Chapter 488: Farewell to the Nostalgic Town
After finishing his nostalgic nighttime stroll through Saisi, Tauro returned directly to his lodging at the former Viscount Saissi residence.
“Welcome back, Leader. How was your hometown?”
Ankh, who was sharing the same room, asked after noticing Tauro’s tired expression.
“Three years is a long time. So much has changed. I didn’t manage to meet anyone else I knew, but I heard plenty about them, so I suppose that’s something. Thinking over all those memories has worn me out, though. I’ll use [Purification] and go straight to sleep.”
Tauro cast the spell on himself as he spoke.
“Three years is certainly enough time for a place to change. Still, from the perspective of the people who knew you back then, aren’t you the one who has changed the most? A growing child can look like a completely different person after three years.”
Ankh’s observation was entirely reasonable.
“Maybe. I was a late bloomer, so I never felt as though I had changed that much. But now that you mention it, I really have grown quite a bit.”
Tauro pictured himself three years earlier and raised a hand to indicate his former height.
“And there can’t be many D-plus adventurers your age. You left this town as a little G-rank adventurer, and only three years later, you have reached D-plus. You may not be an adult yet, but that’s remarkable growth. Even people who knew you might not recognize you immediately.”
Ankh spoke as though only now realizing how accustomed he had become to Tauro’s extraordinary achievements.
“If we’re talking about growth, Aeris and Zion are incredible too. Their training with the dragonfolk made them almost absurdly powerful.”
Tauro chuckled.
“True. Ragune’s strength at her age is unbelievable as well. I suppose I’m the only normal member of Black-Gold Wings.”
As the oldest member, Ankh jokingly cast himself as the party’s one sensible man.
Not a chance, Ankh. Father has told me some outrageous stories about your mercenary days.
Tauro kept the thought to himself because Count Graunewald had shared those stories in confidence.
He swallowed the retort and gave Ankh a vague answer instead.
“Yes, yes. You’re the sensible one. Let’s get some sleep, Ankh. We have an early start tomorrow.”
The next morning,
Aeris knew Tauro’s past well. She wanted to ask how he had felt walking alone through a town filled with old memories, but hesitated, uncertain whether she should.
After all, Tauro had been forced to leave Saisi after his conflict with its former lord.
“Good morning, Aeris. Hmm? Are you trying to be considerate of me?”
Tauro noticed that she wanted to say something and started the conversation himself.
“Honestly, did you have to ask? Fine. How was your walk through Saisi? Not all your memories of this place are happy ones. Are you all right?”
Aeris finally asked, her concern evident.
“Oh, that was what worried you. I’m fine. The former lord is gone, and I’ve already made peace with what happened. Three months in prison left some unpleasant memories, but that’s all.”
Tauro answered calmly.
“I see. Then I’m glad. Were you able to meet anyone important to you besides Branch Manager Leo?”
Aeris relaxed slightly.
“It was already nighttime, so I didn’t see anyone else. Meeting Branch Manager Leo was enough for now. Thank you for worrying about me, Aeris.”
Tauro smiled at her kindness.
“We’ll leave the procession after the Blessing Ceremony in the Halagoura Marquisate. We can return afterward and visit properly.”
Aeris offered a practical suggestion.
“That sounds good. We’re adventurers, so there’s no need to rush. We can come back another time and have you show us around.”
Ragune readily agreed.
“I’d love to see more of the town where Tauro-sama grew up!”
Zion added eagerly.
“Then it’s settled. We’re definitely coming back.”
Ankh smiled.
“I can try to guide you, but the scenery has changed so much in three years that I may end up asking the locals for directions myself.” Tauro gave a wry smile, already looking forward to that day.
The Saint’s procession boarded its carriages and departed one after another.
Because Tauro and his companions were traveling near the front, their carriage set out fairly early.
As they approached Saisi’s northern gate, residents lined the streets and waved farewell.
Some even offered prayers, believing the Saint’s procession carried divine blessings.
“The title of ‘Saint’ alone really does have tremendous influence.”
Tauro murmured while gazing through the carriage window. Then he noticed a familiar figure among the people seeing them off.
She was checking each passing carriage and speaking to the escorting knights.
“That’s…”
Tears rose in Tauro’s eyes when he recognized her.
It was Nei, the guild receptionist.
Nei was speaking with a Royal Guard knight, then looked in the direction he indicated.
He was pointing toward Tauro’s carriage.
Tauro opened the carriage door and leaned outside.
“Nei-san!”
He waved to her.
“Tauro-kun!?”
When Nei saw how much Tauro had grown, a smile filled with nostalgia and joy spread across her face. Tears soon followed.
“Nei-san, congratulations on your marriage to Mauve-san!”
Tauro finally offered the congratulations he had most wanted to give her.
“Thank you… Tauro-kun, I’m so happy to see that you’re well! There’s so much I want to ask you, and I can’t believe how much you’ve grown!”
Nei ran beside the moving carriage as she called to him.
“I’ll come back again someday. Until then!”
“Yes! Take care of yourself, and don’t push yourself too hard!”
As the carriage carried Tauro away, Nei watched with tear-streaked cheeks. After three long years, she had finally been able to say farewell to the boy she had once cared for.