Chapter 94 – Festival (9)

“You’re telling me all this destruction came from swinging a greatsword with mana?”

“…Yes.”

“You two weren’t fighting?”

“W-why would Rubia and I fight…?”

Charlotte exhaled a cloud of smoke, glancing between us.

“Hah… Well, thought it might’ve been lovers’ quarrel.”

“L-lovers’ quarrel?! That’s impossible!”

“Mm, guess you two wouldn’t really fight anyway.”

What’s with that expression? No… Me and Rubia in a lovers’… L-lovers… quarrel…

“Hic—”

The memory of that heated moment flashed through my mind. My body hiccuped in response, as if sharing my embarrassment.

“Well, if you say that’s what happened, I believe you. But why is Rubia acting like that?”

“Rubia…? Um, yeah, I wonder…?”

“Just ignore me and keep talking.”

“How can I ignore what you’re doing right behind me?”

“This is necessary,” Rubia muttered, keeping me on her lap as she kneaded my waist and stomach.

Heart racing wildly. Breathing irregular. These touches… so inappropriate.

“Rubia, you realize how perverted you look?”

“Charlotte’s the last person who should talk.”

“At least I know when and where to grope.”

“I don’t grab breasts in public like some people.”

What kind of conversation is this?

“So, Lady Noah, you can already control mana?”

Yuria, somehow elegantly sipping coffee amid the chaos, finally spoke.

Wait… did she pull that coffee set from nowhere? Is the hot water from a thermos? Or magic?

I’ll ask later.

Now that I have mana, maybe I can learn to boil water—make coffee for Rubia.

Would be nice for washing during camp too.

“Um… Yes.”

“And you can freely use it for body enhancement?”

“Not freely… just basic enhancement…”

“My… I knew you were exceptional, but this is beyond…”

“Our Noah is amazing. Hehe.”

Charlotte clicked her tongue sharply, standing with a shake of her head.

“It’s late. Let’s talk tomorrow. Got some news for you.”

“News…?”

“Good news, so don’t worry. Could tell you now, but it’d take too long. Oh—sleep on the seventh floor. Fifth floor’s unusable now.”

“I-I’m sorry…”

“Why apologize? You could level this whole building and I wouldn’t mind. Don’t say sorry.”

“B-but… still… I’m sorry.”

Charlotte smirked as she approached.

“If you feel that bad, let me cop a feel of Rubia’s chest.”

“Don’t be ridiculous, Charlotte—”

“No.”

My cold voice filled the room, followed by silence.

A question hit me.

Should I have said ‘not allowed’ instead of ‘no’? Why did I say it like that? Why so cold…?

What was I thinking?

Even if we’re close, Charlotte is still royalty…

I was too rude. Yeah… should apologize.

I puffed my cheeks, trying to loosen my stiff face muscles.

Just as I opened my mouth—

“Oh…”

Yuria covered her mouth, watching us.

“It was just a joke… Why so serious?”

Charlotte stepped back.

“I can’t take it anymore. No—I can’t hold back.”

Rubia suddenly lifted me in her arms.

“Eek! R-Rubia?!”

She spun around and headed for the seventh floor.

***

“R-Rubia… Why carry me suddenly—”

“Why do you do this to me?”

“Huh? Do what…?”

“You keep… you keep making things… so difficult…”

Inside the room, she threw me onto the bed, gripping her clothes and grinding her teeth.

“Was I… too heavy? I could’ve walked…”

Her teeth grinding grew louder, almost cracking. Something’s wrong with Rubia.

“Did I say you were heavy?”

“Well… didn’t you?”

She pressed her forehead, sighing as she sat beside me.

“Noah.”

“Yes?”

“Be careful.”

“…Of what?”

“Guard your greatsword well.”

“Of course…”

“And don’t trust people just because you’re stronger with mana.”

Ah, right. Mana.

The thought of my newfound mana brought back my excitement.

Charlotte wasn’t angry, and Rubia worried for me… making me even happier.

“Hehehe…”

Without Rubia’s teaching, I might never have used mana…

It’s all thanks to her—I need to show my gratitude.

I sat up and hugged her tight.

Looking up with my brightest smile, I gave her my best thanks.

“I-I might not trust others, but I trust you, R-Rubia u-unnie! Hehe… eek!”

My body shivered, covered in goosebumps, face burning with embarrassment.

Yeah… can’t call her unnie. Only works when I’m really happy. Never normally.

I buried my burning face in her embrace.

We stayed like that. But Rubia didn’t react.

Usually when I cuddle, her heart races, her breathing changes…

Why no reaction? I tried so hard to say it…

She used to beg me to call her unnie—now she doesn’t care?

Did I mess up? Can’t even see her expression since I let go of my greatsword…

“Um… Rubia?”

“Noah.”

“Yes?”

“Go bathe.”

“…Now?”

“Yes. Hurry. I can’t hold out.”

Hold out what? Is she tired?

“O-okay… I’ll go.”

I released her and stood.

“And I’ll bathe alone tonight… S-so don’t come in, okay?”

Assuming she understood, I rushed to the bathroom.

We both need rest. Today was… intense. Mentally draining.

I locked the door carefully before undressing.

Really feels smaller now.

Clothes are looser. Bandages have too much extra…

Need to cut the ends.

“Sigh… Already small enough…”

Lost 14 centimeters…

Prayed every morning to grow taller. The heavens must hate me. Not just leaving me alone—making me shorter. So cruel.

Can’t change what’s done, but won’t shorten my greatsword.

It’s my last pride. Can’t lose that too…

Must keep it, even if inconvenient.

I folded my clothes neatly and turned on the water.

The warm stream instantly relaxed me.

“Haaah…”

As expected of royalty. Even a hideout has such luxury.

Even a huge tub. Size of my Earth room.

Want to soak… but no, quick wash since Rubia’s tired. Must resist temptation.

After wetting my hair, I propped my greatsword aside and lathered up—

Click.

Huh?

Creak.

Huh?!

“W-who’s there?”

Splash, splash.

Door opened. Someone entered. Probably Rubia… but… I curled up in the corner.

“…Rubia?”

“Yes.”

“How… I locked it?”

Clatter, clatter.

“Rubia…?”

Clatter, clatter.

“Why move my greatsword…?”

“Told you to be careful.”

“Of what…?”

“To guard your greatsword.”

“But you’re here so it’s sa—eek!”

Suddenly behind me, arms wrapping gently.

Her slender curves. Soft chest. Smooth legs. Racing heartbeat.

Different from usual Rubia.

Head spinning. Water splashing. Streams running.

Limbs tingling. Strength fading.

“Haa… R-Rubia… Feel strange…”

Moments later, dizziness took me.

***

Click—creak—BAM!

“Hey! Rubia! Noah! Wake up!”

“Ugh… Charlotte? Why so early…?”

“Mmm…”

Startled awake, I immediately ducked under my pillow.

So sleepy…

“Sorry for barging in, but it’s serious.”

Rubia tucked me in before sitting up.

“Sigh… Better be important, or I’ll be mad.”

I reached for my greatsword’s hilt.

“The magic tower has fallen.”

The scene materialized.

“Sirin.”

Charlotte stood fully armed.

“Sirin destroyed it in one day.”

I emerged from the pillow.

“Killed all mages, dismembered the elders.”

I threw on nearby clothes.

“And kidnapped the Tower Master.”

“Why are you armed?”

Charlotte lit a cigarette, grinding her teeth as she answered:

“Extermination order—empire-wide.”