Someday Will I Be The Greatest Alchemist?

Rockford

Since I’m headed for the Rockford Earldom, Maria and Kaede seemed to be preparing some sort of presents secretly. I noticed they were sneaking around doing something, but they wouldn’t tell me what.

Maria and Marnie baked a lot of cookies, evidently from the smell wafting from the kitchen. Aside from that, I haven’t got a clue.

We prepared various things in a hurry, and after we teleported to our Volton mansion, we rode Tsubaki’s carriage to go to the Rockford Earldom.

「Hey Maria, what were you doing in secret with Kaede?」
「Fufu, it’s a secret. It’s fine even if you don’t know about it, Takumi-sama.」
「I-is that so?」

I was a bit curious so I asked, but it doesn’t seem like she’d tell me. But it wasn’t anything bad so I guess it’s alright.

Tsubaki’s rhythmical running felt good, but I noticed the faces on the travelers and carriages crossing our paths cramped up at the ferocity of Tsubaki’s giant body.

The highway from Volton to Rockford, perhaps because of the influence of Wedgefort and the Sanctuary, is being developed and widened, so there’s construction work being done here and there.

「The road has become nice and spacious. This is also your influence, Takumi-sama, right?」
「No, it’s not just because of me, Sophia. It’s because of the Papeck Company and everyone involved in the road development.」
「Takumi-sama, too much humility sounds like sarcasm, you know?」
「Indeed. We’ve become amazing wives, don’t you think?」

I’m happy that Sophia, Maria, and Marnie hold me in such high regard, but in reality, I think it’s wrong to say it was all just because of me.
Well, Valkyra Kingdom’s good economic turnover started might have started because I made magic devices and potions, but the plan to establish Wedgefort was Margrave Volton’s idea, and regarding the Sanctuary, it was honestly all by chance that I found the World Tree seed.

「Look here, doesn’t everything involve you, Takumi-sama?」
「Urk, is that so?」

I can’t deny it when she says it like that.

「But normally, if you contribute this much to a country, Takumi-sama , you should be granted peerage.」
「Yeah, I think that’s excessive.」

Just as Maria said, someone who contributes greatly to the country would be appointed the rank of an honorary noble. That’s why I, who enriched the country with the magic devices and potions as well as created the foothold towards the development of the Savage Lands through the construction of Wedgefort, should have such a privilege. Furthermore, during the war with Triaria Kingdom and the Divine Empire of Sydnia, I not only constructed forts but also provided golems and goods on top of participating in the war myself.

「I had been told by Margrave Volton that it would not just be an honorary rank, as it would be no surprise if you are conferred the rank of baron at the very least.」
「Then」
「Maria, Takumi-sama is the Keeper of the Sanctuary which comes under no country. It would greatly him if he is conferred a noble rank in Valkyra Kingdom.」
「I see, so that’s how it is. The Sanctuary must not come under any country.」
「Yeah, it’s troublesome stuff. Well, being a noble doesn’t suit me so it’s fine though.」

In truth, I know that among the nobles of Valkyra Kingdom, there are a number who insist that I be given a rank. Obviously, I had heard this from Margrave Volton, but I didn’t like this at all.
Part of the nobles want me to marry their daughters, they want the patent-related rights I have, the money I have earned until now, and finally, a pipeline to connect them to the countries in the Demon Continent.
I’ve been told that it would not be balanced if I am a commoner, so at the very least, I should be a given the rank of a baron.

I talked about such things with everyone inside the carriage, when I heard Kaede, who was on her reserved seat on Tsubaki’s back. speak.

「Master! I can see Rockford~!」
「Thank you. Line up at the back!」
「Roger!」

As if to show Valkyra Kingdom’s prosperity, there was a long line to get through the gates of Rockford City.

Just when I thought this would take a long time and that this could get boring, Kaede notified me that someone riding on a horse was approaching the carriage.

「Master! Someone’s coming!」
「Could it be someone sent to meet us by Earl Rockford?」

When I opened my window, a knight on horseback from the Rockford Earldom was coming towards our carriage.

「I had caught sight of Iruma-dono’s carriage. Please allow me to show you the way.」
「Apologies for bother. Please guide us.」

Thanks to Earl Rockford, I’m so glad I don’t need to wait in the long line.

Our carriage followed the knight through the gates of Rockford City and we headed directly towards the Earl Rockford’s mansion.