Gather Divine Coins and Gacha! - Chapter 142

 "Hmm?"

I was lying on the sofa with a knee throw over me like a blanket, reading a book when I heard a knock on the door.

"It's Elena. Could you please open it?"

I got up and went to the door, as instructed by Seriana, and found Elena standing there.

She seems to understand well.

Is it because she's activating her skills all the time and that's how she sees things?

"I'm back now."

She had taken off her coat.

I wonder if she walked instead of taking a carriage?

I remember there was a luxury inn just outside the noble district, where Ruban and the others would likely stay.

If I had been free, I would have gone to run errands, but I was unusually busy with work!

"Welcome back. I'll take that."

"Thank you, Sera."

I took the coat and headed toward the coat rack on the wall.

It's a fur coat, but it's thin and light, yet just holding it makes me feel warm.

...It must be an expensive one!

"I'm keeping this for the young lady."

"I see. And the contents?"

"I've heard them. I don't see any issues."

Yeah..."

While I'm imagining the price of the coat, she's having a serious conversation.

It seems best to keep quiet...

"Sera."

"Yes?"

As I'm nestled under the knee throw on the sofa, Seriana calls out to me.

I was reading the letter entrusted to me by Ruban and the others, but I wonder if she's already read it?

"You should take a look at it too."

She extends the letter she had in her hand towards me.

"Is it okay?"

"Yes. They'll talk directly to Aleck over there, so let's proceed with our discussion here."

"Okay."

I don't really get it, but I'll try reading the letter.

◇

I read the letter and was able to grasp its contents generally.

First, it's about the Ruban party.

They still haven't gone through the hassle of obtaining citizenship; it seems they haven't registered yet.

They plan to do it after the establishment of the new territory.

I don't remember some of the families, but it seems they've already settled things with Keira's family.

Three wives, huh...

My dad has two, and my grandpa has one.

Most people I know have one, so it seems like a lot, but they're already like family, so I wonder if they'll manage well?

Well, that's beside the point. Next.

It seems they want to arrange meetings between Rezel and noble families or trading companies they have connections with.

They've been in a so-called patronage relationship and have received support so far, so I guess it's about reciprocating that.

It seems like it could easily get tangled up in vested interests and create factions, but according to Seriana...

"It's fine. We're short-handed as it is, and having more hands available is a good thing."

She says that without factions, it would become chaotic, and ultimately, it doesn't change anything about receiving benefits as a lord, so there's no problem.

Finally, about the presence of an assassin targeting Seriana.

They've gathered information widely, both in the east and west, but at this point, there's no one suspicious, which suggests that there's a high possibility that they're already infiltrating the territory or pioneering villages. So, they're planning to split the party and participate in guarding.

They seem to have anticipated several timings when the assassin might strike.

They're already clear about some, but first is the journey back from the capital to Zelkis.

Now that they mention it, Seriana seemed a bit different during the mountain crossing.

Next is during Seriana's wedding when they travel back and forth to the capital.

I don't know which route they'll take, but I think it would be too difficult to target Seriana, who will have strong protection, outside.

Lastly, causing chaos at the stage when the dungeon is being opened, and slipping away in the confusion.

Of course, they're aiming for Seriana's life, but it seems their primary goal is to avoid stabilizing the front lines in the east and eliminating any room for intervention. It seems like it wouldn't go so smoothly, but in reality, it has worked several times in other countries over the past few decades. It's a method backed by experience.

The identities of the assassins are officially labeled as "terrorists targeting the east," but in reality, they are adventurers sent through the church by elite soldiers from powerful western countries. ...I wonder if they're the same people who abducted me?

However, we can only wait since they haven't done anything yet.

Seriana seems frustrated, wishing they had tried something during the mountain crossing, which could have provided a good excuse...

Patience is necessary, but the situation seems more like we're the ones lying in wait. Seriana's skill of [Hideout] provides safety in case of emergencies, so there's not much danger.

It seems my actions won't change much.