Kays Translations
Just another Isekai Lover~
Chapter 245: A Named Request
Black-Gold Wings had spent several days working as a D-rank team when Chloe called them away from the quest board and into the branch manager’s office one morning.
“What can we do for you?” Tauro asked on behalf of the group.
The follow-up work from the Assassins’ Guild operation had already been completed, so he couldn’t guess why she had summoned them.
“Actually, a client has submitted a named request for all four of you.”
“A named request?”
That alone didn’t explain why the matter required the branch manager’s office. An ordinary named request could have been handled at reception.
“The client insists on absolute confidentiality.”
“I see. Who’s the client?”
Chloe hesitated before answering.
“Count Dareder himself. He intends to explain the details directly. The Guild normally refuses a request when we can’t tell the adventurers what they’re accepting, but the client is the lord of this territory, the proposed reward is substantial, and for now he’s only asking you to hear him out.”
Chloe hadn’t been told the details either. Whatever Count Dareder wanted, it was clearly sensitive.
“My first instinct is to refuse,” Tauro said, “but Count Dareder supported our promotion, so I owe him that much. We can listen and still decline afterward, correct?”
“Of course. His representatives explicitly agreed to that. If anything improper happens, the Adventurers’ Guild will do everything possible to protect you. The Dansas branch itself may not have much influence against a powerful lord, but…”
Chloe’s final qualification did little to inspire confidence, and Tauro politely pretended not to hear it.
“What do the rest of you think? I’m willing to listen.”
“I don’t mind,” Aeris said. “Everything I’ve heard suggests Count Dareder is a decent man.”
“I’ll leave the decision to you, Leader,” Ankh said with a grin.
“If everyone else agrees, I have no reason to object,” Ragune added.
“Then, Chloe, we’ll accept the preliminary request and hear what Count Dareder has to say.”
“Thank goodness! I may actually sleep tonight. I’ve been nervous ever since the request arrived because I thought you might refuse.”
Chloe sank back into her chair and released a long breath.
“Ha ha ha… Since we still don’t know what he wants, I’d honestly prefer to refuse.”
“I know. If the client were anyone other than Count Dareder, I’d have rejected it myself.”
Because the matter was secret, Black-Gold Wings left Dansas that same day and hurried to the city of Dareder. They stayed at an inn and planned to visit the count’s castle first thing the next morning.
When they came downstairs, a modest carriage bearing no ostentatious decoration was already waiting.
Sending a carriage to collect an adventurer team was unusual enough to make Tauro uneasy.
“I’ve come to escort you. Please, enter.”
The count’s attendant bowed and opened the carriage for them.
As the carriage carried them through the city, Ankh leaned toward Tauro.
“Leader, this really is a job, isn’t it?”
“I think so, but…”
Tauro was equally puzzled by the treatment. For a moment, he wondered whether Count Dareder wanted something connected to Reversi rather than adventuring.
“It’ll be all right,” Aeris said calmly.
Ragune sat with her eyes closed, apparently unconcerned.
“We’ll hear the request directly from Count Dareder and decide afterward,” Tauro concluded. It was the only sensible course.
The carriage entered the castle through a rear gate, confirming that the count truly intended to keep their visit hidden.
That reassured Tauro slightly. At least the secrecy appeared connected to a serious official matter.
They were led directly to Count Dareder’s office. A well-dressed man sat behind a desk, reading documents and signing them one after another.
Tauro had met him several times in the royal capital and recognized him immediately. The count looked older than he had before. Repeated assassination attempts and the operation against the Assassins’ Guild had clearly taken their toll.
“My lord, Tauro and his companions have arrived.”
The attendant’s announcement finally drew Count Dareder’s attention away from his work.
His expression brightened when he saw Tauro.
“It’s been a long time, Tauro. Please, all of you, sit.”
Count Dareder welcomed the adventurers with a warmth and humility that contrasted sharply with his formal aristocratic appearance.