An active hunter from Hokkaido was thrown into another world

Chapter 23 Senior hunter escort practice

“In preparation for taking on the escort mission, it has been arranged for you to undergo practical training with a veteran. You will join a merchant escort convoy and gain firsthand experience. This is essential. Since you are amateurs, you will be treated as clients. You will need travel expenses, which you have to cover on your own.”

“Oh, by the way, what happened to the reward for the goblin extermination?”

“…I will convey the words of the Lord.”

Hmm, I can’t help but have a bad feeling about this.

“I have received the esteemed words from Viscount Altars, stating that it was a commendable act.”

That’s right, I knew it…

“Sorry. Those guys, they pay upfront beforehand, but they won’t pay afterwards. Well, just think of it as how things work. Before undertaking any task, make sure to have a proper contract and receive as much of the reward as possible in advance, or accept jobs commissioned by the Guild. Remember that.”

“Yes, I understand it deeply now.”

Protesting seems pointless and bothersome.

It seems Saran feels the same way. She’s squinting her eyes too.

“I was the one who urgently requested your help, so I feel responsible. Therefore, the Guild will cover the cost of your training. I will also introduce you to a party to join. Please forgive me.”

“Yes.”

“Well, it can’t be helped.”

Three days later, while waiting and exterminating deer and coyotes, I was informed by the old man in charge of purchases that the caravan we would be joining had been decided.

In the morning, as I headed to the eastern gate, I saw many carriages unloading their cargo.

About twelve vehicles, I guess.

It feels like something out of an old western movie, like a stagecoach.

“Hey, you guys are the ‘Raccoon Heads,’ huh? That’s a cool look you’ve got there.”

…Did we really end up with that name?

The matching hats we both wear are raccoon-themed, not tanuki. And what we’re wearing is full-body camouflage clothing.

Definitely not tanuki.

We were approached by a middle-aged man, towering in height and wearing well-worn armor made of steel plates, just as sturdy-looking as Saran.

“So you’re the mighty Saran and the pigeon slayer, Shin.”

Could we please have a slightly better nickname?

So we’re already famous for that. How disappointing…

“I’m Bartil, a Rank 2 Hunter. I’m the leader of Team Ballistes. I’ve heard about you from the Guild Master. They say you wiped out twelve goblins. I was curious to see who would come, but it’s you guys…”

“Do you know about us?”

“I saw you shoot down a pigeon here. You were using a strange slingshot, but you hit it quite accurately.”

He said with a laugh. Quite a lively person, indeed.

“I’ve also heard that you use strange tools. The Master told me, ‘Don’t ask, don’t look.’ Seems like you both use quite unusual items. Are you practitioners of magical artifacts?”

“Well, something like that. Both of us specialize in long-range attacks.”

I have my M870 shotgun with a 26-inch barrel and loaded with buckshot. Since I have a gun cover, you can’t see what I’m carrying.

Saran, on the other hand, has that super-long bow. I thought she could have used a spear, but oh well.

Bartil nodded in response.

“Well, even so, if you can take down a Lavalas Crocodile and defeat twelve goblins, then you must be the real deal. I trust you on that. Bal vouched for you as a promising newcomer. I’m counting on you.”

“Yes, we appreciate your help.”

We both bowed and expressed our gratitude.

“For now, you’re treated as clients. Watch our work. But since it’s a training session, you’ll also be on lookout duty and participate in combat when necessary. Your main role is to support us. Is that clear?”

“Yes.”

“Ballistes, assemble!”

We were introduced to the members.

There’s Bartil, the spear wielder and leader. Then there’s Mild, a swordsman with a one-handed sword and shield.

These two seem to have been partners for many years and are close in age.

There are also two wizards, one specializing in offensive magic and the other in healing and defensive spells.

In addition, there’s another archer. So it’s a party of five. All of them are men.

…Yeah, that’s true.

It’s not like women would do the job of a hunter, right?

There’s no way there are fantastical, beautiful girl adventurers or anything like that.

Even in the hunting association I used to belong to, there wasn’t a single woman.

Those popular “hunting girls” nowadays are just urban legends in small rural towns like mine.

Apparently, it’s unheard of for a hunter to be married and have a wife who joins them in hunting. Bal mentioned that. Yes.

I was told, “If you have a wife, get a decent job…” Well, that’s what they said.

If possible, I might want that too. Yes.

“I thought you were sticking grass and leaves to yourselves, but it’s actually dyed fabric… Impressive.”

“Yes, it’s equipment we use to blend into the mountains and forests to get closer to prey.”

Bartil admires our camouflage outfits.

“We’re hunters for all sorts of jobs, but you guys are specifically hunters, huh?”

“Well, yes.”

“There’s not much of a difference. It’s just whether the target is human or animal.”

He laughs heartily.

I can’t really find it funny…

Everyone boards the lead carriage and the rearguard carriage. Mild takes command of the rearguard. We ride with Bartil in the lead carriage.

Apparently, bandits are foolish enough to think they can win if they attack from behind, so they increase the number of people at the rear.

And now, it’s time to depart!

Our destination is the neighboring town of Topurus. It’s a larger town than Saaplast, where we were. It’s located inland, away from the river.

It’s our first journey on land and a new town for me and Saran. It’s quite exciting.

“While we were told not to ask or look, since we’ll be fighting together, it would be nice to have a general idea of our comrades’ weapons and at least learn what they are and how to use them.”

Bartil asks me.

Currently, Saran is sitting next to the driver, keeping watch.

She’s sensitive to the presence of enemies and animals, making her perfect for the lookout duty.

“Well, this is it… It’s a shotgun.”

I uncover the M870 to show it to him.

“…I’ve never seen anything like this before. It shoots magic, right?”

“Well, something like that.”

“How far can it reach?”

“Well, about the same as a regular bow, but it has more power than a bow.”

“Can anyone use it?”

“Well, it’s impossible for anyone but me.”

Well, to be precise, it’s “impossible without ammunition,” but…

“Did you make it yourself?”

“No, it was made by a craftsman.”

“What kind of craftsman?”

” Eliphalet Remington.”

He is the founder of Remington Arms Company, a legendary figure in the firearms industry who excelled in everything from gun barrels to firearm production. Remington is the oldest firearms manufacturer in the United States that has existed since before the Civil War, so I’m not lying.

“I’ve never heard of that person. If they can create something like this, they should be well-known…”

“Well, he passed away over a hundred years ago. This is something I inherited from my grandfather.”

“I see. It must be a precious item. Take good care of it.”

“Yes.”

I managed to evade the truth and avoid lying.

It seems like they somehow sensed that I was hiding something.

“Um…”

“Hmm?”

I’d like to change the topic soon.

“How do you differentiate between bandits and robbers?”

“Well, if you’re carrying weapons, you’re a bandit.”

“But what if ordinary people carry swords for self-defense when traveling?”

“It’s forbidden for ordinary people to carry weapons. When traveling, they ride in stagecoaches.”

Oh, is that so?

“…Come to think of it, we used to walk around together quite often.”

“Hunters are different. They are allowed to carry weapons. If stopped, they just need to show their identification cards.”

“But how can you tell if someone is a hunter or a thief?”

“Well… It’s hard to explain, but you’ll know when you see it. We escort hunters are familiar with other hunters. It’s better for you two to get to know your fellow hunters as well. It wouldn’t be funny if you were mistakenly targeted for extermination.”

It wouldn’t be funny indeed…

“Well, bandits are easily recognizable. They’re dirty, smelly, and the worst kind of people. They don’t look as put together as you two, and having a woman with them is unthinkable. And hey, even we don’t look like thieves, right?”

That’s true. It’s obvious that all of you have quite impressive equipment at first glance.

“You two should keep wearing those hats. They make a good marker.”

So, it’s settled with Raccoon Heads, huh? Should we introduce ourselves as “Racoon Heads” from now on?

“There’s someone!”

Saran raises her voice, and both Bartil and I lean forward to look ahead.

“…? Where?”

“Just up ahead. Five people. They look like hunters.”

“…The young lady has a sharp gaze. Let’s stay alert, just in case.”

Bartil takes Saran’s place and sits next to the driver.

Saran and I peer from behind.

“Oh, that’s Tyra’s party. They’re in charge of patrolling the highway.”

Five people, yielding the road to the caravan and waiting on the side.

Bartil waves his hand, and the five lightly nod and smile.

They’re equipped with bows, spears, and swords, but… they look a bit unkempt.

So, are bandits even more disheveled than this?

We need to pay attention to our appearance as well.

“When it’s not robbers, it’s customary for them to yield the road and wait like that. If you obstruct them, they won’t hesitate to shoot you with their bows. Remember that.”

“Yes, we’ll be careful.”

“And thieves come in larger numbers. Over ten is common.”

“With such a small escort, can we really stand up against them?”

“Those who engage in thievery are desperate rascals. They don’t have the luxury of being an elite few. If they had the skill, they would have chosen a different profession long ago. They rely on surrounding and intimidating or attacking through sheer numbers… that’s how they operate. They’re not our enemies.”

Quite confident, I must say. It’s reassuring.

“Well, the stretch between Saaplast and Topurus is a major highway. There aren’t many bandits who would dare operate in such a heavily trafficked area. We escorts are doing our job properly, and the Guild is strict about wiping out bandits on the spot. It may have been profitable a hundred years ago, but being a bandit is no longer a lucrative business. However, there have been recent reports of bandit groups.”

Even a country bumpkin like me knows about the concept of a “death flag.” I’ve purposely avoided mentioning it, but… well, there you have it.

“Bandit groups appear. Hunters provide escort. Bandit groups disappear. It becomes safer, and merchants start traveling without escorts. Then, the bandit groups appear again. It’s a never-ending cycle.”

Humans, it seems, are the same everywhere when it comes to not learning from their mistakes.

“There are people! More than five!”

“…They’re bandits. But wow, the young lady has sharp instincts.”

Perhaps it’s because she’s an elf.

Impressive, Saran.