Normally, tribute items are sealed at their place of production or origin and are never opened again until they reach the hands of the king.
The infiltrators and those behind them likely used this to their advantage to exchange the tribute for something else.
However, since a fake item was originally placed there, their actions ultimately proved meaningless.
Renee had prepared various countermeasures, anticipating that such things might happen along the way.
Preparing a fake tribute item was one of them.
The seal that indicates an item is tribute is not something easily obtained, but this time, they were able to acquire it with priority.
It was also fortunate that the items they were transporting this time were items that the Royal Family themselves desired.
Thus, they were able to take the precaution of placing the sealed, genuine tribute item into Kouhi’s Item Box.
Because of the commotion surrounding the exchange with the fake item, the group optimistically believed that their journey to the Royal Capital would proceed without any attacks. However, things did not go as planned.
On the morning of the second day after leaving the city, Nana reacted to something as usual.
At first, they thought a monster was approaching, but it was soon revealed that it was not a monster.
They considered whether it was another force, separate from the fake item exchange incident, trying to cause trouble, but that was also quickly dismissed.
Mitsuki, discerning the figures in the distance, realized that individuals who looked the part were monitoring the merchant caravan.
Yes, they were indeed genuine, (sarcasm intended) bandits.
Kousuke was sitting by the campfire, built for lunch, eating the food prepared by Mitsuki.
Nana was lying down right beside him.
Nana had finished her own meal and was being petted by the female adventurers, including Carla.
She had seamlessly blended in during the not-so-short escort of the merchant caravan.
Nana had initially been wary and kept her distance, but after Kousuke gave the first permission, she had gradually become this way.
While eating, Kousuke spoke to Carla, who was petting Nana.
“I think it’s about time, don’t you think? Is it okay to be doing that?”
He was referring to the bandits they had spotted that morning.
Their leisurely lunch here was a tactic to lure the bandits in by appearing to be off guard during their meal.
Indeed, they confirmed that bandits were gathering in the vicinity.
Judging by their behavior since morning and their oddly practiced movements, they were undoubtedly bandits who made their base in this area.
“It’s fine. If we don’t act as we normally do, won’t the opponents be on guard?”
Looking at Carla, who was happily petting Nana, it was hard to tell if she was being facetious or sincere.
Either way, what Carla said was true, so Kousuke stopped pressing the issue.
Besides, he thought they wouldn’t have the luxury of time to be doing this for much longer.
Just then.
A voice rang out from someone who had finished lunch and was keeping watch around them.
“They’re here!”
At that signal, the female adventurers, who had been petting Nana, immediately went into combat formation.
Nana also stood up, but Kousuke held her back.
“This time, Nana won’t be needed.”
At Kousuke’s words, Nana grumbled in dissatisfaction.
“I can’t help it. I was told not to take on any more jobs.”
Kousuke said that with a bitter smile for a reason.
When they spotted the bandits, the adventurers had discussed and decided that Kousuke and his group would be held in reserve until absolutely necessary.
In past attacks, Kousuke’s group had handled most of them.
The request was simply to safely transport the tribute, so all the responsibility had been placed on Kousuke’s group. However, this time, since they were facing bandits with seemingly low skill, the other adventurers were eager to fight.
Of course, there was also the possibility of being overwhelmed by numbers, so Kousuke’s group wasn’t entirely out of the picture, but their involvement would be minimal compared to before.
Furthermore, since Kouhi and Mitsuki were slated to take over in the end, Nana’s role would be almost nonexistent.
“Well, let’s just wait here for the results.”
With that, Kousuke reached out and gently stroked Nana’s back.
Whether it was to appease her or not, Nana happily wagged her tail.
While Kousuke and Nana exuded a relaxed atmosphere, the bandits had already closed in on the merchant caravan.
Perhaps emboldened by their numbers, which were more than double that of the caravan’s guards, smiles adorned their faces.
They had completely adopted the demeanor of wolves spotting a flock of sheep.
However, those sheep were not sheep at all, but a far more powerful existence, which marked the beginning of the bandits’ misfortune.
This was likely true in the past as well, but they seemed to be the type who relied on sheer numbers, and their individual abilities were not particularly high.
Frankly, they were barely a step above amateurs.
Even so, they should have been able to overcome through the force of their numbers, but the guards, who had survived numerous previous attacks, calmly dealt with the situation without being intimidated by the sheer number of assailants.
They likely felt reassured by having Kouhi and Mitsuki waiting in the rear.
The feeling that they could afford to be a little reckless and that even if one of them was taken out of the fight, it would be alright, conversely allowed them to display more skill than usual.
“What are you doing! There’s only about ten of them!”
Perhaps panicked by the sight of their comrades falling one after another, the bandit leader shouted in exasperation.
He had assumed the role of commander, so he had stayed in the rear watching, which proved to be his undoing.
Seeing his numbers dwindling continuously, the leader gnashed his teeth.
He had considered this a large merchant caravan with plump prey, given the number of guards, but their skills surpassed his expectations.
He had never imagined that there would be tribute among the transported goods, let alone that the adventurers protecting it would be operating at a level above their usual.
It was an overly simplistic plan, but it was typical of ordinary bandits.
Nevertheless, as the leader of a sizable group, his judgment was quick.
Realizing further resistance would be futile, the leader swiftly decided to retreat.
The leader blew a whistle, signaling a retreat.
After confirming his comrades were fleeing, the leader turned his back on the merchant caravan to escape as well.
“Oh? Where do you think you’re going?”
Standing in his path was a beautiful woman, and the leader’s eyes widened.
While the assault on the merchant caravan had failed, he thought that simply taking this woman back would be enough to make it worthwhile.
He didn’t realize this would decide his fate.
Mitsuki, not missing a beat as the leader paused for a moment while contemplating unnecessary thoughts, quickly decided to decapitate him.
“Wha-!?”
The leader, capable of noticing the blade approaching his neck, was likely quite skilled.
However, all he could manage was to see the blade.
Mitsuki, having swiftly severed his head, immediately looked around with a lack of interest.
“My, my. It seems the credit has been taken by Mitsuki again.”
One of the adventurers, now free as the attacking bandits had retreated, approached Mitsuki and said so.
Her expression clearly indicated she hadn’t given a moment’s thought to Mitsuki losing.
“Does this kind of thing count as credit?”
“Well, he was a leader, wasn’t he?”
The female adventurer replied with a laugh to Mitsuki’s words.
In the end, the bandit attack had no significant impact on the subsequent movement of the merchant caravan and concluded like a minor event.
I felt it might be unnecessary, but I felt like writing it anyway.
I could have had them reach the Royal Capital quickly, but I took the opportunity to write this template event!
