“Luchi, did you just see that?”
Since I had already shown Heinzel and Rubia, it was time to boast to Luchi.
“I saw. How did you do that?”
Luchi slowly lifted his body and looked at me.
“Hehe… Pretty cool, right?”
“Whoa… That body shouldn’t be the weakest here…”
“I’m at a different level, you know? Want to have a go…?”
I bent my arm at a right angle and struck a pose for arm wrestling.
“No thanks… I don’t want to be embarrassed like that bald guy.”
Luchi shook his head and lay back down.
Boring…
“Well… Fine. Then… get some rest.”
I bowed to Luchi and turned my back.
“Hey kiddo! How did you just do that?”
“Yikes-! What do you mean?”
I was startled by the large figure as soon as I turned around, but I tried to act calm.
I have to show my victor’s majesty…!
“I mean that arm wrestling you just did! How did you do it with those toothpick arms…?”
“Those aren’t toothpicks… And what’s there to do? I just used my strength…”
“No way that was just pure strength. Hold on a second, Noah.”
Rubia, who had stuck to my side, carefully took my arm and started to knead it.
“Not just pure strength? Then what is it?”
Didn’t I just max out my strength?
“Good question. It’s the first time for someone like you, so… I’m curious too.”
After a while of kneading my arm, Rubia spoke again.
“I can’t detect magical power, but it seems you’ve wrapped your strength with some kind of power.”
“Huh…? Magical power?”
What in the world?
I have zero magical stats!
“What…?! Then that means the kiddo cheated!”
“N-no! I didn’t wrap any magic…!”
“Wow, that bald guy cares about that kind of stuff… It’s ridiculous.”
Heinzel pointed at me, squawking about cheating, while Luchi silently cursed Heinzel.
“If it’s not magical power, it could be a type of blessing, which is highly unlikely, but… It still seems like magical power. You wouldn’t have been able to do what you just did otherwise.”
Rubia kept murmuring while kneading my arm.
But just a moment ago, she was kneading near my wrist.
Now she was up under my armpit.
Is she checking something…?
“Hmm… I-I don’t know either. I just thought I was strong…”
“Yes. It seems you use it unconsciously. Just for a brief moment when you need it. That’s quite impressive, though. It’s said that enhancing the body with magical power is incredibly hard. To do it unconsciously…”
“Definitely impressive. I might get a stomachache.”
“Yeah! That’s a draw!”
While Luchi and Rubia were busy talking, Heinzel tried to cheat boldly!
As if I’d let that slide!
“Why… why?!”
“Kiddo, you wrapped your magical power around it!”
“That’s not it! I lost fair and square!”
“It’s only natural to get disqualified for using such tricks in a cruel world of competition!”
“It’s not a trick…! I-I didn’t know! And in a cruel world of competition, I accept defeat cleanly…!”
Are you going to keep being childish?!
Heinzel scoffed.
“Then let’s ask the judge. Lady, what’s your opinion?”
“R-Rubia…!”
Rubia sighed deeply, holding her head.
“I feel like… I’m a school teacher or something… My self-esteem is slowly draining away…”
“Oh dear… Shaman’s been through a lot…”
Luchi sat up and said.
“Well, from an audience perspective, I think Noah won.”
“Oh, oh…! As expected!”
“What?! Why do you think that?!”
“Heinzel. How old are you this year?”
“Hmm, I guess I’m forty-eight.”
“Just like me. Looks like we’ve both overeaten. But unlike me, you feasted on age through your… behind.”
“Puff-!”
I tilted my head, curious about what that meant.
Rubia burst out laughing as if she understood right away.
And Heinzel…
Crunching- crunching-
Gritted his teeth, clenching his fists.
“What was the bet again?”
“Uh, jelly. I was supposed to get jelly, and Mister Heinzel wanted steak.”
“Got it… Hmm, Heinzel. Do you have any cash in your… behind? Oh right, since it’s full of age, there might not be room for it.”
“Puhuhah…”
Rubia burst out laughing again.
I didn’t even know what was funny…
“C-cut that out.”
Sounds started coming from Heinzel’s fist.
What the heck!
“R-Rubia.”
I gently grabbed Rubia’s hand and pulled her towards me.
“Hehe… Yes?”
“What does that mean…?”
“Uh… Well… I’ll tell you later. It’s a bit… about Mister Heinzel’s pride… Hehe…!”
After that, Luchi kept talking away.
Heinzel just kept grinding his teeth, listening to him.
The argument between the two finally settled, and the winner was declared.
“… I admit my defeat.”
Noah wins!
Heh heh.
If I knew it would be like this, I’d have just accepted it from the start, what a pain!
So ugly! Heinzel!
I proudly stood tall and approached Heinzel.
“Don’t forget… you owe me tomorrow.”
“Ugh… Alright…”
“Eh-heh…”
As I was chuckling, Luchi, who had completely gotten up, poked my Great Sword.
“By the way, why aren’t you fixing your gear? You kept saying the Great Sword is the best, yet you’re walking around with a club.”
“Um… I should, but…”
I feel uneasy unless it’s Alruba’s blacksmith…
The owner there just lets me fidget with my Great Sword while I wait, so I can relax.
But here, it doesn’t feel like it’ll be the same.
I might get scolded for touching it…
“Wanna recommend a good place?”
“Um…”
While I was pondering, Rubia squeezed my hand and spoke.
“Oh, I know a place for repairs. We’re going tomorrow, right, Noah?”
Nice helper!
Nice Rubia!
You’re the only one!
To repay her, I wiggled my fingers, sliding them between Rubia’s.
“Y-yeah! We’re definitely going together tomorrow.”
Rubia’s grip tightened.
I matched her and held on tight.
“Is that so? Then what? Were you planning to duel me with that gear?”
“Y-yeah… right?”
Since it’s not a killing battle…!
And… it’s probably a fight that’ll only take about ten swings.
It didn’t really matter.
“Whoa… Do I look weak?”
Luchi slapped his forehead.
Not at all.
Of course, up until I saw Heinzel fight, I thought I’d definitely win.
After seeing it… it became honestly ambiguous.
I hadn’t expected him to fight that well…
But… I couldn’t say that.
I have the pride of a Great Sword.
“No, um… Just, ordinary?”
“Pfft-! Hahaha! Certainly got some guts; I like it. Alright. Let’s have a go as soon as the repair’s done.”
“Sounds good…”
I clenched my fist.
“Ah…”
From beside me came Rubia’s deep sigh…
“Luchi, are you really going to try to duel? You should rest a bit more.”
“What? In this condition, that little mouse would be easy to beat.”
“Huh, little… mouse…? You might regret that. Really. Did you not see that arm wrestling…? I’m super strong.”
“Pffhahaha! Well, let’s see. I’ll take that seriously too.”
Luchi laughed heartily and patted the scabbard of his sword.
Heinzel, who was calming down, walked over to Luchi and spoke.
“Kiddo. If you don’t want a duel, how about training? I can train you-”
“N-no way. I have no interest in a loser.”
Baldy, just be quiet.
“What!? L-loser?! Ugh…”
“Pfft… Heinzel, just be quiet for a bit. You lost to me and Noah, so… you’re the bottom-tier, right? While the older guys are talking, just…”
I thought I’d jump in since it was the right moment.
“Exactly. While the older guys are talking… the bottom-tier should stay still.”
I put my hands on my hips.
I tried to look dignified.
“Pffhahaha! Noah. What kind of stance is that?”
“Is it… a dignified posture? D-does it look weird?”
“Nope. It doesn’t look weird at all. You can keep… Hehehe… doing that.”
Rubia shook her shoulders and laughed.
Her reaction wasn’t what I wanted.
I slowly lowered my arms without anyone noticing.
I should look dignified…
Is it because I’m short?
“Kiddo… d-do you dislike me that much?”
“W-why? No, it’s not that I dislike you, Heinzel… Honestly, um… don’t get hurt?”
“I understand. Just say it.”
“There’s… nothing to learn.”
“W-wait… nothing to learn? I may not look it, but I have 30 years of adventuring experience and am platinum-ranked…”
“A-no. That’s not it. It’s just that your style is too similar to mine, that’s why. In comparison, Luchi’s… is completely different. So… um, I’d rather learn from Luchi.”
I realized that after watching that duel.
Heinzel’s style was similar to mine.
There were significant differences in details, but the big frame was almost the same.
So, if Heinzel and I were to duke it out, one of us would get seriously hurt.
It’s clear.
That’s why I don’t want to.
The losses outweigh the gains by too much.
Just from Luchi’s injury earlier…
Ugh… Absolutely not.
“Is that so? Well, then…”
“But, listening to Noah… it sounds like your skill is on par or above Heinzel’s… is that right?”
That sharp-eyed Luchi figured out my hidden meaning.
This is why I dislike them being so perceptive. Tsk.
“W-what?! Kiddo! Is that true?!”
Hmm.
“Rubia. I’m tired. Let’s head to the inn already.”
“… Hmph… I suppose we have no choice then. We’ll head in now.”
Rubia might be sharp too, but she helps me out.
Totally different from Luchi.
“Kiddo! Answer me before you leave!”
“Ugh… Let’s hurry!”
I pulled Rubia’s hand and started walking.
Heinzel kept shouting kiddo! kiddo! until we disappeared from sight.
I guess he lost his sense along with his hair.
How’s he going to survive in this harsh world with that lack of wit?
Sigh.
*
“Phew… I’m so tired…”
I came out clean after washing up and flopped onto the bed.
“Today… was really something.”
“Exactly. But it was fun…”
“Glad to hear that. Anyway, what are you planning to do about the blacksmith tomorrow?”
I turned my body carefully so my Great Sword wouldn’t tear the bed apart.
“Um, I don’t know. I’m worried. I just can’t figure out what to do… Should I just buy another Great Sword…?”
“Hmm… That’s not a bad idea. But you’ve gotten used to that sword, haven’t you?”
“True…”
I kept gripping and releasing the sword’s hilt.
Indeed… this Great Sword feels comfortable in my hands.
Of course, a day will come when I’ll have to change it.
But since I’ve had this Great Sword since I first came to this world… even though it’s been a short time, it has been with me all along…
It feels like a part of my body, so just buying any sword wouldn’t do… I really don’t want that.
It’s like that feeling if you had a comfort toy…
But I can’t just carry two Great Swords around.
“How long does it usually take for a Great Sword to be repaired?”
“In Alruba, they would finish within… about 10 hours. But here… I have no idea how long it’ll take.”
“Right. There could be backlogs.”
My mind is troubled.
Asking Luchi or Heinzel is out of the question… they’d mess it up in no time.
“Well then, Noah. If you leave the weapon with me, I’ll stay by your side.”
“Rubia will…?”
“Yep. I can carry you if you want.”
Rubia walked over to the side of the bed and sat at the head.
Then, she lifted her head and placed it on her thighs.
“How about this?”
Rubia’s sweet scent tickled my nose.
Her still damp hair brushed against my face.
Her softly whispering voice sent shivers down my spine.
“R-Rubia…?”
“Is this uncomfortable?”
“N-no… um… ah…”
I froze, unable to move.
“Well, can I move the Great Sword aside for a bit?”
“W-why…?”
“There’s something I want to do for Noah.”
Without caring for my intentions, Rubia’s hand reached for my Great Sword.
Should I dodge?
If I dodge… what if she gets mad…?
Ugh… ugh…!!
While I was lost in thought, Rubia’s hand touched the Great Sword.
“Noah. Is this okay?”
“… Y-yeah…”
The Great Sword slipped from my hand.
The surrounding information vanished.
My senses heightened—hearing, touch, and smell became sharp.
“Ugh…”
A chilling sensation enveloped me as I fell into an endless abyss.
Because I was lying down, the discomfort felt even more pronounced.
That’s why… I always cuddle with my Great Sword while I sleep.
As I slowly calmed my breathing, Rubia’s hand stroked my head.
“Are you scared?”
“Um, n-no I’m not scared at all. I’m perfectly fine…”
“Your hands are sweating a lot, though.”
“That’s not sweat… It’s… um… just moisture.”
“Is that so? Alright.”
Rubia’s gentle movements didn’t stop for a second.
Her control of pressure was strangely skilled…
Moreover, since I can’t see anything right now… I’m focusing on my other senses.
Those delicate touches became even more noticeable.
Thanks to that… I felt a little relieved.
“How about it? Are you feeling a bit more comfortable?”
“Y-yeah…”
“Can you sleep like this without your Great Sword?”
“Hmm… If someone is here… it might be possible…”
“Someone? Would it be okay if it was anyone else, or does it have to be me?”
“Uh, no… um… if Rubia… is here… w-well, but is it uncomfortable for you? Is your leg falling asleep?”
“Phew… No, it’s fine. I’ll stay like this until you fall asleep. And once you fall asleep, I’ll sleep right next to you.”
Her softly whispering voice…
Once again touched my heart.
“Ugh… Ah, alright. I-I’ll sleep then…? I’ll go to sleep…?”
“Yes. Rest assured and sleep well. I’m not going anywhere.”
“Alright. You too, Rubia. Sleep well… see you tomorrow…”
It’s amazing.
Despite often tossing and turning before I sleep…
Today feels… so comfortable.
“Yes. Hope you have beautiful dreams, Noah.”
With those words, my consciousness sank.
What’s the difference between a good dream and a beautiful dream?
So ticklish…
