Kays Translations
Just another Isekai Lover~
Chapter 392: An Encounter with Good People
By noon, the procession had recovered its schedule and was approaching a low hill.
Tauro sensed roughly twenty people resting on the far side and warned everyone to remain alert.
An attack in broad daylight seemed unlikely, but caution cost nothing.
Through [True Eye], Tauro could make out human silhouettes relaxing beyond the hill. One noticed the approaching procession and pointed it out to the group’s apparent leader, but no one reached for a weapon.
Even so, Tauro sensed something unpleasant mixed among them.
“They probably aren’t dangerous,” he told Ragune, Ankh, and Zion, “but a few of those presences feel wrong. Stay alert.”
“That’s unusually vague for you, Leader,” Ankh replied. “Understood.”
Ragune and Zion nodded.
Tauro ran ahead and discovered what appeared to be a merchant caravan.
“Are you with the group approaching from the road, boy?” asked a well-dressed middle-aged man.
The man had orange hair, a mustache, and the confident bearing of a successful merchant.
“What group are you?” Tauro asked.
“We belong to the Eichton Trading Company. I’m Eichton, its representative. Several independent travelers are accompanying us because we share the same destination.”
“Our group is traveling from a village to attend a wedding,” Tauro explained. “I’m one of the adventurers guarding the procession.”
He spread his hands to show that he posed no threat.
“A wedding! What fortunate news. When your people arrive, allow me to offer everyone a drink from our merchandise in celebration.”
Eichton smiled warmly.
[Presence Detection] revealed no malice from him. The offer seemed sincere.
“I’ll ask the head of our procession.”
Tauro returned to the approaching carriages and reported what had happened.
“The Eichton Trading Company is well known throughout this area,” Alimar said excitedly. “Establishing a connection with its representative would be wonderful. We’ll gladly accept.”
“We’re still traveling,” Tauro cautioned. “Is drinking wise?”
“A small ceremonial cup won’t disrupt the journey.”
Alimar hurried the carriages forward.
By the time the procession reached the hill, Eichton’s employees had already unloaded a barrel and prepared wooden cups.
“A wedding procession! Our meeting must be fate. Please accept some celebratory liquor!”
Eichton shook Alimar’s hand and offered him a wooden cup.
As a precaution, Tauro appraised the barrel with [True Eye]. The liquor itself was safe.
One of the travelers accompanying the merchants stepped forward and began pouring.
Tauro disliked the man’s presence.
Four others who appeared to be independent travelers distributed wooden cups and filled them. All five gave Tauro the same uneasy feeling.
A warning is practically screaming inside my head.
“Eichton-san,” Tauro said, “are the people serving the drinks your employees?”
“Oh? I’m impressed you noticed. No, they’re travelers who asked to accompany our caravan because they were heading in the same direction. When I offered your procession drinks, they volunteered to help as thanks for allowing them to travel with us.”
“So they have no actual connection to the Eichton Trading Company?”
“None.”
There were only five suspicious travelers, and no hidden group appeared within the range of [Presence Detection]. Tauro doubted they would attempt anything openly, but he remained cautious.
Ragune and Ankh waited for Tauro’s approval before accepting their cups.
“One drink only,” Tauro warned. “We’re still responsible for the escort.”
They nodded and sampled the liquor.
Tauro and Zion initially refused because they were underage, but the adults urged them to take a ceremonial sip for the wedding’s sake.
“This is excellent,” Tauro admitted.
His appraisal had already shown that the liquor was of high quality.
“Hahaha! You recognized it despite your age? This is our company’s pride—our finest signature liquor,” Eichton said proudly.
The other escorts praised the drink and requested refills while the five travelers continued serving.
“Have some restraint!” Alimar scolded the villagers.
“It’s a wedding celebration,” Eichton replied generously. “One or two cups will do no harm. Please, have another!”
The impromptu celebration continued.
By the time the second round had been served, people began collapsing one after another.
“Hm? It’s easy to drink, but is it really that strong…?”
“Leader…” Ankh said weakly. “They’re falling too quickly. Someone may have poisoned—”
He collapsed before finishing.
Ragune remained standing because of her abnormal-status resistance. Zion also appeared unaffected, and Tauro felt no change.
Nearly everyone else had fallen unconscious.
The only people still awake were Tauro, Ragune, Zion, the five suspicious travelers, and the lone traveler who had joined Zenyu’s escort.
“It worked,” one of the five said. “Send the signal!”
Another raised a bow and fired an arrow carrying a whistle into the sky.
It shrieked loudly as it flew.
“The liquor wasn’t poisoned—the cups were!”
Tauro licked the rim of the wooden cup and appraised it again with [True Eye].
This time, he discovered the poison coating the vessel.