Kays Translations
Just another Isekai Lover~
Chapter 235: Meeting in the Branch Manager’s Office
Black-Gold Wings was officially given a day to rest after reporting to the Adventurers’ Guild. In practice, the rest existed in name only: Tauro and his companions spent much of the day in Chloe’s office with the B-rank teams White Night and Zekei.
Both team leaders released long breaths after hearing Tauro’s report.
“I’ve never heard of a curse like that,” the leader of White Night said, cold sweat forming on his brow. “If we had stormed the enemy base without knowing, the entire force could have been wiped out.”
White Night had worked alongside Black-Gold Wings during the operation to rescue Bob and his team, so its members were already familiar with Tauro.
“I’m amazed Black-Gold Wings escaped such a trap,” the leader of Zekei said. “Skill alone isn’t enough in this world. Without luck, even the strongest adventurer can die in an instant.”
They didn’t reveal that Tauro had, in fact, died before reviving.
“The broader strategy meeting will include adventurers from other branches and Count Dareder’s elite troops,” the Zekei leader continued. “Unfortunately, the basic plan may already have been decided before we arrive. If the command structure refuses to change it, Black-Gold Wings may have to address the curse directly. Are you prepared for that?”
He looked from Tauro to Aeris, Ankh, and Ragune.
“Barrier specialists are rare, so finding a replacement for Aeris at such short notice would be difficult,” Tauro answered. “We’ve also seen the trap itself, which should help us identify where the guild might prepare another one. Once we locate it, Aeris can surround it with barriers to limit the damage, while the other three protect her.”
“If the main force attacks too quickly, the assassins may activate it as a self-destruct measure,” the leader of Zekei said, thinking aloud. “Then Black-Gold Wings would need to move before the assault reaches that point.”
Chloe promised to send word if any urgent information arrived. She also asked White Night and Zekei to support Black-Gold Wings at the strategy meeting so the E-rank team wouldn’t be ignored or isolated.
“Of course,” the leader of White Night replied. “Their information may determine whether this operation succeeds. I’ll make sure Tauro is allowed to present it.”
“Our two teams earned a fair amount of trust during the Troll King subjugation,” the Zekei leader added. “We should be able to make the others listen.”
“Then every team must complete the mission and return safely,” Chloe said.
All three teams answered in agreement before the meeting ended.
“What do you think the operation will involve?” Aeris asked after they left the guild. Her voice betrayed her nervousness.
“Probably a surprise attack,” Tauro said. “To minimize casualties, they’ll want to strike before the enemy is ready, split them into smaller groups, and defeat each group individually.”
“Which means the assassins won’t be able to escape,” Aeris said. “They’ll use the instant-death curse when they’re cornered, won’t they?”
“Most likely. It would be their final measure.”
“Then it could wipe us out along with them,” Ankh said. “What are you planning, Leader?”
“I possess some resistance to instant-death effects,” Ragune added, “but that curse killed Tauro immediately. I doubt even I’d survive it. What will we do?”
Tauro briefly wondered what sort of dragonfolk training had produced resistance to instant death, but he kept the question to himself.
“The final decision belongs to the operation commander. But if no one presents a workable countermeasure, I have a few ideas I want to propose.”
Tauro deliberately kept the details to himself and sounded more mysterious than necessary.
“If the leader has a plan, I’ll trust him,” Ankh said. “I’m going to prepare for tomorrow.”
He immediately turned toward the Resting Pavilion.
“Wait, Ankh. You don’t mean—”
“I need a proper drink before a dangerous job! Ha-ha-ha!”
A greeting from the staff could be heard as he entered the restaurant.
“Then I’ll eat the pork cutlet I’ve been avoiding and build up my strength,” Ragune announced before heading toward the Dwarf Inn.
“Neither of them looks nervous at all,” Aeris muttered.
Her role carried far more pressure. If she failed to place the barriers correctly and the black haze escaped, many people could die.
“Don’t worry. I’ll be beside you,” Tauro said. “Even if we leave tomorrow, gathering the forces, holding the strategy meeting, and beginning the operation will take several days. If we exhaust ourselves with worry now, we won’t be ready when it matters.”
His smile eased some of Aeris’s tension.