The Unbreakable Bow

"Breaking news: The upper council of the United Realms has voted in favor of the cancellation of the membership of The Hirohasm Empire in The C.O.T.U.R. "

What ? How is this box speaking? And why did everyone stop talking? It must be important, right ?

Indeed everyone who had been in that room was now focused on whatever the box was saying.

"During their meeting today, the representatives of the members of the upper council had all agreed and voted in favour of cancelling the membership of The Hirohasm Empire in the lower council. This decision was made in response to the illegal occupation of the Nabilean peninsula by Hirohasmean forces the refusal of their shogun Ryuji Tsuhito to elaborate in any manner and the continuing ignoring of warnings from The C.O.T.U.R. The council has also said that they will take more action if this arrogant behaviour continues from the Hirohasm state as the higher king Richard the Fourth of the United Kingdoms of Carthagonia said in his interview after the meeting. "

The voice that had been currently speaking quickly changed into another voice. The quality was the same but the new voice was very clearly an old man.

"As the higher king of the United Kingdoms of Carthagonia, I must acknowledge that the Hirohasm aggression cannot be ignored longer. The members of the upper council as protecters of peace and prosperity, have indeed tried to negotiate with the Hirohasm state but they however do not respond to us.

We have tried all possible peaceful solutions and this is our last act before we pull arms. And we are afraid to announce that after only TEN years of forming the C.O.T.U.R., we find ourselves forced to cancel the membership of one of its members. Only God will tell us if this cancellation will be temporary or permanent.

But I must warn the Hirohasm leadership if such arrogant behaviour persists, we, will have no choice but to interfere directly to prevent the loss of global peace. I must also say that, we, the upper council have not agreed yet on what course of action we will take. But whatever we agree on it will be severe for the oppressors. So I warm yet again that we will not be silent on the activities of shogun Ryuji. It has been reported that not a few months ago, a massacre was committed in the city of Canne. We will not ignore the suffering caused by such barbaric wars. God's wrath will not forget these crimes. That is all that I can say for the matter for now, may God's blessings be upon us all."

And the box went back to playing calm music. And the crowd who was listening went back to talking however it was clear that the subject of their chatting had changed.

"So, what do you think of his majesty's decision?" Asked the bartender while serving a cup of fresh buttermilk to Aefrine. The question wasn't pointed at him though.

"What I am supposed to say? I already told only a fool would believe that the world's strongest nation is led by a blind old man. Richard the higher king of the United Kingdoms of Carthagonia, huh? Trust me, there is someone else who rules the world behind. "

"Please, spare me from your world-ending predictions. I am more interested in what you think Ryuji is up to."

"And that shogun is more mad than a Compso in a cage. He is poking the T.rex's eye and he is about to find out what they do with pests. I can't wait for the day that they announce his execution. Today, we have finally captured the person responsible for countless deaths and today he gets their treat ."

Replied the man.

"Oh, you think it will be like the days of the great Tumarad Empire? "

"Nah,... I mean Ryuji is obviously getting recked but who knows what will he cause before he kicks the bucket? "

"Do you think that raiders might get involved in this conflict?"

"Not a chance, the last thing that any ruler would want is a raider with experience fighting armies. Trust me, when I say this, the whole raider system is just keeping the few powerful individuals in check. A S-rank raider will laugh at the sight of an approaching army. "

"What, I don't suppose an A raider like you would take over Olson,eh ?"

"I can easily take over this stupid town and make it my own kingdom. But I would have a bounty on my head for other powerful raiders to hunt. See, that is how the system works."

"But you always find a way to profit from these scenarios. I am sure your land trip to Sofax was for nothing."

"Unfortunately, you are wrong but I just have to wait. Once the war is over and countless men die for nothing, the new Hirohasm state would need some raiders. And with them out of the C.O.T.U.R., they will not be able to get ones legally, so they pay us more money for the same services. But for now, I have different plans ."

"Please, don't tell me you believe in these ancient keys that can grant wishes?"

Keys???

From the shock, Aefrine almost spit out all his milk.

"Do you need something, sir?"

"Er..no no I am sorry, I will clean it."

"No need, sir.."

Well, that was awkward ...

"If Ryuji is willing to risk everything on it as they say, then it must be true ."

"You yourself said he was stupid. He must be insane ."

"Who knows. But look at this ."

He pulled out a piece of colorful parchment which was written in a foreign language but also had a picture of a trophy cup.

"Look at this trophy. Whoever wins the the duel raider tournament gets it as well as 4 million flanes!"

"And what does this have to do with anything?"

"Look at the trophy!"

"So, there is a key on it. It literally came out after the rumours of the keys had spread out. What a coincidence! It is exactly like the keys are described! Just look at it. "

Aefrine tried to make a look without actually looking. The key was like his other keys with the exception that the colour of its gems was brown.

"Are you suggesting that the trophy is the key or something? If the Kingdom had such an object, they wouldn't have publicly displayed it, you know ."

"But they did. They might have their own plan but I also have mine."

"I suppose you won't tell me about your master plan ."

"Of course, not."

"I heard that you are looking for a new member for your guild, is that part of your plan?"

A new member for his guild?

"Not really...." He looked behind at the crowd. Aefrine acted like he didn't exist, so he didn't know what was he looking at.

"Listen, I am just tired of my guild. Yes, some of them are good but most of the time I end up doing everything, even though I try to make them involved Ok? I am just looking for a raider that is close to my level or at least has some potential. "

"And you think you can find one of such qualities? "

"Who knows? "

Oh my god, Aefrine calm down. He is an A rank. You are barely a B rank. But your bow has some potential ...you know. No need to rush ...

"Hey, you got a customer over there. "

The bartender looked, there was on the other side a blond woman with leather armour waiting for her service. As he went to her, Aefrine was questioning if he would ask the man next to him or not. It didn't seem suspicious, right?

Of course, it did...How can I ask him in a proper manner?

He just sat there, thinking without end. Until the man asked:

-Is there something wrong?

"What, eh?? Er, no, why?"

"You were just holding your cup of expensive buttermilk and not drinking it. Is there something wrong with it?"

"Eh, no. It is delicious. Er, thank you...?"

"No worries. So...are you new here ?"

"Er, yes thank you."

"Yeah...Are you by any chance from Nabile? "

"Er yes.Wait, I mean no. How did you know ?"

"I just happen to be able to recognise a man's birthplace from his face."

"Really? that is awesome!"

Looking directly at this man's face, Aefrine couldn't tell if he was old or young. Maybe he lacked the man's ability...

The man's face was smooth and well-maintained, with only subtle signs of ageing. His skin still has a youthful glow, and fine lines at the corners of his eyes hint at his age, but they don't dominate his appearance. His prominent blond moustache is full and thick, extending just past the edges of his upper lip, meticulously groomed and adding a sense of maturity to his face. Beneath the moustache is a neatly trimmed small beard, styled in a classic Van Dyke shape—thin and pointed around his chin. His cheeks are clean-shaven, accentuating the sharp lines of his jaw, which still holds a youthful firmness. His green eyes were as vivid as emeralds giving some shine to his dark face.

"So, what brings you here? Escaping the war ?"

"Technically yes..."

"Well, you better find a job if you are going to order a cup of buttermilk so casually. "

"I am looking for one. I am currently interested in ...raiders..."

"Bad idea, friend trust me. People who are encouraging you for the job, have never experienced. Yes, a raider does get special benefits for being one but the risks are always high. If you don't have experience with life-threatening situations then don't even think about such a career. "

"But I have experience with life-threatening situations!"

"What? You fought a Compso?"

"I killed two T.rexes at once. "

OK...I think I should have rephrased that...

"With what exactly did you kill two T.rexes?"

"This"

He summoned his bow.

"Hey! Keep that down!"

"Oh, sorry..."

"What do you think you are doing using an enchanted tool in the tavern? How did you get it here in the first place?"

"Er, wait it isn't an enchanted tool. It is my natural magic, I think..."

"Hmmm...what is your name ?"

"Aefrine. Aefrine Sven. "

"I am Türsun Çetin. And I am the Head of the 'Wolves of the Valley' guild. Care to join?"

"Wait, what? Yes, of course!"

"So, what rank are you ?"

"B rank."

"Can I see your ID card ?"

"Why?"

"To check your rank. I am sorry, I just don't trust people that easily, mate."

"But it isn't written on my ID card."

"Did you pass a raider test ?"

"Oh...no...I haven't..."

"Then who told you that you are a B rank?"

"My friend...?"

"Ok, listen here kid. Olson has made a temporary raider test, it closes tomorrow. You better register yourself and get your raider certificate. Added to that, if you don't get at least a B rank, I won't accept you OK? "

"Ok, sir! But....where is this test? "

"It is in the town hall, I will accompany you myself tomorrow. The test itself will be likely after tomorrow since tomorrow is the last day to register. "

"You used tomorrow three times-"

"I don't fucking care, OK?"

"Ok. Er...do you know how the test will be ?"

"Well...First, they will test your agility and finding skills, I

suppose. Then they will test how well you fair up in a team. And lastly, they will see your capabilities in a solo match."

"So...what does your finding skills mean?"

"I just mean if he is smart enough not to cause problems for allies and stuff. I mean you don't want to get lost or activate a trap or something, do you?"

"I guess..."

"So, what enchanted tools do you currently have ?"

"I have an axe that makes shockwaves ."

"What rank ?"

"D..."

"What a disappointment...have anything else?"

"I have a small shield that can condense air ."

"What the fuck does that mean? "

"Extra protection?"

"Let me guess, D rank ?"

"Yes..."

"Do you have anything that isn't D rank?"

"I have a pauldron that is a C rank?"

"Not much of a difference. What does it do ?"

"It reduces the mana needed for phys magic."

"So completely useless. I suppose I will still put some hope in the fact that you supposedly killed two T.rexes but I think that you should have used the money for your milk to buy the judge's approval. "

"What does that mean? "

"Nothing." He drank all of his beer in one gulp, stood up, paid the table and went to the door.

"Wait !"

"What?"

"Do you think my little brother become a raider ?"

"Does he have an ID card? "

"No..."

"Then forget about it. Goodnight. "

"Goodnight..."

Just as Çetin was about to leave the tavern, he tried to read his soul. It had disgust, anticipation and contempt. Aefrine didn't really know what to make of that...