seat was handcrafted by Leifan—truly, the preparations had been a nightmare.

Among them, in the front row, was Kyle’s seat—the lord of this territory. Right now, it was empty. He’s waiting offstage with me, since his turn comes right after the king’s. Oh, I’m not performing. I’m just here backstage, one of the crew.

“Craft, brother. I’m sorry I couldn’t give you proper time.”

“Don’t worry. It’s all Van’s fault.”

“The king was acting to ease fears about the resurrection of the Demon Clan. Don’t speak ill of him.”

"Haha. I know, I know."

"Once again, I truly thank you for going to such lengths on my behalf—"

I tap Kyle lightly on the forehead, stopping his bow mid-motion.

Saving your brother’s life is my privilege. So don’t thank me. If anything, I’m the one who should be apologizing?

What are you talking about!? I was the one who walked into danger—I’m the one who—!

I flicked him on the forehead again.

Huh? We’re just going to keep dancing around with apologies and thanks forever? Pointless. We’re not blood, but we’re brothers. We mess up, we help each other out. That’s how it is. That’s fine, right?

Ah…

Or are you trying to put distance between us now that you’ve bonded with your real family?

N-No! That’s impossible! Don’t say something so sad! You’re still my brother!

Hahah, I was just teasing. I won’t say it again. Don’t stress over it. I’m happy just seeing you healthy.

…Yes.

Kyle turned his face slightly away, cheeks puffing up just a little.

"I'm fine. I'll keep helping you, Kyle. And when I'm in trouble, I'll count on you."

"Yes! Leave it to me!"

We both grinned at each other.

That was the moment it finally hit me—Kyle was back.

"Oops, looks like Van's speech is starting."

On the stage set up at the front of the field. From the opposite side of us, stepping out in time with music, of course, was King Van himself.

All the nobles stood. Bowing in obeisance. The common crowd shouted the King’s name over and over.

Van watched silently for a moment. Then slowly raised one hand. The nobles all sat down in unison. The crowd quieted, too.

After confirming the silence—so sudden, so thick it felt like fear—he finally spoke.

"Everyone, gathered here—good. Now I’ll speak on a matter of great importance to the kingdom’s future."

The voice, amplified by magical devices, echoed through the stadium and across the capital city.

"Confirmed: the so-called extinct demons of ancient times have been found. We considered peace through dialogue, but as legend says, the demons are pure evil to humanity. Thus, we, the Kingdom of Maugaria, swear alliance with the Duvatten Empire and the Zebias Coalition Kingdom—to annihilate the demons!"

A murmur rippled through the crowd at Van’s proclamation, but the king’s voice cut through it sharply, silencing the noise instantly.

"Some may resist joining forces with the Duvatten Empire, who invaded our kingdom—but let’s not forget, that war was orchestrated by the demon clans themselves! Of course, we’ll demand proper reparations from the Empire. But they were victims too! The negotiations will come later. For now, my people—understand these truths. Leave no bitterness behind. See them as allies, not enemies!"

The stadium fell silent once more.

Of course, there was a reason it was accepted so easily. During the festival preparations, whispers had quietly spread that the Empire had been deceived by the demon clans. Seems the Adventurer’s Guild handled that side of things—must’ve been a real headache for them.

As the excitement settled, Van activated his amplifying magic device again.

"Very well, the alliance between the Empire and the United Kingdom, and the mission to investigate and annihilate the demon clans—this responsibility is hereby assigned to Kyle Goldendown von Elquisil, the Marquis of the Frontier!"

Another wave of frenzy.

I stared wide-eyed at Kyle standing beside me.

"You knew?"

"Yes. I had to memorize the entire study and devise the operational strategy in just one month—with no time to sleep."

"Van, you bastard, what kind of nonsense is this, sick as you are?"

"N-no! When the Emperor approached me, I was the one who accepted it gladly!"

"You're not just doing this to repay a debt, are you?"

"...Yes, that’s part of it. But mostly, I judged that letting the demons remain and allowing humanity to split further any longer isn’t an option—time won’t allow it."

"Is that so? Good. If you’ve thought it through, then it’s fine."

"And besides, I'd like to get back at the demons too. You'll help, won't you, brother?"

I widened my eyes again, then smirked, lifting one corner of my mouth.

"Ah, leave it to me!"

Just as the king's speech ended, an order came through for Kyle to head up to the stage.

"See you on the other side."

"Right. Don't overdo it, okay?"

The king, standing in the center of the stage, beckoned Kyle forward. They exchanged a brief greeting on the platform, then Van stepped back, letting Kyle take the center spot.

"Residents of Elxir Territory, citizens of the kingdom—thanks to the demons' scheme, we've been forced into a long rest. But now, thanks to the king and the strength of all of you, I stand here fully healed, returning as your lord!"

A roar of cheers erupted from the capital, louder than before. They’d all been waiting for this moment.

"Once again, Your Majesty has bestowed upon me a most honorable duty. I am overwhelmed with gratitude. My land of Elquisil will spare no effort in fulfilling this task. I implore all my people to lend their support!"

Persia, seated beside Maina in the noble’s gallery, was sobbing loudly. You… your face is a mess, y’know.

Amid the loudest cheers yet, the ceremony concluded like that.

◆

Later, all of us—me and my friends—were gathered into a room.

Raidock. The three sisters. The lizardmen. The scholars from the mage village. Leifan and Jitarou. Kyle and Maina. Their families and guards. Even the allies from the Mizoho Shrine Nation. The guildmaster. Other guild representatives. Nearly everyone I’d ever met.

Looking around, I really felt how lucky I’d been.

King Van appeared in the spacious conference room.

Everyone tries to bow formally, but Van waves one hand and ushers them to sit.

"Today’s been rough on all of you. As you’ve heard, I’ve dumped all the big problems right on Kyle’s shoulders."

That tone!

"Sure, I’ll help out, but I’m focused on keeping things stable at home. You know, domestic affairs."

Yeah, that’s pretty much a king’s job. Always stuck with the image of adventurer Van hunting monsters on the front lines.

"I gathered only those I trust—and those close to Kyle. What I’m asking of you is to help Kyle and carry out my command. You can do it, right?"

The king’s orders are always tough… but…

"Hmph. Leave it to me."

I speak up first. Zaid makes a face like he’s swallowed something sour, but says nothing.

Van smirks.

"Yeah. Everyone else’s got the same look. Leave it to me, I guess. Tough stuff, but we’ll see it through. No room for failure."

He’s being reckless, but… it’s probably necessary.

Van waves him over, stands Kyle beside him.

They nod at each other, big and firm.

Kyle turns back to us, face set.

"Like the king said just now, we’ve got a hard problem to solve. Any one of these tasks would’ve been called impossible before. But I’m certain—*with all of you*—we can do it."

He pauses for a beat. Then a soft smile.

"Can I count on your strength?"

No need to ask. No need to plan. I don’t even have to think. Me, us, my crew—we all answered in unison.

"““Leave it to us!!””"

◆

And so.

The story of frontier expansion reached a major turning point.

Kyle and his friends—working together—were changing the world!

This was a tale of expansion.

Expanding the land, the forests, the rivers, and people, and the bonds between them.

A tale of expansion that safeguarded the vast connection of humanity.

There are still untold stories left, but this one ends here.

Yet everyone’s lives will go on.

Yes. They’ll keep going.

Together with their companions.

—— END ——

Alchemic Key, complete here!

September 30, 2025

Final volume nine released!

...But only in digital format.

We did our best to get a physical copy out, but we just couldn’t manage it.

I’m truly sorry about that.

Still, as long as there are those who support us, we’ll keep pushing forward!

Until we meet again in the next story!