Kays Translations
Just another Isekai Lover~
Chapter 357: Discussing the Operation Date
After finishing lunch, Tauro and his companions returned to the Adventurers’ Guild and reported the request complete, much to the receptionist’s surprise.
They had completed four times the normal daily quota for Cockatrice subjugation.
They had also dismantled the monsters in advance and carefully separated all the venom and requested materials.
Even the combs serving as proof of subjugation had been removed cleanly.
The workmanship was meticulous enough to make the guild’s professional dismantlers jealous, and the receptionist was delighted.
“Everything is in order. I have also confirmed the return of the checkpoint pass. Thank you for your hard work. The client will be very pleased with the condition of the materials. I’d be happy to recommend your team to our clients in the future.”
The receptionist smiled warmly.
“Please don’t give this client our names,” Tauro replied. “We know nothing about them, so it would be uncomfortable if they learned our identity while remaining anonymous to us.”
If Tauro’s suspicions were correct, the client was likely connected to either the Assassins’ Guild or the local lord.
Black-Gold Wings had acquired a considerable reputation, so there was a good chance such people had already heard the name.
The Adventurers’ Guild wasn’t supposed to reveal adventurers’ personal information without permission, but Tauro preferred to make his wishes explicit.
“I’m sorry. You’re right,” the receptionist said. “The client is a very influential person in this city and one of our branch’s best customers, so I thought…”
She clearly had meant no harm. The branch depended on major clients, and she had merely wanted to demonstrate that the guild could provide exceptionally capable adventurers.
“I understand your position. If the client submits another request, we’ll consider accepting it.”
Tauro gave her a polite answer but declined any further discussion and left the guild.
“If the client is that influential in this city, there’s a strong chance they’re involved,” Ankh observed without naming either suspected organization.
“I don’t want us dragged into anything before we have all the details. We only need to remain cautious for a few more days,” Tauro replied.
It was still early afternoon, so the group followed the route taken by Salk and searched the capital for other facilities connected to the Assassins’ Guild.
“Lord Tauro, that large building belongs to the Hitter Trading Company, an official supplier to the lord,” Malak reported after discreetly questioning a passerby about one place Salk had visited.
“Salk has no legitimate reason to deal with a company of that size. It’s probably serving as a front for the Assassins’ Guild. We should add it to the list of targets.”
Tauro kept his voice indirect and cautious.
“Good grief. This city is becoming more of a cesspool every minute,” Ankh muttered as he watched the building from a distance. “The employee sweeping in front isn’t an ordinary cleaner. He’s observing everyone who passes. It’s a good thing we didn’t approach.”
“Reeva, your skill is incredible! I never imagined you could follow someone’s trail from this far away,” Ragune said, openly impressed by the senior dragonfolk operative.
“Heh heh. It comes at a cost, so I can’t use it often. Right now, I’m concentrating almost all my strength on tracking this one mark. Unfortunately, that means I won’t be able to take part in the actual assault.”
Reeva wiped sweat from her face. Maintaining the skill was clearly consuming a great deal of magical power.
“At this scale, preventing smaller groups from escaping will be difficult,” Tauro said. “We need to discuss the targets and several other matters with the dungeon-conquest veterans waiting in Caxart.”
The group continued tracing Salk’s movements until nightfall.
That night…
Tauro and his companions met with the Assassins’ Guild subjugation force stationed in Caxart.
“So, based on everything we found, we believe much of the territorial capital has become a nest for the Assassins’ Guild.”
Tauro finished explaining the situation to the assembled strike force.
There were fifty dragonfolk present.
That seemed rather few for an operation of this scale, and Tauro couldn’t hide his concern.
“I understand,” said the force’s commander, a dragonfolk hero possessing [Great Hero] who had joined the operation as a veteran of the dungeon-conquest expedition. He divided the personnel on the map with practiced ease. “Fifteen will attack the lord’s mansion. Five will take the Hitter Trading Company. The remaining thirty will raid ten other sites in groups of three.”
“Only that many at each location?” Tauro asked.
“Malak, Zumei, and Reeva are among the finest intelligence operatives of the dragonfolk. In the Royal Capital, the enemy’s caution forced us to investigate slowly. Here, however, the enemy believed itself safe within its own territory, allowing those three to demonstrate their full ability in a short time. Provided our estimate of the enemy’s strength is correct, these numbers will be more than sufficient.”
The commander pointed to the lord’s mansion.
“This is the one uncertain target. As Malak reported, the entire estate is protected by wards, so we have almost no information about its interior. We also don’t know how powerful the people with dragonfolk blood inside may be. That’s why I assigned fifteen warriors there. The other units will be positioned close enough to reinforce them if necessary.”
His explanation was calm and reasonable.
“May Black-Gold Wings join the assault as well, just in case?” Tauro asked. “Malak and the others are with us, and I believe we can contribute.”
“Hmm. Having you and your companions as an additional fighting force would certainly be useful. Malak’s group can remain behind the front line and use their abilities to intercept anyone who attempts to flee.”
The commander appraised Tauro and his companions, then nodded his approval.
“When will the operation begin?” Tauro asked.
“Three days from now, on the night of the new moon. Until then, I’d like you to continue gathering information. Nothing is certain until the operation is complete, so remain cautious.”
Tauro and the others agreed to the plan. Using Tauro’s [Spatial Transfer] and Ragune’s [Dimensional Corridor], they quietly returned to their inn in Bomen’s territorial capital.