Kays Translations

Chapter 169: At the Van Dyne Residence

The Royal Capital residence of House Van Dyne was enormous. Even though it was only the family’s town house rather than their main estate, the building, grounds, and furnishings were grand enough to make Tauro uncomfortable.

Aeris led him to a guest room near her own. The room was so spacious that Tauro had no idea what to do with most of it.

“My room is right next door, so come directly to me if you need anything,” Aeris said.

Mei was waiting with several documents that required Aeris’s attention. Aeris accepted them and returned to her room, leaving Tauro to settle in.

He took a change of clothes and a few daily necessities from [Magic Storage] and arranged them on the enormous bed and desk.

“What am I supposed to do with all this space?” he muttered.

Tauro had never lived in a large room in either of his lives, and the luxury made it harder rather than easier for him to relax.

Late that night, someone knocked on his door.

“Yes?”

Tauro was still awake, unable to sleep comfortably in the oversized bed.

“May I come in?” Aeris asked from the hallway.

“Of course.”

Aeris entered and hesitated near the door.

“I need to talk to you. Is that all right?”

“Sure. Sit down.”

Tauro finally found a use for the table and chairs occupying the far side of the room. He sat opposite Aeris.

“Have you gotten used to the room?” she asked, avoiding the subject she had come to discuss.

“Not at all. It’s too large, and I can’t relax in it.” Tauro laughed weakly, but the attempt to lighten the mood failed.

“What are you planning to do after this?”

“I still have business with Mardai and the Garfish Company, including some product-development discussions. After that, I’m going into Babylon with you.”

“And after the dungeon?”

“After that? Unless something else comes up, I’ll probably return to Dansas and-“

“Please stay here, Tauro!” Aeris interrupted.

Tauro fell silent.

“I want to return to Dansas too, but I can’t leave now. If I do, House Van Dyne may collapse. I spoke to the royal family, but as my guardians, they won’t permit it.” She clenched her hands. “Could you remain in the Royal Capital and continue working as an adventurer here? Then I could stay with you, and perhaps Shin and Rumeya could come here as well.”

“I can’t decide that immediately. I need to write to Shin and Rumeya and discuss it with them first. Can we talk again after they answer?”

“Yes. I’m sorry. I got ahead of myself. You have to speak with them properly.”

“There’s one thing I can say now. You, Shin, Rumeya, and I are still Black-Gold Wings. That hasn’t changed.”

“Thank you, Tauro.”

The emotions Aeris had held back finally overflowed, and tears ran down her face. Tauro moved beside her, embraced her, and gently patted her back until she calmed down.

The next day, Aeris asked Tauro to improve the bathrooms and toilets in the Van Dyne residence so that they worked like the facilities in his Dansas home.

Tauro used [Creation Magic (Weak)] to make and install new toilet bowls. He also devised a simple sewage-treatment system. A stone plate treated with slime bodily fluid was placed at the bottom of each waste tank, with a magic circle drawn upon it to harness the slime’s digestive properties. Waste landing on the plate would gradually decompose.

The effect wasn’t powerful enough to dissolve anything tougher than ordinary waste, but it reduced the need to empty the tanks and made the facilities much more hygienic. Tauro naturally used [Purification] before beginning the work.

Improving the baths was simpler. The existing tubs were magnificent custom-made fixtures. Tauro used gold coins as material for [Creation Magic (Weak)] and engraved heating magic circles into them. Once supplied with fragments of magic stone, the tubs could heat their own water.

Aeris would now have the same bathing convenience she had enjoyed in Dansas.

There was only one problem.

“This mansion has six toilets and six baths!”

Tauro realized that living in the residence wasn’t going to be restful after all.

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