Kays Translations
Just another Isekai Lover~
Chapter 431: Haku’s True Identity
Inside his house in the hidden village, Chief Gaze continued examining Tauro’s report with obvious satisfaction.
His own people—including collaborators in influential positions—had failed to gather information this detailed. Naturally, he wanted to know how a D-rank adventuring party had obtained it.
“How did you learn all of this?”
“Let’s simply call it an adventurer information network. We’re D-rank adventurers, after all.”
Tauro answered with deliberate mystery, encouraging Gaze to imagine connections greater than the truth.
“I see. Adventurers must possess contacts that people like us can’t even imagine. Whatever the method, this is remarkable work.”
While the chief remained pleased, Tauro pressed for the explanation he had been promised.
“What exactly do you intend to do at the ceremony?”
“Are you familiar with the rumor that the previous Count Graunewald left another child besides the current head of the family?”
“I’ve heard several versions, but most are considered false.”
“We were the ones who spread that rumor.”
“You started it?”
“Fourteen years ago, when the previous count died suddenly, a woman was carrying his child. The truth couldn’t be allowed to disappear, so we made certain the rumor survived.”
“A convenient story can spread very easily.”
Tauro’s cautious observation didn’t slow Gaze.
“We took the woman into our protection. She was already in poor health and died approximately a year later, leaving the child in our care. We hid him in this village.”
“Hidden from whom? The current count is highly respected.”
“That reputation is a mask. During his father’s lifetime, the present count was a notorious prodigal. I believe the previous head feared what would happen if such a man inherited the family and therefore fathered another child as insurance.”
Father, what exactly did you do when you were young?
Tauro almost laughed despite the danger of the conversation.
“The child you’re describing is Haku, correct?”
“Yes. Haku represents the final will of the previous count. He—not that formerly dissolute man—should inherit House Graunewald.”
“Haku has black hair and black eyes. The Graunewald family is known for purple hair and blue eyes.”
“Because we concealed them. We dyed his hair and used medicine to alter the color of his eyes until the proper moment. Haku’s natural hair is purple, and his eyes are blue.”
The revelation explained the physical contradiction, but not the question of proof.
“What evidence establishes that the previous count was his father?”
“Before his death, the count occasionally visited brothels in Caxart. Haku’s mother was deeply concerned about her son’s future. She never explicitly confirmed the father’s identity, but neither did she deny it before she died. Furthermore, a secret agent sent by the current count once came to this village searching for Haku. I ordered Cross to deal with him. That’s more than enough.”
Tauro remembered that one of Count Graunewald’s investigators had disappeared. The missing man might indeed have reached the village.
The matching hair and eye colors strengthened Gaze’s belief, but the account still relied heavily on circumstance and assumptions. It explained why the faction considered Haku legitimate; it didn’t constitute unquestionable proof.
“What do you intend to do with Haku now?”
“We’ll transfer the title to him. Using the security information you provided, our people will enter the ceremony, seize control of the hall, and force the truth to be acknowledged before every guest. The neighboring nobles understand the importance of blood. Once they see the rightful heir, they’ll support the restoration of the legitimate line. The people of the territory will follow.”
Gaze raised a clenched fist with absolute confidence.
“Will it truly be that simple? Representatives from the territory’s towns and villages may reject such a violent method.”
“Many commoners support the current count, but nobles value bloodlines. Faced with a genuine son of the previous head and an adopted commoner of unknown origin, their choice will be obvious.”
“I understand. A claimant with an established bloodline would appear stronger than an unrelated adopted child. We’ll cooperate—but I expect to be paid accordingly.”
Tauro performed the role of a mercenary adventurer interested only in profit.
“Excellent! To tell the truth, our people were divided over your party. I argued that capable adventurers should be cultivated as useful allies, but some hardliners wanted to eliminate you before you became a danger. I’m relieved that you chose correctly. If we succeed, you’ll be rewarded generously.”
Gaze welcomed the supposed cooperation of Black-Gold Wings with a broad smile.
“Our men will infiltrate according to the plan. On the day of the ceremony, follow the instructions we discussed.”
After reviewing the operation in detail, Tauro and his companions left the village.
Only after confirming that no one was following them did Tauro signal that it was safe to speak.
“This is worse than we expected,” Ankh said.
“Yes. They have collaborators among the territorial soldiers. But learning the full plan this early gives us ten days to destroy it completely. We’ll return to the capital and prepare with my father.”
Ragune, Ankh, and Zion nodded, and the party hurried back toward the territorial capital.