Chapter 485: The Nostalgic Branch Manager

Tauro, accompanied by Aeris and the others, withdrew from the crowd with Leo and entered an empty room in the estate.

“It’s been a long time. You have changed a great deal in three years, Tauro.”

Branch Manager Leo looked him over with a mixture of nostalgia and admiration.

“Have I? Well, I suppose I’ve grown taller.”

Tauro smiled and compared his height with Leo’s, though the large man still towered over him.

“Seeing you travel with the Saint’s entourage suggests the rumors were true. You were adopted by a noble family, weren’t you?” Leo asked sincerely. “Are you happy now?”

“I don’t know what rumors reached Saisi, but yes. Count Graunewald adopted me. And I’m doing well, thanks to everyone.”

Tauro answered with a trace of embarrassment.

When Leo had first cared for him, Tauro had been a homeless child with no idea what his future might hold.

Remembering how helpless he had been made him feel shy, even now.

“It also looks as though you found good companions. That’s a relief. Nei will be glad to hear it.”

Leo glanced at Aeris and the others standing behind Tauro, then mentioned the receptionist who had once treated Tauro like a younger brother.

“Nei-san… How’s she?”

“She still works at the guild reception desk. She cried when she learned you had left without saying goodbye. Whenever even the smallest piece of news about you reaches us, though, she lights up.”

“I see. I’m glad she’s well.”

“Mauve returned here once, but the two of you missed each other.”

“Mauve-san came back!?”

Tauro had hoped to encounter him somewhere during his travels and was shocked to hear that Mauve had returned to Saisi instead.

“His party, Silver Sword, has become well known in the B-rank band. They recently lost one of their members, so he came back to recruit a replacement and improve their equipment. They stayed for a while, but have already departed on another journey.”

“I see… As long as he’s doing well, that’s enough. What about everyone else?”

“They’re doing well too. The businesses you helped are thriving, and your curry shop is as popular as ever. Some adventurers have moved on to other places, while many are still active here. Of course, adventuring is dangerous, and not everyone has been fortunate. Overall, however, the members of this branch are doing well.”

Leo spoke with unmistakable pride in the adventurers under his care.

For a while, he and Tauro reminisced about the past.

When the Saint arrived, however, the noise outside grew louder.

“Right. I’m still the manager of the Saisi branch, so I should be outside welcoming her. The Crown Prince is here as well, isn’t he? This territory is administered directly by the royal family, and no one knows who its next lord will be. I’d rather not offend the royals and find some dreadful person placed over us.”

Leo gave Tauro an affectionate pat on the head.

“You’re probably busy too, so I doubt you have time today. Still, visit the guild once in a while, even if it’s only to say hello. Take care of yourself.”

With that, Leo left the room.

“Was he one of your mentors when you were a novice, Leader?” Ankh asked. “He’s extraordinarily strong—perhaps even comparable to a dragonfolk warrior.”

“I felt it too,” Aeris said. “It’s no wonder Tauro became such a capable adventurer at a young age.”

“Among the humans I’ve met, he’s one of the most exceptional,” Ragune added.

“As expected of Tauro-sama’s mentor!” Zion said proudly.

“Most of my combat training actually came from Daz-san, the guild’s instructor. Still, both Leo-san and Daz-san were former A-rank adventurers, so they truly were remarkable.”

“That Saisi branch is absurd,” Ankh said in disbelief.

“I didn’t understand how extraordinary they were when I was younger. Meeting Leo-san again now, after growing stronger myself, made it obvious. I was cared for by people far more impressive than I realized.”

Tauro smiled warmly, deeply moved by the reunion.

“Even though you could speak only briefly, I’m glad you met someone who looked after you,” Aeris said, sharing his happiness.

“So am I. These three years passed so quickly that I rarely had time to look back. Seeing him brought all those memories back at once. It feels good.”

Tauro smiled again, then glanced toward the door.

“We should return as well before we cause trouble.”

The party hurried from the room.

The Saint’s entourage had stopped in Saisi only to spend the night on its way to the Halagoura Marquisate.

After a simple welcoming ceremony, the gathering dispersed quickly.

Several influential residents apparently obtained an audience with the Crown Prince and petitioned him concerning the territory’s future.

Tauro and his companions weren’t included in those discussions and learned nothing of their contents.

That night, Tauro decided to walk through Saisi.

The procession would depart the following morning.

Before leaving, he wanted one quiet opportunity to revisit the town where his life as an adventurer had begun.