Chapter 10
Episode 10: Negotiations(Physics)
The arrows released by the hiding soldiers came flying at me from five directions . I could see them – No, I could feel them .
Before the negotiations began I activated【Enhanced Perception】and【Program 】 . As such I could realize the fact that there were soldiers hiding and slowly getting closer .
The speed of the arrows is, at most, 180km/h . ¹
With a distance of over 20m separating us, it will take about 0 . 4 seconds to arrive .
If it’s that much it’s enough .
At the same time the arrows are released, the angle of approach, speed, everything is told to me by the wind . Everything is converted to data by 【Program】and it automatically calculates the optimal course of action and moves my body .
With one step forward, I lower the upper-half of my body, and twist .
Doing so, all the arrows pass me by a hair . From the calculations to the start of the movement, 0 . 1sec . The following takes another 0 . 2secs evading the arrows with a little leeway .
The faces of the Lurvishe soldiers in front of me distort with shock .
Well that’s to be expected . The attack came simultaneously from five directions by soldiers who had hidden their presence in the trees . And with the short distance of less than 20m . Along with the fact that the plan was based on the common sense that no one would use bows against elves . If it was any elf other than me they would certainly have died .
Even if you say elves are strong with bows, to defend against them is limited to attacks from a certain distance and simple patterns . When the distance is short, the influence of the wind is barely known . Also, to use wind to obstruct attacks from multiple directions is impossible .
It’s not that you can’t create winds like a hurricane centering on yourself but, controlling it is very difficult so it’s limited to a few elves and can’t be used in an instant .
The soldiers are also skilled . The distance was irregular but all the arrow arrived at about the same time . If I hadn’t moved all would have hit . Not only that, the trajectory of the five arrows was like a cage and no matter with way one dodged one would be hit .
Even though the soldiers were surprised I dodged their movements didn’t stop, they were already nocking the next arrow .
「It’s regrettable to die in vain isn’t it?」
Let’s give credit where it’s due . Even within the elvish master archers there’s not many with this level of skill .
That’s why they’ll die here .
I touch the bow installed in the mechanism on the back of my left hand .
The part that becomes the body of the bow is usually folded and the string is stretched so it does not look like a bow at all .
But with the push of a button the limbs open and the string is affixed, creating a perfect showbow .
I stretch my left arm towards one of the soldiers .
In a slit on the hand cover² crossbow bolts are stored . I remove three and hold them between my fingers in my right hand .
The size of the shortbow is small, but the special alloy it’s made of allows a tension strength of 55kg, about six times stronger than the crossbows used in Elucie . The size is about 1 . 3 times the standard and thanks to the metal arrowheads its barely able to penetrate the Empire’s armors .
I load a bolt in the shortbow and while pointing straight ahead pull with my right hand .
I made it this size for ease of operation and also because while using 【Body Enhancement】to it’s fullest, it’s the limit of what I can pull with one hand .
Due to consuming the souls of several hundreds my magic power has increased but, the amount that can be released at one time has barely changed . To release in excess can destroy the body so the use of 【Body Enhancement】is already at the limit .
However, if I want to exceed this limit I can use underhanded methods like using 【Reincarnation Recall】to change into a body that can handle the stress of the excessive magic discharge .
I release the bolt and due to 【Wind Evasion】affecting it, the flight is frighteningly straight .
「Ugh」
The bolt hit one of the soldiers between the eyes and he falls down before he can even scream .
Before the first one can fall down due to the fatal wound, my fingers already nock another bolt and I fire at the second target .
This shortbow hidden in my hand cover doesn’t have a clasp like a crossbow, nor a trigger . The greatest importance was given to rapid fire so such things were deemed unnecessary .
「Be careful! That bow can penetrate our armor! Archers provide cover, Knights charge!」
With Baron Lurvishe’s order, about seven armored knights slash at me .
I understand that although the maneuverability is good, the shortbow can’t be used at close range . So I’ll have to think of another way to penetrate their armour . `
While thinking that my hand keeps moving, and I shoot the third target .
However, there’s no time to shoot a fourth . The knights are right in front of me .
Without panicking, I pull out the knife in my belt . The same moment the black luster of their blades appears . I let the magic power inside me flow, a sharp whistle like sound begins to ring .
Even I call it knife, the blade is 50cm long and it’s closer to a hatchet .
Then, on purpose, I attack in a huge arc .
「Hey, you shitty elf I can see through you」
The knight I slashed at tries to stop my attack with his blade .
Because of the opening in the attack he says that he has “seen through” with a lofty expression .
Parrying my knife lightly, then proceeding to cleave me in half with his sword . Even if I somehow dodge, his companions coming in from the sides would get me . That’s probably what he expects .
I swing the knife putting some strength in it .
The knife goes through the sword, armor, flesh, bones with no resistance at all he is sliced in a moment .
This knife was made for Lucie . Science, alchemy, magic, it’s a tool made with full use of all my abilities . Resembling iron, it cuts things like they were paper .
「What?」
Without understanding and with a stupid look on his face blood flew out and the man died .
Without even confirming it, I crouch down . An arrow flies by where the back of my head used to be . The arrow was shot by a soldier who concealed his presence and moved into the blind spot on my back .
If it wasn’t me who has【Enhanced Perception】, dodging would be impossible .
Still crouching I stretch the hand holding the knife to it’s limits and rotate it .
Doing so, the body of the two soldiers coming at me from the sides are separated at the ankle and they fall down .
Seeing that, the remaining four soldiers hesitate and stop their assault .
This grants a moment of stillness . During this time I hold the knife in my right hand and point towards the archers, while also removing two new bolts from the slot and holding them between the fingers .
Unlike the knights who stopped, the archers kept firing from different spots .
For them, the best way to prevent death was not to stop, but to kill me .
But the arrow didn’t hit . One step, two steps, I move my feet forward . While doing the minimum amount of movement, the arrows hit only air .
「Should have just run away sooner . 」
That was the only way to survive .
I dispose of them while moving forward . After releasing the bolt and confirming the hit a blink later the soldiers crease their browns and fall down .
Soon there’s only one archer left .
At this moment, the knights finally snap out of it and slash towards me .
The archers are good, but these knights are also elites .
Firstly, (they have) good discernment . They cover my line of sight, leaving no gaps, positioning themselves to see through everything I do .
Next, they are all using the difficult 【Body Enhancement】 . Their control of the centre of gravity is impressive . Normally when using 【Body Enhancement】the movement recognition becomes different and the movement can become stiff but all their movements flow perfectly .
Finally, there’s no hesitation in their sword arm . That can only be achieved with rigorous training .
But…
「Really, no problem at all . 」
At this level, they can’t even touch me .
Due to 【Enhanced Perception】, the bulging of muscles, the volume of sweat and even the changes in the line of sight, I can pick up on every single thing . It is literally a few thousand times more what the empire soldiers can pick up with their five senses .
Furthermore, such a thing like swordsmanship is limited to a number of optimal movements/patterns . It can only try and get the body as close as possible to the speed of natural reflexes .
Compared to that 【Program 】can calculate and put into action the most optimal movements the body is capable of . The quality can’t even be compared . All movements are made at a speed that excels that (the speed) of (normal) reflexes .
I bend my body to dodge the sword coming down at me by a paper thin margin . I stab my knife in the now exposed back of the knight . It goes through the armor into the heart and the knight dies instantly .
Then I shoot the last bolt in my right hand at the remaining archer .
「The knife, and the shortbow as well, very good . 」
The knife fills my, until now, lack of close combat capabilities . The combined shortbow in the hand cover allow me to freely show the advantages of rapid fire .
Not only that, the combination shortbow has two distinct advantages over the other bows so far .
First, despite the maintenance issue you can free both hands at the same time, thanks to that there’s no need to change weapons . Just like now I can keep a knife in my right hand and change immediately to close quarters combat . The inverse is also true . If the opponent opens up a distance, to follow up with the shortbow is not impossible .
Secondly, because it folds, carrying it is very easy . Because it folds, production cost, productivity, serviceability, power, weight and durability had to be sacrificed .
When it was done, I realized the demerits outweigh the benefits but to remove the folding gimmick and redo everything was silly so I left as is .
As expected since close to ten people died in such a short time, the empire’s soldiers stopped moving .
This is my chance .
I fold the bow back, return the knife to the scabbard, raise both hands to show no hostility and say .
「Well, the archers you pinned your hopes on were decimated, there are only 3 knights left who can still fight, those waiting in the back don’t reach up to twenty .
They are probably meant to be your trump card . I also already detected the two archers standing further away trying to hide their presence . So let me ask, wanna keep going?」
This is a threat . If this keeps going they’ll be annihilated .
「Fine . We surrender . I’m sorry . It’s like a nightmare . Who would have thought that against a single opponent the elite of the knight corps would still fall short . Never would’ve dreamed of it . Should have known this before we started fighting…
Well, It’s not like you are immortal like our Hero-sama . At least you avoided the swords and arrows . If you’re hit you’ll die right?
Doesn’t change the fact that you’re a monster . You can probably kill us all, why are you letting us go?」
With a sharp gaze the Luvishie Baron glares at me .
While speaking of surrender, he guarantees a path of retreating and looks over the remaining soldiers .
「We want the empire to know that from now on, we are an opponent that merits negotiations . This time since we received the ransom we’ll let the hostages go . Everything proceeded as planned and will serve to establish a precedent . Also to show you should not look down on the power of elves too much . 」
Thinking of the future, that is for the best .
Even in this situation, if there’s a chance for peace I want to try it . Even if it comes to all out war I want to establish a common ground for negotiations .
Be it elf or human, no one wants to wage war to the point of destruction .
「I understand . Nevertheless… to push us this far . I thought we could kill you at close range at least . Never mind the bow, I didn’t hear anything about that knife . 」
「Of course, this is a tool I finished just a few days ago . 」
「Yes, it’s a tool designed for making decorations . 」
The knife i’m holding is a Ultra High Oscillation Carbon Alloy knife。
Carbon Alloy was used to increase the hardness, while maintaining a bare minimum of flexibility .
Also Kuiro’s alchemy was used together with magic, so by pouring magic into the blade you can cause it to vibrate rapidly and increase the toughness of the blade .
Because that when cutting something the vibrations cause a repelling force to appear . The friction caused by this wears down the resistance of the objects allowing it to cut through like a joke . The enhanced toughness of the blade also limit the abrasion of the blade .
It was made to manufacture the ring I want to give to Lucie .
Since it’s a wedding ring I want to make a diamond ring . Diamonds are after all made of carbon so by using Kuiro making them is possible . But it’s a crude diamond so cutting it is a necessity .
A uncut diamond is not different from any other stone .
By all means necessary I needed a knife that could easily cut the diamond .
To create a high quality alloy, to engrave complex magics, to create a base suitable for high speed vibrations, all have a extraordinary level of difficulty and even as Kuiro each one took a full use of 【Reincarnation Recall】to produce . But thinking it’s for Lucie none of the difficulties matter .
「That’s just a tool!? There’s nothing else?」
「Yes, that’s correct . That’s what I said . Like the empire created countermeasures to our bows, we created countermeasures to that . 」
At my words, Baron Lurvishe seems to contemplate something .
He grumbles in an almost inaudible voice but with 【Enhanced Perception】the movement of the wind carries it to me .
「Who’s backing them? A technique from the Korine Kingdom ? No they can’t make something like this . Then, from where? From where did he get something like this? What’s their motive? To use the elves to chip away at the empire strength? No there are a lot of better ways to do that . 」
Completely off track, but that he thinks like this is expected .
It doesn’t look like i’ll get any useable information listening, so i’ll stop pretending I can’ hear to gather intel .
I’m getting tired so let’s stop the conversation .
「Then, since you are no longer hostile, I’ll no longer draw any blood . Let’s call this to a close . Thank you for today . 」
「Wait, there is two things I want to say . First is a question, Cyril you said? Your equipment is impressive but your own abilities are outstanding . The elves, can they all fight at your level?」
「I wonder . Even if say strong, I’m just a chief not a knight . 」
Interpreting my words the wrong way Baron Lurvishe’s face goes white .
I didn’t lie .
The real intention behind these words was to bring out the informant .
Is the knife I’m using being mass produced? Are there fighters other than me? Lurvishe can’t dispel the worries in his chest . So he will have to contact the informant .
Of course they’ll see through my bluff then, but it’s the best way to find the informant .
The truth is if there were a hundred elves who could fight like me, I could rest easy… I end up thinking now and again .
「…… . The second thing . Please excuse today’s impoliteness . If you came only to negotiate today that is best . What do you want? 」
This was what surprised me the most today .
I never thought he would say something like this . Then, if it’s like this let’s get something I’ve been wanting .
「If it’s like that then, firstly would you give me a horse? Because mine was shot by one of your archers . 」
In the middle of the battle, the horse I set running was shot down .
Like this I can’t return with the carriage .
「Very well . Since you said firstly you must want something else right?」
「Yes, one more thing, would you give me one of those bags in the carriage?」
After seeing it【Enhanced Perception】, i demanded one of the bags that were interesting me .
「You got sharp eyes . Since you saw them . They are meant to be gifts to a higher-up, but one bag should not matter . 」
Then, a soldier carried a bag weighing about 10kg and put it into the carriage, and a empire horse was tied to it .
After that the soldiers began to take care of the bodies .
While looking over them I make the horse run .
「That was tiresome . 」
If you look at the margin of error I had in this battle, it was very close .
【Enhanced Perception】and【Program 】are powerful but not almighty .
The use of magical power is small, but the calculations put a strain on the mind . Prolonged use is difficult .
I train my calculating abilities every day so I can use them for about two hours with full magic power but even so, tiring is tiring .
And above all, these abilities let me move my body at the most optimal way, but that is far from being invincible .
For example, if a rock with a radius of 1km falls from the sky, no matter how well I move I’ll still die . You don’t even have to go that far . If an attack leaves me with no way to escape, there’s nothing I can do .
In the first place, there’s still a 0 . 1sec delay from the calculations to the movement of the body .
An attack using sound from 30 meters away takes 0 . 08secs . 【Program 】can’t react to that . Even if there’s a way to predict the attack like the trigger on a gun and I can detect with 【Enhanced Perception】, without extraordinary movements you it’s hard to avoid .
Moreover if there’s an enemy that can carry out an attack at the speed of sound with no preparations before hand I’ll certainly lose . I can actually do something like that . (ED: Basically, if he went up against himself, he’d lose . Lol . )
By my judgement if I’m thrust in the middle of a few hundreds of the Empire’s soldiers I can kill a few dozens of them but will eventually succumb . No matter how I struggle 【Cyril】 does not have the power to change the course of a war .
To have a plan, and cooperate with your companions is essential .
「But this tiredness bought some results . There’s 2000 gold coins(120 . 000 . 000 yen), with this the firefoxes food and clothes, livestock and the next year produce variety can increase .
We can put together what they still need, and their quality of life will improve .
The quality of their meals is poor, because the variety of ingredients is too limited . I want to grow at least onions and carrots . But what I really want is corn, rosemary, sage and all kinds of herbs .
「I got something beyond my expectations, I never thought I would end up getting something like this . 」
Inside the sack I took from Lurvishe, there’s something whose worth is comparable to the gold .
When I take the opportunity to use this . If I apologize sincerely I’m certain Lucie would forgive me for what I did with Kuu… Is what I want to think .
While thinking that, I whip the horse towards Elucie and start to hurry .
¹(111mph)
²Tekkou: some sort of hand cover, couldn’t find a specific translation .
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