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Hunting Magic Beasts in the Southeast Forest (4)

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Hunting Magic Beasts in the Southeast Forest (4)

 

(POV switch – Griffith)

“A thrill of battle has come. Excellent. There is something worth seeing here.” (Harcon)

“Ouch.” (Griffith)

Harcon is in a good mood. A swordsman who wields a greatsword and a magician. Although their occupational classes are contrasting, it seems that Harcon is very fond of Leon.

Along the side of the ravine, across a terrain where rocks were scattered, the two of them advanced with valiant determination.

Harcon is not scholarly and cannot be called intelligent. Yet, he is a wise man.

What does it mean to be wise? I think it is the ability to solve problems and overcome challenges. Being intelligent is merely one aspect of wisdom. Harcon is a good man as a human being, with a strong sense of friendship and loyalty. That is part of what I like about him, but it alone would not make him a suitable adventuring partner. He claims it is instinct, but in situations where choices must be made, he does not err. At least, in our long acquaintance, I have never seen him make a mistake.

And yet, this Harcon says Leon is worth watching. Even to me, Leon’s aptitude as a magician is evident, but it seems to extend beyond that. He is terrifyingly intelligent. He uses magic art that I have neither seen nor heard of, yet it seems as if he could have invented it himself.

I followed the two as they began walking upstream.

 

—

 

Perhaps we had gone a kilometer. The trees thinned, and the sky opened above. The narrowing ravine veered to the right, but we continued southeast. The dry, barren land stretched before us, and looking into the distance, we were surrounded on both sides by forest. Within our party, this area is called the courtyard.

At this time of year, it feels like a courtyard, because the leaves have fallen and sunlight penetrates the forest. In summer, the leaves would block the light and create a dense canopy, so coming here does clear the mind slightly.

With these thoughts, we were a fair distance from the edge of the trees.

The two ahead stopped simultaneously.

“A magic beast?” (Griffith)

“Yes, a large quadruped.” (Leon)

A large one. That alone does not narrow it down.

We remained silent for several minutes.

Dust rose from a gentle depression in the ground where Harcon pointed. The two of them crouched, and I followed suit.

As we crept closer, the source became visible.

“Tsk!” (Harcon)

Harcon clicked his tongue.

What is it?

Ah, there it is. It is the scaled armor rhinoceros, Fatagrino. A troublesome magic beast indeed. Its height is about my eye level. Its entire body is covered in strong, palm-sized scales. Neither Harcon’s greatsword nor my arrowheads could pierce it. Furthermore, if struck by the massive horn protruding from its nose, our plate armor would crumple, and we would be crushed instantly.

Why is it here? Its territory should be much further southeast in this forest.

“Fall back.” (Harcon)

Agreed. I concurred with Harcon’s judgment.

“I have a magic art I want to try.” (Leon)

Leon turned to face us.

“You two may fall back if you wish.” (Leon)

Hey.

“You speak boldly, boy.” (Harcon)

His eyebrows rose and he smiled, but not because he found it amusing, Leon.

“This is the first time I will use this magic art in combat. If it fails a few times, I will run away.” (Leon)

“Hmph.” (Harcon)

Harcon grunted because Leon smiled.

“Very well. In that case, I will carry you away myself.” (Harcon)

He is loud. Yet, the scaled armor rhinoceros does not seem concerned with us. Of course, it hears us, but it does not care about humans. That is what it thinks.

We have never defeated this magic beast ourselves. When it was done, many of our clan were mobilized under the master’s command, and we used a pitfall to finish it. That was extermination rather than defeat.

I moved ten meters away from the two and nocked a trick arrow.

It is useless, but if it hits, it may buy some time.

Leon extended his arm.

He had not done this before lunch. A great magic art?

In an instant, magic pressure rose.

*Da-AAAAAAN!!*

What?

I had been watching Leon, but the flash and thunderous sound occurred in a completely different location. It was the rhinoceros.

*Giiishaaaaoaaooo*

The rhinoceros was propelled upright, thrashing and leaping. Its continuous male bellow pierced the ears.

I could see the magic art had struck, and it was effective. However, it was not a fatal blow.

This is bad.

The enraged rhinoceros seemed to sense the source of the strike instinctively. It leapt from the depression and charged toward the two of them. I felt a cold shiver run down my spine as I released the arrow I had nocked.

It struck the rhinoceros on the shoulder as intended.

Explosion!

Ugh.

A small magic beast would have been blown away by the blast of the magic stone. The rhinoceros remained unharmed. Its momentum did not diminish, and it continued toward the two of them.

*Da-AN!*

This time I saw it. A magic symbol appeared above the rhinoceros’s head, and blinding lightning flashed from it.

“Leon!” (Harcon)

Harcon grabbed the magician’s arm. By a hair’s breadth, the massive object passed by. The rhinoceros, running at a distance of a few meters, slid to a halt across the barren land. It left an ear-piercing scraping sound.

“Let me go…” (Leon)

I looked back. Harcon and Leon had fallen to the ground together.

Are they all right?

I was concerned, but I approached the massive form still shrouded in dust.

Dead?

It did not move at all.

The magic art had clearly hit. Was this enough to defeat it?

I approached the area where white smoke, distinct from dust, was rising while circling around its massive hindquarters.

The head? Why is smoke rising? The smell is strong. Whatever it is, it must be a magic beast, but it smells scorched.

The horn on its nose is intact. There is no flame. Thick white smoke, or perhaps steam, continues to rise, making it difficult to see clearly.

I untied the shawl around my neck and fanned it widely.

After fanning several times, the view cleared.

“Uwaah!” (Griffith)

The top of the skull of the scaled armor rhinoceros was gouged away. Its base is black, charred.

“What kind of flame… no, wait.” (Griffith)

The previous flash. That was it. Unknown magic art.

Looking back, Leon stood and dusted his robe.

“You’re reckless.” (Harcon)

“Harcon’s pull saved me. I owe you my thanks.” (Leon)

Is that true?

Before Harcon grabbed him, Leon’s center of gravity had already shifted. Could he have avoided it himself?

“Yes, it is fine!” (Leon)

Leon bowed and came toward me. He reached my side and raised his arm, creating a wind.

“Haah, I overdid the demon world intensity. 1.5 times would have been sufficient.” (Leon)

He looked at me, sighing awkwardly.

“Will the purchase price decrease?” (Leon)

So that is what he was concerned about.

“Besides magic crystal, the valuable parts are the intact horn, the scales, and the hide. Even without the head, the value does not drop much.” (Harcon)

“No, the parts used for armor are completely intact. No problem. Now, what shall we do?” (Griffith)

I understood what Harcon meant.

“Should we call for support?” (Griffith)

The magical apparatus has a capacity limit. This giant is too large. Several Ash-Boars captured earlier are already inside.

“Why?” (Leon)

I see.

“Will Leon’s storage hold this one?” (Griffith)

“Shall we try?” (Leon)

Leon raised his arm, and the scaled armor rhinoceros, over five meters long, vanished with a gust of wind following.

“Did it fit?” (Griffith)

Leon nodded.

“Amazing. Hm. Any other prey… nothing comes to mind. Shall we return to the outpost for now?” (Griffith)

“Yes.” (Leon)

Since Leon agreed, we began our return.

 

—

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