Gather Divine Coins and Gacha! - Chapter 229

 While lingering in front of the entrance to the palace where I was staying, a carriage passed through the gate and approached.

The emblem on the carriage belonged to the Müller family.

Slowing down, it rattled to a stop in front of me, and the door opened.

"Hey, good to see you."

"Hey. You came to meet me? Sorry to keep you waiting outside."

The one who got out was Alec, dressed in formal attire.

I had been eagerly awaiting this... There were only women in the places I could go. Everyone was kind, but it was somewhat exhausting.

As we exchanged greetings, a servant who noticed our arrival came out to carry the luggage inside. Alec also planned to stay in the palace until he returned, so he had quite a lot of luggage.

"Is your equipment with the knights?"

"Yeah. It's understandable since we're inside the castle, but it's inconvenient for a guard to be without weapons. Well, let's discuss this inside."

"Sure thing."

◇

When we went to Seriana's room, after a brief greeting, we were told to bring out the "Hideaway," and Alec and I entered.

The rooms added by the enhancement are currently being used as storage, but several sets of Alec's spare equipment are placed inside. Although they had been maintained before we left Lutrol, they had been left untouched for nearly two months, so we conducted an inspection just to be sure... Everything seemed fine.

"Every time I think about it... this blessing is really convenient. Even without maintenance during the rainy season, there are no problems."

"Yeah, it's my lifeline along with the 'Floating Orb'!"

The temperature and humidity are kept optimal. It can preserve anything from food to artworks, daily necessities, and weapons.

"Well, this should do... Is it okay to stack them at the entrance?"

"Sure. Just make sure the weapons are sheathed."

"Got it."

With that, Alec started leaning swords and spears against the hallway wall by the entrance. Since the armor is cumbersome to put on and take off, he opted for a thick leather jacket instead.

"You can use that closet too. I haven't put anything in it."

"Oh? Thanks."

The closet was set up to hang coats. It might be a bit heavy, but it should hold.

"Will you need to use these?"

There were two one-handed swords, three short swords, and a spear. Various potions were stacked on the shoe rack. The shield was the "Red Shield."

However...

"Wouldn't it have been better to keep that demon's club inside too?"

That weapon, which can inflict damage regardless of the opponent, is reliable.

"Huh? I'm keeping the shield here. I'm here as a guard. It would look strange not to have both items that I'm known for."

"Indeed... It would be odd not to have both the red shield and the club..."

It would remove the "Red Demon" element.

"That's it. Alright, we're done. Let's go."

Maintaining an image must be tough...

◇

"Now, let's review the schedule... although there's not much to cover."

After leaving the "Hideaway," the four of us gathered to discuss the upcoming schedule. Elena presided over the meeting.

"We will stay at the palace on the first and second days of the commemorative festival. The ceremony is on the third day, where we will make our vows before His Majesty in the audience chamber of the royal castle. Alec and I will accompany you as attendants, but Sera, you'll remain in the guest room of the palace."

"Got it."

I won't be participating in the ceremony, but I still have things to do.

"I need you to catalog the gifts that will be delivered... Alec."

At this point, the task was handed over.

"Yeah. While there were no signs of an attack outside the castle, we haven't left the royal capital. If anything happens, it will likely be during the ceremony. However, the elite knights and the royal guard will be surrounding the area. There's no way they'll reach the young lady. So..."

Alec paused and looked at me.

"If there's a target, it'll be you."

"...Why me?"

What good would targeting me do?

"If they were making rational decisions, they wouldn't act in this situation in the first place. If they do, it means they're not rational. Even so, the young lady and her family will be attending the ceremony and will be protected. The only one who will stand out around the young lady is you."

"...I see."

An attack during the ceremony is already thwarted. Even so, some irrational person might get desperate and target me.