Ch.221221. Now I really don’t have much time left in this dog-honey-sucking life.

“····I understand. But why is Young Master Leonard taking on the construction project in the northern undeveloped area?”

“Is there any need to stop him when he’s volunteering to handle the construction himself?”

“Ah····I suppose that’s true.”

“Anyway, as I mentioned earlier, prepare an estimate using the most expensive materials possible.”

“Yes, I’ll do my best.”

“By the way, why did you come looking for me?”

At my question, Federicks seems to remember something and hands me a letter he was holding.

“It’s a letter for Riden.”

I slowly scan through the letter Federicks handed me.

Information that Evander Alphonse will not attend my coming-of-age ceremony due to a scheduled monster hunt with another family.

‘I already knew about this.’

And information that he’s been frequenting pleasure districts with some concerning companions.

Lotus Welton, head of the Welton family, and Dehart Bellen, head of the Dehart family.

All of them are figures who secured their positions as family heads at a young age and are on friendly terms with Alphonse.

‘Evander, what scheme are you plotting? Are you planning to seize the family head position by force if you lose the succession race to Leonard?’

If that happens.

It would actually be favorable for me.

After all, he would be destroying the only protective shield of family that had been applied to him.

After finishing the letter, I looked up at Federicks.

“Send a letter to Riden telling him to keep monitoring Evander Alphonse until my coming-of-age ceremony is over.”

“Understood.”

After sending the busy Federicks away, I sat on the reception room sofa and stared blankly at the ceiling.

Since my possession, I’ve successfully defended against the monster wave, so all that remains is to decide my future after completing the coming-of-age ceremony.

Leaning back against the sofa, I clenched my fist and muttered quietly.

“My cushy life really doesn’t have much time left.”

*

“Th-this is where the Forest of Death used to be?”

“Yes, this place will soon become a tourist attraction called ‘Miracle Square.'”

Two days before the coming-of-age ceremony.

Baron Byron, who was visiting Lake Territory, gaped at the Forest of Death area where construction was well underway.

“Truly remarkable. Not only exterminating monsters but also planning to turn it into a tourist attraction.”

Just as I was about to continue explaining to Baron Byron, Leonard, who had appeared at some point, nudged my side with his elbow.

I nodded in understanding and turned my gaze back to Baron Byron.

“If Elder Brother Leonard hadn’t personally led the extermination, it would have taken an extremely long time. It’s all thanks to Elder Brother Leonard.”

At this, Baron Byron looked at Leonard, who was standing next to me with his shoulders puffed up.

“So you weren’t just idling around in Lake Territory.”

“That’s not all. You know about the northern undeveloped region in our Lake Territory, right?”

Baron Byron seemed to be searching his memory before his eyes suddenly lit up.

“Hmm, I remember. The northern area was left undeveloped because Lake Territory had few residents.”

“Elder Brother Leonard plans to develop that area.”

“Does that mean the number of residents has increased?”

“Yes, after stopping the monster wave, there’s been a trend of many immigrants moving to Lake Territory.”

“Oh, is that so?”

“And with the new tourist attraction under construction, I expect even more immigrants than before.”

Baron Byron looks at Leonard beside him with interest.

“So all of this came from Leonard’s mind?”

“Yes. My brother has given me a lot of advice.”

“Oho.”

“He’s even said he’ll handle not only the construction of the northern undeveloped area but also bear all the construction costs.”

With my ceaseless praise, Leonard’s shoulders rose so high they seemed about to ascend to heaven.

Baron Byron turned to Leonard with a pleased smile.

“Leonard, you’ve grown to be someone who can contribute to the family. I’m proud of you.”

Leonard’s cheeks trembled with emotion at Baron Byron’s praise.

“I-I always think about what I can do for the honor of House Alphonse. I will continue to dedicate my life and do my best for House Alphonse.”

“Haha, my precious son doesn’t need to risk his life.”

“No, no! My life is nothing if it’s for House Alphonse!”

His voice boomed loudly.

Baron Byron stared at Leonard for a moment and then tilted his head.

“Your physique seems to have improved as well?”

“….Does it? I suppose my body naturally improved while hunting monsters.”

“Well, even though the monster wave lowered the average grade of monsters, those in the Forest of Death wouldn’t have been particularly weak….”

Trailing off, Baron Byron turned to look at me.

“Selden, do you plan to exterminate all the monsters in the Forest of Death?”

“Not all of them. We plan to leave some so that the knights and mercenaries can gain monster hunting experience.”

“That’s a good approach, but how do you plan to deal with monsters that might break out from the Forest of Death into Miracle Square? It could become a serious problem, especially if nobles are among the tourists.”

“We’ve only set up temporary measures for now, but by the time Miracle Square is completed, we plan to rebuild the defensive formation using the same design that stopped the monster wave.”

Baron Byron looked satisfied.

He nodded and continued speaking.

“Let’s go see the northern undeveloped area as well.”

“Yes, we’ll depart right away.”

After taking one last look around the Miracle Square construction site, Baron Byron turned to leave.

When we reached the northern undeveloped area, he let out an exclamation.

“Wow…. It’s been a very long time since I’ve been here. It’s still as barren as ever.”

“This place will soon change too.”

Baron Byron seemed lost in contemplation as he looked down at the barren northern undeveloped region.

Then, he gave a faint smile.

“I’m glad I decided to see Miracle Square and this place first.”

“I’m grateful that you view it favorably, Father.”

Baron Byron was the first to arrive at Lake Territory.

As soon as he got out of the carriage, he moved quickly without even stopping by the mansion. Did he want to see the changes in Lake Territory with his own eyes?

Well, he must have been curious.

He would have heard about Lake Territory’s development from various sources, even if he tried not to.

“Now, let’s go to the mansion.”

“Understood.”

After our final stop at the northern undeveloped area, Baron Byron headed back to the mansion.

I was also planning to rest a bit after walking around since morning, but Baron Byron called me to the reception room.

“You called for me?”

“I thought we could have some tea.”

The atmosphere didn’t seem like we were just going to enjoy a light tea time.

If that were the case, Leonard would have been invited too.

This was a private meeting between Baron Byron and me.

Gripping my teacup, I carefully spoke.

“….Do you have something else to discuss?”

At that, Baron Byron flinched slightly before laughing heartily.

“Haha! Now you can read my mind too.”

“I apologize if I offended you. Since you didn’t call Elder Brother Leonard, I assumed you had something to discuss with me privately.”

“….Yes, I called you because I have something to discuss with you alone.”

“Please, go ahead.”

“Do you still have no intention of returning to Alphonse Territory?”

“As you know, there’s still much to be done here in Lake Territory.”

Baron Byron tapped the table with his fingernail for a while, then adjusted his posture.

“So you’re not completely against returning?”

A question that hit the mark.

Though I was surprised by the direct approach, I calmly asked back.

“Is there something I need to do in Alphonse Territory right now?”

“So you do have thoughts of returning to Alphonse Territory?”

“Honestly, I don’t know. It’s true that life here is much more comfortable than returning to Alphonse Territory and getting involved in a succession dispute I don’t even want.”

“….Hmm, do you know why I arrived at Lake Territory before your mother and sister?”

What is he talking about now?

I tilted my head at Baron Byron.

“….Didn’t you come early to check on the construction progress at the Forest of Death?”

At my question, Baron Byron’s expression turned serious.

“I don’t even know what Evander Alphonse has been plotting lately.”

“….Pardon?”

“It means the succession dispute is intensifying. Of course, if a war breaks out between brothers, I’ll step in to stop it.”

“It is getting intense, that’s true. They’ve all reached the age to become family head.”

“Then between Leonard and Evander Alphonse, who do you think is more suited to be the family head?”

It was a perplexing question.

Of course, I want Leonard Alphonse to take the family head position over Evander Alphonse.

However, if I say it outright, wouldn’t I be admitting my involvement in the succession dispute?

Thud-! Bang-!

At that moment, the door opened with a dull sound, and two women entered the reception room abruptly.

Baron Byron shook his head and muttered quietly to me.

“….We’ll continue this conversation later.”