Kays Translations
Just another Isekai Lover~
Chapter 287: The Adoption Proposal (1)
At Drago and Ragune’s house, Tauro listened while eating dinner with the siblings. Ragune’s explanation, however, was so abrupt that his hands stopped completely.
“Did all of you go to the Royal Capital to arrange for a noble family to adopt me?”
Tauro tried to interpret what she had said.
“Mmph… Yes, but that wasn’t our original purpose. It’s more accurate to say that our investigation led us to this solution. Aeris decided it was the best way to protect you.”
“Aeris came up with this for my safety? Is the idea that becoming a noble’s adopted son would make Viscount Saissi withdraw the assassination request?”
As he gradually understood, Tauro asked Ragune to explain everything from the beginning.
“Not exactly. Among all the suspicions surrounding Viscount Saissi, the only assassination plot supported by clear, readable evidence is the attempt on your life. The other records are encrypted.”
“Right. My name was written plainly, as though my contract had been added afterward.”
“Aeris said that an attempt to assassinate an ordinary commoner wouldn’t be enough to make the noble factions act openly. But…”
Tauro understood before Ragune finished.
“If the target became the adopted child of a neutral noble, the neutral faction would have grounds to demand that Viscount Saissi’s crime be investigated publicly. That could bring the evidence against him into the open and help decipher the other assassination contracts. If Viscount Saissi is exposed and arrested, the Assassins’ Guild will lose the client who ordered my death… Aeris thought of all that? That’s incredible.”
Tauro had been concentrating on what he could do after the situation calmed down. Aeris’s immediate, political solution genuinely astonished him.
Even so, he hesitated.
“Would any noble family truly adopt me merely to save my life? There was an offer before, but I don’t want to exploit the goodwill of people who were sincerely willing to take me in.”
Marquis Van Dyne had vouched for the character of the childless noble couple who had previously offered to adopt Tauro. Using their kindness only as protection from the Assassins’ Guild made him uncomfortable.
There was also the question of freedom. Becoming a noble’s son might prevent him from continuing to adventure as he pleased.
He seemed to face a choice between safety without freedom and freedom while his life remained under constant threat.
The latter choice would endanger not only Tauro but also every companion who traveled with him. Adventurers always risked their lives, but being persistently hunted by professional assassins was something entirely different.
He could leave Black-Gold Wings and try to confront Viscount Saissi and the Assassins’ Guild alone, but there were limits to what one person could accomplish.
Now that Pella was with him, Tauro wouldn’t be killed easily. Even so, living under an endless assassination threat would wear down his mind long before it took his life.
Viewed that way, accepting the restrictions of adoption might truly be the shortest and safest solution.
“What do you think, Tauro? Aeris is doing everything she can to protect you.”
“I understand. I’ll agree to the adoption if it can resolve this situation. I should meet the family first, though. They may decide they don’t like me after speaking with me.”
“That part should be fine.”
Ragune interrupted, swallowed the last of her pork cutlet, and answered matter-of-factly.
“The family has already investigated your background and has been willing to adopt you for some time. They can begin the formal process as soon as you consent.”
“They already investigated me…? Could they be another of Ankh’s employers?”
Tauro had long suspected that Ankh reported to more than one person. One was probably Marquis Van Dyne, and the other might be the noble family interested in adopting him.
“Ankh? Why are you suddenly talking about Ankh? I don’t really understand, but if you agree, I’ll return and tell everyone. Actually, you should come with me. Aeris and Ankh both want to see you.”
“Aeris certainly does. Ankh probably wants information for his report… All right. It’s already late, so I’ll clear tomorrow’s schedule. Come and get me in the morning.”
“Understood. The other end of my [Dimensional Corridor] is inside the Van Dyne residence, so you won’t have to worry about being seen. Aeris and the others are waiting, so I should go back now.”
Satisfied after eating Tauro’s pork cutlets, Ragune opened [Dimensional Corridor] and vanished.
Drago, who had silently watched the entire exchange, finally spoke.
“She left without even saying goodbye to me… How lonely. I’m only talking to myself, of course. I’m merely lamenting my coldhearted little sister. I suppose this is how younger sisters grow away from their brothers…”
Tauro gave Ragune’s forlorn older brother a wry smile and began cleaning up after dinner.