Kays Translations
Just another Isekai Lover~
Chapter 441: Partly to Say Thanks
Marquis Van Dyne and Aeris returned to the Van Dyne Marquisate with the help of Tauro’s and Ragune’s movement abilities.
Aeris still needed to settle several matters at home and prepare properly before resuming her journey.
Tauro also had many responsibilities remaining in the Graunewald domain.
Even after entrusting the position of heir to Haku, he still had duties as Haku’s older brother and as an adopted son of House Graunewald.
The formal procedures required to recognize Haku’s adoption had yet to be completed, and Haku needed to begin learning what would be expected of the future head of the family.
Although Tauro was no longer the heir, he remained the son of a respected count. He was also frequently required to attend meetings concerning the agricultural reforms he had proposed for the territory.
Several busy days passed before Count Graunewald finally departed for the Royal Capital with Haku to complete the official noble-adoption procedure, just as he had once done for Tauro.
Tauro accompanied them.
His presence wasn’t normally required, but Prince Fleue was in the Royal Capital, and Tauro wanted to thank him personally for the gift he had sent.
Ragune, Ankh, and Zion decided to come as well. Aeris could join them after their arrival by traveling through Ragune’s [Dimensional Corridor].
Thus, Black-Gold Wings set out for the Royal Capital once again, accompanying Count Graunewald and Haku.
“Brother, what’s the Royal Capital like?” Haku asked as their carriage swayed along the road.
“The territorial capital is large and impressive, but the Royal Capital is larger still. More than anything else, the number of people is overwhelming,” Tauro replied, remembering his own first visit.
“Even larger? I grew up in a village, so the territorial capital already astonished me. I can’t imagine anything beyond that.”
“Ha ha ha! I felt the same way when I first visited the Royal Capital as a child,” Count Graunewald said. “I had always believed our territorial capital was the finest city in the world. Everyone is surprised the first time.”
The count plainly looked forward to seeing Haku’s reaction.
Tauro understood the feeling. He still remembered staring up at the enormous walls in amazement during his first arrival and was equally curious to see how Haku would respond.
After several days of travel, the party stopped for the night in the final town before the Royal Capital.
There, Tauro overheard two merchants discussing news from the city.
“A delegation from our allied nation, the Kingdom of Luwan?”
“I heard the Saint is among them!”
“Is that true? A Saint hasn’t appeared in nearly a hundred years, has one?”
“Apparently one appeared in Luwan, and they’ve come to request a detailed appraisal from our Prime Minister.”
“If the claim is confirmed, Luwan’s international prestige will rise enormously.”
“Exactly. I can already smell the profit.”
The rumor piqued Tauro’s interest.
It also suggested that Prince Fleue might be extremely busy, and Tauro was disappointed by the possibility that they would be unable to meet.
After spending the night in town, the group reached the Royal Capital.
Count Graunewald deliberately had the carriage stop just outside the gates so Haku could take in the sight before entering.
Haku stared openmouthed at the towering walls and immense gates stretching across his field of vision.
The expression reminded Tauro so strongly of his own first reaction that he laughed softly.
“Brother, don’t laugh! The territorial capital is still very impressive!” Haku protested, embarrassed.
“It certainly is. Our territorial capital is a splendid city. Perhaps you’ll find ideas here that can make it even better.”
“I will!”
Haku nodded earnestly at Tauro’s advice.
Watching the exchange between his two sons brought a smile to Count Graunewald’s face. He felt renewed happiness at the prospect of watching both grow into admirable young men.
“Now that you’ve seen it, let’s enter the Royal Capital,” the count said, motioning for everyone to return to the carriage.
The party proceeded directly toward the Graunewald residence. Throughout the city, however, excitement over the Saint’s arrival was unmistakable.
“They’re selling simple portraits of her everywhere,” Tauro observed through the carriage window.
“A Saint hasn’t appeared for more than a century,” Count Graunewald replied. “The commotion is understandable.”
“I heard that the nation where a Saint appears receives a great blessing,” Haku added, repeating something he had learned during the journey.
“I already know a [True Saint], so seeing this much excitement over an ordinary Saint feels rather strange…” Tauro murmured.
“What did you say?” Haku asked, unable to hear him clearly.
“Nothing important. Still, asking an allied country’s Prime Minister to confirm the appraisal makes the visit feel more like a public demonstration than a simple verification.”
Tauro sensed the diplomatic maneuvering behind the delegation.
“That may well be true,” Count Graunewald agreed. “It’s unusual for Luwan to announce the Saint’s existence in this fashion. Even between allies, asking another nation’s Prime Minister to verify her abilities suggests they intend to use the result as diplomatic leverage.”
“Could Luwan have another motive besides displaying the Saint?” Haku asked.
“There’s no way to know yet,” Tauro said. “They may want the Prime Minister’s endorsement to increase Luwan’s standing abroad. After that, the Saint herself could become an extremely powerful bargaining chip in negotiations with other nations.”
His conclusions were only conjecture about a matter that had nothing directly to do with him, but they were nevertheless perceptive.