Kays Translations
Just another Isekai Lover~
Chapter 470: The Day of the Imperial-Soldier Annihilation Operation
From early morning, Tauro and Aeris reviewed the operation with Viscount Musai and his officers. By noon, the two were walking toward the secluded square where they had conducted the previous day’s experiment.
They assumed the imperial agents had begun watching them from the moment they left Duke Barriera’s residence. Their return to the same square would seem strange, but the enemy might conclude that the previous escape had been accidental rather than proof that its encirclement had been discovered.
The imperial unit had also seen Tauro fly over the city wall, so it was almost certain to have prepared a countermeasure.
Tauro had no intention of recreating the critical condition that had amplified [Levitation]. He wanted to conceal the mechanics of his abilities from Musai’s soldiers, but the greater reason was simpler: he never wanted to endure that pain and blood loss again.
“What are we supposed to do until they make their move?” Aeris asked as they sat near the edge of the deserted square.
Tauro expected a distant observer to send another signal with light magic. That flash would also serve as the signal for Musai’s hidden troops to begin closing the outer encirclement.
“We should talk naturally. Once this Saint’s tour is over, what would you like to do?”
Aeris had only recently returned to adventuring and hadn’t yet had much freedom to choose her next destination.
“We should decide together with everyone, but I want to visit parts of the kingdom I’ve never seen. I would like to see the town where you first became an adventurer, and someday I want to travel to another country. The more I think about it, the more places I want to explore.”
“I understand. Traveling with the Saint’s delegation may at least help us scout future destinations. I’ve become interested in the regions south of Barriera territory too.”
Their conversation about future adventures became increasingly animated until Aeris suddenly looked around.
“Tauro, a small barrier has been established around the square.”
“As expected. It’s meant to prevent another escape with [Levitation].”
Shooting them out of the sky with arrows or magic would risk striking Aeris, so a barrier that restricted their altitude and movement was the enemy’s safer option.
Tauro expanded [Presence Detection]. He sensed several people who were neither his companions nor Musai’s hidden soldiers, but some of those presences vanished almost immediately.
“They have people whose [Presence Concealment] can overcome my detection.”
The information Tauro had seen through [True Eye] the previous day already suggested that these were elite members of the Northern Empire’s special forces. Their ability to disappear from his senses confirmed that the enemy was even more capable than expected.
Tauro trusted Pella, but he nevertheless steadied himself.
Shadows emerged from the streets and ruins surrounding the square. Some wore ordinary local clothing, while others were disguised as adventurers. Nearly fifty people advanced from every direction.
More than half had completely escaped [Presence Detection]. Their concealment skills were superior to Tauro’s current detection ability.
“Who are you?” Tauro asked, although he already knew.
He was only buying time while the territorial soldiers tightened the outer ring and his companions waited in the nearby buildings.
“Kill him.”
The single command came from somewhere within the formation.
Roughly ten soldiers drew their weapons and moved forward without explanation.
Tauro immediately pulled the Guardian Doll Round Shield and Modified Shortsword Tauro from [Magic Storage].
“Quick-witted brat.”
An imperial soldier attacked in silence. Aeris raised her ebony staff, deflected another soldier’s approach, and rapidly cast several enhancement spells on Tauro.
“Subdue the Saint. Her magic is troublesome.”
Tauro moved between Aeris and the attackers, poured magic into Modified Shortsword Tauro, and slashed at the nearest soldier.
The man evaded the short blade easily—or believed he had.
A blade of light extended from the weapon to the length of a full sword. Its unexpected reach cut down two imperial soldiers before they could adjust.
“He has a magic sword! Watch the blade’s range!”
Tauro immediately stopped supplying magic, reducing the weapon to an ordinary shortsword again. This conserved his mana and prevented the enemy from judging when the light blade would appear.
Two more soldiers stepped forward to replace the fallen men. The formation never faltered, and the soldiers at the rear continued watching every route into the square.
They were exceptionally well trained.
Tauro’s surprise attack had worked once, but he knew the next exchange would be far more difficult.