The rapier flashed out, striking multiple times at such speeds it was akin to a bolt of lightning. And each and every thrust was blocked or parried by the large shield, its owner using the minimal amount of movement required to do so. Then, the moment the attack's impetus began to subside, the long spear slashed out, a single but powerful thrust that was sure to connect with the target.
With a flick of her wrist, Rosamia took hold of one of her talismans and activated it.
"Immovable Talisman!"
At her command the talisman glowed with a purple light, ethereal copies of it spreading out and creating a ring in front of her. A purple energy barrier formed in the space between talismans, halting the spear's tip.
"Very good Rosamia. I am happy to see you kept up your training," Deliford complimented the female knight after they disengaged. "However, you have yet to find a way to attack while your barrier is active."
"It is as you said, Instructor. Using this talisman requires a lot of concentration," She agreed, her eyes losing focus. "And I have no interest in learning your parry-and-riposte style."
"... That wasn't my intention," The aged knight huffed. "Not being hit is a type of defense more powerful than thick armor, but it's also less forgiving. You're faster than me and use a lighter weapon, so you should focus on that. Without forgetting to work on your own flaws of course."
"Yes sir!" She replied with a military salute.
It was at that point that Archer lost interest in the match performed on the deck and resumed looking out from his perch atop the mast. The two weeks predicted by Rackam were almost over, and the Grandcypher was on its last planned stop before leaving the common air routes and heading towards the reclusive Lumacie Archipelago. Since this time there was no trace of Erste everyone was given the freedom to spend their free time however they wanted.
Slow it may be, but the bowman had to admit traveling on an airship through a seemly endless sky was a very enjoyable experience. The airplanes of his world may have been faster and a better choice to quickly reach a destination, but it was of no concern for Archer. There were no more battlefields or danger areas he needed to reach as soon as possible in order to save more lives. He was a member of a crew now, and his crew-mates were all within his immediate reach.
"Yo, Archer!" Eugen called out from the deck. "We've finished with the resupply. Where are those still missing?"
"Katalina, Farrah, Lowain, Tomoi and Elsam are still in the market. It looks like they're haggling over fresh fruits... either that, or they're grilling Katalina about her tastes." He shrugged.
Rackam gave a half-laugh. "So the usual, huh? What about the Captain and Lyria?"
"They have followed an Erune woman up the mountain behind the village," Archer's eyes focused on the spot where the group of three people, plus Vyrn, were watching a bird with a gorgeous plumage taking off. "To admire the local wildlife, it seems."
"Admiring the local wildlife...?" The helmsman sounded baffled. "Well, never mind that. I trust those kids, but we need to leave soon or we'll miss an ideal air current."
"Got it," Archer replied while projecting his bow and a sword.
[*]
"Well, it looks like I jumped to conclusions..." The young Erune woman with grey hair sighed in disappointment and shame after her target, the bird Nushi, flew away. "Ooh, I can't believe I had the wrong idea about it... How deluded I was. In the end, it seems I have misled you all. I can't begin to apologize..."
"Aw, don't worry about it!" Vyrn reassured her. "All we really needed was to see it for ourselves!"
"You think so...? Well, it was certainly worth the trip up here," She agreed with a small nod.
"The Nushi wasn't powerful, but it certainly was beautiful," Gran commented. "So yes, I believe seeing it was worth the trip."
Lyria giggled. "Teehee! I wanna see it again!"
"I'm glad I made this detour. I feel like I've gained something valuable," The Erune smiled. "And if I hadn't had this misunderstanding, we probably wouldn't have come here together."
"Yeah! You're right, lady!" The baby dragon cheered.
"Detour?" The blue-haired girl tilted her head. "Come to think of it, where are you headed next, Sutera?"
"Well, let's see-"
Before the now-named Sutera could reply, something dived down from the sky and stabbed into the ground. After the initial shock subsided, the group could see the projectile was a sword, the words 'Time to come back' carved on its surface.
"Oh, it's just Uncle Sword," Vyrn sighed in relief. "Seems like time's up Gran, Lyria."
"Ah, I guess that's true," Scratching his head Gran looked up at the sun's position. "The trip up here took a while, if we delay-"
"Please wait a moment!" Sutera exclaimed, gaze still locked on the sword. "Where did this sword come from!?"
"It was shot by Archer, a member of our crew," Gran explained. "He has this bizarre style where he uses swords instead of arrows for his bow, but despite that, he's incredibly good. Sending a message carved on a sword is something he did before, so it's not surprising."
"Using swords as arrows?! Astounding!" Sutera's eyes widened. "Where is this amazing bowman? I can't see him."
"Likely still on our airship, back at the port," answered Vyrn.
Sutera froze, then slowly turned around to stare at Vyrn. "At the
port?"
"Uh-huh!" The baby dragon nodded. "Uncle Sword has amazing eyes. He can hit a target even from a distance of two kilometers, saw it myself."
[*]
"Archer! Look, look!" Grinning, and obviously pleased with herself, Io showed the bowman the pocket-watch in her hands. "Pretty good, uh?"
He checked the watch with Structural Analysis and nodded. "You managed to replicate 50% of the original one, you are definitely progressing fast."
"Fifty-no! This time you're not making fun of me!" With a defiant look in her eyes, she winded up the watch. "It's a perfect copy and nothing you can say will-"
The watch's face leaped off, quickly followed by small cogs, springs, and other components.
Archer didn't say a word, he merely raised one eyebrow as Io glared fiercely at the traitorous watch before stomping off.
"My, I thought Io was getting better in her attempts at Projection." Zahlhamelina tilted her head. "Was I mistaken?"
"No. This time she just tried something above her current abilities." Archer projected a copy of the pocket-watch and opened it, showing the Harvin the dozens of components inside. "The more moving parts an object has, the more difficult it is to form a correct mental image. Even I have trouble doing it, one of the reasons I use only swords and other bladed weapons."
"Oh? But I recall you're pretty good with a gun, Archer." Eugen remarked.
"I can use them, but I don't project them."
"EXCUSE ME!" The conversation was interrupted by the Erune woman Archer saw with Gran and the others running on the deck of the Grandcypher, the sweat on her face and heavy breathing showing she ran for a while, possibly all the way from the mountain. Limping much behind her were Gran, Lyria and Vyrn. "Who among you is the supreme master of the bow who goes by the moniker of 'Archer'?!"
Zahlhamelina blinked. Eugen blinked. Even Archer blinked.
"... I'm Archer," He finally admitted. "But-"
Before he could continue, the Erune kowtowed before him.
"My name is Sutera! I realize that someone who has still much to learn like myself is unworthy of such honor, but I beseech you to be generous and allow me to become your disciple!"
For the first time in a long time, the red-clad bowman had no idea how to react.
====
It took me all this time to come up with a decent chapter's title
Joking, joking
