"We will make contact with the Wind Cats in Eastend's Forest of Deep Magic."
At Rose's declaration, Anna was the only one whose mouth fell open in shock; the others didn't bat an eye. That said, Faf and Mew had no interest in complicated matters and were completely absorbed in chattering about what games to play this afternoon. Asta was deftly eating with one hand while holding a book in the other. Zack and Anna were the only ones offering any proper reaction.
"And how do you intend to make contact?"
I had given her the night to think it over. Rose wasn't incompetent enough to fail to come up with some kind of plan.
"Searching the forests of Eastend with our current numbers is unrealistic. Besides, if we take an aggressive approach and force our way in, they will never accept us. Am I wrong?"
Honestly, Rose was quite impressive. This was the kind of conclusion one could only reach by genuinely striving to understand the perspective of the weak. It was hard to believe she was royalty from such a corrupt kingdom.
However, that was merely on the mental side of things. What I wanted to know now was just how thoroughly Rose had fleshed out her actual strategy.
"I agree. So, what is your concrete plan?"
"Taking into consideration everything the information broker explained yesterday, the Wind Cats must have an organization backing them. Otherwise, there is no way they could carry out operations across the entirety of this vast Ksar Domain."
She was right. What's more, it likely wasn't just a single group, but several scattered throughout the Ksar Domain. In other words, they weren't mere bandits; they were a resistance movement.
"And?"
"In order to sustain their activities—"
Rose spread the map she held in her right hand across the table. Then, she reached into a pouch and began placing copper coins on the parchment.
"—they must inevitably use this location as a transit hub. Above all, this city would allow them to receive aid in the form of funds and provisions."
Rose placed a gold coin on the mountainous region bordering the northwest of Eastend's Forest of Deep Magic. That was the mining city closest to the forest—Akinashi. Much like the Heinemann family's Lamoor, it was one of the urban domains granted a noble title through distinguished service.
The Akinashi Domain was governed by Lord Oliver Akinashi. He was reportedly one of the few compassionate lords in this eastern region.
"And what will you do once in the Akinashi Domain?"
"I shall convey my intentions to Lord Oliver and await an opportunity for dialogue with the Wind Cats. While our chosen means may differ, we are surely aiming in the same direction. Even if it takes time, persuading them should be possible."
Splendid. That judgment was the only viable path available to the current Rose, small and utterly devoid of power as she was.
I would handle all the preparations behind the scenes. I'd turn this into a thrilling festival.
"Then it's settled! Asta, Zack, you're on guard duty for Rose. I'm counting on you!"
"Yeah! Leave it to me!"
Zack thrust his right arm forward, clenching his fist tightly as he gave a firm nod.
"I mind it not, but what does Master intend to do?"
Asta closed his book and turned to me.
"We're going camping in the forest."
"We are camping!"
Faf thrust her right fist high into the air with a radiant smile, while Mew slipped off her chair, hopping and bounding about.
"Yay, camping! Camping!"
"Kai, is our going on this camp truly necessary right now?"
Anna questioned me with a terribly grave expression.
"Yeah, it's necessary. It's the crux of the whole plan."
In a sense, compared to Rose and the others who would merely be waiting around while receiving hospitality, our task was far more difficult.
"Understood. Asta, Zack, I leave Lady Rose in your hands."
"Yeah!"
"..."
Asta raised his right hand in acknowledgment, while Zack answered cheerfully over a drink.
"Well then, Lady Rose, I shall begin preparing at once! Help me, Faf, Mew!"
"Okaay!" "Understood!"
Faf grabbed onto Anna's right arm while Mew latched onto her left, and the three of them scurried up to the second floor.
"Anna has grown as well, hasn't she?"
Rose's lips curved into a warm smile as she spoke, sounding almost like Anna's mother.
"Indeed."
Even if it was part of the plan, she would be separating from Rose temporarily. I had fully expected Anna to adamantly refuse, but she had agreed with almost anticlimactic ease.
This time, Anna had accepted parting from Rose for the sake of fulfilling our plan as an organization. At the same time, this meant she truly trusted Asta and Zack. It was a perspective that the old Anna—who trusted no one outside her fellow knights—could never have reached.
Understanding that was precisely why even Asta, the very embodiment of contrariness, had straightforwardly honored Anna's wishes.
For Anna, who had always tended to shut herself away in her own narrow world, this was certainly a tremendous step forward.
"I shall go prepare myself as well."
Chuckling softly, Rose turned and walked toward her room. Watching her retreating figure, I began clearing away the leftovers remaining on the table.