Kays Translations
Just another Isekai Lover~
Chapter 346: The Baronet Is Arrested
　Count Graunewald was surprised when Tauro appeared at the mayor’s residence, but the boy’s expression told him that something serious was happening.
“What do you wish to say?”
　Rather than reveal their relationship and interrupt him, the count invited Tauro to continue.
“Please wait, Count Graunewald!” Huot cried. “There’s no reason to listen to a strange child. He’s defending the official I dismissed and may be part of the embezzlement himself. Soldiers, seize them. I’ll question them later.”
“We possess evidence that Baronet Huot Colon embezzled the territory’s tax revenue.”
　Tauro removed a bundle of documents from [Magic Storage]. Ankh had obtained them from accounting officials who agreed to cooperate after receiving payment and protection.
　Huot’s city soldiers advanced despite the documents. Ragune and Ankh moved in front of Tauro.
“They’re resisting!” Huot shouted. “That proves their guilt. Count Graunewald, please stand back and leave this to me.”
　He stepped between Tauro and the count, deliberately preventing the evidence from being delivered.
“Wait, Huot. That boy is-“
　Before Count Graunewald could reveal Tauro’s identity, the boy vanished.
　Tauro appeared beside the approaching soldiers, disappeared again, and reappeared directly in front of Huot. It was [Spatial Shift], the short-range movement technique he had practiced for more than half a year. Its usable distance had gradually increased.
　He stepped around the startled baronet and reached Count Graunewald.
“Please examine these documents. We also have witnesses.”
　Tauro handed over the evidence and indicated Zion and the accounting official.
　The count read several pages. His gentle expression vanished, replaced by the dignity and severity of the territory’s ruler.
“Huot, it appears that what you told me was false.”
“This is a misunderstanding! The dismissed official must have falsified those documents to conceal his own embezzlement. And that other witness is merely a child. Their testimony can’t be trusted.”
　Huot rushed toward the count, but Tauro caught his wrist and twisted his arm behind him.
“Let go of me! I’m a baronet. How dare an insolent brat touch me!”
“Huot, be silent,” Count Graunewald ordered. “The documents and witnesses provide sufficient cause for an investigation. Soldiers, arrest him.”
　The count’s territorial soldiers took Huot from Tauro and restrained both arms.
“It’s a misunderstanding! The books contain nothing more than mistakes. No-this is a conspiracy created by people jealous of my position!”
　Huot continued protesting as he was taken to a cell inside the mayor’s residence.
　Once they were alone, Count Graunewald looked tired.
“I’m sorry you had to deal with this, Tauro. I’ve known Huot since he was a child. His father was loyal, honest, and exemplary as both a noble and an administrator. I trusted the son because of the father, but I was wrong.”
　The betrayal appeared to pain him more deeply than Tauro had expected.
“Father, trusting the loyalty a family has shown for generations isn’t itself wrong. The person who betrays that trust is responsible. Because I entered Caxart as an outsider, I could observe matters without the assumptions of someone who knew the family.”
　Tauro paused as a new idea occurred to him.
“For the time being, may I continue traveling through the territory as an adventurer? I want to see the towns and villages for myself.”
“Of course. I want my son to live freely. And thank you. Because of you, the people of Caxart won’t continue suffering for Huot’s crimes.”
　Count Graunewald rested a hand on Tauro’s shoulder, then his gloomy expression brightened.
“My son, Tauro. I hereby appoint you as a territorial inspector.”
“A territorial inspector?”
“You wish to travel without publicly announcing that you’re my heir. An official appointment and my family crest will allow you to investigate problems and speak with local authorities when necessary. Had my father lived longer, I’d have wanted to tour the territory in the same way. You can fulfill that ambition in my place.”
“I understand. Father, I’ll travel through the territory and broaden my knowledge of it.”
　Tauro called the kindhearted man Father with complete sincerity, and Count Graunewald nodded warmly.