Chapter 167 – The Eve (5)

“—And that’s it…!”

Scratch, scratch.

“S-So…? What do you think…?”

Rustle, rustle.

Scratch, scratch.

Hermilla, who had been meticulously comparing Noah’s explanation to her precognitive visions, finally spoke.

“Regarding Brunhilde, at least… Yes. If everything goes exactly according to this plan, there shouldn’t be any issues.”

“F-Finally—”

“‘If everything goes exactly according to this plan.’ Noah, I’m asking you seriously. Have you approached every battle this way?”

“Yes! Hehe.”

“And you intend to fight Laila the same way?”

“Yep! Pretty amazing, right?”

I beamed, swinging my legs back and forth as I clung to Rubia’s arm, anticipating their praise.

Swing, swing.

Sway, sway.

But… why do they look like that?

I sat there, basking in the awkward silence, when suddenly, Hermilla’s pen snapped in her hand.

“I suspected as much given your fighting style, Noah, but… this is beyond reckless.”

“Huh…?”

“Noah, are you insane?” Serr blurted out.

“Wha—?!”

“Sigh… Noah, this won’t do. You’re in for a serious talking-to tonight.” Rubia declared.

“Eek! R-Rubia…!”

Rubia sighed, gently lifting me from her lap and setting me on the adjacent chair.

“Noah. Tell me honestly, are you really going to fight Laila exactly as you described?”

“Um… well, yeah?”

“Then I’m never holding your hand again. In fact, I’m not even speaking to you.”

“Wha…?”

Rubia’s face crumpled into a deep frown. Her voice, when she spoke next, held a chilling seriousness.

“And we’re sleeping in separate rooms.”

“Gasp! Th-That’s… That’s too cruel!” I wailed, but Rubia’s hand swiftly covered my mouth.

“Only if you refuse to reconsider. So stop being stubborn and listen.”

“Mmph…”

The unwavering resolve in Rubia’s voice left me no choice but to nod dejectedly.

“Your methods are far too reckless, Noah. I understand prioritizing efficiency, but you need to value your own safety more.”

“…Okay.”

“And no more pouting.”

“Ugh…”

Rubia pulled her chair closer, sitting beside me and stroking my hair.

“Hmm… you’re not normally like this, Noah, but when it comes to fighting, you become incredibly obstinate. Do you realize that?”

“…No.”

“Of course, we know you’re powerful. Likely stronger than anyone here. But strength alone isn’t enough.”

A comforting warmth spread through me as Rubia channeled her divine power. It flowed from my head to my toes, soothing my anxieties.

“Do you feel that? Every point my power touches… those are all places you’ve sustained serious injuries.” Her voice was laced with pain.

“Gasp… Th-That many…?”

“Knowing that, you still insist on fighting this way?”

“But I don’t have a choice— Woah! S-Serr?!”

A blast of compressed air slammed into my face.

“Since appealing to your emotions seems ineffective, I’ll resort to cold, hard facts.”

Serr, her expression sharp as she scanned Hermilla’s notes, clicked her tongue and approached.

“Prepare for a complete overhaul of that suicidal mindset. Pay attention.”

“Hiek…”

Serr pulled up a chair beside me, conjured a small flame at her fingertip, and began writing directly onto the table’s surface.

“Problem number one: Your plans lack contingency, Noah.”

“C-Contingency…?”

“Exactly. If your initial approach fails, there’s no room for recovery.”

Etched onto the table were the following:

1. Block and Counter.
2. Dodge and Counter.

The fundamental, irrefutable truths of combat, which I had outlined earlier.

And beneath those, two more options:

3. Tank and Counter.
4. Hit REALLY. REALLY. Hard.

My own refined, ultimate techniques.

Even now, I think these two are pure genius…

“What’s with that self-satisfied grin?”

“I-I wasn’t grinning…”

“Sigh. Regardless, look at this. These ludicrous options… Do you honestly think they’re viable?”

Why wouldn’t they be?

Block and counter. Tank and counter. Dodge and counter.

Aren’t these… the very basics of combat?

Sure, ‘Hit REALLY. REALLY. Hard’ was a gamble, but if you could break through the enemy’s attack while hitting them with overwhelming force, it was a guaranteed win.

It’s exactly as it sounds! Just hit them REALLY. REALLY. Hard!

So… what’s wrong with it…?

As I tilted my head, genuinely puzzled, Serr sighed even more deeply.

“The options themselves might seem sound, but your application is utterly insane. In a battle where a single misstep means death, why insist on such high-risk tactics? Do you have some kind of guarantee you’ll always succeed?”

A guarantee.

Of course, I did.

I had to.

I’d killed countless enemies using these methods. Albeit in a game. I’d faced countless scenarios. Albeit in a game. I’d accounted for countless variables. Albeit in a game…

But it wasn’t just in a game. I’d used these same methods in reality to block, deflect, and counter attacks from both Beasts and Masters.

And I didn’t think others were incapable of doing the same. Those with better instincts and more experience than me would undoubtedly excel at it.

Especially Hermilla, Heinzel, and Alex.

I was certain those three could execute these strategies even better than I could.

“I understand that Brunhilde’s teleportation forces this kind of aggressive approach. But why insist on the same tactic against Laila?”

“But if I, the frontline, withdraw—”

“A High Spirit can make an excellent shield. Or would you prefer to test that theory by fighting one to the death?”

“No, that’s not what I…”

Serr sighed, adding another line to the table.

“Therein lies the second problem. Your chosen tactics exclude your allies. You insist on fighting alone.”

“Ugh…”

“Noah. You have comrades fighting alongside you. For this subjugation, Rubia and I will be there. Do you not trust us? Do you truly believe we’re incapable?”

“Of course not…!”

“Then trust us.” Serr pulled out her own notebook, flipping it open. Her voice was firm and resolute.

“I will handle Laila’s magic.”

She raised a hand, preemptively silencing any protest.

“I know you can sever magic with Frey, but I can nullify it entirely. Leave it to me. And finally, the third, and most crucial point: your ‘trade flesh for bone’ strategy is strictly forbidden.”

“W-Why…?”

“If you truly trust us, there’s no need for such reckless self-harm. Preserving your strength, Noah, as our strongest asset, is paramount to a swift and successful subjugation.”

“No… I disagree. With Rubia’s healing and Serr’s spirits, injuries are irrelevant.”

They wouldn’t let me die, even if I wanted to.

Plus, we had Yuria’s elixirs.

Playing it safe and dragging out the fight would be foolish. A prolonged battle would lead to fatigue, diminishing our focus and stamina. And if, in that weakened state, Laila’s instant-death attack struck Rubia or Serr…

“Absolutely… Absolutely not.”

If anyone was going to get hit, it had to be me.

If anyone was going to feel pain, it had to be me.

If anyone was going to suffer, it had to be me.

If anyone was going to die, it had to be me.

This strategy, this entire operation, hinged on my knowledge, my plan. If someone else, especially someone precious to me, were to get hurt because of it…

I wouldn’t allow it.

I couldn’t bear to lose anyone else.

“This… is non-negotiable.”

My voice, sharp and unwavering, echoed through the room.

“Noah…”

As I locked eyes with Serr, my expression resolute, Rubia’s voice softly broke through the tension.

“…Even you, Rubia… This is not up for debate.”

“Why are you so determined to shoulder everything alone? To the point of self-destruction?”

“…Because I don’t want you to get hurt. I don’t want any of my friends to get hurt…”

“We feel the same, Noah. Serr, Hermilla, all of us.”

Rubia’s arms wrapped around me, a comforting warmth against my tense back.

“Noah, this time… let’s fight together. Please.”

“P-Please…? What do you…”

“Up until now… you’ve faced every major battle alone. I know part of that was my own lack of capability… but still. You carry too much, Noah.”

“You’re not a burden, Rubia…”

“If we follow your plan this time, I will become a burden. Even if you don’t believe it, I will feel it. Do you want me to carry that guilt, Noah?”

Rubia’s embrace tightened.

“Th-That’s… not what I want…”

“Then let us fight together. Please.”

“…I don’t want you to get hurt, Rubia.”

“So, I can’t get hurt… but you can?”

“Ugh… No, that’s not… that’s not what I meant…”

Rubia chuckled softly, turning me to face her. Our foreheads touched.

Her sweet scent filled my senses.

The gentle warmth of her forehead against mine.

The soft pressure of her embrace.

It all sent shivers down my spine, making my heart flutter.

“If you’ll agree… give me a kiss.”

An offer I couldn’t refuse.

Lost in the moment, drawn in by Rubia’s sweet temptation, just as our lips were about to meet—

“What in the world are you two doing during a strategic meeting?! Save it for later.” Serr’s exasperated voice shattered the moment.

Flustered, I turned away.

“So much for logic, Rubia wins again, I suppose. Utterly repulsive. Tsk. So, Noah. What will it be?”

Serr smirked, a triumphant glint in her eyes. Hermilla, oblivious, continued to pore over her notes, adjusting the strategy. Rubia, her gaze lingering on my neck, licked her lips.

Caught in the middle of it all, I let out a wry chuckle and nodded.

Just then, the morning bell chimed, announcing breakfast.