Chapter 97 – Cartia (3)

Clack-clack-

The sound of Rubia’s shoes echoed through the streets of Cartia, distinctly different from usual.

Clack-clack-

“This is necessary, you know,” Rubia said.

“Is… is that so?”

“Of course. A woman’s heels are her pride.”

“Oh, I see…”

Pride… True to Rubia’s words, her pride had been elevated by a full 10 centimeters.

But pride aside…

Clack-clack-

“B-but… uh… why is there divine power radiating around you?” I asked hesitantly.

“A proper level of dignity is required.”

“Rubia’s divine power… it’s so dazzling.”

“Yes, it’s bright enough to make people avert their eyes.”

“W-wow…”

Two hours earlier, we passed through the checkpoint and entered the city.

Getting through Cartia’s checkpoint was remarkably easy. Just like in Ursphere, people parted to make way as soon as Rubia appeared.

Seeing this, Rubia gave a satisfied smile and uttered some seemingly profound words with every step she took. I didn’t understand a thing she said…

Well, anyway.

After handing over the carriage to the checkpoint staff, Rubia headed straight to a clothing store. She walked into what appeared to be the largest and most expensive store and concluded her shopping in a single sentence.

“The most expensive clothes and shoes, three sets each, please.”

As a result, I ended up changing clothes too. My oversized outfit was sent for alterations, and I was now wearing an absurdly expensive outfit that fit my smaller frame perfectly.

The skirt was even shorter now. It was magically treated to prevent it from flying up or exposing anything, but still…

It’s too short.

It’s so embarrassing I feel like crying.

Well… anyway… after all that, here we are now.

Clack-clack-

Rubia’s heels resonated with a crisp and clear sound, drawing everyone’s attention.

Workers, passersby, even couples on dates—all of them stopped to kneel the moment they saw Rubia, exclaiming, “Ah! Lady Rubia, we are honored!”

Fanatics… Their extreme reactions reminded me of the word ‘fanatics.’

What on earth had Rubia done in this city to evoke such fervent responses? And why were they directly worshiping her instead of Erden?

“R-Rubia, you must be incredibly famous in Cartia,” I stammered.

“Well, it seems that way.”

“Why… why is that?”

Maintaining her usual composed expression, Rubia glanced at me with a bittersweet smile.

“A severe epidemic broke out here once, and I helped them. That’s probably why.”

“An epidemic?”

“Yes. Nine-tenths of the city was afflicted with a fatal disease. Honestly, if it weren’t for me, things would’ve been dire.”

“Gasp…”

Still, even if Rubia saved them, wouldn’t they usually attribute it to Erden like other towns do?

Could there be another reason…?

As I pondered, a woman who had been stealthily following us approached Rubia and reached out a hand.

Zap— I focused all my senses on her.

Instinctively, I drew my greatsword and moved Rubia behind me. Simultaneously, magic surged from me in fierce waves.

Strong.

This person was undoubtedly strong.

Judging from their sheer presence, they seemed on par with Kalt.

The crowd was thick here.

Could I protect these people and fight at the same time? And could I even win against her?

The raging magic within me absorbed into my body.

My muscles grew more flexible and solid. My veins thickened. My blood began to circulate faster, heating my body.

The latent magic deep within me flowed into the greatsword.

Carpeng’s fragment pulsated.

I have to win. No matter what.

“N-Noah…? Why are you—?” Rubia started.

The woman withdrew her outstretched hand and looked down at me with a surprised expression.

“Oh? Lady Vishur?”

“Yes. Hello, Lady Rubia. It’s been a while.”

What?

They knew each other?

“When did you get here? Were you trying to startle me again?” Rubia asked, a broad smile spreading across her face.

“Haha… Yes. I thought I’d play a little prank, but I failed… This must be Lady Noah.”

“Yes, that’s correct. Noah, this is Lady Vishur, the head of Cartia’s Adventurers’ Guild.”

“…Huh?”

The head…? Oh…

I awkwardly lowered the greatsword I had half-raised and sheathed it. Waving away the remaining magic around me, I smacked Carpeng’s fragment to calm it down.

“I apologize, Lady Noah. My joke went too far,” Vishur said, bowing her head to me.

The surrounding people began to murmur.

“Uh… no, I… I’m sorry too—”

“No need to apologize. Lady Noah’s actions were entirely justified.”

Vishur straightened her back, shaking her head with a faint smile on her face.

“Um… I see.”

“Allow me to formally introduce myself. I am Vishur, the head of Cartia’s Adventurers’ Guild. It is an honor to meet you.”

Vishur extended her hand.

“Hello… I’m Noah Shin, an adventurer.”

I refrained from using my usual introduction and simply shook her hand.

She was definitely strong.

Was she like Kalt? No, perhaps even stronger.

With a faint smile, Vishur nodded and released my hand before turning her attention to Rubia.

“That outfit suits you wonderfully. You’re even more stunning than the last time we met.”

“Oh, my… Thank you. That’s quite flattering.”

Still smiling brightly, Rubia bashfully lowered her head.

Hmm…

“Have you eaten yet? If not, how about the restaurant we visited ‘together’ last time?” Vishur suggested.

“Oh… that sounds good, but I was planning to eat after heading to Cartia.”

“Cartia, you say. In that case, would you allow me to guide you?”

“That would be a great help. But are you sure you’re not busy? I’d hate to take up your time unnecessarily…”

“Not at all. It’s my duty to make time for this.”

Vishur, who had been wearing a faint smile, broke into a bright grin as she responded.

There was no pretense in their voices.

Not in their subtle expressions or gestures either.

Both of them were speaking with sincerity, not lies.

Hmm…

“Then, we’ll leave it to you. Hehe,” Rubia chuckled.

“It is my honor.”

With an air of grace, Vishur bowed deeply, then retrieved a crystal orb and muttered softly into it.

She gave instructions for Rubia to receive the utmost hospitality in Cartia.

What on earth had happened here to make them treat Rubia like this…?

No, even more, Vishur’s demeanor itself…

Hmm…

“Shall we go, Noah?” Rubia asked.

“…Yes.”

Gripping the hilt of my greatsword tightly, I followed Vishur.

Screech-clack-screech-clack-

Today, the sound of the greatsword felt unusually grating.

***

“It’s just as it was before. I’m glad,” Rubia remarked.

“And I am relieved that you still find it pleasing. What do you think, Lady Noah?” Vishur inquired.

Following Vishur’s guidance, we entered the true Cartia.

Amazingly, the real Cartia was hidden behind yet another wall within the city.

On the way here, and even at the entrance to Cartia itself, everyone praised Rubia.

A bitter taste lingered in my mouth.

“Um… it’s nice…” I muttered.

Though, something about it felt off.

Cartia itself, however, was undoubtedly impressive.

It wasn’t just visually appealing—it was something else. The very land seemed to radiate a good energy.

It felt as if my mana was dancing joyfully inside me with every breath I took.

“I’m glad to hear that,” Vishur said with her ever-present faint smile.

“Noah, do you like it? Some people say it feels the same as anywhere else, but for me, it’s a little different. It feels like divine power is more aligned here, you know?” Rubia asked.

“Ah… yes. It’s easier to breathe, and it feels… nice.”

“Hehe… just like me, then. Shall we take a look around?”

Rubia extended her hand softly.

I grasped it a little tighter than usual.

“Lady Rubia and Lady Noah seem to share a strong bond,” Vishur observed.

“Oh my, do we?” Rubia responded with a radiant smile and a clear laugh.

“Noah, they say we look close. Isn’t that nice?”

“Yes.”

Clack-clack-

“Still, thanks to Lady Vishur’s guidance, we were able to get in so easily. Originally, I was planning to just force my way through. Well… that might’ve been fun in its own way too,” Rubia mused.

Screech-clack-screech-clack-

“You are as mischievous as ever. Though, even in another city, no one could block Lady Rubia, let alone here in Cartia…” Vishur replied.

Clack-clack-

“Huhu, still, you never know. Maybe something had changed while I was away… a new policy or some unforeseen situation.”

Scrape-click-scrape-click-

“That would never happen. Just as Lady Noah is the hero of Ursphere, Lady Rubia is the hero of Cartia. And that will surely be remembered for generations to come.”

“If that’s true… then I’m glad. Though it’s a little embarrassing…”

Rubia came to a stop.

Vishur, smiling warmly, turned to face me.

Once again, that faint smile.

“And so, Lady Noah, I have a request for you.”

“…What is it?” I asked warily.

“Please, I beg of you. Protect ‘our’ Lady Rubia, the hero of Cartia.”

Ha.

From earlier, constantly.

She had been pushing it.

I released the raging magic that had been stirring violently inside me.

All of it, even the latent magic that slept deep within.

“Even if the Empire, Erden—no, this very world—tries to kill her.”

My hair swayed in the magic surging around me.

Dust scattered in all directions.

Carpeng’s fragment pulsed.

The shock on Vishur’s face was unmistakable.

“‘My’ Rubia will survive no matter what. So, don’t cross the line anymore.”

Gripping the greatsword’s hilt tightly enough to nearly break it, I made my resolve.

I would end this ambiguous relationship and turn it into something certain.

And I’d create a symbol—something that anyone could see and understand—to show what we truly meant to each other.