Kays Translations

Chapter 331: Festive Uproar

　When Tauro and the others returned to the surface, an enormous crowd of dragonfolk had gathered around the dungeon entrance.

　At last, the centuries-old dream of their people had been fulfilled.

　Young and old, men and women alike had come to welcome the triumphant return of those who completed the conquest.

“The chief, the conquest teams, and Tauro-dono have returned!”

　A dragonfolk keeping watch at the entrance spotted the returning group and shouted the news.

　A tremendous cheer erupted from the crowd.

　Chief Ryuga emerged first, followed by the conquest teams, support teams, and supply teams. Tauro’s group and the escort team came after them.

　The cheers grew louder with every person who appeared.

　The crowd surrounded the expedition members with congratulations.

　Many had lost parents, siblings, friends, or other loved ones to the dungeon over the generations. Joy, grief, pride, and relief mingled together, bringing tears to countless eyes.

　Every emotion carried by the dragonfolk seemed to converge before the dungeon entrance.

“Everyone, listen!” Chief Ryuga called.

　He amplified his voice with magic, and the enormous crowd immediately fell silent.

“At long last, the dragonfolk’s dearest dream has been fulfilled. The Dungeon of Beginnings has been conquered! Every effort made until this day has borne fruit. The achievement belongs not only to the conquest and support teams standing here, but also to every person who sustained them. As chief, I offer all of you my deepest gratitude!”

　Another roar of celebration answered his words.

　The crowd surged forward to congratulate the heroes of the conquest.

“Now this is a festival! Wahaha!”

　Ankh grinned and slapped Tauro on the back.

“It certainly is. I’ve never seen so many dragonfolk gathered in one place.”

　Tauro smiled as he looked across the astonishing celebration.

“We conquered the dungeon because of you, Tauro! You’re the pride of our village!”

　Ragune beamed and slapped his back as well.

“I’m simply glad I could help. Ankh, Ragune, drink as much as you like today. If either of you gets a hangover, I’ll use [Abnormal Status Recovery].”

　Laughing, Tauro followed Chief Ryuga into the festivities.

　The celebration in the Dragonfolk Village continued for seven full days.

　Tauro and Ankh endured until the third day, then fled to Count Graunewald’s Royal Capital residence at the first opportunity.

　Ragune and the other dragonfolk merely took brief naps. Each time they awoke, the celebration began anew.

“Dragonfolk truly are built differently from humans…”

　When Ragune came to collect them on the eighth day, Tauro was still astonished that the festival had continued for an entire week.

“Leader, for the first time in my life, I found myself wishing never to see alcohol again,” Ankh confessed.

　He had spent night after night drinking with the village’s most formidable drinkers. Their seemingly endless stamina had finally made even the veteran mercenary fear alcohol.

“Everything is best in moderation,” Tauro agreed with a laugh. “I thought I might die from exhaustion if the celebration continued much longer.”

“Don’t complain, either of you,” Ragune said. “For our people, this was probably the first and last festival of such importance. Now that it has ended, the village is finally returning to normal.”

　Dark circles shadowed Ragune’s eyes, though she otherwise seemed perfectly healthy.

“I understand. I also want to send Malak, Zumei, Reeva, and the other dragonfolk staying at Marquis Van Dyne’s residence back to the village.”

　For more than half a year, the dragonfolk gathered in the Royal Capital had worked to investigate and corner the Assassins’ Guild. Tauro wanted them to return home both as a reward for their efforts and so they could celebrate the dungeon conquest with their families.

“Very well. I’ll go to the Van Dyne residence with you.”

　Ragune joined Tauro and Ankh in a carriage bound for House Van Dyne’s Royal Capital mansion.

“Tauro-dono, Ankh, Ragune – your timing is excellent,” Malak said when they arrived. “I was just about to send a messenger to Count Graunewald’s residence.”

　The beautiful red-haired dragonfolk, who led the intelligence operatives in the Royal Capital, welcomed them alongside the blond-haired Zumei and blue-haired Reeva.

　Marquis Van Dyne and Aeris were staying in the main domain, so the Royal Capital residence was currently managed by the sheepfolk butler Sheeps.

　With the family’s permission, the dragonfolk intelligence operatives continued using the mansion as their base.

　Malak began explaining the reason for the planned message.

“It appears the long game of pursuit and evasion may finally be coming to an end-“

“The dragonfolk conquered the Dungeon of Beginnings one week ago,” Tauro interrupted.

“What?” Malak, Zumei, and Reeva responded together.

　Every other dragonfolk in the room turned toward him, wondering whether they had heard correctly.

“What did you just say?” Malak asked on everyone’s behalf.

“I apologize for bringing the news so late, but the Dungeon of Beginnings in the Dragonfolk Village has finally been conquered.”

　For a heartbeat, nobody moved.

“Truly…? At last, our dearest wish has been fulfilled…”

　Perhaps mindful that they were guests in Marquis Van Dyne’s residence, Malak and the other dragonfolk didn’t erupt into the same thunderous celebration as those in the village.

　Instead, tears flowed silently as they embraced one another and rejoiced in the fulfillment of their people’s dream.

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