Kays Translations
Just another Isekai Lover~
Chapter 285: A Young Lady Takes Action in the Royal Capital
While Tauro was busy in the dragonfolk village, Black-Gold Wings was operating in the Royal Capital under Aeris’s leadership.
The group consisted of Aeris, Ragune, and Ankh, together with the three dragonfolk intelligence operatives temporarily attached to the team: Malak, a tall and handsome man with red hair and golden eyes; Zumei, a short blond man with golden eyes who looked like a beautiful boy at first glance; and Reeva, a slender woman with golden eyes and long blue hair tied in a ponytail. There were six members in all.
They were staying at House Van Dyne’s Royal Capital residence.
In its reception room, they met Aeris’s father, Marquis Van Dyne.
Marquis Van Dyne was an influential neutral noble. Before his disappearance, he had overseen the royal government’s dungeon-conquest administration and had built an extensive network of contacts.
He had been surprised to hear that Aeris was suddenly returning home, but he hadn’t expected his daughter to involve herself directly in the conflict between the noble factions.
“I used the information you brought as a starting point and had people investigate from several directions. We confirmed that nobles belonging to the Prime Minister’s faction have died suspiciously one after another. On the surface, the deaths appeared to be accidents or illnesses. After our inquiries began, however, the Prime Minister’s faction became extremely active.”
Marquis Van Dyne had initially doubted Aeris’s report, but the investigation showed that it couldn’t be dismissed.
“That’s why you have to help us, Father. If no one acts, the Assassins’ Guild may continue pursuing Tauro indefinitely. Viscount Saissi appears to be the client. If we expose his involvement and uncover the truth, the guild will lose the person who commissioned Tauro’s assassination.”
For Tauro’s sake, Aeris intended to use her father’s influence to bring down Viscount Saissi.
“Wait, Aeris. I’m a neutral noble. If members of the Prime Minister’s faction have been assassinated, then the Prime Minister’s faction should investigate and respond. I owe Tauro-kun a great debt, but he’s still a commoner adventurer. I can’t drag the neutral faction into a conflict between the Prime Minister and Marquis Halagoura merely for that reason.”
“But the Assassins’ Guild truly is after Tauro. You said you wanted to repay him with something other than money.”
“Of course I do. But if I act carelessly, this struggle could grow into a war that divides the country. I can’t place the responsibility for such a conflict on Tauro-kun, nor can I accept it myself.”
Marquis Van Dyne spoke gently but firmly.
“That’s why Viscount Saissi alone should be made to answer for his actions. I want to create a situation in which Marquis Halagoura and the rest of his faction can’t claim that they’re being attacked.”
Aeris’s meaningful reply made her father study her closely.
“What do you have in mind?”
“The Assassins’ Guild documents connect Viscount Saissi’s money to suspicious deaths among the Prime Minister’s faction, but those entries are encrypted and haven’t yet been fully deciphered. Tauro’s assassination order is the only one written plainly, probably because it was added afterward. That gives us clear evidence that Viscount Saissi tried to have Tauro killed. As you said, however, Tauro is a commoner, even if he carries a royal crest. That makes it difficult for the noble factions to move openly. But what if Tauro were adopted by a noble of the neutral faction – or the adoption were already being arranged? Could the neutral faction ignore an attempt on the life of one of its own children?”
Marquis Van Dyne stared at his daughter in astonishment.
When he returned after his disappearance, Aeris had looked older, but he had believed that she remained much the same inside. Yet after only a few months of traveling as an adventurer, she had clearly matured.
Perhaps turning sixteen and reaching adulthood had played a part. More than anything, however, her determination to help Tauro in his time of danger seemed to have pushed her forward.
Marquis Van Dyne was proud of her growth, though it also left him feeling faintly lonely.
“Was this Tauro-kun’s idea?”
He wanted to make certain that the plan had truly come from Aeris.
“No. Tauro separated from us and took refuge somewhere safe until the situation calms down. He always tries to solve problems by himself instead of relying on other people, so I’m sure he’s preparing some future plan. But whatever he intends, he can’t act until the danger subsides. I wanted to find something that I could do now – right now.”
Aeris met her father’s gaze without wavering.
She really has grown up.
Satisfied with her answer, Marquis Van Dyne finally nodded.
“Very well. I’ll develop a plan based on your proposal. Contact Tauro-kun as well. We can’t discuss an adoption without his consent.”
With that, Marquis Van Dyne began to act.