Chapter 14 (1/2)

Fourteenth Episode 〜Harvesting x Danger x Slide

Today, everyone aside from Raguren is going to harvest.

Apparently Raguren is busy hunting.

s.h.i.+sho leads us going down to the bottom of the cliff and advancing for a few hours.

The place we took time to arrive at was a place full and abundant with nature. The uneven soft dirt ground, the abundant beautiful flowers in full bloom, and the clean air. I let the sensation of the sound of birds and murmuring of the river heal my heart. Gra.s.s wrapped around the edge of a small river seen flowing, creating a rich green ridgeline.

The river water is really beautiful.

I can understand that even with amateur eyes.

Here is blessed as a source of raw natural material.

A source of edibles flowers and oils, the stalks which become string, the navy blue stems, the dark green medicinal plants, the fragrant gra.s.s which will become the material for soap, and the poisonous plants I don’t touch, etc. These natural benefits “become the articles which are indispensable to life for the Goldiba,” s.h.i.+sho explains to me while harvesting.

Continuing next to my ear, “Thanks to you, carrying a lot is possible.” Rabbi-san said with a smiling face. As I continued gathering many of the thickly growing flowers, s.h.i.+sho

“Because there’s the presence of monsters ahead I’ll go look. Please stay here.”

Saying so, he walks ahead.

Then the black cat also cries a purr, and parts from me, chasing after s.h.i.+sho.

When s.h.i.+sho sees the black cat has come to his said, loudly “With this, I can hunt with Divine Beast-sama,” he said joyfully with reddened cheeks.

Rabbi-san shows a slightly astonished face at his childish behavior.

“But please be careful〜”

And, throwing words after s.h.i.+sho’s back, she faces Refaa and me.

“Let’s hurry and harvest.”

“Okay. I’ll do my best.”

“Un, I won’t lose to Oka-san.”

In the place where the flowers grew thick, we harvest silently.

Flowers similar to morning glories, and hydrangeas too.

They’re twirled and blooming, there’s also a flower shaped like a tear flower.

I’m absorbed in harvesting while enjoying the flowers. Time pa.s.ses in this way, and Rabbi-san, Refaa, and I put distance between each other little by little.

At that time,

“Kyaa–”

Mm?

The sound of Refaa screaming from behind me.

When I turn around, a green vine was wrapped around Refaa’s foot, lifting her into the air.

–Uha, oh, ah.

When I follow the green vine coiling itself around Refaa’s foot, I see it’s connected to a plant-like monster with huge dark red lips. There’s a big vine like a tree trunk under the huge crimson lips, and from there innumerable green feelers extended out in all directions.

The feelers of the plant, are totally like the legs of an octopus. (TL: Tentacle monsters uses tentacle grab on loli.)

Although there are no suction pads.

While thinking such a thing, I react instantly. I wield the black spear lengthwise while jumping for the captured Refaa–the flash style spearman s.h.i.+p cuts the feeler into pieces.

I cut off the feeler coiled around Refaa’s foot in the air. At the same time, I catch Refaa midair. Ca

rrying her. Running immediately, I take a distance from the monster.

“Refaa, are you okay?”

“Un, I was caught, it hurts.”

“Then, stay here, I’ll kill that monster–”

Letting Refaa feel relieved with a smile, I turn back, and face the monster with huge crimson lips.

When I approach, the ghost monster lips (TN: I don’t know why he says ghost here.) discharges a green vine. The vine grows, extending like a whip. The green vine approaches, I ready my black spear, cutting it, and several vines fall to the ground.

As soon as the lopped of vines fall to the ground, they stopped moving and shrivel up.

The ghost lips continuously discharge numerous green vines.

The vines gather up, becoming one large vine and approaches me.

I try to avoid it, but its ability to pursue is unexpectedly high. It’s overbearing. And, I strike with my black spear in order to hit the fat green vine. The fat vine which was cut fell and scattered into pieces, but still, green vines extended from the body in swarms.

That is, it looks like it will give me a hard time.

Rollo and s.h.i.+sho return here.

“Shuya. I’m sorry for being late.”

“s.h.i.+sho!”

“Nya!”

“There were several wolves there. Aside from that, I have to thank you for helping Refaa.”

“Eh–Refaa?”

A green feeler approaches me in the middle of our conversation.

Cutting the feeler with a strong stroke, I continue talking.

“It’s fine. Rabbi, take care of Refaa. Concentrate on that fellow for now. The fellow is called “Zekurs.h.i.+a”……it’s just right. Try to kill him on your own. Divine Beast-sama. You mustn’t help him.”

“Nn, Nya.”

Rollo lowered her ears and replied. She seems to want to help me.

“Okay, I’ll try. Rollo, can you watch?”

This also seems to be part of training. When s.h.i.+sho returned I felt relieved, I turn cold eyes to the monster.

The crimson lips tremble up and down as if to say something.

The green feelers gather to the lower part of the boy. The lower body rises with a slithering sound, and the green feelers advance slowly while wriggling.

Those vines don’t multiply endlessly.

The numbers decrease.

So, I guess I’ll chop them up.

–I plunge forward.

Again, a green feeler is aimed at me while I run.

While I run I move the black spear head in a ∞ to hook the feeler, and chop it.  Again, I aim for the main body of the ghost lip monster, approaching it while maintain an overbearing bent forward posture.

–The sharp vines escaping from the movement of my spear, cut me and pain runs through my cheeks and arms, but I don’t mind it.

I approach the ghost lips monster, entering the range of air superiority of the spear, the moment. I rotate my body on my toes right in front of the approaching creeping plant to evade, and simultaneously I brace the black spear horizontally aiming for the root of the crimson lips with the black blade.

I succeeded by chopping the root of the crimson lips.

Revolving attack, it’s an action of a powerful sideways sweep.

When the huge lips cut off from the ground falls with a thud, it changes color, shriveling up becoming brown, and dies.

“You did well. The attack while dodging with the toe turn. It may be the results from ‘Dancing Prison.'”

“Shuya onii-chaaaan, so cooool–”

“Arara……”

Approaching next to Rabbi-san, Refaa ran here holding my leg to her face.

The harvesting for this day ends here.

We return to the Goldiba home quickly.

However, since then Refaa clings to me.

She comes to wake me up early in the morning almost every day, and she makes advances to come to come play if I’m idle. She sometimes doesn’t only play and causes trouble.

Refaa came early in the morning today.

“Shuya onii-chan. Let’s play.”

Hoping for a such a thing in the morning.

“It’s secret. Follow me.”

What is it? And I wanted to practice the spear, but I endure it and follow Refaa. Going down several ladders we advance among the mountains becoming a stronghold.

A natural slide with a slope continuing for eighty to a hundred meters. Water flow swiftly and the bottom becomes the deep basin of a waterfall.

I find such a nice place.

I listen to Refaa explain how she watches Raguran and Achilles-ji for a chance to get away from home and how she enjoying playing in this place.

“Pleease. Sliding here–”

When Refaa puts both her small arms around my leg, she slides using the momentum of the water. She falls into the waterfall basin with a splash.

Well, isn’t it okay?”

“–Puhaa, Shuya onii-chaaan, come on〜”

Ho, Refaa seems to be all right.

Well then, I wanna try it,

I enjoy the slide the same way

I was worried about my b.u.t.t, but it was needless anxiety.

My bottom is slippery from the water so I slide. Or should I say water gliding? Suddenly between my legs, I have gyun. (TL: I dunno.) Frozen in fear I drop to the water below. Giyui〜nnt–Amazing, it’s fun.

And like that, I plunged into the basin of the waterfall.

“Ahaha, a big water splash〜”

“Haha, yeah, I’m sorry. However, is this fun?”

“Un.”

“But, if it’s such a place, it seems there’ll be a danger of monsters……”

“Un, actually, it’s a monster like a monkey. But but, I run away fast, so it’s okay. I always escape, and the monkeys only give up strangely.”

I hear her, and I’m a little angry.

“It’s dangerous. That’s no good.”

“Eeeh, Shuya onii-can, until I say that kind of thing……”

“That’s right. The monster is dangerous. But, because I’ll keep my promise I’ll be careful to protect you.”

“Un, really, otosan, s.h.i.+〜right?”

Refaa puts a finger on her small mouth asking me to keep it a secret.

I am reminded many times afterwards to keep our secret.

Watching s.h.i.+sho and I train on different days to secretly imitate our actions. In addition to the hunting appearance of Raguren-otosan……

It’s fine, I did a dangerous thing……

I was careful, but she seems to want to try out her own bojutsu.

“I want to become strong.”

And, in talking in a state with a serious face, the future of this child became a little uneasy.

It looks to me like Raguren is struggling too, I sympathize with him inside.

I talk about myself. (TN: or “I tell my own story.”)

Becoming an adventurer is my goal, and I tell her about the goal regarding the precious sake orb for the sake of the black cat Rollodinu, we have a good time.

In that way, while giving priority to training Guidance Moji, three months pa.s.s.

At last, today I succeed.

Uu, I’m a little moved.

First I confirm it with magic observing eye.

I understood the sensation. I don’t see it if I emit mana.

This is because transparent mana was released.

When I check with magic observing eye, I understand from the light that the mana is being released properly.

After all, I did it!

“I did it, s.h.i.+shoooo〜”

Opening her eyes wide the black sleeping next to me jumped in surprise, while the tentacles waved in the air and the fur on her back stood on end.

“Ah, Rollo……I’m sorry?”

Rollodinu runs outside like she’s angry.

“Shuya, is something wrong? You made a loud sound.”

“The color changed!”

“What, such a thing……I want to say you did well, but you still have a long way to go. What did the released mana look like?”

“Yes. Storing fighting moji in my eyes, I looked properly. Using magic observing eye.”

“–Is that so, try doing it again.”

Achilles-s.h.i.+sho nodded his head, and gave instructions.

“Okay, I’ll try.”

I concentrate on my eyes……

Mana is being released from my arm.

And, I clearly see the s.h.i.+ning jagged band in front of my arm.

I try to stop releasing the mana.

“You’ve done well. You’ve successfully completed the first step of guidance moji. But, I see your movement. There’s a lot of study ahead……”

A short sword and long sword dances around s.h.i.+sho.

When I have the spear again s.h.i.+sho uses a skill similar to <thrusting>, in order to follow the short sword and long sword into the air and cut them down.

Incredible, amazing.

The offensive of the sword and spear intertwining, there was no chance for an opening.

“It’s possible to communicate the feeling of the attack. The movement of the short sword, I’m aware as I move them one by one. As for this it’s using the sword every bit over long years, I practiced flying sword style and continued forging it, as a result of training ten thousand days, I was able to forge guidance magic to this point. ……I think it takes time at first, but it’s reaching the point of being able to float one knife.”

s.h.i.+sho puts Miyamoto Musas.h.i.+’s words into a tsukkomi.

The lesson of ten thousand days. That’s right. I must train myself more. However, this guidance moji, I feel there’s a frightening flexibility different from fighting moji which is limited to the body. I’ll try asking a question.

“I see. Then, I have a question.”

“Mm? What is it?”

“While I repeatedly practice, This mana in this guidance moji changes into a weapon. For example, strengthening to image of a knife a ‘mana sword,’ could this be possible with guidance moji?”

Achilles-s.h.i.+sho smiles at my question and replies, “Hou, did you notice that?” while staring at me with heat in his eyes.

“It’s possible. With fighting moji there is the limit flesh and bones. But guidance moji and fairy moji use an image so it’s much more free. Yet, can you actually form the image of a sharp ‘knife’ with mana? Saying that, there’s no choice but to ask the question.”

Surely, normally that’s right.

“It seems difficult.”

“Ah, it’s not that difficult. If I sleep with a knife enough and always eat and talk with it, it may be possible. This is half a joke, but it’s a thing where you should imagine it with this feeling.”

Uh, isn’t that some kind of hentai. (TL: Hahahahahahhaha. This made me happy.)

“Saying that it’s possible, it will have huge mana consumption in addition to requiring considerable time and effort on your part. As it’s also difficult to maintain it might not be realistic……for the one that trained themselves with a real sword, it will become worthwhile. But, this is only the prevailing view. If it’s a person with abundant mana like Shuya, it may be possible.”

It’s possible.

“……That’s so. Though I think it’s impossible I’ll think about it.”

“You won’t understand unless you try it? My thinking may be outdated. At any rate, the strength depends on the image.”

s.h.i.+sho points to his head.

“In the old days, the time when s.h.i.+sho was an adventurer, was there no such master?”

“There was such a master. But, in this world……I don’t know. By chance, I may have not met one. (TN: Not sure here.) If there is such a master, I think magic will be ruined too. That’s because there would be no aria or crest……”

“Is that so……”

If, there is an enemy life that……I have to be ready.

Or how should I say it, it’s a good thing for me to aim for something?

Ruling the world with the power of the spear and guidance moji!

“……you should use this knife for moji training.”

When I get excited like that, s.h.i.+sho took a knife from his breast and handed it to me.

The blade of the knife is green.

Durable clothe is wound around the handle making it feel like a one-year term. (TL: Something about the period of an apprentice’s contract, it feels like something uniquely j.a.panese. If someone know I’d appreciate advice. 持ち手にはグルグル巻きに布が巻かれ年期を感じさせる物だった)

“Thank you. I’ll start right away.”

I lengthen the guidance moji with the image of lifting the knife with the released mana. But, it’s completely unaffected. There’s no feeling of touching it either……

“Do you have something like a hint for me?”

“Even if I say this or that, a person’s nature emerges strikingly……anyways, it’s to concentrate more and imagine it. I can only say that. Then, I’ll go see the field. I’ll see you later. And then……to advance to the next stage, as one would expect absorption is fast for you, but it seems it is impossible immediately. You should do it slowly and carefully.”

“Okay.”

He says so, but I who very much love training continue training guidance moji. But, sure enough, the knife doesn’t move an inch at all. To move the knife I put on the ground, trying to invoke my telekinesis, I continue to release mana at random.

There’s no progress at all in guidance moji the next day.

As is doesn’t go well, I sulked, but……

That night.

I’m called by Raguren and Achilles-s.h.i.+sho.

The place where I am called to, is the living room of the cabin where we always eat.

What it will be, I feel, but I understand immediately. On the table I can see an array of earthenware sake bottles and sake barrels.

“How is Shuya, too?”

Raguren advances shouting with a sake bottle in hand.

“Then, I’ll have one cup?”

I poured sake into an earthenware cup and took hold of it.

Sake, after a long time……is it the first time in the new world?

The color is dark. I carry the cup from the table to the entrance.