Kays Translations
Just another Isekai Lover~
Chapter 127: From the Interrogation…
　The previously silent prisoner was taken into an interrogation room.
“I should receive the offer if I speak first, right? I’ll tell you everything, but I want a written promise that my sentence will be reduced!”
　He immediately began talking and demanded a guarantee.
　His reaction revealed how little loyalty existed between the two prisoners. More than anything, he feared that his accomplice might claim the offer before him.
　Tauro and Aeris were allowed to observe the interrogation through a small barred opening from the adjoining room.
　Tauro would have preferred to participate, but the guards refused to let a child conduct an interrogation.
　He privately wondered why watching was considered acceptable, but wisely kept that question to himself. Aeris appeared to have reached the same conclusion and remained quiet.
“Ruhi, the leader of the kidnappers, approached and hired us. He’s a former adventurer. I heard he once reached C rank.”
“A C-rank adventurer?”
　Several guards reacted in alarm, and the officer in charge immediately warned them to remain silent.
“People said he might eventually reach B rank, but the Adventurers’ Guild permanently expelled him because of his conduct. Ruhi is dangerous. Those children saw for themselves that he has no mercy even for his own men.”
　The prisoner glanced toward Tauro and Aeris behind the grate as he spoke.
“We understand who Ruhi is. Who hired him?”
　The officer went directly to the central question.
“Only Ruhi knows. He once said while drunk that the employer was someone who conducts business in this city.”
“How many children have you taken?”
“Eight so far. Once there were enough, they planned to load them onto a ship and take them out of the country. We hadn’t yet been told when the ship would leave.”
“Where are the children being held?”
“We rented a warehouse near the harbor in Ruhi’s name, but they have probably been moved already.”
“Move out immediately!”
　The officer ordered his subordinates to search the warehouse and hurried away with them, temporarily leaving Tauro, Aeris, and several guards behind.
“Which part of the city did Ruhi come from?”
　Tauro called through the barred opening to the man in the interrogation room.
“The slums, I think. Why does that matter?”
“If he intends to hide until the search dies down, he’ll probably choose somewhere familiar where the guards seldom enter. The slums would suit him.”
　The remaining guards exchanged startled looks.
　There weren’t many places where eight children could be concealed on short notice.
　Taking them to the employer’s property would be dangerously conspicuous.
　In the slums, on the other hand, many residents would avoid attracting the guards’ attention even if they noticed something suspicious.
　Tauro understood that kind of district because he had spent several years living in one himself.
　For criminals, it was both a convenient refuge and a familiar escape route—especially if Ruhi had grown up there.
“Aeris, we should help however we can.”
“You intend to join the search?”
“Entering the slums alone would be reckless. But we know Ruhi’s face. If we locate him, we can alert the guards.”
“Very well. I’ll summon Shin and Rumeya too.”
　Aeris hurried outside the station and fired lightning magic into the sky.
　Two successive bolts burst overhead like fireworks.
　Tauro had devised the signal so Aeris could reveal her location if the team became separated in the enormous city.
　People nearby gasped at the spectacular display.
“What an impressive thing to do!”
“If I could use magic, I would try it too!”
　Several local women gathered around Aeris in admiration.
　While she dealt with the curious onlookers, Shin and Rumeya arrived at a run, both out of breath.
“I didn’t think you would actually use that signal!”
“You only explained it to us yesterday. That certainly surprised me!”
　The two laughed about the conspicuous signal as they approached Tauro.
　Once Tauro explained the situation, both immediately agreed to help.
“Let us go, Aeris.”
　Tauro rescued her from the cluster of local women, and the four members of Black-Gold Wings headed toward the slums.