Right now...
I have so many things I want to ask...
But when she looks at me with that expression...
My head just gets all jumbled...
Ugh... anyway...
"But... where did all the money come from for the reconstruction? Didn't you empty your piggy bank just to request my help...?"
"Noah, what do you think people call me in this world?"
"U-uh... priestess?"
"That's right. So, I used a bit of that priestess authority. Hehe..."
Rubia's face was filled with playful mischief.
"When did you... manage to do that? You've been with me all day..."
"Remember when I talked to Jur separately the other day? I arranged everything then. Although, it went smoothly mostly thanks to how competent Jur is."
"You're too kind..."
Rubia and Jur exchanged smiles as their eyes met.
What the... they're both acting like some kind of schemers.
"But... still, even considering that, isn't the progress way too fast? I mean... Jur... she's been here this whole time, hasn't she?"
No matter how quickly they move, the speed at which things are happening just doesn't make sense.
Isn't the central guild based near the capital?
You're telling me she managed to handle all of that in just one day, back and forth?
"Ah, ahem—since it's Noah, I can trust you and tell you... I handled that part using my unique ability."
Jur tapped her temple as she continued to speak.
"My ability allows me to communicate with others over long distances, so I was able to take care of it easily."
Telepathy...!
Oh, but wait.
There was definitely an NPC in the game with that kind of ability...
Telepathy and, uh... something else.
Anyway, I think the commander during the final battle... was that Jur?
"C-can you communicate with multiple people at once?"
"Hm...? Yes, I can. At the moment, I can handle up to about 20 people."
"At the moment...?"
Does that mean her ability can improve in the future?
Then that commander I saw back then was Jur, wasn't it?
Jur... she's a big deal...?
"W-wow..."
"It's really not that impressive. Haha... ahem! Well, I have some remaining work to attend to, so I'll be off now. The reconstruction should be completed within a month."
"Ah, yes. Thank you, Jur. I hope we can meet again when you have some time."
"It would be my honor. Take care."
With that, Jur once again donned her professional smile, bowed her head, and disappeared among the adventurers.
Once Jur was completely out of sight, Rubia cautiously spoke again.
"Oh, and I have something to tell you... um... I was thinking of donating all of Luchi's reward money to the reconstruction of Havlon. What do you think?"
I nodded energetically. Of course, that's great!
"O-of course, that's fine...!"
"Haa... I thought you'd be okay with it, but... thank you for agreeing so easily. I really appreciate it."
Rubia gently patted my head.
"No... you don't need to thank me... and it's not like you need my permission..."
"This money technically belongs to you, Noah. So, it's only right to ask for your approval."
"N-no, it's not..."
I didn't earn it myself... it's all Luchi's share.
So, it's only right to use it for something Luchi would have liked.
"Well... it's good that it's being put to use for something meaningful..."
"Regardless... thank you."
"Um... yeah. Oh, and... why didn't you... uh, no, never mind."
I wanted to ask her why she didn't tell me earlier...
But it's not like she had to...
It's all Rubia's money, and it was all her effort...
So, there's no reason she had to tell me...
But still, since Rubia and I are friends, it feels a bit... disappointing that she didn't.
Feeling a bit down, I quietly let go of Rubia's hand.
I started fidgeting with the jelly she had given me earlier, which I'd been keeping in my pocket.
At this point... it feels a bit odd to eat it after squeezing it so much.
But still... the squishy texture gives me a sense of comfort...
"...Are you wondering why I didn't tell you?"
As I continued to fiddle with the jelly, Rubia seemed to read my mind.
I always wonder how she's able to notice these things so well...
"N-no... you didn't have to tell me... It's not like it's important... really, it's fine..."
Not wanting her to see how small and pathetic I was feeling, I quickly turned my head away.
Rubia gently pulled me into a hug.
"Mmm... it's just... I was embarrassed. If I had used my title as a priestess earlier... I could've helped many other villages too... But I turned away. Pretended not to see."
There was a hint of regret in her voice.
See...
Now I'm the one looking like a petty, small-minded person...
"Well... then you can just do that from now on."
"Hehe... I don't know if I'll be able to do that again."
Rubia turned her head, looking around Roholan.
"If Roholan had been completely destroyed... would I have worked this hard to help rebuild it?"
I don't know what happened after I collapsed.
But ever since I gained the ability to read faces, I've seen the looks on the villagers' faces...
They don't seem to like us very much.
And no one even mourned for the fallen Luchi.
But still.
Even so.
"You would've helped, Rubia... because Hephaestus is here."
Even if just one person.
Even if just one person helped us, Rubia would've done it.
Whether in the game or in this world.
Rubia is the same in both.
She always said she hated the world, that she resented it...
But in the end, she would smile while sacrificing herself for it.
"And even if Hephaestus hadn't been here, you would've helped rebuild Roholan. The Rubia I know isn't a bad person. In fact, you're too kind and too foolish... and that's what worries me."
You always give in whenever I beg you to...
You're definitely kind, Rubia...
And a bit of a fool.
You should learn to say no.
You can't just do everything because I ask you to!
"So... I'll stay by your side and protect you, to make sure no one takes advantage of you."
Rubia's embrace tightened around me.
"Haa... when you say things like this... it feels like you're a guy trying to woo me. It's really strange..."
Gasp...!
S-she's joking, right...?
"T-there's no way...!"
"Hehehe... you're usually so clueless, I just can't keep up with you sometimes."
Rubia, having pulled away from the hug, tugged at my cheeks with a playful smile.
"And that's what I like about you."
Her face, looking at me now, was filled with happiness.
It almost felt...
Like Rubia was the one flirting with me...
"Well then, shall we get on with our errands?"
Rubia released my cheek and once again held out her hand to me.
Even though I've always held her hand without a second thought...
For some reason, today...
I'm a bit more conscious of it.
It's all because of that smile earlier.
So annoying.
* * * *
"Oh! You're here!"
Hephaestus was waiting for us, having finished her preparations.
"The carriage...!"
"You found a really nice one."
Behind her was a clean, modest carriage with two horses.
One of them was the annoying horse we rode in on.
The other was smaller and seemed gentler.
Our luggage and Hephaestus' belongings were neatly stacked beside the carriage.
"Did you organize everything by yourself, Hephaestus?"
"Yes! I had nothing else to do while I was waiting!"
"Why did you do it all alone..."
"Oh, it's fine! This much is nothing! Now, please get on, unnis."
With a bright smile, Hephaestus bowed playfully, imitating some kind of butler.
"Pfft... You're pretty good at that."
"I saw it in a play once and thought I'd try it out! Was it convincing?!"
"Yes. It felt very natural."
With a light laugh, Rubia approached Hephaestus with an easy stride.
"And... um... there's something I want to tell you, Hephaestus..."
Rubia glanced at me with a subtle look.
Then she leaned in close and whispered so only the two of us could hear.
"Noah, why don't you say it?"
"M-me...?"
"Yes. It was your idea, after all. Wouldn't it be nice to show a little maturity?"
"I-I don't want to act like an 'unni'..."
"Well then, don't think of it as being an unni, but rather as showing Hephaestus your cool side. You've heard the rumors about how scary you are, right? Hephaestus might be afraid of you. It would help ease her worries."
I glanced over at Hephaestus.
She was staring at us with a curious expression, clearly eager to know what we were talking about.
Hmm...
My cool side...
The Red Beast that tears through demons...
If she only knows that side of me, and she's seen me kill monsters...
She might really be scared of me...
"And who knows? She might even become a new friend."
"A... new friend...?"
A new friend, besides Hermilla and Rubia...?
A new friend...!
"Ahem...! Uh... He-Hephaestus."
"Yes?!"
"I... well... we'll help you."
Hephaestus tilted her head in confusion.
"Help with what?"
"Helping you with whatever reason you're going to Karahan for... I don't know what it is, but... we'll help."
"W-what...?"
Hephaestus' voice trembled.
Ugh... now I'm getting nervous too.
"W-we'll help you reach the top of Karahan—! Uh... oops..."
Oh no! My voice cracked!
"B-but why...?"
"Ahem... because you helped us, Hephaestus... It's... it's to repay our debt."
I tapped the greatsword hanging at my waist.
"Since I don't have money... I'll repay you with my body."
Hephaestus' face contorted, laughing and crying at the same time.
Her expression... was hilariously awkward.
"You know... if you keep laughing and crying like that... hair will start growing on your— Ack...!?"
"Don't joke like that..."
Rubia jabbed me in the side and whispered sharply.
I wasn't joking...
I was serious...
"Hic... S-so... it's too dangerous...! You got hurt so badly during the fight in Roholan..."
Hmm...
Right now, I'm older than Hephaestus, and...
I need to show her a cool, dependable side...
Even if I don't like it, I don't have a choice...
I walked up to Hephaestus and gently wiped away her tears.
Then I puffed out my chest, tapping it confidently as I spoke.
"You saw how strong I am, right? So... just trust your unni...!"
Hephaestus, who had stopped crying, stared blankly at me for a moment.
Then, with a loud sob, she suddenly lunged forward and hugged me tightly.
But because she's so much taller than me, I was practically being lifted off the ground.
I was barely standing on my toes...
This is exhausting...
"H-H-Hephaestus...?"
"Aaaaah! T-thank you... I was so scared... really scared... I thought I was going to die... I might really die... I was so scared—hic... thank you, unni... really, thank you... huu..."
Hephaestus started sobbing uncontrollably, her tears and snot flowing freely.
And all of it was soaking into my clothes...
I just washed these today...!!!
Ugh...!!
Left with no choice, I reached out with one hand and gently patted Hephaestus on the back.
"Mm... just trust me. I'll protect you. So... let's stop crying, okay?"
"Waaah!"
Oh my god...
She's crying even harder now.
And now she's drooling too...
I turned my head, sending a desperate look to Rubia for help.
But Rubia just stared at me with a displeased expression.
"Kyaaa!! Noah unniiiiii!!!"
"O-okay... I'm... your unni..."
I'm going to lose my mind...