“—And that’s how it ends…!”
Scritch-scritch-
“Uh, how is it…?”
Rustle-rustle
Scritch-scritch-
After comparing the strategies in her notes with the future she had seen, Hermila finally spoke up after a while.
“I can’t say for sure about Laila, but as for Brunhilde… yes. ‘If we proceed just like this,’ I think we can finish without any problems.”
“Finally—”
“If we proceed just like this. I’m serious, Noah. Have you really handled all the battles this way?”
“Yes…! Hehe.”
“Are you planning to tackle Laila’s subjugation the same way?”
“Yes! It’s going to be amazing, right?”
Pulling Rubia’s arm and swinging her legs back and forth, she eagerly awaited their praise.
Wiggle-wiggle-
Sway-sway-
But…
What’s with those expressions?
As I held my breath, staring blankly, the pen in Hermila’s hand cracked with a snap.
“Seeing Noah’s style, I thought you’d do something like this, but this is… crossing the line.”
“Eh…?”
“Noah, are you out of your mind?”
“Yes…?!”
“Hah… Noah, this isn’t going to work. You need to be scolded tonight.”
“Eek, Rubia…!”
With a deep sigh, Rubia set me down from her lap onto the neighboring chair.
“Noah. When subjugating Laila, will you really proceed just as you mentioned? Seriously?”
“Uh… y-yes?”
“In that case, I’ll have nothing to do with it. No, I won’t even talk to you, Noah.”
“Eh…?”
With a frown, Rubia stared at me intently and delivered a thunderous statement filled with sincerity.
“And I’ll be sleeping in a separate room.”
“Gah… N-no, that’s… that’s too much! Too much—?!”
Eek- As I tried to scream, Rubia’s hand covered my mouth with a thud.
“If you don’t change your mind, that’s exactly what will happen. So, stop being stubborn and listen to us.”
“Mmm…”
With Rubia’s voice turning serious, I had no choice but to nod and plop down in my seat.
“Your method is far too reckless. While it’s not bad to aim for maximum efficiency, you should take better care of yourself.”
“…Okay.”
Hmm- Rubia pulled out a chair and sat down next to me, gently patting my head.
“Hmm… Noah usually doesn’t act like this, but you become more stubborn than anyone when it comes to combat. Do you know that?”
“…No.”
“Of course, I know you’re exceptional. You’re probably stronger than anyone else here. But there will definitely be struggles that come with that.”
Warm divine power enveloped my body that had been curled up tight.
As I felt the divine power spread from my head to my entire body, Rubia said with a hurt voice.
“Do you feel it? The places where my divine power flows through… they’re all places where you’ve been severely injured.”
“Huh… Like this…?”
“After getting hurt this badly… you’re still insisting on methods like that till the end?”
“…But that’s… unavoidable—Huh?! S-ser?!”
Suddenly, a gust of wind washed over my face with a whoosh.
“Seeing that you’re so stubborn that even emotional appeals won’t sway you, I suppose I’ll have to knock some sense into you.”
With a sharp look, Ser approached while shaking his head as he read Hermila’s notes.
“I’ll fix that crazy mindset of yours. So listen to me carefully.”
“Ugh…”
“If you don’t understand, just memorize it.”
After moving a chair next to mine, Ser ignited a flame on his fingertip and began to write on the table.
“First problem. Noah, your plan has no alternatives.”
“Alternatives…?”
“Yes. When your choices go wrong, there’s no way to remedy them.”
And on the table, he wrote:
1. Block and hit.
2. Dodge and hit.
These were the fundamental choices of combat that I had previously mentioned.
And below that, he added:
3. Get hit and hit.
4. Hit really hard.
These were the “ultimate choices” I had learned.
No matter how I thought about it, those two were amazing!
“What’s so funny?”
“Ah, I didn’t laugh…”
“Hah, anyway, look. These insane choices… Do you think they make sense?”
Why wouldn’t they make sense?
Block and hit.
Get hit and hit.
Dodge and hit.
Isn’t this… the essence of combat?
Of course, ‘Hit really hard’ was practically a gamble, but if I could smash the opponent while blocking their attack, that would solve everything.
I’d just hit really hard!
So then… isn’t this all right?
As I tilted my head in confusion, Ser let out a heavier sigh.
“There might not seem to be any problems at first glance. But the way you’re using those choices is insane. In combat where a single misstep can cause death, why are you clinging to such high-risk options? Is there a guarantee that you’ll succeed?”
A guarantee of success?
Of course, there is.
There better be!
After taking so many lives,
Sure, it’s a game,
But I’ve experienced this countless times.
Of course! It’s not just in the game.
In reality, I blocked, deflected, and managed attacks the same way.
I certainly don’t think others can’t do the same.
There are plenty of people more skilled and experienced than me.
Especially Hermila, Heinzel, and Alex.
I believe these three could definitely do it even better than I can.
“Of course, I understand that the forced positioning due to mobility factors makes it necessary against Brunhilde. But when fighting Laila, isn’t there no need to insist on this kind of method?”
“But, if I step back—”
“Even the highest-level spirit can serve as an excellent shield. If you don’t believe me, want to try hitting me until you die?”
“No, that’s… no way…”
Ser let out a short sigh and wrote something else on the table.
“Now, a new problem has arisen. Taking on battles that exclude your comrades due to those choices. This is your second problem.”
“Uugh…”
“Noah. There are comrades following you. In this upcoming subjugation, Rubia and I will be there. Do you not trust us? Are we not reliable enough for you?”
“I-I could never think that…!”
“Then trust us.”
Unfolding a notebook from the dimensional space, Ser continued in a calm voice.
“I’ll handle all of Laila’s magic.”
And raising one hand, as though to silence my rebuttal, he stiffly continued.
“I understand you can negate magic with Frey. But I can also nullify it. So leave the magic to me. And the final third point: the combat method of giving up flesh while taking bone is prohibited.”
“W-why…?”
“If you truly trust us, there’s no need to injure yourself foolishly. If you do, it will conserve the stamina of your strongest asset—yourself. That will make the subjugation much easier.”
“No… that’s something I can’t accept. With Rubia’s divine power and Ser’s spirit, getting injured is irrelevant.”
I have supporters who won’t let me die even if I want to.
Plus, there’s the elixir Yuria created.
In this situation, playing it safe and dragging it out is… a foolish act.
If the subjugation time extends, my focus will be lost, and my stamina will gradually decrease.
Moreover, if in such a situation, Laila’s instant kill spell backfires and hits Rubia or Ser…
“Absolutely… absolutely not.”
If anyone is to get hurt, it must be me.
If it’s painful, it must be me.
If it’s tough, it must be me.
If someone dies, it should be me.
In the subjugation that flowed according to my plan, based on the information I provided,
I can’t stand to see others—especially those I cherish—get hurt.
Enough.
I don’t want to lose any more.
“This is… non-negotiable.”
Without realizing it, a sharp voice escaped my lips, but… I didn’t care.
If this is how I can express my opinion…
“Noah.”
As I stared at Ser with a stiff expression, I heard Rubia’s voice.
“…Even if it’s Rubia, this is… this is unacceptable.”
“What’s with such reckless intent? Why are you trying to shoulder it all alone?”
“…Naturally, because I don’t want Rubia to get hurt. I don’t want my… my friends to get hurt…”
“I’m the same. Ser and Hermila feel the same way.”
Behind my rigid figure, the gentle embrace of Rubia came closer.
“Noah, this time let’s fight ‘together.’ Please.”
“Just… please…”
“Most of the big battles so far, you’ve handled all by yourself. While I admit I’ve lacked in ability… still. You’ve taken on too many burdens.”
“Rubia isn’t a burden…”
“This time too, if things go according to your plan, I’ll end up being a burden. Even if you don’t think that way, I will feel that way. Do you want me to feel guilty towards you?”
Snug- Rubia squeezed my body even tighter.
“W-well, but that’s… not it…”
“Then let’s fight together. Please.”
“…I don’t want Rubia to get hurt…”
“Can I get hurt?”
“Ugh… N-no, that’s not it…”
With a small chuckle, Rubia turned my body, resting our foreheads together.
The gentle scent mingling with Rubia’s breath tickled my nose.
The warmth that touched my forehead.
The soft embrace supporting my body.
It overwhelmed and sent shivers down my spine.
“If you agree to my request, kiss me.”
An irresistible proposition.
Ultimately, I was led by Rubia’s sweet offer.
To her lips—
“What are you doing during this sacred meeting? Take it outside.”
I couldn’t actually kiss her… awkwardly turning my back.
“I tried persuading with facts, and in the end, it’s Rubia? This is highly displeasing. Tsk. So, Noah. What will you do?”
With a sly grin, Ser leaned in with that annoying smile.
Hermila was still adjusting plans while fiddling with her notes.
And Rubia was licking her lips while eyeing my nape.
Caught between them,
I bitterly smiled and nodded.
Simultaneously, the bell signaling breakfast rang out.
