Episode 84: Interlude (One-Shot Arrow)
The fact that I was able to notice it was truly a coincidence.
I remember that day was a clear, cloudless day, and the light filtering through the trees was more intense than usual.
The daily routine of patrolling the area was carried out as usual with the usual members. We were on the lookout for stray monsters, strange traces, or abnormalities in the vegetation.
If we found any monsters, we would have to eliminate them, but the patrol area was sandwiched between other patrol areas on both sides, with the town behind us and the wilderness leading to the Afrasia United Kingdom in front of us, so there was virtually no chance of stray monsters wandering in.
Still, we couldn’t let our guard down, so it was a relaxed place, treated as a vacation by the Garrison.
It was precisely because it was such a patrol area.
That I neglected to be vigilant of my surroundings, and for some reason, looked up at the sky through the gaps in the trees, far above.
A glint.
In the moment it reflected the slightly tilted sunlight, I was able to notice that something was flying there.
“In any case, it’s an incredibly high place. Even the Wyverns of the Northern Mountains have never been seen flying that high.”
That was the conclusion reached by the observer with the best eyesight in the unit.
We had no idea how high it was flying. But it was definitely flying in the sky, and moving according to a fixed course.
“It’s not a legendary Tyra-Dragon. How is it flying?”
After discovering it, the information was immediately conveyed from the unit commander to the Crisis Response Department. It was determined that interception by the rapid response team was impossible, and the information was passed on to the Ministry of Defense. At the same time, an emergency summons was issued to the Council of Elders.
“It seems to be moving slowly towards our country in a large circle. I’m not very familiar with it, but I’ve heard that the reconnaissance flights of the eastern Wyv Riders follow such a circular trajectory.”
“So, are you saying that someone is riding that thing and is coming to scout our country?”
“Coming from that direction, is the opponent the nomadic tribes? Ridiculous, there’s no way they could fly at such a high altitude.”
“We should consider that possibility as well, shouldn’t we? Perhaps it’s a nation further to the west. I’ve heard they’re after Burnstone (Tone Mug). Maybe they demanded mining rights in exchange for some kind of technology.”
“Why would they seek out such barren land? We should just let the nomadic tribes continue to mine it as before. If you try to get involved in such a place, money will be swallowed up endlessly. It’s a bottomless swamp.”
“It’s also possible that they’re fools who can’t even imagine that.”
“Hmph. You’re saying that such a foolish, backward nation has the technology to send something flying up there? Ridiculous.”
“Then, are you saying that some force that can mine Burnstone (Tone Mug) in that barren land and make a profit is sending that thing?”
“No, in the first place, isn’t it all just speculation? There’s no basis for any of it. We need to investigate what it is and whether dialogue is possible first.”
“Investigate? Do you have any ideas? We’ve received reports that even our country’s best wind magic user can’t rise to even half that height.”
The Council of Elders was in turmoil.
The mysterious flying object seemed to continue flying in the sky day and night.
Furthermore, something that appeared to be the same thing was confirmed for a short time far away, over the southern sea.
“According to the observation results, it is highly likely to be an artificial object. There are no similar species that are monsters, and it doesn’t move like a living creature. It’s like a Golem repeating a set pattern.”
“Isn’t there any way to shoot it down or something? If it’s an artificial object, isn’t it an invasion of our country?”
“There’s no way we could shoot an arrow that high. Can’t we do something with magic?”
“Magic also has a range. No matter how skilled the user, they can’t reach that height.”
Some kind of artificial object, probably a Golem.
I don’t know what you can see from such a high altitude, but still, being watched all the time is naturally not a pleasant feeling.
In the discussion, it was natural that the conversation turned to how to shoot it down.
“We can’t aim directly with magic, but if we combine something…”
“To the Garrison commander who has long-range magic…”
“Can’t we use Sojidaras, the Bow God’s Strike…”
“If this continues, our country’s prestige will…”
And then, a decision was made. The moderate faction narrowly gained the right to speak, and orders were issued to the Garrison. That is, to shoot an arrow message.
“Start observation!”
“Observation started.”
After the decision was made, the unit immediately began to act.
A unit commander skilled in One-Shot magic was selected, and a Longbow and arrow engraved with a special formula were prepared.
Because the opponent is so far away, this Longbow will probably be damaged after the magic is activated. It is a special item prepared just for this operation, with formulas for increasing initial velocity and strengthening range densely engraved on it.
“Target sighted.”
The One-Shot magic allows the user to reliably hit a target within their perceptual range with an arrow they release. However, the farther away the opponent is and the faster they move, the more Magical Power is required.
A simple measurement revealed that the required Magical Power could not be covered by one person, so it was decided to use a ritual magic in which multiple people supply Magical Power.
Intricate formulas were combined to create a pentagram magic circle, with the caster at the apex and the remaining four points occupied by Magical Power suppliers.
Furthermore, visual enhancement magic was layered on from the outside to help the caster see the target Golem.
Even so, even the one said to have the best eyes in the unit can only see it as a tiny sesame seed.
But all that is needed for One-Shot is to “see.”
The Longbow, filled with Magical Power, emits a glow. The formula engraved on the arrow also emitted light in response to the One-Shot magic.
With a creaking sound, the bow is drawn.
“One-Shot.”
Leaving behind the sound of wind, the arrow was released. The Longbow shattered into pieces from the recoil of the magic.
It was probably one of the few times in the long history of this Forest Country (Lebresta) that so much Magical Power had been poured into a single arrow.
While greedily sucking up Magical Power from the Magical Power path connected to the caster, the flying arrow did not lose speed and flew towards the target.
Due to the effect of the magic, the arrow will always pierce the target. In order to realize that result, the arrow flew while overwriting reality.
While sucking up the Magical Power of the caster and suppliers, the arrow gradually increased its altitude.
“…Ugh.”
And then, about five minutes later. The Magical Power ran out. Several people lost consciousness due to the rapid Magical Power deficiency.
The caster, being the starting point of the Magical Power supply, had a little Magical Power left.
He sensed that the Magical Power path connecting him to the arrow had been released in the normal procedure.
“…Hit, it hit.”
Even so, he felt dizzy and knelt down due to the rapid loss of Magical Power. The waiting medic immediately rushed over.
“Report, hit confirmed!”
“Rear observation, confirmed normal release of the formula! It hit!”
Hearing the reports from the caster himself and the observation team, the unit commander nodded.
“Signal corps, contact headquarters. The letter has been delivered to the guest. This operation is completed as planned. No problems. Over.”
“Roger!”
Although it was a one-shot deal, the operation to deliver the arrow message to the Golem in the sky was successfully completed.
If the target Golem had a magical defense barrier, the arrow would have lost its power due to insufficient Magical Power to break through the barrier.
Despite the combined attack of five elite members of the Garrison, it was all they could do just to hit it. Even though it was according to plan, the unit commander couldn’t be sure of success.
Furthermore, the funds poured into this operation. The specially made bow and arrow were one-of-a-kind items made by the best Magic Tool craftsmen. Rare catalysts for ritual magic, and high-ranking magicians who constructed the magic circle.
An amount of money that made his spine tingle had been invested in this operation.
“Alright. Continue to confirm the opponent’s situation. The observation team will continue as is. Let me know immediately if there are any changes.”
“Roger! The observation team will continue the operation!”
About an hour after the arrow message hit.
The Golem in the sky slowly deviated from its course and changed its course towards the Afrasia United Kingdom.
And after that, Golems never invaded the Forest Country (Lebresta) again.