Chapter 10
Chapter 10
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 10
Chapter Title: I've Got My Main Weapon - 2
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Not long after, Ellis presented me with a box that looked expensive even at a glance.
"Here you go."
"Should I open it?"
"Ah."
Ellis slowly opened the box.
The black surface of the box was intricately embroidered with golden decorations.
It matched what was inside perfectly.
It took less than a second to recognize what it was.
A design that needed no manual, something even a toddler could use if they had the strength to pull the trigger.
I grabbed it without hesitation and pulled it out.
The heavy steel filled my hand perfectly. The Witch's Curse that Ellis had received was a pistol.
"Ellis."
"Yes, Master."
"Looks like Wonderland just sees you as a retard."
"Tohihi~ Yeah, right? But I've always planned to give this to you, Master."
"Oh?"
"Of course."
Puhahaha, tohihihi. We laughed together in perfect harmony.
Thwack—!
"Tohiit!"
My mood soured, so I kicked Ellis in the ass once.
She hopped in place, rubbing her backside.
"Ow... It hurts!"
That's why I hit her.
The reason I said Wonderland was underestimating Ellis, and the reason she backpedaled saying she'd always planned to give it to me, was simple.
Humans who wield mana use magic to handle all sorts of weapons, and among them, guns are the worst performers.
A gun that shapes the user's mana into 'bullets' to aid in combat.
It seems awfully convenient, but it has fatal flaws to match.
No matter the bullet's power, you have to reload after eight shots.
And even that's not true for all guns.
Only the highest quality ones can fire a full eight rounds without reloading.
What garbage.
Reloading by channeling mana into the barrel takes at least five seconds, even if you're fast.
Having to do that every eight shots means they're practically useless in real combat.
They're only good for ceremonial blessings or show a few times to set the mood...
Mages who use them in actual fights are exceedingly rare.
'Let's check the quality.'
A glossy black pistol.
The golden decorations scattered across it were so ornate that it felt more like an ornament than a weapon.
'Ermetilene.'
This glossy black material isn't common.
Ermetilene, which can barely be mined from the northern continent's edge.
Elfriede is truly wicked. Making trash like this with such precious material.
For example, a sword made from this would be worth a thousand times more.
She probably made it to flaunt her status. Like, "I'm so great I make trash out of ermetilene." Something like that.
And sure enough, there was a short letter inside the box.
[To the Lady of Revelry. The Revelry Witch. For you.]
And below it, Elfriede's name was signed in elegant script. It soured my mood, so I tore it to shreds.
The torn pieces fluttered to the floor like petals.
"Clean the floor."
"Huh?"
"What."
"Yes."
Anyway, top quality. Worthy of being called a relic. Eight shots, no problem.
'Wait a minute.'
I realized I'd overlooked something huge.
Don't I have the Restoration Stigma now? Combine that with a relic-grade gun...
"Ellis."
"Yes, Master."
"I need to test this right away."
"The courtyard's spacious. You can shoot there without issue."
"You come too."
Ellis tilted her head.
"Me? Why me?"
"Need a target."
"?"
Ellis stood pressed flat against the wall, trembling like a flower petal.
I'd thought about putting an apple on her head, but the headband got in the way, so I left it. Two targets are better for practice anyway.
"M-Master! You're really going to use me as a target for practice?"
"Yeah."
"That's... that's a gun from Blackjack. It has the best ability among guns for shaping mana into bullets."
"So?"
"So? What do you mean 'so'! You'll kill me if you hit! No, I said you'll kill me!"
"Then that's that."
Anything short of instant death is fine. I'll use the stigma to save her.
And shooting's always been my specialty, so I was confident no accidents would happen at this range.
If Ellis gets hit, it'll be on purpose. Yeah.
"Argh! Seriously!"
Ellis hurled her bunny-ear headband to the ground.
"I can't serve like this! Is this what you meant by staking your life on loyalty? It's disgusting. I won't do it. No way."
She shoved my shoulder with hers and stormed off.
"Might as well OD on all the drugs in the mansion and die. Ugh, really."
Bang—!
"Kyaa!"
A bullet hit at her feet, and Ellis jumped like a startled rabbit.
"Seven left. Wonder if I can hit your head before then. For reference, that one was aimed at your feet."
"......"
She picked up the headband from the ground, put it back on, and returned to the wall.
"I thought a moving target would be more helpful for training."
"It would. But move once more, and next time it's your head."
"Yes."
Click—
I hooked my finger on the trigger.
This moment always thrilled me. The strange tension of changing fate with just one finger.
"Don't move."
With that, I started shooting.
Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!
Noble golden flames flickered from the muzzle. Proof this was a relic.
And the shots were surprisingly quiet, which I liked.
Seemed like a silencer spell on the barrel.
Two in the left ear of the headband, two in the right.
The bullets flew straight, piercing the bunny ears and embedding in the wall.
Years as a Shadow had honed my skills.
I trusted myself, so I didn't bother confirming the obvious result.
Just fired the remaining three.
One, two, three.
The target: the gap between Ellis's thick thighs. Not pervy, just to scare her.
Thud! Thud! Thud!
"Hiaaaaa...!"
Confirming all eight shots fired, Ellis collapsed with a soulless expression.
"Don't move."
This was just the beginning.
I activated the Restoration Stigma.
If things went as planned, this pistol would now rival a Holy Relic in value.
Along with sharp pain, the sensation I felt was...
'The pistol is cold.'
Yeah, just like when it was first in the box.
I pulled the trigger without hesitation.
Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!
"Hik? Hyaa?!"
The gun that should need reloading fired anyway! Ellis flattened herself in panic.
Five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten.
It fired every time I pulled the trigger. Just as expected.
I couldn't stop my lips from curling up.
"......Perfect."
I was impressed.
The goddess's Holy Relic had evolved the witch's relic into a true Holy Relic.
I could wield this pistol without reloading penalties.
Of course, I'd need to test the stigma's own limits and penalties in detail going forward.
But even so, I couldn't help but be amazed.
As long as I could use the stigma, no reloading needed. More than enough reason to be impressed.
"Thanks, Elfriede."
I muttered quietly.
I didn't care what her intentions were in giving Ellis this.
But one thing was clear: the 'Witch's Curse' she'd handed down was a massive boon for me.
"Test's over. Get up."
But Ellis stayed flattened on the ground.
"Hiaang... Huwuwaaaaa..."
What was she doing? Actually crying face-down.
No choice. I approached and patted her shoulder.
"Get up. It's over. Your master Florian, Florian."
"Ughk...?!"
But something was off. She shot up, face flushed, body shivering.
What was wrong? I pondered, then had a bad feeling.
I muttered my name once more.
"Florian?"
"Uhuh... Uhuhu..."
Damn. Goosebumps.
I left immediately. At least no one would suspect our engagement now.
After that, I made Ellis run errands out of boredom a few more times.
In the meantime, a visitor arrived at Florian Manor.
Obvious at a glance. His face screamed Wonderland.
Years as a Shadow had sharpened my instincts like that.
The guy adjusting his suit straightened up when he spotted me and asked arrogantly,
"I'm here for the master of this manor."
"That's me."
He scanned me up and down twice.
I'd changed into fresh clothes, the cleanest suit in the manor.
Realizing I wasn't a servant, he sighed deeply.
"From Wonderland. Got a report for you, so cut the pathetic posturing and fetch Ellis, you uncivilized bastard."
I considered slapping him, but "uncivilized bastard" sparked my mischief.
I rummaged in my pocket and pulled out a golden Spade Ace.
"What if I give the report?"
"What? You're the one dispatched this time? Can't even make report time, you uncivilized shit. Why haven't you returned?"
"Been raising a dumb bunny. Want the report now?"
"Where's Heart Ace? He's supposed to report."
I rummaged again and pulled out the Heart Ace.
"Actually, I'm Heart Ace."
"......?"
The guy looked baffled.
"...And the mission log says Heart Ace delegated to Clover Ace. What are you?"
"Ah."
Right, that too. No worries.
This time, I pulled out the Clover Ace.
"Actually, I'm Clover Ace."
The man's face twisted viciously, like crumpled newspaper.