Chapter 23: The Forbidden Hand: Continuation

Nei tilted her head when Tauro came back with as much wood as he could carry.

“Is everything okay? Why are carrying so much wood? You must have stood out.”

She knew that Tauro didn’t like standing out, so she could only wonder.

“I thought I’d make a game for my peaceful life in the future.”

“A game for your peaceful life?”

Nei had no idea what he was talking about. 

“Yes, there’s too much noise in the city about me, so I thought I’d make a game to get people excited about it and forget about me in the process.”

“Oh, you mean to divert their attention the other way. But wouldn’t it be hard to suddenly create something that everyone will be crazy about?”

“Don’t worry, I have a forbidden hand to play.” (smiles)

“Forbidden hand? Tauro-kun, you’re making a mischievous face.”

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

Tauro couldn’t say that he wanted to try otherworldly things because he was bored by fantasy stuff.  But here, he had to rely on that which has been run out of the royal road.

“ Ote- not, It’s called “Reversi” {TN: Othello}

He was about to use a name that would not only alienate readers, but could also be discontinued due to adult reasons, but he held his ground.

“Reversi?”

“Yes. First, cut out a board into a square…”

Draw lines on it to make an 8×8 board, and then make a flat disc-shaped stone with the front and back painted in black and white.

“That’s it. All done.”

“How do we play?”

Tauro explained the rules as they played.

“Oh, I see. It’s easy and fun!”

Nei was motivated to play, so he gave her a few tries.

“Oh, it’s so frustrating. It’s so simple and yet so profound. I’ve never beaten you, Tauro-kun. But this is fun. I’m sure everyone will be happy to play this!”

With Nei’s praise, Tauro’s confidence grew.

But there was one important thing.

The question was, “Who” would be the creator and “register” with the commercial guild?

So far, the menu he thought of from his previous life had not been registered because it was food.

There were some who secretly tried to imitate it, but the guild store, which prepared the original, was the most delicious and combined with the absolute fame of the adventurer’s guild, there were no stores that blatantly tried to copy it.

Tauro thought that Reversi could also use the guild’s name, but if it was to be registered with a commercial guild, the personal name of the creator would be required.

Leo, the branch manager, would be fine, but wouldn’t he be suspected since his personality was well known?

If possible, he required someone who’s tight-lipped, not greedy for money, trustworthy in character, and above all, has the backing to get out of trouble.

He decided to ask Nei.

“Yes, there is one person I can think of, Tauro-kun, you’re close to him.”

The hint came to him immediately.

“Eh?”

“An honest man who donates to an orphanage, belongs to a guild and is one of the best adventurers in Saïsi.”

“Oh! Mauve-san!”

“Right? He’ll surely be happy if he can donate a portion of his income to the orphanage for years to come and I’m sure he’ll be happy to accept it because he’ll be able to go on a quest away from the city for an extended period of time to further his career as the “Silver Sword”.”

Tauro immediately rented the branch manager’s office and with Leo’s mediation, he explained his reasons to Mauve.

“Okay. More income will help the orphanage. Besides, I’ve been wanting to get out there with my team members to work my way up.”

He readily agreed.

“But are you sure, Tauro-kun? Won’t you regret it later when this Reversi thing becomes famous?”

Mauve had a valid point.

“Yes. Don’t worry, I’m okay with just getting a part of the profit and not getting involved in any trouble.”

Tauro replied with a smile.

“Haha. That’s true. It is a mutually beneficial negotiation.”

Mauve and Tauro shook hands firmly and the negotiation was concluded.

Previous chapter | TOC | Next chapter