Chapter 435: Strategy Meeting

Akane had woken up, so we had breakfast first.

Maria and I made breakfast, and assisting us were Mabel and Tifa. Mabel and Tifa were opposed to Maria and I standing in the kitchen, but I told them not to worry about it. We haven’t been able to hire a chef yet, so there was no choice.

Before we knew it, even Undine and Dryas were sitting on the large dinner table. Welp, just like always.

「More problems are popping up, huh.」

「Akane-sama, it’s not Takumi-sama’s fault nya.」

「I know. But Takumi and Sophia are always roped in with troublesome people. Normally they should give up though.」

Akane shook her head and shrugged. It was definitely a hassle.

「I wonder if they would attack all together.」

「It would be more annoying if they did so separately.」

According to Sylph, Selene, and Nyx, Earl Hordia and the 『Moonlight Owl』 guild were definitely working together, but Earl Hordia and the boss of the dark guild would not be making a direct appearance. It’s so annoying how even if we kill or capture the assassins or soldiers, the head still remains.

「It’s not certain if the heads themselves would come out, but they will attack together. Was it a coincidence that all these bad guys are working together?」

「Why do you question it?」

Based on the information that Sylph and the Great Spirits gathered in Wedgefort, was it all completely a coincidence that the people who were after Sophia and I were there at the exact same time? Moreover, it would seem that they were joining hands too.

So, I made a suggestion.

「……let’s bait them.」

「Isn’t that too dangerous?」

Sophia recalled the last time I was attacked. She looked so worried, but even so, she did not refuse it vehemently. Sophia would be the best bait for Earl Hordia, but for the dark guild 『Moonlight Owl』 and the something something nobles of Samandour Kingdom, I was definitely their target.

「Wouldn’t it be fine to confirm if those guys are grouped up and let them see Takumi?」

「Yeah. Monitoring them……」

「Leave that to Selene, Nyx, and me. Unbecoming Elves who try to assassinate the keeper of the Sanctuary, or try to take possession of Sophia as their own, such elves who prey on others must be neutralized.」

Akane stated that it would be fine if we let them see me around Wedgefort on purpose for a short while. Then Sylph said that the Spirits would take care of watching the enemies during that time.

「Then I’ll go around Valor and Wedgefort a bunch of times so they could observe me.」

「Of course, Tsubaki has to run slow.」

「I know.」

We decided to guide their attack to be somewhere between Wedgefort and Valor. The areas between Wedgefort to Volton or Lomaria Kingdom had plenty of traffic from merchant companies, patrolling knights, and adventurers. On the other hand, the area between Wedgefort and Valor can’t be passed unless one has a permit, so there was little traffic in between the cities. If Tsubaki runs there slowly, it would be easy to attack.

Had Earl Hordia and the boss of the Moonlight Owl not lost their ability to hear the voice of the Spirits, this strategy wouldn’t be possible. Before that, even though they were elves, did they forget that a surprise attack wouldn’t work with Sophia around? Or was it because they lost the blessing of the Spirits that they forgot?

After that, I went back and forth between Wedgefort and Valor, walking the streets of Wedgefort with Sophia as we listened to the continuous stream of information from the Spirits. All of this while waiting for them to take my bait.

During that time, Earl Hordia contacted the Dark Guild 『Moonlight Owl』 as it seemed like their interests align, and so they decided to work together. Moreover, coming all the way from Samandour Kingdom outwardly for trade, Earl Sechnal and Earl Vautarc had negotiations with the Governor of Wedgefort so they could establish a branch there, but behind the scenes, they were making connections with the 『Moonlight Owl』 to increase their strength in order to take revenge on us.

Then, Sylph reported that those fools with the same goal had begun to make their move.

「Takumi, at last, Earl Hordia, the Boss of the Moonlight Guild whose name is Forbach by the way, and the two nobles from Samandour seem like they’ll hold direct meetings.」

「I wonder if they’ve decided on a day. And how would they divide the profits after the attack, I wonder.」

「They seem to be mobilizing a lot of personnel, so they don’t think they could fail.」

Earl Hordia would obviously claim Sophia. The Moonlight Owl will regain their honor plus more reward money. The two from Samandour might claim Tsubaki’s carriage, Maria and the girls, and my possessions.

I sure hope we can catch all of them in one go.

***