Kays Translations
Just another Isekai Lover~
Chapter 216: Under Suspicion
The next morning, Black-Gold Wings prepared to return to Dansas.
A messenger appointed by Count Dareder’s aide appeared with another skilled man serving as his escort. The aide asked Black-Gold Wings to accompany the pair as far as Dansas, and the Adventurers’ Guild formally added the escort to their return journey.
Refusing would have looked suspicious.
Perhaps they were already under suspicion.
Tauro’s clumsy attempt to conceal that he was the party leader may have made the count’s people wonder whether the group had some hidden connection to the assassination plot. Tauro had also avoided explaining the details of the curse return.
He now regretted the shallow deception. The sudden escort request almost certainly had another purpose.
Both men were clearly capable fighters who had no real need for protection on the road.
During the journey, they took turns questioning the members of Black-Gold Wings. Their inquiries extended far beyond the recent incident. They asked when the team had formed, where each member had come from, and what they had done before joining.
Ankh’s expression grew increasingly displeased.
“We accepted a request to escort you,” he finally said, “not a contract requiring us to answer personal questions. Adventurers don’t pry into one another’s pasts without good reason. Whatever you’re trying to learn, we owe you no answers.”
It was an ironic statement from the member with the shortest adventuring career, but his firm response silenced the two men.
Aeris also supported him. As the daughter of a marquis, she had no desire to have strangers digging into her circumstances.
Thinking about it, Tauro realized that every member of Black-Gold Wings had reasons to conceal parts of their history. Under persistent questioning, the entire team could easily appear suspicious.
Count Dareder’s safety, however, was a serious matter. They couldn’t simply ignore his people’s doubts.
The group reached Dansas around dusk. Tauro directed the two visitors to the Resting Pavilion, then Black-Gold Wings went to the Adventurers’ Guild to report.
Riryo was waiting anxiously in one corner of the lobby. The moment he saw them, he hurried over.
“Did you solve everything?”
Tauro gave him a full account.
The assassination attempt against Count Dareder was highly sensitive information, but Riryo had the right to know why his father had died and what had happened to his mother.
“So that was the truth… My father was dragged into their scheme.” Tears ran silently down Riryo’s face. “Thank you for avenging him. I’m so glad you accepted my request.”
“This is compensation from Count Dareder,” Tauro said, handing him the leather pouch. “A messenger from the count will probably visit your home tomorrow. Go tell your mother what happened and make sure she’s prepared to receive him.”
Riryo thanked them again and hurried home.
“I’d like to say the matter is finished,” Aeris said, “but unless we clear Count Dareder’s suspicions, this could become a much larger problem.”
She had struck directly at Tauro’s greatest concern.
“I know. This happened because of my attempt to deceive them. I’ll speak to the messengers and tell them the whole truth.”
Tauro found the two men in the tavern at the Resting Pavilion. They were buying drinks for local adventurers while discreetly gathering information about Tauro and Black-Gold Wings.
Just as he had feared, they were investigating the team.
When Tauro approached from behind, both men jumped.
“Ah… Mr. Leader. Did you need something from us?”
Tauro almost replied that they were the ones who needed something from him. Instead, he sat opposite them.
He didn’t want Count Dareder to conclude that Black-Gold Wings had taken part in the assassination attempt or that the guard captain’s report was false. Tauro therefore explained everything, including his previous dealings with the count.
“You expect us to believe that you’re the Lord Tauro who taught our master Reversi?” one messenger said with an awkward laugh. “That’s difficult to accept.”
Anyone who had never met Tauro would naturally find the story unbelievable. Count Dareder himself, however, knew what Tauro looked like.
Tauro had told them the truth. There was nothing more he could add.
He left the Resting Pavilion and decided to let Count Dareder judge the report when the two men returned.