Chapter 149: 15. The Mother-Daughter Rice Bowl Served by the Married Queen
Thwack!
The arrow sliced through the air and embedded itself in a deer.
"Oh."
"……?"
Han Siu marveled at his own success, while Hildear's jaw dropped beside him.
"Master Siu... This really is your first time, right...?"
"Huh? Yeah. First time hunting, why?"
"Hmm..."
He glanced sideways, taking in the considerable pile of carcasses in view.
Hildear could only let out a groan.
This isn't how it was supposed to go...
The El Lora hunting grounds were popular among nobles and knights for stress relief, but surprisingly, they were also a hotspot for dates. It was a place to show off one's femininity and sneak in some subtle skinship.
Hildear had chosen it precisely for that reason.
Luckily, Siu had said he'd never hunted before, barely touched a bow, and couldn't ride a horse. She'd spun all sorts of fantasies while planning the date—riding together, teaching him how to shoot...
But Siu shattered her expectations effortlessly.
"So, for riding, you do it like this..."
"Oh, got it."
"……?"
"Whoa, good girl. That's it, yeah."
"……?"
He mounted the horse on the first try and handled it like a pro.
Even if it was a mare trained for guests, wasn't it too obedient?
For the horse to heed a rider's commands so perfectly.
"A-And when shooting the bow..."
"Like this?"
Twang.
"Ah. Got it."
"……??"
"Man, I haven't shot a bow much, but this is pretty fun."
"……??"
"You said there are monsters too, right? Let's catch one."
"Uh, y-yeah..."
She deflated at how easily he nailed everything.
Most of the dozen or so animals nearby were his kills.
Her tension and disappointment led to misses, her score far below her usual. But Siu hit every shot as if the animals were offering themselves up. It was utterly baffling.
Are they all females? Even then, they shouldn't just die like that...
"...Haa."
She'd wanted to hug him from behind under the pretense of teaching him to shoot.
A sigh escaped, souring her mood.
"Hilde?"
Seeing his beloved knight so down, Siu turned his horse toward her.
Just thirty minutes in, and his riding was already expert-level. Hildear felt awkward.
"You okay?"
"Y-Yes..."
"Feeling off? Wanna take a break?"
"W-Well..."
She started to nod, but words caught in her throat.
What a pathetic display.
He's having so much fun, and here I am moping because I can't show off or touch him a bit...
Shame flooded her.
Her knightly pride reared up.
"...Master Siu."
"Yeah?"
"Let's make a bet."
"A bet? Out of nowhere?"
"Yes. Whoever gets the highest score in one hour."
She signaled the hunting ground staff assisting them.
The staffer pulled out a scroll listing local animals and monsters with their point values. Sizes affected scores too—it looked legit.
"A bet, huh..."
Hildear swallowed quietly as Siu pondered.
It was ridiculous, really.
A regular knight like her versus a total newbie just learning horses and bows.
But she was dead serious.
Her eyes burned with it, making it hard for Siu to refuse.
Hmm, her pride's hurt? Might not be bad to let her win...
"Since it's a bet, there should be stakes. Loser grants the winner a wish."
"A wish?"
His mind flashed to naughty possibilities.
Sounded fun.
"Deal. Not bad."
"I'll definitely win."
Siu chuckled at her clenched fist.
"Haha, yeah. Let's both give it our all."
A lovers' wager.
No losers here.
Even if he lost, Hildear wouldn't wish for anything crazy, and it'd cheer her up. Hunting was fun anyway—one hour was perfect.
"Guess we split up? I'll head that way."
"Yes. I'll go this way... See you later!"
"Yeah, yeah."
Hildear galloped off one way, a staffer following.
Siu smiled at her retreating figure, then chatted lightly with his remaining staffer.
Good there were two—fair for guiding and scoring.
"Alright, where to?"
"Wait..."
"Hm?"
As Siu spurred his horse into the woods, the staffer's voice trailed behind, but the horse didn't stop.
"Whoa... Uh."
It felt familiar, but the horse wasn't fully listening.
He could've handled it if expert, but he wasn't there yet.
By the time he stopped, the staffer was gone.
"What now..."
Going back would waste time mid-bet.
He's probably nearby; he'll catch up.
Siu surveyed the vast woods.
From horseback, the view was wider, more enjoyable.
The grounds were bigger than expected.
Someday, he could buy woods and mountains, run a place like this.
Land was easy for him now, but people mattered more.
"Can't go too far or the staff won't catch up. Stick around here..."
He wandered, shooting casually, bagging beasts.
Deeper in, more dangerous ones appeared.
Early on: rabbits, birds, small deer.
Now: boars, threats if provoked.
But to Siu, prey even barehanded.
Twang. Thwick.
Gazing at his latest elk, he reached for the quiver.
"Seven now... Huh."
Nothing. Empty.
"Ah... Mistake."
Hildear was impressed, but he wasn't perfect. Sometimes multiple arrows per kill. That elk took five or six.
Plus pre-split kills—he'd burned through them.
"Haa, when's the staff coming?"
Time passed, no sign.
Not too far; paths must've crossed.
Siu piled the elk, sprinkled scent-repelling powder.
Then decided to explore since he was here.
Searching or waiting, I'll lose anyway. Might as well relax.
Daily maintained by dozens of staff, yet some wild-feeling spots.
Rare to leisurely enjoy such a peaceful forest.
No real dangers—even strongest monsters were easy for him. Worst case, Holy Sword.
Basking in fresh forest air amid green.
"Hm...?"
Something caught his eye.
This is...
Tracks.
Not monster or beast—human.
First thought: enemy.
From the carriage ride: demon manipulators. Hideouts unknown. One here? Possible.
Nah, probably staff.
Staff claimed deep woods touched rarely, for natural state. And these were single person's tracks.
Staff move in groups. ...Alright.
Siu tied reins to a branch, calmed the horse.
Then tracked stealthily, minimizing presence.
Easy trail.
The mystery person wasn't hiding.
Overthinking, huh.
A demon wouldn't be so blatant.
Still, curiosity piqued—he'd check who.
Losing the bet anyway; small thrill nice.
"……♬"
Whistling nearby.
Finally nearing, Siu witnessed the unimaginable.
"Heheung~♪ ...Ah?"
"……???"
Light blue hair like water, past shoulders.
Familiar from countless sights and touches—but face slightly more mature than memory. Just yesterday, hours chatting.
Impossible not to recognize.
Problem below.
No familiar knight armor, no yesterday's dress.
Smooth apricot skin dotted with water droplets. Nude.
"...M-M-M-M-Master Siu...?"
Naked Lady Crimhilt called his name.
"......"
Siu couldn't reply.
Shock? Or too busy scanning her body? Either way, her details burned into his retinas.
Perky breasts tipped with cute grapes.
Tempting hips below slim waist.
Seaweed-like pubes drooping wetly.
Imprinting it all, he finally spoke.
"Uh... Um, th-thanks."
"……?? Y-Yes? Master Siu? What did you...?"
"Ah, no. Sorry."
"......"
"......"
Awkward silence.
Even flustered, Siu didn't turn or close eyes. Crimhilt didn't cover up. Just stared in embarrassment.
Crimhilt surrendered first.
"P-Please... turn around."
"...Yes."
Voice thick with regret.
Man turned; woman sank down.
Burying her flushed face in knees.