The Great Sword is not the Main Body!-Chapter 59: Karahan (5)

"Hephaestus. Calm down first."

Hoo... Sigh... Hoo...

Mariel looked completely panicked, and I felt the same.

The plant that the criminal organization cherished and grew was a plant created by Hephaestus's teacher...

Of course, when I thought of Yuria from the game, I knew she wasn't someone who could be kidnapped by such a trivial crime organization.

That means...

Either Yuria has suffered something terrible from a very powerful being, or...

Yuria is involved with that organization...

Furthermore, the fact that the organization members know the plant’s properties by removing its leaves and taking them to the boss...

"It’s fine. Now... you can ask the questions you want."

Hephaestus, who had calmed down considerably, spoke with a determined expression.

"Yeah, you’ve had a hard time. So, you’re saying that the Eliximona you know and the description of the plant Mariel gave are exactly the same?"

"Yeah. That’s right... I’m sure of it. Every time our teacher went somewhere far, she would move the plant into a portable pot. I remember it clearly. Also... she took it with her during this mission..."

Rubia nodded slightly after hearing Hephaestus’s words.

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"Eliximona... Eliximona. Definitely a plant I’ve never heard of before. Do you know what the leaves do?"

"No... I just know that it’s impressive, but I’m not sure of its exact effects..."

Hephaestus’s voice grew softer, and soon he lowered his head, trailing off.

Rubia also looked thoughtful, tapping her chin as she seemed deep in thought.

Then, an unbearable silence filled the air.

And I was the one to break it.

"Then... should we go back to Ursphere... now...?"

Suddenly, the eyes of everyone turned toward me, and I froze...

There are only three of them!

Can’t I even say something between the three of us!?

But... everyone looks so serious... What if they get mad at me...?

"Ugh..."

I mumbled while hunching my shoulders, when Rubia gently took my hand in hers.

"Noah, it’s okay, just keep talking."

Rubia’s warmth seemed to loosen up my body a bit.

"Ha... Hoo... Um, how about we go to Ursphere? Mariel... if you ran away, it means... we don’t even know the exact location... but... maybe not...!"

"Certainly... That might be the case. Mariel, do you know roughly where you ran from?"

After hearing my words, Rubia turned her head towards Mariel, raising her voice slightly.

Mariel flinched in surprise, then opened her mouth.

"Ah... Yes, if we go to Ursphere, I can tell you... but..."

"Yes. You just need to take us close to the area. We’ll handle the rest. Right, Noah?"

Huh?

Suddenly, me?

I tilted my head, and Rubia whispered softly.

"Can you see inside the building with your sense?"

"Ah...! Yes, I can...!"

Rubia’s a genius?

She’s definitely a genius!

"So, Mariel, you just need to tell us the location and then go to a safe place. You can go to a temple or hospital if you like."

"Alright... I understand. I’ll tell you."

Mariel clenched her fists tightly and nodded.

At the same time, Hephaestus, looking a little better, lifted his head.

"But we can’t head down immediately. Let’s rest well tonight and leave early tomorrow morning."

"Yeah. Got it... But, but... what if—"

"Hephaestus. It’s fine. You said you wouldn’t worry."

"Well, that’s true... huh-"

"It’s fine. Nothing will go wrong. So let’s sleep well tonight and talk again tomorrow."

Rubia gently held my hand with one hand, and patted Hephaestus’s shoulder with the other.

She looked like a kind saint.

"Rubia... thank you so much. Really..."

"It’s nothing. Now go wash up. You’ll have a swollen face if you don’t wash up by tomorrow morning."

"Yeah... I got it."

As Hephaestus trudged off towards the water basin, Rubia’s head turned towards Mariel.

"Mariel, we still have things to ask, but for now, you should sleep. You’ll need energy to move tomorrow morning. We have a lot of luggage, so it will be tough, but you’ll have to walk with us until the entrance."

"Ah, yes. I understand."

Mariel stood up with a bit of effort and headed toward where Hephaestus was.

And now Rubia’s head turned towards me.

I couldn’t help but laugh as I saw Rubia, who was so busy.

"Noah? Do you have something good... going on?"

"Hehe... Ah, well... No, it’s just... Rubia being busy... it’s funny..."

"I have a headache, and my neck hurts... Are you saying I look funny?"

With a voice full of mischief, Rubia immediately pinched my cheek tightly.

"Mmmph! Ah, stop it—"

"Heheh— Ew, you’re so ugly. Noah, get ready and go to sleep. We have to wake up early tomorrow morning."

She let go of ✪ Nоvеlіgһt ✪ (Official version) my cheek and patted my backside.

"Well, I’ll brush my teeth first... and then I’ll be back."

"Alright. Go ahead."

Rubia waved her hand and walked slowly toward the luggage bag.

I think I heard Rubia mumbling to herself on her way...

It’s not like I can see ghosts...

There’s no cellphone in this world, so... maybe it’s just my imagination?

As Rubia said, we woke up early in the morning and quickly packed up to head to Ursphere.

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Since Mariel was a non-combatant, her stamina was a bit weak, so our speed was slower, but we managed to reach the entrance before sunset.

The first climb of the Karahan... ended a bit anticlimactically compared to my expectations.

"It’s still noisy here."

Hephaestus looked around with a sharp tone.

"Mm... Yeah..."

I also looked around.

Unlike Hephaestus, I didn’t feel resentment... I was just hungry...

I didn’t eat a meal because we rushed down, and my stomach was growling...

But the atmosphere felt so heavy, I couldn’t even bring myself to ask for food...

I just silently walked, holding my growling stomach.

Then,

"So, what should we do now? Should we go right away? Or rest and go in the morning?"

Rubia asked about the next plan.

"Logically speaking, it’s better to rest and then go when we’re in better condition. But..."

"...I... I think so too."

Hephaestus bit his lip and lowered his head.

He probably wants to go find it as soon as possible...

"I’m fine with whatever."

Mariel said she’d agree to anything...

Rubia and Hephaestus both turned towards me.

"Uh, ugh... Ah..."

"Speak freely, Noah. Honestly, even though I’ve been talking, your opinion matters the most."

"Yeah...?"

"If an unexpected situation happens, the first person who will face the enemies is... you, Noah. Of course, I’ll handle it if I can, but..."

Hmm... that’s true.

I quietly expanded my perception and looked carefully at Hephaestus’s expression.

His face was contorted, his lips pressed tight as if holding something back.

If...

If I were in that situation...

If Rubia were kidnapped...

"We’ll go now..."

No more thinking.

"Huh? Are you okay, sis...?"

"Instead..."

Hephaestus’s expression brightened a little, then quickly darkened again.

This is embarrassing to say...

I gripped the hilt tightly and, while my lips moved,

A growl echoed down the street.

Hephaestus tilted his head. Rubia had a look of disbelief but also amusement...

Mariel... Mariel’s expression was... anxious?

"Let’s eat first... I... I’m so hungry..."

"Oh, right. We haven’t eaten yet..."

It was then that Hephaestus realized we hadn’t had a proper meal.

"Yeah. We should eat first..."

Rubia was still smiling.

Mariel... smiled?

Very faintly.

Her expression didn’t show it, but the slight movement of her muscles formed a tiny smile.

"Sorry to interrupt, but... may I go to the bathroom...?"

Mariel, who had just erased all her previous expressions, looked embarrassed and spoke up.

Something feels off...

"Ah, yes. Go ahead."

"Then I—"

"Hephaestus, should we check out a restaurant or something?"

Rubia interrupted Hephaestus, who was heading towards the bathroom, and grabbed his shoulder to stop him.

"Uh...? Sis...? Ah, no, I’m just..."

"Noah, do you want to come with me?"

"Huh...? Uh, uh..."

There was... pressure in her expression.

It felt like I had no choice but to agree. My head nodded involuntarily.

"Alright. Mariel, we’ll stay around here and look around."

"Ah, yes. I’ll be right back."

As Mariel disappeared, Rubia smiled kindly.

"Everyone. Listen closely."

Once Mariel was gone, Rubia’s expression turned grim.

"Hephaestus’s teacher is definitely not in the Red Scorpion’s hideout. The chance of Eliximona being there is also very low."

"Huh? What...?"

"Don’t ask questions right now. Listen to me first. And this."

Rubia took a small stone out of her pocket.

"Uh...?"

It was the location-tracking artifact taken from Mariel’s stomach.

But didn’t they say it would break?

"It’s not one that’s activated remotely. It’s one that she has to activate herself."

"Eh...?"

"Ugh...?"

After a brief pause to catch her breath, Rubia continued.

"Up until this point, I thought it was fine, but when I saw her... she started rubbing her stomach. It was like she was looking for something."

With her eyes closed, Rubia ground her teeth quietly.

"That bitch... I’m sure it’s the Red Scorpion. No, I’m certain."

"Huh... sis...?"

Hephaestus’s voice faltered, but through the silence, Rubia muttered something barely audible.

"How dare they touch what’s mine? I’ll tear them apart and kill them."

Rubia’s face was fierce—her demonic expression turned toward me.

"Shh..."