Kays Translations
Just another Isekai Lover~
Chapter 126: Postponing the Return
　That evening, after returning to their inn, Tauro and Aeris collected Shin and Rumeya and visited the inn where Leada was staying.
　They explained the entire kidnapping incident to her.
“How could something like that happen? Then we can’t depart tomorrow morning…”
“I’m sorry. We apologize for inconveniencing our employer.”
　Tauro and Aeris bowed together. Shin and Rumeya, who had been listening nearby, hurriedly bowed as well.
“Please don’t worry. I can’t imagine how the negotiations would have gone without Tauro-san, and his help transporting the goods has saved the company a considerable sum. Besides, I wanted more time to explore the city, so this gives me a perfectly good excuse to stay.”
　Leada appeared more pleased than troubled.
　Tauro offered to cover the team’s additional lodging expenses, but Leada refused and insisted that the Marches Trading Company would pay.
　He argued that it would be improper to burden their employer after causing the delay. Leada, however, genuinely didn’t seem to mind.
　Shin and Rumeya were also delighted to learn that they could remain in O’Circus a little longer. Both had greatly enjoyed seeing the sea.
　The five of them ate dinner together and discussed the attempted kidnapping.
“Slavery was abolished in this kingdom long ago, so there should be very few buyers here,”
　Leada said with a troubled expression.
“Could the buyers be from another country?”
　Shin offered a perceptive suggestion.
“But the kidnappers spoke with the local accent. Would that not mean they were from O’Circus?”
　Leada raised the obvious objection.
“Foreign traffickers could hire local criminals who know the city’s streets, then carry the victims overseas and sell them,”
　Aeris suggested.
“Then anyone in this city who owns a ship could do it,”
　Rumeya concluded.
“It’s possible, but probably uncommon. Anyone wealthy enough to own a ship would risk losing everything if caught trafficking people. A desperate owner buried in debt might still attempt it as a last resort, however,”
　Tauro reasoned.
“Then the guards could examine shipowners whose debts were recently cleared, whose finances suddenly improved, or who are preparing to sail out of the kingdom,”
　Leada said, following his line of thought.
“We’re only guessing, though. There’s little we can do ourselves,”
　Aeris pointed out.
“True. Still, you and I must return to the guard station tomorrow. Sharing these possibilities may help their investigation.”
“Perhaps, but will they seriously consider suggestions from children?”
“We’re the only intended victims who escaped. Our information should be useful.”
“That’s one way of looking at it. Very well. We’ll tell them tomorrow.”
　Aeris accepted his reasoning.
　Her mood had improved without Tauro noticing, which secretly relieved him.
　The following morning, Tauro and Aeris went directly to the guard station to give their full statements.
　They reported that the escaped leader had spoken with an O’Circus accent and explained the conclusions they had discussed over dinner.
　The officer supervising the case nodded.
“The two men we captured still refuse to talk, but we’ll investigate along those lines.”
　His response was unexpectedly straightforward. Without a confession, the guards had few solid leads.
“May I speak with the prisoners?”
“What? Most victims want nothing to do with their attackers afterward. Are you certain?”
　The officer stared at Tauro in surprise.
“If one of them confesses, the investigation can move forward, correct?”
“It would certainly help, but are you truly sure?”
“Yes.”
　The officer led Tauro and Aeris down to the cells beneath the station.
“How are your injuries?”
　Tauro asked as he approached the separate cells holding the two prisoners.
“Damn you, little dark magician! I won’t tell you anything!”
　The man who had resisted Tauro’s spell became visibly wary the moment he saw him.
“Your leader abandoned you. Now that you’ve been captured and are no longer useful, do you really believe he’ll protect you? Would either of you like to talk?”
“Who would tell you anything, you little bastard?”
“…”
　The man with dark-magic resistance shouted, while the other remained silent.
“If one of you cooperates, we can withdraw our objection to leniency and ask the authorities to reduce that person’s sentence. It may even be enough to avoid execution.”
“!”
　The officer looked at Tauro in astonishment, then understood the tactic.
“I can support that request. But as the boy said, the offer applies to only one of you. Take the quiet prisoner to the interrogation room.”
　At his order, several guards opened the second cell and led the silent man away.
“Wait! Hey, don’t tell them anything!”
　The resistant prisoner panicked, but could do nothing except shout after his accomplice.