East Ruins (Complete)
Next door to where I used to live, there was a kindly old couple who got along wonderfully.
During the day the two of them would chat in soft, gentle voices, but the moment night fell, the grandmother’s shrieks and the grandfather’s sobs would come drifting through the walls.
She suffered from dementia.
By daylight she seemed perfectly fine, yet once darkness came the symptoms worsened and she would scream like a frightened child.
My mother could never simply walk past that. She would bring side dishes and help with this and that, and every time she did, she always said the same thing.
Aigoo… Look at that. Raising children is completely useless, isn’t it? What’s the point of giving birth to them and raising them well if they don’t even care when you’re old and sick and struggling…
And yet.
Even as she said those words—
Still, our Noah is so sweet I don’t think he’d ever abandon his mom. Right? she would add, flashing me a warm smile.
I had nodded as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.
And “that day” had been no different from any other.
“Son! Mom’s going to take some side dishes over to the grandma next door. Can you help me carry them? They’re really heavy.”
“Uh… I’m in the middle of a game right now. It’s gonna take a while to finish…”
“Hmm… It’ll only take a second. Please?”
“Ah, the boss is—no, it’s an important fight, no, hey! Why are you going in there! You crazy bas—”
“Noah? Use nice words, okay?”
“Uh… s-sorry. Um… can we go in like ten minutes?”
“Aigoo… Never mind. Mom’ll just go by herself. I’m going to tidy their fridge too, so it’ll take a bit! Don’t stare at the screen too close—you’ll ruin your eyes! And eat the rice I left on the table when you’re done!”
“Mmm… Okay. Got it.”
“I’ll be back—”
“Ugh, look at that mage’s DPS… ha.”
Because of my father’s job, I had always been the type to say “Be careful” without fail.
But on “that day”—
I had been so absorbed in the game that I never managed to say it.
If only.
If I had told her to be careful.
Maybe.
Itchy.
Something like foxtail grass was brushing softly against my face.
A nice scent, too.
My body was cradled comfortably, and there was a faint rocking up and down…
“Whew, we’re almost there.”
Aileen’s voice sounded right in front of my face.
“About ten more minutes and we’ll be out of the ruins.”
From up ahead came Luci’s voice, and—
“Ugh… Didn’t sleep a wink. I’m dead tired. Guess age really doesn’t lie.”
—Baldy… no, Heinzel’s voice.
Someone’s arms were supporting my back and legs; my body was floating in the air.
Am I… being carried by Aileen?
And my waist felt empty—I had no idea where my greatsword had gone…
I remembered falling asleep.
How much time had passed since then?
Aileen must have been so worried. Mmm…
“By the way, didn’t we say we’d rest in Roholan Village before heading into Halbion?”
“Yes. We plan to stay there… until Noah’s body recovers somewhat.”
“Hmm. Then how about we lodge there for a while as well, Heinzel? We can help with Miss Noah’s training while we’re at it.”
“Oh, good idea. Teaching a tiny little brat that size could be fun.”
…What?
Me…? Why?
I had been about to let them know I was awake, but the conversation had taken such a strange turn that I kept my mouth firmly shut.
“Um, would it be possible… for you to teach me swordsmanship as well…?”
Huh?
Why was Aileen suddenly wanting to learn the sword?
“You, miss? Then how about learning a polearm instead of a sword? This halberd of mine is the most exciting—”
“No. A sword is fine. I’m not suited to such brutish… I mean, heavy weapons.”
“Khuhuhuh! That’s right. The young lady knows what’s what. Unlike a crude polearm, a sword has romance in it. Good. Your stance is already solid. Then let’s train together in Roholan.”
What nonsense.
What romance is there in a one-handed sword or a halberd?
Romance belongs to the greatsword!
Learn from me instead!
I had planned to keep pretending to sleep, but I couldn’t take it anymore.
There was no way I was going to let Aileen learn some measly one-handed sword.
I would get up right now and put in my own two cents—
“Yes. Thank you. But first… I’d like to talk a few things over with Noah before I ask that of you.”
Uh, uh-oh.
For now… stay still.
“Right. Of course… The young lady must have a lot to discuss with the little one. Then Heinzel, how about we take a short rest ourselves? I hear the stone-slab steak in Roholan is excellent.”
“Mm, good idea.”
“You call everything a good idea.”
“Just answering flatly feels stiff, doesn’t it? With a face like mine… I’m practicing so Miss Noah won’t get scared.”
“Pfft— Mr. Heinzel has a… um… a surprisingly cute side, despite his appearance.”
“That guy may be huge, but he loves cute things. Back home he kept so many pets I couldn’t even set foot inside—I’m terribly allergic.”
“Doesn’t everyone love cute things?”
“That’s… true. But hearing that Mr. Heinzel likes them… feels a bit awkward… haha…”
I tried to picture Heinzel in my head.
From what I remembered… mmm…
A scalp he shaved smooth every morning with a razor.
A height about the size of my greatsword.
And his face… mmm… I couldn’t quite recall the face.
Anyway, he had been the very image of a macho man, yet he liked cute things…?
Well… everyone likes cute things.
I prefer cool things, though.
My greatsword is cool, after all.
And wasn’t the way I fight cool too?
Yeah. That’s right. I’m cool.
“Hehe.”
“Hm? Noah? Are you awake?”
Eek…
I had meant to laugh only on the inside, but it slipped out.
I-I’ll just pretend to keep sleeping…
“Is she sleeping? Hmm… Everyone, do you know that people use abdominal breathing when they sleep?”
“Hm? I didn’t notice a thing.”
“Heinzel, it seems your hair and your intelligence disappeared together. Of course you wouldn’t notice if she’s asleep.”
“Oh… right.”
“…Well… yes. Let’s go with that. Then I’ll ask a hard question. What does thoracic breathing mean, Noah?”
Hmph.
You call this hard?
Aileen’s such a dummy.
“It means you woke up…! Hic…!”
Uh, uh-oh…?
“You were pretending to sleep, weren’t you?”
Aileen’s stiff voice started jabbing at my conscience.
As expected of Aileen.
She’s no ordinary opponent…
“Um… g-good… morning, Aileen… and, um… uncles…?”
I lifted a hand and gave a little wave, forcing an awkward smile.
“Oh, the little brat’s up?”
“You woke sooner than I expected.”
“Yes. Noah. Good morning. How’s your body feeling?”
Aileen’s hair brushed softly over my face.
Mmm… had she lowered her head?
With no Qi Sensing, everything felt so stiflingly blank.
Aaagh!
“I’m better now… but, um… could you maybe… put me down…? I can w-walk now…!”
“No.”
“Uh… why…? Aren’t I… heavy?”
“Not at all. If anything, you’re so light it worries me. Just stay like this until we reach Roholan Village.”
Aileen delivered the verdict in a tone that brooked absolutely no refusal.
I-it’s embarrassing…
That, um… wait?
The c-cushioning… is incredible, and that’s what’s embarrassing…
“Th-then at least my greatsword…”
I just want to see my surroundings with Qi Sensing!
“Your greatsword? You’re light, but the greatsword is heavy… We’ll arrive in Roholan soon, so could you endure a little longer?”
Liar…
The greatsword is lighter than me…
“Ah, okay… fine.”
“Hehe… Yes. You’re so cute when you listen well, Noah.”
Aileen’s hand patted my bottom.
Supporting me with her arms while patting with her hand… what an incredible technique…!
“Miss, if it’s heavy we can switch. These muscles of mine were made for moments like—”
“No. I’ll carry her. Noah says Mr. Heinzel is scary.”
What? Huh?!
What are you talking about!
I never said that!
“Ah, n-no, I never said anyth— eek-!”
The moment I opened my mouth, Aileen pinched my bottom hard and whispered for me to shush.
Why, why!
Why are you making me look like a weirdo!
“Uh, uhh… I-I see… mm… c-can’t be helped… I guess.”
“Khuhuhuh… So the little brat said that?”
See!
Baldy uncle looks hurt!
“Yes. So I’ll carry her. That’s all right, isn’t it, Noah?”
Pinch—
“Eep… y-yes…”
“Hehe… She says so.”
Ah, Aileen’s gone weird…
“Um… Miss Aileen.”
Heinzel’s dejected voice reached me.
Ugh… poor bald Heinzel…
He lost his hair and now he’s losing his confidence…
“Yes?”
“I’ll teach you a few useful techniques… so could you teach me how to get along with children?”
“Khuhuhuhuhkuhuh! Heinzel, haven’t I always told you? Start with that face of yours. Looking at that face… uh, mm… ahem. I misspoke.”
Luci suddenly stopped talking and cleared his throat.
Mmm… is he being considerate because I’m blind?
Nice Luci!
“Luci. You’re a real piece of trash.”
“Ahem… I think so too.”
No… you don’t have to go that far.
“Pffhahaha! Ha… these people are Platinum-rank adventurers… pff… ha, all right. I’ll teach you how to get along with children. How about it, Mr. Luci—will you learn as well?”
“P-please…”
“Yes. Good. Hehehe—”
Even after that, the conversation continued without a single gap for me.
I wanted to jump in, but I never once found the right timing…
The moment I tried to open my mouth, Luci or Heinzel or Aileen would snatch my turn away! Why! Include me too!
Did you all get buddy-buddy while I was asleep?!
Ah, I met Aileen first…!
Aileen and I are closer!!
Out of pure spite I clenched Aileen’s collar tightly.
All the things I couldn’t say now… I’ll dump them on her later.
The uncles can just eat their meat.
Aileen and I are going to play by ourselves.
“Noah. Don’t we have a lot to talk about?”
The moment we arrived in Roholan and I was about to go snack-hunting, Aileen caught me and dragged me into an inn room.
This wasn’t the kind of “playing by ourselves” I had in mind…
“Uh… um… yees…”
Aileen’s voice had gone low and heavy.
Was it because I had gone off on my own even though I was supposed to be her escort?
Hadn’t she already forgiven me last time…?
No—after handing over that much gold, there was no way she’d forgive me so easily…
“Huu… Then, Noah, you go first. Isn’t there anything you’re curious about or want to say to me?”
Mmm…
There was something I had been wanting to ask for a while now.
“R-really… I can ask anything?”
“Yes. Anything. I’ll answer everything, so feel free.”
“Mmm… then… am I… really allowed…?”
If I heard the answer to this question…
I might end up drifting forever away from Aileen…?
Really?
“Yes.”
I gripped the hilt of the greatsword I was holding tightly against my chest.
I squeezed out every last drop of courage and spoke.
“Those uncles…! And me…! Wh-who are you closer to?!”