Gather Divine Coins and Gacha! - Chapter 208

 "Multiple factions from the West are targeting my life."

"You're quite popular..."

It's not unheard of in this world for individuals to have their lives targeted, but to be targeted by multiple nations is quite unusual.

"It's an honor. They want to kill me with their own hands and make it widely known."

"Yeah."

By doing so, they aim to prevent the Eastern expansion of the Great Forest Alliance. It's a way of setting an example, showing what happens if you attempt it.

Although we group the West together, it's not like we're on bad terms with every country. It's mainly due to the pride and ideology of the leading nation in the West, which has even incorporated the church to actively deepen the rift.

"So, they choose their locations and methods carefully... Hahaha."

Unable to contain the humor, she began to laugh midway through the conversation. She didn't laugh out loud, but she held her mouth and stomach, chuckling quietly.

"What's so funny?"

Where's the punchline in what we were just discussing...?

"Hehe... Whether to go around the mountain or over it, you were worried about that too, right? They must be too. Normally, to reach the capital, you'd have to choose one of those routes..."

"Oh... Whether they're lying in wait on either route, it would be in vain, huh?"

It clicked for me. While it's not winter, so they won't freeze to death, waiting in the rainy season in the mountains would be grueling. I don't exactly feel sympathy for them... no, not at all.

"That's not all... Haha..."

She started laughing again.

"Is it really that funny?"

"Did you notice that we've been tracked since we left Lutor? They took great pains to switch out each time we stayed somewhere..."

"I didn't notice... Were they merchants or adventurers?"

She shook her head vigorously.

I had noticed merchants trailing us from Lutor to the territory capital and from there to the village at the foot of the mountain. They kept a bit of distance from our group, probably thinking they would be safe from bandits and that we would deal with any monsters. It's common practice for noble travelers to have such protection.

They weren't merchants from the Zelkis territory, so I wondered if they would follow us all the way to the capital, but they suddenly disappeared, probably shocked. They might have hoped for protection from adventurers if they had enough, but it's better to let Zelkis adventurers handle it.

"They were following us from behind. After seeing us off, they used birds for communication, but only as far as Fuchsia City."

Fuchsia City. It's at the crossroads where you decide whether to go over the mountain or around it.

"Because of the mountains and forests..."

I was beginning to understand what she was getting at.

The village at the foot of the mountain is actually located at the base of the forest spreading out from the mountain. With many flying monsters around, even using trained creatures for communication would be unrealistic. This is a problem for Zelkis, as it delays communication with other places.

So, the knights have to run through the monster-infested mountains.

When we headed for the village at the foot of the mountain, they must have assumed we would cross the mountain. To preempt us, they needed to deliver information, but they couldn't blatantly send someone not a knight riding a horse into the mountains. They must have run on foot, desperately.

From Seriana's perspective, seeing those who want to kill her resorting to such ridiculous measures must be hilarious. Her chuckling had turned into a broad grin.

But this means ambushing us on the way to the capital is now impossible. We'll likely use this route again on our return, and the defense will be well-fortified. Gathering enough people to break through that defense in a foreign country would get them captured before they could even attack. Hence, the plan for a surprise attack... which has now failed spectacularly.

Although unexpected incidents like last winter's defense battle could still occur, we need to be especially cautious when clearing dungeons, knowing that we're being targeted.

I thought it strange how Seriana remained so composed despite knowing she was a target, but perhaps it was because she anticipated this outcome?