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 19

Right after returning from the border count’s estate, I must have looked terrible, because I ended up deeply worrying Tom-san.

Midway through my story, I couldn’t bring myself to say that the engagement had been called off, and my words trailed off.

When Tom-san told me I didn’t have to continue if it was painful, I forced myself to keep talking.

The more I spoke, the more the pain spread deep in my chest, and my voice trembled.

But I wanted him to know.

Both the feelings I was leaving behind, and what I was about to begin.

If something were to happen during this plan… if I were to lose my life…

I was afraid that there would be no one left who remembered me.

I wanted to leave behind proof that I, as a person, had existed here.

Tom-san listened to my story until the very end.

And when I finished, he deepened his usual laugh lines and said:

“When it’s over, come back again.”

Smiling as if it were the most natural thing, Tom-san ruffled my head with his large hand.

My tightly wound heart finally loosened, and I cried out loud, embarrassingly enough.

Exhausted from crying, I realized I had fallen asleep in Tom-san’s arms.

It was like I’d become a child again, but that made me a little happy.

The next morning.

“Alright! Tom-san, I’m going to do my best!”

I woke up refreshed, and strangely, my heart felt light.

“Yeah, yeah, take care.”

“Mm!”

I stuffed my mouth full with Tom-san’s homemade breakfast.

The aroma of freshly baked bread. The tempting steam of the soup.

It was so much warmer and kinder than the cold bread I’d eaten on the day I was kicked out.

Strength welled up from the depths of my stomach.

…I can’t afford to hang my head.

As if cutting off my lingering attachments, I stood up energetically and headed to the Alchemy Association with a smile.

“Good morning!”

“Ash, good morning.”

“Hey, Ash-boy!”

“Is it morning already~?”

The usual hustle and bustle greeted me as I stepped into the Alchemy Association.

Some were sleeping with books on their faces on benches, others drinking homemade nutrient potions at tables.

Some were even collapsed on the floor.

It was chaos but I still loved this messy atmosphere.

It felt nostalgic, and I reaffirmed that this was my place.

“Everyone, gather in the research lab. I’ll inform those who can’t make it later.”

With one command, the sleepy faces gathered in droves.

Some had artistic bedhead, and I couldn’t help but laugh.

The last person entered, and I closed the door.

This is where the real work begins.

I took a deep breath.

“…I want to take back the Kreuz territory.”

A moment of silence.

Then, explosive cheers erupted.

“He’s here!”

“I’ve been waiting for those words!”

“I knew Ash-boy would say that!”

“Alright, we’re going to need more medicine and weapons, we have to make more!”

“I’m overflowing with motivation!!”

“Graphica is nice too, but I can’t stand Kreuz being ruled by that idiot anymore!”

“That’s right!”

Everyone’s voices were so reassuring.

A natural smile formed on my lips.

“Those who can go, please prepare. I don’t know how long it will take. Those with families don’t need to push themselves. Supporting Graphica is important too.”

When I said that, about a third of the alchemists fell silent.

But immediately, Quinn raised his hand energetically.

“I’m going!”

“Me too!”

Slay followed.

“You guys have girlfriends, don’t you?!”

“I’ll talk to her properly, so it’s fine!”

“Yeah, yeah, I think my partner will understand!”

“…Make sure you explain properly? It might really take a long time.”

“Mm!”

“No problem!”

They could just live peacefully here with their lovers and households, these idiots…

Even as I thought that, their willingness to stand by me became my greatest support.

These companions were like family, people I could trust from the bottom of my heart.

So, I’ll involve them without hesitation.

“After we take it back, will Ash become the lord?”

“If that happens, I’d like to return to Kreuz too.”

“But aren’t you going to become the border count’s bride?”

“You’re his fiancée, after all.”

The conversation I overheard made my chest ache a little.

It felt like my own lingering attachments, which I hadn’t completely let go of, were being confronted with pain.

“No, the engagement has been called off. I intend to return to that territory as the legitimate heir of the Kreuz domain.”

The moment I said it was called off, the room fell silent.

Everyone’s attention focused on me, and I could almost hear them holding their breath.

Their concerned gazes felt warm.

So, to reassure everyone, I smiled.

“When I become the lord of Kreuz, anyone who wants to return is welcome anytime. Let’s start over there again.”

When I showed my smile, someone responded first, and it created a chain reaction as conversations resumed as if nothing had happened.

I was happy with the usual atmosphere and let out a small sigh.

“Then, if we collaborate with those who stay in Graphica, we can do even more amazing things, right?”

“With Kreuz’s technology and Graphica’s medicinal herbs, we can do anything!”

“This makes my dreams grow!”

The alchemists’ positive energy always gives me strength and courage.

“We depart in one month. Participation is not mandatory. Everyone, please make all necessary preparations.”

My words were met with energetic responses.

“Anytime is fine!”

Quinn bounced energetically.

“You should at least prepare properly.”

Slay interjected, and laughter spread.

I realized how much I love this atmosphere.

Time passed quickly.

Two weeks had gone by while I was immersed in preparations.

Days spent keeping the alchemy furnace burning and continuously creating new tools and medicines.

That uncle is our opponent. I don’t think it will be settled through peaceful discussion.

In the end, we’ll probably have to fight.

So, I won’t neglect my preparations.

I cherished even my sleeping time, and before I knew it, the morning sun was rising.

No matter how tired I was, I could strangely still smile.

Being with them made me realize what I was living for once again.

I’m an alchemist who creates things to make people happy.

“Phew… The outside air is good…!”

After two weeks of continuous crafting, even my materials were running out.

A five-minute walk from the association. When I went out to shop at the familiar material store, the wind felt refreshing.

The sunlight after two weeks was gentler than I expected, and my steps naturally lightened.

Going around shops while snacking to satisfy my hunger became a good change of pace.

I got plenty of the materials I wanted and walked leisurely through the familiar, sparsely populated back alley.

A mix of light fatigue and pleasant accomplishment made me hum naturally.

The ‘Herb Song’ that my mother made for me.

“Mother was terrible at it. Father was good.”

My mother’s off-key notes and my father’s skillful melody overlapped in my humming.

“After finishing this, I’ll send out preliminary letters, contact comrades in the area, arrange carriages for those who can’t ride horses…”

I counted my tasks on my fingers.

I’m busy enough to make my head spin, but right now that’s just fine.

Lord Oliver doesn’t come to see me.

I understand it’s because he respects my wishes. Since I called off the engagement, keeping distance is natural.

…Yet I found myself thinking, “You could at least come see my face a little,” and laughed at my own clinging attachments before exhaling.

I no longer have the right to wish for such things. Even though I was the one who proposed calling off the engagement, I’m truly hopeless.

I stopped walking, adjusted my grip on my belongings, and started walking again.

Although it’s usually a sparsely populated back alley, today felt particularly quiet.

Only the distant noise from the main street was faintly carried by the wind.

The sky visible from the alley where no one could be seen now was unusually beautiful today.

I stopped and looked up at the sky.

The next moment.

A dull impact from behind.

“…Huh?”

My brain swayed, and my body tilted unsteadily.

Before I could fall, someone’s arms embraced my body from behind, and immediately a cloth was pressed against my mouth.

A unique musk scent spread, and my vision warped and distorted.

The ground swayed unsteadily, and everything before my eyes turned pitch black.

Something was thrown over my body, and I felt a sensation of floating.

The neighing of horses, and the smell of earth.

Then, my consciousness was completely swallowed by darkness.