Reincarnated Maid is About To Be Captured by All Players

Christiana made no response. She suspected Enrique's words were meant to trick information out of her. Wouldn't a slip of tongue play right into Enrique's hands?

Enrique paid no attention to Christiana's poker face and continued speaking.

"Please hear me out, Lady Christiana. The fact that Duke Borgia dares offer such generous rewards means he absolutely won't give up easily. Forcing guards to search noble territories is merely a matter of time."

"..."

"As long as Anna remains within Duke Obi's territory, there's constant danger of exposure. The best solution is to escape."

Enrique closely watched for any emotional fluctuations from Christiana. He leaned toward the possibility that Anastasia was absolutely hidden in Ende. Attempting a forceful search wasn't the best strategy, and offending a count would bring no benefits.

"So, how many ways are there to leave Duke Obi's territory? Right now, even law-abiding citizens need considerable time for border inspections when passing through the [Barrier]."

Smuggling.

Christiana maintained surface calm while internally recalling a strategy Anna had mentioned.

Christiana understood Enrique was right. Duke Borgia would eventually investigate Ende, and removing the Barrier didn't mean Anna and Lily were equivalent to being out of danger. As long as the quest wasn't completed, Duke Borgia's bounty would continue looming over Lily. The Barrier's removal had no relation to canceling the bounty.

During yesterday's interactive quest period, Christiana pretended to be an uninvolved person and chatted with adventurers.

They said Duke Borgia granted privileges to adventurers determined to support hunting Lily, allowing them direct entry to the ducal territory. From a long-term perspective, hostile adventurers within Duke Obi's territory would only increase, meaning once exposed, the risks would gradually escalate.

Christiana had no brilliant plan to change the current situation. She could only let Anna hide in Ende, which was safe for at least some time.

Anna suggested whether they could hide in Christiana's father's merchant caravan to escape, but by then Count Montefeltro's merchant caravan had already left the barrier. Asking other merchant caravans was too easily exposed, so that method came to nothing.

"But hiding in my merchant caravan would be another matter entirely."

"..."

Enrique had actually proposed the most incredible plan from his perspective.

Mercenary groups don't count since they work for money, are loyal to employers, and have no fixed allegiances. But merchant associations, like nobles, must provide gifts for the Third Princess's wedding.

Enrique held the second seat in the Watertown Merchant Association. He had the obligation to contribute to the Third Princess's wedding. Christiana preparing a merchant caravan team would invite suspicion, but Enrique wouldn't.

"The gift convoy I prepared for the Third Princess hasn't departed yet. I'll arrange personnel to help Anastasia and her companions escape together. The condition is that I must meet Anastasia. Only she can provide me compensation."

"I said... Anastasia isn't here." For more chapters visıt NoveI[F]ire.net

Christiana's feigned calm reply was ignored by Enrique, who spoke as if to himself.

"Tomorrow the Third Princess's escort convoy will gradually move away from Duke Obi's territory... The information I received is that besides my merchant caravan, all other caravans have already left the ducal territory."

So Enrique was the last batch of merchant caravans providing gifts to the Third Princess?

"Time is urgent, but this is precisely my arrangement... Duke Borgia's quest is certainly important, but delaying gifts for the Third Princess isn't something the guards would want to see, right? In my view, there's a high probability their inspection won't be so thorough."

Miss this opportunity and there won't be a second chance.

With the protective umbrella of providing gifts to the Third Princess, the guards' searches wouldn't be too presumptuous.

It must be said, Enrique's proposal was quite tempting.

Thanks to Christiana's good upbringing, she could maintain composure before Enrique.

She was considering how to respond to Enrique. This was indeed a good proposal. But what was Enrique's purpose? Would Anna be in danger? Considering these factors, Christiana couldn't make decisions rashly.

Enrique was also gambling.

The astrological prediction pinpointing Ende Castle was too coincidental. Other divination attempts located cliff faces, river bottoms, even pig pens. In comparison, the divination placing Anna in Ende looked particularly convincing–at least it was a place where people could hide.

Enrique maintained gentlemanly courtesy and took his leave.

"Tomorrow morning at eight o'clock, my merchant caravan will pass through Ende. We should reach Duke Obi's territory border by evening. I hope to receive an answer then."

Enrique wasn't rushed for an answer, and Christiana secretly breathed in relief.

"...Show the guest out."

Christiana signaled for maids to see Enrique off while dispatching another group of maids to investigate Enrique's background.

Enrique was an adventurer so his thoughts couldn't be deduced using common sense.

Leaving Duke Obi's territory... wandering the world...

This proposal suited Christiana's preferences perfectly, but everything depended on ensuring Anna's safety.

Regardless of Anna's choice, Christiana had decided to stay by Anna's side.

Having finally gotten Anna to come to her side, Christiana wouldn't let Anna slip through her fingers.

In that case...

Could Nora finally give up?

[Volume 2: End.]