NOVEL WEB Chapter 9: Arrow Shot From Pitch-Black Darkness II
Chapter 9: Arrow Shot From Pitch-Black Darkness II
We arrived at the camp after getting a ride from a horse-drawn wagon that was headed for a farm.
The middle-aged serf had gladly agreed to give us a ride in exchange for my help with unloading vegetables on his way back. I clinched the deal by showing him Gravius-sama’s feather during the negotiations. That was a negotiation tip that I had learned from Eruomea’s young Chairman.
「Please wait a moment. I’ll set up a tent」
I couldn’t settle them into the food or supplies tents, much less my cluttered tent, so I decided to set up a new one. As expected, having done this six times now, I was quite practiced at it.
First, I checked that there was no shortage of the tents that were meant for habitation. After that, I spread out the canvas of the tent and inserted the two main poles through the flaps. I inserted the end pins at one end of the poles.
『I'll help you, Souya-san』
「Yes, please. I’ll take the left pole, so you take the right one, okay?」
The two of us raised the canvas of the tent and inserted the other end pins after extending the poles. I shook the now raised tent lightly to make sure that there were no problems with it. Inserting the pole for the sun shade at the entrance of the tent, I fixed it with a pin. Then, we attached the parts that were meant for reinforcing the tent. After moving the tent to a position where it won’t be cluttered together with the other tents, I made sure that the entrance was facing directly opposite to the wind direction, then drove in the pegs to fix it in place. A rainfly for cold weather was tied to the pole, and also fixed in place with pegs. Finally, we adjusted the tension using the ropes attached to the canvas, then also fixed them in place with the pegs.
With Makina’s help, the tent was set up in less than 10 minutes.
With Makina’s……………. help?
「Hey, Makina-san」
『Yes?』
Makina, who was beside me, asked nonchalantly.
「You're moving autonomously, right?」
『( ゜Д゜)』
Was displayed on the monitor before she toppled over and rolled herself along the ground on her side until she was back in her original position. 『It’s allーright?』
You too, huh?
『I only lost my balance coincidently and helped in setting up a tent by chance. Rather than that, is it okay to leave the guests unattended? Makina is worried』
「I’m going to get some answers out of you later, you hear?」
『～?』
Rana was looking at us with an astounded expression. I carried Ea, who was sleeping beside her, into the tent.
「Please rest here. I’ll bring a blanket. Please give me a while as I make something warm」
「What about your wish to learn the bow?」
「For the time being, taking care of you and your sister’s condition is more important. If the teacher is sick, the student will be extremely worried. Oh, please take off your shoes」
Rana entered the tent and sat down. She had exquisite feet.
I left for the moment and fished through the other team members’ personal belongings. I found some women's clothing. I had tried not to think about it, but I wondered what happened to them. Even inside Makina's database, there was no detailed information about the portal.
I returned to the tent with the clothing, towels, a bucket filled with water, pillows and blankets.
「Please use these if you need a change of clothes. And, I’m sorry」
「Don't worry about it」
She had stood her staff against the tent and was in the middle of removing her accessories. Her bare shoulder caught my eye. I immediately averted my gaze. It was disrespectful.
「That’s a strange servant. It’s the first time I’ve seen something like that」
「Makina is not a servant but my partner」
「You mean that it's your friend? That lump of iron?」
「I guess」
When I left the tent, that lump of iron called out to me.
『Souya-san, please give me your poncho. And here, antibiotics, just in case』
Taking the pill from Makina’s arm, I swallowed it. I removed my poncho and put it into the scanner in Makina’s lower portion.
I entered my tent so that Rana couldn’t hear me.
「Makina, I’ve got a question for you. How much of the medical program has been restored?」
We were communicating via my glasses.
『15%』
「How long until it is fully restored?」
『The hopeful estimate is about three months. In the meantime, please avoid wounds that could cause damage to your organs』
「Is open surgery possible at the moment?」
『That’s difficult. The medical supplies are most probably sufficient, but considering Makina and Izora’s current capabilities, the possibility of success is low. As a last resort, Makina can extract the required knowledge from the medical program. However, not only will the the program become unusable, it’s uncertain whether Makina can perform the medical procedures perfectly』
「Hmmー」
This was a tought nut to crack.
「Put this matter on hold」
『Understood』
Let’s prepare something to eat.
Something that was light on the stomach would probably be best. There was some left-over fish from this morning, so I chopped it into chunks and put them into the pot. After that, I grated some ginger, cut some small potatoes and onions into bite-sized pieces, then put them all into the pot as well. Next, I put in water, mirin, a little bit of soy sauce, and a few drops of Japanese-style soup stock, then put the pot over the fire.
When it came to a boil, I removed the scum that had risen to the surface. I kept removing it mindlessly. It was dull work, but it was a good diversion.
「Izora, come here for a while」
There was the sound of something rolling.
『Yes, what is it?』
When the Izora pod rolled over to me, I stepped on it.
「I’m going to be thoroughly grilling the both of you about violating the law and moving autonomously tonight」
I lifted my foot.
『Oh noー I fell overー』
She rolled back to the supplies tent.
I felt ill at ease. I had never been more anxious about them than I did now.
Wasn’t the revolt of A.I.s a common plot device in sci-fi movies? They wouldn’t murder me and become a god to the locals, would they? It was possible. It was possible, but even so, there were many things that couldn’t be done unless I relied on Makina. Actually, would the return portal be okay?
I put out the fire because the contents of the pot had been boiled enough.
I dissolved some miso into it and tasted it. Personally speaking, it was delicious. As something that was meant to be served to others, its taste was passable.
Arajiru completed.
It had zero alternate world components though.
「It smells fishy」
Ea came out of the tent.
Because she wore short shorts that looked like hot pants, with that large T-shirt she was wearing, it looked like she was naked under the T-shirt. Rana followed behind her.
「It's just something simple. Here's a spoon」
I filled a bowl and proffered it to them, along with a spoon.
「You eat that one. We'll choose our own food and tableware」
「Ea, you’re being rude」
「No, it's alright」
It's foolish to trust others unconditionally. I had learnt that lesson the hard way. I sipped the soup as quietly as I could.
「Is this okay?」
「I don't want fishy soup like that though」
Is that so?
「Could I have some?」
「Please do」
As I was about to get her a new bowl, Rana gently took the one in my hand.
「Oh, it's delicious」
Even if she was just saying that to be polite, Rana’s smile and words made me happy. I felt guilty that I made her sit on a shabby camping chair. Ea complained with a dissatisfied expression.
「Don't you have anything else?」
「In that case, please choose whatever you want from over here」
We entered the food tent. There were lines of meat, vegetables and grain from this side that I had gathered in my own way. I didn't miss her eyes lighting up like a child's.
「For meat, there is a good fillet of pork」
「For now, meat is a bit......」
She was still looking under the weather.
「Show me what's inside this one」
I opened the container and showed her its contents.
Inside was seasonings, rice and dried food. Instant food for emergencies.
「What is this?」
She curiously picked up a cup noodle.
「It's ramen」
「Raーmen?」
「If you add hot water, you can eat the thread-like wheat and soup. It's not very delicious though」
After grandpa’s death, I spent several years only eating instant food. And then, I got sick of it. Except in emergencies, it would be fine with me if I never ate it again in my lifetime.
「I want to eat this」
「Okay」
I left the tent and relit the fire in the kitchen. I would have to go gather some more firewood and dried grass, or there won’t be enough before long.
I took drinking water from another pot and left it over the fire.
Ea was having a hard time as she didn’t know how to open the cup noodle.
「It has a transparent skin. It’s got no taste」
「That’s because that’s inedible」
She had licked the sealing film. Because she looked like she was about to bite the container, I took it away from her for now. She showed me a dissatisfied expression. I removed the film, opened the lid and opened the packets of powder and dried ingredients inside.
Ea was looking on in wonder.
For someone who was supposed to be cautious, she was rather close.
After an indescribable wait, because the water had finally boiled, I made to pour the water in.
「I want to do it」
Because Ea said that, I left it to her.
「Pour the hot water up to where the line on the inside is」
「Got it」
With a slightly trembling hand, Ea poured the hot water in. I placed a spork on top of the lid.
「Makina, set the timer for 3 minutes」
『Timer set for 3 minutes. Countdown started』
Ea looked at Makina with startled eyes. But her attention turned back to the unknown food that she had obtained.
「When that round guy tells you that it’s time, you can open it and start eating」
「Got it」
She sat next to her sister in high spirits.
How should I put it, she was a child. Although her body was that of an adult's.
「Souya, you're back already?」
Misuranika-sama came out of the tent. She was walking gracefully with her tail up.
「A guest?」
「Yes, I asked them to teach me the bow」
「Look at the river for a while」
「Okay?」
I had a question mark floating above me, but I obeyed. I turned my back on the sisters and Misuranika-sama, and looked the river. Fish were swimming in the clear water. Because the river was the fish-men’s property, it appeared that the fish couldn’t be taken without permission.
「I am Misuranika of the dark fire. The one who has formed a contract with this adventurer from foreign lands. I welcome you, beautiful elves. Has my follower behaved in a rude manner?」
「No, he has been very nice to us. I'm Rauaryuna Raua Heures. Kin of Ezusu. The child of Melm and from the bloodline of the Hero of the Fog, Heures. This is my sister, Ea. My sister is still a child. Please forgive her rudeness」
Rana said.
Misuranika-sama’s reply sounded like it was coming from somewhere higher than usual.
「It’s fine. I’m not a god that’s very refined. And if you're talking about rudeness, my follower won't lose!」
「There’s absolutely no such thing. Only King Lemuria and Misuranika-sama’s follower have treated us with civility. He’s a very good person」
「Is that so? ………This is the land my follower borrowed from the fish-men. It’s alright for you to forget the troubles of the city and take it easy」
「Thank you very much. Misuranika-sama」
「Souya, it’s fine now. Prepare my meal」
「Yes」
I turned back, thinking that the wait was over, but two hands grabbed and stopped my head.
「Slowly, got it?」
「Ye, yes」
She had appeared for a moment at the edge of my vision, but I missed seeing her full form. Misuranika-sama had immediately changed back into a cat, and was rubbing against my foot. Was it because I wasn’t pious enough? Did I not have enough points in the love simulator? Had I not yet raised her flag?
『Papapapapan~pan~? Parara~? Three minutes have passed』
「Can I eat it now?!」
「Yes」
Looking extremely happy, Ea opened the lid of the cup noodle. By the way, it was salt-favored. She entangled the noodles with the spork and brought it to her mouth,
「Hot! Hot!」
It was too hot for her. This was a scene that I had seen recently. While blowing on the noodles, she ate the noodles clumsily. She drank a spoonful of the soup. Her face lit up.
「Onee-chan, this is delicious! Do you want some?」
「It’s fine. Because I have this one」
The older sister was eating her third bowl of Arajiru. So she wasn’t just being polite. That made me happy.
「Souya, I want to eat that too」
「Okay」
Well, it was economical to give cup noodles as an offering to god.
I went back to the food tent and opened the container. Just when I was having trouble choosing the favor,
「There’s a word that means “impure”」
Misuranika-sama jumped onto my shoulder and whispered in a softer voice than usual.
「It’s a bad custom of the elves. They use that word to name those who are immoral, and those with mixed blood from other races. Don't get too involved with that girl called Rauaryuna(the impurity of the noble clan). It's too much for you to handle」
「Mixed blood, you mean she’s what’s called an half-elf?」
I also answered in a soft voice. Certainly, Rana’s voluptuousness was different from other elves. Personally speaking, that was more to my preference.
「Who knows? I have no idea」
「I had simply asked them to teach me the bow. My involvement with them will end when that ends」
「You are important to me, more so than foolish elves, do you understand? Never forget this one fact」
「Yes」
Misuranika-sama rubbed her forehead on my cheek. I stroked her body in return.
The soy sauce flavored cup noodle was chosen.
It was very unfavorably received.
※
※
After the meal, the bow lessons began immediately.
Tuition was five silver coins a day. And to provide clothing, food and shelter to the sisters. I wondered if this was considered cheap or expensive. Either way, I had no time now to look for another teacher.
I stuck the target that I had made out of some scraps of wood into the ground. I checked to make sure it was secure.
「Which one do you want me to teach you, soldier-style or hunter-style?」
I replied Ea’s question with a question.
「Sorry. I don't know the difference」
She gave me a dumbfounded look.
Ea readied her own bow. It was the same type of bow as the one in my hands. Her left hand held the bow and her right hand was on the string.
「The soldier-style is holding the bow perfectly vertically, and nocking the arrows on the right side of the bow」
She took an arrow from the quiver on her back, nocked it and shot it at the target, which was 10 meters away. It hit the mark drawn in the center of the target.
Her face had been facing me, who was beside her, the entire time.
「The hunter-style is holding the bow horizontally or diagonally, and nocking the arrows on the left side of the bow」
Her stance was different, but the result of hitting the target did not change.
「Do I really have to explain the differences to you?」
「Somehow, for the soldier-style, the arrow can be nocked faster but it’s difficult to aim quickly. For the hunter-style, nocking the arrow is slower but it’s easier to aim. Is it something like that?」
「Hmmm, if you can grasp that much, I suppose you might have a little bit of aptitude. The soldier-type won’t get in others’ way when arrayed in a formation, and the string can be pulled back further, so even light arrows will pack an impact. Using the hunter-style, you can shoot more accurately because you can line up your eyes with the arrow. But the string can only be pulled to the chin, so heavy arrows are needed. Show that to me」
I handed an arrow from my quiver to Ea.
「That's a Kyui arrow, isn’t it? A well balanced arrow that’s neither light nor heavy. The bow is also the same, but I don’t think there’re any problems with either」
「Is the hunter-style easier to learn?」
「If you ask me if it's easier to learn, then yes, it’s easier. But with that bow, you can’t kill the monsters in the dungeon, you know?」
「On that point, it's alright」
When I looked through Izora’s database, there was a blueprint for the compound bow. As soon as Makina's crafting program was restored, she would be able to make small pulleys and modify the bow. That would clear the problem of its lack of power, or at least, it should.
「Got it. Spread your hands, turn your body and align your shoulders to the target」
I turned.
「Hold the bow with your left hand and stick it out towards the target. Turn the bow until it's perfectly horizontal」
「Understood」
I did as I was told.
「Use your thumb, index and middle fingers to grab an arrow. Do your best to not damage the feathers. Well, as long as you can hold it, anything's fine though」
I grabbed an arrow with three fingers.
「Place the arrow on the bow. The shaft should be very near but not touching your index finger」
I set the arrow down on the bow.
「Fit the nock onto the string」
I nocked the arrow.
「Pull until your right hand touches your cheek」
I pulled.
「Don't release it yet」
Pulling it wasn't hard but holding it was. The barely-used muscles in my fingers and wrist were screaming in agony. Ea came up from behind and pressed up against me as she reached around to adjust the angle of the bow and the position of my right arm.
「Never forget this stance. The moment you release the arrow, become still as a stone. Alright, release」
I released.
A soft sigh of wind.
It wasn't as fast as I thought it would be, but the arrow hit the target. Right in the middle of the target.
「Ohh, it hit」
Basically, the part where I had to remain still when shooting was the same as when shooting a gun. The difference was that I had to use more strength than I had imagined.
「Hmmm, good for you. It’s what my teacher said, but it seems like a person who misses the first shot, will also miss till the end. Well, won’t you keep hitting until the end at this rate?」
「Well, even if you suddenly talk about the end……」
「Okay, it's only the first day, so ten is probably fine. I’m talking about consecutive hits, got it? Within 30 seconds. Call me when you’re able to do it, since I’m going to get some sleep. Bye」
Waving her hand, Ea left.
I couldn’t quite accept it, but I started practicing.
To begin with, I decided to ignore the time limit and concentrate on hitting the target.
I nocked the arrow carefully, aimed slowly, shot quietly, and it hit. I did have the talent for this, didn’t I? I basked in that sense of superiority. Doing what I was told, I concentrated on maintaining the stance that Ea had adjusted for me. Aiming with my left hand and shooting with my right hand, it was the same as shooting a gun. There was a difference in the feel of it, but that was easy to correct. As expected, the problem was simply my muscular strength.
The seventh arrow missed. The fingers on my right hand were cramping a little.
Keeping my breathing constant, I took a short break.
Then I started over from the beginning once again.
Like a mindless machine that shot arrows.
『Do you have a minute?』
「Go ahead」
Izora had come up to me.
I didn’t let her bother me and continued to shoot arrows.
『If you were going to use a bow, why didn't you say anything to Izora?』
「Do you know how to use a bow?」
Certainly, there were designs for bows inside Izora’s database, but the instructions in the user manual were garbled and could not be read.
『Izora has the records of all the battles in human history. If you wish, I can even teach you how to fight with sticks and stones』
「Is any of the information corrupted?」
『Decoding was completed just now』
Hmm, so it was something like that.
『Neither Izora nor Makina can be said to be in perfect condition, but we’re still doing our utmost to be useful to you. Please trust us in future, and if you have questions related to battle, be sure to ask Izora first before proceeding. Is that okay?』
「Understood」
Shot. Missed.
『In addition, I’m putting forward a suggestion. Misuranika-sama also said it, but you should cut off your relationship with the elves immediately』
「Why?」
Shot. Hit.
『This is the conclusion from the information collected. That race is waging a war against the Kingdom of Lemuria. The war was caused by disputes over the purchase and sale of land, which was due to the differences in the units of measurement used by Hemus and elves. After there were serious injuries in a skirmish, the firstborn of King Lemuria went to mediate, and it appears that he was murdered. Unlike their appearance, they’re a barbaric race. Moreover, your person in charge, Evetta, didn’t tell you one important thing』
I drew the bow, then stopped.
『Adventurers will be drafted if this country becomes embroiled in a war. Do you know what that means? In addition to being hated by the people of this country just because they're elves, because of those girls’ status as adventurers, they'll undoubtedly be hated by their own race. What benefit is there for a human to be caught between the hatred from both sides?』
Shot. Hit.
「Like I said to Misuranika-sama, I simply asked them to teach me the bow. It’s only for this period of time until I meet up with Irvin and the rest. I won’t get too involved. I’ll take your words of advice to heart」
Shot. Hit.
『Understood ………I’ll give you a progress report on the restoration of the programs. Crafting: 20% Medical: 15% Cooking 27% Among them, please choose which program’s restoration you wish to prioritize』
「Cooking」
『………………You ought to prioritize medical or crafting』
「Is that so? I choose cooking」
Shot. Hit.
『Even though Izora believes that your cooking skill is enough for preparing meals with the necessary nutrients?』
「No, I’m already at my limit」
I was already running out of recipes. The way I processed fish also hadn’t improved, and I was throwing away more than necessary. It was such a waste. Like this morning, when I had tried but failed miserably to make mayonnaise. In times like this, I wished that I had learned properly from grandpa, who was a cook.
『There are nutrient supplements too, and those are also enough in terms of calorie intake. You're the one who's using too much resources for your meals』
「They’re important, aren’t they? Meals」
Shot. Missed.
『The only ones who say that are the Japanese』
Static ran through the Izora’s voice.
『This is Makina. Using my control authority, Izora has been temporarily shut-down. I'm sorry. She was having a mild case of hysteria. I’ll leave her care to you』
「Understood」
I understood what Izora was trying to say. But meals were important. Taking in water, oil, and salt would move the human body, but that didn’t work for the mind. If I had delicious meals, the exploration of the dungeon would also make good progress.
『Makina would like to notify you that the analysis of the poncho has been completed. No traces of pathogens were found. Gastric juice and undigested pork, root vegetables and beans. There are no worries about infections』
「That’s good」
Shot. Missed.
『Would you like to hear the report on Ea-sama’s condition?』
「In the midst of bringing her here, I saw a scar. There was a gunshot wound on her lower abdomen. The bullet had most likely stayed in her body, as there were no traces of an exit wound」
『Yes, there is no doubt of that. Her condition is thought to be severe lead poisoning. If the bullet isn’t extracted immediately, it's a danger to her life』
「I suppose so」
Shot. Missed.
I retrieved the arrows that had hit the target, as well as those that had missed.
Makina was rolling around like she still had something she wanted to say.
『Souya-san. Hypothetically, if we cured Ea-sama, what do you think about joining Rana-sama’s party afterwards?』
「You’re saying the exact opposite of what Izora said, you know? If the medical program was perfect, then I would have agreed with that suggestion. Well, I might have. Just see what happens if we kill her using a foreign treatment. It’ll just be murder. I would rather not incur the enmity of other people unnecessarily」
Even if it was someone who already resented me.
『It’s a sensible opinion. It’s the same as Izora’s, isn’t it?』
Was that sarcasm? I wanted to ask, but the mini pod had already left. It would be great if this difference of opinion didn’t come back to bite me in future.
I nocked the arrow, aimed and shot. It missed.
Well, it would probably feel great if I could save a person with a god-like miracle. Especially if the other party was beautiful.
However, what I had here was a fool who could die at any moment, and a piece-of-scrap artificial intelligence.
What could I do, when that was all I had?
I did not come here to help people. I had to choose where I spent my limited resources. Well, if I talked about this with Izora, the contradictions would probably come into stark relief.
Helping people, was it?
That was something that was done by people who had the leeway for it.
It was definitely not my job.
I shot an arrow.
It hit.
※
※
I made a late lunch, practiced with the bow, made a dinner that was as luxurious as possible, then went to practice with the bow.
The nights of this world were early. Without a care for my worries, the night rolled in.
I put some luminescent paint on the arrowheads and placed the lantern near the target. The light that was given off was profoundly mysterious. With the night wind howling, the plain seemed like a giant serpent.
I let the pitch-black darkness seep into my body as I drew my bow.
Maybe because of the god I served, I felt extremely composed. The night air also felt comfortable.
The pain in my arms melted into the darkness as well. The contents of my worthless mind too.
The arrow had hit the target.
I breathed thinly.
I held three arrows together with the bow. Pulling another arrow out of the quiver and, as still as a statue, I nocked it, then started shooting. Hit. Hit. Hit. Missed.
I held my breath.
Next, I held four arrows together with the bow. Nocked. Shot. Shot. Shot. Shot. For the last arrow, I drew the bow slowly, aimed, then shot.
Hmm.
They had all missed.
I retrieved the arrows. After a simple check for damage, I put them back in the quiver.
I started over from the beginning.
No matter how many times, no matter how long. All alone, I quietly shot the bow in the dark. The places that were not used normally were screaming in pain. I could endure the pain. I could endure it until I was dead. If I became unable to endure it, I would just break. I wondered what that meant.
I wondered what I was.
I had come to an alternate world like this, and was practicing primitive projectile weapons all by my lonesome. How could I have blown up and discarded the firearms at my sole discretion, no……, let’s stop this line of thought. It was meaningless.
The arrows would miss when my thought were wavering like this.
Again, I nocked an arrow after emptying my mind. Aimed. Shot. Setting aside whether I hit or missed, maybe because I had gotten a little bit accustomed to it, the sound of the arrow cutting through the wind had become sharper. I wondered if I was improving. Was it a result of me thoughtlessly straining myself? Even if I wanted to ask my teacher, she was sleeping.
It wasn’t okay to take it easy, so I shot the bow again. Shot. Shot. Shot. Shot. Shot. Shot. Retrieved. Shot, shot, shot, shot, shot, shot, shot, shot, shot, shot, shot, shot, shot, retrieved. Shot, shot, shot―――――――