The Great Sword is not the Main Body!

Following Rubia’s guidance, we arrived at her office.

In the not-so-large space, the shelves were packed tightly, and the desk was covered with various papers.

I wonder how anyone can work in such a suffocating space...?

While I was looking around with a sigh, Rubia and the Guild Master, Rübie, were bowing to each other earnestly and apologizing.

“Apologies for the inadequate measures. I’m sorry.”

“No, it’s my fault for acting impulsively... I expected it. I’m sorry too.”

After a brief moment of hesitation, I too... eventually bowed my head.

“It’s an excuse, but... I couldn’t properly educate... Shur... that child...”

“She’s lively and strong, though... Hehehe.”

At the same time, Rubia and Rübie lifted their heads, smiling lightly as they continued with the conversation, which seemed slightly insincere.

It was an adult conversation.

It sounded like it had no meaning, no purpose.

But in reality, it was a conversation full of hidden significance... A conversation among nobility...!

I could never join in.

Just listening gave me a headache...

Still... I wanted to understand, so I tried to focus hard, but...

It was impossible.

I couldn’t even follow the flow of the conversation...

Finally, I gave up and started imagining what wild raspberry jelly might taste like.

“Well, Noah, you’re very different from the rumors I’ve heard.”

Finally, they began showing interest in me!

“Uh... um...”

But... I hadn’t prepared myself, so I couldn’t find the words...

“It’s all... just, just rumors.”

“I’m relieved to hear that. According to the rumors... you were a demon who drank blood, not caring whether it was from humans or beasts.”

“Pfft—”

...What...?

“What... What do you mean...?”

“Well... rumors are like that, aren’t they? The more they spread, the more exaggerated they get.”

Even though that’s the case...

I don’t drink human blood...

Beast’s blood... It sometimes gets in my mouth while hunting... and I end up swallowing it by accident...

It wasn’t intentional!

“Well, now that the small talk is over, I’d like to introduce myself again. I am Rübie, the Guild Master of the Urspier Adventurer’s Guild.”

Unlike earlier, he bowed with a considerably dignified posture.

“Nice to meet you, Rübie.”

Rubia, sitting next to me, removed her robe and let her hair fall outside the hood.

“I am Rubia, the priestess of Erden.”

She didn’t bow like Rübie did.

It seems she thought a certain level of authority was needed here...

Smart Rubia! Plus, she’s dignified... cool... charismatic.

If that’s the case, then so am I!

“I-I’m... S-S... S-S-N-Noah...”

Oh no.

It’s all ruined.

My voice, my tone, my actions.

Everything was so... awkward.

I looked like a total loser compared to Rubia...

I should’ve just introduced myself first...

“Yes, it’s a pleasure. Well... even though I’m the Guild Master, I’m also an adventurer like you, Noah, so please, feel free to treat me as such.”

Rübie, who had been suppressing a smile, soon regained his composure and spoke up.

“Ah... Yes, yes...”

I was so embarrassed...

“Now that the introductions are over, how about we talk about the bounty?”

Rubia nodded and sat up straight.

“Yes. Please.”

“I’m sure you’ve already been informed, but I’ll say it again. First, the bounty for Heinzel has all been donated to Roholran.”

Rubia nodded again.

“And... the bounty for Luchi was donated to the residents of the ruins... No, I mean, to the people entering Havlon.”

“That’s correct.”

“After that... the smaller bounties were distributed to adventurers, and the bounty that will be sent to you, Noah, and you, Rubia, is... this amount.”

A stack of papers was slid towards us.

Rubia tapped me lightly and picked up the document.

“Yes. This is exactly what I received.”

After flipping through the papers for a while, Rubia nodded and set them down.

Then, she whispered the amount in my ear, telling me not to be surprised.

“Er... huh...?”

It’s much more than what I heard from Aunt Juru in Roholran...?

What in the world did they do for the money to be doubled...?

“Yes, if you’ve confirmed it, please sign here.”

“Can it be signed by proxy?”

“Of course, it can.”

Regardless of how flustered I was, Rubia continued smoothly with her work.

After signing several documents, Rubia put the pen down and smiled lightly.

It was definitely...

The smile of a con artist.

“Hmm, yes. Confirmed. Now, the next issue—”

“Shouldn’t we talk about the materials of Carpen?”

“Yes...?”

Both Rubia and Rübie tilted their heads at the same time.

“Materials...?”

“Yes. The materials of Carpen are... of the highest quality. So, we need to discuss their distribution.”

That’s true, but...

Didn’t the Central Guild already collect them?

“But... well, that’s...”

“It’s fine. Just trust me, Noah. I’ll make sure we get them. Who am I, after all?”

Cutting me off, Rubia puffed out her chest and boasted.

The buttons of her robe were stretched tightly, ready to burst.

It’s dangerous...!

“Ah, ah... P-Priestess...”

“Yes. Just sit back and watch carefully.”

Rubia whispered in my ear with a smile.

“See what I can do.”

My face turned bright red.

“M-M-M... What...”

Back in Roholran...

It was such an emotional moment.

I didn’t even realize it... but I blurted out... those cheesy words...

Ugh... she’s teasing me!

“D-Don’t tease me...!”

“I’m not teasing you. It was such a cool thing to say. I almost fell for it. Or, maybe I already have...?”

Rubia’s finger poked my cheek.

“Anyway, you can look forward to it. I’m going to get a lot.”

“Ugh... I can hear everything...”

Rübie interrupted the conversation, looking utterly bewildered.

I was even more embarrassed...

“Well, then, that’s good. So, shall we have a ‘discussion’ instead of a ‘deal’?”

“No matter what the priestess says to me... I have no authority here...”

“No. If it’s you, Rübie, you can do it. You just need to stamp it.”

From Rubia’s smile, I could smell the scent of a major scam.

“First, let’s start with the Havlon disaster. You must know the truth, Rübie, right?”

“Well... Yes. I do.”

Rübie showed a look of shock.

Does Rubia know that secret?

“Well, that’s much quicker. So... after Havlon fell, thousands of beasts led by Carpen took over that area.”

“Y-Yes.”

“For almost 30 years now. And, even Roholran, which was nearby, had to live with the anxiety of isolation.”

“...”

“And in front of it was the Halbion Plain. Do you know what that means?”

“Roholran’s... isolation. And... the blockage of trade routes.”

Rubia made a pleased snort and continued.

Blah blah...

The conversation had become incomprehensible to me.

So... what was the conclusion?

“Who was the greatest contributor?”

“...Noah.”

“But where is the material now?”

“The Central... Guild.”

“Right. It’s truly disgraceful. Sigh... The greatest contributor to opening up the huge trade route, and now they have to settle for just a few scraps and gold coins, according to the Guild’s policies... I just don’t understand. At this rate... as the priestess, I’ll personally—”

If you are reading this translation anywhere other than Novelight.net or SilkRoadTL, it has been stolen.

“Those scraps aren’t so insignificant... There’s a huge amount of gold coins involved... Fine, I’ll take responsibility and get them.”

The conversation ended with Rubia’s overwhelming victory.

The main point was economic this and trade routes that, but...

Hmm... I don’t get it.

“Yes. Rübie, please don’t overdo it... Just a greatsword and light armor, please. Thank you.”

“...Yes.”

Rübie’s shoulders slumped.

For some reason, I felt sorry for him.

Still...

Carpen’s materials... I really want them.

If we make a greatsword with them, it’ll be amazing...

My mouth twitched.

“So, Noah...”

“Rubia... You were so cool...”

I hugged Rubia tightly.

A greatsword made from Carpen’s materials.

I had only heard of it in the game.

I don’t remember the name... but anyway!

An incredible item will be in my hands!!

“I really fell for you... Rubia is the best...! Hehehe...”

“Ugh...”

Rubia’s body went hot, and her pulse started pounding, shaking violently.

“Rubia... Are you okay...?”

Did I make her uncomfortable...?

“No, no... It’s... I’m fine, it’s just...”

Rubia turned her head and gently pulled away from me.

Ah.

I had been so cool, overpowering Rübie earlier.

But now she was pulling away, probably because she didn’t want to ruin her image...

Hmm... I see.

To maintain Rubia’s dignity, I sat a little further away.

“Sigh... Well, can I speak now?”

“Yes. I’m finished.”

Rubia gave a confident smile.

And a light started to radiate from her.

Forget what I said about her being a scammer!

Rubia is the best businessman!

“Well then... Now, the most important matter is left.”

Rübie straightened his face and pulled a letter out of the huge pile of documents behind him.

He slid it towards me and continued.

“Congratulations on reaching the Gold rank, Noah.”

“Yes, huh...? Gold...?”

I was shocked.

Rubia seemed to have known already, just nodding her head.

“Let me read... Ah, I’m sorry. May I read it to you?”

Rübie, who had been about to ask me to read it, looked at me nervously.

There’s nothing to apologize for...

I nodded enthusiastically.

“Ahem, first, let me read your achievements.”

Rübie carefully took the letter out and started reciting the details of the requests I had taken up from Alrva.

At least three per day...

I had completed over 180 requests, and he went over each one.

“Whew... That’s Alrva... You did a lot. Now, let’s move on to Roholran. The extermination of all beasts in the plains and ruins. The number...”

Rübie paused for a breath.

“About 14,000...”

That’s a lot.

But...

“I didn’t kill them all, though...”

“That’s true, but the statements from the people of Roholran and Heinzel played a big role in making you the most recognized contributor.”

“Eh...?”

“And... above all, the overwhelming contribution... No, this is a feat, really.”

Rübie folded the letter carefully.

“The Nightmare of the East. The Red Wolf, the Carpen Extermination.”

With a solemn expression.

And one full of reverence.

“Thank you for fulfilling my dear friend Luchi’s wish. Truly... truly.”

He knelt down on one knee and bowed his head towards me.

“Thank you for saving Roholran. Thank you for taking back Havlon... Thank you for giving humanity hope... I sincerely thank you.”

You are.@@novelbin@@

A hero.

“Ah... ugh...”

The lines I only ever heard in the game. Only in the text on the screen.

The voice from the speakers.

Hearing them in person felt... strange.

My heart felt all soft...

“Hh... Hh...”

“Noah...? Why, why are you crying?”

“Hehe... You’re completely the opposite of the rumors. Hahaha...”

Rubia wiped my eyes.

The warm liquid was wiped away.

She raised her hand and rubbed my eyelids.

Tears kept coming out.

Why... why am I crying?

“Sniff... Rubia... Why, why am I crying...?”

Rubia looked at me with pity for a moment before lifting her arms and hugging me tightly.

“Ugh...?”

“You’ve worked hard, Noah. Really...”

Then slowly.

She carefully stroked my hair, one strand at a time.

“Hhh... Sniff... Heh... It... feels... strange... Hhh... Sob...”

As I hugged Rubia, tears started pouring out endlessly.

No matter how tightly I shut my eyes.

No matter how tightly I held them closed, the tears squeezed out through the cracks, and I resented them.

But at the same time...

It felt warm.

So welcoming.

So familiar.

I didn’t stop the tears.

I welcomed them, lifting my eyelids, letting them flow freely.