Chapter 8 - III -

 

And so, I guess I got all the implements ready for my matchlock gun.  

 

The lead bullets and the gunpowder were all secured and relatively plentiful in supply.  I began practicing shooting the weapon in some obscure area a few distances away from the tourney venue so that no one could spy on me…

 

“…”

 

Well, no one wanted to give a damn about a commoner with a demon weapon in his hands.  For starer I’m not offended, this is a pleasant scenario for me.  Anyway, I also considered distance because I won’t be able to conceal the loud explosions of my weapon.  I better train far from the eyes of the public.

 

“!!!”

 

A loud bang tore through the entire area as I fired a round of the matchlock.

 

“…”

 

And…yes, compared to the modern assault guns of 21^st century Earth, matchlocks were hopelessly inaccurate.  Not only did the thick smoke obscured my line of vision, but I also had to close my eyes every time I fire since the exploding powder could injure it.  The gun’s kind of heavy as well; it took me some time to accustom myself to walking, aiming, and firing it.  The recoil was a different matter, too.  Fortunately, I’m doing some exercises nowadays, enough for my body to withstand the enormous force.

 

The loading time was so slow as well; I completed the reload process and fired after a few minutes, I think?  (Hey, of course, I’m untrained for this.  A usual gunner can load this thing and fight in about one-two minutes, or so I read?)

 

“…”

 

Yep, this will not do in a battle, where fast, accurate movements are more than necessary…it can save your life!

 

Well, I could rely on that bayonet for close-quarters, and the dagger I had for desperate fighting.  But yeah, I’m hoping those brats would succeed in their ‘drugging’ attempt.  However, I needed to make sure I won’t go to the battlefield relatively unarmed…

 

In the mid-early days of this type of weaponry, I’ve read that its users were using what they termed as a ‘gunpowder flask’—a container where you store the powder in set measurements to keep it safe from getting wet by rain and to pour quickly its contents on the weapon amidst the battle.  Since the merchant Devras was from the demon world, I thought he might have some; but unfortunately, he didn’t know what was it.

 

So, I bought an empty potion bottle, which I converted into a gunpowder flask.  I tried incorporating it into my target practice, and it improved my reload rate.

 

Even so, I guess I could only fire this gun once in actual combat.  I have to be careful and be picky with my targets, eh?

 

Despite those disadvantages, why am I persisting in using this weapon, you asked?  Well, you know, not only was this gun familiar to me, it was the piercing power of the bullets that I took into consideration.  You see, if things get awry, I’ll be fighting armored warriors tomorrow, and I expect many—if not all of them, would use close-range melee weapons.

 

A matchlock gun could punch through their armor from a considerable distance, provided I fire at the right moment.

 

Haa…anyway, I hope those kids will be successful in their attempt.

 

 

As I was having fun in training with my new toy—I mean, weapon, I didn’t notice the passing of time.  Well, I knew the Cherseans didn’t have that complicated concept of ‘time’ itself, but they knew when to eat, sleep, and do something their mind had set to do.

 

“Kuro!”

 

“!!!”

 

I almost froze on my spot when I heard another familiar voice come up a few meters away from where I was training.  Turning around, I’m shocked to see no other than Her Holiness, the Great Saint of Chersea, marching towards me.

 

“Oh, Y-your H-holiness!” I blurted out, trying in vain to hide the weapon I had in my hand.

 

“I was wondering what are those explosions I’m hearing…” she replied with a half-angry, half-anxious look on her face, “Turns out, it’s just you.”

 

“Did I disturb you, Your Holiness?”

 

“No, don’t worry about it.  I was just out doing some exercises you recommended.  It’s almost dinner, you know?  And I can’t see you around.  For a moment I was worried you got thrown in the dungeon once again.  What are you doing?”

 

Well, her cute ‘cheerleader’ clothes confirmed her statement.  I guess she only wears those cute, short dresses whenever she needed to do something that requires a lot of movement.  Anyway, I guess I need to stop practicing.  “Oh, right…dinner, huh?  Well, I was…you see…playing with something.”

 

“I see…” but Her Holiness continued, “So, tell me, Kuro, why did you join the tournament?”

 

“!!!”  The shock from her question made me unable to answer for a few seconds.  That was so sudden I could not think of a quick reply.  And when I reflected about it, of course, it’s just a matter of time that she’d learn of my registration; after all, her father had allowed me to join.

 

“I know that thing in your hand.  That’s a demon weapon.”

 

“Yes, it is, Your Holiness.”

 

“Why?”

 

“Err…” Shit.  I needed to keep myself from thinking of that agreement I had with her siblings, or—

 

“Did Sophia and William coerce you to join and fight for me?”

 

I knew it.  She had read my mind.

 

“Haa…” I could only sigh in surrender.  It’s useless to hide things from her unless Her Holiness opted not to read my mind.

 

“Mister Kuro, you know you’re not a warrior in your world, more so in this one!” the Saint had a deep frown on her face, “And even though the tournament has a substitute doll in place, it would still hurt terribly!  Why did you do that?”

 

“…”

 

“Won’t you at least give me an answer?”

 

“Hmm…I wonder why did I join?”

 

“Stop giving me vague answers!”  Well, this is a first.  The Saint raising her voice confirmed that she’s angry.

 

“Don’t you have the ability to read my mind?”  Honestly, explaining it to her in words would take time.  As I didn’t want to be disturbed right now, I couldn’t avoid snapping, “Why don’t you do it?”

 

Her Holiness became silent for a few moments as if she’s peering deep into my soul.  Well, it’s not like I got something to hide from her anymore, so I let her see my intentions without interference.

 

“…”

 

“…”

 

We stared at each other.  I guess she was carefully reading into my thoughts; I couldn’t hide it, anyway.  It took her a few moments, but then, Her Holiness’ expression turned from anxiety and anger to that of pure concern.  Somehow, I could tell that she understood the things I had in my mind…

 

“Well, so that’s—!!!” I was about to reiterate my reason when I stopped mid-sentence.  I couldn’t bear to continue what I was about to say; it’s like there’s something Her Holiness’ had wanted to tell me.

 

There’s no doubt about it; her lovely, silvery eyes were inexplicably sad.  And looking at her gave me a sharp pain in my heart…

 

“Mister Kuro…I think you’re meddling too much in my family’s affairs.” the Saint said with a heavy, quivering voice, “Do you know what you’re getting into?”

 

“Your Holiness…I appreciate your concern, but I knew—”

 

“Do you know what you’re getting into?” I was unnerved when the Saint suddenly screamed.  This was the first time I saw her like that, and I was so taken aback I couldn’t do anything for a few moments.  I just stood there, dumbfounded, listening to her speech.

 

“I didn’t ask you to save me!  I didn’t ask anyone to help me!  Why is all of you won’t listen to anything I say?”  Well, her heartfelt screams tore through my heart—as well as my eardrums, but I just let her go all out on me.  This was a sadness that no one could easily understand; the Saint had been releasing every frustration that she kept in her heart all this time…

 

Yes, that’s it, Your Holiness, let out that anger.  You’ll be fine soon…

 

 

“Did you calm down now, Your Holiness?”

 

“…”

 

The Saint just gave me a light nod to say that she’s quite fine now.  Her eyes were all teary, and the surrounding mood was dreary.  I reached out to her and patted her head.  We were sitting side-by-side on the mildly wet grass (because of the drizzle) and doing that reminded me of my time as an old teacher in my world.

 

I always do that to my students whenever they’re stressed-out.

 

“Mister Kuro…I apologize.”

 

“Hm?  What for?”

 

“I got you involved in my family’s affairs.” Her Holiness admitted, “Honestly, I wanted and expect you to do something; since you came here, you’ve been a great help to me and my friends.  But not like this.”

 

“It’s fine, Your Holiness.” I reassured her, “I guess I’ll be fine.”

 

“You’re someone else from another world; don’t you think you’re trying too much for some stranger like me?  And more so, I’m the one responsible for your predicament right now—OW!”

 

I hit the Saint on her head.  Not that hard, but still strong enough to hurt her a bit.

 

“You know—as I’ve said before when you tried killing yourself—if you feel responsible towards me, then you’ll have to see me through the end.  If you lost yourself again because of some things being forcefully pushed unto you, how would that be possible?”

 

“…”

 

God, I’m not being honest.  What I wanted to say was that as a friend, I didn’t like her to suffer the things I’ve witnessed in my life before.  You see, forcing someone to do something they don’t like was living torture…like marrying someone whom you had no love for, or getting a course in college that you hated but you had to follow since your benefactors won’t support you in others…

 

This is why there are a lot of suicides back in my old world.  Everyone is forced to do something they hate.

 

“…”

 

And knowing the Human Saint, she could end up in that tragic route.

 

“Mister Kuro…”

 

“Yep?”

 

“Let’s return to the Holy Palatial Gardens after this.” she said that with a weak, but gentle smile on her face, “To that place where I can be myself…”

 

I guess Her Holiness had read my mind and saw my reasons for helping her.  Hey, I know it’s utterly cliché and awkward, but it’s my feelings after all.  I was the same towards my old students as well; if I had to jump to burning hell just to accompany them, I’d gladly do so.  Those guys, and this Saint, I believe I met them for something…so I’ll help them since it’s the only thing I’m good at.

 

“Well, of course, Your Holiness.” I answered her, with a renewed spirit and resolve inside me, “I still have to get a house and live comfortably in this world while I haven’t found my way back.  So, pardon me if I’ll destroy your engagement and wedding.”

 

“I don’t mind if you do.” Her Holiness said, with brightness on her face, “But when that happens, you have to take responsibility.”

 

“Hahaha!  Yes, I will!” I jokingly replied.

 

Never in my life did I commit such a grave mistake as in this one…