Kays Translations

Chapter 366: A Day of Complete Rest (2)

　From a tall tower in Caxart, one could overlook the salt lake that was the pride of the city’s residents.

　Until recently, it had been anything but a peaceful sight. The Flaming Crab outbreak had left production buildings and lakeside facilities burning.

　Thanks to Tauro and the other adventurers, however, most of the monsters had been subjugated, and the lake was gradually returning to its former salt-producing landscape.

　The charred wreckage had been cleared from the shoreline, and new buildings and production facilities were rising at remarkable speed.

　During his period of complete rest, Tauro visited several salt producers that had already resumed operations. Local adventurers whom he had previously taught to fight Flaming Crabs greeted him as they passed.

　His purpose that day was to examine the field performance of the Salt Adsorption Machine, a magical tool developed with technology he had supplied.

　Reports about the device had been favorable, but Tauro wanted to see how it functioned under actual working conditions.

　The Salt Adsorption Machine was a box-shaped magical tool. Tauro had designed an intricate magic circle that caused its magic stone to attract only salt.

　Pressing a button activated the circle. Once the device was lowered to the surface of the lake, salt began collecting around the box.

　The workers were already familiar with its operation. They placed an activated machine in the water and waited as a large mass of salt formed around it.

　When the mass reached a manageable size, they pulled the device from the lake and set it on a broad wooden board.

　A second switch released the adsorption, causing the salt to fall onto the board. The workers spread it out and left it beneath the sun until the remaining moisture evaporated.

“Is the Salt Adsorption Machine easy to use?” Tauro asked one of the producers.

“Lord Tauro! Easy to use hardly begins to describe it,” the man exclaimed. “Producing this much salt normally takes several months. With the machine, we can finish in less than a week. It allowed us to restore the supply before the region suffered a serious shortage.”

　The producer called to the nearby workers, announcing Tauro’s arrival.

“Everyone here is grateful to you,” said a man who appeared to represent the group. “You began the effort to subjugate the Flaming Crabs, and then you helped us rebuild with something even more efficient than what we had before.”

　He bowed deeply.

“Thank you for lending us such a valuable tool without charging anything.”

　The surrounding producers voiced their gratitude in unison.

“If you were an adult, we’d hold a feast and fill your cup all night,” one man said. “Since we can’t do that, tell us your favorite food instead. We’ll prepare anything.”

“Name it!” another added.

“If you want fish from the salt lake, I’ll dive in and catch one myself!”

　Everyone wanted some way to repay him.

“Your gratitude is enough,” Tauro replied with a laugh. “Once production has stabilized, simply remember to pay your taxes as before.”

　The men burst into laughter at his joke.

“Of course! The lord provided many of us with funds to restart our businesses. We owe him as much gratitude as we owe you.”

“That’s right! We’re grateful to both Lord Graunewald and Lord Tauro!”

“I may pay more taxes than before. The work has become so efficient that we should make an excellent profit.”

“And once our businesses are stable, we’ll pay a proper fee for using the Salt Adsorption Machines. We won’t continue borrowing them for free forever.”

　Their cheerful answers reassured Tauro.

　Despite the disaster, the citizens didn’t blame their lord. Count Graunewald’s reconstruction support and Tauro’s invention had given them confidence in the city’s future.

　Tauro left satisfied that his work had genuinely helped them.

　Elsewhere in Caxart lay Flower Street, a brightly lit entertainment district lined with brothels.

　Ankh was spending his day of complete rest in one of its private rooms.

　He was an adult man, but he normally traveled with Ragune and the underage Tauro. Opportunities to visit such places without awkwardness were rare.

　He had therefore taken advantage of their break to enjoy himself.

“You aren’t a familiar face, handsome,” said the sex worker attending him, making conversation as she settled beside him.

“Me? I’ve been in Caxart for several weeks, but this is my first visit to Flower Street.”

“You endured several weeks before coming here? That must have been difficult.”

　She laughed softly and leaned against him.

“I wouldn’t say I suffered. My companions are good company,” Ankh replied. “But it’s been years since I last spent time in this city. Tell me what has changed.”

“Let me think… This is only a rumor, but people say the former lord visited Flower Street frequently until shortly before his death. Every district like this has similar gossip, of course.”

“Exactly. Stories about nobles and secret lovers appear everywhere. Why has this particular rumor returned now?”

“Because Count Graunewald visited the district several times during the recent cleanup.”

“To deal with the aftermath of Baronet Colon’s crimes, correct?”

“Yes. A midwife who saw the count claimed that his features resembled those of a baby she delivered fourteen years ago.”

　The woman lowered her voice.

“The rest of us joked that no adult could resemble an infant closely enough to recognize, but the midwife was adamant. She remembered the mother, the room, and the circumstances of the birth. Fourteen years ago was also the year the former lord died, so the old rumor began circulating again.”

　If the story is true, Count Graunewald may have a much younger sibling…

　Ankh considered the possibility, then dismissed it.

“It sounds like nonsense. I was in Caxart at the time and knew a little about the former lord. He loved children. Had he known of such a child, I can’t believe he’d have abandoned them.”

“Perhaps. The mother and child reportedly left Caxart afterward, and no one knows where they went. I don’t know how much of the story to believe.”

　She smiled and shifted closer.

“Since you say it can’t be true, shall we return to more enjoyable matters?”

“Yes… Let’s.”

　Ankh pushed the inconsequential rumor from his thoughts and lowered the woman gently onto the bed.

　Their shadows merged together.

　Dawn remained a long way off in Flower Street.

Previous chapter | TOC | Next chapter