The Great Sword is not the Main Body!-Chapter 96: Carthia (2)

It's cold.

A dagger flies into my chest, embedding itself.

But don’t worry.

My hands are faster than my eyes.

A bite of peach jelly in Rubia’s mouth.

Slurp-

“Heh, heh... Rubia...”

Rubia’s head slowly turns toward me.

“Is... is it good?”

“I’m not in the mood for jokes, Noah.”

Clank-clank-

“Ugh...”

The rattling carriage seems to reflect the turmoil inside me.

After finishing the conversation with Charlotte, we met with Yuria and Hephaestus, said our goodbyes, and notified Ruebege.

We left Ursphere immediately and set off for Cartia.

It’s a shame we couldn’t see the fireworks festival, but the moment I heard about the artifacts that Shirin left behind, I couldn’t stay any longer.

The news that Ser was slowly dying due to a terrible curse, and that only Rubia could break the curse, was enough.

He also asked for an explanation of the other things we were curious about.

After hearing that, Rubia, without hesitation, began packing her things, saying that she had to help Ser.

Whether she had a close relationship with Ser, or whether there was another reason, I don’t know.

“Well... where do you think we are...?”

“Well, I’m not sure either, Noah.”

“I... I see...”

And... Rubia was incredibly angry.

From the time we finished talking with Charlotte until now.

She hasn’t said a word for three days.

She was talking and laughing brightly with everyone else, but not a single word to me.

No, she did say something...

A question asking what kind of relationship we had.

I couldn’t answer that question.

Not because I didn’t understand what it meant, but because I didn’t want to.

I couldn’t imagine being in that kind of relationship with Rubia.

It’s a lie to say I never thought about it...

Maybe I hesitated.

If such a deep relationship lasted forever, of course, that would be wonderful. But thinking about the end... starting it would be terrifying.

I know it’s strange to think about the end before even starting it.

But... I can’t help it.

However... I also don’t want to remain just friends with Rubia.

I keep feeling greedy.

I want to be closer, to share more, and trust deeper.

I want every first experience Rubia goes through to be with me alone.

Whether happy, sad, gloomy, angry, or joyful.

I want her to feel it all with me.

More than anything...

When I imagine Rubia laughing with someone other than me... I could cry right now.

Just like the words I said to Rubia.

Just like the words Rubia said to me.

I want to be the closest relationship until one of us dies.

It’s hard.

It’s hard, frustrating.

I just... want to rip my brain out and squeeze it, open my chest and beat my heart.

“Hoo...”

I can’t keep delaying the answer forever.

I don’t want to delay it either...

If I just answer lightly, everything will end well, but I don’t want to do that.

I want to answer sincerely.

So... I need a little more time to think.

I exhaled a shaky breath, stood up from my seat, and plopped down next to Rubia.

Rubia flinched slightly, but I didn’t hesitate and hooked my arm around her.

“Rubia... do you... do you... like me?”

“Yes.”

At the answer with no hesitation, I burst out laughing.

“Is... is this funny?”

“No, no... it’s just... I like you...”

Rubia’s stiff mouth twitched.

A small smile that could only be felt through the focused sense on Rubia, invisible to normal eyes.

Yes.

I like this Rubia.

“...Heh, do you think I’ll like you if you say that? Are you just going to brush it off again—”

“I like you too, Rubia.”

“...Huh?”

Rubia’s smile disappeared.

In its place, confusion and anticipation filled the air.

“It’s not enough to just say I like you. This is... a much... deeper feeling.”

My face is burning.

It feels like all the heat in my body is gathered in my face.

It feels like hot steam is rising from my ears...

I’m so embarrassed and ashamed that I wrapped my arms around Rubia and buried my face in her chest.

“But... I need more time to think.”

“Huh? What do you mean...?”

“It’s not bad. It’s definitely going to be... good. I also want to get closer to you, Rubia. I want to do more things with you... and I want you to look at me... only me.”

Rubia’s body began to tremble violently.

No... is this my body trembling?

I don’t know...

“I want... all of Rubia’s firsts to be with me.”

I tilted my head slightly and smiled bashfully.

“My firsts... I hope they’re all with you, Rubia.”

I raised the arm that had been around her waist and cupped Rubia’s face.

“So... just, just wait a little longer. I’ll give you the answer you want.”

And then, I pulled her close.

“Okay...?”

I kissed her on the cheek.

“Damn...”

Thump-thump-thump-thump-

It feels like my heart is beating in my brain.

No, it feels like it’s beating all over my body.

The breath I’m exhaling is hot.

I’m shaking, dizzy.

Embarrassing, so embarrassing.

I lowered my head and ran away into Rubia’s arms.

My chest is blocked, and it’s awkward, but still... it’s covered, so it’s fine.

“W-will you wait...?”

“...Of course.”

“Heh, heh... t-thank you.”

“But there’s a condition.”

“A condition...?”

Rubia lifted my chin.

“Do that again, on my lips.”

“Huh...?”

“If you don’t do it, I won’t wait for you.”

“You’re so mean!”

“Do you know who’s being mean right now?”

“Ugh... okay...”

I lifted the hands that were around her waist and cupped Rubia’s face again.

It would be easier if I had my greatsword.

But if I knew Rubia’s expression... my face would really explode, so I gave up.

“Ugh... Hoo...”

After feeling for Rubia’s lips with my thumb, I slowly pulled my arms back.

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And, I couldn’t kiss her.

Pfft- Noah... what are you doing right now?

“Eh... uh... this isn’t it...”

“I asked for a kiss on my lips, not a nose-to-nose touch.”

Right... our noses bumped, and my lips couldn’t reach hers...

I froze in that position, too embarrassed, and Rubia’s hand grabbed mine.

“If that was acting, Noah, you’re a genius at seducing people.”

“It’s not acting! I... I’ve never done it before... I didn’t know...”

“This is... genius in a different way.”

“Huh...? No, I’m really innocent— Ugh...”

With the words “Kisses are tilted towards the face.” she kissed me.

Soft and warm.

Rubia’s lips, carrying the taste of peach.

That sensation, that feeling.

It felt similar to the jelly I had eaten.

I stuck out my tongue slightly, licking Rubia’s lips.

Going deeper.

It brushed against her hard teeth.

The gums, with the lingering peach scent, and the sweet back of her lips.

At that moment, Rubia, who had been squirming intensely, pushed me away.

“What... what... what... what the hell was that?!”

Rubia, who was stuttering even more than me, made me laugh. I licked the sensation still lingering on my lips and giggled.

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“It’s delicious... Hehe.”

Two days after I confessed my feelings to Rubia.

Finally, we arrived at Cartia, the last destination for the assignment.

Just because the job was over, I wouldn’t part ways with Rubia, but still... something about it felt... unsettling.

“Phew! Finally, we’ve arrived.”

Rubia opened the carriage door filled with the rich scent of peach, speaking in a refreshed voice.

“...I see...”

I... I was exhausted, unlike Rubia.

I picked up the greatsword lying on the floor, straightened my clothes, and stepped out of the carriage.

The first thing I saw was the long line of people undergoing inspection to enter Cartia.

Next, the size of the wall, as large as Ursphere.

No, maybe it’s even bigger...

But didn’t they say Cartia was a village?

“Uh, it’s huge...? Wasn’t it a village...?”

“Heh, heh... it’s pretty big for a village, isn’t it?”

“It’s even bigger than Ursphere...”

“Not all of that city is Cartia. The small piece of land at the center of the city, where no one can enter, is Cartia.”

What does that even mean...?

“The land is... Cartia? It’s not a village...? Huh?”

“It’s also called the Holy Land of Cartia. It’s unrelated to Erden, but it’s definitely called a holy land.”

“You’re so difficult. Uh... so, what’s the name of this city?”

“Cartia. Heh heh.”

I tilted my head, still not understanding the explanation, and Rubia continued, patting the unlucky horse she had brought along.

“Well, the name Cartia comes from a savior who worked in the Age of Chaos. Her real name was ‘Cartia Frey.’ But since the pronunciation was hard in that era, it’s now called Cartia.”

“The Age of Chaos...? A savior?”

“Yes. I don’t believe in it. In that time, dragons and many other fantasy species lived here. There were ◆ Nоvеlіgһt ◆ (Only on Nоvеlіgһt) many spirits who had disappeared now, and there was even a spirit king. Well... it’s the kind of story you’d find in fairy tales.”

Dragons... Though it hasn’t been revealed in this era yet, they surely exist.

The sealed ancient dragon, Sirinias.

The spirit king also certainly exists.

“Putting that aside, there’s a legend that Noah might find interesting.”

“A legend? What is it...?”

“It’s a legend that the sword used by the savior, Cartia Frey, is hidden somewhere in Cartia.”

“Oh, ohh... but as you know, Rubia, I can’t use anything other than a greatsword...?”

Rubia, who had stopped petting the horse, spun around to face me.

“Cartia Frey used a greatsword. A greatsword just like Noah’s, very heavy and thick.”

“Wow...”

This... this isn’t in the game at all.

Wait, is it because I didn’t watch the story?

No, I had all the knowledge related to greatswords...

“What do you think? We still have two days until Shirin is supposed to come, should we take a look around?”

“Y-yeah! But... wait, isn’t it hard to get into Cartia? D-don’t tell me we’re sneaking in...? You can’t do that...”

Rubia, who approached with a grin, reached out her hand.

“Noah, do you not know who I am?”

“Mu... Priestess...”

“That’s right.”

Then, before I could grab her hand, she snatched it away and smiled mischievously.

“Who would dare stop me?”