Chapter 35

"You can put your feet shoulder-width apart, look at the target, and pull the bowstring. Arms aligned horizontally. Yes, that's right."

I pulled the bowstring as Kyle instructed. And I made every effort to steady my gaze and bring peace to my trembling arms. Of course, the result was a failure. I just became an aspen tree.

[~(>―<~)] "Are you focused?" I grumbled at Kyle's stern question. "It's not a matter of concentration. No matter how much force you put on it, you can't do it." I wrestled, and Kyle laughed lowly. "I don't think so," he said, standing next to me and moving a little closer. Then he squeezed my wrist lightly while holding the bow, and with his other hand, he squeezed the other shoulder and tightened it. "Keep your back straight." The hand that held the shoulder in place went down to the elbow. My torso shook nervously again, and he frowned and moved closer to me and supported my back with his upper body.

Wait, this posture...

"...Hey," I raised my head slightly. Perhaps his voice was low, Kyle bent slightly to bring his face closer to me. Their faces were so close that I lost the will to speak. It looked like I was hugged from behind. "Can you teach me a little farther away?" I asked, coughing awkwardly. But Kyle replied flatly, as if he had no idea. "Didn't you pull the string properly until a while ago?" "Yes, what... It was." "Don't talk about it, just look ahead. The line of sight is in front of you. Breathe slowly. I felt that my fingertips were going straight. It's better to hold your breath just before you let go of your right arm."

With his strength, the bowstring steadily increased tension, and the arrowhead aimed at the right spot. The first arrow I shot in my life flew nicely into the center of the target. "Ah," I said, knowing that it was possible with Kyle's help, but I couldn't be happier. I looked up at him with a smile on my face, and Kyle was looking at me with the corners of his mouth raised. "Good job," he said, and only his joy was conveyed in the silence...

One minute. Is the neighborhood quiet?

It was then that I realized that people had left the place for the two of us. It's easy because you don't get applause every time you swing your arm like a golfer, but this is a must... It seemed like they made a place for me to go on a date.

[Current Holdings | ❤ ×60]

It wasn't a cashew nut, nor was he thinking of cashew nuts. Still, Kyle's happiness level was rising little by little.

"..."

Our eyes collided in the air again. He's like someone who is looking for an answer. No, he was staring at me like someone who was longing for something. It was a calm and eager gaze. I knew what he wanted to ask me. However, he didn't give any answer. I thought that should not be the case. Yet.

I turned my head and lowered my bow. Then I coughed for nothing. "I have some time left, would you like to go get some air?" He laughed lowly, as if he knew what was in my mind. "Your arm hurts. I've only shot him once." "You have to look at the process, not the result." "Yes. Then, let's go horseback riding. You need to learn how to ride a horse," I replied, checking the system window. "One hour course, please." "You look busier than the Archduke." "Unfortunately, sometimes I do," he laughed softly. He seemed genuinely amused.

In the name of teaching horseback riding, he picked me up, put me in the saddle, and rode with me. I'm not that small, but I'm weirdly shiny. The brown mare walked slowly along the outskirts of the castle. It was a little cold, but it was bearable because Kyle had seen through it and put his cloak around my shoulder.

"Even if winter is over, the wind is still cold. Blake's cold tends to last into spring, so it's going to take some time to get used to it." "How do you know that I haven't been in this territory for a long time?" "Stupid question," he replied, wrapping his arms around my slightly tilted shoulders and straightening them up. "If you've been here for a long time, there's no way I haven't recognized you." "You don't know anything about Blake." "That's my duty."

I mean, it's Kyle Blake.

"By the way, did you find any clues about His Highness Belial's raid?" "...No. I didn't know," he replied.

What the heck? So you know or don't know?

Fortunately, Kyle's explanation soon followed. "All three bodies were unidentified soldiers. It was found a short distance away from where it was attacked." "But you found out that they were 'soldiers.'" "Yes," which means that the person behind it used people. Of course, that's natural. The target would have been Belial or Kyle, but who would move it if they were crazy? If I failed, I would never be expelled.

"First, I searched for a mercenary group near the capital. If it was recently moved on the orders of a high-ranking nobleman, or if three or more people had died, it would be worth suspicion." "You must be busy for a while." "Yes. It is also a job that requires quite a lot of manpower. Cashew nuts, it's hard to care about him..."

Yes? Cashews? I? ...For what?

He continued, his voice full of pensiveness. "I injected it with magic, but it bounced off. Do you know anything?" It's a problem because I can't say it. Normally, when such a thing happens, he might be suspicious of his hamster, but Kyle's face was full of genuine concern. After all, I don't go anywhere. By the way, what should I call this?

"Well, I guess it's a peculiar constitution..." I quickly added. "But don't inject magic again. What if it has a bad effect on your body?" "Conflict from within... Does that mean the same thing could happen?"

Of course, I didn't say it knowing the existence of the system. "Yes, so leave it for the time being. Time will take care of it." In fact, even if it wasn't, it didn't seem like a good idea. If you stimulate the system incorrectly, you might end up with a swamp goat like last time. I have to be careful. It's not the land where I was born and raised, but it's still a precious place for others.

After talking about this and that, we returned to the castle before my 'loading' time ended. He told me to hurry up and go, and he looked at me as if he was dying of curiosity, but he couldn't tell me that he had to go back to the hamster house. Actually, this was also a concern. They say there are no eternal secrets in the world, so how can I tell them that I'm his pet hamster... Oh, after all, I shouldn't have cut off my words at that time. This guy's strange life. Kyle would have had more time to live, and he wanted to enjoy this ordinary life just a little longer. Until then, I didn't know what the "ordinariness" of the North could only be achieved by overcoming it.

"Raid, Your Highness! We need to evacuate right now!" "The north tower has fallen! We need the support of the monk!" "...It is fire. Flames have been caught in the west!"

As events that came without any foreshadowing struck the North, Castle was devastated. It was late at night when I first heard the commotion, and I didn't immediately understand their fear and confusion in the castle's safest study—in the hamster's house. I didn't know why Kyle's face turned pale when he played with me, so I was a little embarrassed. It only took me an hour to realize the harsh reality of this place.

"There is a hiding place in the basement of the castle. Don't come out of there until you are told to come out."

I looked up at him as he strode up the stairs and asked him bluntly.

"Are you trying to hide me underground this time because I'm afraid I'm going to die?" "..."

Kyle furrowed his eyebrows. He looked annoyed, and he looked like he was smiling bitterly.

"Yes." "Then, why did you teach me the bow? Wasn't it because I wanted to escape from the danger of death?" "To increase my chances of survival," he said firmly. "That doesn't mean you have to fight danger in any situation." "...I don't want to send His Highness alone." "I imagine you are worried, but there is nothing you can do now." "Still..." "Still?" said Kyle, his voice cold. "Admit that you're weak. There is nothing more life-threatening than a plane."

I know he's right. There is nothing more ridiculous than worrying about Kyle Blake, the loser of the North, who can't even shoot a bow properly. But. Isn't a community of destiny something that we have to fight together, even if it becomes dangerous?

"I will not forgive you for disobeying orders," I said earnestly, and I shook my head forcibly. I didn't want to admit it, but I had to. I know that I can't help him in any way.