Volume 2, Chapter 17 – Skill with a Bow

“If you are heading to Elmden, I believe taking a boat would be the fastest way.”

“A boat?”

“Yes. From here in Lilun, you would head toward Klaubretz, and from there, you can sail down the Semul River to reach Elmden. I believe Klaubretz is currently holding its Hunting Festival, so I think it would be lovely for you to stop by and see it.”

Johanna-san told me this on the way back to the Grand Cathedral.

After returning to the cathedral via the same underground passage we had come through, we climbed back into the carriage with straight faces and returned to the State Guesthouse.

“Still, I never imagined the chairman of the Haslan Group would make an appearance.”

“Is he really that important?”

“Yes. The Haslan Group is the largest merchant group in this country. Even the hotels we’re often put up in are owned by them.”

“But he told me about my mom, so I think he’s a good person!”

“I suppose so…”

I have a feeling he just wants to use the idol of the popular Saint-sama, but… maybe I’m being too cynical?

“In any case, let’s head for Klaubretz first.”

“”Yes!””

And so, we departed Lilun by carriage the following morning.

◇ ◇ ◇

“Saint-sama, welcome to Klaubretz. I am Guten Morgen, the mayor of this town.”

“Thank you for welcoming us. I am Fiene Argentata. This is Christina and Lumia. It is a pleasure to meet you.”

I’m happy that this country welcomes me so warmly that traveling costs almost nothing.

“Oh, thank you for your kind words. Come, please, this way. I shall escort you to your lodgings.”

“Thank you. We appreciate your hospitality.”

Prompted by him, we climbed into the welcoming carriage Guten-san had prepared.

At first, I felt hesitant and humbled, but I’ve realized my own nerves have grown quite thick.

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“And this is the rumored Elf attendant, Lumia-sama. As expected of a Saint-sama who inherits the blood of the High Elves.”

“Hoe?”

Lu-chan, addressed by Guten-san, let out a slightly vacant sound.

“Actually, she’s not an attendant, but a traveling companion. We’re more like fellow travelers heading for the village of the Silver High Elves in the Far North.”

“Is that so? Ah, speaking of Elves, it must be spirits and bows. Actually, the Hunting Festival begins tomorrow; perhaps Lumia-sama would like to participate?”

“Huh? Me?”

“Yes. How about it? Since you’ve arrived right during the festival, I believe participating would be far more enjoyable than simply watching.”

“Hmm, Onee-sama, what should I do?”

“If Lu-chan wants to participate, that’s fine.”

“Ehh, but still…”

“The grand prize is ten kilograms of our Klaubretz specialty, top-grade beef—”

“I’m in!”

She snapped to attention instantly. As expected of the gluttonous Lu-chan. However, I’m a little worried that she might be too easily lured away and kidnapped by strangers using food.

“Ah, but my bow…”

“Well, since we’re here, let’s go buy one.”

“Oh! In that case, I shall guide you to the finest weapon shop in town. Hey, change of destination—!”

And so, we arrived at the weapon shop.

“Welcome! It is an honor to have Saint-sama visit my shop.”

The shopkeeper welcomed us while rubbing his hands together.

“Thank you. I’d like you to help this girl pick out a bow.”

“Oh, the rumored Elf attendant! Leave it to me!”

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It seems Lu-chan has become quite famous as well.

“How about this longbow? It is a top-tier masterpiece crafted from yew wood.”

“Hmm, this is a bit too big; I can’t draw it.”

“Then how about this composite bow? It is a masterpiece combining yew wood with Blood Buffalo horn and Big Boar tendon.”

“Ah, this one might work. Can I try firing it?”

Lu-chan asked the shopkeeper while testing the bowstring.

“Of course. I have targets prepared in the back.”

Oh, it seems she found a bow she likes.

The shape was different from the bows I knew.

I had imagined the kind used in Kyudo, but this one had a wavy, curved shape, with horn-like protrusions at both ends.

◇ ◇ ◇

The shopkeeper led us to the shooting range. Targets were set up in the backyard, much like a Kyudo dojo ¹ A Kyudo dojo (弓道場) is the traditional Japanese archery training hall. The term literally translates to “place of the way”, where kyu means bow, do means the path/way, and jo means place. .

“Here you go.”

The shopkeeper handed Lu-chan some arrows.

“Lumia, what is your Archery level?”

“Eh? It’s 2.”

“…I see.”

Huh? What was that exchange about?

For some reason, the shopkeeper hid behind a pillar. Chris-san also looked somewhat tense.

Um? What’s going on?

“Okay, firing~”

Lu-chan drew the bow.

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With a satisfying twang , the arrow was released and hit the center of the target perfectly.

“Amazing! Lu-chan, you’re incredible!”

“Ehehe. Leave it to me!”

She drew the bow once more, and the arrow flew.

Again, it hit the center perfectly.

Amazing. As expected of an Elf. Lu-chan might be a genius with the bow.

Lu-chan drew the bow a third time.

Twang

The arrow, released with a satisfying sound, flew straight toward my face.

“!?”

And then, the arrow was knocked down right in front of my eyes.

——#$%*!sdfg!!?!?

“Fiene-sama, that was close! Lumia, be more careful about where you’re standing!”

“Huh? I guess this bow is no good either.”

Chris-san is scolding her, but is that the point of scolding?

Moreover, I have no idea what Lu-chan is talking about.

In the first place, why did the arrow fly toward me when I was standing diagonally behind her? That’s physically impossible!

“Lumia, it’s not that the bow is bad, but because you’re using Sure Hit when your Archery skill level isn’t high enough.”

“Eh? What’s that?”

I want to know too. What on earth is that?

“What? You’re a bow user and you don’t know Bow Techniques?”

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“Chris-san. Please explain it so I can understand too.”

“Yes, Fiene-sama. Bow Techniques are skills acquired by raising your Archery skill level. It is the same as how your Healing Magic includes Healing Magic and Antidote Magic. Each Archery Technique has a required Archery skill level to activate; if you force an activation without enough skill level, there is a certain probability that ‘Friendly Fire’ will occur, and the arrow will fly toward an ally nearby.”

“Eeeh…”

So that’s why the shopkeeper hid behind the pillar. Lu-chan is saying “Oh, I see~” with a carefree attitude, but I wish she’d consider how it feels to be the one shot at.

If Chris-san hadn’t protected me, I would have died!

“Furthermore, some bow users occasionally use Sure Hit unconsciously, triggering Friendly Fire. Lumia just now is a perfect example.”

Over there, Lu-chan is saying “Sorry~” with a smile. I feel like this is beyond a joke.

“At what skill level does Sure Hit stop causing ‘Friendly Fire’?”

“Who knows? Well, a colleague with skill level 3 said they still experience Friendly Fire, so at least level 4 is likely required.”

Ugh, that’s still a long way off.

“Hmm, but this bow is easy to use, so I’ll take this one~”

“Thank you. That will be 20 gold coins. I will include 20 arrows as a service.”

Yikes, that’s surprisingly expensive.

“Onee-sama, thank you so much! I’ll treasure it!”

“Eh? Ah, yeah. I’m glad you found something you like.”

I’m still okay, but that was a surprisingly painful expense.

“Thank you very much. Please do shop with us again.”

And so, we left the weapon shop.

——Ah, I forgot to thank Chris-san for saving me. I have to tell her later.

Translator Note

A setup flag!!!