On the seventh day of collecting magic stones.
Today, the weather was clear but the terrain was challenging. Sleep deprivation had erased any sense of the date. We finished collecting magic stones and were on our way back. As I moved through the trees and leaped over rocks, I realized I could walk even in my sleep.
“Are we leaving the forest like this?”
Of course, I asked this while I was awake.
“Yeah, we can get out of the forest if we walk until evening. Then we’ll go to Zivil Village and enjoy ourselves. It’s the day of the bull-running festival now.”
Bull-running, could it possibly be that thing where cows chase you, just like the name implies?! I had always wanted to see it. People running away from cows at full speed through narrow, cobblestone alleys.
I think we had to run all the way to the bullring. I wonder if there was a prize if you came in first. If I use Godspeed now, I could be first. I’ll run, escape, come in first, and become the lucky man.
Besides, Zivil Village is Alana’s hometown. It wouldn’t be bad to show off in front of Alana. Alright! If I can participate as a regular, I’ll take first place and get a congratulatory kiss from Alana.
My eyes sparkled with impure motives, and my steps became lighter. My lightened footsteps pulled everyone along, and we arrived at Zivil Village well past noon. Motivation really makes your body move.
The captain informed us that we would return to Koatotemites City after watching the bull-running tomorrow, and until then, we were free to enjoy the festival.
For the White Lily Corps, I and Priscilla would participate, while the other three would observe. Mages were prohibited from participating, and Christine wanted to watch. Indeed, there are people who fly in the sky with magic, and even if Christine doesn’t feel danger, mere hostility can tragically trigger her heart attack, so it’s better she doesn’t participate.
We headed to the registration to see if we could participate, while the other three went to look for Alana. The village wasn’t that large, but a fence was built in a circle in the center of the village, making it look like a bullring.
A lively atmosphere and stalls enhanced the festival, and there were many men who seemed to be adventurers, likely participating in the bull-running festival.
“So, I just have to chase the bulls?”
“No, I think you probably have to run away from them.”
“In that case, it’s a bull-running-away festival, isn’t it?”
It could certainly be interpreted that way, but it’s called bull-running because the bulls chase, isn’t it… While wondering why I had to run away, I arrived at the registration.
“Is there general participation?”
A cat demi-human man at the registration assisted me. Probably “mister,” though it’s hard to tell an immortal’s age. The well-groomed, plump cat demi-human mister told me in a round voice.
“Yes, you can. Are you two participating?”
Sorry, did I say “mister”? I couldn’t tell the age or gender of the unfamiliar cat demi-human. I hope Alana doesn’t gain weight.
After we finished registering, we were about to look at the bulletin board with the competition details, but at Priscilla’s suggestion, “Let’s eat something,” we decided to follow the delicious smell. It feels nice, like a little date.
Sofia and the others found Alana, who had become a festival committee member, and arrived at the meeting place first. Alana, perhaps happy to see me, immediately hugged me, but hugging with full force is painful, so I told her to take it easy.
We were going to stay at Alana’s farm, a little distance from the village, tonight. Please stop laughing at me from behind when I was stiff as a board for the greeting with her parents.
Honestly, I was wondering how to greet them. I can’t exactly say, “Your daughter is performing brilliantly on the battlefield,” or “Your daughter and I are on guard duty together.”
Guard duty aside, Alana’s father, who knew I had become a mercenary, said, “What good is a young man if he hasn’t killed five or ten people by now? Gahahahahaha,” leaving me speechless. His wife just chuckled, looking like she saw right through me.
Naturally, there wasn’t enough room for all of us, so we were lent a barn. Alana offered me a room, but it’s Priscilla’s turn for guard duty today.
Coming this far, I had a dangerous idea! Priscilla’s participation in tomorrow’s bull-running festival. It’s fine if she just participates, though. If I use my Godspeed, I won’t lose.
Then, what will Priscilla do if she can’t win?
The answer was simple. The corps rule is “annihilate those who interfere,” so I, interfering with her victory, would be annihilated.
This is bad. Really bad. She’s the kind of person who can easily break a collarbone. For the sake of victory tomorrow, she might kill me. She probably won’t kill me, but I should expect my leg bones to be broken.
Priscilla said she would wait in a soundproof tent. In that confined space, my Godspeed would be useless. Should I stop going and sneak into Alana’s room… No, she’ll definitely come into my room.
What about sleeping outdoors? But if I’m attacked while sleeping… What should I do? How should I handle this? The way to overcome this crisis is…
I deliberately chose the path leading to the soundproof tent. Reckless, you say? Not at all. Before I’m killed, I’ll kill them. I made up my mind and approached the tent.
It’s not that I’m afraid to enter. I’ll just catch my breath a little here and breathe. Once I enter, I’ll kill when I see an opportunity. Once I enter, I’ll do it when I see an opportunity.
“Priscilla, I’m coming in.”
Damn it! The soundproof tent wouldn’t let outside sounds in! Don’t panic, don’t panic, I told myself. I took a deep breath and exhaled, “Haaa.”
Here I go! It’s a showdown. Be prepared.
As I opened the zipper of the soundproof tent and stepped inside, a shocking sight greeted my eyes!
“Oh, you’re late. Hurry up and come in.”
It’s Priscilla. It is Priscilla, but! It’s not that. It’s her clothes! Priscilla was wearing a dress made of thin cotton fabric, not exactly high-quality!
The sight was more shocking than when she wore that other dress. The dress was white, slightly sheer, and clung to her body, revealing her figure.
I immediately regretted that my intention to kill had turned to desire, but I sat down next to Priscilla without letting my guard down. The scent was intoxicatingly good.
Don’t be fooled! This must be Priscilla’s strategy. She intends to let her guard down and then stab me. Protect my legs. Protect my bones. Tomorrow, I’ll be the lucky man and receive Alana’s congratulatory kiss.
“You worked hard this time. This is your reward.”
A reward! This is the reward! Why didn’t I work harder? I regret it more than I can say.
In my regret, I looked away. As if seizing the opportunity, Priscilla brought down the knife. I’m going to be killed!? I instinctively closed my eyes, clenched my teeth, and couldn’t even use Godspeed.
…Huh? It doesn’t hurt. If it’s instant death, there’s no pain, right? And what’s this sound? A buzzing?
Slowly, I opened one eye at a time, afraid, and saw Priscilla cutting the hem of her dress, which had reached her ankles.
I CAN’T COMPREHEND.
“Priscilla…”
“You liked this sort of thing, didn’t you? Chakumaro, was it? Well, it’s a reward. The rest is up to you.”
Chakumaro? Does she mean “Chakku Ero”? What does that mean? And this knife, which I received in my hand without being cut or stabbed…
Could it be that… I’m allowed to cut it…?
Did she prepare the soundproof tent, the dress, and the knife for “Chakku Ero”…? No, wait. A knife seems dangerous. I can’t complain if I’m counterattacked in self-defense.
Priscilla sat with her arms behind her back and her legs stretched out, emphasizing her chest. She’s defenseless. It’s my choice to stab, cut, or make it “Chakku Ero.”
Earlier, Priscilla cut the hem. That’s not good. I have to cut it vertically to make a slit. But I shouldn’t cut too deep. This subtle cut will enhance the allure of Priscilla’s legs.
…Damn, I’ve already cut it without realizing it. Is Priscilla still holding that pose? That was a close call. She’s staring at me, looking for an opening.
That was a close call. If I broke my collarbone… It would be better if more of my collarbone were visible. I should cut here a little… Did I cut too much? The balance is off. Cutting the other side is also an option, but…
…Damn, did I get caught again?
“Are you finished?”
Not yet. Just a little longer…
After an hour, I was completely satisfied with the finished work of art. Without knowing the shocking truth of the next day’s bull-running festival.
