A girl who couldn’t uncover the past no matter how much she investigated.
Blind.
A body unsuitable for combat.
Inefficient equipment.
A short career.
A timid and frail personality.
I couldn’t understand why such an unsatisfactory individual was given the Fragment of End.
Sure, I didn’t think much about the privileges granted in the village of Alrba. After all, they were just easy requests and a few extra coins.
But handing over all of Carpen’s fragments and materials was just nonsense. They were Lucia’s life. Lucia, who fought alongside us, sacrificed everything to obtain them.
Until this moment, I had never questioned that decision, but for the first time, I had doubts.
As that small question gradually turned into suspicion…
All such thoughts were cleared up.
News came that an adventurer holding Carpen’s fragment had killed Master Kalt and Tylant, leaving no room for doubt.
Instead, hilariously enough,
Where my confusion disappeared, anxiety bloomed.
Yeah, I could probably kill someone like a master with all my might.
But Tylant? Absolutely not. And the rumor said it was done alone.
No one could pull off such insane feats.
So, I was anxious.
Could we handle it if such a being became our enemy and betrayed us?
If it were right now, maybe we could. But if time passed… there was no way we could handle it.
That’s why I had to understand her.
I had already investigated the past.
I found nothing.
So, I gave up on the past and closely examined her recent activities.
It was a spectacle.
Especially the rumors.
While exaggerated, they weren’t outright lies.
In particular, the rumors about the “Blood Demon” were so numerous I couldn’t deny them.
There was a message from Princess Charlotte saying not to worry because of the Carpen fragment…
Yet, I still couldn’t completely shake off the unease.
Using the fragments of demons can lead to mental corruption.
There are even platinum adventurers who became complete demons and were executed.
Platinum.
Not a master, but those referred to as transcending humanity.
If such a strong being couldn’t overcome the side effects of ordinary fragments, how much worse would the Fragment of End be?
If the corruption had already begun…
I had to reconsider this decision and retrieve the Fragment of End.
Or, I’d have to make her pledge her soul like we had.
I might earn Rubia’s wrath, but… it couldn’t be helped.
I didn’t want to just sit back and watch helplessly again.
If sacrificing my own life could pave the way for a different future… then it wouldn’t be in vain.
And so, now that she had arrived in Cartia,
After organizing everything, I took action.
First, to gauge her mastery of her ability, I used my unique skill “Invisibility” to approach her quietly.
A meticulous ability that not even ordinary platinum adventurers or knights could detect.
Yet, I was discovered.
So easily.
Could that even be called perception…?
If it were true perception, her brain should have melted by now; I couldn’t believe it.
Had she scattered her magical power around?
There was a sufficient chance of that.
Occasionally, those skilled in magic can detect others through dispersed magic like a spider’s web.
So, I extended my hand.
Wearing a ring that would allow me to sense the opponent’s magical power, I reached out to shake hands with her.
However, there was no magical power within her body.
Even the most ordinary villagers have a minuscule amount of magical power, but she had not even a single speck.
Yeah, I should have stopped here.
The answer was already clear…
But wanting a definite answer, I overstepped.
And then, I realized.
What was in front of me was not an ordinary being.
The aura emanating from her small body pressed down on the entire Cartia region, revealing everything to me.
We were already late.
*
Uh, what should I do…?
I… Well, I acted out of sheer anger.
But when Rubia hugged me, all that anger just melted away.
Why is Rubia acting like this all of a sudden…?
Was she hugging me to tell me not to be mad?
But, hey… doesn’t Rubia need to say something back?!
That… that wicked person kept trying to take Rubia away from me!
Did Rubia not know about that?! Huh?!
That… that smug little smile! It makes me so annoyed!
“I’m sorry, Noah.”
Uh, umm… Should I cool down first?
But if I let it all go like this… won’t I look like a total fool?
Maybe I should hold on to it a bit longer…
“I’m really… sorry.”
As Rubia tightened her arms around my shoulder, the sensation on my back became… more intense…
Um… well, since Rubia is asking like this,
What does it matter if I look a bit foolish?
All I need is Rubia.
“Phew, heh…”
I took a slow breath while collecting the magical power that had been pouring out of me like crazy.
I need to be more careful about unleashing it without any strategy from now on.
I’ve already lost half by just spilling a bit…
After tidily gathering the magical power inside me, I tried to turn around and hug Rubia.
But all thoughts came to a halt because of Vishur’s antics.
“I’m sorry.”
Vishur immediately knelt and bowed deeply.
“Uh… why is… why is Rubia’s guy acting like this all of a sudden…?”
“…Huh?”
Rubia also sensed something was off and released me to turn toward Vishur.
“I feared the power of Noah. You killed thousands of demons, hunted down Carpen, killed a master, and subdued Tylant single-handedly… that power… terrified me.”
Vishur’s head sank even lower as he knelt on the ground.
“So I took the audacity to test you, Sir Noah. Following the Carpen fragment, I believed it essential to determine the character of a person who would monopolize such national treasures, including various materials and Tylant’s fragment… so I acted provocatively on purpose.”
His hands, which had been respectfully placed on his knees, were now pressed to the ground.
“This was a decision made unilaterally without regard for upper management’s directives. I would greatly appreciate it if you would end this with my life.”
“Y-yeah…? M-my life?! What do you—”
“No need to worry. I left a will in my office, so there will be no accusations against you, Sir Noah. So… please, if possible, swiftly…”
Vishur, with his forehead pressed firmly to the ground, trembled slightly.
I freaked out and moved in to forcefully lift his head.
“Ugh…! There’s blood, blood on your forehead! And what do you mean by swiftly…! I won’t do that stuff…!”
Is he out of his mind?!
He’s out of his mind!
Yeah! Of course… I was annoyed.
He kept trying to take Rubia away from me…
But that doesn’t mean I’d go so far as to kill him…!
I’m not a reckless madman!
All this is because of those absurd rumors!
No matter who it is, I’ll find them and… uh… find them and…
I’ll give them a piece of my mind… for sure…
“But… what about…”
“But what is there to talk about…! Don’t say anything strange, just get up quickly.”
I shook Vishur and forced him to stand up.
I brushed off the dirt from his knees and clothes.
“Of course… I was frustrated… well, suspecting you wasn’t wrong… I think. ”
Before we crossed into Cartia, Charlotte said the same thing… hmm.
I completely understand.
An adventurer appearing suddenly one day.
Raising their rank at insane speeds.
Taking on the protection of a shaman.
Killing thousands of demons.
Hunting Carpen.
Defeating a master.
Cleaving through an avalanche.
And supposedly taking down Tylant alone…
Yeah… terrifying.
I feel like I wouldn’t dare step in their shadow…
Sure, in practice, I’ve done little compared to others, but that’s how they would see it.
Plus, the rumors portraying me as some monstrous being.
Who could stop someone like that from committing crimes if they ever had a bad intention…?
So I understand.
“No, Noah. That is wrong.”
“Huh…? Rubia?”
I was somewhat sympathetic while brushing off Vishur’s dirt when suddenly Rubia approached me.
“No matter how close I am with Vishur, or how much we help each other, I can’t agree with this.”
“I know… I apologize.”
Vishur’s already shaky knees began to bend again as if he was about to bow down.
I feel like I might lose my mind…
“Get up. Stand up and speak.”
“Am I even allowed to lift my head…?”
“Ugh…”
Rubia let out a deep sigh and brought her hand to Vishur’s forehead.
The divine power slowly seeped from her hand to heal Vishur’s forehead.
“Your way of testing Noah was wrong, and your way of apologizing is also wrong. Right now, Vishur, your inability to trust Noah is the same as not trusting me. Do you understand?”
“…I understand.”
“The feeling of betrayal is too much… I never thought I’d feel this in this city.”
After finishing the healing, Rubia took my hand, spun around, and began to walk.
“Let’s go, Noah.”
“Uh…?”
She had an incredibly angry expression when talking to Vishur but now looked…
Extremely happy as she looked down at me.
“Vishur will take care of himself. And besides, we’ll need to meet again to claim Tylant’s fragment and the bounty.”
“Uh, yeah… that’s true?”
“So, it’s not necessary to talk now. Let’s go for a stroll; your mood is already affected.”
Rubia’s steps were light.
Her fingers caressing mine felt mischievous.
“…Ru. Rubia…?”
“Yes! I’m Rubia, Noah’s Rubia? Hehe.”
Oh no, this is bad.
Why did I say something like that…?
Aren’t there… other good words I could have used?
No, no… that was the best thing to say.
But… but playing with that is going too far!
“W-well, I… I…”
“Why? Are you going to deny it now? If you do, I might just go hang out with someone else!”
“Ah, no! Ugh… I don’t want that.”
“Then don’t deny it. How lovely it sounds. Hah… my heart is still about to burst.”
Rubia leaned down, pressed my hand against her chest.
Thump-thump-thump-thump-
I could feel Rubia’s wildly beating heart behind her soft touch.
“Ru… Rub, Rubia… w-we’re outside… outside…”
Rubia swallowed hard.
“I told you, not anyone can enter the heart of Cartia, right?”
“Gah…”
“There are no prying eyes, and it’s quiet, so it’s perfect for a stroll, right?”
Rubia’s hand began to ascend along my wrist.
“Perfect timing, too. The sun is starting to set. It’ll be… so much fun, right?”
“B-but… outside is… r-really not okay…”
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