Episode 12 Slâve Hunting [Side Story]

Translated By: Niladri

[Otto’s POV]

My name is Otto.

Ever since I was little, I had been very good at archery.

I lived in Muranose village.

I usually spent my time hunting.

I really liked shooting arrows from my bow and hunting prey.

The moment my arrow struck its prey, it felt indescribable.

「Otto's bowmanship is the best in the village... no, it's the best in the world! 」

My father also used to praise me.

Today, I went hunting in the forest as usual.

But it’s just that today, I ended up becoming the hunted instead.

「Haa... Haa... 」

I was running away in the woods.

I was being chased.

「Damn... Slâve hunters has even reached this place... 」

Slâve hunting was common these days.

They kidnapped innocent villagers and sold them as slâves.

The demand for slâves was increasing in the world.

The nobles used slâves like disposable trash and demanded one after another without any consideration.

In order to meet this kind of demand, the slâve traders expanded the range of slâve hunting.

「Go over there! Don't let him escape! 」

「Ugh... 」

It was careless of me to enter the forest alone.

I was surrounded by several slâve hunters.

My bow alone wouldn’t be enough to fend them off.

I wondered what the situation in the village was.

I suddenly became curious.

While fighting back, I made my way towards the village.

「Take this...! 」

「Gwa...!? 」

As expected of my archery.

That was the first time I had ever shot an arrow at another human being, but I was able to hold my own in battle.

But the opponents were too many.

If they got too close, I wouldn’t stand a chance.

Using my natural agility, I gradually increased the distance between myself and the attackers while making my way towards the village.

「No way... 」

However, when I returned to the village, an unbelievable sight awaited me.

The village had been set ablaze, and there was nothing left of it.

Most of the villagers seemed to have been caught in the slâve hunt.

Some who resisted were killed.

「Uh... damn…」

I was overcome with nausea and dizziness.

At that moment, a man wielding a knife appeared from behind me.

「Heh heh heh... Gotcha’...! 」

「Let go...! 」

「Ya’ darned! Quit strugglin’...! 」

I resist with all my might.

I take out an arrow in hand, and stab it into the man's arm.

「D*mn it...! Give up already...! 」

「Gah...! 」

The man raised his blade and slashed at my arm.

My arm was effortlessly cut off and fell to the ground.

「That's... my arm...!Gaaaaaaaaaaaaa! 」

「F*cking brat! It's because ya’ can't give up quietly. 」

And thus, I was captured in the slâve hunt.

I was in despair.

Not because of my enslâvement.

It was because I would never run around the fields and mountains shooting my bow again.

◆

I was lined up at a shop in the slâve market that exclusively sold slâves with physical disabilities.

Honestly, I remained a leftover product.

Well, I wouldn’t be able to use my beloved bow anymore, would I...?

D*mn, if only I had my hand.

Even as a slâve, my bowmanship would have been valued, and I might have been able to work as an archer.

I had already given up on my life.

My face was tanned, and no one was interested in purchasing someone like me.

At this rate, I would be disposed of soon.

「Can I have him? 」

Meanwhile, someone appeared who wanted to buy me.

His name was Erd Schmarken. He was still a child and younger than I was.

What are you thinking?

With that in mind, I was taken to Erd-sama's mansion.

「Then I'll treat you. 」

「Yes……?」

Saying that, Erd-sama began casting healing magic on my arm.

「Ah, um... what...? 」

「What, I'm regenerating your arm. 」

「Regenerating my arm!? That's impossible with healing magic! 」

「Well no, it's not impossible, but... 」

I didn't understand what was going on.

What on earth was this person talking about?

Speaking of recovery magic, there was an old man in the village who could use it.

But he could only cure colds and treat scrapes at best.

「Wait… Is it really growing back…!?」

「That's why I said so. 」

As I tried to remain still, my arm really grew back.

「How amazing...! Really thank you so much, Erd-sama! 」

I was moved to tears.

I thought I'd never be able to shoot a bow again, let alone being able to regain my hand.

I was really lucky.

What a kind person purchased me, right?