Kays Translations

Chapter 216: The Frontier Development (For Now) Is Finished

The too-short night for Rest came to an end, and he returned to the wetlands where the battle with the Wyrm had taken place.

“It’s dry…”

“Yeah, completely dried up.”

It wasn’t Rest’s spirit that was dried up—it was the wetlands where he had fought the Wyrm.

The explosion Rest had caused the day before had turned the marshy terrain into parched land.

Where once stood soggy ground, now lay cracked, hardened earth. At its center was no small hill but the corpse of the Elder Wyrm itself.

The massive Wyrm, its head obliterated by the explosion, lay sprawled out while bird-like monsters pecked at its remains.

“I never thought something as enormous as this could actually exist…”

“It truly lives up to being called an ‘Elder.’ Rest-sama’s naming is fitting.” 

Ostrey and Arly commented, their tones a mix of amazement and exasperation as they looked up at the Wyrm’s carcass.

“Hm… As impressive as it is, there’s no way we could eat all of this. Maybe we should just take a small portion to bring back?”

“Absolutely not. I’ll put my foot down on that.”

Hearing Yuri’s unsettling suggestion, Rest immediately set boundaries.

“I won’t stop you from taking some parts for research or materials, but if you’re planning to take it as food, that’s where I draw the line. It’s non-negotiable.”

“Mmm… losing a friend over this would be troublesome. I suppose I’ll leave it alone.” 

Yuri replied with a drooped expression, her shoulders slumping as if a tail she didn’t have had fallen.

“Perhaps we should call for help, have it dismantled, and transported.” 

Ostrey suggested after a moment of thought.

“Wyrms are related to dragons. Even a single dragon scale fetches a high price, so despite the damage to this corpse, it should still sell for a decent sum. Naturally, the proceeds would go to the Clover Countship.”

“Got it. Just make sure to deduct transportation and labor costs from that amount.” 

Rest said.

“As you wish.” 

Ostrey replied.

Though scorched, the Wyrm’s remains would likely fetch a price worth the night’s effort.

“…Thank you.”

“Hm?”

Urla tugged at Rest’s sleeve.

When he turned to her, the vibrant hues of her captivating eyes from the previous night were gazing up at him.

“Thank you… You really helped us…”

“Oh, don’t mention it.”

With the Elder Wyrm defeated, the development of this area would progress significantly.

While Rest’s magic had dried out the wetlands, the moisture would naturally return in due time.

(I’ve earned a favor from the eastern great nobles of the Lavender Border Marquisate, and as far as a few days of work go, this is a solid outcome.)

The future of the Clover Countship—and by extension, the Rosemarie Marquis Family—was looking bright.

A lot had happened, but at least the issues here were resolved.

(The western development is nearly finished as well. I can leave the rest to others.)

The long phase of frontier development was finally coming to an end.

From now on, Rest planned to take his time building towns on his allocated land, indulging in his hobbies, and enjoying a relaxed lifestyle.

(Oh… I still need to look into the matter of the Queen Dowager…)

“Yes.” 

Came a voice.

“Huh? What?” 

Rest replied, pulled from his thoughts.

As Rest was mulling over future plans, Urla offered something to him.

Instinctively, he accepted it, only to find it was a ring with a purple gemstone embedded in it.

(Purple… Is this amethyst?)

Though Rest wasn’t well-versed in gemstones, it seemed likely.

“A token of thanks.”

“A token… A gift, then?”

“Yes.”

“Hmm…”

Rest examined the ring closely, turning it over in his hands.

It didn’t appear to be particularly valuable. The band was old and tarnished, and the gem was small.

It felt more like a simple gesture of gratitude than anything significant.

(There’s no crest engraved on it, so it’s definitely not some kind of family heirloom.)

“It’s for you. Please accept it.”

“Well, I mean…”

“Take it.”

When he tried to refuse, she pushed it back toward him with surprising insistence.

For someone usually so reserved, Urla was being unusually assertive.

“Alright… I’ll accept it, then.”

With no other choice, Rest tucked the ring into his pocket.

Urla visibly relaxed, her cheeks flushing as she nodded in satisfaction.

“Good.”

“…Huh?”

Tilting his head in confusion, Rest ultimately decided not to dwell on it further.

With the Wyrm defeated, the issues surrounding the development of the Sabnock Plains were finally resolved.

Rest’s role in the matter was complete.

For the first time in a while, he could return to the royal capital.

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