Kays Translations
Just another Isekai Lover~
Chapter 204: The Small-Fry Team
Black-Gold Wings now had four members, but Ragune was still only F rank. As a result, the team continued to focus on medicinal-herb gathering, kobold subjugation, goblin extermination whenever Tauro detected a group with [Presence Detection], and G-rank community requests around Dansas.
Other adventurers therefore began treating Black-Gold Wings as a small-fry team that had lost most of its strength when Shin and Rumeya departed.
Ragune, a striking horned woman, and Ankh, who carried a greatsword, attracted attention. However, because they followed a child leader and worked mostly on low-ranked requests, few people assumed they were especially capable.
One day, the Adventurers’ Guild posted a limited-time free quest.
Free quests could be accepted regardless of an adventurer’s rank. They were generally issued when the target area was broad, the number of targets was unusually large, or the guild needed many adventurers to participate at once.
“This is a hunt for the remnants of the Troll King’s army, isn’t it?” Aeris asked as she read the notice.
The higher-ranked adventurers had previously been summoned for the Troll King subjugation. Their absence had been the reason lower-ranked adventurers, including Tauro and Aeris, were mobilized during the ogre emergency near Dansas.
“That’s right,” Tauro said. “The Troll King commanded a large monster army. After it was defeated, the surviving monsters scattered throughout the surrounding territory. This quest is intended to eliminate those remnants.”
“If they served a Troll King, won’t some of them be very strong?” Ragune asked.
“Monsters bearing the title ‘King’ can influence many other species. The army included trolls, harpies, ogres, orcs, goblins, and kobolds, so the remaining groups may vary greatly in strength.”
Ankh grinned as he understood the opportunity.
“So if we encounter remnants and defeat enemies we can handle, the guild will evaluate the results regardless of our personal ranks.”
“Exactly. Security in the region has worsened since the Troll King battle. The guild wants as many remnants eliminated as possible.”
“This could be a valuable opportunity for our team,” Ankh said.
“An opportunity?” Ragune asked.
Aeris explained, “Ordinarily, defeating a monster above your assigned rank doesn’t automatically count toward promotion. During this limited-time free quest, however, the guild will evaluate every confirmed subjugation. Strong results could raise your rank and Ankh’s much faster than usual.”
Ragune’s eyes widened.
“Then I may be able to enter the E-rank band soon!”
Black-Gold Wings immediately accepted the quest.
Chloe handled the procedure at the reception desk.
“I know Ragune and Ankh are capable, but retreat if the enemy looks too strong. Even a single ordinary troll is normally assigned to teams in the D-plus range or above.”
“Of course,” Tauro replied. “We won’t fight anything we can’t safely defeat.”
He believed the current team could handle an ordinary troll, but he had no intention of taking unnecessary risks. His main goal was to help Ragune advance from F rank into the E-rank band.
Aeris and Ankh had reached the same conclusion. Whenever possible, they deliberately left the finishing blows to Ragune so the records on her adventurer tag would reflect her contribution.
Several hours later, in a forest outside Dareder, Ragune leaned on her weapon and panted.
“Is it my imagination, or am I the only one doing all the hard work?”
She had already finished off numerous goblins and orcs, as well as an ogre.
“Even your stamina has limits,” Tauro said. “Rest for a while. Ankh will handle the finishing blows next, and you should concentrate on defense until you’ve recovered.”
Tauro realized they had pushed her too hard and decided to prioritize restoring her strength.
While the team paused, [Presence Detection] alerted him to a group of people near the edge of its range.
At first, he assumed they were other adventurers. Their orderly formation, however, suggested trained soldiers – probably Dareder’s territorial troops, many of whom were also participating in the remnant hunt.
The soldiers were retreating toward Black-Gold Wings while fighting.
Tauro examined the approaching silhouettes with [True Eye].
Two harpies circled overhead. Ten orcs pursued on the ground, accompanied by a troll that appeared to be directing them.