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Chapter 49 Part 12 – A memory from the previous「108 times」. The conclusion. They are dying, but their feelings transcend time. And the loop begins again.

The adult Arnold’s consciousness was still a bit present, and he vaguely thought it was an awfully vivid dream.

A tall woman, who is his master, stood beside him and stared intently at Arnold. She is an ephemeral beauty, reminiscent of a forest spirit, but she is frighteningly stubborn when it comes to her bows. Even the most obstinate master craftsman would run away barefoot.

「…… Not yet, your limits are still ahead of you. Keep going.」

That was all she said, then she looked at him silently with her green eyes, and Arnold’s complaints were swallowed back into his throat.

…… Her name is Cornelia. Coming from the Melville family, a distinguished family famous for their archery, she is probably one of the top five experts in the long history of Hydrangea, a kingdom where archery is popular. She is a genius who was allowed to use the nickname and war costume of the Hunter of the Magic Bow, the founder of the Melville family. Due to unfortunate circumstances, she retired from the world of archery for a period of time, but since picking up the bow again, her divine skills are even more brilliant than before and she is rumored to have already become the best on the continent. Nowadays, there is no one who picks up a bow who does not know her. Her strength to overcome setbacks and rise to greater heights is something Arnold admires. Arnold hoped that one day he could try on the legendary war costume, but she never wore it in front of him. Melville’s war costume was reminiscent of the goddess of the forest and can only be worn by those who have attained the divine realm of archery. Arnold believed that his master was probably still not satisfied with her own skills. He truly respects her for being such an expert in archery, but not being conceited and never forgetting the desire to improve herself.

Arnold wiped away his tears and once again fixed an arrow to the bowstring.

Cornelia nodded in satisfaction. The severity of her instruction was out of the ordinary, but Arnold knew very well that she would only impose the training she herself had completed as a child.

His partner, a huge white owl, perched in the treetops of the giant tree overhead. The owl was worried about Arnold. Arnold uses a secret art to share the owl’s point of view, so he can use aerial view archery. The combination of wide-angle vision, overhead view, and mountainous shooting, which is not possible for humans, made his arrows always accurate in hitting the target. But Arnold had forbidden himself from using aerial view archery while studying under Cornelia. He is painfully aware that relying on the owl will cause him to reach a limit at some point. Arnold wanted to be strong with his own strength. He wanted to get as close to Cornelia as possible.
While hiccuping, Arnold resumed his archery practice.

Cornelia’s silent pressure was far more terrifying than a large man threatening him with an ax.
After shooting another fifty or so arrows, Arnold was completely exhausted and unable to cry out. Cornelia would not let even the slightest lapse of concentration go unnoticed. He was as nervous as if he were demonstrating his archery skills in front of the king and he was forced to strain himself with every shot. It was an ordeal too severe for the fragile nerves of a child.

The bow finally fell from Arnold’s hand. He tried to nock the arrow, thinking he still had the bow, and was momentarily dismayed, not knowing where the bow went. Tears welled up in his eyes at the thought of his incompetence. Arnold’s barely maintained energy faltered, and he collapsed, clawing at the ground and weeping aloud.

Realizing that Cornelia was kneeling by his side, Arnold raised his head. Cornelia is very kind, except when she is training him in archery. She often gave Arnold a piggyback ride home when he was exhausted. He had expected her to comfort him as she always did. But Arnold’s clinging eyes froze before her stern green gaze.

「…… Arnold, why do you draw the bow? To improve yourself? To fight a strong opponent? The arrow carries the archer’s heart. What is the core …… belief for you?」

Cornelia asked Arnold, her hands gripping his shoulders.
Her green eyes, as clear as a fountain of truth, reflected his miserable, weeping face.

「…… Master …… I am ……」

He felt ashamed of the disgraceful behavior that he had shown. The young Arnold struggled to verbalize the mass of emotions that welled up from deep within his chest.

Yes, he wants to be like this master, but what does it mean to be like the master? Strength, mental strength, effort, all seem a little different. He can’t put it into words. What is the biggest difference between himself and the master? He felt like he was so close to finding the answer, but he was just one step away from reaching it.

To the frustrated, writhing Arnold.

「…… Aah!! You kept it a secret from me again and practiced archery with my mother!! Heyy Arnold. I won’t forgive you!! Now quickly give me that archer’s arm guard that my mother gave you!!」

With a cute voice of protest, the girl rushed forward like a ball.
She ran down the slope at a speed three times faster than usual.
She stumbled three times on the way down, but rolled and bounced back up, undaunted.
She was Scarlet, Cornelia’s daughter.

With her stunning red hair, rare red eyes, and flushed cheeks, Scarlet’s appearance was so striking that one look at her and you would never forget her. Her well-featured face, though about the height of a four-year-old, foreshadowed that she will become an immensely beautiful woman in the future. The two were tangled together and Arnold’s heart was involuntarily throbbing as she attempted to take his arm guard from him. The weight and warmth of Scarlet, who was leaning on him without any reservation, made Arnold feel unable to calm down.

「Hey, Arnold ……」
「W-What is it?」

He was nervous when she suddenly stopped moving and asked him a question with upturned eyes.

「……『Give it』『to me』 …… Don’t you think my espit is in great shape today?」

「…… I don’t think so.」

At his words, the young Scarlet reflected and proudly nodded. Arnold was disappointed.
The throbbing of his heart was over in two seconds. It wasn’t esprit, it was just a pun. The fluttering of his heart was dissipated by the odd use of language and the silly sense of humor.

「Nuoohhh!? My hair!! My hair is stuck on the button!! Owww!! It hurts!! You must have plotted this right, Arnold!! Are you so afraid of my esprit that you’re planning to kill me ……!?」
「…… I am afraid of what’s going on inside your head ……」

While struggling to take off Arnold’s arm guard, Scarlet got her red hair caught in Arnold’s buttons and began to whine with tears in her eyes. The girl had a hectic behavior that didn’t match her face. She was like a puppy that squeals and clings to you, but then gets her feet all tangled up and ends up rolling down the hill.

「…… Hold still, I’ll untangle it now. You don’t want a shaved head, do you?」
「Okayy.」

Scarlet stopped moving around and stiffened.
Arnold chuckled and gently untied her beautiful red hair from the button, while being careful not to let her feel pain.

「…… T-thanks. Sorry, I made you use your fingers when you were hurt. Did it hurt? …… B-but don’t think I owe you a favor for doing this. You are my rival in archery!!」

Curtly pointing her finger, the young Scarlet showed a haughty attitude.

She thought she was making the decision, but her self-destructive tumble caused the back of her skirt to roll up, fully exposing the back of her underwear. Arnold sighed. All the fuss had cooled down his emotions and he felt foolish for crying.

「…… Hey, you’ve got a piece of trash in your hair. Turn around so I can get it out.」
「Okayy.」

He gently pulled down the hem of her skirt and adjusted it so that Scarlet, who had followed his words obediently, would not notice. Despite his rough language, Arnold was a gentleman at heart.

「I got it, it’s okay now.」

「…… Hmm, you got it off? Thanks …… Mother, it’s not fair that you always only teach Arnold!! Just leave this guy alone and teach your cute daughter the secret techniques of archery. P・L・E・A・S・E」

「…… Scarlet, I know what you’re trying to do.」