Kays Translations
Just another Isekai Lover~
Chapter 350: Three Visitors
Black-Gold Wings was approaching the end of its work in Caxart.
The Flaming Crab subjugation had originally been posted as an open quest because the branch lacked enough qualified adventurers. Tauro’s team had since trained local E-rank-band teams until they could safely participate, and the requested D-rank reinforcements from other branches were finally arriving.
At this rate, the monsters in the salt lake would soon be exterminated.
That meant Tauro would also have to retrieve Zion from the Dragonfolk Village sooner than expected. Only a week had passed since the training began, but Tauro had promised to return once the Caxart operation ended.
While Tauro considered the timing, three visitors arrived at the inn and asked to see him.
“Tauro-dono, it’s been some time.”
Malak stood outside the room with Zumei and Reeva. Malak was a tall, handsome man with red hair and golden eyes. Zumei was a short, handsome young man with blond hair, golden eyes, and boyish features. Reeva was a slender, beautiful woman with golden eyes and long blue hair tied in a ponytail.
“It’s good to see all three of you. Does your arrival mean the Assassins’ Guild bases in the Royal Capital have been destroyed?”
“They have,” Malak answered, “but there are several matters I didn’t report earlier because I didn’t consider them important at the time.”
Tauro invited the three dragonfolk downstairs, where Ragune and Ankh joined them in the dining room.
“What happened?” Tauro asked.
“After more than half a year of investigation, we identified the Assassins’ Guild’s bases throughout the Royal Capital. One week ago, the dragonfolk elites attacked every base simultaneously and destroyed them.”
“That’s excellent news,” Ankh said, tapping Tauro’s shoulder. “Leader can finally relax.”
“During the investigation, however, we deliberately allowed one low-ranking guild member with unusual skills to remain free so that he’d lead us to the largest base.”
“The man you mentioned before?” Tauro asked.
“Yes. That strategy succeeded, and we discovered the principal base in the Royal Capital. We also encountered someone with dragonfolk blood there, although I’ll explain that battle shortly.”
Malak hesitated.
“The low-ranking man we had been following was your former father, Tauro-dono.”
“What?” Tauro, Ragune, and Ankh exclaimed together.
They had nearly forgotten the man since the operation against the Assassins’ Guild branch in the Daredar territory.
“I see,” Tauro said without much emotion. “Was his death confirmed during the attack?”
“No. He escaped again and fled into Viscount Bomen’s territory, which borders Count Graunewald’s domain. We had learned that the Assassins’ Guild headquarters was located there, so we allowed him to continue leading us toward it. Judging by your reaction, perhaps we should have captured him immediately.”
Malak sounded apologetic.
“I said we should kill that wretched man for Tauro-dono,” Zumei interrupted.
“Zumei, remain quiet while Malak reports,” Reeva said.
“Understood.”
Zumei immediately straightened and fell silent.
“Your former father is still in Bomen territory,” Malak continued. “We’re tracking him while eliminating the Assassins’ Guild remnants. Another complication is that several guild leaders appear to possess dragonfolk blood.”
“Why would dragonfolk be serving the Assassins’ Guild?” Tauro asked.
“Our people remained united for generations by the shared goal of conquering the dungeon. Even so, a small number committed crimes and fled before punishment, while others rejected the village’s customs and left voluntarily. Chief Ryuga believes more than one such rogue dragonfolk may have joined the guild.”
“That would explain why the Assassins’ Guild uses altered versions of techniques that resemble dragonfolk arts.”
“I suspected the same possibility when you first described them,” Malak said. “Regardless of their ancestry, the organization threatened your life and remains our enemy.”
“Then the people at its headquarters may be extremely strong.”
Tauro, Ragune, and Ankh became tense.
“There’s no need for concern,” Malak replied confidently. “The dragon-blooded opponent at the Royal Capital base was skilled at escaping, but he wasn’t especially formidable. Zumei cornered and killed him. The headquarters may contain stronger enemies, so we’ll remain cautious, but veterans of the dungeon-conquest team are participating in this operation. The guild won’t survive.”
“With those people involved, escape truly is impossible…”
Tauro knew the former conquest team’s strength well enough to feel almost sorry for the Assassins’ Guild.