Roholan Village (6)
Even so, our Noah is too kind to ever abandon her mom. Right?
I'm sorry.
So Noah, you too. Someday, just like your dad—and just like your name—I hope you become a hero who saves people.
I'm sorry.
I'm sorry.
I'm sorry.
It was...
It was so terrifying.
I slept deeply for the first time in ages.
Truly, for the first time in a long while.
I hadn't wanted to sink under that far, but still... it wasn't entirely bad.
"Hah..."
To drive out the lingering drowsiness.
To pry free the dream that had driven its claws into my mind.
I opened my eyes.
Steadying my breath, I steeled myself.
Only after a long stretch of time did I finally manage to chase away every last sticky remnant of sleep.
I closed my eyes again and reached out a hand.
No greatsword.
I groped around the surroundings.
Still nothing.
"Ah..."
Right—Rubia had put me to sleep beside her last night...
And with no sign of her nearby either, she must have gotten up first.
"You're awake?"
"Wha...!"
Rubia's voice came from my right.
Delighted, I sat up in a rush—wait... huh...?
"Ru-Rubia...?"
"Yes?"
"Um... where are my clothes and bandages...?"
I clutched the blanket over my bare body and fumbled around.
No matter how I searched, they were nowhere to be found...
"You were thrashing in your sleep, saying you couldn't breathe, so I undid them for you. Did you... have a bad dream?"
"Ah... um... no. That wasn't it. Uh... well, thank you for looking after me."
"I hung your clothes so they wouldn't wrinkle, and I washed the bandages. But... are you really all right? Your expression looks awful..."
Rubia came closer and stroked my hair.
The petting felt nice, but...
"I'm fine... so... could you bring me the bandages first...? I-I don't have my greatsword or anything right now..."
Clothes... give me clothes!
I'm only in my underwear!
This is mortifying!!!
"Oh, look at me. All right. I'll bring them right away."
With that, Rubia hurried off and began rummaging through the luggage bag.
That aside...
My bandages... they didn't smell, did they...?
Why would she wash something so embarrassing for me...!
"Here. Can you tie them yourself?"
"O-of course. I'm good at it on my own."
I carefully slipped only my hands out from under the blanket, took the bandages, and began tying the knots.
I couldn't see a thing, but it was a daily routine, so I managed it with practiced ease.
Once the knots were done...
"Rubia... could you turn around...? It's a little... embarrassing..."
Now I had to lower the blanket and wrap the bandages around my chest.
That would leave everything on full display...
I'd shown her once before at the valley, sure, but it was still mortifying...
"All right."
A soft rustle of fabric told me Rubia had moved.
"Y-you turned around properly, right?"
"Of course."
"Just because I can't see... doesn't mean you can peek...!"
"Would I do that?"
"Mmm... well, no."
True enough...
This scrawny body of mine... what's even there to look at?
Besides, it's another girl's body...
Convinced Rubia would never sneak a glance, I lowered the blanket and draped the knotted bandages across my chest.
Without much of a figure to hold them, the wraps kept sliding down; I gripped them firmly and pulled the knot taut.
They tightened just enough and settled into place.
I patted myself down to check for any loose spots... mmm.
Done.
"You can look now..."
"Oh, you put them on well."
"Heh heh. Neat, right?"
"The method looks rather... complicated. Did someone teach you?"
"Hermila taught me from start to finish...!"
With a body this scrawny, I'd figured underwear was unnecessary and just thrown on thick clothes to wander around carefree—until Hermila caught me red-handed.
After that came a full two-hour lecture... and lessons on how to tie the knots properly...
Ugh... it was exhausting.
"Hermila... taught you?"
"Yeees. How do they look? Sturdy, right?"
I twisted this way and that, showing off the bandages proudly.
"At first... did Hermila wrap them for you?"
Hermila?
Where did the 'Miss' go...?
"Uh, um... yeah?"
"...I see."
"Th-that's right..."
A chilly silence settled over the room.
What? Why did the mood suddenly turn like this...?
"Ru-Rubia...?"
"Ah, yes."
"Um... could you bring me my greatsword?"
"Sure. I'll get it."
Clink-clank— the sounds of the belt and the greatsword reached me.
Heh. How could a sound be this welcome after such a short separation?
"Here. Your greatsword."
I stretched both hands straight out.
A solid, heavy weight settled into my palms.
I gripped the hilt tight.
A familiar, tingling ache bloomed, and information about my surroundings poured in like a flood.
"Hah... that feels refreshing."
Still clutching the greatsword, I twisted and stretched my body this way and that until the stiffness was gone.
"Noah."
"Yeees?"
"Have you ever stretched like that in front of Hermila too?"
"Ah, no? I only do this right after waking up."
"Only after waking up?"
I nodded vigorously.
"Hmm— I see. All right."
Her voice suddenly brightened with energy.
What now...?
"Come on, let's get ready and head out. The sooner we drop it off, the sooner we can pick it up."
"Huh? Ah, yeees... right."
Rubia pressed right up against me, linked her arm through mine, and pulled me to my feet.
A familiar scent drifted past my nose.
Not the acrid smell of smoke.
But Rubia's clean, refreshing fragrance.
"Ugh... I'm so nervous."
"It's fine. If it comes to it, I'll carry it around for you."
"C-carry...?"
"No—piggyback. Slip of the tongue..."
Rubia scratched her cheek as she corrected herself.
"Still, they say this place has the best craftsmanship. I don't think we need to worry.
"Really...? Mmm... all right, let's go in...!"
Like a real man—drop it off clean!
Walk out with my head high!
I threw open the blacksmith's door with a bold flourish and stepped inside.
"Ah, h-hello...?"
"Welcome!"
An incredibly bubbly voice greeted us.
A female smith—rare in this line of work!
"Oh, first-timers, right? Am I right?"
"Yeees...? Yes... f-first time..."
"Welcome to Hepais's Forge! I'm Roholan's top-class smith—Hepais!"
"Ah, yeees... I-I'm Noah... ni-"
"Equipment is... hmm, ah, this one here? Greatsword and light armor? The greatsword's taken a real beating... how on earth did it end up like this...? Wow... you must fight glued right up against them. Same with the shoulder armor. You're so cute-looking, yet you put your body through the wringer... so cool..."
"Eh...? Ah, uweh...?"
"But how do you even swing a greatsword this heavy? Ah... are you a supporter? That would make sense. But for a supporter, the light armor's pretty wrecked... gasp! Don't tell me your assigned adventurer works you like a slave? Run from people like that right away! Huh...! Wait, is the person standing behind you... ah, no, that's not what I meant... wait. Yes it is! How can you work such a cute kid this hard?! That's just too much! Come here. I'll somehow—"
Whether her name was Hepais or jellyfish, the hyper woman stretched a hand straight toward me.
"U-uwaah...!"
I dodged the hand and dove behind Rubia's back.
"H-help me...!"
I clutched Rubia's clothes and shook them; she stepped forward for me.
"Hello. There seems to be a bit of a misunderstanding. It's not like that—"
"Urgh—! You rotten adventurer! How can you even call yourself human! What are you making a tiny little kid like that do! Y-you... you ba-bad woman!"
"W-what are you talking about...! I'm an adult, you know...?!"
The "tiny little kid" remark lit a fuse; I stepped out indignantly.
Then immediately hid behind Rubia again.
"B-bad woman...? Haa... my head hurts... Look, Miss Hepais? This greatsword is used by the person behind me. And if anything, I'm the supporter here."
I nodded furiously in agreement with Rubia's words.
"Ah, uh... really?"
"...Yes. Well... it's good to know how other people see things. I'll keep that in mind."
"Hweeeek—! I'm so sorryyyy!!! For the terrible misunderstanding!!"
Hepais shrieked and slammed her forehead straight into the floor.
I... I'm so tired.
I can't keep up with this energy level.
It's draining me dry. Seriously...
Would it have been easier if I'd brought Heinzel or Luci...?
No, the misunderstanding might have gotten even worse...
"Please lift your head first. A misunderstanding isn't a crime.
Rubia crouched down and patted Hepais's shoulder.
"Ahh... making the same mistake again... I've always been the impatient type, and I tend to daydream a lot... I'm sorry. Truly!"
She slammed her head into the floor again with a bang!
"Haa... all right. I'll accept the apology, so please stand up."
"Yes! Thank you so much!!!"
The teary voice from moments ago had vanished without a trace; she bounced straight back to her earlier high-voltage energy.
"Then let me explain what we need."
"Yes!"
"We'd like to leave the greatsword and light armor for repairs, and we were wondering how long it might take. As quickly as possible... um. Within twenty-four hours if—"
"Five hours!"
"Pardon?"
"Yeees...?"
"Five hours and it's done!"
Hepais declared with absolute confidence.
The blacksmith master in Alrba had needed about ten hours... and this person claimed five?
"If you're really in a rush, I can cut it down to three hours!!!"
"Uweh...?"
"How is that even—"
"Haha! It's a little embarrassing to say out loud, but I possess Borian's Blessing! That's how! Hahaha... it's not some grand blessing or anything, but still! When it comes to speed, I'm the fastest there is! I can proudly say that even if you searched the entire continent, no one is faster than me!"
"Ah, so you carry a blessing. I didn't realize."
"Hehe... not at all! That aside, your hair color is so pretty! Dazzling silver hair and blue eyes. Just like a priestess. Uh, uhh...? P-Priestess?! I-it is, isn't it?! Kyaaaaah! Priestess Rubia?! Why, why... whywhywhywhy are you in a shabby place like this...! Huh, but the Perception Obfuscation Robe... huuuh!!"
Bang—
She planted her forehead on the floor yet again.
"I-I'm so sorry! Sorry for not recognizing you, and sorry for recognizing youuuu!! M-my eyes are a bit sharp, so I pierced right through the obfuscation!! I'm so sorryyyyy!!"
"Ah, well... if someone has a blessing... that can happen. But."
Rubia touched her lips thoughtfully as she studied Hepais.
Then she murmured,
"Three hours is a little too short."
Huh? What did she just say...?