Chapter 22 – The Village of Roholon (5)

“Hey, Mister Luchi… did you see that?” I asked eagerly.

After showing off to Heinzel and Rubia, it was time to brag to Luchi as well.

“I saw it… How the hell did you pull that off?” Luchi asked, slowly sitting up and giving me a puzzled look.

“Hehe… Pretty cool, right?” I grinned.

“Honestly… with a body like that, it wouldn’t be strange if you were the weakest one here.”

“Hey, I’m strong! You wanna arm wrestle to see?”

I raised my arm into position, flexing a bit.

“No thanks… I don’t want to end up as humiliated as that bald fool,” Luchi said, shaking his head as he lay back down.

Lame…

“Well… alright then. Rest up!” I said, giving a slight bow before turning away.

“Hey, kid! How did you do that just now?”

“Wha— what do you mean?” I jumped slightly, startled by Heinzel’s massive figure suddenly looming over me.

I had to act cool—show him the dignity of a victor!

“The arm wrestling! You crushed my hand with that toothpick arm of yours! How’d you do it?”

“It’s not a toothpick, okay…? And I just used my strength, that’s all.”

“There’s no way that was pure strength. Rubia, you think the same, right?”

Rubia, who had sidled up next to me, took my arm gently and started massaging it.

“Not just strength, huh? Then what could it be?” I asked, confused. I thought it was just raw power!

Rubia frowned as she continued to feel my arm. “It’s strange… But it seems like you unconsciously used magic.”

“Wha… Magic?”

Wait, that can’t be right. I have zero magic stats!

“Hold on… Does that mean the kid was cheating?!”

“No! I wasn’t using any magic!” I protested.

“That bald fool always complains about that kind of thing… Ridiculous,” Luchi muttered.

“It’s not cheating, Heinzel. It’s possible Noah unconsciously used magic to enhance her strength. I’ve heard it’s very difficult to pull off magic-based body enhancements, so the fact that she did it unconsciously is quite impressive,” Rubia explained as she kept massaging my arm.

Her hands had now wandered up to my bicep, just under my armpit, as if checking something else.

“Huh…? I thought it was just… you know, my own strength,” I mumbled.

“Noah probably only uses it when necessary, and only for a brief moment. Still, it’s remarkable. Using magic for body enhancement is really hard to do,” Rubia said, sounding impressed.

“Yeah, it’s frustrating… Honestly,” Luchi groaned.

“Well! Then I declare it a tie!” Heinzel suddenly announced triumphantly, trying to turn the tables.

“What?!”

“Your victory was only because of the magic! So it doesn’t count!”

“No, it still counts! I didn’t know I was using magic! If you’re going to call it ‘the harsh world of competition,’ then you should accept defeat gracefully!”

Heinzel chuckled, seemingly unmoved. “Let’s ask the judge. What do you think, Rubia?”

“Rubia…?” I pleaded, hoping she’d stand by me.

Rubia sighed deeply and rubbed her temples. “I feel like I’m a teacher dealing with unruly students…”

“Poor priestess. You’ve got your work cut out for you,” Luchi commented, sitting up.

“Well, from where I was watching, I’d say Noah won fair and square,” Luchi added.

“Oh! Yes! Thank you!”

“What?! Why do you say that?” Heinzel asked, clearly not pleased.

Luchi folded his arms. “Heinzel, how old are you this year?”

“Uh… I think I’m 48.”

“We’re the same age. We’ve lived a long time, haven’t we? But unlike me, you seem to have eaten your years through your… rear end.”

“Pfft—!” Rubia burst out laughing, quickly covering her mouth.

I tilted my head, confused by the strange comment, while Heinzel’s expression darkened.

The tension in his clenched fists was almost visible.

Luchi continued. “And what were the stakes of this little competition?”

“Jelly for me and a stone-grilled steak for Heinzel,” I replied.

“Exactly. So, Heinzel… is your rear end so full of age that you don’t have room for money?”

“Pff…!” Rubia erupted into laughter again.

I still didn’t get the joke, but Rubia’s laughter made it seem funny somehow.

“C-cut it out already,” Heinzel muttered through gritted teeth, his fists trembling.

What was so funny?

“Rubia…” I whispered, gently pulling on her hand. “What does that mean?”

“Oh… um, I’ll tell you later. It’s… let’s just say it’s not very kind to Heinzel’s ego… hehe.”

Luchi didn’t stop, though. He continued needling Heinzel until the poor guy was practically vibrating with frustration.

Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, the verdict came in.

“… I admit defeat.”

Noah, victorious!

Heh.

See? Should’ve just accepted your loss from the beginning, Heinzel. Now look how embarrassing this is.

I straightened up proudly and approached him.

“Don’t forget… you owe me jelly tomorrow.”

“Ugh… fine,” Heinzel muttered in defeat.

“Heheh…”

As I reveled in my victory, Luchi tapped my greatsword and commented, “Anyway, kid, you don’t even bother repairing your gear? You talk big about greatswords, but you’re walking around with a blunt stick.”

“Uh… I know I should, but…”

I always felt uneasy having my greatsword repaired anywhere but the smithy in Alrba. The blacksmith there never scolded me for touching the blade while waiting, so I always felt safe.

But here… I wasn’t sure. What if they yell at me?

“Got a good place to recommend?”

“Uh… well…” I hesitated.

Just then, Rubia came to the rescue, wrapping her hand around mine. “Actually, I’ve already arranged a place for repairs. We’re going tomorrow, remember, Noah?”

Nice save, Rubia! You’re the best!

To show my appreciation, I wiggled my fingers into hers, intertwining them.

“Y-yeah, that’s right! We’re going together tomorrow.”

Rubia squeezed my hand gently, and I returned the squeeze.

“Alright then. So… you were planning to spar with me using that weapon?” Luchi asked, eyeing my worn-out blade.

“Yeah… I guess so.”

It wasn’t a fight to the death, after all.

Besides, I figured it would only take ten or so swings to end things, so I wasn’t too worried.

“So you think I’m weak, huh?”

Luchi clapped a hand to his forehead.

“No, not weak… just… average?”

“Kah! I like your spunk, kid. Fine, after you get that thing repaired, we’ll have our match,” Luchi said, laughing heartily.

“Fine by me…” I clenched my fist, already anticipating the fight.

“Haah…” Rubia sighed deeply beside me.

“Seriously, Luchi… after what happened earlier, you still want to fight? You should rest.”

“Oh, please. I can take care of that little mouse in my sleep.”

“Mouse… mouse?! You better not underestimate me. Didn’t you see the arm wrestling? I’m crazy strong.”

“Kahaha! Sure, I’ll take you seriously. Come at me anytime.”

Luchi laughed, patting his sword hilt.

Meanwhile, Heinzel quietly approached us and asked, “Kid… if you don’t want to spar, how about some training instead? I could help—”

“No thanks. I don’t care about losers.”

Quiet, bald guy.

“Wha… what?! L-loser?!”

“Kahaha! Heinzel, maybe you should sit this one out. You’ve already lost to me and Noah, right? You’re at the bottom now. The grown-ups are talking,” Luchi teased.

Seizing the moment, I added, “Yeah! The grown-ups are talking, so the loser should just stay quiet.”

I crossed my arms, trying to look as dignified as possible.

“Pfft… Noah, what kind of pose is that?” Rubia giggled from behind me.

“It’s a dignified pose… isn’t it?”

“No, no… it’s fine, just… you can keep doing it if you like.”

Rubia’s shoulders shook as she tried to hold back more laughter.

Not the reaction I was hoping for…

I quickly lowered my arms, hoping no one noticed.

Maybe it’s because I’m short…

“Kid… do you really hate me that much…?” Heinzel asked, sounding dejected.

“Huh? N-no, it’s not that I hate you. It’s just… um… promise you won’t get mad?”

“Alright. Go ahead.”

“There’s… just nothing to learn from you.”

“Wh-what…?! You’re saying… I’ve got nothing to teach you? I’ve been an adventurer for over 30 years, and I—”

“That’s not it. It’s just… our fighting styles are too similar, so I wouldn’t really gain anything. But Luchi’s style is the complete opposite of mine, so I’d learn a lot more from him.”

Seeing their earlier sparring match confirmed it. Heinzel and I had similar styles.

Fighting him would just mean one of us would end up seriously hurt.

And that’s not worth it.

“Th-that so? Well then…”

“But, Noah… from the way you’re talking, it sounds like you think you’re as good as Heinzel, or even better. Is that what you’re saying?” Luchi asked, his sharp gaze boring into me.

Ugh… why does he have to be so perceptive?

I hate it when people are this sharp.

“W-what? Kid! Is that true?” Heinzel demanded.

I immediately turned to Rubia, hoping she’d bail me out again.

“I’m tired, Rubia. Let’s head to the inn.”

“…Heh. Alright. I guess we should head back.”

Rubia, ever dependable, came to my rescue.

“Kid! Answer me!”

“Hurry, let’s go!” I urged, grabbing Rubia’s hand and pulling her along.

Heinzel’s voice echoed in the distance as we walked away, his shouts of “Kid! Kid!” growing fainter.

Honestly… how is he supposed to survive in this world if he’s so oblivious?

Poor guy.

***

Back at the inn, I threw myself onto the bed, finally clean and refreshed.

“Phew… what a day.”

“It really was. But did you enjoy it?”

“Yeah, it was fun.”

“I’m glad to hear that. So, what’s your plan for tomorrow’s smithy visit?”

I carefully shifted so that my greatsword wouldn’t tear the bed.

“I… don’t know yet. I’m worried. Should I just buy a new sword…?”

“That’s one option, but isn’t this sword already familiar to you?”

“Yeah, that’s true…”

I held the sword’s hilt, gripping and releasing it.

This greatsword felt… right. It had been with me since I arrived in this world, and even though it hadn’t been that long, it felt like a part of me.

Sure, there’d come a time when I’d need a new weapon, but… not now.

Not yet.

If I had to compare it to something, it was like a security blanket.

The thought of replacing it felt… wrong.

“I guess I could buy a new sword, but… this one just feels right.”

“That makes sense. It seems like it’s become a part of you.”

Rubia nodded, sitting on the edge of the bed.

“How long does it usually take to repair a sword?” she asked.

“In Alrba, it only took about ten hours. But here… I don’t know how long it’ll take.”

“Right. It might take longer if the smithy’s busy.”

I sighed, feeling a bit anxious.

Maybe I could ask Luchi or Heinzel to help out… but they weren’t professionals. My sword might get ruined.

“Tell you what, Noah. While you’re getting your sword repaired, I’ll stay with you the whole time.”

“Rubia, you’d do that?”

“Of course. If you want, I could even carry you around,” she teased.

Rubia came over to the bed and gently lifted my head, placing it on her lap.

“How’s that?”

Her sweet scent filled the air, and her still-damp hair brushed against my skin, sending a pleasant shiver down my spine.

Her soft, gentle voice seemed to cradle my heart.

“R-Rubia…?”

“Is it uncomfortable?”

“N-no… it’s just… oh man…”

I froze, completely paralyzed.

“Shall I put your greatsword aside for now?” she asked, her hands already moving toward the sword.

“W-why?”

“I want to do something for you.”

Before I could even react, Rubia’s hand gently touched the hilt of my greatsword.

Should I stop her?

If I do… will she get mad?

Ugh… what do I do…?!

While I hesitated, her hand grasped the sword.

“Noah. It’s fine, right?”

“…Yeah.”

As the sword left my hand, the familiar flow of information ceased.

The room grew silent as my senses dulled.

In their place, my hearing, touch, and smell became more acute.

The eerie sensation of falling into an endless abyss crept over me, making me feel strangely uneasy.

I could feel my body stiffen from the discomfort.

Normally, I always slept while clutching my greatsword for this exact reason.

But just as I was about to panic, Rubia’s soft hand gently stroked my head.

“Are you scared?”

“I-I’m not scared… I’m fine.”

“Your hands are all sweaty.”

“It’s not sweat… It’s just… humidity.”

“Right. If you say so,” she smiled, continuing to stroke my head.

Her gentle touch slowly helped ease my nerves.

Without the sword, my mind focused on the warmth of her hands.

A strange sense of peace settled over me.

“How is it now? Feeling a bit better?” she asked softly.

“Yeah…”

“Think you’ll be able to sleep without the sword tonight?”

“Maybe… as long as someone’s with me.”

“Someone? Does it have to be me, or would anyone do?”

“N-no! I mean… if it’s you, then… And are your legs okay? Aren’t they going numb?”

“Don’t worry about me. I’ll stay like this until you fall asleep. Once you’re out, I’ll be right here beside you,” she whispered, her voice like a lullaby.

“Th-thanks… I guess… I’ll sleep now…”

“Go ahead. I’m not going anywhere.”

Strangely enough, despite usually tossing and turning, I felt an unusual calmness tonight.

Why do I feel so at peace…?

“Sweet dreams, Noah.”

As her soft voice echoed in my mind, I drifted into sleep.

She said sweet dreams.

Not good dreams, but sweet ones.

That… feels kinda nice.