Kays Translations
Just another Isekai Lover~
Chapter 236: Strategy Meeting Among the Experts
The morning after the meeting in Chloe’s office, Black-Gold Wings secretly left Dansas with the B-rank teams White Night and Zekei.
They traveled for a day and a half to a remote forest near the border of Count Dareder’s territory, where the full strategy meeting would be held.
“Even against the Assassins’ Guild, holding a meeting this far from civilization seems excessively cautious,” the leader of White Night complained as he checked the map.
“Towns and villages may be under surveillance.”
A man had appeared behind the three teams without warning.
Tauro and the others immediately reached for their weapons.
“What a surprise,” said the leader of Zekei, whose detection abilities were among his strengths. “You’re Eikoku of the A-rank team Golden Mane, aren’t you? I never expected to meet you here.”
The man wore black clothing resembling that of a ninja, and even White Night’s leader recognized the famous team name.
“Golden Mane? Why is a top A-rank team involved?”
“The report listed White Night and Zekei, followed by an E-rank team called Black-Gold Wings that possesses information about the enemy,” Eikoku said. “Which team is that?”
“We’re,” Tauro answered, raising a hand.
Eikoku examined the four of them with interest.
“All four of you have appraisal-obstruction effects, yet you’re only in the E-rank band. You appear far more capable than your rank suggests.”
He focused his appraisal on Tauro.
“Your appraisal results are… No, never mind.”
Eikoku had apparently noticed the unnatural information produced by Tauro’s [Appraisal Obstruction (Extreme)]. Rather than expose another adventurer’s concealed abilities, he stopped immediately.
“Only one representative from each team should follow me. Everyone else will remain here.”
Eikoku led Tauro and the leaders of White Night and Zekei deeper into the forest, while Aeris and the other members waited beneath the trees.
Count Dareder’s elite troops were encamped farther inside. A large command tent stood at the center, containing military officers and representatives of the selected adventuring teams.
“The strongest adventurers from the various branches throughout Count Dareder’s territory have assembled here,” Eikoku explained. He directed the newcomers to their seats and then vanished without a trace.
The two B-rank leaders flinched at his disappearance. Tauro attempted to locate him with [Presence Detection], despite knowing it would probably fail, but Eikoku’s concealment completely erased his presence.
Other team representatives arrived in succession, each escorted by Eikoku. Eventually eight men and women stood before a board at the front of the tent, with Eikoku among them.
“I’ll keep the introductions brief,” said a powerful-looking man. “I’m Raiga, leader of Golden Mane and commander of this operation at Count Dareder’s request. This is Captain Sam, who reports directly to the count, and his second-in-command, Ram. The others are members of Golden Mane.”
Those introduced acknowledged the assembly with brief nods.
“Now, the operation will—”
“Please wait,” the leader of White Night interrupted. “Before you explain the plan, I need you to hear important information brought by adventurers from our branch.”
Raiga fixed him with an intimidating stare.
“You’re the leader of White Night, correct? I heard your team distinguished itself during the Troll King subjugation, but do you intend to interrupt the commander?”
“The information concerns the Assassins’ Guild and may change the entire operation. I’m asking you to hear it before finalizing the strategy.”
The White Night leader didn’t yield under the pressure.
“Then speak.”
Raiga sat down with a displeased expression.
Tauro rose under the attention of everyone in the tent and explained the area instant-death curse used at the former training village.
The assembly immediately erupted into uneasy discussion.
“Is that information reliable?”
“Charging in without knowing about it could be disastrous.”
“Then we can’t allow the force to gather too close together…”
“Quiet!” Raiga ordered. “Are you certain? Eikoku infiltrated the target and gathered intelligence. If such a device existed, he should have found it. What do you say, Eikoku?”
“I found no such mechanism during my infiltration,” Eikoku answered carefully. “However, I may have missed it. I only made brief examinations of the underground prison and treasury.”
Raiga gave him a bitter look. The operation had already been designed, and the meeting was expected to end with its explanation and immediate execution.
“Eikoku wouldn’t overlook something that dangerous,” Raiga insisted. “I respect the warning, but I intend to trust his work and proceed with the original plan.”
Tauro felt the meeting moving in a dangerous direction.