Thanks to Ivy's interrogation (?), we identified the attackers who targeted Katya.
They were members of the Black Scripture, an elite shadow organization from the religious state of Célie.(TL/N: Reminds me of Overlord)
That eerie theocracy, separated from the Margrave's domain by the Twilight Forest.
Their orders were simple: kill Katya.
However, their leaders' motives remained unclear.
Why would they go to such lengths to have her killed?
As I translated Ivy's findings for Katya, I mulled over the possibilities.
But it seemed Katya, being far more politically astute than me, reached a conclusion much faster.
“They might be looking for an excuse to start a war,” she said, her expression solemn.
A war? Would they really go that far?
Isn't the Twilight Forest too vast and dangerous for military campaigns?
The monsters alone would decimate any invading force.
“They have no real benefit to gain from my death,” Katya continued. “Though it feels odd to say this about myself, I’m intelligent and well-loved by my father. If I were killed, Father would be furious, both publicly and privately.”
Relations between the two nations were practically nonexistent, like being separated by natural barriers such as oceans or mountain ranges.
Breaking this tenuous neutrality must require a compelling reason, Katya speculated.
“If they wanted to use me, kidnapping would make more sense than assassination.”
Considering their religious customs, like the so-called bride abduction rituals, capturing Katya alive would likely yield greater strategic value.
“Don’t you think it’s a bit of a leap to suggest war?” I asked.
“No, Célie has been acting strangely in recent years. Their recent silence, in fact, is unsettling.”
A war…
Currently, no human nations are at war with one another.
That’s because everyone is too preoccupied dealing with the threat of monsters.
Across the sea lies a mountainous region teeming with powerful creatures, ruled by beings known as Demon Kings.
Although they’ve yet to launch a full-scale invasion, their vanguard forces and naval skirmishes have kept humanity’s attention divided.
Their main force, ominously called the Black Legion, has remained dormant for decades.
Even so, most people, myself included, view the Demon King’s army as a distant problem—something for future generations to deal with.
Because of this external threat, human nations have avoided conflict among themselves. I’d assumed this uneasy peace would last indefinitely.
But now the possibility of a human-versus-human war feels all too real.
“Isn’t it impossible for them to cross the Twilight Forest? If they can’t get through, they can’t attack, right?”
“…That’s true,” Katya admitted. “Perhaps I’m overthinking it, and this is just a petty attempt to harass my father. Still, it’s important to consider the worst-case scenario. Otherwise, you risk regretting your lack of preparation when things go wrong.”
Her mature and composed reasoning made me pause.
The Katya who lazily petted Sanshita or napped on its belly seemed a world away from this sharp and poised noblewoman.
It was clear she’d inherited her family’s aristocratic instincts.
Not even an assassination attempt could rattle her composure. That must be a testament to her upbringing as a lord’s daughter.
Still, war…
Even as an adventurer, the thought is unsettling.
Adventurers ranked four or higher are often conscripted during wartime.
I could only hope Katya’s grim prediction wouldn’t come true.
“Considering there might be another attack, this baiting strategy could be too dangerous,” I said.
I trust Ivy, but I’m not naïve enough to think she’s invincible.
There might be ways to bypass her barriers, and if so, Katya could be in real danger.
While it might intrude on Katya’s private life, it seemed wise to stay by her side for a while longer.
I might even need a room in her residence to keep a closer watch.
“That seems like a reasonable course of action,” Katya agreed.
And so, with her permission, I extended my time as her bodyguard.
In the end, there were no more attempts on Katya’s life.
But sometime later, an unexpected disaster struck.
Monsters that had never left the Twilight Forest before began invading the Margrave’s territory.