Kays Translations
Just another Isekai Lover~
Chapter 209: A Quiet Evening at Home
Two weeks had passed since Tauro and Ankh began sharing a house.
During the first few days, Aeris visited often, and Ragune naturally followed her. The four members of Black-Gold Wings therefore spent a great deal of time together. As Aeris and Ragune became closer, however, they increasingly held conversations of their own, and the household gradually divided into pairs of men and women.
When all four were together, Tauro often spoke with Aeris while Ankh spoke with Ragune. Even so, there were matters that were easier to discuss with someone of the same sex.
Ankh had spent most of his life as a mercenary and rarely remained in one place for long. At first, he seemed uncomfortable with peaceful, unstructured time. He had kept all of his belongings packed together as though he might leave at any moment.
Recently, however, Tauro noticed that Ankh had finally unpacked and begun arranging his possessions around his room.
One evening, after dinner, Ankh drank quietly and asked, “Have you lived in Dansas for a long time, Leader?”
“Not especially. I lived in another town before coming here.”
“A surprising number of villagers know you for someone who hasn’t been here very long.”
Tauro explained that Dansas had once suffered from a spreading curse. He and Bob had helped break it, and many villagers had treated them as benefactors ever since.
“That’s quite an achievement,” Ankh said, sounding genuinely impressed.
Tauro then asked without warning, “More importantly, why are you always watching us?”
Ankh’s hand stopped halfway to his cup.
“Where did that come from? I haven’t been watching you.”
“You pay unusually close attention to both Aeris and me.”
Ankh sighed.
“You’re children, even if you’re more experienced adventurers than I am. Of course I keep an eye on you.”
“I understand that there’s more to it than that. You’d rather I didn’t press the matter, correct?”
Ankh gave him a strained smile.
“There are adult circumstances involved. Please understand that much.”
Tauro considered the closest thing to an honest answer Ankh could provide, then bowed his head.
“Understood. I trust you. Please continue looking after everyone.”
“Everyone includes Ragune?” Ankh asked, deliberately lightening the mood. “Well, she’s worth training. Wahaha!”
If Tauro’s suspicion was correct, Ankh wasn’t an enemy. Interfering with his hidden duty might even endanger Aeris.
The most likely explanation was that Marquis Van Dyne had hired the former mercenary to guard his daughter and report on her condition. Ankh might have been asked to become an adventurer, rise rapidly into the E-rank band through his ability and resources, and then approach Black-Gold Wings naturally.
It was also possible that Tauro himself was another person Ankh had been ordered to protect, investigate, or report on. That possibility suggested that the arrangement might involve an employer besides Marquis Van Dyne.
Tauro wanted to ask more, but Ankh had clearly reached the limit of what he could disclose.
The truth might become visible with time. More importantly, Ankh had already proven trustworthy in the field and consistently did more than his duties required. Keeping him as a companion would benefit the entire team.
Having resolved one of his concerns, Tauro felt considerably more at ease.
The following morning, he found Ankh suffering from a severe hangover.
“Good morning, Ankh.”
“…Morning.”
Perhaps relieved that his secret had partly been exposed, or embarrassed that Tauro had noticed, Ankh had drunk far more than usual.
Tauro cast [Abnormal Status Recovery] and cleared the hangover immediately.
Ankh blinked in amazement.
“It’s gone! Leader, use that spell for me every time from now on!”
“So you’re already planning to drink too much again? That would make you a poor guard for Aeris.”
Tauro stared at him in exasperation, then privately considered an appropriate punishment: the next time Ankh was happily drunk, he could cast the spell and make him completely sober without warning.