Kays Translations
Just another Isekai Lover~
Chapter 243: 13
The operation to destroy the Assassins’ Guild branch succeeded, although the allied force suffered many casualties. Fortunately, no one from the Dansas branch was lost.
On the return journey, the B-rank team Zekei raced ahead at astonishing speed, while White Night traveled back with Black-Gold Wings.
“Honestly, I never expected you lot to make it this far. Black-Gold Wings’ reputation had fallen badly after the trouble that drove out two of its core members, but the new members are excellent.”
The leader of White Night gave Tauro a hearty slap on the back.
“Ha ha ha… The current Black-Gold Wings is quite strong.”
Tauro answered with a wry but confident smile.
The White Night leader stared at him for a moment, surprised by his certainty.
“I suppose you’re right. After seeing you in action, I realized the bad rumors were just gossip from the lower ranks.”
He openly acknowledged the strength of Tauro’s rebuilt team.
After reaching Dansas, White Night and Black-Gold Wings went directly to the Adventurers’ Guild to submit their reports. The unlikely sight of a B-rank team arriving with an E-rank team immediately drew the attention of the adventurers in the hall.
Chloe led both teams into the branch manager’s office.
“What kind of combination is that?”
“Come to think of it, neither team has been around for the last few days.”
“A B-rank team and the failed E-rank Black-Gold Wings? I don’t get it.”
“Maybe Tauro went along as White Night’s porter.”
“That would make sense… except White Night already owns a storage bag.”
“Then did they just happen to return together?”
“If it were a coincidence, they wouldn’t have gone into the branch manager’s office together.”
While the adventurers outside traded increasingly foolish theories, Tauro finished his report inside.
“That concludes the mission report.”
Chloe sighed after hearing the full account.
“Zekei already reported to me, but I’m truly sorry, Tauro. I had no idea the operation would become that dangerous. Sending an E-rank team into something like that…”
“We had information the others needed, and I chose to participate as the team leader. This isn’t your fault, Chloe.”
“Exactly,” the leader of White Night added. “I’ve already said it several times: these four performed brilliantly. They saved everyone involved. Branch Manager, I formally recommend Black-Gold Wings for promotion. They have no business remaining in the E-rank band.”
“Zekei made the same recommendation before you arrived,” Chloe replied. “You’re both right, but Ankh and Ragune were only recently promoted at unprecedented speed. I can’t advance them again without considering how the rest of the branch will react. I’ll think about it.”
Chloe also had to protect the credibility of the Dansas branch. The other adventurers knew nothing about the secret operation. Another rapid promotion for Ankh and Ragune could easily look like favoritism.
A few days later, Black-Gold Wings returned from an ordinary quest and began reporting at the reception desk. Chloe emerged from her office and summoned all four members.
“Um… well… I’ve received several formal recommendations, so I’m promoting all four of you to D-minus. Ragune, that means advancing two grades from E rank. You’ll accept, won’t you?”
“What? Didn’t you say the other day that another immediate promotion was impossible?”
“I did. Then I received recommendation letters from the A-rank team Golden Mane, the head of the Dareder branch, and even Count Dareder himself. The manager of a small branch like mine can’t keep resisting that much pressure.”
Chloe continued, “The operation remains confidential. You may say that your promotion followed a secret special mission and multiple recommendations, but you mustn’t reveal what actually happened.”
That restriction meant they couldn’t publicly explain the achievements behind the promotion, which would probably create fresh rumors. Even so, all four members of Black-Gold Wings had finally entered the D-rank band.
Ragune was delighted to have caught up with the others. Aeris had achieved her goal of reaching D rank sooner than expected. Ankh had only recently become an adventurer and didn’t fully grasp how exceptional the promotion was, but he laughed and congratulated everyone.
Their happiness made Tauro happy as well. Ankh and Ragune’s promotions had been extraordinarily fast, but their ability was genuine. Their performance had proved it beyond doubt.
By coincidence, the promotion took place on Tauro’s thirteenth birthday.
Thanks for the chapter! Finally they got promoted (considering how much they contribute in all the special requests they do). I guess being gone that long means the current adventurer’s don’t remember Tauro and Aeris’ skills during the OG team setup.
The village and guild branch did go through a pretty explosive growth period during their absence. Considering the rampant presence of age, social station and guild rank discrimination that everyone seems to subscribe to it makes a twisted, in story, sense that all the merits of Black Gold were attributed to the two young men. Doing so well with their new girls probably cemented that.
On the subject of guild rank discrimination, there’s a big brain hole in how ranks are achieved. It’s like capability doesn’t even matter. There’s no earthly reason why anyone with the ability and a clean backgroud would have to start on kiddie quests. That’s stealing food from the mouths of the starving only to piss off and drive away capable hands to other organizations.