Noah

Rubia, who had been out of her adventurer’s outfit for a while, stood before Hermilla, pulling down her perception-blocking robe.

“Are you really going to be alright?”

“Yes.”

Her voice was cracked and hoarse, but it held a firm will.

“…Still, wouldn’t it be better to finish recovering a bit more before going?”

“I’m fine.”

Rubia, cutting off Hermilla’s worries decisively, checked her tightly fastened clothes once more and raised her head.

Hollow eyes. Pale skin. Chapped lips.

Even to Hermilla, who was ignorant in medical matters, Rubia’s condition was far from normal.

That was because Rubia, who could no longer use Divine Power, was no different from an ordinary person.

In that state, she wasn’t eating properly.

She wasn’t getting proper sleep.

She was holed up in a space filled with the smell of ink and parchment, not even thinking of coming out. Unable to.

In this state, if Rubia, whose body was no different from an ordinary person, joined the investigation team, she might be in danger.

Because numerous Demon Beasts were still stationed in the area where the investigation team was active.

She might even collapse on the way. It would be fine if they went by carriage, but due to the long-continued battles, most of the roads were impassable even by horse, let alone carriage.

“I’m shameless, but… still, I’m asking you, Hermilla.”

Even so, Rubia didn’t budge.

If she were a normal person. If she were someone who cared about Rubia. If she were a being with red blood flowing through her veins, she would have to refuse those words.

“…Alright.”

But Hermilla couldn’t refuse.

Because it was Rubia’s request, the one who had been closer to Noah than anyone else.

Because it was Rubia’s plea, who even after Noah disappeared, had faintly felt her presence.

Because this journey was Rubia’s last hope, after realizing that Noah’s existence had completely disappeared.

And, Hermilla herself wanted to find Noah as well.

She wanted to deny the fact that Noah had disappeared.

She wanted to hear confirmation that she was alive.

She wanted to hear from Rubia, the only one who could feel Noah’s power, that she was still alive.

Therefore, she nodded.

Bearing a guilt that she no longer knew where it came from, she grabbed Rubia’s slightly trembling shoulders and said.

“First, I’ll say it again for confirmation. According to the report sent by the investigation team… the traces of Noah that remained at World’s End, that is, the traces of battle that Noah left behind, are gradually disappearing. Apparently… even the power Noah left behind seems to be disappearing. The reason they sent the report saying ‘it seems like that’ instead of confirming it… is thanks to Heinzel, Yuria, and Delia who are there. Those three strongly said that Noah is definitely alive.”

Rubia, caressing the finger where the ring had been, bit her lip and opened her mouth.

“That’s right. Noah… is still alive.”

“…Yes. I think so too. I don’t think Noah… could have disappeared.”

Hermilla, who had been looking at the report on the desk, slowly raised her head.

“So, go there yourself, see with your own eyes, feel it, and say it with Rubia’s mouth. Noah… is still alive.”

“Yes.”

A firm determination settled in her blue eyes, which had been so detached as if they would go out at any moment.

It wasn’t the clear and noble blue light like before, but it was still a look that could be said to be definitely better than it had been a year ago.

Hermilla, who had been moving her lips as if to say something while looking at those eyes, swallowed the words she was about to say and turned her back.

“Then, let’s go.”

“Ah, Hermilla.”

“Delia.”

“…Rubia came too.”

“Yeah. It’s been a while. Thank you… always.”

“Thank you? It’s something I should do, of course. And something I want to do.”

“…Still, thank you.”

Rubia, holding Delia’s hand, smiled.

A weak smile. A faded smile that cast a shadow on Delia’s face.

“First, Delia. I’m going to meet Alex for a bit, so I’ll leave Rubia to you.”

“Okay.”

Delia’s resolute answer, as if she wouldn’t let a single drop of Demon Beast blood touch Rubia.

Hearing that answer, Hermilla turned her head and looked at Rubia.

“Rubia. Don’t overdo it.”

“Yes. You don’t have to worry. It’s weak, but… I still have enough Divine Power to protect myself.”

“…Alright. Then, I’ll see you later.”

“Yes.”

Hermilla, who had been looking at Rubia for a while, nodded and moved her steps, disappearing into the countless crowds.

“I don’t think I need to guide you around here right now. Shall we go straight in?”

Following Delia’s gaze, Rubia’s head also turned.

The sight of Cartia, which could only be described as ruins.

The blood of the Demon Beasts, which had not yet been erased, was stained everywhere, and the faint smell of blood that remained even in the open space made everything eerie.

A disturbing landscape even though the sun was high in the sky.

Still, the tents scattered everywhere and the voices of many investigation team members covered up the atmosphere, but they couldn’t completely suppress it.

Rubia, taking in the sight of such Cartia, raised her head and looked at the ‘gate’ to World’s End.

The gate floating in the sky.

The hole, or perhaps the passage, was taking a similar form to the one Serr had opened once.

“Yeah. Please.”

“Okay.”

Delia’s hand gently wrapped around Rubia’s hand. Soon, the two people’s bodies began to slowly rise.

“I’m going to block the other Demon Beasts from laying a finger on you. But still, I’ll tell you just in case. There are a lot of Demon Beasts in World’s End right now. Of course, there aren’t any strong ones, but sometimes one or two are mixed in.”

“…Yeah.”

“Still, you don’t have to worry. I’m here, Yuria is here… and, the Baldy is here too.”

Delia, who said that with a blushing face and a somewhat bitter tone. Rubia smiled bitterly at the sight.

“Hey… Explaining it with words is not as good as seeing it in person… Let’s just go. Rubia has been here a lot anyway.”

Delia, shaking her head vigorously, [Mana] bloomed from her body. The twintails, which had been swung around following her head, also slowly rose according to the flow of [Mana].

And, ― crackle.

At the same time as a very small spark seemed to burst, the scenery changed.

World’s End.

Rubia’s eyes, which had been floating in the sky with Delia’s magic, were able to capture the scenery of World’s End at a glance.

The sight of Cartia was a desolate scene that could be called a peaceful village.

The roars and flesh-tearing sounds of the Demon Beasts that were constantly heard.

The salty smell of human blood also flowed on the wind, but the blood of the Demon Beasts, the foul smell of that blood rotting, was even more intense.

“It’s a lot different than before, right?”

“…It is.”

A body slowly descending towards the ground.

Delia, who had been scattering sharp electric shocks to prepare for any possible situation, looked around and said.

“They say they don’t know why the Demon Beasts are flocking here. But… something’s strange. Demon Beasts are supposed to kill and eat humans, right?”

“Right…?”

“That’s normal… but these guys are a little different.”

Delia, who had landed on the dry ground and was tidying up her disheveled hair, continued to speak.

“It feels like they’ve run away…?”

“Run… away?”

“Yeah. See there?”

The fingertip that Delia was pointing at was pointing to a place covered in Dark Red.

The traces Noah left behind.

The Dark Red Sea where Noah’s power was thickly laid.

“The Demon Beasts are flocking from there, and they’re all moving as if they’re scared. Um… honestly, I don’t know how to explain it because it’s the first time I’ve seen something like that, but anyway, that’s how it is.”

Rubia narrowed her eyes and looked at the Demon Beasts that were still flocking in without rest.

Certainly, they were showing completely different movements from the Demon Beasts she had seen so far.

Originally, when Demon Beasts discovered and smelled humans, they would rush towards those humans.

But, the Demon Beasts weren’t doing that now.

Not rushing, but running.

It looked like they were running away to get far away from the object of their fear.

“Certainly… it seems like that.”

“Right? Well, even if they don’t have intelligence, they’ll have instincts, so I think they can instinctively feel fear. I don’t know what kind of being that fear comes from. Whether it’s a god or something… there’s something we can’t know.”

There was a deep worry in Delia’s last words.

“Haa… Anyway, let’s go. Yuria and the Baldy are waiting.”

“Okay.”

Rubia, taking her eyes off the alien landscape, moved her steps, which were a little heavy.

Inside the outpost that they arrived at.

“Um. It’s been a while.”

“…It’s been a while, Rubia.”

Heinzel, who was still bald, and Yuria, who seemed a little tired, were sitting there.

“It’s been a while, everyone.”

Heinzel, hearing Rubia’s light greeting, jumped up from his seat.

“Are you going right away?”

“She must have come without getting a wink of sleep, shouldn’t we let her rest a bit?”

Yuria smiled bitterly as she looked at such Heinzel.

“Hmm. Is that so. Um. Yes, that’s right. Yes. It would be good to rest a bit as Yuria says.”

At that, Heinzel scratched his head as if he was very disappointed and sat down with a thud.

“Then, um. How long will you rest? An hour? Two hours? Hmm… Four hours?”

“She came within two days of receiving the message… I think she should rest for at least a day.”

“Huh… Th-that’s right. Yes. That’s right. She must be tired.”

Rubia, who had been quietly watching Heinzel, who had drooped his shoulders and fallen into despair.

“Let’s go right away.”

She said in a clearer voice than before.

“Hmm?”

“I’m fine, so please. Heinzel. Yuria.”

“Hmm!”

Thud! Heinzel, who had gotten up from his seat with an even rougher movement than before, began to put on the clothes that had been hung on the back. And click- click- after checking his prosthetic arm, he raised his head.

“Let’s go!”

A thunderous voice.

Heinzel, who was originally quick-tempered, was even more impatient now.

He couldn’t help it.

The traces of battle that Noah had left behind, the Dark Red Sea, were decreasing at a rapid pace.

Rustle- rustle-

Yuria, who had told Rubia to rest, also began to prepare as soon as she heard Rubia’s words.

Yuria, like the others gathered in this place, must have been in a hurry.

When it came to going to find Noah’s whereabouts, who had protected her life, Hephaestus’s life, and everything in this world, there was no way she could be leisurely.

Soon, Heinzel, who had finished all the preparations, passed by Rubia and violently opened the door of the outpost.

Bang-! The door opened with a rough sound. The eyes of the investigation team gathered in one place.

Heinzel shouted at them.

“Investigation team-!”

A voice bigger than most medium-sized Demon Beasts.

All of the investigation team, hearing Heinzel’s voice, which was like a roar, drew their weapons at once.

Soon after, thump. Heinzel stomped his feet and shouted again.

“Chargeee-!!!”

Thud-!

A huge gravity was laid down in the direction where Heinzel’s voice spread. The Demon Beasts that had been flocking from the widely spread Dark Red Sea instantly became mush.

All of the investigation team, the Liberation Army, ran over it. The Demon Beasts’ dying screams echoed in the polearms that were swung while clearly distinguishing between friend and foe.

The roots of the trees that soared above it crushed the bodies of the Demon Beasts that had survived the gravity, opening their way.

“Let’s go, Rubia.”

Delia grabbed Rubia’s hand, who had been stunned while watching such a scene. Whirr- the two people’s bodies rose into the sky.

“…Please.”

“Then, close your eyes tightly.”

At Delia’s words, Rubia’s eyelids closed. At the same time, ― crackle! Brilliant electric shocks that were felt even beyond the lowered eyelids scattered.

Rubia, who felt that the atmosphere surrounding the area had changed, raised her slightly stiff eyelids.

Dark Red Sea.

A shallow surface that wouldn’t even wet her knees, but a sea where the bottom couldn’t be seen was spread out, with a different sense of oppression than when she had seen it from afar.

“Ah…”

And, the end of the sea that was gradually decreasing, or perhaps decreasing at a rapid pace.

She could see the numerous Demon Beasts that were flocking from there.

“How is it? Do you feel anything?”

“…A little, can we go down just a little?”

“Um…”

Delia, who had been worrying for a while at Rubia’s words, nodded after seeing the Baldy running from behind.

“Instead, be careful. Don’t worry about us, just protect yourself. Okay?”

“I will.”

Hoo. Delia’s body, who had taken a short breath, began to fall down. Rubia’s body also began to fall down following Delia.

The Demon Beasts’ roars are getting closer.

And the dying screams that covered it, and Heinzel’s screams, were getting even closer.

“Clear the way, you bastards-!”

Dozens of heads were smashed by the viciously swung prosthetic arm. Hundreds of Demon Beasts disappeared without a trace from the heavy stomp.

The bright yellow electric shocks that were draped like a curtain above it helped Heinzel’s steps not stop by burning the Demon Beasts that he hadn’t been able to handle completely black.

Soon, splash-

When Rubia’s feet came down to the ground.

All of the Demon Beasts that had been surrounding the area had disappeared.

Of course, numerous Demon Beasts would flock again from beyond the horizon, but right now, it was a situation where she could relax.

Delia, who had confirmed that, gently let go of Rubia’s body, which she had been supporting.

“Thank you.”

Rubia, who had let out a short word of thanks, immediately knelt down without even caring about getting wet and put her hand into the shallow sea.

“Hoo…”

A short breath that she let out.

Following that breath, a faint Divine Power emitted light.

The Divine Power, which was emitting light weakly like a candle in the wind, shone. It dug into the sea. It spread out widely.

At the same time.

“Hmm?”

“…What.”

The sound disappeared.

The sounds of the Demon Beasts that had been surrounding the area, that had been flocking from afar, that had been frantically struggling, disappeared. Their presence disappeared. All of them bowed their heads as if they were crouching down and waiting for a comfortable death.

She got goosebumps. Cold sweat flowed. Her legs trembled. Her breathing became rough, and her neck stiffened.

And.

Swish- swish-

The shallow sea. The Dark Red Sea that was covered on the earth began to ripple.

Crunch- Heinzel bit his teeth. He wrapped his whole body in [Mana] and stood in front of Rubia.

Delia, who was trembling and had turned blue, also stood next to Rubia and looked at the end of the horizon where the sound of the waves was heard.

“What is this…”

Hermilla, who had heard the news that they were leaving soon and had belatedly run over, was the same.

She blocked Rubia’s body as if she was wrapping it and looked at the end of the horizon where she felt an ominous sensation.

Swish-

The sound of the waves, which had become bigger than before.

An indescribable pressure.

A power that she was feeling for the first time, but was familiar with.

Black Sun.

Primordial Demon Beast.

Nameless One.

Something that was similar to that which was called a god, no, something that far surpassed it.

Everyone in this place began to tremble at the power of a being that was beyond recognition.

There was no time to think about what it was.

There was nothing she could do except barely breathe.

Rubia.

Rubia.

Got up from her seat.

She got up from her seat and moved her steps.

Hermilla, who belatedly came to her senses, reached out her hand to grab Rubia’s arm.

She couldn’t grab it.

She couldn’t grab Rubia, who had been walking, running, so fast that she thought all the staggering until now had been acting.

Swish- swish-

The waves crashed.

At the end of the horizon, the waves could be seen.

A natural disaster.

No, a pitch-black darkness that seemed to represent the destruction of this world as it was raised its head. It raised its body. The waves moved. They receded. They crashed. They rose. The sky crumpled. The earth shook. It broke. It was distorted.

A hole was pierced in the space.

In that.

A red light flashed.

“Uwaaaaaaa!!”

A roar as if trying to shake off the fear.

Heinzel’s [Mana], who had let out a beast-like roar, burst out. It wrapped around Rubia’s body, who had run out ahead, and raised the earth beneath her feet.

Whirr—! A tail of violet flames drew a circle behind Hermilla as she dashed past Heinzel. She moved faster than the rising earth, stomping her feet. The flames soared as if to touch the end of the sky, opening like the maw of a giant lion.

—Kwaroooong! Lightning raged around Delia, who belatedly roused her [Mana]. It fell from the sky to the earth. It stretched from the earth to the sky. A massive surge of electricity, dyeing the dark red world bright yellow, coalesced into the shape of a giant spear.

Following that, the roots of the plants and trees that enveloped the area, the blooming flowers, the rising steel, the fired arrows, countless spells, shields, the shouts of the investigation team throwing themselves forward, valiant roars, screams.

Rustle.

It was cut off.

Cut off and shattered.

The shattered remains scattered.

Within that, Rubia ran.

Staggering, swaying, she ran without rest.

And then, just before she collapsed from exhaustion.

–

Thud.

Someone’s hand caught my falling body.

I opened my tightly shut eyes.

I saw a small hand. I saw a hand full of scars. Yet, I felt a strong power from that hand, yet, I saw a kindness in that hand.

I raised my head.

A familiar and comforting scent tickled the tip of my nose. A longed-for scent. A scent I had recalled and repeated countless times. A scent I thought I would never smell again, wafted over me.

I raised my head.

I saw a very small body. I saw a body full of scars. I saw loose clothes. I saw shy shoulders revealed between them. A body I thought I would never embrace again, I saw.

I raised my head.

“…I’m back.”

I heard a small voice.

A voice that could not be heard unless one strained their ears. I heard the voice that had declared it would protect me for life. A voice whispering love in a cute, lovely tone.

“Rubia.”

The voice that always called my name.

I heard it.

I raised my head.

I saw red eyes. I saw lovely, curved eyes. I saw the nose I always wanted to pinch. I saw lips wearing a bright smile.

I blinked.

There.

“…Did you wait long?”

The one I love.

The one I love madly.

The one I love so much, so much that I wouldn’t trade her for anything.

The person I love.

The person who loves me.

The person I never want to lose again.

“Noah…”

My Noah, was there.