Ascendance of a Bookworm

The strategy for this attack was apparently going to be similar to the one used to defeat the trombe. I would weaken Tannis Befaren by raining arrows down from a distance, while the knight apprentices launched a simultaneous attack. After everyone retreated, I would launch another volley of arrows, alternating the attacks like that. I had to be careful not to let the knight apprentices get caught in the arrows I fired.

...Wasn’t the high priest position back then really important? The responsibility must be huge.

I didn’t feel like I was suited for such a position, especially since I hadn’t received proper training. But I couldn’t decline either, so as Leonore raised her hand, the knight apprentices dispersed around.

Watching the mounts scatter across the sky, Tannis Befaren’s colorful eyes on its forehead darted this way and that, as if struggling to decide which one to chase.

...Ugh! That’s disgusting!

Feeling goosebumps rise, I aimed my water gun at Tannis Befaren from above. I briefly closed my eyes and firmly recalled the image of the high priest during the trombe hunt.

...I’m going to become a hard-boiled egg!

“Lady Rosemine, Leonore has given the signal!”

I heard Filine’s voice, who was watching our surroundings in my stead, and opened my eyes. I glanced at Hartmut and Judith beside me, as if protecting the mini bus, then fired the water gun straight down at Tannis Befaren.

“Take that!”

Recalling the scene of the high priest defeating the trombe, I released mana, and the black water gun transformed the mana into black arrows that split into multiple and rained down on Tannis Befaren.

“Yah!”

After seeing my attack, Judith launched her own. She threw a black stone toward a spot slightly away from Tannis Befaren.

I thought the target was so big there was no way to miss, but Tannis Befaren, watching us carefully, quickly dodged my arrow. Then, it got hit by Judith’s stone and let out a small cry.

“...Why?”

“I can’t lose to Lady Rosemine in a ranged fight. You have to anticipate the enemy’s movement a step ahead.”

Judith smiled proudly and threw another black stone that landed again. Tannis Befaren avoided my attack once more while letting out a small cry.

...Argh!

Frustrated that none of my attacks were hitting, I fired water gun after water gun at Tannis Befaren. But it seemed to read my trajectory perfectly, dodging lightly each time, and some of Judith’s attacks hit it occasionally.

...So frustrating!

Because Tannis Befaren moved so agilely, even moving the eyes on its forehead to scan the surroundings, many of the knight apprentices’ attacks were dodged too, but some did manage to hit. Only I was completely missing.

“...Only Lady Rosemine’s attacks aren’t hitting.”

Filine’s comment stabbed sharply at my heart. I knew, so please don’t say it so calmly! I wanted to cry as I stared down at Tannis Befaren.

“I think it’s because Tannis Befaren is focusing on dodging only Lady Rosemine’s attacks.”

I nodded vigorously at Roderich’s murmured words. Those big red eyes never took their gaze off me. It was as if it thought as long as it avoided my attacks, that was enough.

...The reason my attacks don’t hit is because Tannis Befaren keeps staring only at me! Stop looking this way!

“It’s not hitting because it keeps looking at me. If we block Tannis Befaren’s vision, my attacks should land.”

“Block its vision? How do you mean?”

Roderich asked calmly, and I hesitated for a moment. How to block the sight of a huge demonic beast didn’t immediately come to mind.

“Uh? Well... I guess...”

...Something to blind it, something to blind it... A big cloth would be nice.

I didn’t think I could tie a blindfold tightly behind its head covering Tannis Befaren’s eyes, but if I just threw a large cloth over it, I could block its vision, even if just briefly.

...If I can block its vision and stop it even for a moment, my attacks should hit! For that, I need a cloth big enough to cover Tannis Befaren!