Kays Translations

Chapter 468: Experiments and Dangers

Tauro and Aeris were continuing their painful experiments in a corner of a square situated in a remote part of the town.

Tauro was foolishly stabbing himself in the abdomen with a dagger; someone watching from a distance couldn’t help but exclaim,

“What on earth is he doing…? Wait!? That kid just stabbed himself!?”

He was surprised.

Tauro had turned off his ‘Presence Detection’ in order to concentrate on the experiment, so he didn’t notice that he was being watched.

Anyway, this was an opportunity.

A man who was observing Tauro from a distant tower with an ability called ‘Hawk’s Eye’ used lighting magic to send a complex flashing signal to his companions on the ground from above.

As a result, individuals who had been hiding among passersby at a distance began to move.

Tauro and Aeris were busy conducting their experiment and were unaware of their approach.

“Tauro, are you sure you’re okay? You’re bleeding quite a bit.”

Aeris had prepared potions and healing magic so that she could treat him at any time, but her expression was one of pain.

“I didn’t take into account the amount of bleeding… This is painful in a different way, so let’s finish this quickly…—‘True Eye’!” 

This time, Tauro used ‘True Eye’, which was less conspicuous than ‘Levitation’.

All of a sudden, Tauro sees a group of hostile individuals closing in on them from all directions.

The names of their skills were displayed above each person.

Additionally, red text indicated they were to be treated with caution, along with notes indicating “special forces member of the Northern Empire”.

Moreover, their objective was also noted; abduction of the Saint.

“…Why are they coming this way…? Oh, they must be mistaking Aeris for the Saint!” 

“What’s wrong, Tauro? Can I start treating you now?”

Aeris asked as she worriedly checked Tauro’s face.

“Aeris, soldiers from the Empire are surrounding us, targeting you… So you shouldn’t heal me just yet…” 

Tauro replied breathlessly as he hugged Aeris.

“Wha—Tauro!?” 

Aeris is confused by the sudden and unexpected warning and embrace.

“You’ll get dirty with blood… But I’ll clean it up later, so bear with it…” 

With that, Tauro chanted, “‘Levitation!’” and, together with Aeris, soared high into the air, quickly flying over the city walls and out of the city.

Aeris felt a mixture of emotion and worry as she flew through the sky while the bleeding and dying Tauro held her in his arms —wonder and concern—swirled within her. However, she was brought back to reality as Tauro collapsed after landing them in the forest outside the city, and she quickly began to heal him.

“Tau—Tauro, are you alright!?” 

Aeris quickly treats Tauro using both her special high-level healing magic and an advanced healing potion that Tauro had entrusted to her.

Tauro had lost so much blood that he was close to losing consciousness, his face was completely blue, but his complexion quickly returned to normal thanks to his 『Super Recovery Regeneration』.

“…Phew. This was painful regardless of whether I died or not … I’m not doing that experiment again. If I die, Aeris will probably hit me,” 

Tauro joked in an attempt to lighten the mood when he saw Aeris’s worried expression.

“Even the old me wouldn’t hit you…! If you can crack jokes like that, then you’re fine now,” 

Aeris replied, still covered in Tauro’s blood but relieved.

Tauro then quickly used ‘Purification’ magic to clean her up.

“The bigger problem is that the Northern Empire thinks Aeris is the Saint and is trying to abduct her!” 

He pointed out, and then used purification magic to clean his bloodied self back to normal.

“It seems they misinterpreted things when the fire was being put out… So, could it be that the fire was started by the Northern Empire?”

“I think so. They may have started the fire to observe the movements of the city guards and were looking for an opportunity to abduct the Saint…” 

“Then could it be that they also tried to disrupt the Saint’s ‘Blessing Ceremony’?” 

“I don’t think that’s the case. There’s no benefit to the Empire getting involved in this. I think the goal was to make it fail and bring shame to Duke Bariella, so the culprit is probably Marquis Haragulla from the opposing faction, or someone associated with that faction.”

“…So, what should we do now? It seems I’ve been caught up in the Saint’s problems due to the misunderstanding about the fire…” 

With a sigh, Aeris looked to Tauro for his thoughts.

“First, we should report to Viscount Musai and Marquis Donaison of the Luwan Kingdom that soldiers from the Empire are invading with an intention to abduct the Saint. I’m not sure whether to inform the Crown Prince about this, but I’ll leave that decision to Viscount Musai. If we report it directly, we might attract too much attention.” 

Tauro proposed what seemed to be a sensible course of action.

“Right. I can sort of anticipate what proposals Viscount Musai and the others might bring up afterward, but I won’t say anything for now,” 

While showing understanding toward Tauro’s opinion, Aeris refrained from mentioning the dire circumstances that seemed to be ahead.

In the Barriella capital city castle.

Tauro and Aeris made full use of his “True Eyes’’ and returned safely without encountering any Empire soldiers, and immediately reported this to Viscount Musai.

Since they were benefactors to Viscount Musai, his response was swift.

He quickly contacted Marquis Donaison of the Kingdom of Luwan discreetly and had him head to meet with Tauro and the others.

“—What! The Empire is after our Saint…? What are you going to do, Viscount Musai? If anything happens, it would not only be a loss for our Kingdom, but it could also strain the relations between us and the Kingdom of Saat, and we might even be at war with the Empire.”

“Please calm down, Marquis Donaison. According to Lord Tauro, they are still unaware that we are aware of their intent… Right, Lord Tauro?” 

Viscount Musai didn’t have the luxury to ask how Tauro had figured it out—he simply focused on the main issue.

“Yes. They intended to disguise it as the handiwork of another country to abduct her, but fortunately, they mistook Lady Aeris for the Saint and tried to kidnap her, blowing their cover. Therefore, I think they will likely make another move somewhere else to complete their mission.” 

“…Marquis Donaison, we need to devise a plan before it’s too late. We must settle this within our territory; if we don’t, I won’t be able to help you if you all leave. Thus, I must ask for Lady Aeris’s assistance…” 

Viscount Musai got to the point.

Aeris sighed inwardly.

 I knew this was going to happen.

Tauro looked at Aeris as if to see if she felt the same way.

“Can I act as a decoy and take down the enemy all in one fell swoop, right? …I understand… I’ll do it,” 

Aeris turned to face Viscount Musai and answered clearly.

Previous chapter | TOC | Next chapter