Kays Translations
Just another Isekai Lover~
Chapter 394: An Adventurer to Be Proud Of
After Tauro and Zion treated the paralysis, Alimar’s party and the members of the Eichton Trading Company regained consciousness.
By then, Black-Gold Wings had defeated and bound more than thirty bandits.
The newly awakened travelers stared in astonishment at the prisoners and showered Tauro’s party with gratitude.
“As expected of the finest adventuring team in Caxart!” Alimar declared proudly.
Because he had hired Black-Gold Wings, the village chief seemed to regard the rescue of Eichton’s caravan as partly his own achievement.
“You saved our lives as well as our property,” Eichton said. “I’m deeply grateful. My guards warned me to be more cautious around those travelers, but I never imagined they were bandits. I’m ashamed of my carelessness.”
“The problem now is what to do with the prisoners,” Tauro said. “We can send someone to the nearest settlement and request territorial soldiers, or we can escort the bandits part of the way ourselves.”
Black-Gold Wings couldn’t abandon the bridal procession, so Tauro’s options were limited.
“That would be difficult,” Alimar said. “My unmarried daughter is traveling with us, and the wedding schedule is already tight. We can’t wait here for soldiers, and taking captured bandits along with a bride would be terribly unlucky. Perhaps we should simply kill them.”
His suggestion was unexpectedly ruthless.
“Chief, spilling blood beside your daughter’s bridal procession would be a far worse omen,” Tauro objected.
“Then allow our company to deliver the bandits to the nearest town,” Eichton offered. “You saved us, so it’s only right that we handle this burden. Capturing bandits is also an achievement worthy of recognition. May I ask your party’s name so that I can report who defeated them?”
Tauro and his companions introduced themselves.
“Black-Gold Wings of Caxart,” Eichton repeated. “I’ll remember that name. There may be bounties on these prisoners, but before that’s settled, please accept this as my personal thanks.”
He offered Tauro a heavy purse.
“I can’t accept this much.”
Tauro tried to return it.
“Hahaha! Tauro-san, I’m the representative of the Eichton Trading Company. Had we died here, the company’s losses would have been vastly greater than this. Consider it a modest reward. And should you ever encounter trouble, contact the nearest Eichton branch. We’ll do everything within our power to assist you.”
Eichton firmly pressed the purse back into Tauro’s hands.
“As the man who hired them, I’m proud as well! Wahahaha!” Alimar said, seizing the opportunity to promote himself and Zenyu.
“Naturally, we’re grateful to you too, Chief Alimar,” Eichton replied diplomatically. “I’ll arrange for our merchants to visit Zenyu in the future. I hope our two sides will enjoy a prosperous relationship.”
“Excellent! The more merchants who visit, the livelier our village will become!”
Regular trade with a major company would strengthen Zenyu’s economy and greatly improve Alimar’s standing among the villagers.
Tauro could only admire the chief’s ability to turn a disaster into an opportunity.
Before the two groups separated, Tauro quietly drew Eichton aside. Keeping the information from Alimar, he showed the certificate proving that he was Count Graunewald’s territorial inspector.
“Good heavens! I had no idea you were Count Graunewald’s appointed inspector. Please forgive my discourtesy!”
Eichton tried to kneel, but Tauro hurriedly stopped him.
“There’s nothing to forgive. I only wanted you to mention my name and office when you deliver the prisoners. It should allow the territorial soldiers to complete the handover more quickly.”
“Understood. I’ll report everything exactly as you instructed.”
The Eichton Trading Company took custody of the bandits, and the bridal procession resumed its journey toward Wasan.
That evening, after they reached the village where they would spend the night, Sita asked to meet Tauro and thank him.
Tauro wondered whether meeting privately with a bride so close to her wedding would be improper, so the entire party attended.
“Thank you for protecting everyone and resolving the attack without any deaths among our procession,” Sita said, bowing deeply.
Her attendant stood quietly beside her.
“We only fulfilled the duty for which we were hired,” Tauro replied. “Besides, Zion was the one who defeated most of the bandits. You should thank her.”
He gently brought Zion forward.
“Zion-san, that was incredible! How did you defeat more than thirty bandits when you’re barely older than I am?”
Sita’s eyes shone as she clasped Zion’s hands.
Naturally lively and curious, she listened eagerly while Zion haltingly described the battle. Sita even imitated Zion’s movements as she tried to imagine the scene.
“I wish I could have an adventure like that…” she murmured after their excited conversation.
Then the words she had been suppressing spilled out.
“The truth is, I don’t want to marry yet. The groom’s father is Mage Baron Wasan, the mayor of the town, and people say he’s one of Count Graunewald’s favored retainers. My father considers the match a great honor, so I can’t simply refuse.”
She hesitated, then looked desperately at the adventurers.
“Could you take me away? If I fail to appear at the ceremony, the marriage might be canceled. No… you can’t do that, can you? I’m sorry. Please forget I said anything.”
Having finally released the emotions building inside her, Sita seemed to return to reality. She apologized again and withdrew to the room prepared for her.
“There may truly be nothing we can do…” Tauro murmured as he watched her leave.