The Great Sword is not the Main Body!-Chapter 18: Loholan Village (1)

"With those guys...! Who am I closer to? Whom... who am I closer with?!"

"Sigh... yeah, well... I kinda expected this. It’s not the first time. I’m not surprised anymore. Nope. Really not."

Ailyn, sitting on the bed, mumbled to herself, her head lowered.

Scary...

Something’s off with Ailyn since we woke up.

Was my fainting from the blood loss that shocking?

Hmm... Maybe, I guess?

But it’s not that serious.

This happened before, actually.

It was probably when I first felt Giga Sense.

The information and the terrain pouring into my head were so amazing that I passed out from trying to extend it too far.

I’m lucky that Hermeela found me then... or else I might have been killed by the monsters.

Hermeela’s really my savior! Not in some indirect way, but literally a savior!

"So, who am I closer to?"

Nod-

"Of course..."

It must be me, right?

It’s me!

I made the effort to get close first!

I’m the one who reached out!

"Well..."

Uh.

Uh...

My mouth hung open.

I couldn't close it.

"Well, huh...? Why, why?"

Ailyn crossed her arms and fiddled with her lips.

"You know, Noah... you seem to be hiding so much from me. If you have too many secrets, it’s hard to be friends."

Secrets...?

"I-I don’t have any secrets..."

"Really?"

Hmm... If I told her I was actually a guy... or that I came from another world... or that this world is a game...

She wouldn't believe any of it.

She'd probably think I’m completely insane.

So, I can't say that.

"Yeah..."

"Hmm. I see. If that’s the case..."

But.

Hearing "well..." like that really hurts.

I thought we had gotten close...

Even though I can’t cook... I tried making breakfast... and I even brewed coffee.

It was bad, so I practiced many times, and even though I messed it up, I forced myself to drink it!

And that coffee made my heart race like crazy, nearly driving me insane!

On top of that, I hunted monsters to keep Ailyn safe!

My nose feels tight.

My eyes are burning...

Living alone in this remote place...

Unable to speak properly, with only Hermeela as a friend...

And now Ailyn’s acting like this... Really...

"But... hic... I... I’m your... friend, right? I didn’t call you sister... sniff... that’s... why... hic... but... but..."

It’s so unfair...

This isn’t my tears...

It’s the tears of this body...

Really...

"Uh, Noah...? Let’s calm down a bit..."

"A-Ailyn... hic... I... I can’t... brew coffee... or... cook... hic... so... th-there’s that..."

"No, no... it’s not about that. For now..."

I want to talk.

But my body’s twitching, and my diaphragm’s twitching too, so I can’t speak.

"Ugh... uuugh! Hic! A-Ailyn...!!"

Sigh... Fine, fine, alright.

Ailyn sighed and spread her arms wide.

I turned my head quickly.

I won’t go.

I don’t want to.

She said we’re not close.

I like Hermeela, who likes me.

Now, I don’t like Ailyn.

She always sets the mood.

Just nags...

"Hm... Don’t want to? Really?"

Ailyn’s arms swayed gently.

Am I... like a puppy running when a toy is shaken in front of me?

"S-Sorry... hic... I-I won’t... go..."

Absolutely not.

I’m not going.

"If you hug me, I was going to buy you those sugar apples you wanted earlier... It’s a pity."

This devilish Ailyn...!

You think I’m gonna fall for that obvious temptation?!

"I was also going to buy the jelly we saw next to the apples."

I dropped my greatsword and leapt into Ailyn’s arms.

Maybe I jumped too hard, because Ailyn fell backward.

"I-I did it for the jelly, not... because of... it..."

"Yeah, I know. I get it. You’re a grown-up, right?"

"Heh... you’re right... heh..."

Ailyn’s warm hand gently stroked my head and back.

"Are you calm now?"

"Yes..."

"Of course, I’m closer to you than them. They just help, so I thank them for it."

"R-Really...?"

"Of course."

Ailyn stopped stroking my head and pulled me into a tighter hug.

It was a little hard to breathe, but the fresh scent of Ailyn, who had just bathed, was comforting, so I stayed still.

"Now that you’re calmed down... should we start again?"

"Yes."

"Should we talk like this, or sit face to face?"

"Uhm... um..."

Ailyn smiled softly.

Her hair brushed across my face, making me itch.

"We can talk like this. You don’t mind, do you?"

Nod-

It felt too shy to answer.

"I’ll start. It’s really important, so you need to listen carefully. Alright?"

Nod-

"I’m doing all this because I want to get closer to you..."

Nod, nod-

I nodded more forcefully.

"Heh... good. So, where should I start?"

Ailyn sighed deeply and began picking her words slowly.

"Uhm... Noah."

"Yes?"

"My real name isn’t Ailyn."

"Wh-what?"

I pulled away from Ailyn’s embrace slightly.

"W-What do you mean...?"

"I’m sorry for deceiving you. My real name is Lubyia. I’m the priestess of Erden, Lubyia."

Ugh... I remember her name so well, even though I’ve mostly forgotten [Black Sun]'s story.

She was the main character of [Black Sun].

The priestess Lubyia, who served the Sun Goddess Lilith.

The priestess Lubyia, who was supposed to save the world.

And the priestess Lubyia, who fled from the world’s salvation.

Though I don’t recall the full details of her story, her face is something I’ll never forget.

She was incredibly, incredibly, incredibly beautiful.

Such a stunning beauty... my friend...?

Ah.

Now, I’m not the "[Black Sun]'s 8th-year veteran Shin Noah."

I’ll be called "[Black Sun]'s friend Lubyia Shin Noah."

If we’re laying like this in each other’s arms, then we must be close. Heh.

"Noah...?"

Oh, right.

I should answer.

But how should I respond?

"R-Really?"

"Yes...?"

"I see...!"

Ailyn tilted her head, clearly confused.

"Uh... hmm...? I’m not overthinking, but... um... am I really that famous as a priestess?"

"Ohhh...!"

"The priestess who’s supposed to save the world..."

"That’s amazing...!"

Clap clap clap-

"..."

"..."

The quiet silence in the room deepened.

"Noah."

"Yes...?"

"I told you I’m a priestess."

"Yes."

"I’m the one who’s supposed to save the world."

"Wow, that’s amazing!"

"The crazy goddess gave me a prophecy."

"Heh... Lubyia... You should use better words..."

"When the balance of the world breaks, the end will come. This end will burn everything, and in the end, it’ll return everything to the way it was."

"Evil villains...!"

"But, if I sacrifice myself, I can stop the end and save the world. If I die, this damned world will be saved."

Hmm... um... That sounds like it was really tough...?

"Heh... nice words... beautiful words..."

"So, I ran ➤ NоvеⅠight ➤ (Read more on our source) away to avoid doing it."

"Mm... That must’ve been hard... You’ve gone through a lot."

I reached out and stroked Ailyn’s head.

Ailyn and Hermeela always did this for me.

I wonder if Ailyn feels a little comforted by this?

"You’ve worked hard..."

Pat pat-

"..."

Pat pat-

"......"

My arm’s starting to hurt...

"Hey, um... Lubyia."

"...Yes."

"It’s okay."

"What’s okay?"

Lubyia’s breath got heavier.

"If you’re tired, you can rest a little... You’ve been running nonstop. You’ve worked hard."

Pat pat-

Drip-

A warm liquid fell from her head.

"Heh... sniff... huh..."

It seemed like Lubyia’s tears.

Drip- Ugh, I think it’s snot...

Ugh, ugh...! I want to wipe it off, but... if I do, she might get hurt...?

"So... um, Lubyia, you can enjoy life a little more now. Visit beautiful places, eat delicious food... and... um... watch fun plays."

"I... I... will I be able to do that...?"

"Yes. It’s really okay."

I nodded, and Lubyia pulled me in tighter.

Ugh... I’m not a stuffed animal.

But still... she’s crying so much, I hugged her back.

Then, I gently patted her back.

"Noah... Noah...! I’m sorry... If I don’t save the world... in the end, you too... hic... you too..."

Lubyia kept crying, talking about the past.

Her parents’ death.

The peaceful village.

Being scammed.

And even the story of her dead younger brother.

I listened quietly and kept patting her back.

After some time, when Lubyia calmed down a bit, I tried to break the somber mood by opening my mouth.

"Uhm... should we go get some jelly?"

When things are tough, sweetness is the best.

"Fu, fuheh... huh... jelly...!"

Laugh or cry, pick one!

And... you can’t do that!

I promised I’d buy it earlier!!

"Lubyia, are you pretending not to know that I promised to buy the jelly when you changed your name from Ailyn to Lubyia?!"

"Heh... huu... it’s because of you, Noah... I’m losing my mind... huh... okay, fine, let’s go..."

"Ah, and Lubyia... I have something else to say..."

This may not be the best timing, but...

"I... What is it?"

"Don’t learn one-handed swords or polearms... learn a greatsword... romance is in the greatsword!"

"Heh... fuheh! Ah, a greatsword?"

"Yes!"

"Ugh... but what do I do? I can’t swing a greatsword; it’s too heavy. Heh... I’ll take your heart instead."

"Eh... but if you try, you can handle such a cool weapon too?!"

I pointed to where the greatsword might be.

But Lubyia shook her head.

"No, that kind of cool weapon doesn’t suit me. It suits you, Noah."

"Really...?"

"Of course. I’m weak, so a one-handed sword suits me."

"Hmm... I think so too."

Yeah. It definitely seems like it fits.

A tough greatsword suits me well.

I nodded, understanding it in my head.

And then a sudden pain shot through my head.

"Ah...! Why’d you hit me?!"

It was Ailyn’s flick.

"I’m hurt because you admitted it so quickly. I held back from giving you another flick."

Hah, this is ridiculous.

And unfair!

I looked up at Lubyia with the most wronged expression and moved my mouth.

"L-Lubyia... you said that earlier..."

"Still. That’s just how women are. Heh... though you’re a woman too."

Women are like that...?

It’s too complicated...

I rubbed my head and distanced myself from Lubyia.

"Forget it... I’m leaving now."

"But I haven’t heard your story yet?"

Ah...!

"What do you want to know...?"

"Well, I was really curious about it yesterday, but now that I think about it... I guess Noah could totally do that, so... Yeah, I guess I don’t mind not hearing it."

What is this?

Are you trying to mess with me?

You make me curious, and then...

"No... You can’t just mess with me after making me curious...!"

"Heh... It’s nothing much. I was going to ask about the survivor of Hablon... about Luchi, you knew her, right?"

Luchi?

Oh, right...

Lubyia was looking for Luchi...?

"U-uh... At that time, I was... my head hurt, and monsters were coming... I forgot."

"Yes. I believe you. I don’t think you hid it with bad intentions. It’s fine, it’s totally understandable, it’s Noah."

Lubyia, who had been a little farther from me, came closer again.

And she hugged me with both arms.

I feel like a stuffed animal now...

"Noah."

"Yes?"

After a brief silence, Lubyia took a deep breath and spoke slowly.

"I revealed that I’m a priestess... You’re not shocked?"

"What’s shocking...?"

"When others hear this, they’re shocked. But you didn’t react, so I was curious."

"Well, Ailyn’s name just changed to Lubyia, right? I’m a little upset you lied about your name..."

I awkwardly trailed off and shifted uncomfortably.

Then continued:

"Lubyia is Lubyia. Even if others call you a priestess or savior... you’re still Lubyia, my friend, after Hermeela."

"Really... You’re crazy."

Woosh

Lubyia hugged me tightly as if she was going to crush me.

Ugh...! I can’t breathe!

"Ugh...! Ughh!"

"Thank you. Really... thank you."

"Ugh..."

"Wait a minute. I’ll stay like this. Even if it’s hard to breathe, just bear with it. I love the smell of Noah... I want to smell it a bit longer."

Lubyia’s strange breath, her hot exhalations, tickled my scalp.

Now her legs have wrapped around me too.

I think something bad is going to happen if I stay like this!

I had to forcibly detach myself from Lubyia’s body.

"Ugh, ughhh...! Lubyia! W-will we go now? Jelly! Let’s go eat jelly!"

"Fuuh... yeah. Jelly... we should go."

Nod, nod-

I nodded eagerly and walked slowly back to where I had left the greatsword, grabbing the hilt.

As soon as I extended my Giga Sense, I felt Lubyia’s intense gaze.

"Lu, Lubyia...?"

This 𝓬ontent is taken from freeweɓnovel.cѳm.

"Yes?"

"Uh... never mind. Let’s go..."

I immediately turned and headed toward the door.

"Noah."

But... Lubyia’s voice, heavy with emotion, stopped me in my tracks.

"Why...?"

"Would you like to sleep by my side later?"

"No."

This is bad...

And... your tears and snot have soaked me!

I don’t want to!

Ailyn stood up and took a step toward me.

"I’ll buy you double the jelly."

"No..."

Two steps.

"I’ll buy you candy too."

"Oh, no..."

Three steps.

"I’ll buy you a week’s worth."

"Eugh... is that just for today...?"

Lubyia’s steps stopped.

"Yes."

Lubyia, who had been quiet for a moment, reached out her hand.

Huh?

What?

"Won’t you hold my hand?"

"Why... should I?"

Lubyia carefully approached me and whispered in my ear.

"There are rumors that a wicked wizard from the magic tower lives in this town."

"Heh... I’ll have to be careful..."

I reached out and grabbed Lubyia’s hand.

Her long fingers slipped through mine.

"Shall we hold hands like this, so the evil wizard doesn’t dissect your body?"

"Yes...!"

I nodded constantly and clenched her hand tightly.

"Heh... shall we go for jelly now?"

"Y-yes..."

Lubyia, with a suspicious laugh, led me by the hand.

I... I hope nothing bad happens while we sleep...