Kays Translations
Just another Isekai Lover~
Chapter 339: Infiltrating the Mayor’s Residence
　The day after gathering information at the Salt Lake Pavilion, Black-Gold Wings began searching for evidence of Baronet Colon’s embezzlement.
　Most of that work fell to Tauro.
　By combining [Magic Manipulation] (Extreme) with his recently acquired [Multiple Chanting], he simultaneously controlled three different forms of magic. Their precisely balanced effects produced a legendary invisibility spell that blended his appearance into the surrounding environment.
　He also activated [Presence Concealment], making him extraordinarily difficult to notice even at close range.
　Thus hidden, Tauro entered the mayor’s residence and searched Baronet Colon’s office and the rooms used by the accounting officials.
　There should be a secret ledger somewhere, but he couldn’t find it.
　For somebody reputed to be so incompetent, the mayor had either chosen an excellent hiding place or entrusted the records to somebody more capable.
　Tauro remained invisible in the empty office, considering where else to search, when voices reached him from the neighboring reception room.
“Reducing the Flaming Crabs is acceptable, but if those adventurers exterminate them all, I’ll lose my excuse for sending less tax revenue to the lord,” said a man Tauro assumed was Baronet Colon. “It’s time for those outsiders to leave. This is why I pay you people. Prove that your C-plus rank isn’t merely decoration!”
“Do you understand how much work we’re already doing?” another man replied. “We pressure the local adventurers, and the deputy branch manager takes our money to prevent outside teams from coming. None of that’s free. Removing these newcomers will require another payment.”
　The speaker appeared to be a member of Gray Vultures, Caxart’s highest-ranked adventuring team.
“They’re only a D-plus team. Threaten them directly. And don’t pretend I know nothing about your arrangements. The deputy branch manager reports to me.”
“Heh heh. Directly exchanging information with him places us in a difficult position, Mayor. Still, I understand. The outsiders are called Black-Gold Wings, correct? We’ll warn them at the guild. But the thugs feeding the Flaming Crabs will require additional money.”
“Those fools multiplied the monsters too quickly! Their excess destroyed the salt works, brought complaints down on me, and stopped the money flowing into my pocket. What are you going to do about that?”
“The original plan was yours. We merely brought Flaming Crabs from elsewhere, released them in the salt lake, and bred them under your orders. Very well. Threatening the adventurers will be included this time, but if we need the thugs again, you’ll pay their expenses.”
　The conversation ended, and the men emerged from the reception room.
　Tauro memorized their faces.
　The leader was a dark-eyed man with a shaved head and a scar across one eyebrow. His posture and manner resembled those of a bandit, although his presence showed that his C-plus rank wasn’t entirely fraudulent.
　Four others accompanied him: a warrior, a swordsman, a female mage, and a small baggage carrier.
　They didn’t appear as powerful as Tauro had expected. Nevertheless, underestimating an enemy was an easy way to be caught off guard.
　Once the men had left, Tauro slipped from the residence and met Ragune and Ankh nearby.
“It looks like Leader has returned,” Ankh said.
“Tauro? Where?” Ragune looked around without seeing him.
“Right here.”
　A voice came from the empty space beside Ankh, and Tauro allowed the concealment magic to dissolve.
“Wah! Tauro, that magic is terrible for the heart,” Ragune complained, pressing a hand dramatically against her chest.
“Sorry. But Ankh, how did you notice me?”
“This eye of mine can penetrate many visual-obstruction abilities. Even so, I couldn’t see you clearly. I only caught a vague outline. Your spell is probably beyond what my current ability can fully overcome.”
　Ankh sounded frustrated despite the compliment implicit in his answer.
“Then I need to remember that enemies with similar perception may still detect it.”
“Did you find the evidence?” Ragune asked, returning directly to their purpose.
“I didn’t find the ledger. But I confirmed something even more important. We should discuss it after we return to the inn.”
　The three quietly withdrew.