I Thought I Was Married, But I Was Left Alone, So I'll Live as I Please. So Please Don't Mind Me Anymore, My Lord of the Border - Chapter 11

Three more uneventful months went by.

Today, in a rare turn of events, word came from the lord’s manor.

Apparently, there was something to discuss at the Alchemists’ Association in the afternoon.

When I waited in the lobby at the appointed time, a grand procession stopped in front of the building.

I’d never seen such a lavish, four-horse carriage before.

Lord Oliver stepped out in formal attire, accompanied by Lady Nia.

It was just like the first time they came to the Alchemists’ Association.

“Welcome. It is an honor to have you.”

I bowed as his vassal, but unlike usual, he didn’t even offer a smile.

Somehow, this feeling was nostalgic.

He was like this back then, too, when he was on official business.

I guided the two of them to the reception room and sat across the table from them in my capacity as Chairman.

“I would like to move forward on this in cooperation with the Alchemists’ Association.”

When he opened the document, the very first line caught my eye.

The words written there—an expedition to investigate the Demon Forest—stirred my curiosity as an alchemist.

“…A joint request to investigate the ‘Demon Forest,’ is it?”

“The forest has finally settled down again. That is precisely why I want to determine the cause of that mass outbreak.”

“I see. If the source remains, there’s a risk it could happen again.”

“Yes, exactly. The investigation will include myself and the elite of the knightly order. I would also like several alchemists to participate.”

“Why alchemists?”

“There will be aspects that we knights cannot see. We need your eyes.”

“That’s true. Alchemists certainly have a stronger knowledge of flora and fauna.”

As I spoke, his gaze slowly turned to me. It wasn’t his usual soft, heated stare, but the serious gaze of a lord who needed me.

“Chairman, I insist that you join us as well.”

He called me Chairman, not Ash, and it flustered me slightly.

Finding myself just a little lonely at not being called by my name, I instinctively looked away.

“There are many others who are more knowledgeable than I.”

“I want you. I trust you more than anyone.”

His words made something stir deep in my chest.

I kept my expression neutral, hoping he wouldn’t notice the tremor.

“…Very well.”

…That’s just how he is.

This man is truly cunning.

He knows exactly how to use praise.

He knows that nothing makes me happier than having my skills as an alchemist acknowledged.

And because I can tell there’s no lie in his words, I can’t refuse.

“We depart in one week. Will you have enough time to prepare?”

“There will be no issues.”

“If you require anything, submit a request. We will provide as much support as we can.”

“Understood.”

It was an efficient exchange.

Once we had finished with the necessary confirmations, he stood up briskly.

Even the sight of his back as he left the room was perfect.

“He was like a different person.”

“Yeah, so cool.”

“It’s actually weird seeing him not touch Ash.”

“I know, right?”

As I watched Lord Oliver’s party leave the association, I could hear the other alchemists gossiping from down the hall.

Once the carriage was distant from the building, I let the tension leave my shoulders with a sigh and turned toward them.

“That’s disrespectful.”

“It’s fine.”

“If anyone says anything, Ash will protect us, right?”

“Do I look like I’m in a position to do that?”

“But you’re the future Margrave… Ouch!”

I instantly smacked Quinn on the head.

I’m not letting you finish that sentence.

“But he’s always giving you finger kisses, isn’t he?”

Shut up. We are not talking about that.

“I heard he licked the cream off the corner of your mouth at the café.”

You bastard, how do you know about that…!

“You’re basically seconds away from marriage, right?”

“We are not getting married!”

I smacked Quinn again, this time on the forehead peeking out from his messy orange hair.

“Ow! Stop hitting me!”

“You’ve clearly got too much energy, so I’m appointing you to the Demon Forest investigation team. I’ll make you a porter.”

“Ooh, yay!”

Quinn was overjoyed, despite being told he’d be carrying luggage.

“While I’m at it, anyone else with energy to spare… who wants to go?!”

The moment I called out, the hands of the younger alchemists shot up.

“Yes, yes, me! I wanna go!”

“Me too! I’m curious about the ecosystem in the Demon Forest!”

“I heard the mana is dense! There must be tons of unknown herbs!”

Spoken like true, inquisitive alchemists.

Seeing their faces light up at the prospect of an unknown environment, I couldn’t help but smile.

I pointed to one of them.

I chose Slay, a man three years my senior with dark brown hair tied up in a high ponytail.

He had plenty of stamina, was level-headed, and I could trust him.

“Alright, Quinn and Slay. You two are coming with me.”

“Yes!”

Slay had a calm personality, so I wanted him to take on the role of reining in Quinn’s recklessness.

The older alchemists were sending them off with envious words of encouragement.

…Though while they seemed to be encouraging them, they didn’t forget to shamelessly demand souvenirs.

“We have a right to study the spoils of war, too, you know?”

“The materials are common property!”

“The more souvenirs, the better! Bring back anything and everything!”

“Honestly…”

I let out a laugh along with my sigh as a compression storage bag was pushed into my hands.

It was a convenient tool we had developed.

It was also a creation I was proud of, born from my frustration with bulky trunks when I first came here.

By compressing the mana inside, it allows a small container to hold a large volume of supplies.

It was a masterpiece we finally completed after successfully stabilizing it with liquid from a float-grass.

…There’s a mountain of things I’d love to talk about, like adjusting the compression ratio and the weight issues, but I’ll hold back for now.

“We leave in one week. The duration is undecided. Be prepared for at least a month.”

“Roger!”

“You can count on us!”

I nodded at Quinn and Slay’s energetic replies and called out to an old man in the back.

“Reggie, I’m leaving the association to you while I’m gone.”

“Aye, you got it.”

Reggie, an elder with his robe’s hood pulled down low, answered with a casual flick of his fingers.

He always wore his hood low to cultivate an air of mystery, which he felt was important.

To put it simply, he was a grandpa who never grew out of his chuunibyou phase.

But he was fun to be around, and I liked him.

Truly, our association is a treasure trove of talent.

Listening to the lively chatter of the alchemists as they formed a circle, I recalled the way Lord Oliver had been just a moment ago.

His expression had drawn a clear line between us.

His offered hand, his faint smile—not a single part of it had carried any ‘personal’ color.

“…Yeah, a distance like this is just right.”

That’s what I thought, and yet, something ached faintly deep in my chest.

I couldn’t tell if it was loneliness or relief.

In the midst of the clamor, that small pain quickly melted away.

As long as I can live as an alchemist, that’s all I need.

I told myself that as I stared once more at the document in my hands.