Gather Divine Coins and Gacha! - Chapter 316

 After that, we were able to enter the city without much delay.

As we made our way down the main street toward the lord’s manor, I could feel the sharp gazes of the townspeople, likely because we were surrounded by knights on horseback.

By the way, these knights were the ones who rushed out from the city during the commotion at the gate. I know all of them, as they are stationed in the capital, but being escorted by them still felt a little awkward. Maybe it's because they know about Teresa, but they seemed pretty apologetic.

"Is that kind of thing common?"

I asked the knight walking beside me about the goblins earlier, mostly to distract myself.

I've only lived in this city for about a year, so I don't know much, but being attacked while waiting to enter the city is something I've never really heard of.

"It’s not like it’s unheard of, but it’s been quite rare in past years. However, there have already been two incidents this year," he answered with a troubled expression.

"Is there something strange going on in Zelkis?"

Teresa seemed concerned as well and asked another question.

"It’s not quite that serious, but the issue is more on the human side than with the monsters. In low-risk areas, younger adventurers are often hired as escorts. However, lately, those young adventurers have been unavailable, making it difficult to find enough guards. Monsters tend to assess whether there are capable fighters among a group," he explained.

"I see..."

Indeed, there were about 40 to 50 people in line, and I think there were five carriages, but there weren't even 20 adventurers acting as escorts. If you're traveling alone, that's one thing, but if you're guarding a carriage full of goods, you'd ideally want at least four or five people. Considering that, it was definitely too few.

"A new place called Riana has emerged, where even adventurers who can’t handle dungeons can still earn a living. A lot of adventurers who were lying low have flocked there, and to fill the gap, many newcomers are rushing to take part. Escorting jobs may be safer, but hunting monsters offers better rewards, despite the risks," the knight added.

Adventurers typically aim for dungeons as their main source of income, but entering dungeons requires an entry fee, like a security deposit. However, not everyone can afford it, and some lack the skills to hunt deep within.

Those adventurers, who are often considered failures in the capital, end up taking on guard duties in small towns and villages, helping maintain order. But now, it seems those very adventurers are flocking to Riana. Their reasoning is probably, "If I can’t handle dungeons, I might as well go to Riana, where the monsters are strong, but the support system is well-established and the profits are large."

Although I still saw some adventurers around, the overall number may have decreased across the territory. However, the knight didn’t seem too tense, so perhaps some countermeasures were already in place.

◇

Once we reached the manor, I was led to my father’s office. There, I handed over the travel permits I had received from the deputies of various towns within the Riana territory. I also gave him the letters from Seriana and the others, marking the end of my errand.

The shortage of weapon craftsmen caused by the Riana territory’s sacred coin-buying campaign.

We need them, but if there aren’t enough, we have no choice but to borrow craftsmen from outside. Normally, we’d rely on neighboring Zelkis, but the timing isn’t good for that either. So, we arranged for craftsmen from the southern Marcenal territory, with whom we’ve deepened ties recently, to travel through Zelkis and visit us for a time.

On the day of the first purchase, they immediately held discussions within the territory and sent letters via the waterway to Marcenal and Zelkis.

While they can’t send large cargo yet, small items like letters can be easily transported by boat from Riana. It takes over a week by land, but by water, letters arrive in under three days.

The letter to Marcenal requests the craftsmen's dispatch, while the one to Zelkis asks for permission for their passage to Riana and requests an escort during the journey. It’s an emergency measure for this year only, but Seriana and Liesel have a way of squeezing every bit of help they can get from family, and it’s almost refreshing to see.

However, it seems Zelkis is short on adventurers to serve as escorts. If their knights have to fill in, they might also find themselves short-handed... I wonder how this will play out?

If either side refuses, the plan falls apart. I wonder how they’re handling that?

At least, Riana’s towns are prepared to accommodate the craftsmen’s passage and lodging.

"Hmm... no problem. Guests from Marcenal, along with the craftsmen, should arrive within a few days. When they do, hand this to them," my father said, handing over the document he had just been reading.

I wonder if it’s really okay to take this on...

"Heh... We’re receiving our share of compensation, so this amount of effort is nothing," my father said with a grin, noticing the concern on my face.

Am I really that easy to read?

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Seria・【Hidden Base】+1【Prayer】【Mira's Blessing】・【Floating Orb】【Shadow Sword】【Scarlet Bee's Stinger】【Fairy Eye】【Dragon's Lung】【Amber Sword】【Danrem's Thread】【Snake's Tail】・3 cards

Seriana・【Area Identification】・【】・38 cards

Erena・【】・【Green Fang】・5 cards

Alec・【】・【Red Shield】【Mighty Horn】・2 cards