Kays Translations

Chapter 366: A Day of Complete Rest (2)

　The high tower in the town of Caxart overlooks the salt lake, the pride of its residents.

　Until recently, the salt lake was not exactly a relaxing sight, with buildings and facilities in flames due to the outbreak of the Flaming Crab, but recently, thanks to the efforts of Tauro and other adventurers, many of those monsters have been subdued, and the area has been restored to its former salt-producing landscape.

　The area around the salt lake has now been cleared of the wreckage from the fire, and new salt production facilities and buildings are being constructed at a rapid pace.

　Tauro was visiting the salt producers, who had already begun to reopen, when he was greeted by passing local adventurers, who until recently he had been instructing on how to defeat the monsters.

　Tauro had come to visit today.

　The purpose of the visit was to confirm that the “salt adsorption machine,” a magical tool to which Tauro is providing his technology, is functioning properly.

　I had heard that it had a good reputation, but I wanted to check its reputation in the actual field during my complete rest.

　By the salt lake, a box-shaped magical tool was immediately used, which Tauro had intricately decorated with a magic circle that made the magic stone absorb only salt.

　On its surface was a button that, when pressed, activated the magic circle, and when it was placed in the surface of the salt lake, it adsorbed salt.

　The salt producers, already familiar with the process, put the “salt absorber” into the surface of the water when it is activated, and before you know it, salt is adsorbed around the box, forming a large mass.

　When the salt reaches a reasonable size, the salt collector pulls it out of the water, moves it onto a large wooden board, presses a switch on top of the salt to release the adsorption, and spreads the salt on the wooden board to dry. 

　All that’s left to do is dry it in the sun to remove the moisture and it’s done.

“Is the ‘Salt Adsorption Machine’ easy to use?”

　Tauro asked a local businessman.

“Oh! Isn’t it Tauro-san! This thing you lent me is far from easy to use! Normally it would take several months to make salt, but with this it takes less than a week. I’m glad we were able to get our supply in time before there was a salt shortage!”

　The businessman started informing the surrounding businesses that Tauro had arrived.

“All the businesses around here are grateful to you. You’re the one who started subjugating the monsters, right? Not only that, but you’ve not only restored things to the way they were before, but you’ve made things even easier. It’s such a convenient thing. Thank you so much for lending us something so useful for free.”

　As the many vendors gathered around, the man who seemed to be the leader of the group expressed his gratitude to Tauro on behalf of everyone.

　Then, the surrounding vendors also thanked Tauro! and in unison started expressing their gratitude.

“If you weren’t a child, I’d throw you a banquet right now and serve you drinks, but I can’t do that, so …… That’s right. Do you have any favorite foods? I’ll have them prepared for you, okay?”

“Tell me what you like!”

“If it’s a fish from the salt lake, I’ll dive right in and catch it, okay?”

　The men want to show their appreciation to Tauro and ask him what he wants.

“Ha-ha-ha. That sentiment is enough for me. Oh, and when production settles down, please continue to pay your taxes as before.”

　Tauro said jokingly,

“Wahaha! Of course! Many of us are also getting funds from the lord to restart production. I’m just as indebted to him as you. Right, guys?”

“Yeah! Everyone is grateful to you and the lord!”

“I’ll pay more taxes than ever before! After all, it’s become easier to produce salt. If you think about work efficiency, we’ll be making a hefty profit.”

“And don’t worry, I’ll pay you for the use of this “salt adsorption machine” that you’re letting me use for free now, once it stabilizes!”

　I received some happy responses.

　Apparently, although this was a disaster, no one blamed the lord.

　Tauro was relieved that his invention had helped, and he was glad that it was useful.

　Flower Street in the city of Caxart.

　It is a colorful town where so-called brothels line the streets, In one of the rooms in one of those brothels, Ankh was there.

　He is a grown man.*

　Usually there was also Ragune, and Tauro, who is a minor.

　So, I can’t come here often.

　That is why I took advantage of my complete rest to come and stretch my wings.

“Big brother. Once again, you don’t look familiar.”  

　The hooker who’d been dealing with Ankh decided to make small talk, or so she said, and they struck up a conversation.

“me? Well, I’ve been over here for a few weeks now, but this is my first time over here.”

“You’ve been holding out for weeks? That must have been tough. Fufufu.”

　The prostitute laughs sympathetically and plops down beside Ankh.

“Sure, it’s been a few weeks since I’ve been away, but I’ve enjoyed the company. I didn’t think it was going to be difficult. ── But tell me something about the city. It’s been a long time since I’ve been here. I’d like to know what’s changed.”

“─ ─ Well,. …….This is a rumor, but there is a story that the former lord used to frequent this flower town until just before he passed away. Well, it’s the kind of idle talk you hear in every flower town.”

“I’m sure you hear about that kind of thing a lot. —I wonder if such a story is even coming out these days. Hahaha.”

“Right? That’s what I thought too. But there’s a reason for this. Did you know that the lord has been coming to this town until recently?”

“Yeah, to clean up after Baron Colon, right?”

“That’s right. A midwife who saw the lord said that he looked a lot like a child she had picked up a long time ago. We joked about what kind of lord it was that he looked like a baby, but the midwife was adamant. That was 14 years ago, exactly the year the former lord died.I remember the situation, the place and everything, so it was very convincing and rekindled the conversation.”

“(If this is true, then the current Count Graunewald has a younger sibling. ……) Well, that’s bullshit. I was here at that time, and I know a little bit about the former lord, but they loved children. If that were true, they would have done something for the child.”

“Is that so? Well, the mother and her child apparently left the city and are nowhere to be found, so I didn’t know how much to trust the story. …… If the customer says it’s true, it must be true. By the way, shall we continue?”

“Well… yes.”

　Ankh quickly brushed the inconsequential gossip to the side and slowly pushed down the prostitute who was slumped over him.

　The shadows of Ankh and the prostitute become one.

　It seems that it is still a long time before the night dawns in the red light district

TL Note:

Hanamachi Street : flower town’) is a district where geisha live and work in Japan* aka the red light district 

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