The Great Sword is not the Main Body!-Chapter 119: Heresy (3)

[You might want to see me, right, Noah?]

"Ugh... uh, ah..."

"You can speak casually."

"Yeah...? But, just now..."

[Noah, you didn’t really not want to see me, did you? Was I the only one who wanted to see you? Have you forgotten all the time 'we' spent together?]

"Yeah...? Time together...? No, that... that..."

I awkwardly stood between the crystal orb on the table and Rubia, taking a step toward the table—

"Noah. It’s really fine."

Before stepping away, I took another step toward Rubia.

[It’s fine, really. ‘We’ haven’t seen each other in so long, and you won’t even let me talk? The priestess I know isn’t that narrow-minded or lacking in understanding, so come closer.]

"Is... is that so?"

A step toward the table.

"Exactly. Noah. ‘We’ are always together. From the moment I close my eyes at night to when I open them in the morning, even when I go to the bathroom, we’re almost always together. Every once in a while, we meet with Hermila, and talking to her is really fine."

A step toward Rubia.

[As I heard earlier... looks like it’s not just a normal relationship?]

Hermila's voice had become even more friendly.

"Of course. We’re very close."

"Ugh, ah... Rubia...!"

[Is that so? But when Rubia first saw Noah, I remember she wasn’t too happy about it.]

"...No way."

[Oh, was it my misunderstanding? She seemed to have a bad expression at that time. Our Noah... When I kept telling her to understand that I had only recently started my adventuring days, she sighed deeply and nodded.]

"...Was it? I don’t... quite remember."

Rubia’s breath began to shake.

[Well, after going through so many things, I suppose it’s understandable to forget. Also, generally, the victim’s memories tend to stay longer than the perpetrator’s... no, no. Heh, I’ve been too excited from meeting you again. Sorry.]

"It’s fine. Don’t worry about it. Heh."

And then silence.

What... what is this...?

We were talking about such important, decisive things just now, right?

I was so nervous that I wanted to kiss Rubia immediately. But this tense atmosphere...?

It feels like everyone is smiling, but... why does it feel scary?

In the ensuing silence, I trembled and made my way to the chair next to Rubia.

Then—

"Ah, by the way, Noah."

Rubia’s words broke the heavy silence.

"Last night, are you feeling better from where I accidentally bit you too hard? You had trouble wearing your underwear, right?"

"...Ugh."

[...Ahahaha.]

"Would you like some ointment?"

Hiccup-

The words that almost made me lose my mind caused me to start hiccuping.

With that, I turned and slowly climbed onto Rubia's lap, sitting down carefully.

Once I did, the dark shadow that had been on Rubia’s face faded, and a warm smile appeared.

[Cough... cough. Well... I’m glad to hear you’re doing well.]

"Yes. It seems Hermila is doing well too."

[Oh, yes! Everything’s the same as usual. Well, I've been a bit busy lately. Heh heh.]

"I see."

Rubia, who had been stroking my belly with her left hand and my thigh with her right, stopped and said in a slightly more serious tone.

"So, what’s going on here? Hermila?"

That’s right. I’m curious about this too.

Hermila... was just a receptionist at a small village’s guild, wasn’t she?

How did she end up in contact with Shirin and seem so close to her?

[Hmm... it’s complicated to explain where to start.]

Hermila replied in her usual soft voice, then fell silent for a moment before continuing.

[First, you know about the Challengers, right?]

Her voice now held a bit more weight.

[You’ve met Yuria among them.]

And then—

[Also, the one who became a new challenger, Lucci.]

"...Yeah."

[How was it?]

I immediately understood who the question was directed at and what it was asking.

Gripping Rubia’s hand tightly, I slowly began to speak.

"She laughed. Brightly... She laughed and scolded me... And she was incredibly strong."

Honestly, if I were to fight the Lucci from before now... I would never win.

The Lucci before she died... the Lucci who had cut down the world...

She was too strong for me to even dream of beating.

[I see.]

A small sigh escaped Hermila’s voice.

[You’ve been through a lot. And thank you, Noah.]

"Yes..."

[Whew... yes. We don’t have much time, so let’s skip the details and get to the main point. To put it simply, ‘we’ are here to help you. To be precise, the groundwork has already been done.]

"...What do you mean?"

[There’s a hunting party that Erden doesn’t know about, in both Ursphere and Cartia. It’s small, but they are skilled.]

"When did this happen...? But, the information Shirin prepared was only discovered two days ago... How?"

Hermila laughed as though she had expected the question.

[Remember when we met Juur in Rohallan?]

"Juur... Ah."

[We used her abilities. We’ve placed people in every major city for situations like this. Thanks to that, we could prepare quickly.]

"Ah... So, the evacuation of the residents is unavoidable?"

[Yes. The evacuation isn’t possible, but we can set up barriers to protect them. We’ve brought a well-known magician to Ursphere, but since Rubia is in Cartia, we didn’t need to do the same there.]

"Right... Haha... You’ve even figured out my abilities. You really are thorough."

[Heh, it’s just what I do.]

Hermila. She’s just a regular receptionist, right?

No, wait... she seems incredibly capable?

"Ha... really... I’m so relieved."

Rubia, having absorbed all of Hermila’s words, let out a sigh of relief and slumped in her chair.

I felt Rubia’s body against mine, smiling happily as I leaned my greatsword against the table, then changed my position and hugged Rubia tightly.

That short sigh of relief from her felt so good.

That sigh made me realize how big of a decision Rubia had made.

It reminded me that, despite all the worries she had, I was the one she treasured the most.

Still, the fact that she wouldn’t let go of me even after everything made me feel so loved.

This chapt𝓮r is updat𝒆d by ƒreeωebnovel.ƈom.

I couldn’t bear to show my face.

I hid the pounding of my heart, not wanting to reveal the trembling breath.

"Hehe..."

"How is Juur doing?"

Rubia, gently patting my head, continued the conversation.

[Of course. She’s doing very well. The rebuilding of Hablon is progressing smoothly. Last time, she was so worried because she lost contact with you, Rubia. But it’s a relief that Princess Charlotte was nearby. Well... Charlotte ended up losing contact too.]

"Ah, right. Heh heh. I think it got cut off during the battle with the Master. We all nearly died."

[Yes. I’ve heard all sorts of news, including that. Do you know how much my heart drops every time I hear about you, Noah?]

If you are reading this translation anywhere other than Novelight.net or SilkRoadTL, it has been stolen.

"Y-Yes...? Really...?"

[Such a pure and innocent kid... no, not anymore. Noah, you’ve killed thousands of monsters, defeated Carpen, killed the Master, and now you’ve even cut through an avalanche and defeated Tylant... Do you know how much that shocked me? And now, they’re calling you a heretic, a heretic. Ugh...]

Hermila’s sigh, as if genuinely concerned, echoed.

"Ugh... I... thank you for worrying..."

[Yes. I’m grateful that Noah is alive. And thank you, Rubia, for protecting Noah.]

After pausing to catch her breath, Rubia stood up again and straightened her posture.

"Noah protected me... Ugh, so then we can leave Ursphere to you?"

[Yes. If the White Disaster doesn’t appear in Cartia, the people there will come right away. Rubia and Noah. And Ser will also join, right?]

"Of course."

[That’s fine then. They can hold out for at least five days. So, for the next week until the plan is finalized, rest easy. We’ve already figured out a way to sneak into Cartia without the order knowing. And once you defeat the White Disaster, Noah’s heretic status will be buried. Rubia won’t just sit still either, right? You won’t be able to remove the heretic title, but at least you won’t be opposed by the residents.]

Rubia, now smiling wryly as if in disbelief, shook her head.

"Really, there’s no end to this. I feel like I’m becoming dumber. Heh heh..."

[Oh, we’re not the bad guys here.]

"People... People. Did you handle all the support coming from the Central Guild to Noah?"

[Well... Heh, I’m not sure about that. At least, it wasn’t something I did?]

"It’s definitely your doing."

Rubia, exhaling sharply, asked in a slightly stern tone.

"Excuse me, but can I ask you a few things? Are you hostile to Erden?"

[Yes.]

The answer came immediately, without hesitation.

"What is your goal as the Challengers?"

[To save the world.]

"Do you think it’s possible?"

[Not right now. I would say ‘no.’ But, if we look at the future... I believe it will be possible.]

"...Will you do anything to achieve your goal?"

[Yes. I will definitely achieve it. Even if I have to sell my soul, I will.]

With a response that carried a hint of madness, Rubia, after a brief pause, slowly spoke.

"Did you find Noah on purpose?"

"...Yes...? Rubia, what do you mean ➤ NоvеⅠight ➤ (Read more on our source) by—"

[...No. It wasn’t intentional. It was a coincidence.]

"I see... Then, my last question. Hermila, what exactly are you?"

[I'm the receptionist for the adventurer guild in Albura village.]

"...Stop joking and answer me seriously."

[Hmm... Well, I’m not sure how to explain it.]

Tap— Tap—

[The alias given to me by those who follow me is...]

The sound of tapping on the table came from the orb, and Hermila spoke.

[The First Challenger.]