As I watched Airi from a safe distance, I began to calculate the incoming arrow's trajectory with precision.
[System: The arrow is traveling approximately-]
I don't trust a system for this, mute yourself.
[System has been muted for the rest of the day]
The arrow was traveling at approximately 30 meters per second, weighing around 30 grams, with a kinetic energy of around 13 joules.
Taking into account the distance between myself and the shooter, which was around 20 meters, as well as the distance between Airi and me, which was approximately 10 meters, I knew that time was of the essence.
I estimated that Airi was around 10 meters away from the shooter, placing her in the direct path of the incoming arrow that had been shot 0.1 seconds earlier.
Wait...
Realizing that air resistance could impact the trajectory of the arrow, I quickly made adjustments to my calculations.
After accounting for the air resistance, I recalculated the arrow's trajectory to be slightly off-course and adjusted the angle of my throw accordingly.
Spotting a nearby rock that weighed approximately 500 grams, I analyzed its rough surface and aerodynamic potential.
Factoring in the air resistance, I adjusted my calculations and estimated the angle of my throw to be 45 degrees, with the highest point being 2 meters above the ground.
This allowed the rock to reach the highest point of its trajectory and maximize its gravitational potential energy and kinetic energy upon impact with the arrow.
I hurled the rock towards the adjusted trajectory of the arrow, resulting in a total force of approximately 200 Newtons upon impact.
"DROP ALL YOUR WEAPONS BEFORE I BURN EVERYTHIN–"
The rock struck the arrow with a resounding impact, causing it to be destroyed and harmlessly embed itself into the ground.
Overall, the whole sequence of events took about 0.2 seconds, including my calculations and adjustments for air resistance.
The impact of the arrow and the rock had made Airi faint in shock, but I acted quickly and pulled her out of the chaos of the fight.
As the sounds of clashing swords and arrows filled the air, I analyzed the positions of the mercenaries and bandits.
I grabbed Airi and swiftly dodged out of the way, my mind already working on a plan.
With her safely in my arms, I began to run towards the nearest river, aware of the pursuing mercenaries and bandits.
Once we arrived at the river, I quickly gathered some dry wood and kindling, utilizing my knowledge of survival to start a fire.
As I tended to the flames and ensured that Airi was comfortable and safe, I finally allowed myself to take a moment to catch my breath.
[System: Permission to speak?]
<Yes / No>
Permission given.
[System: You can rest. The system will alert you if there's any danger nearby]
No, I don't think I will.
I'll catch some fish in the river.
There's a tree branch nearby but it's surprisingly sharp, but not sharp enough to penetrate the bone of the fish.
...
...
...
*Six hours have passed*
...
Groggy and disoriented, she mumbled, "Uegh... What just happened? I remember wanting to burn the forest to drive a wedge between the mercenaries and the bandits." With her hand pressed against her throbbing head, my voice broke through the haze.
"Hey, you, you're finally awake," I said, addressing her. Startled, she turned towards my unfamiliar voice.
"Huh? Who are you?" she asked, her confusion evident.
"I saved you from those bandits and mercenaries. You're welcome," I replied, my pride mixed with a hint of annoyance at her lack of gratitude.
"Oh, it's just you... It's not like I asked you to save me or anything. Hmpfh," she pouted, frustration contorting her face.
"Well, you would've been dead if I hadn't deflected that arrow aimed at you," I retorted, emphasizing the gravity of the situation.
"It's not like a single arrow could kill me or anything," she replied, dismissing the danger.
Good grief... My cute demon has become a tsundere.
Abruptly, her stomach emitted a loud growl, betraying her hunger.
"You're hungry, aren't you? I caught some fish hours ago. You can have them," I offered, extending a skewered fish towards her.
"Hmpfh, I won't die from not eating for just a day," she retorted, stubbornly dismissing her hunger.
"Sure, sure, I'll leave some for you in case you change your mind. They'll be fully cooked in five minutes. I'll just rest my eyes, but keep watch while you're at it," I said, attempting to feign sleep while ensuring her safety.
...
...
...
'Is he asleep? I'll quietly grab one of the sticks. It's been ten minutes already,' she pondered, contemplating whether to take a fish unnoticed.
'The fish looks perfectly cooked,' she observed, admiring its appearance.
'H.. Mhmm... it tastes salty and crunchy on the outside, yet tender on the inside. He even removed the bones for easy swallowing,' the demon thought, savoring the flavors, grateful to the human who had saved her.
"It sure is a delicious fish," I stated, suddenly appearing behind her.
"Mhmm, sure it is," she replied nonchalantly, masking any hint of surprise or gratitude.
...
"Eek! Why are you still awake? I couldn't hear anything from your mind," she exclaimed, clearly surprised.
"Well, Airi, to confuse others, one must be confused by one's own mind," I stated, quoting a renowned war general while mimicking his pose.
"I don't even understand what you're saying right now," she replied, unfazed, continuing to enjoy the skewered fish.
"Don't worry, I was merely checking for any potential disasters. If it's going to rain, we should find a new spot," I explained.
"Hmpfh, he just wants to appear intelligent in front of me, doesn't he? He's not truly clever or anything," Airi muttered to herself, her skepticism evident.
"He licked his finger and held it up above his head like a wizard, claiming to check for potential disasters," Airi thought to herself, amused by his antics.
"Alright, it appears there won't be any potential disasters tonight. Let's rest. I understand that you desire some privacy, so I'll sleep on the north side of the fireplace, and you can take the south side," I proposed.
"Whatever," she replied dismissively, showing little interest or concern.
...
...
In the depths of the night, Airi jolts me awake.
Airi: "Wake up."
Huh? The chat dialogue is obstructing my view. System, disable it momentarily.
[System: Chat dialogue disabled]
"Hey, wake up."
"Huh, what? Is there an enemy?"
I rise, assuming a defensive stance, prepared to swiftly seize Airi and dive into the nearby river should an apex predator lurk in the shadows.
Even in my semi-conscious state, I believe I can handle it.
"N-no..."
"I-it's just..."
"I-I'm afraid of the dark..."
...
...
...
A demon, the sovereign of the underworld, the master of dark flames, afraid of darkness? That's perplexing.
"Mooh..." she voiced her frustration, resembling a heroine in a shounen anime.
"Just let me sleep beside you tonight..."
Her eyes glistened with a hint of tears, and she looked undeniably adorable. I couldn't bring myself to refuse.
"Alright," I conceded, understanding her vulnerability.
"Just for tonight, though, alright?"
She simply nodded in agreement, grateful for the gesture.
...
...
...
"Ahhhh-haaaaa, that was a refreshing sleep, wasn't it, Mika?... Mika?"
"I'm here, on the Westside of the river. Our clothes are stained from sleeping on the ground last night."
"Ah, right..."
Without a second thought, she swiftly dove into the river, submerging herself in its waters.
"Oi, don't pollute the river's ecosystem with that filthy clothes of yours."
"Hmm? Alright, I'll do it the way you humans do it."
Nonchalantly, she proceeded to remove all her garments and accessories, from top to bottom, once again displaying no hesitation.
Truly, it was a captivating sight to behold...
"Hey! What are you doing? Stop staring at me!"
"I just can't help but admire those thighs... they look so snug... I want those thighs to sandwich me..."
Her cheeks flushed in response.
"Hmpfh," she huffed, turning her head away from me, attempting to hide her flustered reaction.
Resourceful as ever, she used her scarf to tidy herself up.
It was a clever and hygienic way to maintain cleanliness.
Her dumptruck looks bigger than usual or maybe it's because her skirt made them look smaller.
I could see her like this all day...
The way she cleans her cleavage, the way her dumptruck and breast just bounce all over the place...
But what stands out the most is her hair. It reflects brightly in the sunlight, making her hair look glowing and colorful.
"H-hey, if you just want to touch them that badly, just come here and touch them. It's not like I will die just because you touched them or something."
...
Daring today, aren't we?