Kays Translations
Just another Isekai Lover~
Chapter 214: Contents of the Directive
The processed magic stone projected detailed instructions for a plan to assassinate Count Dareder.
A sorcerer dispatched by the Assassins’ Guild was to place a cursed stone within Count Dareder’s living area and use it to kill him from a distance. The directive described several possible methods, including concealing the cursed stone among a shipment of magic stones or mixing it with ordinary stones in the count’s garden.
It also ordered the conspirators to perform a local test first, confirming that the method worked reliably.
“Then Riryo’s parents were used as the test subjects,” Tauro said grimly.
“They may have been selected because the local man already held a personal grudge against Riryo’s father,” Aeris added. “Riryo said the two often quarreled.”
“We can’t handle this by ourselves. We need the town guard,” Ankh said.
“Agreed. This is far beyond the original request. Take the instruction stone with you, Ankh.”
Tauro tossed it to him, and Ankh hurried away to summon the guards.
“What should we do while we wait?” Ragune asked. “If the culprits realize what has happened, they may flee. Should we watch the mansion?”
“Yes. Let’s make sure they don’t escape.”
Tauro, Aeris, and Ragune left the shop and headed for the mansion.
Night had fallen. The area around the large residence was illuminated by numerous magic lanterns based on Tauro’s design.
Screams and groans came from inside. Neighbors had gathered with handheld lanterns, forming a crowd of anxious onlookers.
“Your returned curse definitely reached them,” Aeris said, visibly disturbed by the intensity of the cries.
“They’re still alive, so the sorcerer must have prepared some protection,” Tauro replied. Even he felt a chill. “Considering what they tried to do, though, they brought this on themselves.”
Ankh soon arrived with the guards, who began pushing the onlookers back and securing the mansion.
“What are those screams?” Ankh asked when he found his companions.
“The returned curse,” Ragune answered.
“I see. Anyone who curses another person should be prepared to suffer the same fate. They received exactly what they sent out, Leader. Don’t blame yourself.”
Ankh placed a reassuring hand on Tauro’s shoulder.
“He’s right,” Aeris said. “They killed Riryo’s father and were preparing to assassinate Count Dareder.”
“Evil shouldn’t be allowed to prosper,” Ragune added. “Returning their own curse was justified.”
Soon the guards dragged three men from the mansion: the influential local notable, a robed sorcerer, and the short, large-nosed man who had inspected the shop. All three writhed and screamed as they were loaded into a carriage.
“Help me! Make it stop!”
“Something is crawling beneath my skin! Get it out!”
“I can’t bear it! Someone kill me!”
One of the officers overseeing the arrests approached Tauro’s group.
“It’s been a while. You people have saved us again.”
He was the captain of the Dareder territorial troops whom Black-Gold Wings had rescued during the Troll King remnant hunt.
“It’s good to see you again,” Tauro replied.
“We’re grateful, but I need formal statements about everything that happened. Would you come with us?”
“Of course. We were involved through our guild request, so we’ll cooperate.”
The captain thanked them and escorted the party to the guard station.
During questioning, Tauro and the others repeatedly explained that they had come to Dareder only to fulfill Riryo’s relocation request and had discovered the conspiracy by chance.
The prisoners’ screams continued from the cells below. To an uninformed listener, it might have sounded as though the guards were torturing them, but no such interrogation was necessary.
The three suspects quickly confessed to murdering Riryo’s father. When questioned about the plan to assassinate Count Dareder, they also revealed everything they knew in the hope that someone would relieve their suffering.
The assassination had apparently been ordered by a person in the royal capital whom they referred to only as “That Person.” That patron had made the local notable wealthy.
Communication was conducted through processed magic stones. The courier who delivered them called himself Alexa, though the guards suspected that was an alias.
The larger mystery remained unresolved. For Tauro and his companions, however, the essential point was that Riryo’s request could now be completed.
They left the continuing investigation to the guards and, exhausted after the late-night questioning, slept in rooms provided at the station.