Side: Flam
“Confirmed. Here is today’s request reward and purchase price.”
“Thank you.”
Today as well, I went hunting with Raus and Rebecca.
However, I can’t hunt as many monsters as Yamato or Prim, and my level is still lower than the average hunter, so I only managed to hunt a few low-ranked monsters.
The monsters I hunted today were four Glass Boas, five Lake Rabbits, and one Spiral Rabbit.
The Spiral Rabbit is a rare species of Horn Rabbit, but it’s a monster you encounter a few times a month, so it’s quite common for a rare species.
Even so, it’s a rare species, so we had a tough fight, and Raus sustained a serious injury to his left arm. After Rebecca administered first aid with Healing, we quickly returned to Feel and had him treated at the Healer’s Guild until just now.
Glass Boas are two meters long, so normally it’s a struggle to carry them back. However, we have a magic item called a Mirror Bag, which is imbued with Mirroring, so it’s not much of a hassle thanks to it.
The price is also reasonable; a Mirror Bag that can hold five Glass Boas can be bought for about 3,000 El, so it’s no exaggeration to say it’s a must-have for hunters.
“Wow, you encountered a Spiral Rabbit. But even though Raus got hurt, you should be glad it was only that much.”
As Prim said, the Spiral Rabbit is a C-rank monster, so I, Rebecca, who are I-rank, and Raus, who just became C-rank, are no match for it.
It thrusts its horns, which are spiraled to increase their piercing power, at a speed exceeding that of a Horn Rabbit. The speed is incomparable to that of a Glass Wolf or Green Wolf.
Raus’s iron round shield was also pierced and is now unusable, so I need to buy a new one.
It’s quite an expense, but I have no choice. Today’s earnings amount to about 12,000 El when combined with the reward and purchase price, so I might as well buy a Magic Silver shield.
“I think that’s for the best, but even so, it will still be difficult to stop the Spiral Rabbit’s charge. You should practice deflecting the attack rather than blocking it.”
“Deflecting? What do you mean?”
“It doesn’t necessarily have to be a shield. It’s a technique where you shift your body at the moment of impact to redirect the attacker’s momentum. It can also disrupt the opponent’s balance, making it easier to counterattack. Of course, it’s not easy, but I think it’s worth learning.”
Deflecting, huh?
It’s an advanced technique often used by renowned hunters and Orders, but I don’t think it’s something Raus can easily master yet.
However, if he can learn it, it will increase the survival rate not only for Raus but also for us sisters in the back ranks, so it might be worth having him practice it.
“I agree. Since we have time, I’ll help you practice,” Prim said.
“Eh!?”
Prim raised her hand, but Raus looked bewildered by the unexpected turn of events.
Naturally.
Prim’s attacks are far more powerful than any Spiral Rabbit. But for Raus, it will be good practice.
“Flam, I’ll take care of Raus and Rebecca, so you go ahead.”
I thought so, but Prim seemed to have another purpose. If she’s suggesting this to me, could it be that Meena…
“Meena officially became Yamato’s fiancée yesterday. We’ll be informing her parents in the Royal Capital by letter.”
Meena was accepted by Yamato. That’s great. Then, it’s true that the next turn is mine, but is someone like me really good enough?
“It’s fine. It’s true that Yamato has become P-rank and even evolved into an Ancient Human, but Yamato decides who he marries. Even if Royalty or Nobles say something, it doesn’t matter. So do your best. I’m rooting for you.”
With that, Prim took Raus and Rebecca and headed to the training room.
Yes, perhaps that’s true. Prim said that women need courage, and since women often propose marriage, women certainly can’t get by without courage.
“Well then, Flam, let’s go to Albert Workshop.”
“To Albert Workshop?”
“Yeah. We need to get a shield for Raus, right? Besides, I have some things I need to ask, so it’s perfect.”
Indeed, we can’t go hunting tomorrow without a new shield for Raus. Raus’s Iron Round Shield is dented and has a large hole the size of my arm from the Spiral Rabbit’s charge, so it’s completely unusable.
Moreover, being able to walk around Feel alone with him is a dream come true for me. I can only be grateful to Prim for giving me this opportunity. Therefore, I will definitely make Yamato turn his head.
Side: Yamato
I am heading to Albert Workshop with Flam. Of course, this was arranged by Prim, but I understand why she did it.
It’s to make Flam my wife. Through my engagement with Meena, I’ve managed to overcome some of my aversion to polygamy, but I still have some resistance to confessing to women day after day and asking them to be my wives.
I mean, right? If I married someone one day and then had another woman the next, and another the day after that, in my world, not only would it be frowned upon, but I’d be met with immense backlash from society and undoubtedly be socially erased. Furthermore, in my case, I’d be surrounded by my parents, siblings, relatives, master, friends, and acquaintances, and my life would be erased.
Here in Helios Orb, there’s no such worry. In fact, it’s actively encouraged, but for someone like me, who was born and raised in such a world, it takes immense courage to take that step. However, although I had heard Meena’s feelings, my own inner conflict got in the way, and it resulted in Meena being the one to initiate things. As a man, I wonder if this is right. No, in Helios Orb, it’s common for women to propose to a man who is already married, so perhaps it’s problematic for me to make the first move.
“Yamato-san, you know…”
“Hm? What is it?”
Flam opened her mouth timidly, her face blushing, but she seemed to be having trouble saying something.
“Um, if I also say I want to marry Yamato-san… would it be a bother?”
So, it’s here. Prim also said something similar before going to the training room, so I expected it, but she really did make us two alone for this, didn’t she?
However, the problem isn’t that, but how to respond. I don’t know the correct answer, but I think it’s best to be sincere in these situations.
“I don’t find it bothersome. Rather, by marrying me, you would be inconvenienced. Also, I have no intention of leaving Feel, so I would be using Flam and Meena for that. I don’t intend to, but it’s undeniable that it will end up that way.”
“That’s not a bother at all. Besides, if Yamato-san stays in Feel, I can go to Prada Village immediately if anything happens there. In that sense, I’m grateful too. But even so, in my heart, my feelings for Yamato-san are true. So, I want you to marry me too.”
“I want you to marry me.”
Meena said the same thing, but these are the words a woman says to a man who is already married. They say it starts with asking for the woman’s permission, and using this phrase is a way to convey seriousness and a determination to never change one’s feelings, no matter how many times rejected. I thought it was heavy when I heard it, but it’s not unpleasant to be loved that much, so most men, unless there are extenuating circumstances, will accept. Of course, I’d refuse arrogant or spendthrift women.
“The marriage will depend on the response from Meena’s parents, but is that okay with you?”
“Yes. I’ve heard about that from Prim-san and Meena-san, and I think it’s the right thing to do, so it’s fine.”
I didn’t expect them to say no, but you had plans on this side too? You’re too prepared, Prim.
“Understood. Then, will you marry me?”
“Yes!”
Flam hugged me with a beaming smile.
This is the third one. I’ve only been in Helios Orb for less than two weeks, but if I keep getting wives at this pace, I’m worried about what will happen to me.
“It’s not that easy to get a wife, you know.”
“Yeah. Well, if you’re an Ancient Human, women will come to you, so I think you’ll have at least ten for sure.”
Whoa! You startled me! I thought it was someone else, but it’s Ed and Marina. Wait, you two! Did you just see that?!
“We saw the whole thing perfectly. It’s not strange for someone to see it when you’re proposing in the street, is it?”
I can’t refute that… Flam’s face is also red, and she’s trying to hide behind my back.
That was our mistake, so let’s just accept it. Then, why do you know that I evolved into an Ancient Human? No, I have a general idea. But it’s still just a guess, so tell me the answer properly.
“Gram was spreading it, so it’s probably quite widespread in Feel too?”
“It has to be him!”
Gram is an Order in the Feel branch. When I first came to Feel, he was the human who guarded the gate with Meena. His full name is Gram Lanslow, and he’s also a level 43 High Human. I believe he’s the eldest son and heir of a baron’s family, but Rex said he’s a complete idiot who joined the Order’s Guild because he wanted to become an Order. I’ve talked with him a few times because we get along, but I haven’t eaten with him yet. I have been invited to a brothel, but I’ve never gone because I’ve often been too preoccupied. I kind of wish I had gone once, but if I said that, Prim, Meena, and Flam would kill me.
Gram is quite a joker. Of course, as an Order leader, he strictly adheres to the rules and regulations of the Order’s Guild and has never broken them. However, he has a bad habit of spreading rumors without hesitation, so if we tell him about Lapis Laz, Jade Silver, or Blue-Gray Iron, we might cause a situation that’s truly beyond a joke, and Ed and I are in a state of anxious fear.
Gram heard that I evolved into an Ancient Human, possibly from Rex or Rosemary, and is spreading the news to the townspeople while on patrol. No, knowing him, it’s more likely that he’s patrolling while spreading rumors. I’m going to properly discipline him this time.
