Chapter 31

It's long.

Due to my magic, I ended up advertising that there were dragon heads in every corner of the city, and an unbelievable number of residents had gathered at the Baerol Road Margrave's residence.

Ortros, who had been watching the scene from the window, frowned and called out a soldier.

"This is getting out of hand. There's no choice. Have the soldiers set up a fence around the dragon's head so that no one can touch it directly, and prepare a route so that people can walk around the dragon!"

"Hai!"

As Ortros gave the soldiers efficient instructions, soldiers appeared around the dragon and, in no time, drove stakes into the ground and completed the route.

Then, the most important-looking knight stood in front of the gate, holding up a wooden board in a showy manner.

"Listen! From now on, by the grace of the Margrave of Baerol Road, the viewing of the dragon is permitted! However! No stopping! Follow the speed indicated by our soldiers, and no shameful behavior such as lining up twice! Show the Margrave the courtesy of the citizens!"

As the gate slowly opened, a large number of citizens rushed into the route, and a large number of soldiers, who seemed to have appeared from nowhere, desperately tried to hold them back.

"Don't push! Line up! Maintain the attitude of a citizen of the Margrave of Baerol Road!"

A soldier in a grand armor, who might have been a knight or a captain, shouted, but it didn't seem to have much effect.

Well, at least the visitors stopped fighting, which was an improvement.

Thanks to the army's intervention, order was restored in front of the residence, and a long queue formed on the main street.

By closing the side streets leading to the back alleys and creating a flow, the soldiers managed to get out of the initial chaos, though it was still noisy.

...Sorry, Father Ortros.

When called by a soldier, I returned to the hall, and everyone was back in their original seats.

"Father, wouldn't it have been better to charge an admission fee?"

"Without preparation, that would only add to the chaos. Besides, this achievement should be widely known."

Ortros cut off Flatt's very reasonable suggestion.

Actually, I had also thought about charging money, so I was impressed by Ortros' words.

"Well, it's fine. From now on, we can leave it to Formalhaut."

At Ortros' mutter, Persia's body trembled slightly.

Huh? I'm pretty sure Persia's last name is Formalhaut, right?

"Kai, it was splendid to slay such a dragon. This will surely expand the human territory."

"Hai! Thank you!"

"Let's also thank those who supported Kai."

"“Hai! What a great honor!!”"

Alpha and Persia answered immediately. Kai and I quickly bowed our heads.

"According to the report, the population of the new settlement has already exceeded a thousand."

"Hai. The construction of houses is at its limit, so we've temporarily stopped new recruitment from large cities, but people keep coming directly."

"An achievement that exceeds our expectations. Then, let's continue the governance—"

Zaid was visibly grinding his teeth but couldn't interject, his face turning red as he glared at Kai.

Hmph. If he saw the dragon's head sitting outside the window and the citizens' enthusiasm, he wouldn't be able to say anything.

Just as I was thinking that, the grand hall's door opened without warning, and two women in flashy clothing entered.

Both were incredibly beautiful, to the point where they seemed unapproachable.

One was probably in her thirties?

A seductive woman who exuded adult charm.

The other was around my age, in her early twenties.

She wore a black rose dress, with slanted eyes, and was also incredibly beautiful. Her beauty was so overwhelming that it made me feel a chill.

Can humans really be this beautiful?

And both carried weapon-level chests.

What are those? Melons? Watermelons?

The sudden appearance of these two out-of-place women completely froze the scene.

"You. Excuse me for a moment."

"Bella, Leila... We are in the middle of an important discussion."

"Of course, I understand."

The seductive woman, swaying her overly decorated dress (and chest), slowly stood next to Ortros.

(That's the former second wife, now the current wife, Mother Bella, and her daughter, Sister Leila. She's also Zaid's mother.)

As I stood there with my mouth open, Kai whispered in my ear.

Huh? But those two seem to be around the same age?

"I don't think you have the right to interfere, but can't you at least give your opinion? You?"

Ortros gave a hesitant response.

Bella, hiding half her face with a fan, directed her gaze at Kai.

"Kai... Your recent achievement is truly remarkable."

"…! Hai! Thank you!"

Kai seemed happier than when Ortros praised him.

What's going on?

"However, the new settlement is growing rapidly. Isn't it a bit too much for the current Kai?"

"Right! That's true! As Mother says!"

"Huh?"

At those words, Ortros and his eldest son, Flatt, looked stern.

"I see a point, but—"

"Fortunately, the new village is adjacent to the area Zaid is in charge of. Since Zaid has already demonstrated his skills in managing the territory, wouldn't it be better to have him govern it?"

"Eh?"

"That's a great idea!"

"Mother, as expected."

Zaid and Leila in the black rose dress followed Bella's words.

I desperately tried to recall the map.

Indeed, in the vast margrave's territory, the area Zaid was in charge of and the Golden Dawn Village could be considered adjacent.

However, in reality, Zaid was only responsible for the edge of the human settlement area, while the Golden Dawn Village was located deep in the vast, uninhabited land.

Isn't this just a sophistry?

"..."

Ortros thought silently.

"Kai was originally weak. I heard that the secret medicine cured him, but has it also cured his inherent weakness? Wouldn't it be better for Kai to stay in Gandar, take care of his health, and assist with the administration?"

"Huh..."

What's with this guy? The logic is sound, but...

"Father! That's right! I am very healthy, and the soldiers I own are strong! The development of Kai's village has served its purpose! Since he has returned victorious after slaying the dragon, I will take over everything!"

So, as soon as he realized the village was profitable, he wants to take it over! Bastard!

"That... That's!"

"No, no, my brother. I recommended the development for your sake, but you have overcome the illness. There's no need to push yourself. Leave the rest to your older brother! Right!?"

Kai's face contorted in pain.

Hey, this guy, should I physically remove him?

"Father, is that okay?"

"Flatt... I allow it."

"Indeed, Mother Bella's words are reasonable. I have a proposal."

"Proposal? Speak."

"Sure. Let Zaid take over the current settlement, and give Kai a new development area."

"Huh?"

Flatt snapped his fingers, and a soldier brought in a huge map.

It was much more detailed than the maps we usually see at the production guild. I swallowed hard at the sight of a state-secret-level map spread out before me.

With this, I have no choice but to stay. Not that I planned to run away, though.

"The land suitable for Kai to develop... is the location where the dragon was slain! Here!"

Flatt pointed to a deep, undeveloped area, the place where the dragon was slain.

Beyond that, the neighboring country, the Dubatten Empire, and the Zebias Union Kingdom, which bypasses the mountain range, exist.

In other words.

If developed, it would undoubtedly become a key strategic point.

"Huh..."

"Kai seems to have a talent for frontier development. Why not put it to good use? If he can build a city... preferably a fortress city, here, we can get ahead of other countries."

Hearing this, Bella's eyebrows twisted in anger.

A beautiful woman's anger is terrifying!!!

"Flatt. Are you saying that my son Zaid is not up to the task?"

"No, no. Even Zaid, as excellent as he is, would find it difficult to develop both the area he is in charge of and the new settlement simultaneously. It would be better if Kai could lay the groundwork first."

"Hmm..."

Bella relaxed her expression and thought.

"Mother, isn't Brother's suggestion excellent? If we start the development simultaneously, we can easily see who is more capable."

"Ah... That's true. It might be good to have an opportunity to prove that Kai's success wasn't just a fluke."

"Hmm..."

Ortros thought.

"Kai. What do you think of these suggestions?"

There's no way I can accept that!

Reject it, reject it!

"...I will accept the proposal."

"!?"

"Haha! As expected, my brother! You've become wise!"

What!?

"However!"

Kai, who had been looking down, suddenly raised his head.

"I have two requests!"

"What?"

"The first is that I want to keep the name of the village!"

"Huh? You want to take the name Golden Dawn?"

"Hai!"

Ortros looked at Zaid, who shrugged as if to say, "Sure, I'll let you have that."

"And the second?"

"Hai. I want to take with me the residents of the current Golden Dawn Village who are willing to follow me!"

"The residents?"

"That's..."

Usually, citizens are rarely allowed to move their homes.

This is an exception due to the development.

"Zaid, what do you think?"

"It's fine to allow it. My son Zaid."

"Mother?"

"However, the removal of communal materials and property from the village is prohibited."

"Mother Bella!? Are you saying we have to go to the new development site with nothing!?"

Hey, does that include mithril, pre-made potions, and herbs?

"Haha! Clever! I have no problem with that!"

"...Understood. However, I will exclude guild and personal assets."

"Sure, that's fine. The guilds won't move their bases anyway."

"Kai, are you sure about this?"

"...Hai. I will receive the usual development assistance, right?"

"I promise."

"It's settled! Kai is finally showing the dignity of a noble! Haha!"

What dignity! You guys are too vulgar!

But Kai, why did you accept this?

Kai, with a solemn expression, bowed his head.

But.

At that moment, Kai glanced at me, and his expression was a triumphant smile.

Huh? Why?

That brief smile took the wind out of me, and I couldn't interject in the subsequent discussion, and the meeting ended.

"Craft."

"Hai..."

Just as everyone was about to leave after the meeting, Father Ortros called me.

"After this, I want to talk to you. I want to know the details of the secret medicine. Come to my room."

"Huh!? Ah! Sorry, I understand!"

Caught off guard by the sudden words, my words were jumbled, but I was allowed to leave without any particular attention.

"Mr. Craft, please wait here."

Led by a butler, I was taken to a guest room.

Huh?

Am I going to meet the lord alone after this? For real?

Help me, Kai! Protect your brother!

Leafan: "You don't need to use the honorific with the Margrave."

Craft, in agony.