Ch.190Ready to Fight

After obtaining information about the treasure from the Silver Wolf tribe’s village, we stayed at Moon Lake for three days, making thorough preparations to challenge the trial.

The special pistol for werewolves, ‘Wolfsbane,’ was easily acquired from a gun shop in Moon Lake.

Wolfsbane was a single-shot pistol with all parts except the grip made of silver. In reality, it was closer to a magic wand that channeled the essence of silver metal into a curse form when fired.

Naturally, rapid firing was impossible, it had poor power against enemies other than werewolves, and there was no way to reload except by waiting for a certain period of time.

However, it has maintained its lineage until now because it was one of the few means by which humans could end a werewolf’s life.

“Listen, Will! You absolutely must not use your skill when firing Wolfsbane. The moment you force mana into it or interfere with its magical formula—BOOM! It’ll explode.”

“I know already. That’s why I’m wearing it on my left side.”

I tapped the Wolfsbane holstered on my left side, ignoring Mina’s nagging that she had repeated several times.

I had confirmed thoroughly over the past three days that my time-skipping skill only activates when drawing a gun with my right hand, so unless I suddenly awaken a left-handed activation during combat, there’s no worry about blowing up the Wolfsbane.

“And these are the magic bombs I’ve finished adjusting. They’re not as powerful as Phyllis’s fireballs, but they’ll do decent damage, and like Wolfsbane, they recharge automatically, so don’t hesitate to use them when needed.”

“Ah, thank you.”

I received four magic bombs from Mina and attached them to the pouch at my waist. Then Jessica approached and handed me three small vials that looked like test tubes.

“Will, these are potions I had modified at Moon Lake’s alchemy workshop to be volatile. You just need to pour them into your mouth and they’ll be absorbed immediately, so you can use them even when you don’t have time to swallow a potion.”

“Ah… so this is what you meant when you said you’d prepare emergency escape measures?”

“Yes. The green one is advanced recovery, the yellow one increases strength, and the red one is the flame breath potion you gave me. I actually wanted to prepare a greater variety, but…”

“This is plenty. I also have two sustained recovery potions.”

While it was certain that I would fight a werewolf in the Silver Wolf tribe’s trial, I couldn’t be sure that would be the only enemy.

So I prepared two sustained recovery potions and a universal antidote for a prolonged battle, and Jessica procured three types of fast-acting special potions to deal with emergencies.

I’ll rely on the sustained recovery potions for basic condition maintenance and save the fast-acting advanced recovery potion for when I need to retreat and abandon the trial.

“That seems to be everything we’ve prepared. The rest is up to you, Will.”

“Sigh… I think we’ve made the best preparations possible within our limits, but I can’t help feeling anxious.”

“It’s okay, Phyllis. Will has practiced enough, he won’t lose to some werewolf.”

Seti, who had participated in numerous mock battles simulating close combat with a werewolf over the past three days, guaranteed my victory.

In our practice fights, Seti used a cloth-wrapped stick instead of her usual spear, while I used a single-action revolver loaded with non-lethal engraved cylinders.

Seti’s movements as an opponent were on a completely different level from what I’d observed when she was fighting alongside me. On the first day, I couldn’t even aim at her, let alone graze her. On the second day, I barely managed to land one effective hit.

Only by yesterday evening, the third day, did I finally achieve one victory… but honestly, I don’t think a werewolf will be as fast as Seti, so I should be able to handle it somehow.

Today’s date is May 16th, just after the full moon.

Having completed all preparations, we visited the Silver Wolf tribe’s village, expressed our intention to challenge the Emperor’s Trial, and had our possessions and their weight inspected.

Naturally, we passed the inspection.

Mag, the chief’s son, was assigned to escort me to the location where the Emperor’s Trial would take place.

“I’ll be watching you from a distance while you take the trial. But remember, my role is solely to monitor for cheating, so even if your life is in danger, I won’t save you.”

“I expected as much. Are we leaving right now?”

“Yes. From now on, the women can’t follow, so if you want a good luck kiss, get it now. Hahaha!”

“Then I won’t refuse.”

Jessica approached with a smile in response to Mag’s teasing, wrapped her arms around my neck, and gave me a light kiss.

“Come back safely, Will. I’ll be waiting at Moon Lake.”

“Yeah, it won’t take long.”

After another kiss and a brief embrace, Jessica stepped back, and then Seti approached and gave me a kiss, lightly entwining her tongue with mine.

“I believe in your victory, Will.”

“Of course. Who do you think trained me?”

After patting Seti’s head, it was Phyllis’s turn.

Before nestling into my arms, Phyllis directed a question at Mag.

“Sir Mag, would it be considered cheating if I cast an enhancement spell on Will’s weapon now?”

“No. As long as it’s not summoning magic or teleportation, it’s fine.”

“That’s a relief. What Mina and I prepared won’t go to waste.”

Phyllis reached behind my back and drew the survival knife with its blade replaced with silver from its sheath.

“Spiritual Arrow Head!”

As Phyllis chanted the spell, the silver blade began to glow white.

It was a much more subtle and gentle light than the Bayonet Phantasm she used in close combat.

“That’s a spell I haven’t seen before. Did you create it recently?”

“No, it’s the original form of the Bayonet Phantasm. It was originally a spell to imbue arrowheads with magical power to defeat ghost-type monsters.”

“Ah… so that’s why it’s called Arrow Head.”

“Correct. I’ve imbued the silver blade with spiritual magic, so it will definitely work even against a werewolf.”

Phyllis returned the glowing knife to its sheath, then looked me straight in the eyes and said:

“However, as I just mentioned, since it was originally a spell for arrowheads, the effect disappears after landing one attack. It would be best if you never have to engage in close combat with this knife… but think of it as a one-time insurance for emergencies.”

“Yes. Just knowing this is prepared makes me feel more secure. Thank you, Phyllis.”

As Phyllis said, I, as a gunslinger, shouldn’t have to draw a knife and engage in close combat with a werewolf, but having a backup weapon that can finish off a werewolf versus not having one is a world of difference.

If by some chance Wolfsbane misses, it could mean the difference between being forced on the defensive while waiting for it to reload, or seizing the initiative with a surprise attack.

“T-Then I’ll also… mmph?”

As Phyllis approached shyly to kiss me, I took the initiative.

I embraced her slender waist, gently caressed her pointed ears, and carefully entwined my tongue with hers. When I released her, Phyllis staggered with a bright red face, barely regaining her balance with Seti’s support.

“You surprised me… I mean, that was surprising.”

“This is more to your liking, isn’t it, Phyllis?”

“W-Well, that’s true, but…”

Ah, teasing Phyllis is always fun.

After finishing my kisses with my three lovers, I turned my attention to Mag, who tilted his head curiously and asked:

“Why isn’t the dwarf girl getting one?”

“Huh!?”

“Ah, Mina and I aren’t yet…”

“Discrimination isn’t good. I don’t know how far your relationship has progressed, but leaving a woman who looks at you like that isn’t what a man should do. Right?”

Mag said this while grabbing my shoulder and pushing me toward Mina.

Unable to resist the werewolf’s supernatural strength in my unprepared state, I was naturally pushed in front of Mina, who, trying to support me, ended up with her face buried against my chest in an embrace.

“Um… sorry. Are you okay?”

“Sigh, fine. I’ll do it too, but lower your height a bit.”

“You’ll really do it?”

“It’s the test supervisor’s orders. But I’m not going to do it like they did, so no tongue, okay?”

“Ah, right…”

I knelt on one knee to match her eye level, and Mina took a deep breath, held my face with both hands, and gave me a firm kiss.

“Mmm~~!”

Mina’s kiss, or rather peck, which had neither romance nor eros but was just a firm pressing of lips, ended after about ten seconds with a “smack!” sound.

Though it was literally just a childish peck, it seemed enough to make Mina’s face flush, as she fanned her unusually red face while averting her gaze.

“Two pistols, four bombs, potions, and an enchanted knife. You could take down a werewolf even if it brought a monster squad, so hurry up and finish this.”

“That’s the plan. When I return after the trial, I’ll make something delicious with that victory champagne I’ve been saving, so wait for me.”

“Oh? Really? I’ll be looking forward to it.”

“Have you ever seen me lie about food? Not just Mina, but everyone can look forward to it.”

Seeing our increasingly cheerful mood, Mag grinned and then led the way out of the chief’s house.

“If we’re all done, let’s depart. First, the women will head to the pioneer village, and then I’ll guide you to the trial grounds.”

“Got it. Take care, Will.”

“We’ll be waiting for good news.”

After confirming that the four women who had left the Silver Wolf village were sufficiently far away, Mag brought a small gray horse from the chief’s house stable.

“Ride this. It’s a rule to conserve the challenger’s strength as much as possible until reaching the trial grounds.”

“Ah, then I’ll entrust my escort to you.”

“Keh, I don’t have a hobby of escorting men. Just hold on tight so you don’t fall off.”

I mounted the horse led by the tsundere werewolf Mag and set off toward the western trial grounds.