My head is a jumbled mess.
Once for Sirin missing in the Fragment of End subjugation.
Twice for being designated as a heretic.
Three times for the fact that Rubia is by my side.
And then… four times for the indifference of both Rubia and Ser towards my heretic status.
“U-um… huh?”
I don’t know. I really don’t.
I just… want to eat jelly.
I want to lie in bed, snuggling under a soft blanket while Rubia feeds me jelly…
“Hahaha! Your expression is priceless. Hmm, yes. You’re not going to understand this, but Noah, you should take this to heart. That’s just how the world works.”
“Y-yes…?”
“The strong and loud make the law, set the sky, and create the world. But can such beings bury a single person? Just think of the reasons that are right in front of you. Rubia, who you’ve been with, went missing for half a month. And you’re holding a Fragment of End that she left behind. Your mind has been eating away at you, and you’ve gone mad. Do you really need any more reasons?”
“My mind… eating away…? Does the fragment have side effects?”
Of course, every time I use the fragment, my mind becomes hazy and I feel like I’m not myself…
But when the effect ends, everything goes back to normal, right?
Could it be that my personality has changed without me realizing?
“Rubia, am I… am I weird?”
Rubia, caught off guard by my sudden question, gave a bitter smile, lifted me effortlessly, and placed me gently on her lap.
“Not at all. You’re just the same.”
Then she hugged me tightly and kissed my cheek.
“Hehe… th-that tickles. Hup, ahem. Then, it’s all just rumors, isn’t it?”
“Noah, the truth is, when a human mingles among monkeys, the human becomes a monkey too, and those who refuse to accept it end up being considered fools and get killed. This world is strange like that.”
Having finished speaking, Ser sighed deeply, slumped in his chair, and chuckled.
“In the end, we are simply following the rules of this world, becoming a tiny innocent monkey, a slightly bigger arrogant monkey, a genius monkey, and a divine monkey.”
Rubia, holding me close, snorted with laughter, rubbing her cheek against my hair.
“What divine? Don’t worry too much, Noah. No matter what happens, I’m on your side.”
“Umm… y-yes. Thank you.”
I completely melted into Rubia’s arms, which lifted my spirits from that dark place.
Then, I held tight to Rubia’s hand, which was mischievously caressing my thigh.
“Well, I guess I shouldn’t be next to Rubia anymore. I-I might bring trouble to her…”
“That depends on what decision Rubia makes. So, Rubia, what do you want to do? Ser, you should think about it too.”
Sirin, who had adjusted her position and put her hand inside her robe, spoke in a serious tone.
It’s okay… it’s okay.
Just because we’re a bit apart doesn’t mean we’ll be separated forever. There are ways to meet secretly at night, right…?
Yeah. That sounds thrilling and romantic enough.
Even if our bodies are apart, Rubia can feel where I am and what I’m doing… so it’s not like we are completely separated.
So… I can be okay with Rubia choosing the city. I have to be okay with it.
No matter what answer comes, I must never, ever show disappointment, just act naturally.
“Entering the city and secretly forming a subjugation team without the cult noticing, or doing it among yourselves. If you choose the former, subjugation will be much easier. We’ll have to deceive the eyes of the cult, so there’ll inevitably be damage to the residents, but we can definitely reduce it with preparations.”
Clink – The sound of Ser’s coffee cup tipping over.
Swoosh – The sound of Rubia’s sigh as her hair wafts in the air.
Thump – Thump – My heart pounding like it’s going to explode.
“If you choose the latter, subjugation will become very difficult. If Valoran appears in a city you didn’t choose, the damage to the residents will grow uncontrollably, and no matter how quickly you move, that city will not avoid destruction.”
“I don’t mind what I choose, so I’ll follow Rubia’s decision.”
Clatter – The empty coffee cup landing on the table.
“I—”
Rubia opened her mouth.
“I’ll be with Noah.”
“…Huh?”
At that answer, Ser chuckled and got up to leave, while Sirin had a mysterious smile as she asked Rubia.
“Why did you make that choice?”
“Um, I’m not sure how to phrase it nicely, so I’ll just say it casually. Cartia is the city I saved. It’s a city that was saved solely because of me, ignoring the opinions of the Empire and Erden. I can assure you that if it weren’t for me, Cartia would have been a ruin a long time ago.”
“Probably so.”
“No, definitely. That city, abandoned by Erden, saved by me, shouldn’t want to reject Noah just based on Erden’s decision.”
Rubia tightened her hold on me.
“It deserves to perish. In fact, I’d like to destroy it myself.”
“You are a shaman, aren’t you?”
“Huh, once was enough. What more do you want? If someone repays kindness with malice, they are worse than beasts. Not even human. Honestly, Noah is far more precious to me than Cartia.”
“Hahaha! So, you value one person more than tens of thousands of others?”
“Of course. After all, I’m a selfish, ill-mannered girl. Just a little while ago, I was a crazy girl who wanted to kill them all instead of saving humans. Sure, I used to be kind. Innocent. That’s why I saved Cartia. If I hadn’t met Noah… I would have been sitting in my room, sipping coffee, thinking ‘good riddance.’”
“Wha… Rubia?”
As Rubia flinched, she carefully placed her hand over my mouth.
But… it was pointless.
“Anyway, that’s my choice. The same goes for Ursphere. A city saved by Noah. A festival for Noah was made there. If they try to reject Noah there, I don’t see the point in saving it. Right, Noah?”
“Uh, no… but—”
“Noah, if you had to choose between me and the city, what would you do?”
“Of course, I’d save Rubia.”
“I feel the same way.”
“But Rubia is a shaman—gack?!”
Smack – Rubia’s lips cut off my next words.
“Phew…! W-why did you suddenly kiss me…!”
“Did you dislike it?”
“N-no, I didn’t dislike it… but…”
“Not disliking it means you liked it, right?”
Such a straightforward question… I couldn’t respond and just lightly nodded.
“Then, shall we do it again?”
“Uh, uh… let’s do it in private later… in the room.”
“Then I don’t think we’ll be able to stop at just kissing.”
“Eek… D-don’t say that so casually…”
“Hehe, it’s different now. Completely different.”
While we were having this exchange, Sirin stood up and placed a marble the size of a fist on the table.
“Noah. The reason you’ve been accused of heresy is largely due to this lady’s actions, so I should apologize.”
“Sy-Sirin…? Why?”
“The reason Rubia has stayed here for so long is because of this lady’s request, is it not?”
“Um… still, you did it to save Ser, didn’t you…?”
“Whatever the reason, the result is what it is, so I must take responsibility. I’ll make it so you can move as comfortably as possible, so just wait patiently.”
“Ugh…”
Sirin came closer and ruffled my hair messily, smiling at Rubia.
“Rubia, you won’t regret this choice at all, right?”
“Of course not.”
“Good to hear.”
Then, turning towards the marble on the table, she spoke.
“You heard that, right? I told you, the future you saw is long gone.”
Ahahaha… That’s true. I’ve never been this wrong before. I can’t believe it’s unfolding exactly as Sirin said.
Suddenly, a familiar voice flowed from the marble.
“…Huh?”
Whoa… You recognized my voice just by hearing it? I’m touched! Hehe. It’s been a while, Noah. And Rubia. Or would you prefer I call you Aileen?
“Aileen…? Could it be—”
Yes! That’s right. I’m Hermila, the receptionist of the Adventurer’s Guild in Arlba!
Clap clap clap – The sound of tiny applause came from beyond the marble.
Hermila.
She discovered me when I suddenly arrived in this world.
Helped me become an adventurer.
Always looked out for me… my benefactor.
“H-Her… Hermila…”
Yes, Noah! It’s Hermila. I’m so glad to see you again!
“Let the rest of you talk amongst yourselves. I’ll be leaving now.”
Sure, take care. But why are you acting so authoritative in front of the kids?
“…Shut it.”
I keep telling you, in this form, you only look cute, you know?
“Better shut your mouth before I come over and smack you.”
Smooch– Sirin clicked her tongue, roughly opened the door, and left the room.
With Ser and Sirin gone, the room felt empty, leaving only Rubia and me with a dazed expression.
Sniffle… Sniff… Hermila…
And the sound of my sniffles.
Noah! Why haven’t you come to Arlba after arriving in Cartia? I really want to see you!
“Ehh…? sniffle You want to see me…? Uu… I want to see you too—”
As I tried to wipe my tears and get off from Rubia’s embrace.
“Ahaha, so Noah wants to see Hermila, huh?”
Crack – A chilling sound rang in my ears.
