Kays Translations

Just another Isekai Lover~

Chapter 327: A Day of Tears

　Tauro and his companions had grown accustomed to the extraordinary power of the magic weapons he created.

　Even so, he had taken Aeris to the Dragonfolk Village as a precaution.

　A [Great Sage] from the dungeon-conquest force, who was resting during an extended leave, rushed to treat her. The wound proved far worse than anyone had expected, and Aeris briefly fell into critical condition.

　A little more than two months passed.

“It’s already been more than two months…”

　Ankh spoke with a somber expression in a room at Marquis Van Dyne’s Royal Capital residence.

　Tauro, Ragune, and Ankh were present, but Aeris wasn’t.

“It was my fault… I’m sorry…”

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　Ragune remembered the incident and apologized again to the absent Aeris.

“Let’s stop,” Tauro said. “We’ve continued without Aeris since then, but today is her birthday. We should celebrate with smiles.”

　He hated hearing Ragune blame herself and forced a smile onto his own gloomy face.

　Aeris was no longer a member of Black-Gold Wings.

　Her injury had truly been that serious.

　A knock sounded at the door, and a young woman entered.

“Everyone, today is my birthday. Stop looking so miserable!”

　It was Aeris herself.

　Had the conversation made it sound as though she had died from the injury?

　That wasn’t what had happened.

　Nevertheless, the wound had been severe enough to place her life in danger for a time.

　The dragonfolk dungeon-conquest members had rushed to help as soon as Tauro brought her to the village, and the specialist healer’s treatment saved her life.

　However, the injury left lasting damage. Aeris now walked with a slight limp in her right leg.

　The change was barely noticeable in ordinary life, but it would slow her during long journeys and prevent her from running as an adventurer needed to. As a result, she retired from Black-Gold Wings before her birthday rather than on the date originally planned.

“I wish all of you would stop looking so gloomy. I was going to retire on my birthday anyway, so I don’t regret anything. And Ragune, please stop blaming yourself. I’ve told you that seeing you look at me like that hurts more than the injury.”

　Aeris, dressed for the celebration, walked to Ragune, who was also wearing a formal gown, and tried to encourage her.

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“You’re right,” Ankh said. “I became too sentimental as well. Today is both your birthday and your formal return to noble society. It’s an important day, so we should celebrate.”

　He too was wearing formal attire, an unusual sight for the former mercenary.

“Yes…” Tauro agreed.

　Even so, he knew how deeply Aeris had suffered.

　When she learned that the injury would force her to retire early, she had cried until her eyes were swollen.

　Only shortly before the accident, she had set herself the new goal of reaching the C-rank band before her birthday. Losing that possibility so abruptly had been devastating.

　Aeris had probably also believed that, regardless of what occurred in noble society, she could always return to adventuring.

　Black-Gold Wings had been where she belonged. Even after leaving active service, she had expected it to remain her second home.

　Now that path had been taken from her.

　When Tauro and the others considered the pain she concealed, they couldn’t completely dispel their heaviness even on this celebratory day.

“Tauro, your expression is especially gloomy!” Aeris complained. “Honestly! I know I tend to act cheerful even when things are difficult, but if all of you keep looking miserable, you’ll make me seem heartless. Apart from the royal family, you’re my most important guests today. I refuse to let you attend my celebration with faces like those.”

　She spoke while embracing the tearful Ragune.

“I’m sorry. You’re right—today is your important day.”

　Tauro finally smiled sincerely and embraced Aeris.

“Happy birthday, Aeris. Everyone, let’s celebrate properly.”

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“That’s better. I need to welcome the other guests now, so enjoy yourselves at the party.”

　Aeris smiled and left the room to perform her duties as the host.

“Come on, Ragune, Ankh. Let’s head to the hall. I want to introduce both of you to some of my friends from the royal family.”

　Tauro decided that he’d say nothing further that might darken the occasion.

　Any more discussion could easily sound as though they were blaming Ragune.

　Ragune had blamed herself ever since the accident, but Aeris had never blamed her.

　From Aeris’s perspective, the Harpies and their magic were responsible. Blaming Ragune—her companion and closest friend—would have been absurd.

　Yet Ragune wanted Aeris to condemn her. She seemed to believe that without punishment, she could never be forgiven.

　Despite those feelings, Ragune spent the party beside Tauro and Ankh, doing her best to appear cheerful.

　Late that night, after the celebration ended, she stood alone on the broad terrace of Marquis Van Dyne’s residence and stared into the night sky.

　Aeris quietly joined her.

“Aeris…”

　Ragune noticed her presence and spoke her name.

“Ragune, what do I have to say before you’ll stop blaming yourself? I don’t want my dearest friend to keep wearing that expression.”

　Aeris looked at her sadly.

“I’m sorry. But I took away your dream. I deserve to be punished.”

　Ragune finally voiced the feelings she had been unable to express.

“Very well. Then I’ll say it plainly. If you had remembered your earplugs, the accident probably wouldn’t have happened. And despite being dragonfolk, with resistance to almost every abnormal condition, you were far too easily confused by a Harpy’s song.”

　Aeris paused.

“Is that enough? Because what I truly need you to understand is this: I’ve always loved you, and that will never change. You’re my closest friend and the finest companion I could ask for. Please continue being my friend.”