Chapter 23 – The Village of Roholon (6)

‘But our Noah is so kind, I don’t think she’ll ever abandon her mom. Right?’

I’m sorry.

‘So Noah, one day, I hope you can become a hero, like your dad, and like your name. A person who saves others.’

I’m sorry.

I’m sorry.

I’m sorry.

I was too scared.

***

I hadn’t slept so deeply in a long time.

It had been so long.

I didn’t want to sleep that deeply, but still… it wasn’t too bad.

“Haa…”

To shake off the grogginess, and to erase the lingering memories of the dream, I opened my eyes.

I took a deep breath to steady myself.

Only after a long while did I finally manage to chase away the remnants of sleep.

I reached out with my hand. My greatsword wasn’t there.

I fumbled around. Still not there.

“Ah…”

Right, Rubia had stayed with me last night.

She must have gotten up before me.

“Are you awake?”

“Ah…!”

Rubia’s voice came from my right.

Surprised, I shot up—wait…

“Ru-Rubia…?”

“Yes?”

“Uhm… where are my clothes and bandages…?”

I clutched the blanket, trying to cover myself, as I reached around in vain.

They were nowhere to be found.

“You tore them off in your sleep, saying you were suffocating, so I took them off for you. Did you… have a bad dream?”

“N-no, it wasn’t anything like that… Uh, thanks for looking out for me.”

“I hung your clothes up to keep them from wrinkling, and I washed your bandages. But… are you really okay? You don’t look so good.”

Rubia came closer and gently patted my head.

It was comforting, but…

“I’m fine… really. Could you just… hand me the bandages? I don’t have my greatsword right now, and, well, nothing else either…”

Give me some clothes!

I’m only in my underwear!

It’s embarrassing!!!

“Oh, right. Sorry, I’ll grab them now.”

Rubia quickly rummaged through our bags, retrieving my things.

Wait… did my bandages smell?

Why would she wash them for me… How embarrassing…!

“Here you go. Can you wrap them yourself?”

“O-of course. I’ve done it plenty of times.”

Carefully extending only my hand from under the blanket, I took the bandages and started tying them.

I couldn’t see anything, but I’d done this so many times that it was second nature.

I tied them up…

“Rubia… Could you turn around, please…? I-it’s a bit embarrassing.”

I had to let go of the blanket to wrap my chest, and… that meant everything would be on display.

I mean, sure, Rubia had seen me in the valley before, but still… it was embarrassing!

“Sure, I’ll turn around.”

I heard the rustling sound of Rubia moving.

“You’re really not peeking, right?”

“Of course not.”

“Just because I can’t see doesn’t mean you can cheat!”

“Do you really think I’d do that?”

“W-well… I guess not.”

Right…

It’s not like there’s anything worth looking at.

Besides, we’re both girls.

Reassuring myself that Rubia wasn’t interested in my plain body, I dropped the blanket and started securing the bandages around my chest.

It wasn’t easy since there wasn’t much to wrap, but I pulled the bandages tight, keeping them in place.

I patted around to make sure everything was secure.

Okay, done.

“You can turn back around now.”

“You did a great job wrapping them.”

“Hehe, neat, right?”

“The method seems pretty complicated. Did someone teach you?”

“Yeah! Hermilla taught me how to do it from start to finish!”

Back when I used to just wear loose, thick clothes because I figured I didn’t need a bra… Hermilla caught me.

That led to two hours of lecturing and learning how to properly tie the bandages.

Ugh, it was rough.

“Hermilla… taught you?”

“Yeah, how does it look? Sturdy, right?”

I proudly showed off my bandages, pulling them slightly to demonstrate.

“Did Hermilla… tie them for you the first time?”

Hermilla? Why no ‘Ms.’?

“Well… yeah, the first time.”

“I see.”

“Y-yeah… that’s how it went.”

A cold silence hung in the air.

What’s going on? Why did the mood suddenly shift?

“Ru-Rubia…?”

“Yes?”

“Could you… hand me my greatsword?”

“Sure, I’ll get it for you.”

I heard the clinking of the belt and the familiar weight of the greatsword being lifted.

Ahh, just hearing that sound made me feel better.

“Here you go, your greatsword.”

I extended my arms, and the familiar weight settled into my hands.

As soon as I gripped the hilt, a rush of sensations and information filled my mind.

“Ahh… so refreshing.”

Clutching my greatsword, I stretched, bending from side to side.

“Hey, Noah.”

“Yeah?”

“Did you… stretch like that in front of Hermilla, too?”

“N-no! I only do this after I wake up!”

“Only after you wake up?”

Nod, nod.

“I see. Got it.”

Her voice suddenly perked up.

What’s that about…?

“Come on, let’s get ready to head out. The sooner we drop off your sword, the faster we can get it back.”

“Uh… yeah, right.”

Rubia hooked her arm around mine and helped me stand up.

A pleasant, familiar scent filled the air—

Not the acrid smell of smoke, but Rubia’s refreshing fragrance.

***

“I’m nervous…”

“It’ll be fine. Worst case, I’ll carry it for you.”

“C-carry it?”

“I mean, I’ll carry you. My bad,” Rubia corrected herself, scratching her cheek awkwardly.

“Anyway, they say this is the best smithy around. We shouldn’t have anything to worry about.”

“Really…? Well… okay. Let’s go!”

I entered the smithy, trying to walk in confidently.

Be a tough adventurer! Hand it over like a pro and leave like one!

“Uh… hello…?”

“Welcome!”

A bubbly voice greeted us.

A woman? A female smith? That’s rare.

“You must be new here, right?”

“Y-yeah…? It’s my first time.”

“Welcome to Hephaestus Smithy! I’m Hephaestus, Roholon’s top smith!”

“Oh, uh… I’m Noah…”

“And your equipment… A greatsword and light armor, right? Wow, that sword’s seen better days… How did it end up like this? You must be right in the thick of things when you fight, huh? Even your shoulder armor… You’re really throwing yourself into the fray, aren’t you? But you’re so cute! It’s kinda amazing!”

“Uh… eh…?”

“And how do you even swing such a heavy sword? Oh, are you a support? I guess that would explain it… But even for a support, your armor is really beat up. Wait… don’t tell me the adventurer you’re supporting is overworking you?! If that’s the case, you need to get out of there, fast! Oh no… is it the person standing behind you? Wait, no, that’s not what I meant… Actually, it is! How could you make such a cute girl work so hard? You’re terrible!”

“W-what?! No, that’s not it!”

Offended by the “cute little girl” comment, I stepped out from behind Rubia, only to hide behind her again immediately.

“Excuse me! I think there’s been a misunderstanding. That’s not how it is at all—”

“Oh! You horrible adventurer! How could you treat someone like that! Such a tiny little thing! You’re awful!”

“N-no! I’m an adult!” I shouted, only to dart back behind Rubia.

“She called me awful… My head hurts…” Rubia sighed. “Look, Miss Hephaestus, the greatsword belongs to the person behind me. And I’m actually the support, not her.”

I nodded furiously in agreement with Rubia’s explanation.

“Oh… really?”

“Yes, really. Though… now I’m more aware of how we look to others. Something to keep in mind, I suppose.”

“Oh my god! I’m so sorry for misunderstanding!” Hephaestus shrieked and slammed her forehead to the floor.

This… this is too much.

I can’t keep up with her energy.

It’s draining me.

Would it have been better if I brought Heinzel or Luchi instead?

Actually, no… That would have made things worse…

“Please, lift your head. It’s okay. It was just a misunderstanding,” Rubia said, crouching down and patting Hephaestus’s shoulder.

“Oh… It’s just, I have such an overactive imagination and a quick temper… I’m really sorry!”

Thud! She slammed her head into the ground again.

“Haa… Okay. I accept your apology. Now please stand up.”

“Yes! Thank you!”

Her teary, apologetic tone disappeared, and she was back to her energetic self.

“Now, let me explain what we need done.”

“Yes, ma’am!”

“We need repairs on the greatsword and light armor. How long do you think it will take? We’re hoping to get it done as soon as possible, ideally within 24 hours…”

“Five hours!”

“Huh?”

“Five hours and it’ll be done!”

Wait, what?

The smith in Alrba took ten hours… She’s saying five?

“If you’re in a real rush, I can push it to three hours!!!”

“Uh… how…?”

“Haha! It’s a bit embarrassing to admit, but I have the blessing of Borean! It lets me work faster! I mean, it’s not an amazing blessing, but still! When it comes to speed, I’m unmatched! No one on the continent can beat me!”

“Oh, I see. I didn’t realize you had a blessing.”

“Hehe… No worries! By the way, your hair is stunning! That silver color with blue eyes, you look just like a priestess! Oh, wait… you’re not just like one… You are one! KYAAA! It’s Rubia the priestess! What are you doing in a place like this?! And you’re wearing a disguise cloak?! Oh my gosh!”

Thud! She slammed her head into the ground again.

“I’m so sorry! I didn’t recognize you! No, wait, I did recognize you! Sorry for that too! My blessing makes my eyes really sharp, so it pierced through your disguise! I’m so sorry!!!”

“Ah… well, those with blessings sometimes have that ability… But,” Rubia muttered, rubbing her lips as she stared down at Hephaestus.

“Three hours is a bit too short.”

Wait, what? What did she just say…?