An active hunter from Hokkaido was thrown into another world - Chapter 63

Blessing of the Goddess – Chapters

Chapter 63   What kind of occult is the wolf man?

“In the stretch of road between Saaplast and Topurus, you see, there’s this Wolf Man that appears.”

“…Isn’t that just a thief wearing a wolf fur disguise?”

“It only comes out during the full moon.”

“Well, if that’s the case, you could simply close the road on those nights, right?”

“We conducted a joint search with the militias from Saaplast and Topurus, but after just one casualty, they’re all spooked. The road has been closed for three days now.”

“All day long?”

“Yes.”

What a bunch of cowards. Can’t they allow regular passage on nights other than the full moon?

“So, the trade between the two cities has taken a massive hit. The Merchant’s Guild is pressuring us to resolve this.”

“Isn’t it safe until the next full moon?”

“The soldiers were attacked not on a full moon night.”

“What happened to the setup where it only comes out on the first full moon?”

“Always with the nitpicking, Shin…”

Of course, that’s bound to be pointed out as a contradiction.

Please, handle it properly…

“Anyway, it appeared on the night of the full moon, that’s the point.”

In other words, the full moon isn’t relevant. It’s probably just a coincidence.

“They couldn’t defeat it even with the armed forces.”

“Yeah, that’s right. Arrows bounce off and even slashing doesn’t penetrate.”

“Well, then I guess I have no role to play.”

“Come on, don’t be like that!”

If arrows don’t go through, then bullets wouldn’t either. I really don’t want to face it.

“Shin’s gun is more powerful than my arrows, though.”

Saran, I think it’s best if you stayed quiet about that.

“…Anyway, just listen to the Lord’s story once! He asked me to tell you to come to the mansion right away if you guys showed up!”

That would be Kyrif-sama. He’s still in his teens. Just last year, the previous head of the household passed away due to an assassin’s sniper. He’s the current head of the household.

Younger than me, yet already a lord. If you look at the position, he’s like the mayor.

The closest town to the elf village, Saaplast. It’s a remote city in the kingdom. If trade stops with the neighboring territories, it would deal a heavy blow to the economy.

Soon, we were loaded onto a carriage and arrived at the lord’s mansion.

“You came! I’m glad!”

A warm welcome indeed.

Kyrif-sama came over quickly and we were led into the salon.

They offered tea and sweets, so I gladly accepted and started munching away. Saran had a cheerful smile, enjoying the treats.

“I was indebted to you in last year’s attempted assassination of the king. Right after that, messengers arrived from the royal palace. Both I and Faal were promptly granted titles, and now we are the formal lords of this place.”

“While I’d like to congratulate you, it might be considered insensitive considering the circumstances surrounding the head of the household’s unfortunate passing.”

“No, there’s no need to be cautious. I believe it’s all thanks to you guys,” Kyrif said with a sigh.

He must have been through a lot.

“You’ve heard about the wolf man, haven’t you?”

“Yes. What kind of being is it?”

“According to the reports from the armed forces, from a distance, it appears human. Walks on two legs, covered in fur, with a wolf-like face. It’s a walking wolf. It moves fast… Arrows and swords are deflected.”

“It sounds formidable.”

“…One of our men fell victim to it. Managed to escape and come back.”

“I heard about the joint expedition with Topurus, though?”

“Well, I can’t exactly say it went smoothly. I apologize.”

“And then?”

“We’ve closed off the southern gate and increased security.”

“Is that all?”

“That’s all they’re willing to do…”

It seems you’re facing quite the challenges. Being a young lord, your subordinates might be underestimating you.

“What’s even more painful is that we can’t establish contact with Topurus. If I could talk to Faal, we might be able to come up with some strategies…”

Lord Faal of Topurus, a childhood friend since their early days. Both being young lords, it seems they’re working hard together, supporting each other. It’s a situation where you’d want to help in any way you can.

“I am considering heading directly to Topurus.”

“Isn’t that dangerous!?”

“I will fight for the sake of my people, should the need arise. It’s the duty of a noble.”

The concept of Noblesse Oblige, isn’t it?

“But here’s the thing…”

“An escort, right?”

“Exactly. We can’t rely on the armed forces.”

“Just us might not be enough…”

“Perhaps we should approach the Ballistes as well. They might be willing to help.”

Guildmaster Bal nodded and suggested, “Please, go ahead.”

Lord Faal himself journeyed to Dried Brick Town, and we all headed to Ballistes’ headquarters. They were quite surprised. After all, it was a personal visit from the young lord.

“We have been humbly graced with your presence in such a humble abode…”

“Skip the formalities. Get to the point.”

After hearing the situation, the members of Ballistes seemed eager. Their leader, Bartil, said, “With Shin around, it should be fine.”

Well, they’re putting their trust in me…

The reward is fifty gold coins for each member. Considering we’re acting as guards, it’s quite generous. Normally, for an escort job, a team would receive five to ten gold coins. With five members from Ballistes and two of us, it would be around seven coins per person.

“Then, we’ll depart tomorrow.”

We stayed at Ballistes’ headquarters and had what they called a strategy meeting, which was essentially a big meal. Saran prepared enough food for seven people… My apologies for causing trouble.

The following morning.

A determined squad of two four-horse carriages.

In the lead, the coachman, Saran, myself, Bartil, and Kyrif.

Following behind, the archer and coachman, Lant, Vice Leader Mild, Recovery Specialist Newton, and the magician.

We open the closed southern gate and head towards the neighboring territory, the estate of Count Faal La Hawksburg, Lord of Topurus.

Even Lord Kyrif is wearing armor today, with a sword at his side. No noble enters the battlefield unprepared for the worst. Truly admirable.

As the fields continue and we reach the outskirts, the tension grows.

“According to reports, it’s close…”

“Alright, Coachman, switch with me. Saran, sit by the side and keep an eye out. Shin, stay in the back.”

Bartil took the reins and sat beside Saran.

I readied my Remington M870 with an 18-inch slug barrel and loaded it with a full charge of 7 buckshot rounds, waiting.

Nerves set in.

“Halt.”

“Saran raised her voice, signaling a stop.”

“Over there in the woods. Something moved.”

“Swoosh!”

“A black shadow darted, suddenly leaping at the horses!”

“Neighhh!”

The lead horse thrashed as it was seized by the neck!

“What is this!”

A face like a wolf, covered in shaggy gray fur, resembling a gorilla!

Saran drew her bow and pulled back the string,

While I slipped between them, thrusting the barrel forward and rocking the forend back and forth!

Simultaneously, we fired!

Boom! Swish!

“Got a hit!”

“The arrow was deflected!”

The buckshot struck the wolf man’s profile head-on!

The wolf man’s head jerked, nearly falling off, and he tumbled from the horse. In the momentum, the first two horses toppled sideways!

Boom!

“One more shot! Aim for the wolf man’s torso!”

The wolf man turned towards us, mouth agape, baring his teeth!

Another shot straight into his face!

Boom!!

The werewolf, clutching its face, rolled and then sprinted away on all fours, disappearing into the distance…

What a creature.

After taking three direct shots at close range, it’s astounding that it could still manage to escape.

Unbelievable.

“Did we manage to drive it off somehow?”

Bartil stood atop the carriage platform, spear in hand, scanning the surroundings.

“My ears are ringing…”

I’m sorry, Saran. I fired at point-blank range.

Out in the open, like in the outskirts, you don’t need earplugs for firing a shotgun. It’s quite tolerable, just one or two shots.

However, for those in front of the shooter, the noise is incredibly loud.

“This horse is done for. It was a good one. I apologize, Kyrif.”

Bartil released the reins of the lead horse that had been pounced on, setting it free from the carriage. Blood was flowing from its neck. Unstoppable.

In this era, and even in the modern world I came from, horses are delicate creatures. Once injured, they can’t be easily treated. Like many wild animals, an injury often means the end of their life. I’ve heard that a racehorse with a broken leg is euthanized on the spot because treatment is impossible.

“Heave-ho!”

Bartil slapped the hindquarters of the released horse, and it stumbled forward.

“We need to leave this place immediately! Shin, cover the rear!”

Guiding the remaining horses, the two carriages raced at full speed. Looking back, I saw that the horse left behind had once again been attacked by the wolf-man.

A ruthless decision, but Bartil’s judgment is truly remarkable.

I reached into the magic bag and pulled out the Remington M700 as the carriage swayed, aiming it behind…

I shot the horse.