I was attacked by a Dark Harpy with a gun in an alley but was saved by a strange boy.
The boy slowly inhaled and exhaled smoke.
“Do you know what you Dark Elves are looking for?”
“You’re looking for the path to heaven, aren’t you?”
I spoke to him respectfully because he was older, but it felt strange. It was probably because he looked like a child. I remembered there was once a Pink Centaur who insisted he was an adult.
“That’s right, they’re desperate to find it. Heh, if things go well, I might be able to outsmart them.”
“How?”
“Well, you just have to walk faster than them. Rumor has it they’ve already realized the answer. They just can’t get in, the defenses are too strong.”
The defenses are too strong, does that mean there’s a barrier to the path to heaven? Or is there a strong gatekeeper? Either way, I have to catch up while they’re struggling with it.
The boy got off the box and picked up the gun the Dark Harpy had been holding.
“Do you know what this is?”
“Yes, it existed in the world I lived in too.”
In my world, we fired lead bullets instead of magic. A much more terrifying weapon than magic, one that would inevitably cause conflict if you got your hands on it.
“Does everyone have one?”
“No, this one is illegal. Gangsters manufacture them, but possessing or making them is prohibited.”
“That makes sense, it’s too dangerous.”
“Do you know what the higher-ups at headquarters call this? An anti-human weapon.”
He wiped the blood-stained gun with a chuckle. An anti-human weapon, so they are invading this world too, aren’t they? No, to be precise, it’s more like they are anticipating an invasion.
“They actually believe in fairy tales, can you believe it? Hey, human.”
“Uh, yeah, well. Um, is it okay to kill this guy?”
“No. I made an enemy of the Dark Elves.”
Then why did you save me, knowing that? You also know I’m human.
“Go straight north from here. It’s not on any map, a crappy place, but it’s my hometown. I’m counting on you, Brave-sama.”
With that, he handed me the gun. The heavy iron barrel made me realize it was real. But I don’t know how to shoot it, and wasn’t it illegal?
“It’s fine as long as you don’t get caught. Here, take the bullets too. Load the gunpowder and bullets, and cock the hammer. You know how to do that, right?”
“I know, but I’ve never shot one.”
“What’s that? That doesn’t count as knowing.”
He wouldn’t understand, but knowing that in my world meant I had been in a dangerous enough region to need to use it. Ignorance is bliss.
“By the way, why didn’t the bullets hit us earlier? Did you do something?”
“Huh? Yeah, it was my magic. Metal attribute. It’s not famous around here, but you know the Five Elements, right? That’s what I’m talking about.”
The Five Elements, I think that’s the concept where attributes like fire and water influence each other. Is this different from what Piyo and Elana use?
“I can manipulate metal. Well, there are various types of this power, so this isn’t everything. Now hurry up and go, you should leave before someone comes.”
With that, he disappeared between the buildings. Hometown, does that mean he came from there? He told me to go north to a place not on the map, but can I really find it just by doing that? But he also said the Dark Elves had already noticed. I have to hurry, or it might be too late.
“Arisugawa, let’s go too. His companions might come.”
“Right.”
We left the alley and headed towards the inn. Then we told everyone what had happened. Philiana put her hand to her mouth in surprise.
“That’s terrifying. Let’s move as soon as possible.”
“Yeah, I don’t want to stay here either.”
Nina immediately started packing her luggage. Everyone else began preparing as well.
“Let’s leave early tomorrow morning. There will be fewer people around at that time.”
“But where do we go next? According to your story, nowhere seems safe.”
As Cecilia said, there are no safe places anymore. Even in town, our lives are targeted. Looking at the map, there seems to be a Flower Harpy country north of here. It’s quite large, after all, it’s their headquarters.
“There seems to be lodging here, but whether it’s safe is unclear.”
“Hmm, I see. Well, it’s probably better than here.”
Sharin replied, touching her chin. Looking at the map, I realized how many places I had been to. By the way, the desert I was sent to the second time is located in the southern part of this continent. Further south, across the sea, is a continent called Heat Island. I’m really glad I wasn’t sent that far. Crossing the sea would be another hassle.
Also, Hinokuni and Kagoku, where the Youko came before, are in completely different locations far from here. It’s a bit concerning, but it doesn’t seem like a place I can easily go to.
Hoping nothing will happen in the next town, we decided to rest for the day.
