Reincarnated as Twins: And Then, I Was the Only One Abandoned - ☆43 And So, the Town Grows

☆43 And So, the Town Grows 

In the spring of my seventeenth year. The Elysia Autonomous Territory, where I lived, suddenly became much livelier. 

A clan of dwarves, under Elysia’s protection, had settled in the mines. These sturdy workers pounded away every day. It filled the air with loud echoes. 

During the day, heavy iron hammers shattered rock. Their sound reverberated across the quiet lakeside. The long-dormant mine entrance was now covered in rough stone and soil. It looked imposing even from a distance. The heat of their relentless efforts seemed to make the air tremble. 

The population of the Elysia Autonomous Territory had grown to well over a thousand. It was far beyond the scale of a mere village. The breakdown: 100 elves, 600 humans—including myself—and 500 newly arrived dwarves. 

The elves’ prejudice against other races had significantly diminished. 

There was even a school where children of all races studied together. However, since each race had its own customs and rules, we decided to form a governing council with elected representatives from each group. 

Naturally, Elysia was the chairperson. 

And, thanks to her single commanding order, I was chosen as the vice-chairman. 

Since too many people would make discussions unmanageable, the council consisted of three representatives per race, for a total of nine members. Other than the chairperson and vice-chairman, the members would rotate periodically. 

Personally, I find meetings mind-numbing and would rather resign. 

With the neighboring Valford territory giving off dangerous vibes, the Shadow Raiders had to be reorganized—not just as a security force but as a proper military unit. 

I passed the position of captain to Kai. 

Now, not only humans but also powerful dwarves and elves with strong combat skills or magic had joined. It grew the force into an elite battalion of over a hundred. 

That small band of mountain thieves, which started with barely ten people, had become something impressive. 

To top it off, Kagutsuchi, Vald, and Rubis—our three massive magical beasts, each strong enough to take on an army alone—had also joined the force. 

As for me, I was relieved of my role as captain of the Shadow Raiders. And I was instead appointed captain of Elysia’s personal guard. 

Though, technically speaking, I was the only member of this “guard”. 

Honestly, with her ability to summon a Demon God, does she even need a bodyguard? 

◆◆◆

The magic stones excavated from the Mistia Mines were of astonishing quality—far beyond what we had imagined. Apparently, they could grant more than twice the usual magical effects. 

Mining had only just begun, but the council decided to reserve them exclusively for military use—strictly for our forces. 

Selling them on the market could bring in massive profits. But considering Elysia’s seemingly bottomless wealth, that was barely a concern. 

The amount of magic stones being mined was increasing by the day. The existing elven craftsmen couldn’t keep up with processing them. So, we decided to invite new artisans from Eldarin. 

Amid all this, before I even noticed………. a shopping mall had been built. 

They probably discussed this in a council meeting. But since I usually sleep through those, I had no clue. 

Rare vegetables from Eldarin and fine elven textiles, which had previously been sold separately, were now gathered in one place. It made shopping far more convenient. 

Now, not just the wealthy, but even ordinary citizens from Eldora were traveling by carriage to shop here. The town was becoming busier than ever. 

Then, One Day… 

One day, the dwarven chieftain Grimbald approached me. 

“Lord Souta, what is your connection to the commander of the Valford Knights?” 

“Huh? Connection? I’ve never met the guy. What’s he like?” 

“…His eye color and hairstyle are different, but his face is exactly like yours. He called himself Alexis.” 

!!!!!!! 

No way. 

So… Narumi became the commander? 

We’re only seventeen, though. Isn’t that way too soon?! 

And *Alexis*?! 

What kind of name is that?! 

The image of past-life Narumi’s face didn’t match that name at all. I nearly bursted out laughing. 

“Ahh… Yeah, then he’s probably my twin. I was abandoned at birth, so I don’t really know anything about it.” 

“Hmm… I see. You’ve had a rough time as well, then……

Even though your faces are the same, that man was completely different from you. He had an aura… like someone consumed by madness.” 

His voice was heavy with distaste. 

Hearing that… I couldn’t help but get a little curious.

“That guy became a commander at seventeen? That’s insane. Was he just a fox borrowing a tiger’s authority, surrounded by a bunch of tough knights? Or did he actually have the strength to keep them in check?” 

“It wasn’t just a brute-force army relying on numbers. Every single one of them was an elite warrior. They even used magic I’d never seen before. But among them… that one man alone was…” 

Grimbald paused. 

“That one man alone was…?” 

Wait—was he actually weak? 

Thinking back to Narumi from my past life, I almost laughed. 

“He was on a whole different level. Even if he had come alone… we still wouldn’t have stood a chance.”