Kays Translations
Just another Isekai Lover~
Chapter 456: Show Off Your Skills
The first destination for the group accompanying the Saintess, which includes Tauro and others, was the territory of Duke Bariella, the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Sart
This was, of course, decided as the first destination, as a thank you for the prestige bestowed on “Saint” Matilda in the character appraisal.
Additionally, Duke Bariella possessed a vast territory in the southern part of the royal capital, making it relatively close to the capital.
At first, there were criticisms suggesting that the prime minister was using his position to prioritize his own territory, but when the Kingdom of Luwan side declared that this was a choice they made to show their gratitude, those criticisms died down.
The criticisms originally stemmed from the Marquis Haragura faction, so the other aristocrats didn’t see it as a problem, taking it as norm and pretended not to hear.
“It seems we’ve entered the duke’s territory,” Zion reported, opening one of the coach windows to look outside.
They had passed through the border checkpoint.
“It’s already noon, so if we’ve entered the duke’s territory, I suppose it’s time for a break?” Tauro guessed based on zion’s report.
The carriage Tauro and his friends were in was a large, specially made coach pulled by six horses, filled with many of the Saint’s entourage.
The train was mainly made up of lower-ranking nobles and commoners, and it was unusual for Tauro and Aeris to be riding alongside them.
However, this was inevitable in order to separate them from the Saint.
After bouncing around in the coach for about an hour, a village came into view.
The leading group had already arrived at the village and seemed to be taking a break.
Tauro and his group, who were at the very back of the train, entered the village late and were on their way to move closer to the Saint as part of her entourage when they found that they had already been divided into higher and lower-ranked nobles among the entourage, making it difficult for anyone other than sons of high-ranking nobles and their followers to get close to the Saint.
Marquis Haragura’s grandson and his entourage were primarily trying to curry favor with Saint Mathilda.
“It looks like the Marquis’s grandson has taken on that unpleasant task, which works out nicely for us,” Aeris smiled, watching the Saint, Marquis Haragura’s grandson and their entourage enter the village square.
“Well, we’re fine, but it’s unfortunate for everyone else that their chance to network is being hindered by class barriers,” Tauro empathized with the group of lesser nobles and commoners who had been brought together because of their abilities.
That, too, was a concern at one time.
Despite Tauro’s worries, the young people who were riding with him in the carriage now aware that Tauro and Aeris were high-ranking nobles, specifically the son and daughter of the Graundewald and Vandyne noble houses, who were famously neutral factions, and began actively engaging them in conversation.
After all, Tauro had a commoner girl named Zion, who was also a beastman, by his side.
Adding to that, when they learned he was an adventurer, they likely felt that they could relate to him.
These young people were eager to impress Tauro and Aeris, fully intent on using this as a stepping stone for their careers.
“… ain’t that bold?” Tauro thought to himself, realizing he didn’t need to worry.
“Lord Tauro, in fact, I’m also skilled with the bow,! Would you like to have a friendly competition?”
“Lady Aeris, I specialize in light magic, it’s why I was chosen. Would you mind taking a look at it?”
“I was selected for my prowess! Your companion Zion is also proud of her skills. Would you like to have a light practice match?”
The young people were eagerly excited.
They wanted to secure better employment opportunities as possible.
Having an aristocrat like Tauro and Aeris as their opponent would be ideal.
They couldn’t afford to miss this chance, ending this journey as the Saint’s crony without being able to do anything about it ‘cause they were too shy.
“Uh, alright. Let’s give it a try over there,” Tauro finally conceded, pushed into agreement by the eager youngsters.
Aeris followed him as they moved to a corner of the square.
Zion did as well.
The young people took this as an opportunity and cheered excitedly.
“What’s going on outside? It’s quite noisy,”
Saint Matilda was comfortably dining and relaxing in the spacious assembly hall they’d rented out, when she was distracted by voices outside.
“Hey, someone check outside,” commanded Suguro, the grandson of Marquis Haragura, to his entourage.
“Okay!”
Suguro’s entourage also saw this as a chance to impress their noble house.
They rushed outside to check without wasting a moment.
“I sure it’s the villagers wanting to catch a glimpse of you now that you’re here,” Suguro said, buttering up Saint Mathilda.
“Then it would be best to wave at them later. This is Duke Bariella’s territory, after all,” replied the Saintess, glancing at the faces of her entourage from the Kingdom of Luwan.
“No, Your Grace. If you keep favoring Duke Bariella, it could’ve come back to haunt you. It might be better not to bother with the villagers and only show a friendly face in the duke’s capital city,”
Suguro insisted, seeming to have been instructed by his grandfather, Marquis Haragura, a rival of the Prime Minister’s faction, to avoid doing anything that might please Duke Valiera.
“really? What do you all think?”
Saint Mathilda asked her entourage from the Kingdom of Luwan, but seeing that the one speaking was the grandson of Marquis Haragura, a prominent nobleman here in the Kingdom, they held back their opinions, perhaps thinking it would be rude to disagree.
At that moment, the young man who had gone outside to check returned
“It looks like the commoner’s group are showing off their skills outside.”
“Hahaha! Desperate to impress, those common folk. — Saint, it is far more productive to dine and converse with us here,” Suguro laughed it off and offered the Saint some more food.
Meanwhile, in a corner of the square, Tauro was about to display his exceptional archery skills.
First, the young man who initiated the challenge showcased his bow skills.
He hunted with his parents back home, and claims to be a talented young hunter well-known in the neighborhood.
The local lord recognized his skills and recommended him, which led to him being selected as a member of the team, but for a boy of Tauro’s age, his skills were remarkable and could rival any adult.
First, he shot an arrow normally, hitting the center of the wooden target.
Then he fired two to three more arrows at the same center, and then, this time blindfolded, he also hit the target, drawing cheers and applause from the other young people.
His outstanding technique made the young people around worry that Tauro would have a tough time following up after him.
“Now it’s your turn, Tauro! Show them what an adventurer can do, and demonstrate the difference in skill!”
Aeris was not surprised by the boy’s earlier display of skill, and she encouraged him, knowing that the bar had been raised and hoping Tauro would excel.