"Noah's too kind to ever abandon mom, right?"
I'm sorry.
"So Noah, one day, I hope you become a hero like your dad—a hero who saves people."
I'm sorry.
I'm sorry.
I'm sorry.
I was too scared.
* * * *
It had been a long time since I slept this deeply.
A really long time.
I didn't want to fall asleep this heavily, but still... It wasn't so bad.
"Phew..."
I sighed to shake off the drowsiness and the remnants of the dream that clung to my mind.
I took a deep breath, trying to collect myself.
After quite some time, I finally managed to chase away the lingering sleepiness completely.
I reached out with my hand. My greatsword wasn't there.
I fumbled around, but as expected, it was nowhere to be found.
"Ah..."
Rubia slept next to me last night…
She's not here, though. Did she wake up earlier?
"Are you awake?"
"Ah…!"
I turned towards Rubia's voice from my right.
I eagerly sat up… Wait...?
"R-Rubia...?"
"Yes?"
"Uh... where are my clothes and bandages?"
I quickly pulled the blanket around my bare body and fumbled around again.
But I couldn't find them anywhere.
"Noah, you were gasping in your sleep, tearing at your bandages, so I loosened them for you. Did you... have a nightmare?"
"Oh, uh... no, not really. Thanks for checking on me."
"I hung your clothes to avoid wrinkles and washed the bandages. But... are you sure you're okay? Your face doesn't look so good…"
Rubia moved closer, gently patting my head.
It was comforting, but…
"I-I'm fine, really. Could you please grab my bandages? I… I don't have anything else, and my greatsword isn't here…"
I need clothes! I'm just wearing my underwear! This is so embarrassing!!!
"Oh, of course. I'll get them right away."
Rubia darted off to rummage through the bags.
But seriously... didn't my bandages smell?
Why did she have to wash something so personal…!
"Here you go. Can you wrap them yourself?"
"Of course! I do it all the time."
I cautiously reached out from under the blanket to take the bandages and began tying them around myself.
I couldn't see anything, but since it was something I did every day, I could do it pretty well.
Once I finished tying the bandages...
"Rubia... can you turn around, please? I feel a little... shy."
I needed to lower the blanket and wrap the bandages around my chest, but if I did that, she'd see everything...
Even though she's seen me once before at the valley, it's still embarrassing...
"Sure, I'll turn around."
I heard the rustling sound of Rubia shifting positions.
"You're... definitely turned around, right?"
"Of course."
"You wouldn't sneak a peek just because I can't see you, right...?"
"Do you think I'd do that?"
"Hmm... right."
Yeah, Rubia wouldn't sneak a glance at my body…
Especially since we're both women...
Assured that she wouldn't peek, I lowered the blanket and pulled the bandages tight around my chest.
Since there wasn't much to hold, the bandages kept slipping, so I had to pull them snug.
I tugged the bandages into place and checked to make sure everything was secure. Finally, I was done.
"You can turn around now."
"Oh, you wrapped them up nicely?"
"Hehe. Pretty neat, right?"
"It looks pretty complicated. Did someone teach you?"
"Hermilla taught me everything!"
I used to think I didn't need underwear because my body was... well, lacking. So I wandered around in thicker clothes. But Hermilla caught me.
Afterward, I got scolded for two hours straight and learned how to tie the bandages properly... It was tough, honestly.
"Hermilla taught you...?"
"Yep. How does it look? It's sturdy, right?"
I proudly showed off my bandages, moving them around a bit.
"Did Hermilla tie them for you at first?"
Wait, what happened to 'Ms. Hermilla'?
"Uh, yeah... she did."
"I see."
"Y-Yeah, that's right."
A cold silence filled the room.
What... why is the atmosphere so tense all of a sudden?
"R-Rubia...?"
"Ah, yes."
"C-Could you bring me my greatsword?"
"Yes, I'll grab it for you."
I heard the clanking of a belt and the sound of my greatsword.
Huh. Why does that sound make me so happy?
"Here, your greatsword."
I reached out, feeling the familiar heavy weight in my hands.
I gripped the hilt tightly.
That sharp, comforting pain ran through my hand, and in an instant, the details of my surroundings snapped into focus.
"Ahh... refreshing."
I stretched my body, greatsword still in hand, and felt the stiffness leave my muscles.
"Noah."
"Yes?"
"Did you stretch like that in front of Hermilla too?"
"Huh? No, I only do this when I wake up."
"Only after waking up?"
I nodded.
"I see. Got it."
Suddenly, Rubia's tone brightened.
What's going on...?
"Well, let's get ready to head out. The faster we hand it in, the sooner we can pick it up."
"Huh? Oh, right... that's true."
Rubia hooked her arm around mine and helped me stand up.
Her familiar scent filled the air.
Not the scent of smoke, but Rubia's refreshing fragrance.
"I'm so nervous."
"It'll be fine. Worst case, I'll carry you."
"C-Carry...?"
"I mean, piggyback. Slip of the tongue..."
Rubia scratched her cheek, correcting herself.
"Still, they say this is the best place for the job. No need to worry."
"Really...? Well, okay then. Let's head in!"
Time to hand this in like a real warrior!
I pushed open the door to the blacksmith's with confidence.
"Uh, hello...?"
"Welcome!"
A surprisingly lively voice greeted us.
It was a female blacksmith—a rare sight in this line of work!
"Oh, it's your first time here, isn't it?"
"Y-Yes...? Yeah... it's my first..."
"Welcome to Hephaestus Blacksmith! I'm Hephaestus, the top smith in Roholan!"
"Uh, I-I'm Noah..."
"Your gear... Oh, this must be yours? A greatsword and light armor, huh? The greatsword looks pretty worn... What happened to it? Wow... You must fight up close. The shoulder armor too... You're so cute, but you really put your body through a lot. Impressive..."
"H-Huh...? Uh, w-wait...?"
"How do you even swing such a heavy greatsword? Are you a supporter? Well, that would make sense. But still, your light armor's pretty beat up too... Oh no! Is your adventurer partner overworking you? If so, you should run! Ah! Don't tell me it's the person standing behind you... No, no, wait! Is it really... Oh, how could you treat such a cute girl like this! You heartless brute!"
"W-Wait... I'm an adult...!"
I couldn't take it anymore and burst forward in protest, only to quickly hide behind Rubia again.
"What... a brute...?" Rubia sighed, massaging her temples. "Hephaestus, right? There seems to be a misunderstanding. That's not how it is at all—"
"Ugh! You monster of an adventurer! How could you treat such a small, delicate girl this way? You awful woman!"
"W-What are you talking about...? I'm an adult...!"
I stepped forward again in frustration, but quickly ducked behind Rubia once more.
Hephaestus continued, "Ah, I... I'm so sorry! It looks like I completely misunderstood! Please forgive me!"
She slammed her head into the floor in a deep bow, her energy overwhelming the room.
I... I'm exhausted.
I can't keep up with this.
Maybe if I had brought Heinzel or Luchi with me, this would've been easier...?
No, it probably would've made things worse.
"Please, raise your head. It was just a misunderstanding."
Rubia crouched down and gently patted Hephaestus on the shoulder.
"Oh... My temper is too quick and my imagination runs wild... I'm so sorry! Really!"
Once again, she banged her head on the ground.
"Sigh... It's fine. I accept your apology. Please, just stand up."
"Th-Thank you!!!"
The trembling voice from earlier was gone, and Hephaestus returned to her usual energetic self.
"Now, let me explain what we need."
"Sure!"
"We're looking to get the greatsword and light armor repaired. How long will it take? We're hoping for it to be done as quickly as possible... ideally within 24 hours."
"Five hours!"
"Huh?"
"What...?"
"It'll be done in five hours!"
Hephaestus confidently declared.
Alrba's smith said it would take 10 hours, but this person can finish in five?
"If it's urgent, I can shorten it to three hours!!!"
"Wha...?"
"How is that even..."
"Hehe, it's a little embarrassing, but I've got the 'Blessing of Borian!' That's why I can do it! It's not the most amazing blessing, but at least it makes me the fastest! There's no one quicker than me in the entire continent, I guarantee it!"
"Oh, you have a blessing. I didn't realize."
"Hehe... It's nothing! By the way, your hair is so beautiful! Silver hair with blue eyes... You look just like a priestess. Oh, wait… A priestess?! Oh my gosh! you're a priestess?! Why… why are you here?! And with a perception-blocking robe too...! Huh?!"
Bang—
She slammed her head into the floor again.
"I-I'm so sorry! I didn't recognize you! And I'm sorry for recognizing you! My eyes are just too sharp, I broke through the perception-block! I'm so sorry!!!"
"Well, if you have a blessing, it makes sense… But."
Rubia pressed her lips together, studying Hephaestus carefully. Then she muttered softly,
"Three hours is too short."
Huh? What did she just say...?