The beautiful Temerian capital stood on the shores of Vizima Lake. Outside its southern gate lay the ferry crossing, where boats could be taken to the swamp forest on the opposite bank. Originally, there had only been a small village there, surviving by selling fish and game.
However, after a commercial logging zone had been established in the swamp forest, boats now made regular trips across the lake every day. The bloodthirsty plants that had once been considered unimportant now needed to be cleared away.
After two days of meticulous preparation, the Phantom Troupe was heading into the forest that afternoon to eliminate the Giant Thorn Demon Trees—not only to protect the loggers' safety, but also for the rare materials on their bodies.
Incidentally, there was also the full four hundred Orens bounty.
Seated securely at the bow, the alchemy apprentice counted on his fingers as he calculated his expected gains. "Demon tree sap, demon tree tendrils... I'll need to gather more of both later. After setting aside Kalkstein's share, I need to keep some for myself to test their properties..."
This made him look distracted, as though his mind had wandered far away. Seeing that the boat was about to dock, Angoulême had no choice but to lean close to the boy's ear and remind him, "Captain, we're almost there..."
Blinking himself awake from his reverie, Victor raised both arms and stretched. "Mm. Then we'll do as we discussed: once we land, run into the forest and let them chase us. I'm really curious why Lansmit's men have been following us with such obvious hostility."
Not long after the two left that afternoon, Angoulême was the first to notice they were being followed. Then Victor noticed as well... and could even clearly tell that there were seven of them—not