Kays Translations
Just another Isekai Lover~
Chapter 368: A Day of Complete Rest (4) [Notice Included]
Tauro immediately planted one of the altered seeds from the pouch.
There was no way to know whether [Creation Magic (Weak)] had succeeded until the seed grew and produced fruit.
“[Plant Growth Promotion Magic]!”
A shoot broke through the soil. It rapidly thickened into a small tree, and several bright-red Rigaud fruits ripened among its branches.
“Even growing a single tree from one seed consumes a tremendous amount of magical power…”
Tauro spoke wearily and drank a magic-restoration potion.
He picked two fruits, tossed one to Ankh, and bit into the other.
Juice burst from the fresh flesh.
More importantly, it was far sweeter and more flavorful than any Rigaud fruit Tauro had eaten before.
“This is a complete success! Try yours, Ankh!”
Ankh took a bite at Tauro’s urging.
“Whoa… This is delicious! It still has the fruit’s refreshing tartness, but the sweetness is extraordinary. One bite is enough to know that this is premium produce.”
His reaction confirmed Tauro’s own judgment.
“The first experiment succeeded.”
“But, Leader, what will you do with all the remaining seeds?” Ankh asked. “You can’t personally use magic to grow every tree.”
“I only needed to confirm that the altered seeds produce superior fruit. Now I can register the new variety with the Agricultural Guild. If farmers in this territory cultivate it normally, Rigaud fruit could become one of the domain’s specialties.”
“I understand. Still, you constantly invent absurd things,” Ankh said admiringly. “Having [Creation Magic (Weak)] is impressive enough, but the way you find completely new uses for it’s even more remarkable.”
“This idea came from a little useful knowledge I happened to possess,” Tauro replied with an awkward laugh. “Since it worked, I’ll try improving some other fruit varieties as well.”
He removed several kinds of seeds from [Magic Storage] and used [Creation Magic (Weak)] on them one after another.
Each attempt appeared successful, but verifying the results required him to grow a sample plant through [Plant Growth Promotion Magic].
“This is exhausting… I have to test every altered variety individually.”
After repeatedly modifying seeds, forcing them to mature, and drinking magic-restoration potions, Tauro finally stopped.
“Are you all right, Leader?” Ankh asked.
“Sorry. I became carried away. It’s already past noon, so let’s eat.”
Tauro checked the sun, then removed bread, vegetables, cheese, and meat from [Magic Storage]. He sliced the ingredients and assembled simple sandwiches.
While they ate, the two discussed their next plans.
“We’ll return to the Dragonfolk Village to collect Zion, then spend some time adventuring within this territory, correct?” Ankh asked.
“That’s the plan for now.”
“By the way, Leader… I heard a rumor in Flower Street that may concern your family.”
Ankh repeated the story about the former Count Graunewald’s possible unacknowledged child.
“I see. If the midwife’s story is accurate, the child should now be approximately fourteen.”
“Yes. Such rumors are common, but hidden children do occasionally appear,” Ankh said. “Now that you’ve been named the count’s successor, someone could cause serious trouble by revealing the child later.”
“Then we should look for the previous count’s forgotten child while we’re in the region.”
“Wait, Leader!” Ankh exclaimed. “Searching for that person could create the very succession dispute we want to avoid.”
“Even if the child was born outside marriage, they’d still carry Graunewald blood. Finding them would be better for Father and the family.”
“You could lose your position as heir.”
“That isn’t a problem. If the person is suitable, I’ll recommend that Father adopt them instead.”
Tauro spoke as though the matter were trivial.
“Leader… you’re far too kind,” Ankh said, staring at him. “Most successors would try to silence a rival, not search for one who might replace them.”
“Perhaps this is the gods’ way of telling me that I’m unsuited to inherit a noble house,” Tauro replied lightly. “The timing also made me wonder whether meeting Zion had some meaning.”
“Zion is close to the correct age,” Ankh admitted. “But the midwife claimed the baby resembled Count Graunewald. The count has purple hair and blue eyes, whereas Zion has blue hair and blue eyes. Their hair colors don’t match.”
He considered the family traits further.
“The former count had red hair, while your father appears to have inherited his purple hair from his mother. Whichever trait the hidden child inherited, Zion doesn’t fit the story particularly well.”
“I suppose it would be too convenient,” Tauro said with a laugh. “Zion’s manners did make me wonder about a well-raised family, but Zion’s mother may simply have provided careful instruction.”
Tauro decided that he could ask Zion about his childhood when they met again and let the matter rest for the moment.