Chapter 73 – Rest (2)

“Your plants would be nothing against my fire.”

“You think I only use plants? A few animals would be enough to deal with you.”

“Bullshit. Those animals all died to Kalt in one blow.”

“That’s because Kalt was ridiculously strong. But Charlotte, you’d be dead in an instant. And that matchstick flame of yours? It’d go out with a single puff.”

“Matchstick flame? Hey, that’s treason against the royal family.”

“Everything’s treason with you.”

“Hah… But what’s the point of this? We’d both get beaten by that kid anyway.”

“Yeah, that’s true.”

As we descended the mountain on Yuria’s tree roots, I overheard Charlotte and Yuria’s childish bickering.

Their conversation was absurdly immature, arguing about who was stronger, only to conclude they were both weaker than Noah.

“Well… our Noah is quite strong,” I mused, stroking Noah’s hair as she slept and chuckling softly.

“Hey, Rubia. ‘Strong’ doesn’t even begin to cover it. Haven’t you heard how Kalt became a Master?”

“No, I haven’t. This is my first time seeing a Master.”

“I see. Well, now that you’ve seen one, you should know. Those called ‘Masters’ aren’t even human anymore.”

“Hmm… it certainly seems that way.”

I recalled Kalt’s sword swinging towards us. That terrifying shadow…

They said a Master’s sword could split the sea. I hadn’t believed it, but now… I knew it was true.

“Anyway, let me tell you how Kalt became a Master,” Charlotte continued, lighting a crumpled magic cigarette.

“You know the Kingdom of Girou? The one that recently came under the Sunrise Empire?”

“Yes, I remember.”

“Kalt single-handedly destroyed that kingdom.”

“…What?”

“Kalt demolished the entire Girou army by himself.”

“That’s impossible…”

“Charlotte is correct,” Yuria nodded, stroking the sleeping Hephaestus’s head.

“Girou had many political issues. Kalt heard his family was taken prisoner there. He had just awakened his unique ability and went alone.”

“Alone?”

“Yes. Three days later, the kingdom surrendered, begging him to stop.”

I’d heard of Girou’s fall, but to think Kalt did it alone…

“After destroying Girou, Kalt returned to the Empire and killed eighty percent of the Imperial Knights before vanishing. We’ll never know why.”

“That incident made my father go bald. But the key here is the unique ability. Kalt, Yuria, and I — people who reach a certain level can awaken a unique ability. The abilities vary, but they all surpass human limits. However…”

Charlotte glanced at Noah, shook her head, and continued.

“This girl… defeated a Master without any unique ability.”

A moment of silence fell.

“Normally, it’s said that at least ten people with unique abilities are needed to face a Master,” Yuria said, still stroking Hephaestus’s head resting on her lap.

“But after today’s fight… that doesn’t seem enough.”

“Exactly… damn it,” Charlotte grumbled, flopping onto the ground and nodding.

“More like twenty. Most would die, and survivors would be crippled. But yeah, that’s what it’d take to stand a chance.”

She looked skyward, shaking her head in frustration.

“Honestly, I felt helpless. I couldn’t imagine winning. And Noah… she fought while protecting us. It’s unbelievable… she’s a monster.”

I gazed at the sleeping Noah, gently stroking her cheek.

So small and cute. Soft and fragile.

“How can I ever repay Noah?” I whispered.

“What do you mean? Just let her grope you or something. That’d be enough for me,” Charlotte snickered.

“Please, just shut up.”

“And if you let her squeeze your butt too, even better.”

“Pfft, you’re insane…”

“Sigh…”

Finally, as we reached the mountain’s base, we began to relax and laugh a little.

***

Our arrival in Ursphere drew significant attention.

It was likely due to the princess’s subjugation team request and the black sun incident.

Our battle-worn appearance only increased the attention.

Even concealment robes wouldn’t have helped much, as they were torn, leaving our faces exposed.

Yuria, too, seemed well-known, with many recognizing her.

As we attracted attention walking through the streets, we encountered Rebuge’s subjugation team.

With the situation resolved, the team naturally disbanded.

Only after donning Rebuge’s concealment robes did we finally reach Charlotte’s hideout.

Upon arrival, the tension dissipated. Yuria and Hephaestus immediately fell asleep in the adjacent room.

“Kalt… is dead?”

“Yes.”

I needed to finish reporting quickly and rush out for supplies.

I had to find a quiet, inconspicuous lodging and buy clothes, underwear, and essentials for at least a month.

I wasn’t sure if I could finish before Noah woke.

“Noah… fought Master Kalt alone?”

“How many times must I repeat? Yes. We were all down. Noah fought Kalt alone. When I came to, both were a mess.”

Rebuge’s face paled.

“But… Noah is just a gold-ranked adventurer. Even if she defeated Carpeng, this is—”

“So you’re doubting us now?”

Mouth agape, Rebuge fumbled through his papers with trembling hands.

He pulled out a sheet.

“Kalt… Black Knight Kalt… unique ability: shadows… destroyed Girou… annihilated Sermann Canyon wyverns… collapsed Zaitan Falls… slaughtered Imperial Knights… and…”

He listed Kalt’s feats one by one.

It was hard to believe one person could achieve all that.

What an absurd being…

“A Master… defeated by Noah alone…?”

“That’s right. If you still doubt, go to the summit and see for yourself.”

Charlotte lit another magic cigarette, irritated.

“It’s hard to believe, I get it. But you saw it too, right? That black sun in the sky. Without her, we’d all be dead. Not even bodies left.”

“Haah…”

Rebuge looked between me and the sleeping Noah, dazed.

“About Carpeng’s materials… I’ve gathered as much as possible.”

“Oh, right… I’d forgotten about that.”

“Yes… materials for the greatsword, clothes, and light armor…”

Rebuge sat, rubbing his face with both hands.

“With this much, we could’ve brought all of Carpeng. The central guild couldn’t object.”

Muttering “defeating a Master… defeating a Master…” Rebuge stood and began writing.

“It seems big changes are coming…”

“Hey, Rebuge. Noah isn’t getting a platinum rank, okay? You know why.”

Charlotte interrupted, approaching briskly.

“Rubia, you understand why she can’t, right?”

“…Yes.”

Erden’s platinum rank trial.

I didn’t know details, but…

They said it breaks down and rebuilds a human’s spirit.

Noah can’t go through that.

She needs to grow stronger, but not like that.

I’ll protect Noah from Erden’s eyes, no matter what.

“Stop them at all costs. Erden will make a fuss. The central guild should block them, right? The royal family will help too. So, Rebuge, step up.”

“I understand. Of course, I’ll… handle it.”

Rebuge nodded, glancing nervously at me.

“Don’t worry about me. I know some of this, coming from Erden.”

“I see… hmm…”

Rebuge nodded, tapping his papers before standing.

“There is a way to awaken a unique ability without the trial…”

“What? There’s a way—?”

“I’ll explain it.”

“Yes, best to hear from the princess who’s experienced it. I’ll take my leave.”

“Alright. Take care, Rebuge.”

“Yes… rest well.”

Rebuge trudged out, his footsteps fading.

“So… there’s really a way?” I asked, standing immediately.

Charlotte continued burning her magic cigarette, staring out the window.

“Yeah, there is. But…”

Finishing the cigarette, Charlotte turned, her eyes dark and serious.

“If you fail that trial, you die.”