Kays Translations
Just another Isekai Lover~
Chapter 237: Strategy Meeting Among the Experts—Continued
Raiga’s inflexible response caused the assembled adventurers to exchange uneasy looks and arguments.
“What if the boy’s report is true?”
“Raiga is an A-rank adventurer. Surely he knows what he’s doing.”
“No. We can’t leave the survival of every team entirely to another person’s judgment.”
“According to the report, that E-rank team escaped without casualties. Maybe the spell can be avoided if we’re prepared.”
“The Assassins’ Guild also sacrifices one of its own to activate it. They may be unwilling to use it.”
“Perhaps, but there may be circumstances in which escape is impossible. We should prepare a countermeasure even if we can’t fully verify the information.”
“The operation begins soon. If we delay to redesign everything, we only give the assassins more time to flee.”
The team leaders grew increasingly agitated as conflicting opinions spread through the tent.
“Everyone, be silent!” Raiga shouted. “The existing plan already accounts for unexpected developments. We must subdue the enemy quickly and seize evidence. Based on the limited information this boy provided, rapid action should prevent them from activating the spell. The B-rank adventurers gathered here are experts. Your combined strength is sufficient.”
“That assumption could annihilate the entire force,” Tauro said.
He knew that openly challenging the commander was discourteous, but the risk was too great to remain silent.
“My team survived through extraordinary luck. This isn’t an attack anyone should attempt to evade by depending on luck again. Please allow Black-Gold Wings to participate. We have a plan to prevent the area instant-death curse without interfering with the main operation.”
“A plan?” Raiga replied. “I don’t mean to insult you, but an E-rank team would obviously slow an operation of this level. Having a Barrier Master is useful, but if the entire team is only E rank, the burden outweighs the benefit. Your information is appreciated, but I can’t approve your participation.”
Raiga had judged them solely by rank and refused to listen further.
“Wait, Raiga,” Eikoku said. “Hearing the boy’s proposal will cost us nothing.”
“Fine. Explain it.”
Raiga reluctantly allowed Tauro to describe his plan.
“If you do that, the enemy may discover the operation before it begins!” Raiga objected when Tauro finished.
“Then the main force must begin the planned assault before they have time to react. We’ll enter from within and prevent them from activating the curse.”
“One mistake and they may kill all four of you immediately,” Eikoku warned.
“I’ve prepared information the Assassins’ Guild should want badly enough to keep us alive.”
Tauro answered with a confident smile.
“I understand,” Eikoku said after considering it. “Raiga, run the two operations concurrently. If Black-Gold Wings fails, our assault can proceed without delay and won’t be compromised.”
“Eikoku, I’m supposed to be the leader here, not you!” Raiga snapped. He then sighed. “But we have no better option. Once the assault begins, we can’t divert forces to rescue you. You’ll be responsible for your own survival.”
Raiga and the senior officers then explained the main assault plan, troop deployments, and methods of coordination. Any remaining decisions would have to be made on site.
Black-Gold Wings received a separate role outside the main force’s deployment. After Eikoku provided the location of the Assassins’ Guild base, the four left for the surrounding area in the middle of the night.
“Leader, I understand the outline of your plan,” Ankh said as they traveled, “but why did you collect everyone’s real weapons and make us carry spares?”
Tauro had placed Aeris’s staff, Ragune’s magic spear, Ankh’s greatsword, and his own primary weapons inside [Magic Storage].
“I’ll return them later. For now, use the spare equipment.”
He continued forward without explaining the reason.
Dawn approached, staining the eastern sky red.
“Tauro, shouldn’t we be near the destination?” Ragune asked as she surveyed the forest.
“Yes, but [Presence Detection] hasn’t found anything yet, so we should still be—”
Black-clad figures suddenly stood behind all four of them, curved swords aimed at their backs. More assassins surrounded them from every direction.
“I’m sorry,” Tauro said. “They must possess perception-concealment abilities.”
He slowly raised his hands and signaled Aeris, Ankh, and Ragune to drop their spare weapons and surrender.