Kays Translations
Just another Isekai Lover~
Chapter 197: On the Way to the Quest
The newly reorganized Black-Gold Wings set out to investigate the poisoned swamp.
The journey to the requesting village would take roughly two days each way. Tauro, Aeris, and Ragune spent much of that time talking and learning more about one another.
Along the road, they encountered six kobolds and decided to use the fight as their first opportunity to test the new team. The monsters were too weak to require meaningful coordination, however. Ragune cut down most of them almost immediately, while Tauro shot the few that attempted to flee.
“You’re an excellent archer, Tauro,” Ragune said. “Because you handle yourself so well on the front line, I assumed close combat was your specialty.”
“You’re very skilled with a spear,” Tauro replied. “I thought you primarily used a sword.”
“Many warriors with [Dragon Knight] favor spears, and I’m one of them. However, a long weapon is difficult to use when obstacles restrict my movement. In those situations, I switch to a sword stored in [Magic Storage].”
Ragune initially appeared somewhat clumsy in ordinary conversation, but she was remarkably versatile. She also possessed considerable knowledge of medicinal plants and actively studied anything she didn’t know. While they gathered useful herbs along the route, she understood Tauro’s explanations quickly and proved easy to teach.
They also discussed the team’s combat formation.
Ragune would serve as the primary attacker and defender on the front line. Tauro would move flexibly between the front and rear, using his bow before the enemy closed the distance and switching to sword and shield when additional defense was needed. Aeris would handle offensive magic, healing, barriers, and support.
Forcing Ragune to bear both the offensive and defensive burden alone would be dangerous against larger groups. Tauro therefore intended to act as a second vanguard whenever necessary.
“If I carry a shield and draw the enemy’s attention, I should use my sword rather than the spear,” Ragune suggested. “That would let me defend and counterattack more easily at close range.”
“Then I can fight beside you while Aeris strengthens our endurance and offensive power from behind,” Tauro said.
“Exactly,” Aeris agreed. “We can adjust the formation according to the number and type of enemies.”
The three became so absorbed in their conversation that they passed the village where they had planned to spend the night.
By the time they noticed, evening was approaching and turning back would have wasted too much time.
“I’m sorry,” Ragune said. “I was so focused on our discussion that I failed to notice the village.”
“The same happened to me,” Aeris admitted.
“And I should have realized we were traveling faster than the schedule required,” Tauro said.
All three smiled wryly and began preparing a campsite.
Tauro placed one of his magic lanterns in the center of the camp, flooding the area with bright, steady light. Ragune froze while reaching into [Magic Storage] for an ordinary oil lamp.
“Tauro, what’s that? I’ve never seen a lantern shine so brightly.”
Aeris eagerly explained the magic lantern and the research that had led to its creation.
“You study lost magic circles as well?” Ragune asked. “Even the dragonfolk village has made little progress in that field. I understand how extraordinary this invention is.”
“I conducted a great deal of research, though most of it produced nothing useful,” Tauro said modestly. “I’m simply glad that part of it eventually became something people can use.”
Ragune was equally impressed when Tauro produced a tent that could be assembled quickly.
The greatest surprise came at dinner. Tauro took several dishes prepared in advance from [Magic Storage], allowing the three of them to enjoy freshly preserved food in the middle of the wilderness.
Ragune particularly loved the pork cutlets and ate every serving Tauro offered her.
“I’ve never tasted food like this before!”
“It’s one of the specialties served at the Dwarf Inn in Dansas,” Tauro told her. “You can order it there whenever we’re in the village.”
Ragune would later become a regular customer for the inn’s fried dishes, but that was a story for another time.
Through their conversations, their first small battle, and the shared campsite, the three members of Black-Gold Wings steadily became more comfortable with one another as they traveled toward their destination.