Kays Translations
Just another Isekai Lover~
Chapter 410: A Family Dinner
Dinner that evening became a lively gathering with Count and Countess Graunewald.
Ragune, Ankh, and Zion initially intended to withdraw so Tauro could dine privately with his parents. Countess Aida insisted that such consideration was unnecessary and invited everyone to remain.
The result was a relaxed family meal rather than a formal noble banquet.
Despite her hearty appetite, Ragune possessed a respectable understanding of noble dining etiquette. Zion’s manners were equally polished.
Ankh, who had known Count and Countess Graunewald for many years, displayed the poorest manners at the table. The count merely laughed and said, “That’s simply how Ankh is.”
“Your manners are impressive, Zion,” Count Graunewald said. “You mentioned that your mother educated you, but teaching formal table etiquette is unusual for an ordinary catfolk household.”
“My mother was catfolk and knew many things,” Zion replied. “I was told that my father was a traveling peddler. I know little beyond that.”
She took another happy bite of cake.
“I never expected the lessons my mother gave me to become useful at a noble table.”
“If we knew where your father came from, we might be able to locate relatives. Do you have anything connected to him?”
“I have his ring.”
Zion briefly touched the small pouch hanging from her neck.
“I once had it appraised, but it’s a cheap, mass-produced item with no distinctive value. It’s unlikely to lead anywhere.”
“And there are no surviving relatives on your mother’s side?”
The count knew that Zion had grown up alone and was trying to determine whether he could help.
“Mother said my grandparents died young. She always told me she wasn’t lonely because she had me.”
The memory lowered Zion’s eyes.
“Forgive me,” Count Graunewald said. “I shouldn’t have pressed so deeply.”
“It’s all right. I have a family of companions now—Tauro-sama, Ragune-san, and Ankh-san.”
Zion smiled brightly.
“You’ve always been too interested in other people’s histories, Count,” Ankh teased.
He had probably endured similar questioning in the past.
“Hahaha. That’s true. Curiosity is one of my bad habits.”
Count Graunewald laughed and drank from his cup.
The conversation then shifted to Tauro’s work.
Tauro reported what had happened in Caxart and described the deputy administrator’s overwhelming workload.
“There are capable people who could govern Caxart,” the count said, “but they already administer other towns and cities. The candidate I approached most recently refused.”
“Continue observing people during your travels. If you encounter someone suitable, report to me. I trust your judgment.”
“Was the person who refused Mage Baron Wasan?” Tauro asked.
“Yes. How did you know?”
Count Graunewald looked surprised.
“I offered him the Caxart post together with a formal baronetcy, but he said he hadn’t yet earned such advancement and should concentrate on governing Wasan properly. I also received a report that he met the territorial inspector. Did something happen between you?”
“Nothing directly involving him, but there was an incident concerning his son.”
Tauro explained the attempted nighttime intrusion, the duel, the young man’s reform training, and the eventual wedding.
“I see,” the count said. “Then the father may have refused because he’s begun reflecting on his own failures.”
Count and Countess Graunewald appeared pleased by Tauro’s role in resolving the matter.
“If his son truly reforms, he may become an excellent successor,” the count added. “Perhaps he’ll even serve as your right-hand man someday.”
Tauro also reported the bandit attacks and the infiltration of Assassins’ Guild remnants into the territory.
“I received the preliminary reports,” Count Graunewald said gravely. “The danger was considerable.”
“I have instructed every town and village to scrutinize travelers who can’t establish their identities. However, excessive suspicion would make the territory miserable to live in.”
“The bandit remnants are being hunted by our soldiers. The surviving Assassins’ Guild members are a more difficult problem.”
“The dragonfolk warriors have spread throughout the kingdom to eliminate them,” Tauro replied. “It should only be a matter of time.”
“No one escapes once pursued by the finest warriors of the dragonfolk,” Ragune declared proudly, already somewhat affected by the wine.
“That’s reassuring,” Countess Aida said.
Tauro then raised another matter.
“Ankh told me about a rumor that the previous Count Graunewald may have fathered an unacknowledged child somewhere in the territory.”
“Hahaha! That old Caxart story again?” the count replied. “Rumors that I have a younger sibling have circulated for years. I ordered investigations, but nothing credible was ever found.”
“If such a sibling truly existed, I’d gladly give them part of my workload.”
The answer sounded partly like a joke and partly like the sincere wish of an overworked ruler.
Countess Aida changed the subject with an excited suggestion.
“Tauro’s unveiling ceremony will be held in one month. Representatives from every town and village will be invited.”
“Before then, why not visit as many communities as possible and speak with the residents? You must continue hiding that you’re our son. Then everyone can be surprised when your identity is revealed at the ceremony.”
The mischievous pleasure in her expression was unmistakable.
“Let Tauro choose his own adventures,” Count Graunewald said, although he was clearly entertained by the plan.
“I understand,” Tauro replied. “I’ve already been inspecting the territory without publicly identifying myself, so continuing for another month won’t be difficult.”
Thanks to Countess Aida’s proposal, Tauro now had another reason to look forward to the coming journey.