Kays Translations

Just another Isekai Lover~

Chapter 23: The Forbidden Move, Continued

Nei tilted her head when Tauro returned carrying as much timber as he could hold.

“What are you doing with all that wood? You must have stood out.”

She knew how much Tauro disliked attracting attention, so the sight made no sense to her.

“I’m going to make a game to protect my peaceful life.”

“A game to protect your peaceful life?”

Nei had no idea what he meant.

“Yes. The whole city is making too much noise about me, so I thought I’d give everyone a game to get excited about instead. Then they can forget about me.”

“Oh, you want to redirect their attention. But creating something that everyone will suddenly become obsessed with won’t be easy, will it?”

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“Don’t worry. I have a forbidden move.” Tauro smiled.

“A forbidden move? Tauro, you have a very mischievous look on your face.”

“Oh, don’t worry. I’m not going to commit a crime. It’s just…”

He could hardly tell her that the idea had been used so often in fantasy stories that fans of otherworld tales were probably tired of it. Still, he had little choice but to rely on that well-worn classic.

“It’s called Othe—no, Reversi.”

He nearly uttered a name that might not only drive readers away but also get the story discontinued for legal reasons, but managed to stop himself.

“Reversi?”

“Yes. First, we cut a square board.”

He drew lines across it to create an eight-by-eight grid, then made flat, round pieces painted black on one side and white on the other.

“And that’s all there’s to it.”

“How do you play?”

Tauro explained the rules as they played.

“Oh, I see. The rules are simple, and it looks fun!”

Nei eagerly joined in, so Tauro played several games with her.

“Oh, this is so frustrating! It’s simple but surprisingly deep. I haven’t beaten you even once, Tauro. But it really is fun. I’m sure everyone will love it!”

Nei’s enthusiastic praise gave Tauro confidence.

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However, one crucial problem remained.

Who would claim to be the creator and register the game with the Commercial Guild?

The dishes he had recreated from his previous life had never needed registration because they were food.

Some people had quietly tried to imitate them, but the originals served by the guild’s restaurant tasted best. Combined with the Adventurers’ Guild’s overwhelming reputation, that had prevented any shop from copying them too blatantly.

Tauro considered using the guild’s name for Reversi as well, but Commercial Guild registration required the individual creator’s name.

Branch Manager Leo was one possibility, but his personality was too well known. Would anyone believe that he had invented it?

“Ideally, I need someone who can keep a secret, isn’t greedy, has a trustworthy character, and—most importantly—has enough backing to brush aside a little trouble. Do you know anyone like that?”

When Tauro asked Nei, she immediately offered a hint.

“You already do. Someone close to you.”

“Who?”

“An honest man who donates to the orphanage, belongs to the guild, and is one of the Saisi branch’s finest adventurers.”

“Oh! Mauve!”

“Exactly. Mauve will probably continue donating part of the income to the orphanage, and the money would let Silver Sword take long-term quests away from the city and aim even higher. I’m sure he’d agree.”

With Leo acting as an intermediary, Tauro immediately borrowed the branch manager’s office, explained the situation to Mauve, and asked for his help.

“All right. More income will help the orphanage. Besides, I’ve been wanting to leave the city with my teammates and see how far we can rise.”