Morning came with a strong feeling of anticipation. I had already decided everything about the events and did my best to prepare for them. With that in mind, whatever the results, I'd gladly accept them as I feel like whatever happens now would be the best outcome given my situation.
So, now that everything on my side was done, I reaffirmed with the girls our plan.
Miwen: "If at any moment there's a risk to our lives, we'll run to the [Kingdom] ok? No need to play the hero, just guarantee your safety before anything else."
Licia: "The same goes for you Miwen, if we're thrown in a war, the most important thing is to keep calm, as any irrational decision will undoubtedly be the end."
As long as we can escape we should be safe, but the difficulty slider still haunts me and clouds my judgment...
Miwen: "Just to double check, but are you guys sure you've never heard of a 'Kingdom Of Hamperlon' before?"
Licia: "I was not very well versed in geography or history, but as far as I could tell, there was no such kingdom in my world. If they were at war, I'm pretty sure I'd at least hear about it..."
Claire: "As for me, I'm absolutely sure. There's no way I wouldn't know of it since father drilled into me most of the history and geography that I needed to live in high society, a war of a kingdom that seems as prominent would no doubt be included."
In this room right now there are people from three different worlds, and yet, through our history and geography, it seems that there is no trace of this kingdom whatsoever. It's almost guaranteed that this is another different world...
Miwen: "... I wonder how many worlds exist."
Claire: "At the very least, as many as there are Gods."
Miwen: "Huh?"
Claire: " I mean, where do you think Gods come from?"
Indeed, I never thought about that, but to me, Gods were the same as humans, except you know, a higher being and all, so for some reason I expected them to reproduce the same way we do. In our mythology at least, there's a bunch of deities that are sons and daughters of other divine beings...
Miwen: "How do you know they don't reproduce between them?"
Claire: "They might but..."
Licia: "The worlds are blessed by the Gods, although many Gods can bless the same world, as a God you would want to have at least one world only for you, would you not?"
Miwen: "I see, it never occurred to me but you might be right."
To be honest, I have no way of debating over this, and their argument seems solid to me. Not that I care too much about it, since the Gods don't usually interfere much, outside Catherine who calls upon us when she needs to. But even that hasn't happened for a while so...
Well, this conversation ended up going slightly off-topic, but after confirming with everyone, I decided not to waste any more time, and so, I accepted the [Event]: "War! The Fall of the Snow White Wolves Tribe of the Maide Island".
Right after accepting it, the blankness that usually permeates through my mind when I do a roll on the Gacha happens again, this time, however, it takes much longer for it to go away. And here I thought that I was starting to adapt to it...
Upon regaining consciousness, my vision starts working again, and I can start to make out the scenery that's in front of me. It seems like I'm close to the coast of an island, as I can hear the sound of waves crashing against the shore. Unlike a tropical dream-like island like the Bahamas, this one seems to be covered in snow, and the temperature is as bad as it gets before you freeze to death. I mean, I thought that would be the case, so I brought some of the warmest clothing I had, but still, this is a bit more than I expected.
In front of me, I can see a forest, it's going to take me a while to get there, but it's probably better than freezing to death here. Of course, I also check if I can escape to the [kingdom] right now, I have no intentions to do so as the situation is not so dire, and if I came back I'd probably be in the same place without any progress, so there wouldn't be much point in doing so. But just seeing that the option to enter the [Kingdom] is there is a nice guarantee for now...
I also notice that Claire and Licia are asking to enter the [Event], which I allow.
Claire: "... It's freezing out here!"
Licia: "Mhm... I quite like it actually."
It seems like Licia is not as affected by the cold but given that both of them don't have clothes suited for this environment...
Miwen: "I think it's best if you wait for me in the [Kingdom], this traveling this place will consume stamina, so it would be best if you girls were in your best shape. Be sure to leave a request to join the [Event] though, that way I can summon you guys when needed."
Claire: "F-fair enough, but be sure to call us if it gets dangerous."
Claire readily accepts it, while Licia seems a bit worried about the prospect of leaving me alone.
Miwen: "Don't worry too much, I can also escape if need be."
Licia: "If that's the case..."
Thanks to the [Kingdom] I manage to convince Licia to save up her energy.
After the girls leave the event, I decide to continue walking towards the forest.
It doesn't take much time for me to stand behind the first line of trees, but I must admit that I got more tired than I thought I'd be. Thanks to the level-ups, I'm both naturally faster and stronger, way more than what I used to be, after all, there's no way for a level 1 to defeat a level 7 without using a Gift. But even then this walk took me much more energy. I have to wonder if my level wasn't as high, would I be feeling even colder? If that's the case... then how can people live here? And why would anyone even want to conquer an icy rock like this...
As I was thinking about that, I began to take the first step that would put me across the first line of trees in this forest. That's when I hear someone call to me:
???: "Stop right there and turn around. If you want to keep your life, that is."
As someone who wants to remain alive, I instantly stop my step and turn around.
Facing me were 10 people, number-wise, it was already more than I could handle. But given their armor and weapons, individually they look like troublesome opponents. What's more, the woman in the lead carries with her a bow, which is now aimed at me. Am I able to outspeed an arrow? If I or the girls are the ones shooting it, then probably, hell, we wouldn't even need to try dodging at that point. But given her stance right now and the way she seems so confident... yeah, I'm gonna open the [Kingdom] menu just to be sure.
Aside from securing my escape route, I should also check my chances here. I doubt they are too great, but I use [Appraisal] on the leader of the pack.
And yeah... there's no way I can confront her. At level 121, with a list of skills that clouds over mine, even though I'm acquiring skills from two other girls and a completely random gacha. The only thing I may have her beat is my ability to climb trees...
If that weren't enough I try to use [Appraisal] some more, but the guys accompanying her are all around level 80, so right now, I have no way of winning a confrontation, but since she has not shot yet, maybe we can talk...?
???: "Who are you and how did you get past the coast?"
Miwen: "My name is Miwen. I'm... the king of a distant realm. I came here to propose an alliance with your people."
The only lie here is that my sole purpose would be the alliance with the Snow White Wolves. Truth is, at first I wanted to look at who had more chances of winning this war and then decide who to ally myself with but... If I'm in their territory I doubt I could leave to talk with the other guys. The most I could do was isolate myself in the [Kingdom] until this war ended. I don't see myself progressing through this event without allying myself with their tribe so...
???: "A king who wants to ally with us, you say?"
The woman leading the pack lowers her bow, the men behind her however readies their swords. The men encircle me as the woman approaches.
I could also ready my sword, but for now, I'll try not to look dangerous. Because after all, I sure as hell am not.
???: "I noticed you used [Appraisal] on some of us, right?"
Miwen: "Yes."
???: "You probably didn't notice, but I also used it on you."
This woman had a skill that allowed her to block [Appraisal], and yet, I could analyze her skills and level, meaning she had purposedly let me do it.
???: You're not much of a threat, although you have quite a lot of skills given your level and age. You should be thankful for your weakness, it's the only reason you're still alive."
To be honest, I'd prefer to be alive thanks to my strength since that's something I can actually count on, but anything that keeps me alive is good I guess.
???: "You are carrying a very flashy sword. It's doubtful that you would be a spy carrying something like that. It makes sense if you are from royalty or at least nobility though... but you did evade my question about how exactly you managed to pass through the defenses in the shore..."
Miwen: "It involves my Gift. I can tell you how I did it, but it would take a bit of time to explain."
???: "I see, so you are willing to cooperate. Then I'll allow you to choose, either you die right here by my hands... or you're to be imprisoned, questioned, and hopefully we can ransom you back to wherever you came from. So, which one do you want?"
Even though I'm being given a choice... I am definitely In a pretty bad situation right now all things considered. Do I let the wolf woman standing in front of me kill me, do I allow her to imprison me, or do I escape towards the [Kingdom] and ignore the existence of this event until it ends ? Well, if I want to move forwards, there's only one real option...