Chapter 488: Farewell to My Nostalgic Town

After finishing his nostalgic nighttime stroll through the town of Saishi, Tauro returned straight to his lodging at the old Viscount’s residence.

“Welcome back, Leader. How was your hometown?”

Ankh, sharing the same room, asked with concern as he noticed Tauro’s tired expression.

“Three years is a long time. A lot has changed. I didn’t meet anyone I knew, but I did hear a lot of things, so I guess that’s good. …I’m kind of tired thinking back on my memories, so I’ll quickly use “Purification” to clean myself up and then go to sleep.”

Tauro said as he cast a spell on himself.

“Three years, huh. That’s definitely enough time for many things to change… But even so, from the perspective of the people around him at the time, isn’t it the leader who has changed the most? Growing up over three years can make you look like a completely different person, right?”

Ankh pointed out something reasonable.

“Maybe? I’m a late bloomer, so I don’t feel like I’ve changed that much… But now that you mention it, I think I have grown quite a bit since three years ago.”

When Ankh pointed this out, Tauro remembered himself from three years ago and made a gesture of measuring his height with his hand.

“Also, I hate to say it, but I don’t think there are many D-rank adventurers your age. You were a kid when you left this town as a G-rank, and now, just three years later, you’re a D+ adventurer. That’s pretty mature growth, even if you’re not an adult yet. I think even people who know you wouldn’t easily notice how much you’ve grown.”

Ankh remarked, realizing how accustomed he was to Tauro’s greatness.

“If we’re talking about growth, Aeris and Zion are pretty incredible too. They trained with the Dragon People Tribe and grew in some almost absurd ways, I think.”

Tauro chuckled at Ankh’s comment.

“That’s true. If you think about it, Ragune’s level at her age is unbelievable too. I guess I’m the only normal one in the ‘Black Golden Wings’ team.”

Ankh answered as the oldest member, jokingly playing the role of the sensible one.

No way, Ank. I’ve heard some crazy stories about your mercenary days from my Father!

Tauro thought internally but didn’t say it aloud since these were confidential talks from Count Graundewald, his father.

So swallowing his words, Tauro replied with a vague dismissal,

“Alright, alright. You’re the sensible one, Ankh. Let’s just get some sleep; we have to get up early tomorrow.”

The next morning.

Aeris, who knew Tauro’s past well, hesitated to ask how it felt for him to wander alone through the place of his memories, unsure if it was appropriate to inquire.

After all, Tauro had left Saishi due to troubles with the local lord.

“Good morning, Aeris. …? Are you being considerate of me or something?”

Tauro noticed that Aeris looked as if she wanted to say something, but she didn’t ask him anything, so he started the conversation instead.

“Oh, come on. Why you have to ask? But fine. So, how was your stroll around Saishi? I’m guessing, it’s not all good memories, was it? Are you alright?”

Aeris finally asked with concern.

“Oh, I see. So you were thinking about what happened back then! I’m totally fine. The lord is gone now, and I’ve made peace with what happened. Well, three months of torture is certainly a bit traumatic, but that’s about it.”

Tauro replied calmly.

“I see… Then that’s good. Did you get to meet anyone you cared about? Besides Branch Chief Leo?”

Aeris asked with relief.

“It was nighttime, so I didn’t get to see any of the people I cared about. Just meeting Branch Chief Leo was enough. Thanks for worrying about me, Aeris.”

Tauro responded with a smile to Aeris’s kindness.

“After the Saint’s blessing ceremony in the Haragura Marquisate, we’ll be leaving the group. We can come back and visit this place properly then.”

Aeris made a sensible suggestion.

“Yeah. We’re adventurers; there’s no rush, so let’s come back some other time. Then maybe we can have you show us around the town.”

Ragune agreed with Aeris and said to Tauro.

“I’d line to also be shown around this town where Tauro-sama grew up!”

Zion eagerly added.

“So, it’s decided then. We’re definitely coming back here.”

Ankh replied with a smile.

“Guide or no guide, the scenery has changed so much in the last three years that I’d rather just ask.”Tauro replied with a wry smile, and looked forward to that day..

The Saint’s party boarded their carriages and departed one after another.

Since Tauro and his friends were at the front of the group, they set off quite early.

As they approached the north entrance of the town of Saishi, residents waving goodbye lined the streets.

Some even prayed, believing the Saint’s party brought blessings.

“Again, just the title of ‘Saint’ really carries power.”

As Tauro murmured this while gazing out the carriage window, he noticed a familiar figure among the residents seeing them off.

That person checked every passing carriage, speaking to the escorting knights.

“That’s…”

Tauro’s eyes welled up with tears at the sight of the familiar figure.

It was the receptionist, Nei.

Nei was talking with a Royal knight and looking in the direction he was pointing.

That direction was their carriage.

Tauro opened the carriage door and leaned out.

“Nei-san!”

He waved to her.

“Tauro-kun!?”

When Nei saw how grown and mature Tauro had become, she smiled with a mix of nostalgia and joy—but soon tears welled up.

“Nei-san, congratulations on your marriage to Mauve-san!”

Tauro said his congratulations, the most important words he’d been wanting to say.

“Thank you… Tauro-kun, I’m so glad to see you’re well. I have so many things I want to ask, but I’m amazed at how much you’ve grown!”

Nei ran alongside the passing carriage, calling out to him.

“I’ll come here again someday, so until then!”

“Yes! Take care of yourself! Don’t push yourself too hard!”

As the carriage departed, Nei, with tear-streaked cheeks, finally managed to say farewell to the boy she had once cared for, after three long years.