An active hunter from Hokkaido was thrown into another world - Chapter 78

An active hunter from Hokkaido was thrown into another world

Chapter 78   Brave Tournament

And so, here we are. The aftermath of our efforts.

Having persevered through extensive eradication work in the Elven village for quite some time, the occurrences of deer, raccoons, wolves, bears, and the like have become exceedingly rare as of late.

We have significantly expanded our hunting grounds in the Elven village, more than doubling the previous range, yet our hunting yields remain at around half of what they used to be.

“Have you noticed a decrease in the amount of fur?”

“Yes, it’s evidence that our eradication efforts in the Elven village are succeeding. It’s a positive development.”

Saying this, the old man who buys our furs seems to worry.

“Doesn’t that mean your business is going downhill?”

“We’re not aiming to indulge ourselves or become wealthy, so it’s not a matter of greed.”

“It’s a lack of greed, indeed.”

Well, in a world like this, giving in to desires can lead to getting caught up in strange situations.

“I might be able to increase our activities here to compensate.”

“Well, that’s much appreciated.”

Whether it’s in Saaplast or neighboring Topurus, we’ve been quite busy with extermination every time we visit.

“Recently, even our young ones have started to change their mindset. They’re more actively involved in the extermination work. Your influence is significant. But it’s still quite dangerous. We’ve had instances where someone got killed by a pack of wolves.”

…I see.

Being a hunter is indeed fraught with danger.

“Are you planning to take on some tasks this time?”

“No, we came to see this.”

Saying this, I point at a poster posted in the guild.

Royal Capital Coliseum – Hero Tournament.

“Oh, so that’s your purpose as well.”

We don’t really know much about this world. We’re curious to see how the top individuals in this world fight, what kinds of magic they use.

We found this poster before and came with the intention of spectating.

“Well, count me in too!”

Bal descends from the second floor, making his presence known.

“Is that all you have to say?… You know, since we’re all going, you could at least suggest going together.”

“It sounds like a hassle.”

“…Once a year, the Hunter’s Guild holds its general assembly in conjunction with this event. We’re required to attend. Besides, you guys will take the carriage while you’re at it.”

“Are you trying to get us to provide free escort service?”

“Caught on, huh? We’ll depart tomorrow. If you have any business to attend to, get it done today.”

“Are we really capable of handling this?”

“Ballistes will accompany you.”

“For free?”

“They said they’d be delighted to join you.”

Of course, of course.

“Don’t make that unpleasant face. Do you guys have tickets for the arena?”

“We were planning to get them as day tickets.”

“You won’t be able to get your hands on those. It’s a once-a-year festival, you know? I’ve got something prepared, so use that. It’ll be your earnings for this time.”

“Th-Thank you very much.”

We found ourselves unable to refuse.

What a pity.

We’ll likely meet the members of Ballistes tomorrow, so today, I’ll also meet Lord Kyrif of the Saaplast domain. I’ve been told to make sure to drop by when I come. After all, we’re friends.

While I’m there, I might get asked to do some extermination work, but it’s a good relationship. We’re capable workers, and our standing among the farmers boosts the lord’s image. Both Lord Kyrif and Lord Faal make requests through the guild, so we receive legitimate recognition from the guild, which is quite appreciated.

Above all, being able to use firearms with confidence is the best thing.

“I wish I could go too… I’d love to see it.”

Lord Kyrif seems envious.

“I’m too busy to even think about that, and it’s a hassle for me to show up.”

“Is there something bothersome about it?”

“Well, you see, nobles from all over the country go to watch. There are plenty of nobles who send their personal guards and knights. It’s a point of pride for them if a hero from their household participates. I don’t have such people under my employ, and I’m tired of showing up at parties every day just to be bragged about.”

I see. It must be quite uncomfortable for a small, rural noble.

“Well, you know, I don’t think I could become a hero now. Instead of burdening oneself with something like that, one should focus on developing the domain. It’s all just a waste, a waste. I’m not interested, really.”

“You were saying you wanted to see it earlier, though.”

Well, Saran, that retort is a bit unfair, you know.

“As an event, it’s intriguing. But I wouldn’t want to become a vested party. I just want to watch it as a regular citizen. You guys go and have fun.”

“Yes.”

“Oh, by the way, Shin, how about participating as my representative? You seem like you could do well.”

“I absolutely decline.”

“I would never allow something like that to happen――――!!”

“Ahaha.”

The moment an opponent immune to firearms appears, I’d be done for.

After staying at a cheap inn, we headed to the guild the next morning and found the carriages prepared.

“Hey there, it’s been a while!”

“Indeed, it has!”

I high-fived with Bartil and the others from Team Ballistes.

“Welcome to the Hero Tournament!”

“Huh? Is someone from here participating?”

“As if that’d happen. Our levels are on a different plane.”

“Are we ready to go? Then let’s get moving!”

Bal seems quite eager, doesn’t he?

First stop, the neighboring Topurus.

Two sturdy, two-horse carriages filled with burly men—no bandits in their right mind would try attacking something like this. I might look the weakest among them, though.

Arrived in Topurus by night.

We stayed at another cheap inn here and were preparing to leave in the morning when the Count of Topurus, Earl Faal La Hawksburg, appeared at the gate…

“Shin, why didn’t you come by!”

“Well, we were just planning to watch the Hero Tournament…”

“Why didn’t you invite me!”

“There’s no way we could invite you! You’re a noble! An Earl! Please, think a bit about your own status!”

“It’s just another event where I’ll have to show up. I’m coming with you.”

“Fine, fine…”

Why does Faal always seem so interested in fun and quirky things?

Topurus is also one of the domains where I can confidently use firearms. We’ve taken on various extermination jobs here.

With two military escort carriages ahead and behind, Faal, who should be in the central noble carriage, somehow ended up in our carriage without invitation, in high spirits.

“Wow, this is delicious!” he says, sharing Saran’s lunch.

“Major nobles send their personal knights to participate in the Hero Tournament, don’t they?”

“That’s right. Well, I have absolutely no interest in such pointless matters, and we don’t have anyone skilled enough in our domain anyway.”

“Isn’t it the duty of nobles to have retinues for warfare and battling monsters?”

“Peace has been prevailing. Honestly, I find it to be wasteful expenditure. In essence, the Hero Tournament is a culmination of nobles’ vanity and worldly desires. This time, it’s particularly exciting. That Cross Wrench, who was a hero for five consecutive years, was hanged due to a scandal, right? We have to choose a new hero this year. Influential nobles from all over the country are sending their prized warriors to participate.”

“I see…”

“The King is actually fed up with it too. The Church is a mess as you can see, and this year, the Church Knights don’t have any strong contenders. Ideally, I’d want to abolish this whole thing, but the people love this festival commotion, so we can’t stop it even if we wanted to. It’s a hassle.”

Hmm, governing a country must involve quite a few necessary things.

Even in the municipal office where I work, there are plenty of things we’d like to stop due to budget constraints, but if it’s an event the locals look forward to, it’s hard to put an end to it.

It’s quite the same, isn’t it?

“What’s it like being a hero?”

“If you win, you become a hero. You’ll be attached to the royal palace. The noble patron takes care of you, but the palace has an obligation to fully support the hero’s activities. The tasks involve preventing the Demon King’s revival and defeating the Demon King if they do come back. Monster subjugation in various regions is also part of the job.”

“And if you can’t defeat the Demon King?”

“Interestingly, the hero who appears at the same time as the Demon King’s reappearance is usually as strong as, if not stronger than, the Demon King, and they usually defeat the Demon King. History has shown it.”

“What about when there’s no Demon King?”

“Well, they’re usually just the strongest fighter in the country.”

It’s quite a mysterious story.

Well, I suppose Nanotesu handles that sort of thing quite skillfully.

“Unfortunately, the Demon King tends to resurrect periodically. We can’t abolish the hero system for that reason.”

It seems to serve as a deterrent, after all.

“Anyway, it’s the kingdom’s main event. Even a rookie like me, an earl of only a year, has to attend the parties, greet other nobles, network, and engage in mountains of negotiations. It’s tiresome, but it’s a martial diplomacy. I envy you guys who can just enjoy watching.”

“That’s quite a predicament.”

“I’ll be watching from the VIP seats with the King. It’s a hassle.”

“Isn’t it an honorable thing?”

“More towards the back, actually. A young guy like me doesn’t get many chances to converse with the King. Ahaha.”

And so, after a leisurely journey, we arrived in the capital.

“I feel like I’m not making a good impression at parties because I don’t have a lady with me. Saran, can I borrow you for a bit? It seems like a fantastic bragging opportunity.”

“I have to decline.”

“I’ll provide you with the finest dress.”

“No way.”

Saran is being quite decisive.

“That’s right. She’s not someone’s wife.”

Ahaha, Faal chuckles.

“If you’re an earl and all, you probably have a fiancée or something.”

“…Don’t bring that up. I’m not good with those bothersome things.”

It’s a bit sad, isn’t it? But right now, he’s an unmarried earl without a fiancée, and he’s quite the handsome young man. His personality is straightforward and kind, so he’ll likely have a good match in the future.

“Well then, farewell!”

Faal, who’s been cheerful all along, gets onto his carriage and moves away.

As he heads towards the battlefield of a diplomatic sort, in a way, I offer my prayers for his success.

“Phew…”

Bal and Bartil let out sighs.

“It’s impressive how you can talk to the Earl like that. We were so nervous we couldn’t say anything.”

Saran and Bartil were seated on the coachman’s bench, and Faal, Bal, and I were in the passenger compartment.

…

It’s probably not the best way to approach things. We should show respect as well.

But it seems Faal wanted friends, and if I can be a friend to him, then I’d like to be there for him properly.

“Faal-sama doesn’t really mind such things, you know? He looks at me with those lecherous eyes, says foolish things – he’s an amusing person.”

Saran’s impression… well, that’s fine. Everyone seems to be a fan of Saran anyway.

As wealthy and high-ranking individuals’ carriages gather one after another in the capital, you might expect a bandit rampage, but we arrived in the capital without any commotion.

Considering the possibility that there might be warriors of hero class on board, it’s likely that no one would dare to attack.

We’ve arrived at the entrance of the Royal Capital Hunter’s Guild. We’ll leave our horses and carriages here.

“All right, you guys can stop here. Thanks for the escort. I’ll distribute the tickets.”

I receive a ticket from Bal.

Qualifiers tomorrow, finals the day after – they’re not on the same day!

“…Well, that’s the best I could manage. You guys figure out the details.”

That’s a bit vague, isn’t it?

“I’ll head back the day after the finals. Meet up here in the morning. Until then, feel free to explore as you like. Find your own lodgings. See you then.”

Saying so, Bal entered the Royal Capital Hunter’s Guild.

There seems to be a general meeting. He must be quite busy.

“I really want to see the finals no matter what.”

“I want to see both.”

“Me too.”

“I agree.”

“What about you, Shin?”

“We’re good. Faal-sama gave us tickets.”

“What?! Seriously?!”

He handed it to me when we parted earlier. Is this what they mean by having noble friends?

“Damn it all! Why?”

“Even if you ask why, we in Topurus are busy with plenty of extermination work as well.”

“That guy definitely has a thing for Saran. You guys better watch out!”

Is that so? Well, you guys aren’t any different when it comes to having an interest in Saran.

I’m used to such reactions by now.

More than that, finding accommodations was quite a challenge.

The city is nearly fully booked, ranging from expensive to cheap lodgings.

Indeed, even the capital city can’t accommodate all these visitors for the event.

Members of Team Ballistes also gave up on getting lodgings together and decided to camp in a makeshift campground outside the city.

It feels like a summer festival atmosphere, with barbecues starting all around, creating a sense of festive excitement on the eve of the event.

We also had a blast grilling meat in front of our tents for a barbecue. Since items in the Magic Bag don’t spoil, we prepared some provisions just in case. You never know what might be needed.

Saran and I are fine with suddenly camping, but it seems Bartil and the others brought along various things too, as they curl up in blankets to sleep.

We have proper tents, after all. We’re a married couple.

Our tents are quite noticeable. They’re modern aluminum-frame four-person tents.

Bought with the Magic Bag. Since they stand out too much like this, we drape a large cloth over them. Well, this should help disguise them… I hope.

…Bartil’s folks, why are you all surrounding our tent like this and sleeping? We’re not up to anything on a night like this…

Tomorrow marks the start of the qualifiers. I wonder who will participate. Looking forward to it.