An active hunter from Hokkaido was thrown into another world - Chapter 11

An active hunter from Hokkaido was thrown into another world

Chapter 11   A major event is happening.

Morning.

Swoosh, swoosh… Wash up, have breakfast, and go canoeing downstream.

I was feeling like, “Let’s go!” Fully energized after a good night’s sleep!

Saran skillfully maneuvers the paddle, swinging it in front. She’s no longer wearing the camouflage outfit from earlier; now she’s dressed in a green sleeveless top with an elf-like style.

Strong arms, broad shoulders, and a slender waist with long braided blonde hair.

Hmm… She’s beautiful. To think that such a person would be my bride, I truly feel fortunate.

“I can see it… but something seems strange.”

Huh?

Standing on the canoe seat, I look ahead through binoculars.

Men are hastily launching numerous boats from the river’s dock.

They seem frantic.

I wonder what happened…

As a precaution, I take out the Remington M870 from the magic bag, cover it, and hold it close.

A crowd of elves has gathered at the dock, causing a commotion.

Amid everyone’s attention, I gently dock the canoe at the pier.

“I’m Saran from Kopori Village. Is there something wrong?”

“Saran-chan!?”

“Isn’t that Ern-san? It’s Ern-san, right?”

Oh, you know each other.

“Saran-chan, you’ve grown so much… Ah, but that’s not important right now!”

“What’s wrong!?”

“The children, the village children, have been kidnapped by human thieves!”

“Really!?”

“Everyone went after them just now!”

“Are they escaping down the river?”

“Probably… Wait, are you a human?!”

Everyone is shocked.

The men present immediately point their swords, spears, and bows at me!

“Wait, wait, wait! This person is my husband! My husband! We’re married!”

Saran waves her hands frantically, and I raise mine to show that I have no intention of resisting.

“Saran-chan, did you marry a human…?”

“We can discuss that later! We’re chasing after the thieves, right?”

As I raise my voice, Ern swings her hands in the air.

“That’s right!”

“Let’s go!”

“Alright, I’ll be back, Ern-san!”

Thud!

Saran pushes the paddle against the dock and swiftly rows the canoe downstream with great force.

I hang the gun over my shoulder and paddle along.

What incredible speed! Such powerful strokes!

You’re amazing, Saran!

In no time, we catch up to the rowboats of the leading elven men and overtake them!

They seem to be shouting angrily, but we pay no attention. Time is of the essence.

We continue paddling vigorously.

What incredible speed… Are you never tired, Saran?

Sweat glistens on the back of my neck.

But seriously, who are these kidnappers…

“I see them!”

A small boat, about five people on board. They’re creating splashes as if they were river dolphins.

I observe through the binoculars. Dirty-looking men. Humans…

Click, clack, click, click, click, click!

I load five rounds of buckshot into the chamber and magazine of the M870.

It’s a 8.4mm shotgun shell loaded with nine pellets for deer hunting. The barrel is a 26-inch smoothbore with a full choke.

…Am I really going to shoot a human?

…Can I actually do it?

Swish!

An arrow flies towards us. Saran skillfully maneuvers the paddle to dodge it.

Are they trying to kill us!

Distance: 50 meters!

“Saran! Stay side by side!”

Saran paddles forcefully to align with the boat.

On the boat are five men. Distance: 30 meters!

A sack is moving. It must be one of the kidnapped elven children.

Goosebumps cover my skin.

What are these people…!

I aim at one of the men drawing his bow.

Click!Boom!

One of them collapses and falls into the river!

Another one, with a bow!

Click!Boom!

Splash… they fall into the water.

One of them brandishes a sword, shouting angrily.

Towards his chest.

Click!Boom!

Thud.

He collapses on the boat.

Click!Boom!

A man takes a shotgun blast to his abdomen and falls into the water.

“Close in!”

Saran steers the canoe closer.

The only one remaining is the man holding the reins of the river dolphin.

“Don’t move! Stop the boat!”

As the man pulls the reins, the river dolphin surfaces, spraying water into the air.

“Raise your hands and lie down on the boat. If you move, I’ll kill you!”

Even if he doesn’t know what I did, he understands that not obeying would result in him ending up on the boat, covered in blood, just like the men lying there. The man holding the reins must have understood that too.

…

Saran boards the thieves’ boat and opens the sack.

“It’s alright now…”

A trembling elven girl inside the bag.

Thank goodness… she’s safe.

Afterward, it was tough being surrounded by the elven men who came chasing after us.

I put away the gun in the magic bag, raised my hands, and tried to appear unarmed for the time being.

Saran keeps her sword pointed at the boatman who has been bowing down with the sword on the boat.

The man who was shot in the chest with buckshot is barely breathing. There’s a hole in his lung. If left alone, he’ll die.

“This guy is one of the thieves. The rest have been taken care of. The girl is safe!”

“What about you?”

“I’m Saran from Kopori Village.”

Oh— voices rise from the men.

She’s a famous person!

“This is my husband. We’re still newlyweds, so be careful how you speak to us!”

“But he’s a human! Saran-san, you married a human?!”

“What’s wrong with that!”

“…”

Seems like they’re not happy. Please stop using that tone…

Afterward, we tied the canoe to the boat and let the river dolphin pull us back to the dock.

The men struggled against the river’s current as they rowed. Well done, you worked hard.

“Mama!”

The elven girl runs and clings to a woman.

She’s completely in tears. It’s a relief.

The village chief of Tokor, the elven village along the river, arrived for questioning.

There are the bodies of the men. The boatman from the gang is also here. The child was saved, and most importantly, Saran is here.

It was a bit difficult for them to understand that I’m Saran’s husband, but once I showed them the introduction letter from Kopori Village’s chief, they seemed to accept it.

“Occasionally, there are incidents where elven women and children are kidnapped and sold… It’s unfortunate, but we were fortunate to prevent it from happening this time. I appreciate your assistance. Let’s welcome Saran from Kopori Village as our honored guest.”

Cheers erupted.

Thank goodness… I thought I might get killed, to be honest.

“But what about these wounds? I’ve never seen anything like this before.”

The village chief examines the bodies of the man who collapsed on the boat, the one we hastily picked up to prevent him from being swept away, and the three retrieved bodies. They bear extensive gunshot wounds from a powerful shotgun.

“It’s my husband’s magic,” Saran says casually, and the village chief widens his eyes.

“What kind of magic… You’re no ordinary person. Truly fitting for Saran’s husband, I suppose…”

That night turned into a welcoming celebration. Fires were lit in the square.

Saran is quite popular. People from the village gather to catch a glimpse of her.

Especially the rescued girl, she sticks close to Saran and doesn’t let go.

I quietly blend into the background, making sure not to attract attention or be approached, and enjoy the meal peacefully.

“You’re Saran-chan’s husband, huh?”

Ern-san approaches and sits beside me.

“Yes.”

“Saran-chan got married… I guess I’m getting older too…”

Oh no, Ern-san, you still look like an incredible beauty to me.

“She was just a child, and now she’s grown so much.”

Indeed, she has grown a lot.

I chuckle softly. How old are you, Ern-san…?

“Is Saran famous here too?”

“Yes, indeed. She’s the strongest warrior among the elves. Even men can’t match her.”

I had no idea…

That’s surprising.

“Finding someone to marry her wasn’t easy. You see, elven men may be slender, but they have such high pride.”

Ah, I can kind of understand.

“I’ve heard about that, but I never imagined she would marry a human.”

“Ahahaha… But you know, I’m happy. I think she’s a wonderful wife.”

“I see…”

…

“Take good care of her.”

“Of course.”

“We’ve heard the stories!”

Oh, here comes a burly elf, which is quite rare!

“So, you’re the one who took down all the thieves!”

“Well, yes.”

“And on top of that, you married Saran!”

“Yes.”

“Wow, you’re amazing! Let me pour you a drink!”

Uh… I can’t actually drink alcohol, but I can’t refuse, can I…

I take a gulp.

Ugh… What is this…

“Marrying Saran, that’s amazing!”

“You must be stronger than Saran!”

“We can’t compete with someone like you!”

“To think there was such a hero among us!”

Saran… Who exactly are you…

“Enough already.”

Saran approaches and effortlessly lifts me up.

“We’re newlyweds, you know? Let us get some rest already.”

Everyone exchanges glances.

“Oh right! Use that cabin over there!”

Use it… let us use it…

Phew…

Um… Saran-san, are you drunk?

Just like that, being carried like a princess, we entered the cabin and fell onto the sleeping mats.

We fell asleep, didn’t we?

I guess I’ll go to sleep too… I’m tired…