Kays Translations
Just another Isekai Lover~
Chapter 475: Various Meetings
Tauro immediately declined Viscount Musai’s offer to recommend him for a noble title.
”I have no interest in that sort of thing!”
”But Tauro-dono, you’ve already given up your inheritance rights to the Count Graundewald household in favor of your younger brother, haven’t you? In that case, wouldn’t receiving a title for your recent achievement be the best outcome?”
Viscount Musai pressed on, unwilling to let someone of Tauro’s caliber slip through his fingers.
”Why not just accept the title?”
Aeris, who had been listening silently beside them, suddenly spoke up in support of Viscount Musai.
”Aeris, what are you saying? You, of all people? I became an adventurer because I don’t want to be tied down!”
Tauro was shocked that even Aeris—whom he considered his closest ally—was encouraging this.
”Calm down, Tauro. There aren’t many, but there are some among adventurers who’ve been granted noble titles for their accomplishments. Of course, they aren’t court nobles or land-owning nobles—they’re just honorary nobles.”
“An honorary noble?”
”Yes. There are three types of nobility: those who own territories, those who work in the royal court and are bureaucrats who receive compensation from the royal family, and finally, honorary nobles—people who contribute to the nation in other ways. Those adventurers I mentioned fall into that last category. In rare cases, those who have made a great contribution to the country’s culture or the like are also awarded a peerage knighted by the royal family. Well, honorary nobles are literally awarded a peerage as an honor, It’s just a title—no land or salary—but you’re still considered nobility. That means you gain privileges like the right to speak and legal protections of a noble. It’s very convenient. As an adventurer, it would open up areas normally restricted to commoners, and make it easier to access dungeons controlled by the state.”
”Exactly, Tauro-dono. An honorary noble title is quite useful. Of course, there are certain duties that come with being a noble, but to be honest, many nobles don’t fulfill them anyway. So you needn’t take them too seriously.”
”…Are you sure this won’t be a problem?”
Tauro wavered, clearly tempted by the practical benefits for an adventurer.
”Absolutely. I’ll make sure my father understands the nature of the request. Based on your achievements, you’d probably receive the lowest rank—Knight—but a noble is a noble. You’d gain the rights and privileges that come with it, including freedom to go wherever you want.”
Viscount Musai pressed the offer confidently, seeing this as his chance.
”It’s a good deal, Tauro. I don’t really understand all the details, but it would also add prestige to the ‘Black-Golden Wings’, so I think it’s a good idea.”
Ragune chimed in enthusiastically, surprisingly onboard with the idea.
“I think it’s a good idea too, Leader. There are a surprising number of places with tight entry restrictions. A noble title would be really useful.”
Ankh, drawing from his experience as a mercenary, agreed as well.
”I support it too!”
Zion hadn’t followed most of the conversation, but she was in favor of anything that would benefit Tauro.
”…Hmm. The responsibilities of a noble do concern me a bit… but if it’s just a Knight rank, maybe that’s okay?”
With everyone in agreement, Tauro could no longer bring himself to say no.
”Well then I’ll speak to my father and move things forward. With his and my recommendation, it should be no problem. Leave it to us.”
Viscount Musai beat his chest confidently, assuring them the ennoblement was practically guaranteed.
After their meeting with Viscount Musai, Tauro and his companions returned to their room—only to find an envoy from the Crown Prince waiting nearby.
”His Highness the Crown Prince requests an audience with the two of you.”
That was all the messenger said, gesturing for them to follow.
”…Ragune, Ankh, Zion—you three stay here.”
Tauro exchanged a sigh-filled glance with Aeris before the two of them followed the messenger to the room where the crown prince was.
”Your Highness, I have brought Miss Aeris and Master Tauro.”
The messenger knocked on the door and announced them.
”…Come in.”
The messenger opened the door, and gestured Aeris and Tauro inside.
The two of them obediently followed the instructions and entered the room.
The room was large and lavishly decorated with ornament furnishings and paintings.
“Take a seat.”
The Crown Prince, visibly irritated, motioned for them to sit.
”So you’ve been doing whatever you want without informing me? You do realize that could’ve caused a diplomatic incident with the Kingdom of Ruwan, don’t you? And yet you didn’t even say a word to me, the Crown Prince?”
”With all due respect, Your Highness. At the time, we had no idea where information might leak from. We had to make a decision on the spot. Also, this operation took place within the Barriella Dukedom. Given that Viscount Musai—acting as the local authority—approved the plan, I believe there was no issue.”
Tauro responded with solid logic.
“I’m the one in charge of guarding the Saint’s entourage on our Kingdom side!”
The Crown Prince fired back at the silent rebuttal, asserting his authority.
”With all due respect, Your Highness. I was the decoy for the operation. The Saint herself wasn’t involved at all. Even more, since Viscount Musai, the acting lord of this territory, made the decision and I, the decoy, agreed to it, I don’t see any problem.”
Aeris also made a valid point.
”You’re both under my jurisdiction! If you had reported it, we could have talked things out and avoided the whole incident in the first place!”
The Crown Prince seemed to believe his ties with the Empire could’ve resolved things diplomatically.
”Do you honestly believe we could talk things out with Imperial soldiers who were already ordered to abduct the Saint and were lying in wait? Were you planning to send an envoy to the Imperial Embassy in the capital and ask them not to go through with the abduction they were preparing? Do you really think the Empire would acknowledge it and call off the mission?”
this was clearly not a matter that could be solved with diplomacy.
The Empire had even dispatched their elite “Golden Lions” unit—
Since it was a secret force. There was no chance they would admit to such involvement, and telling them ahead of time would have only benefited them.
Tauro’s rebuttal pressed this point.
“If we had let them know in advance that we were aware of their plans, they would have hesitated! That would’ve prevented the incident. So really, the fault lies with Viscount Musai and you two for letting the situation escalate!”
The Crown Prince genuinely believes he can settle things peacefully with the Empire.
But the truth was clear: the Empire had fully intended to kidnap the Saint, and evidence found on the fallen soldiers showed they had prepared false evidence to make it appear that another nation was responsible after.
From every indication, it appears that they had absolutely no consideration for this country at all. In fact, the Empire seemed to be aiming to create discord between the Kingdom of Luwan and the Kingdom of Sart.
Every nation puts its own interests first, so the Crown Prince’s consideration to appease the Empire were not just naïve—they were dangerous.
“That’s a matter for His Majesty, the King, the highest authority in this kingdom, to decide. As the sons and daughters of the kingdom’s nobles, we did what we believed needed to be done. If Your Highness has any objections, please take them up with His Majesty after he has reviewed the matter and let us know.”
The moment Tauro mentioned the King, the Crown Prince went silent.
Even for him, the King—his father—was absolute.
”Then if you’ll excuse us, Your Highness. We’re exhausted from risking our lives in this operation. Thank you for your kind words—oh, and we’re also glad that nothing happened to the Saint.”
Of course, the Crown Prince had said no such kind words.
Aeris’s remark was purely sarcastic.
Pretending not to notice the Crown Prince’s face turning red, the two of them left the room.