Kays Translations
Just another Isekai Lover~
Chapter 69: That Kind of Name
Day after day, the villagers saw the novice adventurers Shin and Rumeya following Tauro on herb-gathering trips.
To anyone unaware of the circumstances, the sight of two adults – people were considered adults at sixteen – following an eleven-year-old boy suggested that the child might be the pampered son of some distinguished family.
Of course, he was nothing of the sort. Even those who knew the situation found it a peculiar sight.
As the three gathered herbs, Shin and Rumeya listened to Tauro lecture about skills.
“Rumeya, you should certainly continue developing [Mighty Strength], but you also possess [Shield]. I think you should adopt a fighting style that makes use of both.”
“But isn’t a shield only for defense?”
“Shield techniques can be used in many ways. I was taught that their basic purpose is to take the enemy’s attacks and prevent them from reaching your allies. But a shield can also be used to strike, charge, counterattack, or even stab and slash when fitted with a hidden blade. Since you have [Mighty Strength], combining it with [Shield] should increase your combat power considerably.”
“Oh!”
Because Rumeya possessed [Mighty Strength], he had never valued [Shield], which he assumed could do nothing but protect him.
The more he listened to Tauro, however, the more appealing it became.
Until now, his style had consisted of swinging an axe with all his strength. He decided to master [Shield] properly.
“Shin, I think you should develop an attack-focused style by mastering your current [Sword] and [Martial Arts] skills. Fighting isn’t limited to swordplay. You can catch an opponent off guard by grabbing, throwing, or kicking them. Combining the two skills effectively should make you very strong.”
“All right! I’ll try that!”
Shin could be almost too straightforward. Tauro believed that learning to combine his two skills would greatly expand his options and allow him to improve dramatically.
“For now, gathering herbs efficiently will leave you time for other pursuits. Use that time to develop your specialties and prepare yourselves so you won’t fall behind when you reach the E ranks.”
“Understood!” the two replied together.
Tauro thought they would become even stronger if they formed a team.
At twilight, with the western sky glowing vivid orange, the three stopped at the guild to complete their quest and then returned to the inn.
Just then, a passenger carriage arrived near the village entrance.
The service had stopped calling at Dansas when its bad reputation was at its worst, but it had recently begun running again.
It was good to see people traveling through the village once more.
Paying no attention to the passengers climbing down, Shin and Rumeya hurried into the inn, crying, “Food! Food!”
As Tauro was about to follow them inside, a beastfolk woman stepped down from the carriage carrying luggage and looked around uncertainly. She called out to him.
“Excuse me, young man. May I ask you something?”
“Yes?”
“Do you know an adventurer named Bob who lives in this village?”
“Ah! Yes, I do!”
The moment Tauro heard Bob’s name, he understood.
The woman had black hair, dark eyes, triangular ears, and a long, slender tail.
Dressed in traditional clothing that suited her well, she appeared to be catfolk. She was probably Bob’s girlfriend!
“Would you like me to show you to his house?”
“Really? That would be a great help. I only just arrived, so I wasn’t sure what to do.”
“It’ll be dark soon, so let’s go now. His house isn’t far.”
“Thank you, young man.”
“Not at all. Bob’s girlfriend is very welcome here.”
“What? How did you know?”
The catfolk woman asked in surprise.
“Oh, I’m sorry. I’m the one who wrote the letter for him.”
“I see! Come to think of it, there’s no way Bob could write that neatly. I was so happy that the thought never occurred to me. Ahaha!”
The catfolk woman laughed brightly and thanked him.
“My name is Tauro. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
Tauro bowed as they walked.
“Oh, I haven’t introduced myself yet. My name is Momo.”
Her name, Momo, and the fact that she was catfolk reminded Tauro that Momo had ranked as the most popular name for female cats in a Japanese pet-name survey in 2020.