Kays Translations

Chapter 353: A City on Alert

　Tauro and his companions silently watched the travelers being led away by the guards. After passing through several more checkpoints, they finally reached the next town.

　Although the carriage journey had lasted only a few hours, Tauro felt thoroughly exhausted.

　The others seemed equally drained and sighed as they climbed down from the passenger carriage.

“If we weren’t here on a mission, I’d have gone on a rampage by now…”

　The red-haired Malak grumbled under his breath.

　The normally even-tempered dragonfolk were just as frustrated by the territory’s unreasonable system as Tauro was. That gave him an odd sense of solidarity with them.

“Malak has a strong sense of justice, after all.”

　Zumei, the blond, pretty-boy-looking dragonfolk, teased his senior.

“Enough, Zumei. Besides, the man we’re pursuing is heading that way.”

　Reeva had marked Tauro’s former father with her skill, so she could tell the direction in which he was moving.

“If the coachman was right, he’s heading toward the territorial capital. The Assassins’ Guild headquarters may be there after all.”

　Tauro grimaced at his own conclusion.

“What’s wrong, Leader? Would it be bad if the headquarters were in the capital?”

“If it’s in the territorial capital, there’s a much greater chance that the local lord is involved. That would mean our enemy might not be limited to the Assassins’ Guild. The entire administration of this territory could turn against us, and subjugating the guild might become a full-scale war.”

“Then we crush the Assassins’ Guild and use your ability and mine to make a quick escape!”

　Ragune’s suggestion was simple, but not entirely unreasonable.

“Yes, but if we vanish without a trace, innocent travelers who happened to be nearby could be arrested and interrogated in our place.”

“…True. They’d certainly search for whoever was responsible, so that’s entirely possible.”

　Ankh understood Tauro’s concern and agreed.

“In that case, if the lord really is involved, we’ll simply have to wipe out everyone responsible on his side as well.”

　Ragune gave the answer as though it were obvious.

“That’s easy for you to say.”

　Tauro gave a wry smile. The alarming part was that the dragonfolk probably could do it.

　Although it was still rather early, the group decided to spend the night in the town and gather information about Viscount Bomen’s territory.

　However, if what the coachman at the border town had told them was true, a system for reporting suspicious people was in place. Asking direct questions would therefore be risky.

　They split up and cautiously gathered information under the pretext of ordinary adventurers asking about work and local conditions.

“It’s rare to see adventurers from elsewhere. Most of the adventurers in Viscount Bomen’s territory were born here. With all the checkpoints, life is much easier for locals. If you’re an outsider, you’d be wise to settle somewhere and become a resident adventurer.”

　That was the answer Ankh received from an old man seated beside him in a tavern near the town’s Adventurers’ Guild.

“I see! Then maybe I’ll settle near the territorial capital, where the work should pay better! Ha ha ha!”

　Ankh deliberately replied in a voice loud enough for those around him to hear.

　With informants everywhere, they could never know who might be listening. If someone intended to report them, it would be convenient to provide an innocent reason for traveling to the capital.

　Tauro had instructed Ankh to do exactly that, and Ankh played his role perfectly.

“The capital certainly used to be prosperous. It was many years ago when I visited, but I remember being surprised by how much livelier it was than this town. I don’t know what it’s like now, though I doubt it could have declined that badly.”

　Now pleasantly drunk, the old man drained his mug.

“Thanks for the information.”

　Ankh finished his own drink, left enough money to buy the old man another round, and rose from his seat.

“You’re a good man! Come back if there’s anything else you want to know. I’ll tell you whatever I can! Ha ha ha!”

　With the old man’s cheerful voice behind him, Ankh returned to the inn to meet the others.

　By the time everyone had gathered, the sun had set and they had already eaten.

“You can hear plenty about adventuring in this town, but hardly anyone seems to know much about the territorial capital,” Malak reported.

“Ragune and I heard much the same at the Adventurers’ Guild,” Tauro added. “People know this town well, but because travel is so restricted, very few have visited the capital.”

“We happened to speak with a merchant,” Reeva said, glancing at Zumei. “But when we asked about the capital, he became evasive. Apparently, discussing other places is frowned upon here.”

“My information wasn’t much different,” Ankh said. “The only consistent story was that the territorial capital used to be prosperous. No one knows what it’s like now.”

“…It seems the capital will have plenty of surprises waiting for us.”

　Since none of them had obtained anything especially useful, Tauro decided there was little point in continuing their inquiries in this town.

　Knock, knock.

　Someone suddenly knocked on the door.

“Yes?” Tauro called.

“City guard. We received a report from a resident and would like to speak with you. Open the door, please.”

　Already? Someone reported us that quickly?

　Tauro and his companions exchanged looks. The room was intended for the four male members of the party, so finding Ragune and Reeva there as well would invite needless questions. Tauro and Ragune therefore used their abilities to send everyone except themselves temporarily back to the Dragonfolk Village.

“Certainly. Please give us a moment.”

　Tauro answered in a deliberately childish voice before opening the door.

　Several guards immediately filed into the room.

“Hm? The report said there were six of you. Where are the others?”

“Huh? Our companions went out for drinks and haven’t returned yet.”

　Tauro glanced at Ragune as he answered.

“…Very well. We’ll speak with the two of you for now.”

　The guards pressed Tauro and Ragune about where they had gone and what they had been doing. Tauro answered calmly and matter-of-factly, subtly guiding the conversation so Ragune’s answers remained consistent with his own.

　Do the guards question every outsider like this?

　Tauro and Ragune exchanged a brief glance.

“When the rest of your companions return, we may come back to speak with all of you. Until then, keep a low profile in town.”

　With that warning, the guards finally left.

“…Whew. We’ll have to be even more careful from now on.”

　Tauro murmured to Ragune, then used his ability to bring the others back from the Dragonfolk Village.

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