Chapter 125: Hunting
[That afternoon]
[Because affection is too low, Tomoe Gozen temporarily canceled the interview with you. You are free to act this afternoon.]
[The male students invite you to go bug catching with them.]
[At first, you intended to refuse them. The urgent task right now is to increase Tomoe Gozen's affection.]
[But then you reconsidered — if you didn't go with the male students, you would have to stay at the camp with the female students. Melusine, Marie Alter, Jeanne d'Arc — each like wolves and tigers, watching you with predatory eyes; after thinking for a moment, you decided it would be safer to stay with the boys.]
[Even though you're still angry with them, deep down, you still want to hang out together.]
[Bradamante somewhat wanted to come along with you guys, but was held back by Jeanne Alter.]
[You and boys went up the mountain together to catch bugs.]
...
Around four in the afternoon.
The sun was no longer as glaringly harsh as before; its temper had softened, and the dazzling yet gentle light drifted across the fields and forests.
Eikou and the other boys held insect nets and breeding boxes, walking along a narrow mountain path, lush with greenery; the wind blew through the grass under their feet, branches swayed with a pleasant rustling sound echoing nearby.
The mountain path here was uneven and steep, overgrown with weeds, requiring patience to move forward; yet, this uphill exploration brought a refreshing feeling reminiscent of childhood.
"I'm thinking about how to salvage my image in Tomoe Gozen's eyes…" Eikou said as he carried his net, looking at them reproachfully.
The boys looked at him with innocent expressions, puzzled: "Don't tell me you're still not great enough in her heart? Haven't we already worshipped you enough?"
"Thanks, guys, I'll kill you all sooner or later," Eikou said blankly.
"But right now, I need everyone's input — how do we clean up this mess? Everyone's responsible, no one's getting out of this."
[Only one day and one night remain.]
[You must find a way to raise Tomoe Gozen's affection.]
[Otherwise, what awaits you will be the trial of the Shadow Disciplinary Committee and the destruction of your honor.]
"This is simple," Tristan suggested. "Use Disaster With Women to seduce Tomoe Gozen a bit — wouldn't that solve everything?"
"That won't work. That's like borrowing debt to pay debt — in the end, the interest piles up, and you'll never stand up again."
Tristan's eyes suddenly lit up. "Then I've got another plan."
"Oh? You've got a plan?"
"Tonight, we could play King's Game. As long as someone, under the title of King, orders Tomoe Gozen to 'not give Eikou a hard time,' wouldn't that solve it?"
Eikou silently thought, you still remember King's Game? Last time you were stripped naked by Morgan, did you forget already? You only remember the bad luck, huh.
"Nice idea, but let me tweak it a bit… I appoint you as Tomoe Gozen!"
"I become a married woman? There's even such a good deal for me?"
"? Tristan, you should go to the hospital and check if your brain's been replaced with a potato."
Eikou couldn't help but laugh, then sighed.
"Alright, finding you idiots was my mistake. I'll think about it on my own."
"Wait,"
Among them, the most reliable-looking one — Gawain — spoke up at just the right time:
"Human nature tends to admire the strong; people naturally respect and revere strength. Especially for a Lady who has gone through chaotic battles like Tomoe Gozen, she would certainly respect someone stronger. As long as you display strength befitting that, her impression of you will surely improve greatly."
"I see…"
Eikou nodded as if he had suddenly realized something.
"So if I become a Grand Servant, Tomoe Gozen won't have anything left to say."
"…You don't have to be that strong. Your ambition's a bit too big."
Gawain stroked his chin, then suggested:
"Since we're out bug catching today anyway, we could hunt a few demon boars and wyverns around here, then catch some fish — let Lady Tomoe Gozen witness your impressive outdoor survival skills. Even if it doesn't change her impression immediately, at least she'll think you're a very capable man."
Oh, that actually makes sense.
As expected, Gawain was the most reliable — truly the only Servant in Chaldea who brought a gift upon being summoned, clearly someone who understands human nature well.
"Very good, then while catching bugs, let's keep an eye out for any prey nearby — any monster that looks fierce will do."
Eikou said to the boys,
"Guys, this is a big deal that concerns whether I can get into the Student Council and keep my reputation intact, so please lend me a hand!"
"Got it! Leave it to us!"
The boys shouted in unison.
[You and the boys search for magical beasts deep in the mountains.]
[Please conduct a Luck check.]
A die rolled down.
[Result: B, check failed.]
[Perhaps due to staying up late, you're a bit unfocused and fail to find any truly powerful monsters.]
[...]
[After an hour of exploring through the mountains and forests, all you've caught are a long-horned beetle and a rhinoceros beetle with your insect nets, and a few perch from the stream using spears.]
[You spot some demonic monkeys in the forest, agilely leaping between branches. Though technically considered magical beasts, their small bodies hold little appeal to you — even if you defeated them, there'd be nothing glorious about it.]
"…Now that I think about it, during the outdoor class, didn't those demonic monkeys steal our food?"
Watching the demonic monkeys swinging from tree to tree, Eikou muttered.
[You decide to continue venturing deeper.]
[Please conduct another Luck check.]
Another die rolled down.
[Result: D, check successful.]
[However, to discover powerful monsters outdoors, this check must be a Great success.]
"Great success? Expecting me — someone with zero gacha luck — to roll a Great success is a bit too much, isn't it?"
Eikou complained discontentedly,
"Even if we don't find a monster, at least give me a positive reward or something."
[Although you didn't find any monsters...]
[You discovered a natural hot spring deep within the mountains, with steaming hot water that can wash away your fatigue from the day.]
What, a hot spring?
Eikou was slightly surprised, raising his eyebrows.
Though it was already summer, the sun was setting and the temperature was beginning to drop; soaking comfortably in hot water here didn't sound bad at all.
There was no chance of catching any monsters today, but if he could enjoy a hot spring bath, it might at least remove the DEBUFF from staying up late.
Looking at the steaming hot spring before him, it seemed to be seducing them to step in and soak.
"At this point, might as well take a bath first and think later!"
Eikou didn't hesitate any longer; decisively, he and the other boys stripped down and dove straight into the hot spring.
...