Kays Translations
Just another Isekai Lover~
Chapter 313: And Then, Various Other Things
At Count Dareder’s residence in the Royal Capital, Tauro and the count exchanged information about the Assassins’ Guild inside a windowless confidential meeting room.
“You truly identified them?”
Count Dareder still found the report difficult to believe.
“Yes. They aren’t a single large headquarters, however. The locations are ordinary private homes, warehouses, and commercial buildings. My acquaintances have therefore not begun a full-scale assault.”
“How did they discover so many sites?”
The question was natural. For years, the Prime Minister’s faction had tried every available method to locate the guild’s hideouts. Even when investigators found one, the guild usually detected the surveillance and escaped before a raid could begin.
Identifying several sites in such a short time demonstrated extraordinary intelligence-gathering ability.
“I don’t know every detail,” Tauro admitted. “They happened to notice a suspicious person with an unusual ability in the city. They placed him under surveillance and allowed him to continue moving freely. When he began visiting several locations regularly, they investigated each one and learned that the buildings were connected to the Assassins’ Guild.”
“Finding one person with a rare ability among the enormous and diverse population of the Royal Capital may be more impressive than locating the buildings themselves.”
Dareder’s estimate of Tauro’s mysterious acquaintances rose again.
“I agree. They said the initial discovery was partly coincidence. The person wasn’t even a formal guild member, so they didn’t recognize the significance of his movements immediately.”
“Your acquaintances can identify a person’s abilities and affiliation at a glance? Their appraisal ability may rival that of His Excellency the Prime Minister.”
Dareder now imagined someone far more influential than Tauro had suggested.
Tauro, meanwhile, wondered why a person possessing an ability rare enough to interest the dragonfolk hadn’t been accepted as a full member of the Assassins’ Guild. He felt that he was overlooking something important, but this wasn’t the moment to pursue it.
“I can currently provide four suspected locations.”
He placed four small stones on a map spread across the desk.
“They’re scattered throughout the Royal Capital,” Dareder observed.
“Yes. My acquaintances believe these are components of a larger network rather than the principal base. They recommend continuing surveillance and identifying the remaining sites instead of attacking immediately.”
“Understood. We’ll also need to assemble people capable of conducting the operation without alerting the guild. We shall leave the locations untouched for now.”
Dareder studied the map a little longer, then changed the subject.
“Tauro, what have you been doing recently? I’ve heard very little since your adoption into House Graunewald.”
“I’m still working as an adventurer with my companions.”
“Does Marquis Van Dyne’s daughter continue to accompany you?”
“Yes. Aeris is still a member of our team.”
“I see.” Dareder hesitated before laughing. “Forgive the sudden question. I have a daughter close to your age and briefly considered proposing an engagement between you. Since you and Marquis Van Dyne’s daughter appear so close, however, it would be rather difficult to recommend my own daughter.”
“Ha-ha…”
Tauro laughed awkwardly with him. Becoming a noble’s heir apparently meant that conversations like this would become increasingly common.
Three months had now passed since Viscount Saissi’s supposed suicide in custody.
During that period, Black-Gold Wings had moved its principal base from the Royal Capital to the dragonfolk village so Tauro could continue helping with the dungeon conquest.
Aeris still returned frequently to House Van Dyne. By combining Ragune’s [Dimensional Corridor] with Tauro’s [Spatial Transfer], she could travel between the village and the Royal Capital easily, an arrangement Marquis Van Dyne welcomed.
Many other circumstances had also changed.
Marquis Van Dyne announced that Mei’s morning sickness had eased, publicly acknowledged that she was carrying his child, and declared his intention to marry her. Aeris supported the marriage and happily accepted Mei as her future stepmother.
Tauro regularly visited the Royal Capital with Aeris and gradually became closer to Count and Countess Graunewald. The awkwardness between the newly formed family members lessened with every weekly meal.
The count and countess eagerly listened to Tauro’s stories about his adventures. Their conversations also awakened his interest in the Graunewald territory, and Tauro promised to visit it after completing his work on the dragonfolk dungeon conquest.
The Dragonfolk Village Adventurers’ Guild branch gained another employee as well.
Salaan, Salaman’s daughter, had withdrawn from adventuring for a time after losing her five companions. At her father’s invitation, she began working at the guild while also accepting requests as a solo adventurer.
A curry shop opened in the village and quickly became crowded every day.
Curry roux, originally developed as an easily prepared food for the dungeon conquest, was also approved for full commercial production. It was currently sold only within the dragonfolk village, but samples had already been delivered to the Garfish Company in preparation for sales in the Royal Capital.
Finally, Salaman promoted Aeris, Ragune, and Ankh from D-minus to D rank.
Tauro, already D-plus, remained the highest-ranked member of Black-Gold Wings.