Kays Translations
Just another Isekai Lover~
Chapter 423: Secrets of Parent and Child
Haku was eager for Tauro to stay at his home, so Tauro alone accepted the invitation. Ragune, Ankh, and Zion remained in the empty house on the outskirts of the village, while Tauro spent the night at the large house shared by Cross and Haku.
“I apologize for giving in to Haku’s selfish request.”
Cross apologized on behalf of his delighted son.
“Not at all. I wanted an opportunity to speak with both of you as well.”
Tauro found Cross considerate, especially in the way he continued to treat Tauro respectfully despite his youthful appearance.
Cross wore his long black hair loose and had a full beard. At first glance, those features made him appear older than he probably was. His halting movements contributed even more to that impression. He dragged his right leg, and a closer look showed that his right arm had also been badly injured.
“Father served as the peacekeeper of this village until he was seriously wounded. He was every bit as strong as you’re, Sensei!”
As Haku helped his father entertain their guest, he proudly explained Cross’s former role.
“Was it a monster that injured you?”
Tauro asked about the story he had heard from the villagers.
“…Haku wasn’t there, so he wouldn’t know this, but it was actually a person—not a monster.”
“What?”
Haku stared at his father in shock. This was clearly the first time he had heard the truth.
“Then why has everyone been saying that a monster attacked you?”
The villagers all claimed that Cross had been gravely wounded while defending the settlement from a monster. Cross’s statement directly contradicted that account.
“I can’t explain that. However, now that these injuries have left me useless as a fighter, the village needs someone to replace me. I believe you and your companions were brought here for that purpose.”
Cross lowered himself into a seat across from Tauro.
“What exactly are we expected to protect this village from?”
It was the obvious question. A human had inflicted Cross’s injuries, and the entire village had apparently agreed to disguise the attacker as a monster. Whatever they were hiding, Cross himself seemed unable—or unwilling—to reveal it openly.
Even so, Tauro sensed that Cross had deliberately shared enough to warn him. He wanted Black-Gold Wings to understand that the request was dangerous before making a decision.
“That is…”
Cross glanced toward Haku, who stood beside him holding his breath, still trying to understand what he had just heard.
A knock sounded at the door before Cross could continue.
Tauro realized that he had been concentrating so intensely on the conversation that he had neglected [Presence Detection].
Cross opened the door and found Chief Gaze standing outside.
“Village Chief? What brings you here so late?”
“Cross, do you have a moment?”
Gaze’s expression was unusually serious.
“Then come inside.”
“No. This is a private matter. Please step outside.”
The chief urged Cross to leave the house with him.
“Excuse me, Tauro. Please keep Haku company.”
Cross followed Gaze outside.
“That was the first time I heard the truth about Father’s injuries…”
Haku remained visibly shaken.
“Your father was an accomplished swordsman, was he not?”
“Yes. He was an extremely strong warrior, and everyone in the village relied on him. I’m very proud of him.”
Haku’s admiration for Cross was unmistakable.
This village is hiding something.
Cross had been on the verge of revealing more when Gaze arrived with suspiciously perfect timing.
Was someone listening to us?
Tauro activated [Presence Detection] and carefully examined the surrounding area. Houses stood nearby, and he sensed numerous people inside them: families spending the evening together, couples sharing their homes, and several people living alone. None of the presences seemed openly hostile or out of place.
“Haku, when was your father injured?”
“About a month ago, I think.”
And that was just before we happened to visit Maine Village…
The timing was difficult to dismiss as coincidence.
“What is it, Sensei?”
“Haku, you said the villagers treat both you and your father well, correct?”
“Yes. I believe they’re kind to me because I’m Father’s son.”
“Anything beyond this would be speculation, and I have no proof. I’ll ask Cross-san directly rather than trouble you with it. But tell me one thing: do you trust your father?”
“Of course! I respect him more than anyone, and I’m proud to be his son.”
Haku answered without hesitation.
“From what I’ve seen, Cross-san is an honorable man. Whatever reason he had for what he said earlier, trust that he’s trying to protect you.”
“I will!”
Tauro and Haku continued talking until late into the night. Cross didn’t return for a long time, so the two eventually went to bed.
Much later, Tauro sensed Cross enter the house through [Presence Detection] and woke to greet him.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t intend to wake you. Where’s Haku?”
“He’s asleep. There are several things I’d like to ask you. Is that all right?”
“I don’t know how much I can answer, but ask.”
Cross seemed to realize that Tauro was even more perceptive than Haku had described. He sat in the living room with the expression of a man who had finally made a difficult decision.
“First, the people living near this house possess some ability that lets them eavesdrop on conversations here, do they not?”
The question caught Cross completely off guard.
“…! So you noticed as well. I have suspected it for some time, but I was never certain.”
“Don’t worry. They’re asleep now, so this conversation should be safe. Why are you and Haku being watched?”
“To keep an eye on us, I suppose. I came to this village thirteen years ago, when an infant Haku was entrusted to me. The surveillance may have begun then.”
“So Haku isn’t your biological son?”
“No. Haku already knows that. Even so, the affection between us is no less real than that of any father and son.”
“Were you injured while protecting him?”
“I can’t say for certain. The village chief ordered me to kill a man who had entered the village carrying information he considered dangerous. I hesitated, and the man attacked me instead. Those are the wounds you see now.”
The village was indeed concealing something, and every new detail seemed to point back to Haku.
Tauro leaned forward. He needed to hear more.