Chapter 113 – Master (2)

“Care to join me for a chat?”

Sirin set down her coffee cup, opened her eyes, and looked directly at Cartia, who stood there with a bewildered expression.

“I’ve requested your presence because there’s something we need to discuss. My apologies for the abruptness.” Sirin’s usual lighthearted tone was gone, replaced by a low, serious voice. A cryptic smile played on her lips.

[Is Noah alright?]

“Are you concerned Rubia might harm her?”

[No, not really… Well, I am, but more about that strange mutt. It obeys, but something about it feels…off.]

Cartia sighed, her form solidifying completely before she settled onto the sofa.

“The Beast of the End.”

[Yeah, that thing. Pretentious name, isn’t it?]

“That red wolf’s name is Carpeng.”

[Red or not, I know its name.]

Sirin regarded Cartia for a long moment, taking a slow sip of her coffee before speaking again.

“Cartia, how much do you remember of your time?”

[Up to…the slaying—no, the eradication of the Dragon.] Cartia’s usual flippancy faltered. She was talking to a Dragon, after all. Best to choose her words carefully. Sirin’s kin were likely few in number now. Boasting about killing one might not be well-received. What if it had been family?

Sirin, however, seemed unperturbed. She simply nodded, encouraging Cartia to continue.

“Are those memories complete? Of leading your armies, slaying Dragons, claiming victory? Are they whole and intact? What about after the war? What became of the world then?”

[Well, obviously—]

Cartia’s face crumpled.

[Tens of thousands of soldiers…Dragons…victory…the end of the war…]

She repeated Sirin’s words, dredging up memories she hadn’t accessed in a millennium.

[My Essence was Victory. I paid the price, I marched towards the Dragons. I reached the central continent…Humans…armies…Dragons… I couldn’t reach the sky…so what did I do?*]

She looked up at Sirin, who sat with eyes closed.

[What do you know?]

“The price of your victory.”

[…What?]

“The nature of the victory you sought.”

[Wait…how do you—]

BOOM!

A massive impact shook Sirin’s barrier.

“Tch. Never a moment’s peace. We’ll continue this later. And…I’d prefer if you didn’t go into that room. They have much to discuss.”

[Fine. Whatever. Where’s Serr? I’ll go watch her tinker with her toys.]

BANG!

“The farthest room.”

Sirin pointed, then turned and headed for the barrier.

Cartia watched her go, murmuring softly.

[A pact with the Grand General to bring down the Dragons.]

[Red hair…wolf ears…tail…a battle-crazed woman…]

Clink.

The moment Rubia fastened the handcuffs, my strength drained away. I dropped the greatsword I’d been holding.

And for some reason, Frey, disguised as a bracelet, slipped off as well. Severing my connection with Cartia…

“Uh…Rubia…something’s wrong…”

“I’m sorry, Noah.”

As I fumbled with the unfamiliar weakness, Rubia stroked my cheek, offering an abrupt apology.

Was it for…what happened earlier with Serr? Or for the handcuffs?

No, the Serr thing wasn’t something to apologize for. It was just healing…nothing more. Besides, Rubia said she only cared for me.

So, it must be the handcuffs. And rightly so. They were definitely suspicious. Draining my strength, cutting me off from Cartia… And strangely…soft and fuzzy. Suspiciously so.

I needed them off. I couldn’t see her face, but I wanted to see her expression.

“I…I understand, just take these off—”

“I can’t.”

“…Why?”

“I can’t…I can’t bear to see you hurt again.”

…What?

Something was very wrong with Rubia.

“Rubia…?”

“I’m so sorry, Noah. I didn’t know…I didn’t know how much you were suffering… While I was safe and warm, oblivious…”

Warm tears splashed onto my cuffed wrists.

“Rubia…are you crying?”

“N-no… sniffle… sob…”

“Um…”

Clink.

I reached out to wipe her tears, my hand brushing her face. Where were her eyes again?

Clink. Clink.

I traced the teardrops back to their source…

“There…”

I dabbed gently, careful not to chafe her skin. Rubia grabbed my hand.

“I…I saw it all.”

“…Saw what?”

“Your training…with Sirin…” Rubia’s voice trembled as she regained her composure. “I saw you… die. Over and over…”

And she started crying again.

“Wait…how did you see that?”

Was there some kind of…magical CCTV? No, that’s ridiculous.
Then how? It happened over a week ago…

“Sirin…her magic… She showed me the memories.”

“Wow…magic can do that?”

So it was Sirin. Could any mage do that?

Wait…did that mean I could rewatch all the shows and movies from Earth?

Oh my god…I had to ask Sirin.
Or…should I? She knew I wasn’t from this world…would it even matter?

If it was possible…what would I ask for?
Would Rubia even like them? How would I explain what they were…?

No, wait. I couldn’t even see them.

Ugh…getting ahead of myself again.

A small sigh escaped my lips as the happy fantasy popped like a soap bubble. Rubia suddenly hugged me tightly.

“It must have been…so hard…”

“N-no…it was…fine…”

“Don’t lie. I saw you…crying…”

“I wasn’t crying.”

…Okay, maybe a little. But that was because Cartia kept teasing me about wetting myself!
The humiliation squeezed out a few tears, that’s all.

But I seriously didn’t wet myself! That was drool! From yelling during the fight!
Who does that at my age? Seriously.
I was going to give Cartia such a smack next time I saw her.

Anyway…
What did any of this have to do with the handcuffs?

How did the conversation even get here?

Rubia seemed calmer now. Time to steer things back on track.

“Um…Rubia…could you please take these off…? They’re…weird. They’re draining my strength… I can barely hold my greatsword…”

I wriggled out of her embrace, rattling the handcuffs.

“No.”

Her refusal was firm, unwavering.

“Wh-why not?”

“They’re not dangerous. It’s just…a little of my divine power, a bit of your blood, some of Sirin’s magic, a touch of Cartia’s Essence, and a smidge of Serr’s spirit magic. A custom-made artifact. One of a kind. Just for you.”

“…What…?”

“They seem to be working. You can’t access your strength, and they look quite durable.”

Wait…my blood? And…did she just list every single person here? All their powers combined into these…?

“Why go to all this trouble…for handcuffs…?”

“It takes this much to keep you from hurting yourself.”

“…Keep me from what?”

“From danger. I don’t want you to get hurt.”

“But…the fight’s over…”

The archer was long gone. The swordsman, dead.

Rubia sighed, gripping my hand tightly.

“Noah, did you sense my divine power…in those humans you fought?”

“…How did you—? Did you meet them too?”

“What will you do…if they return?”

“Kill them.”

The words came out cold, automatic.

“Even if I ask you not to?”

“They’re defiling your power, Rubia. It doesn’t belong with…them.”

Rubia’s voice, in contrast, was soft, warm.

“I thought you might say that. That’s why…I had these made.”

“What are you—”

BOOM!

Another impact, even stronger, rocked the room, as if threatening to shatter Sirin’s barrier.

“Rubia…this…what’s happening?”

“I don’t want to be separated from you again. But if we must be…I want to know where you are, what you’re doing, if you’re hurt, if you’re sleeping, if you’re eating…what you’re thinking. Everything.”

“What? Now’s not the time—! Something’s happening outside!”

Clink.

“Which is why you need to stay here.”

She released my hand, her arm falling limply to her side.

“Wait—”

“I’ll be back.”

“Rubia—!”

Her footsteps retreated across the wooden floor.

No, this wasn’t right. Rubia going out there was far more dangerous than—

How could I stop her? Reassure her?

The gift!

“Rubia!”

I yelled, surprised by the volume of my own voice. Not that it mattered now.

“There’s…there’s a way!”

“A way?”

“A way to…stay connected, even when we’re apart. And…to show…how special…we are.”

BOOM!

Another crash, louder than before, shook the room violently.

I had no idea what was happening out there, but Sirin and Serr were there.
They’d be fine…for now.

Before Rubia could get any farther, I fumbled on the floor until I found the necklace Serr had made.

“Look, Rubia! This!”

“…A necklace?”

“Come closer… You can’t see it from there.”

Thud.

“Hurry…”

Her footsteps approached.

I forced a smile, holding out the necklace.

“See? Can you see?”

“My…my name…it’s engraved…”

“Yes! Where I’m from…we give these to…cherished companions…loved ones…”

“C-companions…? But this is for…pets—”

“Anyway! I’ll wear it…and if you infuse it with your divine power…we’ll be connected! Want to try?”

“Cherished…companions…loved ones…”

“Hurry up…!”

Rubia, momentarily dazed, snapped back to attention at my urging. She reached out and took the necklace.

I felt the warmth of her divine power flowing into it.

“Now…put it on me. I…I can’t see…”

I placed the necklace in her hand and lifted my hair with my free hand.

“Huff…huff…f-fine…”

Her breath hitched in her throat as her trembling fingers fastened the necklace with a soft click.

“Now…think about me.”

Rubia swallowed hard. A warmth emanated from the necklace.

It worked!

“Ta-da! Hehe…so? Can you see it? A kind of…string…? Only you can see it…follow it, and you’ll find me! And if you channel your power into it, you can sense my location, my condition…even my emotions—”

Clink.

A tickling sensation on my lower back.

“Mmmph—?!”

Rubia’s tongue invaded my mouth, aggressive and demanding.

“Mmph—! Rubia!”

With one arm restrained and my body weakened, I was helpless.

“Hahh…ngh…don’t…pull…the necklace…! Can’t…breathe…wait…hngh…!”

All I could do was surrender to Rubia’s fervent embrace.