Chapter 88

Three months had passed since I informed my father that I would accept the dispatch. Preparations took a lot of time, not just for me but also for gathering the troops and deciding on the military formation.

It might seem leisurely to prepare while a rebellion is ongoing, but it couldn't be helped. I heard that with the cooperation of the dukes, the dispatch was organized very quickly.

Preparations are necessary for the movement of thousands of people. Communication with various places is unavoidable, especially when it comes to negotiations with Romulus, which would take an infinite amount of time. Even if we initiate negotiations due to their lack of willingness, it involves the cession of territory, no matter how small.

It had to be done properly, and the fact that the preparations were completed much faster than expected really showed the strength of the factions.

"So, I have to leave the capital for a while due to some family matters."

In the mixing room of the distillery, where a kitchen was built for me, only a limited number of people were allowed to enter. In front of me, who goes by the name of Dinker, were Mollie and the triplets: Renato, Terent, and Elast.

"What do you mean by that?"

Elast, with his purple fur, pointed out the omitted part with a grim expression.

"Since it's a family matter, let's leave it at that. The problem is that I won't be able to return for at least a year."

"I'm leaving the capital too."

Of course, Helcoff will accompany me, but I didn't say that.

The first prince's dispatch is already a rumor in the capital. Helcoff, as his aide and a beastman from Romulus, has no choice but to go, and Mollie and the others should know that.

"Uncle is fine. But Dinker, didn't you say the treatment at home had improved?"

Terent, with his yellow and white fur, looked like a bear cub as he pleaded. Could this be a misunderstanding?

"It has improved. I'm not being kicked out. I will come back."

"Really? Then why did you ask us to prepare new alchemy tools?"

Renato, with his orange fur, asked suspiciously, apparently because of the work I had requested.

"Are they ready?"

The triplets looked at each other and placed their bags on the table. There were five wooden rectangular bags, reinforced with sturdy leather, studs, and metal, designed to be stacked together.

After removing the leather straps and opening the securely fastened metal clasps, glass apparatuses were securely fixed with cloth and belts inside. Opening the other bags revealed metal apparatuses and disassemblable parts.

"Wow, amazing! Thank you. They're just as I ordered."

Unlike the items in this room, the new ones I had made were smaller. Still, they were all experimental tools for alchemy, and I had requested a set specifically for travel.

They also made special cases to prevent damage. With these, I could process and bring back materials for alchemy when I find them during my travels.

"Hey, Dinker, can't you stay in the capital?"

Terent asked anxiously, but Renato and Elast had similar expressions.

"The distiller is being replaced, and a prototype is being made."

"You don't have to go, do you? You're just a kid."

One after another, they tried to persuade me to stay.

"Why me? Why not Helcoff, who is going to the battlefield?"

"No, it's too late for Uncle."

"There's no need to worry; it's just a loss."

"Grabbing an adult and sending them away, what for?"

"Hey………"

Helcoff's voice lowered at the triplets' harsh words.

Mollie approached me and met my gaze.

"Hey, Dinker."

"Yes?"

"Would you consider becoming my adopted child?"

"Huh?"

Mollie, with a smile, continued quickly before I could process the situation.

"You'll need to cross to the southern continent where my family is, but my clan is open to welcoming non-dragon people. With your talent, you'll be welcomed with open arms. It will take about a year for the move, settling in, and the ceremony. By then, the capital will have calmed down, and you can return if you want."

"Hey……"

As I was confused and stopped moving, Helcoff pulled Mollie's shoulder to intervene.

"What? A parent who doesn't notice their child's misfortune isn't a parent anymore. Sending them away from where they grew up, can you really say you love them? If someone says that, I'll point and laugh. What a misunderstanding."

"We have our reasons. Don't jump to conclusions."

"Even if you have reasons, if you don't treat Dinker well, he might as well not be here."

Elast also directed his words at Helcoff in a blaming tone. Renato and Terent nodded in agreement.

"If you only treat Dinker poorly, he might as well not be here."

"We'll take better care of him, and so will Mollie."

Somehow, Helcoff found himself being blamed by all of them. Could it be that my identity has been exposed?

(Perhaps the fake name I took from the prince was a mistake?)

(The name could be guessed from the place of employment, age, breadth of knowledge, and quality of possessions.)

According to Sefira, it was more obvious than I thought. This means they noticed but pretended not to. From the words trying to save me from the battlefield, I could tell it wasn't just for their own benefit.

(But where did they get the idea that I'm not being treated well?)

(The rumor of an assassination attempt on the younger prince is widespread. Moreover, Molyam is a merchant connected to the nobility. The lack of achievements and character of the master, who is often the subject of negative rumors, can be easily inferred by someone with a reasonable level of intelligence.)

Sefira is talking a lot today.

Actually, in the palace, the military has been sending people to investigate the situation, so she hasn't been around lately. She seemed to enjoy scanning and reading military documents.

"You could just disappear when no one is looking."

"Can I?"

"Or, if you go to Romulus, Uncle could bring you home."

"My family can hide you. We have a large house with a basement."

"Hey, we could even say we're visiting our hometown and come to get you."

Oh, the conversation is getting more and more ominous.

"Thank you for your concern. But this time, I advised that I should go along with their plans, so don't worry. My father initially rejected the idea."

I told the truth, but they looked suspicious. Helcoff, as expected, tried to back me up.

"Do you think I, as a father, would be swayed by this Dinker? Do you think Dinker would suggest something without a plan to sway me?"

Some unexpected words made Mollie and the others hesitate. Is that really the impression I give?

"I just told him that it's a good opportunity now with less danger and a favorable position."

"By offering yourself as bait, which is not something a child should do. And it turned out as expected. As an adult who let this happen, there's nothing I can do but protect you."

For some reason, Helcoff seemed more dejected than when he was blamed by the four of them.

Looking at the bear cubs, Mollie, representing them, asked me.

"I understand that you have your reasons, Dinker. But are you really okay? If you feel in danger, use Helcoff as a shield."

Yeah, they clearly know I'm going to the battlefield with him.

"Don't worry. I'll leave it to the experts. Even if something goes wrong, I'll make sure it doesn't harm me. If I get injured, I'll use it as a responsibility issue for someone other than Helcoff, so don't worry."

"Don't say things that make me more worried………"

I said I would be fine, but Mollie pressed her forehead and looked down. After a deep breath, she ran her white hair through her fingers and looked at me.

"Listen, Dinker. The battlefield is said to be inhabited by monsters. No matter how brave the general or how wise the strategist, a single arrow can end their life."

Mollie, who met Helcoff in the military, mentioned this, so I thought it might be an interesting story.

But instead, I was given a series of warnings, like a child being sent on an errand for the first time.

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Next: Northern Rebellion 5