Kays Translations
Just another Isekai Lover~
Chapter 244: A D-Rank Adventurer Team
Every member of Black-Gold Wings had been promoted to D-minus, and their new silver tags proved it.
For an adventurer, entering the D-rank band was recognized evidence of real strength. Many adventurers never advanced beyond E rank and eventually retired there. The E-rank band contained the largest number of working adventurers, while only a small group of talented individuals passed the assessments needed to cross the substantial barrier into D rank.
Because the D-rank band held so many capable adventurers, reaching it became a major goal for people in the profession.
Tauro had reached that level at only thirteen. Aeris was still sixteen. Although Black-Gold Wings was one of the Dansas branch’s most promising teams, its leader remained a minor, and Chloe had expected considerable envy and resentment from older adventurers. That was one reason she had hesitated to promote them.
To reduce the appearance of favoritism, Chloe allowed the broad basis for the promotion to become known without revealing the confidential mission itself: Golden Mane, White Night, Zekei, several other B-rank teams from neighboring branches, the Dareder branch manager, and Count Dareder had all recommended Black-Gold Wings after a secret special operation.
The story sounded so excessive that even the adventurers in Dansas didn’t know whether to believe it.
The rebuilt team had only recently replaced its two departed vanguards. Hearing that so many first-class adventurers—and even the celebrated Golden Mane—had recommended the former E-rank team sounded like an obvious joke. Before long, most people dismissed the rumor.
A few days later, news reached Dansas.
“A combined force of top adventurer teams secretly attacked an Assassins’ Guild stronghold, and the operation succeeded.”
The moment that report spread through the village, the rumors surrounding Black-Gold Wings flared up again.
“Was that the secret mission?”
“Are you saying Black-Gold Wings was the only E-rank team involved?”
“That can’t be right. Every other team was supposedly B rank or higher.”
“Exactly. Why would there be room for an E-rank team like Black-Gold Wings?”
Most of the dismissive voices came from E-rank adventurers who had always regarded Tauro’s team as their equals or inferiors.
Some higher-ranked adventurers offered a calmer assessment.
“Their leader, Tauro, is far more composed than any twelve- or thirteen-year-old should be.”
“True. He wasn’t flashy during the ogre subjugation, but he was an exceptionally reliable rear guard. His potion-making is first-rate too. If they participated as support, I could believe it.”
“I’m not so sure support was the whole story. We know very little about their two new vanguards, but both rose through the ranks at extraordinary speed. The team’s recent success may owe as much to those newcomers as to Tauro’s support abilities.”
“Either way, they’re D rank now. We’ll see what they can really do soon enough.”
One veteran adventurer studied Ankh from across the guild hall.
“I feel like I’ve seen that new man before… or at least heard a description of him. Back when I was a mercenary…”
“Which newcomer? The beautiful woman?”
“No, the red-haired man carrying the greatsword. I think he may be the mercenary once called the ‘Black-Clad Red Ogre.’”
“The Black-Clad Red Ogre? He does wear black from head to toe, and his hair is red, but someone that famous?”
“There are plenty of men who copy a famous mercenary’s appearance and reputation.”
“True. I exaggerated my own achievements whenever I negotiated contracts.”
“Besides, why would a renowned mercenary become an adventurer and serve under a child?”
“Exactly. Ha ha ha!”
Tauro was selecting a quest nearby and quietly listened. He often paid attention to conversations among experienced adventurers because useful information could surface anywhere.
If the rumor was true, Ankh had been famous in the mercenary world. That would explain his extraordinary skill.
Ankh showed no reaction. Tauro couldn’t tell whether he had failed to hear them or was pretending he had.
“Leader, we should play it safe today and take the nearby orc-subjugation quest,” Ankh said, comparing it with a harpy hunt posted beside it. “We can finish this one as a day trip.”
It was a reasonable assignment for a newly promoted D-minus team.
“Orcs sound good!” Ragune said. “The proprietress of the Dwarf Inn will be delighted if we bring her fresh meat.”
“Ragune, stop judging every quest by whether it can become pork cutlets,” Aeris warned.
“Then we’ll take the orc-subjugation quest.”
Tauro settled the matter and headed to the reception desk to complete the usual procedures.