The Great Sword is not the Main Body!

The valley was not far from our tent.

Did Ailyn purposely choose this spot?

I thought we were just going without much thought, but it seemed she was heading in a very efficient direction.

"Here, Noah, you go wash up first. I'll keep watch."

Ailyn, standing a little further away from me, handed me some spare clothes.

Keep watch... I really don’t need her to.

If I just extend my Giga Sense a little, I can get a rough idea of what’s around.

Of course, it might give me a bit of a headache...

"Yes..."

I took the clothes and headed toward the water.

The current wasn’t too strong, nor was it too weak, it was flowing gently.

Oh! There are fish too!

If I catch one, could I cook it for grilled fish later?

Thanks to Ailyn, there’s no smell, so it should be fine!

Grilled fish in an adventure like this—so romantic.

I swallowed my saliva, trying to figure out what kind of fish I should catch when Ailyn came up to me.

"Noah."

Ailyn’s voice was lower than usual.

Was she irritated because I was taking my time?

"Yes, yes... I’ll hurry and get in..."

"No, that’s not it... Um... I’m not sure if it’s okay to ask, but I was wondering if you can wash up by yourself."

However, what came out of Ailyn’s mouth was unexpected.

Well... if I bring the greatsword with me, I can wash up by myself.

It’s inconvenient and takes time, but I’ve gotten used to it after two months, so it’s not too bad.

"Yes, I can wash up by myself..."

"Hmm..."

After hearing my answer, Ailyn started to mumble again.

"I... I can really do it by myself..."

"No, let’s wash together. I’ll help you."

Eh? Huh??

"Y-Yes...?!!"

"Right now, there’s just too much dirt on you, so I don’t think you’ll be able to wash up alone. Let’s hurry up and get in."

Saying these strange words, Ailyn started to take off her clothes...!

Oh no...

I quickly turned my head and narrowed my Giga Sense range.

Of course, I couldn’t see Ailyn’s body... but still... it feels... weird.

"What are you doing? Hurry up and take it off."

W-Whoa...

When she said it like that, in that voice...

I’m a 25-year-old single person, this is too much of a shock!

"Should I take it off for you?"

Hah...!

Stop it!!

"Okay, okay..."

Should I just drop the greatsword?

That way, I wouldn’t be able to feel Ailyn’s body...

I wouldn’t be able to see the color or any details, so maybe that would be fine...?

In the end, I couldn’t let go of the greatsword.

I crouched down and took off my shoes. Then I started to remove my top... the clothes...!

They were sticking to me from the sweat and blood, so they weren’t coming off easily!

And trying to take them off with just one hand... it’s hard...

While I was struggling with half-off clothes, Ailyn’s voice came.

"Alright, raise your arms."

"Th-Thank you..."

I dropped the greatsword and raised my arms.

Then the shirt came off smoothly.

"Can you do the pants yourself?"

"Yes..."

Let’s just take them off with both hands...

I took off my pants and slightly turned my body.

I couldn’t see Ailyn, but she could see me...

It’s embarrassing...

"Ailyn, you go in first..."

I waved my hand, turning my back to her.

Ailyn let out a deep sigh as she looked at me.

What! Why!

I had to do this for the greatsword style!

I also like big and bouncy ones too!

Yeah! I’m jealous of your chest! Huh?!

But doesn’t it shake and become uncomfortable when you move around?

And besides, I’m a guy! Huh?

I don’t need that on my body!

I clicked my tongue and picked up the greatsword.

Though my eyes were closed, I took a quick glance at Ailyn and then jumped into the valley with a splash.

"Ugh, eek!"

It’s so cold!

Ah... I almost got a heart attack...!

While I soaked in the cold water, Ailyn also came in after me.

Wait, wait.

Look at that.

She’s not wearing anything.

It sways every time she walks.

Heh... This is insane...

I looked at my own body.

I started to feel really uncomfortable.

I clicked my tongue in my mind and turned my body in the opposite direction of Ailyn.

"Alright, well... I’m sure you can feel everything, but I’ll pour some water over your body first. Don’t be surprised."

"Yes."

Ailyn cupped her hands and carefully poured water on my back.

"Ugh, ughh..."

I was tense, but as expected, it was cold...

After several repetitions, Ailyn spoke again.@@novelbin@@

"Now, I’m going to pour water on your head. Close your eyes tightly."

"Yes."

Though my eyes were already closed... I just answered, not wanting Ailyn to get flustered.

With the sound of water falling, cold water flowed down from my scalp.

Now that I was used to it, it wasn’t as cold as before.

"Now, we’ll use the soap. What do you want to do?"

Soap? Isn’t that obvious?

I tilted my head and answered.

"Yes, please."

For a moment, I heard Ailyn take a deep breath.

It seemed like she found the water cold too.

I thought she was used to it, but I guess she hasn’t washed here much before.

I was used to washing in the valley.

When I first came to this world.

The inn I stayed at didn’t have a separate faucet, so I thought, ‘Ah, in this world, if you don’t have money, you have to wash outside.’ So, I washed outside and came in.

It felt weird, of course, but since I stayed at such a cheap inn, I just thought it was normal.

But... it was a bit chilly, so I didn’t really wash much, you know?

Maybe I was too dirty that time... so the innkeeper brought me warm water.

She told me to ask for it next time... Apparently, that’s how they do it...?

Anyway.

That’s why I’m used to valley water!

Heh—Ailyn!

"Now, I’ll start."

"Yes."

I heard Ailyn’s trembling voice and the sound of soap bubbling.

I squeezed my eyes shut, worried soap might get in my eyes.

But...

"Eh?!"

Ailyn’s hands didn’t go to my head but instead, moved toward my waist.

"Ah, no... eh...?"

Even though I made a strange noise, Ailyn didn’t stop, continuing to apply the soap.

Every time Ailyn’s hands brushed over different parts of my body, I bit my lip and tensed up.

"J-Just hold on... it’ll be over soon."

Ailyn’s skilled hands started to clean every corner of my body.

But... but... I really wanted to tell her to stop...

Why is she washing me so thoroughly?

It’s strange... she must have quite the experience.

An expert...?

"Fuh... All done. Now we just need to rinse it off."

I wanted to say, "Just a little longer..." but...

My last shred of masculinity stopped me from speaking.

"Haah-!"

I dunked my head underwater to cool it off.

I felt the bubbling foam rising from my mouth, and the earlier soap application came back to my mind.

Was this the kind of refreshing feeling I’d get from a bathhouse after receiving a new body?

Maybe I’ll just pretend I can’t wash anymore...?

My last shred of masculinity and instinct were fighting fiercely.

I muttered quietly while watching Noah, shivering as she dried her hair with a towel.

"Really... are you even the same person...?"

I closed my eyes and remembered the earlier scene.

The sight of Noah, drenched in blood, tearing the Black Bear apart.

When she hunts, Noah is... a completely different person.

Her usual carefree face was filled with hatred and anger.

Behind her always-closed eyelids, there were empty red eyes, devoid of emotion.

Her body, which would usually shrink at my scolding, didn’t bend in front of the powerful beast.

Her fighting style was also completely different from usual.

When using the greatsword, people typically rely on striking hard, retreating, and striking again.

But not Noah.

At distances where I would usually retreat, she didn’t step back at all. Instead, she pressed forward.

If the sword was blocked, she used her shoulder, fists, legs, or head.

She fought with her whole body, not holding back a single part.

She was like a beast hunting monsters.

At first glance, Noah’s small body seemed to be dragged around by the greatsword, but no.

Instead, she used the recoil to deliver even stronger attacks.

It wasn’t the battle of an ordinary person.

It was a battle driven by innate talent.

I believed that, and thought that, until I saw Noah’s body.

Noah's body, always covered even in the hot summer, was scarred everywhere. It would be quicker to find a spot without any scars.

A priest's healing doesn't leave scars.

Then those scars must be the result of pouring potions on her wounds, leaving behind these marks.

Two months.

She had only been an adventurer for two months.

Of course, she has incredible talent.

But she didn’t live relying solely on that talent.

What happened to her? What did she go through to live so desperately?

I couldn't understand it.

I heard from Hermeela that Noah doesn’t have a family.

Could she have gone through the same pain I did? Did she lose everything precious to her, making her capable of enduring such hardship?

If that’s the case, what would happen if Noah learned about the darkness of this world, the ugliness of humans?

If she had to sacrifice her life to save this world, even the filthy humans, what would she choose?

I want to know, but at the same time, I don’t.

I hope she never learns of this filth.

I hope she never loses her light.

I opened my eyes.

Noah, who was drying her hair while shaking, entered my view.

If she dries it like that, all her hair will clump together.

A small laugh escaped me.

Really, she doesn’t know anything except hunting.

She can’t even take off her clothes properly. She says she can wash alone but then gets flustered asking for help with the soap.

Was she craving human warmth?

Though it was bothersome, it wasn’t so bad because I thought of my sister.

"Ha..."

Yeah. Just a little bit.

In case I ever disappear from this world, I’ll help you a little, so you can live well on your own.

"Noah."

"Yes, yes...?"

"I’ll dry your hair. Come here."

"I-I can do it myself..."

"Shh- hurry up. I’m faster."

"Yes, yes..."

Noah, curled up, cautiously walked over to me.

"Well, please... take care of me..."

Though I didn’t want to use the ‘divine power’ the goddess gave me...

Using it to dry her hair and block the smell? I could at least do that. It’s easier for me too.

I used my divine power to summon warm wind.

"Oh...? Ailyn, what is... what is this...?!"

"Hehe... Noah, you’re an adult now, right?"

"A-Ah, no... Aah...!"

A little bit of healing too.

Potion costs are too much to waste.

I’ll try selling them later, they’ve sold well before.

I used my divine power once more, healing the minor wounds from the earlier fight.

"Ugh, eh...? Healing?"