Kays Translations
Just another Isekai Lover~
Chapter 194: A New Member
Ragune drew a deep breath, released it slowly, and spoke with a serious expression.
“I’ll now deliver the dragonfolk chief’s decision. ‘From this day forward, for as long as you desire, I entrust Ragune Dragoon to serve as your sword and shield. Please take care of her.'”
“I decline,” Tauro answered immediately.
“Why?”
Ragune stared at him in confusion. Tauro and Aeris had been the ones to invite her, so she had naturally expected them to welcome the chief’s answer.
“We asked you to join because we want you to become our companion by your own choice,” Tauro explained. “We don’t want you following us merely because someone ordered you to. First, I want your freedom to be respected. After that, you can decide for yourself whether you wish to join us. A person bound by orders can’t truly be called a companion.”
Aeris nodded firmly beside him.
“But this is the chief’s decision,” Ragune protested.
Among the dragonfolk, the chief’s word was absolute. She couldn’t immediately understand why Tauro distinguished between obedience and companionship.
Nevertheless, she eventually nodded.
“I understand. I’ll carry your answer back to the chief.”
The next instant, Ragune vanished.
“Do you think she’s using the same [Spatial Transfer] as Tauro?” Aeris asked.
“I don’t think so. The way she disappears is completely different.”
“It resembles the way we entered that separate space inside the dungeon… Could it be [Dimensional Corridor]?”
Aeris became excited as the possibility occurred to her.
[Dimensional Corridor] was an exceptionally rare ability said to create passages between distant locations through gateways established by its user. It was also associated with the legendary [Hero] skill, though even heroes didn’t necessarily possess it.
“That explanation fits,” Tauro said. “If that really is her ability, we should have asked her to take us to the dragonfolk village. Speaking directly with the chief would be much easier than repeatedly sending messages.”
“Exactly. We should ask when she returns.”
They had barely finished speaking when Ragune reappeared.
“I apologize for the wait. I’ll deliver the chief’s response. ‘From this day forward, Ragune is released from the customs that bind the dragonfolk. Her words and actions shall be decided entirely by her own judgment.’ That’s all.”
Ragune herself looked bewildered by the declaration.
Until that moment, obeying the village’s customs and the chief’s commands had guided every important decision in her life. Being told that she was suddenly free was liberating, but it also deprived her of the rules that had always made her path clear.
“Then I’ll ask again,” Tauro said. “Ragune, please join us.”
“The choice is entirely mine?”
“Yes.”
Ragune considered her answer carefully.
“Then I can’t immediately agree to become your companion. I know that you’re good people, but among the dragonfolk, true companionship requires trust, friendship, and eventually a blood pact. I don’t know either of you well enough for that yet. However, I’m willing to assist you and work alongside you.”
“That’s reasonable,” Tauro replied. “Then let us compromise. Join Black-Gold Wings and adventure with us. If trust and friendship grow between us, we can discuss your blood pact. If things don’t work out, you may return to your village whenever you wish. Either way, the dragonfolk will owe us nothing further.”
“Would that truly satisfy you?”
Dragonfolk lived extremely long lives. From Ragune’s perspective, spending several decades repaying the people who had saved her village wouldn’t have been an unreasonable sacrifice. Tauro’s proposal, by comparison, placed almost no burden on her.
“Yes. That’s all I want,” Tauro said. “Please join us, if you’re willing.”
“I want you to join too,” Aeris added.
Both of them bowed their heads.
“Please raise your heads!” Ragune exclaimed. “Very well. From this day forward, I’ll protect both of you at any cost!”
“No,” Tauro corrected immediately. “You must value your own life as well.”
He continued, “We’re a team now. We’ll protect and help one another while adventuring together. That’s how we can eventually become true companions.”
Aeris nodded and held out her hand.
“Ragune, I look forward to working with you.”
Ragune accepted the handshake.
“Likewise… By the way, what are your names?”
Tauro and Aeris looked at each other and burst out laughing. Despite everything that had happened, they had never properly introduced themselves to her.