Kays Translations
Just another Isekai Lover~
Chapter 342: The Baggage Carrier
　The blue-haired, blue-eyed baggage carrier gave the name Zion.
　Tears streamed down Zion’s face as the child thanked Tauro again and again. Gray Vultures had used slave magic to force Zion to carry their equipment for two years.
　Once calm enough to speak, Zion slowly explained the past.
“My mother died, and I became an orphan. I thought becoming an adventurer was the only way I could survive.”
“That was when Hagen took advantage of you?”
“Yes. We were poor, and I never knew who my father was or where he came from. I couldn’t afford to have my skills examined during the church’s baptismal rite. Nobody wanted to employ a child whose abilities were unknown. Then Hagen approached me. He said I was strong enough to carry their equipment and promised to pay the costs of becoming an adventurer. He told me the slave spell would only remain until they trusted me. At the time, the offer looked like a light opening in front of me.”
　Zion’s hands clenched tightly.
“But once the spell was placed on me, Hagen changed completely. I became their slave. The magic prevented me from asking anyone for help, and every day was painful. You released me. Thank you… truly, thank you.”
“I’m glad I could help, Zion. I also need your cooperation.”
“I’ll tell you everything. They discussed their secrets in front of me because they knew the spell prevented me from speaking. I was never allowed to participate in their important work because I was a child and they considered me useful only as a baggage carrier, but I witnessed many of their crimes. I can testify about all of it.”
“That’s exactly what we need. You’ll be rewarded for helping us.”
“I’d cooperate even without a reward… although I still need some way to live, so it would help.”
“Of course.”
　Tauro laughed gently and arranged for Zion to remain hidden until the testimony was needed.
　Meanwhile, Hagen finally noticed that the baggage carrier hadn’t returned.
“That brat is taking too long!”
“You’re right,” the female mage said. “He couldn’t have escaped while bound by my slave magic. Perhaps somebody killed him on the way.”
“Then we’ll simply find another orphan to carry our things,” the warrior said with a laugh.
“That one lasted longer than most,” the swordsman added. “I think he was the first to survive for several years.”
“Idiots!” Hagen shouted. “If he died while carrying our money and equipment, we’ve lost everything with him. Use the slave spell and order him back!”
“All right. Stop yelling. I’ll call him now… What? There’s no response. He may have been killed by a robber after leaving the mayor’s residence.”
“I don’t care what happened to the brat himself, but the pack and money belonged to Gray Vultures. Whoever touched our property will pay.”
　While Hagen raged, Tauro reunited Zion with Ragune and Ankh at the inn and used [Spatial Transfer] to take the child to the Dragonfolk Village.
　The village’s wards immediately detected the unfamiliar visitor, and members of the garrison appeared.
“It’s been some time, Tauro-dono,” the garrison commander said. “Is this child a new companion?”
　Zion stared around in confusion. Moments earlier, the child had been inside an inn in Caxart; now Zion stood in a fortified settlement unlike anywhere previously seen.
“This is Zion. I need the village to provide protection and concealment for a little while.”
“Conceal Zion? What trouble have you become involved in this time?”
　Tauro briefly explained the situation.
“I see. Tauro-dono, you’re being reckless again,” the commander said with a laugh. “Very well. I’ll inform Chief Ryuga and make certain Zion is protected.”
　Then he remembered another matter.
“Malak, Zumei, Reeva, and the dragonfolk who worked beneath them wanted to contact you. Their report was lost amid the celebration of the dungeon conquest. Since you hadn’t visited recently, they traveled to the Royal Capital to find you.”
“Ah… I did interrupt them before they could explain what they had discovered.”
“They had already sent the essential information to the village. They wanted to discuss whether the Assassins’ Guild’s Royal Capital base should be destroyed. Chief Ryuga decided there was no reason to trouble you with the decision and authorized the operation. He left for the Royal Capital several days ago with the others.”
“Then I’ll leave the destruction of the Assassins’ Guild base to them. I have my own problem to finish in Caxart.”
“Understood. Malak and the others still intend to report to you personally, so speak with them when you have time.”
“I’ll. For now, please take care of Zion.”
“Leave Zion to us.”
　The garrison commander accepted responsibility for Zion.
“Thank you, Tauro-san,” Zion said. Reluctant to part from the person who had provided salvation, Zion nevertheless held back. “Please call me whenever you need my testimony.”
“I’ll. See you soon.”
　Tauro waved and departed with Ragune through [Spatial Transfer].
“Tauro-san is incredible…”
　Zion had never met anyone of a similar age who resembled the heroes of childhood imagination. Watching the place where Tauro had vanished, Zion came to admire him as the ideal adventurer.