TN: Please read my translations only on my website nyx-translation.com since I never give my permission to any site to host my translations. And if you like my translations, please support this site on Ko-fi, and join our Patreon to read up to 12 chapters ahead for this novel!
Sponsored chapter by Patreon. Enjoy~
Chapter 321 – Failed Attempt
The only issue we encountered was slightly unsettled weather for a day.
Otherwise, we arrived in the town of Schraika, just before the mountain pass, without incident and in perfect calm.
It was a post town, the kind occasionally seen in other countries, with no hunting grounds nearby.
Heading east from there meant that crossing the mountain pass alone would take at least three days. Even after traversing the mountain road, it would take a full day to pass through arid land with no water sources.
This made it an essential resupply point, almost guaranteed to be visited. The sheer number of lodgings and stalls selling water by the barrel and fodder for horses made its distinct purpose immediately obvious compared to other towns.
That’s precisely why I was wary of this town. However, I didn’t sense any unnatural movements or people watching our actions.
“You okay?”
It was early morning.
Quad-san asked me as he fed the horses as part of the departure preparations. I relayed the situation as it stood.
“Hmm… Still nothing, huh? Either someone is powerful enough to completely block it with Concealment, or they genuinely aren’t paying attention. Considering what happened along the way, I’d say the latter is more likely.”
“Is that so? Then maybe they were bribed and headed north from here after all?”
In addition to the mountain road extending east from Schraika, the highway stretched north toward the royal capital and the Sazara Monster-Infested Zone.
It wasn’t impossible. However, considering the mercenary disappearances I’d heard about, that theory seemed less likely.
“For the third and fourth times, you hired people not just from the Hunters’ Guild but also from the Mercenaries’ Guild, right?”
“Yeah. We figured the bandits were taking out the guards because they were only E-rank, or at most, D-rank hunters. So, we hired mercenaries—specifically ones equivalent to B-rank Hunters, even if it cost a fortune.”
“Then the likelihood is low. Mercenaries with a decent track record need considerable resolve to abandon their country. Unless the Kius Trading Company was prepared to handle the aftermath and had billions set aside for it, that is.”
“…But they’re a company that only sees money. No matter how much of a nuisance we are, I don’t think they’d spend that much to take us down.”
“Then it’s almost certainly human work. They’ll strike somewhere along the western section of the mountain path, surrounded by trees.”
“But there were no signs of a fight before?”
“Well… I could cover my tracks, too. There must be methods beyond what we’ve noticed.”
“…Huh?”
Leaving no witnesses, incapacitating several B-to-A-rank mercenaries in a short time, and stowing the carriage without damaging it are all achievable with Spatial Magic.
Leaving no traces of combat and departing the scene—this much is achievable for someone with Spatial Magic.
That goes without saying for Hans-san. While I’ve never heard of Marie being a fighter, she could probably do it, too.
But these two absolutely wouldn’t do it.
Someone with Spatial Magic could earn money in countless ways and would never stoop to such a petty robbery, especially as the perpetrator who requires an ambush.
That’s why I can’t find the answer.
What other method could create a situation identical to one using Spatial Magic?
If I could figure that out, I could devise a countermeasure. But no matter how hard I think, I just can’t come up with an idea.
At best, they could bury or hide everything in the mountains. Even then, though, there would likely be traces left from digging, given the large amount of luggage and horses.
“Well, we’ll find out once we head east. Since only Quad-san’s trading company is being targeted, it’s a choice between ‘betrayal’ and ‘enemies attacking us.’”
“Yeah, I don’t want Begg-san and the others to die, so please be extra careful from here on out.”
“Of course. Starting tomorrow, I’ll stay close to the carriage more often than fly overhead so I can respond immediately. However, as I mentioned before…”
“I get it. If we get attacked, you might not be able to keep the perpetrators alive.”
“Yes, we’ve made big mistakes that way before. If we determine that keeping them alive will cause harm, we’ll eliminate the enemy immediately.”
“If that happens, we’ll just have to figure out how to connect the bodies back to the Kius Trading Company. Above all else, please prioritize keeping us alive.”
Resolved, we plunged into the Orial Mountain Pass.
As seen from above, the mountain path was a single, winding road cutting through the valley. As we traveled, the sunlight was blocked by trees on both sides, making visibility extremely poor.
The gloom made it the kind of place bandits would love—a place that felt like something was lurking.
The driver and the slave guards knew this was the start of the danger zone. Everyone’s expressions were tense as the time stretched on, thick with a palpable nervous tension.
Was the enemy alone, or were there multiple enemies?
Since Zeo and Carla had offered to help keep watch around us, we absolutely had to subdue the enemy without any casualties.
That was the plan, at least.
The first day on the mountain road ended with dusk falling. We camped overnight in a clearing deep in the mountains where the carriage could stop and remained on high alert until morning.
(Huh? Nothing here either…)
Feeling let down, we began the second day on the mountain road.
The scenery was similar at first, but after noon, the tall trees gradually thinned out. In their place, a barren mountain with prominent rocks and exposed slopes spread out before us.
This meant that we had entered the dry eastern region where there seemed to be nowhere to hide.
(Whoa, whoa, whoa… Seriously?)
Could Quad-san’s prediction have hit the worst possible scenario? Though wary, I couldn’t help but grimace.
After all this preparation and proposing the escort I thought I’d never do, I sought something even at the cost of prolonged confinement.
It was a powerful villain with powerful skills.
Multiple mercenaries, unlikely to be swayed by money alone, had vanished simultaneously, so I assumed the cause was a moderately skilled mercenary lurking along the route who was hired for the job. However, if they simply took the money and ran off with the carriage and cargo, my entire reason for taking this job would become meaningless.
It’s not Quad-san’s fault, nor is it the fault of the mercenary guild receptionist.
I judged the expected value to be high and then lost the bet.
That’s all there is to it, but the shock remains.
“We’ve made good progress. From here on out, keeping an eye out should be enough, right? I’m going to get some sleep.”
“Me too… I’m so sleepy I could die.”
“Ah, yeah, thanks. I’ll get you back to base tonight.”
I kept myself awake and surveyed the surroundings. Zeo was right.
My vision was clear enough to gather ample information about the area.
The sun was setting, and the landscape was barren, with mountains barely covered in sparse grass.
Suddenly, Quad-san, who was in the lead carriage, burst out in a shout.
“We should be safe now that we’ve made it this far! There should be a flat, open area up ahead, so we’ll camp there tonight!”
It was probably a relief.
His light, relaxed voice echoed back through the line, spreading like a ripple as the slaves began to stir.
That made sense.
For them, this was a life-or-death journey.
If they could make it to the end without incident, that would be the best possible outcome.
But…
If today passed peacefully, the journey would be over.
The fifth visit finally brought peace, but that doesn’t guarantee success on the sixth attempt.
If nothing happens, however, the cause can be definitively attributed to betrayal. This time also proves that using slaves can prevent it.
Then there’d be no need to guard them so diligently. After this, I’ll handle everything myself and take everyone to Sanur. That’ll be the end of this transport.
The horses are troublesome, but I might be able to calm them with Animal Training or Sleepy Eyes.
I noticed it by chance.
When I turned back to check how far the sun had set, I was struck by how beautiful the sky was.
Was it the backlighting from the setting sun? The sky shimmered like glitter, breathtakingly beautiful.
(What…?)
But when I squinted, I saw an unfamiliar silhouette with large wings floating in the distance.
If you like my translations, please support me on Ko-Fi and subscribe my Patreon to read up to 12 chapters ahead for this novel!