Chapter 21 When hunting we don’t spit up and everyone stays together

When hunting we don’t spit up and everyone stays together .

Each has their own preferred fighting methods and combat ranges, and there is also compatibility with the found prey . Besides, there are many situations that cannot be addressed alone . Sometimes there’s a need to chase and surround them, other times a powerful attack is needed against a big one . If such a big one is caught, it’ll be worth 1 ~ 2 gold coins if you’re lucky . With that alone, this expedition would be a great success though…

The 5 move quietly but quickly to search for prey . We once found a slightly big bird that stopped on a tree, but Ilse’s arrow missed .

「Sorry」

Grit lightly pat the apologizing Ilse’s head with a plop .

The 5 continue the search again .

（…Huh, is that a bird?）

Amazingly, an amateur like Mitsuha saw something like a bird by accident . She tells Svens in a whisper .

「So, that, can you let me do it?」

Mitsuha asks while patting that funny weapon .

The hit rate of the bow is not high in the first place . Moreover, the high shot angle and unfavorable condition of having branches and leaves in the way . It’ll probably even be hard for Ilse .

Well, it might be fine to waste a oppotunty if the employer becomes satisfied . It’s a prey she found after all . Thinking so, Sven approves . Mitsuha that draws the weapon’s string on its face to the very back .

Mitsuha that holds the weapon’s front instead of the side like the bow, the bow user Ilse stares curiously .

Bashu!

A metal arrow flew out vigorously with a sharp sound .

And the bird falls from the tree making a “thump” sound .

The ones who saw the prey fell have an expression like they can’t believe it . Ilse’s mouth opens with no sign of closing .

Mitsuha had intensely trained with the crossbow at the captain’s side .

「…That’s for selling . We won’t be eating it」

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As expected of the leader, he got it together .

Few hours after hunting started . Zepp-san is carrying the bird . It seems, Grit-san was talking about responsibility and so on last night, something about…

Well, since it’s decided that gains during this trip are all the 4’s, I shouldn’t be responsible for carrying it right?

…So, a short break

I left alone saying I have to pick some flowers .

「Are you collecting ornamental plants? We’ll follow」

Grit-san knocked down and disposed of the man who made that joke .

A distance that definitely can’t be seen, can’t be heard, and where the scent won’t reach… Stable foothold, a little slope so that the direction it flows is stable . (足場の安定、流れる方向が安定するよう少しの傾斜、と。) Un, around here …No, not where to poop, the smaller one!

Gasa

Wooo!

It came out, something!

From a bush a few meters away, some kind of beast appeared . Ah, un, something like a boar? Perhaps, even if it is somewhat different, it will be translated to boar, in my head .

Un, so, it’s staring this way . Did I violate its territory? Or, is its prey, me?　No no, aren’t we the ones doing the hunting?

Isn’t it a little large, compared to the average in the boar industry?(猪業界の相場としては。) Still a child? The ones called boarlets? But it’s not that small . Well, enough to leap on me?

While thinking, Mitsuha’s right hand pulled out the gun from her waist holster . Beretta 93 R . It’s a machine pistol . She sets the selector from semi-auto to single with her left hand . The wild boar takes the posture of thrusting while kicking the beating soil repeatedly to intimidate .

Panpanpan!

A loud, dry sound echoes .

No “dokyuuun!”, that’s only when the sound echoes at indoor shooting ranges . It won’t resound that much if it’s outdoors . Besides, I wouldn’t purposely wait for it to finish preparing to charge . I have no such obligation . It’s not pro-wrestling, so I won’t draw out the opponent’s power to their maximum to create a climax .

And the wild boar collapses with a thud . Un, 2 hits . 1 shot would be enough for it if it was 3 shot burst .

I hurriedly take 2 bolts for the crossbow from the quiver, rushed over to the wild boar and inserted them into the bullet holes .

「What’s wrong! What happened!」

The 4 ran over in a panic . The collapsed wild boar stabbed with 2 bolts are reflected in their eyes .

「Ah, suddenly it came out, and after shooting in a hurry… somehow……」

I say no more, the 4 look at me with suspicious eyes .

Oh, there wasn’t a sound when I used the crossbow a while ago, is that so .

After that, we brought the boar to the base camp . Grit-san remains to protect the prey from other beasts and small animals and also to remove the internal organs, the other 4 including Mitsuha continues hunting . The bow-using Ilse can’t be removed after all and seems that Mitsuha is also seen as part of the forces .

After that Ilse caught 1 rabbit and bird each and Mitsuha caught 1 rabbit . 1 rabbit was able to escape because Mitsuha missed . Too bad . Rabbits can’t be eaten because they sell well .

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That’s it for today . Withdrawal to the base .

When we returned, Grit-san was making stew from the internal organs . Un, we can’t bring the organs back since they quickly go bad, but I guess we can eat it, indeed . Seems it’ll be a treat for everyone . Of course, I’ll also eat it . I like offal dishes . It’s nutritious .

Everyone was in a good mood . We couldn’t catch a fox for their fur but we did get 2 reasonably profitable rabbits and birds . Besides, the boar is big . That alone is enough to say it was plenty successful this time .

In addition to that, medicinal herbs and wild vegetables we picked up on the first day and this morning . Furthermore, there’s more hunting to do tomorrow morning . Including the request fee from Mitsuha, it is a considerable income . Even if it’s not enough to replace our weapons, it’ll give some breathing room . (ひと息つける) To have plenty of edible meat after such a long time even if it’s internal organs, delightful laughter resounds .

Next morning .

Eh, food? What are you talking about, weren’t we supposed to go hunting, eat at noon and go back to the city? Why don’t you start already?

The 4 went away disappointed .

Eh, me? I’m camp-watching . I’m tired, “cough cough”, it’s to preservative physical strength in preparing for our return . Well, maybe I’ll prepare lunch?

The sun doesn’t come through the middle of the forest in the first place so as soon as the tent was folded, luggage gets organized . The stove and other things no longer used are teleported home, the backpack is kept expanded with padding . Now it’s considerably lighter . I bought some seasoning from home in return . Like salt, peppers, and herbs .

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Un, the organs roasted over the fire last night, should I simmer them? I already took the stove back because there will be no time to after everyone comes back, the simple stone stove normally made by Grit-san is fine .

Everyone returns . Wow! Incredibly they caught a deer . It’s a deer, a deer! They say that if you tell an American who is tired of eating beef you’ll treat them to some deer meat, they’ll leave work early and fly over .

(tl note: I have no idea what this is referring to)

Naturally, it sells for a good price . Everyone is upset and excited already . No, I know, it’s a melting pot . (るつぼだってことくらい。) But imagine a number of melting pots getting excited while in the pot, imagine them being stirred around, that’s probably plausible . (でも、壺の中で何匹ものウツボが興奮してウネウネのたうち回っている姿を想像してよ、その方がそれらしいでしょ。) In the first place, do you know what a crucible crucible is?

(tl note: My best guess is that she’s talking about how America is a melting pot of melting pots, and some of them like deer even if not everyone?)

No, leaving that aside .

The offals, such a waste…

No, I already made the stew! Even though the deer’s would be absolutely more delicious!

Well, starting now will take too long and we’ll return late, though originally the internal organs of a deer had to be thrown away .

Everyone splits into groups and dismantle the deer . Because it is heavy, it can’t be carried as it is, so we’ll take only the expensive parts . Discard the internal organs, cut off the neck . Remove horns and take home . The fur is wanted so its isn’t skinned . The legs are used to carry so they aren’t removed . We tied the legs using ivy to sturdy but not too heavy trees branches so that a pair can carry it . It’s Sven-san and Zepp-san job . The other two? They have a boar, don’t they?

The birds and rabbits? Ah~… It’s good I lighten my luggage……

「Deliccc!」

Un, rightright!

After all, I did not spare any spices . The tightness of the taste is different . Well, eat a lot .

And so on the way back .

Heavy……

Still, it’s tough for the 4 of them too, but they persevere with a smile as if they were carrying gold coins .

In the end, when we reached the town it was already dark . Because there were a lot of breaks .

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Next day . I met with Sven-san and others in the mercenary guild at a reasonable time .

When Mitsuha arrived, it was after the prey was already sold through the guild .

Mitsuha signed the request completion and rated A . The 4 were pleased .

One gold coin from the request fee was handed over by the guild, and Sven-san carefully stows it in his pocket . For the 4 who live renting a cheap room, this alone is enough riches for them to live off for about half a month if they save . No, it would be a minimal life with only simple meals though .

Well, their purses are fat now with the income from the catches and medicinal herbs . Considering the future, this little expenditure for gaining a friendly relationship with Mitsuha will not be in vain . Last night the 4 were exhausted and immediately went to sleep like they collapse while hungy, they ate nothing to prepare for the closing party next morning . Their hunger is already at their limit . Everyone gathers and goes to their regular restaurant . Of course, alcohol is also served even in the daytime .

「Thank you for your hard work~」(お疲れ様でした～)

「「「「Done~!!」」」」(っした～！！)

After a toast with ale, we keep asking for more food and the conversion gets lively . About hunting, about cooking… However, the crossbow didn’t come up as a topic . They seem to have presumed it’s something Mitsuha wouldn’t talk about . They don’t violate the client’s privacy . They’ll keep it a secret .

There are also garbage mercenaries who without any doubt would for money, Sven and others were sincere mercenaries . They won’t break the mercenary code . If we break the rules, we cannot complain even if others break the rules .

「So, ramen and Calorie Mate were pretty good」

「Un un」(yepyep)

「The stove though… It’s very convenient, but it would become a burden . Even if it takes some labor, if you build a stove out of stone you wouldn’t need that burden . It’s expensive, isn’t it? Like the fuel, or if it breaks」

「Oh, indeed…」

（Un, this time has ready been a learning experience . I enjoyed it a lot . It was heavy on the way home…, ah）

「Hey, have you ever thought, if only it could be much easier to carry lots of luggage?」

「Eh, well of course… If you can carry a lot, you can carry more catches at once, so it’s efficient .

But we can’t buy a carriage . Servicing the carriage itself, controlling the horses, and various other things . To begin with, how much do you think one costs?」

In Mitsuha’s head, the pic of a certain thing comes to mind the time she looked it up long ago .

『Aluminum folding wagon, no flats specification 37,900 yen』(ノーパンクタイヤ！ アルミ製　折りたたみ式リヤカー)

If it folds into luggage on the way there then the weight of a cart…

Un, the dream is widen ring! (うん、夢が広がリング！)

「Also, is that fire rod expensive?」(あと、あの火付け棒、高いの？)

「Ah, that doesn’t cost much . If not that type, there’s a little one that you can use hundreds of times that’s not even a silver coin」

「「Ehh!」」

Un, since a few of them are sold at a 100-yen store, the cost is just 1 small silver coin, maybe . 1 silver coin is a rip-off .

Wait, only the 2 women were surprised to hear that, so that means…, ah, do only these 2 make the fire for times like cooking? It doesn’t matter to the men, is that so .

While they were having a lot of fun while engaged in Mitsuha’s topic of what could be useful, She remembered . (かつミツハの役に立つ話をしているうちに、)

「That reminds me, please look at this!」

Mitsuha took out a book from the bag she’s carrying and put it on top of the table .

「You talk completely like I was crazy on the first night . Look, where I’m from bathing in that outfit is pretty normal」

Opening the book placed on the table, the four becomes rigid . Like they were looking at something unbelievable .

There were a number pictures of men and women from all ages with swimsuits playing in pools and beaches . A swimsuit girls gravure book . 3 of them stiffen . Zepp turns the pages with trembling hands .

「Can’t be……」

「Impossible…」

「No, it’s just a fictional artwork . It is frighteningly precise, but they’re not a sight from reality!」

Yesterday, I force my tired body to changed my clothes and teleport . Then I went to a large second-hand bookstore that was opened late and looked for a suitable gravure magazine . It was cheap and seems to have an impact . It’s for my honor so I worked hard .

(tl note: I don’t think she notice she just bought what could qualify as pornography to a public setting)

However, although my clothes were changed, maybe the smell of blood and wild animals didn’t come off, I attracted a lot of attention . I was startled when a sharp-eyed old man looked at me with frightened eyes . Did you notice the smell of blood? What are you old man? Oh, the boss of a butcher’s shop, is that so? Really, I should have gone after going to a bath .

I hope if there is another opportunity, no that’s our line, ask for us again, etc . etc . , um that bow “klunk”, we said our goodbye and depart . I returned to the shop serving as my base . Really, there’s only been closed days . I’ll open tomorrow .

On my way home I heard Zepp-san’s, “um, this book”, but I said “It has served its purpose so I don’t need it, it’s yours”, and went home .

A few days later, I went to the restaurant we had lunch at to have dinner . It was pretty good . No, I sometimes eat out . My home cooking tends to be lacking in vegetables .

And then, the 4 of them were there . For some reason, they seem startled to see me and has an anxious expression, hey… what’s with that behavior .

「Long time no see . Huh, what’s wrong?」

「Ah, no, that…」

Huh, haven’t their equipment change somewhat?

「Oh, you change your weapons? Congrats!」

At my words, the 4 lowered their heads and shouted .

「「「「Sorry~!!」」」」

Eh, what?

That gravure magazine sold for 7 gold coins to a noble’s 4th son?

No, it’s something I said I don’t need, so it’s fine whether you throw it away or sell it .

However, today’s dinner is on you!