Chapter 98 – Cartia (4)

A girl whose past remained a mystery, no matter how much investigation was done.

Blind.

A body unsuited for combat.

Inefficient equipment.

A short career.

A timid and fragile personality.

There was nothing satisfactory about her, and yet, she had been entrusted with the Fragment of the End. I couldn’t understand it.

The preferential treatment she received in Alrba Village hadn’t bothered me much—it was just slightly easier quests and a little extra money.

But handing over Carpeng’s fragment and its materials? That was utterly nonsensical.

Those fragments were Luchi’s life.

They were everything Luchi, who had fought alongside us and sacrificed everything, had obtained.

Until now, I had never questioned His decisions. But for the first time, I doubted.

As that small doubt began to grow into suspicion…

It was wiped away completely.

The adventurer holding Carpeng’s fragment had killed Master Kalt and Tylant. After hearing that, there was no room left for doubt.

Instead, and quite maddeningly, a new feeling took its place—anxiety.

Sure, I could kill a Master if I pushed myself to the brink.

But Tylant? Never.

And she’d defeated them both alone.

Such a feat was beyond comprehension.

And so, I was afraid.

If such a being betrayed us and became our enemy, could we stop her?

Not if too much time passed. Then, it would become impossible.

Thus, I had to understand her.

I had already tried investigating her past.

Nothing came up.

So, I abandoned the past and focused on her recent activities.

It was absurd.

Especially the rumors.

Exaggerated though they were, they weren’t lies.

In particular, the rumors about the “Blood Demon” were undeniable, given the sheer number of witnesses.

Even though Princess Charlotte had reassured me, saying it was just a side effect of Carpeng’s fragment and there was no need for concern…

I couldn’t shake the anxiety completely.

Using fragments of demonic beasts inevitably caused mental erosion.

There was even a Platinum adventurer who had become fully corrupted by the fragments’ side effects and had to be executed.

Platinum.

Not Masters, but beings who had transcended humanity.

Even someone so powerful couldn’t withstand the effects of ordinary fragments. How much worse would it be for the Fragment of the End?

If she had already succumbed to its influence to some degree…

Then I needed to reconsider this decision and retrieve the Fragment of the End.

Or, at the very least, bind her with an oath of the soul, as we had done.

Even if it meant incurring Lady Rubia’s disapproval, there was no other choice.

This time, I refused to simply stand by helplessly.

If my own life could pave the way for a better future, it would not be a meaningless death.

So, now that she had come to Cartia, I acted after organizing all my thoughts.

First, to gauge the extent of her sensory ability, which she was said to use so expertly, I approached her using my unique skill, Stealth.

It was a sophisticated ability that even most Platinum adventurers or knights of equivalent rank couldn’t detect.

But she noticed.

Far too easily.

Could that even be called sensory perception? If it were, her brain should have melted down already. I couldn’t believe it.

Was she scattering magic around herself?

That was a possibility.

Sometimes, those adept at magic could spread it like a web to sense their surroundings.

So, I extended my hand for a handshake.

I wore a ring that could measure the opponent’s magical capacity as I clasped her hand.

But there was no magic in her body.

Even the most ordinary citizen would have a minuscule amount of magic within them, but she had none at all.

I should have stopped there.

The answer was already clear…

But wanting definitive proof, I crossed the line.

And so, I realized.

What kind of being stood before me.

The aura radiating from that small body.

The presence that blanketed all of Cartia.

It told me everything.

We were already too late.

***

What do I do…?

I acted out of sheer anger, but now…

Now that Rubia is holding me, all the anger has melted away.

Why is Rubia doing this all of a sudden…?

Did she hug me to stop me from being mad? But… shouldn’t she be scolding them too?!

That… that infuriating smile! It’s so irritating!

“I’m sorry, Noah,” Rubia said softly.

Uh… um… should I let go of my anger now?

But if I do it too quickly, won’t I just look like an idiot?

Maybe I should hold on to it a bit lon—

“I’m really… sorry.”

Rubia’s arms tightened around my shoulders, and the feeling on my back grew… more… pronounced…

Okay. Fine. If Rubia’s asking this sincerely, what does it matter if I look a bit foolish?

As long as I have Rubia, that’s enough.

“Huff… huff…”

Taking slow, deep breaths, I reeled in the magic that had been pouring out uncontrollably.

I should be more careful not to let it out so recklessly next time. Just that brief surge burned through half of it…

After gathering the magic back into my body, I turned to hug Rubia in return.

But then… Vishur’s antics froze all my thoughts.

“I apologize,” Vishur said, dropping to her knees abruptly and bowing deeply.

“W-wait, Rubia, why is she doing this all of a sudden?”

“…What?”

Even Rubia seemed to sense something unusual as she loosened her arms around me and turned to Vishur.

“I was afraid of Lady Noah’s power. The strength that slew thousands of demonic beasts, vanquished Carpeng, defeated Masters, and even subdued Tylant alone… that power… terrified me.”

Vishur, still kneeling on the ground, lowered her head even further.

“That’s why I dared to test you, Lady Noah. With Carpeng’s fragment, the rare materials, and Tylant’s fragment all in your possession, I felt it necessary to assess your character. I provoked you intentionally, believing it was essential to know who would monopolize such national treasures.”

Vishur gently placed her hands, which had been folded neatly on her lap, onto the ground.

“Disregarding the decisions of my superiors, I acted entirely on my own. Please… I beg you to end me here and now.”

“W-What? End you? What are you even saying—!”

“Please do not worry. I’ve left a letter of resignation in my office, so no one will hold Lady Noah accountable. Just… please make it swift…”

As Vishur bowed until her forehead touched the ground, her body trembled slightly.

Frightened, I hurried over to pull her head up forcibly.

“Ahh! Your forehead—it’s bleeding! And what do you mean by swift?! I don’t do that kind of thing…!”

This is insane!

No, she’s insane!

Yes, I was annoyed, of course…

She kept acting like she was trying to take Rubia away from me…

But killing someone over that? Absolutely ridiculous!

I’m not some crazed executioner!

This is all because of those absurd rumors! I don’t know who started them, but I’ll find out and… and…

I’ll give them a good beating! Seriously!

“B-But…” Vishur stuttered.

“No ‘but’! Don’t say such crazy things and just… get up already!”

Shaking my head in exasperation, I forced Vishur to her feet, brushing the dirt off her knees and clothes.

“Of course… I was upset, but I don’t think it was wrong of you to be suspicious…”

Charlotte had said something similar before we came to Cartia, after all…

I can understand.

A mysterious adventurer appears one day.

Rapidly rises through the ranks.

Becomes a guardian for the priestess.

Slays thousands of demonic beasts.

Vanquishes Carpeng.

Defeats Masters.

Slices through an avalanche.

Takes down Tylant single-handedly.

Yeah… that would be terrifying.

Honestly, it’s so scary it makes sense they wouldn’t even dare to step on my shadow.

Of course, I haven’t actually done most of those things… but that’s how it must look to others. And then there are those monstrous rumors about me.

If someone like that decided to commit crimes freely… who could stop them?

So, I understand.

“No, Noah. This was wrong,” Rubia interjected.

“Wha—Rubia?”

As I dusted off Vishur’s clothes, trying to accept the situation, Rubia suddenly stepped toward us.

“No matter how close I am to Vishur or how much we’ve helped each other, this was wrong.”

“I understand… I’m sorry,” Vishur mumbled.

The knees I had just helped Vishur straighten began to buckle again.

I’m seriously going to lose my mind.

“Stand up. Speak while standing,” Rubia commanded.

“Do I dare lift my head…?”

“Sigh…”

Rubia let out a deep sigh, placing her hand on Vishur’s forehead.

The divine power that flowed from her began to heal the wound there.

“Testing Noah was wrong, and so was the way you apologized. By not trusting Noah, you showed you don’t trust me either. Do you understand that?”

“…I understand.”

“I feel deeply betrayed… I never thought I’d feel this way in this city.”

After finishing her healing, Rubia took my hand, turned her body, and began walking away.

“Let’s go, Noah.”

“Huh…?”

When she had been speaking to Vishur, her expression had been full of anger. But now, as she looked down at me, her face radiated happiness.

“Vishur will sort herself out. Besides, we’ll have to meet her again to collect Tylant’s fragment and the reward.”

“Well… that’s true…”

“So, there’s no need to talk anymore now. Let’s go for a walk to shake off the bad mood.”

Rubia’s steps were light, and her fingers brushed suggestively along my hand.

“R-Rubia…?” I stammered.

“Yes! I’m your Rubia, Noah. Hehe.”

Ah. I’m in trouble.

Why… why did I say that?

There must have been other, better words I could’ve used, right?

No, no… that was the best I could’ve said.

But still… teasing me about it is too much!

“T-That was… I just… um…”

“What? Are you going to take it back now? Should I go hang out with someone else then?”

“N-No! I-I don’t want that.”

“Then don’t deny it. It was such a nice thing to hear. Ah… my heart still feels like it’s going to explode.”

Rubia leaned forward, pulling my hand to her chest.

Thump-thump-thump-thump—

Behind the soft sensation, I could feel her heart pounding wildly.

“Ru… Rubia… W-We’re outside… here…” I protested weakly.

Rubia swallowed hard.

“I told you, didn’t I? Not just anyone can enter Cartia proper.”

“Guh…”

“There’s no one watching, and it’s so quiet here. Isn’t this the perfect place for a walk?”

Her hand began sliding up my wrist.

“The sun is even starting to set. Isn’t this… exciting?”

“O-Outside… really, we can’t…!”