Chapter 104.3

"But..."

Oliver's perfect smile disappeared.

Then he looked at Rishe with a somewhat melancholic smile.

"Killing so many people to save his cousin, Myria, will only add to his troubles, don't you think?"

"Oliver-sama."

"If possible, I would ask you to save me, though it would be an unreasonable request, and one that I do not wish to make."

"...!"

Oliver's hand left Rishe's shoulder.

Arnold dodged the arrows of the approaching priests, fending them off with his sword as he made his way to the altar. The closer the distance was, the higher the hit rate must be, but Arnold didn't care about it.

At this rate, His Highness will reach the altar soon. But...

The Archbishop pushed Myria up to the altar.

Arnold was fast, but not in time for the moment of evil.

First and foremost, I must save Young Miss...

Rishe tightened her grip on the divine bow tool she had just picked up.

This was the Maiden Priestess's bow that Myria was supposed to use. It was a sacred object that was normally used in festivals.

Sorry, Young Miss.

Rishe took a deep breath.

Let me borrow your precious weapon.

"Rishe-sama?"

Oliver's eyes widened when Rishe slowly raised the bow.

"This is absurd! It's a long way from here to the altar. Even a trained archer can't hit it..."

"It's the only way now."

She spread her legs to shoulder width apart and quietly positioned herself facing the Archbishop.

Her target was his leg. It was a part of the body that wasn't life-threatening, could reliably delay movement, and cause immense pain.

If she could shoot him, she could stop him from harming Myria.

"Rishe-sama!"

It's indoors and there's no wind. There's no trees or grass to block it, and the target won't run around like a wild animal.

She took a series of deep breaths, trying her best to sharpen her focus all at once.

By doing so, she temporarily barred the sounds and even voices around her.

Hence...

She stretched the string to the limit. She pulled her arrow hand to the side of her ear, careful not to tremble.

――This is much easier than the hunting I did when I was living as a hunter in my fifth life.

There was no need to move around watching where the butterflies and birds fly and doing weather forecasts.

There was no need to climb trees to hide, to mask her own presence to the utmost limit, or keep walking in the mountains, following the signs of her prey.

The archbishop at the end of the arrowhead tried to reach out toward Myria.

-...Now!!

At the moment of certainty, Rishe released the arrow straight ahead.

A single arrow cut through the air past Arnold's side. Arnold looked back at her for a moment, but immediately returned his gaze forward.

And right after that.

"Ahhh!"

The Archbishop held his thigh and fell down from the platform screaming.