Kays Translations
Just another Isekai Lover~
Chapter 369: A Day of Complete Rest (5)
Even during a day of complete rest, Tauro was accustomed to feeling people watching him.
Although he was only thirteen, he was a D-plus adventurer who wore a silver tag—a rank normally reached only by experienced professionals.
In Caxart, he had also played a central role in subjugating the Flaming Crabs and helping the salt industry recover. It was no exaggeration to say that he attracted attention wherever he went.
Recently, [Presence Detection] had made him even more conscious of every gaze. During his break, he deliberately suppressed the ability and tried to relax without constantly monitoring his surroundings.
“Even without the skill, I can feel an unusual number of eyes today… although those children are probably responsible.”
Five or six local children, ranging from about six years old to Tauro’s age, were following him from a distance with open admiration.
When he entered a weapons shop, they whispered that he looked impressive. When he stopped outside an herb shop, they examined the goods in the display as though every leaf must be an essential adventuring item.
“What herbs is he looking at?”
“I don’t know.”
“They must be used to defeat monsters!”
“Wow!”
The children knew that shopkeepers would scold them if they crowded inside, so they remained outdoors.
They were loud enough that Tauro heard every word.
“This makes shopping rather difficult…”
With the children staring at him in awe, he could hardly explain that the supposed monster-killing herb was merely a spice used in curry.
Tauro decided that speaking to them directly might satisfy their curiosity. After finishing his shopping, he turned around in the street.
“Do all of you know who I am?”
The answer seemed obvious, but he wanted to learn how exaggerated the local rumors had become.
“Of course! You’re a hero!”
“You saved the city!”
“You defeated the monsters that frightened all the adults!”
“You brought down the evil mayor!”
“And you captured the wicked adventurer!”
Once Tauro addressed them, the children’s excitement burst forth all at once.
“I heard you’re a prince from another country!” one child added.
That last claim made Tauro blink.
“A prince?”
“Yes! My mother said I must never speak rudely to you.”
“She said you might have me put to death on the spot!” another child announced solemnly.
Tauro smiled awkwardly and shook his head.
“I was born a commoner, just like all of you. I was later adopted by a noble family, but I’m not a prince, and I won’t execute anyone for speaking to me.”
“Really?” the children asked together.
“Really. Please correct that rumor when you hear it.”
“Then did you truly defeat the corrupt officials, the criminals, and all those monsters?”
Tauro didn’t want the children to worship him as a hero, but he couldn’t honestly deny the events.
“Those things happened, although the stories probably make them sound grander than they were.”
“My father says children should wait until they grow up before becoming adventurers,” said a small boy near the edge of the group.
“Your father isn’t wrong,” Tauro replied. “Becoming an adventurer requires equipment and money, and surviving requires training and experience. Growing up first is usually the wiser choice. I began at your age only because I was desperately trying to survive.”
“I understand!”
“Then I’ll become an adventurer when I’m older!”
“I think I’ll follow my father’s work instead…”
The children offered their own ambitions one after another.
“What does your father do?” Tauro asked the small boy.
“He produces salt at the lake. He says Lord Tauro is a great man!”
That’s far too much praise…
Tauro laughed inwardly.
“Please thank him for saying so. I have another errand now, and all of you should return home.”
He paused, then reached into [Magic Storage].
“Since you followed me so patiently, I’ll give each of you something special.”
Tauro handed every child a steamed bun filled with sweet red-bean paste.
“What’s this?”
They stared at the fragrant treats with fascination.
“It’s a sweet bun that helps tired adventurers recover. Keep that secret between us.”
“Yes!”
Some children devoured their buns immediately. Others ate them slowly, savoring every bite.
One boy placed his bun carefully into his pocket without tasting it.
“Aren’t you going to eat yours?” Tauro asked.
“I want to give it to my father. He always comes home tired from work.”
What a good child…
The answer nearly brought tears to Tauro’s eyes.
“Then eat that one yourself. I’ll give you another portion for your father and the rest of your family.”
He looked at the other children.
“I’ll prepare family portions for everyone, so take them home and share.”
“Yay!”
Tauro wrapped additional buns for each household and handed out the packages one by one.
The small boy remained until last and bowed deeply.
“When I grow up, I’ll become an adventurer like you, Big Brother!”
He ran after the others, carefully cradling the parcel intended for his family.
“I feel as though I accomplished something worthwhile today.”
Tauro exhaled contentedly and continued toward the mayoral residence to complete his errand.