I Got Fired As an Adventurer, So I’m Starting Anew As an Alchemist! Frontier Exploration? Alright, Leave It to Me!

158.2. Even Villains Are Necessary, Isn’t It?

We arrived at a large balcony overlooking the town below.

A maid who was cleaning tried to prepare tea, but Zaid waved her off, sending her away from the balcony.

…He has the aura of nobility perfected.

Zaid leaned against the railing, and I stood beside him.

“…It’s enough for me to play the villain.”

“Huh?”

It was a quiet murmur, barely audible over the breeze.

“Managing a domain isn’t all pleasant. Sometimes, tough decisions are necessary, even if it means being resented.”

I straightened up a bit, ready to listen.

“Kyle is talented but too kind. That’s why he’s popular with the people. But it also means that if he deviates from their expectations, they might turn on him all at once.”

Come to think of it, Kyle’s father, Margrave Veil Road, mentioned something like this. Though Van had dismissed it back then.

“That’s why a ‘villain’ is necessary. Someone who stands beside Kyle and takes on all the animosity.”

A gust of wind lifted Zaid’s hair.

“And you plan to be that villain?”

“That’s right. I’m suited for it, wouldn’t you say?”

For the first time, Zaid let a faint smile cross his face.

Is this his way of atoning for Kyle?

“No, that’s not it. His Majesty entrusted me directly with managing this domain. I’m merely choosing the most efficient approach.”

“I see.”

We stood there for a while, simply listening to the sound of the wind.

“Craft. Take care of Kyle.”

“You don’t have to ask.”

“No, that’s not what I mean.”

I raised an eyebrow.

“Have you noticed? Both Kyle and Myrna call you ‘Nii-sama’ but refer to me and Flatten as ‘Nii-san’.”

Thinking back, it did seem that way.

“So? I don’t see the connection.”

“It means that they trust you that much, even unconsciously.”

“That makes me happy.”

I hadn’t realized Kyle trusted me so much.

“It’s not just about this diplomatic mission. From now on…please continue to support Kyle.”

Finally, the conversation clicked into place.

And I had no reason to disagree.

“Got it. Leave it to me.”

“I, too…”

Zaid looked up at the drifting clouds.

“One day, I hope to be called ‘Nii-sama’.”

“I see.”

With that, our talk came to an end.

Everything will be all right.

As long as Kyle is the lord, our future will be bright.

Just as I clenched my fist, a raindrop landed on it.

Without noticing, the sky had clouded over, now dark with rain clouds that suddenly covered the sun, as if mocking our resolve.