The Great Sword is not the Main Body!

"Ugh... ugh... Please go a little slower... My legs are losing strength..."

This is all Rubia's fault...

"Heh... You’re like a newborn calf. Why are your legs shaking like that?"

"Is that something you should be saying, Rubia...? Who made me like this...!"

"The only thing I did was poke you with my finger..."

"I told you it tickles! How many times do I have to say it? You kept tickling me... That’s really mean..."

After we shared the jelly... we spent some time chatting about this and that.

During our conversation, the topic of tickling came up.

In my past life, I didn’t get ticklish, so I thought I would definitely win when I poked Rubia.

But Rubia managed to endure the tickling. And then... she turned the tables and attacked me...

I nearly died.

I had been holding in my need for the bathroom. I almost had a big accident...

In my past life, I never reacted to tickling, so I thought it would be the same... But... Rubia tickles really well... so much that it drove me crazy...

"Noah started it by tickling me first. If you swing a sword, you have to think about getting cut by the sword. That’s only logical."

Rubia said with a teasing voice.

Ugh...

How annoying...

"Why are you comparing it to a sword...? Well... a little bit of teasing is fine, but you've been tickling me all day!"

"Noah’s reactions were so funny that time flew by. I didn’t expect to be like this either."

"I really thought I was going to die! Didn’t you hear me almost passing out? I was sweating so much I had to take another shower!"

"Hmm... I was really surprised by the sound of you almost passing out. But after that, I didn’t tickle you anymore. I even washed you as an apology."

Rubia’s shameless voice made my blood pressure rise.

My neck is already stiff...

I’m really angry...

"You say you didn’t tickle me after that, but it was only after sunset! I said I would take a shower by myself... Ugh!"

"Still, didn’t it feel refreshing? When I washed your hair, you kept dozing off. You were even drooling."

"No, I didn’t drool! That was just water falling from my hair..."

I may have drooled a little. But, seriously, Rubia’s shower skills are incredible, right...?

"Really? I’ll say it’s just as you say."

"Well, it’s fine... But you shouldn’t have bothered me because I don’t have my greatsword... Really... really, you shouldn’t do that. I’ll... let go of your hand..."

I tried to let go of Rubia’s hand...

But we’re in the middle of the street. If I let go, something bad might happen... I’ll never find my way to the blacksmith alone...

While holding back my anger, I slowly clenched the hand I had just loosened again.

"Do you want to let go of my hand? Should I let go?"

"No... I don’t want to..."

"Alright. There might be some suspicious mages around, so we should be careful."

Rubia spoke in a cheerful voice, shaking my hand back and forth.

Being shorter than Rubia, my body swayed with the motion.

My legs, which were already shaking, began to tremble even more.

"Ru, Rubia... I... I really can’t feel my legs anymore...!"

"Then I’ll carry you."

Her arms shook even harder.

"Ugh, ugh...! It will hurt if I fall!"

"A big adult like you can’t even stand that?"

"Wow, no... A- earlier, you said to be careful about falling from the bed...!"

"Hehehe... Just kidding. Ah, I’ve really messed up... Noah, teasing you is so much fun. What should I do?"

Rubia chuckled quietly, slowing down her pace.

She had seemed like a really fierce person at first. But as time went on, she became more playful.

Maybe that meant we had gotten closer.

"Rubia... you’re so different now from when we first met."

"Noah, you’re also totally different from when you were hunting the monsters, right?"

Am I... that different? It feels like I am...

Hmm...

"So... which one do you prefer?"

"Cool Noah or silly Noah?"

"Yes... And I’m not silly, you know..."

I grabbed Rubia’s hand tightly.

I grabbed it with a bit of force, wanting to make her feel it, but unexpectedly, Rubia also gripped my hand tightly.

Then, quietly.

She smiled faintly and spoke.

"I like both. Silly Noah and cool Noah... because in the end, they’re both Noah."

Wow... I never expected that kind of answer...

I clearly gave two options. But there was a third answer...

Was I caught off guard because of that? Or... maybe I was just surprised by her answer, leaving me speechless?

"U-uh... oh. Um... really...?"

"Hehehe... yes. So, Noah, which do you prefer? The rude Rubia from the past, or the playful Rubia now?"

"Rude... It’s not that, um... I like both."

"No. You can’t just follow my answer. You don’t need to lie. I won’t get mad over stuff like this."

"R-really...?"

"Of course."

"Honestly...?"

"Yes. You can speak freely."

Honestly... Rubia wasn’t as close to me before... She was rude... Always grumbling and getting angry...

"Ugh... I like Rubia now."

"Hehe- Why?"

Since she said I could speak honestly... I guess it’s fine?

"When I first met you... you were so... rude..."

"Rude?"

Rubia’s voice dropped noticeably.

If I say rude... it’s going to be bad...! But she said I could say it!

She told me to speak honestly!

"You... you were so fierce."

That’s right. I held back because I was worried Rubia might be hurt!

"Were you trying to say I was fierce?"

"Y-yes, of course."

"Hmm... Well, that’s fine. I know I was rude, so I understand. I apologized last time, but I’ll apologize again. Sorry, Noah..."

Rubia lowered the hand she was holding.

"It’s okay... I don’t mind. But, um... Rubia."

When I remembered the first time we met, I thought of the coffee I made for her, which was really bad.

She... didn’t mean it, right? It had to be drinkable, right?

"Yes?"

"When I made coffee for you the first time... it really tasted bad... right?"

"Should I answer honestly?"

I nodded vigorously.

I shut my mouth tight.

No matter what she answers, I can’t let my expression change.

I put on the most serious face I could.

Here we go!

"It tasted like dirt mixed in with water."

"Ugh..."

The mouth I had tightly shut dropped open, and the serious expression I was trying to keep shattered instantly.

"R-really...?"

"Yeah... Ah, sorry... but it really was bad..."

"Then... what about the coffee we had in the forest... when we woke up in the morning?"

I really practiced a lot with that one. I failed a lot too!

"That one... um... it was definitely better than the first one."

"Taste... taste-wise?"

"It was... like dirt mixed with coffee...?"

"Ugh..."

"It’s fine. I’ll teach you properly. You’ll be able to do it too, Noah."

Rubia patted my shoulder.

With my crafting stat at zero...

Even if Rubia teaches me... No matter how well she teaches me...

My coffee will always be muddy!

Bring it on, Rubia! Bring it on, world!

"Noah, why are you clenching your fists like that? Did you make a resolution to practice hard?"

"Ugh... Ah, no... My palms are just itchy..."

"Do you want me to scratch it?"

"No, it’ll just make it worse..."

It was really strange. When Rubia gently scratched my palm, it felt like scratching my feet.

If my palms are itchy, I usually use my nails to scratch them hard.

"Whenever it’s itchy, just let me know. I’ll scratch it for you."

Rubia spoke in a sly voice and then scratched my ear.

"Ugh!"

"Hehe... Shall we go back now? It’ll be too late if we wait any longer."

"Yes, yes..."

I rubbed my now hot ears and carefully stepped toward the blacksmith.

"We’ve almost arrived. Are you okay from earlier when you fell?"

"Yes... It’s not that it hurts, but... I’m embarrassed..."

Somehow, we arrived safely in front of the blacksmith.

We had bumped into someone on the way and fell, but Rubia cast a healing spell, so there were no injuries.

"It’s okay. No one saw it."

"Well, Rubia saw it."

"I’m fine. I was with you while we were bathing. What’s the big deal?"

"Eek-! Don’t say stuff like that outside! If you do..."

"Shall we go inside?"

Ding-

Rubia interrupted me and opened the door to the blacksmith.

She’s becoming more and more shameless...!

"Oh! Welcome! It's just about done!!"

Hephaestus, who recognized us, greeted us loudly.

"Hello."

"Good timing. Is it all done?"

"Of course! The smith here does such a great job, so it was easy to repair!"

"Oh, oh..."

"Then, please sit here and we’ll bring it to you shortly!"

Following Rubia’s hand, I sat down in the chair behind us.

"I’m glad it’s fixed well. By the way, it’s surprising. The person I saw before... well, they didn’t seem like they’d do that kind of thing..."

Rubia seemed to be lost in thought as she remembered the owner of Alrva.

I told you! Even though he’s gruff, he’s a really good person!

"Rubia. You shouldn’t judge people by their appearance...!"

I tapped Rubia’s hand sharply.

"Ah, right. I’m sorry."

"Uh, hurry up and apologize..."

"U-um... I’m sorry, Smith from Alrva."

"We’ve got it! What should we do first?"

As soon as Rubia’s apology was over, Hephaestus hurried toward us with a clattering sound.

"Greatsword...! Please give me the greatsword first!"

Clatter- Clatter-

"Here! Please check it over! There may be a problem!"

I nodded vigorously and received the greatsword.

With a sharp, joyful pain, the surrounding information was drawn in.

"Heh, heh... Heheh, I’ve missed you..."

Unknowingly, a silly laugh escaped from my lips.

What does it matter!

I hugged the greatsword and rubbed my face against the blade.

Smooth texture, cold warmth, heavy weight... I’ve missed it!

"Um... I, uh... I’m just checking..."

Ah, right... I’m known as the "Red Beast that tears apart monsters."

I need to maintain my... dignity!

"Cough, cough... I’m just checking, yeah. I... usually do it like this."

"Heh-"

"I see... got it...!"

Rubia laughed, and Hephaestus... was confused.

I awkwardly pulled my face away and touched the edge of the greatsword.

Hmm, this is still less than the owner of Alrva, but it’s good enough.

And the hilt...

I stood up and walked toward the wide space.

"Can I swing it once...?"

"Of course!"

Hephaestus nodded eagerly.

"Thank you...!"

First, I need to check the balance...

I grabbed the greatsword with my right hand and swung it horizontally. As stylishly as I could. After all, I’m the "Red Beast that tears apart monsters"...!

Whoosh-

Hmm, it’s similar to the original!

Next, vertical swing.

Whoosh-

Passed that too!

Now, holding it with both hands, diagonal!

Whoosh-

Hmm! Clean!

I also squeezed the hilt, twisted it, and shook it.

Everything’s sturdy and well done!

I wasn’t expecting much, but this is beyond my expectations!

I gave a slight nod to Hephaestus.

I wanted to bow deeply, but... I had to maintain my dignity...

Hmm... but still, I should properly thank him.

"I think it’s well done. Thank you."

I bowed deeply.

"High praise...! T-thank you!!"

Hephaestus also bowed deeply, following my lead.

But... I think he bowed a bit lower than me, so I bowed even lower.

Hephaestus’s head went lower.

Mine did too...@@novelbin@@

"Heh... how about we both slowly lift our heads...?"

"Weren’t you called Noah? You go first!!"

"Oh, no... Hephaestus, you go first..."

"No!"

"Ugh..."

I had no choice but to reluctantly lift my head with an uncomfortable feeling.

Hephaestus, who had been sneaking a glance at me, also lifted his head.

"So, how much should I pay?"

Rubia opened her purse and spoke.

I stopped her immediately.

"No. I’ll pay. It’s my equipment."

My stuff, I’ll take care of it!

After speaking confidently and coolly, I opened the coin pouch on my waist...

"Eh...?"

Wh-where did my money go...?

No matter how deep I searched, shaking out the pouch upside down, there was no money anywhere.

I hadn’t noticed my wallet getting lighter since I was only paying attention to walking...

"Noah... did you lose the money?"

"Ah... uh..."

Rubia’s hand gently patted my shoulder.

"It’s okay. You might have lost it. You’ll find it on the way back."

"Y-yeah...?"

"Of course. How much was it?"

I felt the cold sweat dripping down my spine and opened my mouth with difficulty.

"I... I changed all the silver coins Rubia gave me into gold coins...?"

"Oh, don’t tell me..."

"Total... 27 gold... I lost it... ugh, and... even the money... I... my... hick- my... savings..."

My nose felt stuffy.

Tears started to trickle out of my closed eyes.

My hands were trembling.

I felt like I was going to collapse from dizziness any moment now.

But I clenched my mouth tight and squeezed my eyes shut.

I’m an adult.

I’ll find it somehow.

Even if it means pushing my sense of perception to the limit until my head bursts.

I’ll find it no matter what!

Just as I was clenching my fist and making that determination, Rubia gently spoke up.

"Noah, don’t be surprised. I think the person we bumped into earlier probably stole it..."

"Eh...?"

"His movements were strange. I thought he was just drunk... but he was probably a thief. And a pretty skilled one."

"Ru, Rubia... a- a thief... with... my... money... ran... away... ugh... what... should we... do...?"

Rubia’s hand brushed my eyes.

"For now, it might not be true, but whatever happens..."

Then she grabbed my hand and started to lead me.

"We’ll find it, no matter what."

As she led me, I saw her back.

It reminded me of the time in Alrva.

When she helped me sell my things.

But...

The Rubia now, compared to back then...

Was much, much cooler.

"Heh... you’re... twice as cool..."