"Huh?"
"On the way back, I was thinking that Goliath probably wouldn't be enough to get him to Level 2, and the Two-Headed Dragon on the twenty-seventh floor might not be enough either. He needed a feat starting with a floor boss. Even if Noah could find that many enemies in the future, how was he supposed to challenge them? I can protect him for now, but what happens when I can't keep up anymore? Wouldn't he have to risk his life on his own?"
Looking at the elf beauty's troubled, conflicted expression, Finn and Gareth exchanged glances. Their mouths twitched several times, but in the end they couldn't hold back and burst out laughing.
"You really know how to make trouble for yourself, don't you? Who worries about something like that?"
"Exactly! You're always worrying about this and that. You worry Ais won't catch up, then you worry Noah will get too far ahead. It's just like worrying that your kids won't grow up, then worrying that once they do, they'll go too far away for you to be with them. And you still say you're not a mother hen?"
The moment he finished speaking, a sharp pain shot through Finn's right thumb, jolting him back to his senses.
"...You really think that's so funny, do you, Gareth?"
Only when a shadow fell over him did Gareth's boisterous grin freeze in place.
Looking up at the elf mage, whose face was icy as she towered over him, even Gareth—the one with a heart of stone, who used a great shield and heavy armor to face powerful enemies—couldn't help feeling a tremor in his heart.
"Honestly, after watching Noah take risks all day, I've been wanting to stretch my muscles, too! Gareth, let's see how much you've improved lately!"
Not good!
I'm dead!
"Um, c-could I put on my armor first?"
I'm bare-handed, while you've got Magna Aivis. Doesn't that seem a little unfair?
But—no chance!
The icy smile on Riveria's face plunged Gareth into despair.
Finn? Hurry up and use that brain of yours that can turn black into white! Save me!!
But when Gareth looked to the side, he found no one there. His eyes, as big as brass bells, nearly popped out of their sockets.
He turned his head and saw the golden-haired Hobbit had already tiptoed to the edge of the corridor. Finn stopped, turned back with a smile, and waved at them as if nothing were wrong.
"Um, I just remembered I have a lot of work left to do... Goodbye!!"
Sorry, Gareth. Someone has to stay behind and let Riveria blow off steam, and you're tough as nails. I can't take it, so I'm counting on you—Finn's eyes conveyed exactly that.
Staring at Finn, who had vanished without a trace, Gareth reached out helplessly with his huge hand.
"Finn! You set me up!!"
Chapter 49: Ais: Why Are You So Strong?
Early morning.
The heavens were still dark, and the countryside was silent. Even the flutter of birds' wings could not be heard. Only a faint pink glow of dawn appeared in the eastern sky.
A hint of dampness mingled with the cold wind, making the chill sink even deeper.
Yawning, Noah carried his sword.
As soon as he entered the courtyard, he caught sight of Ais standing in the garden with a sword in her hand, staring blankly into space.
"Noah~~"
The golden-haired little girl looked at him and spoke softly. Her voice seemed to drift away in the cold wind, just like her slight, petite figure.
"Ais, you're so diligent."
Noah walked over to her. Still a little groggy, he looked at the small head at just the right height and, without thinking, reached out to rub it.
Mm, her head was small, her hair silky, and she felt like a kitten. It was wonderful to touch.
"When I was your age, I wouldn't get up before noon in winter."
Ais hadn't expected Noah to do that. Feeling his hand on her head, she widened her eyes and parted her lips.
To be honest, the sensation was tingly and comfortable. She felt an urge to close her eyes, rise onto her tiptoes, and rub her head against his hand.
But after hesitating for a few seconds, Ais bit her lip and took several steps back, moving out of his reach.
If this had happened before, she wouldn't have thought anything of having Noah, the big brother who looked after her, pat her head.
Besides, Noah had a scent about him that she really liked. It was comforting.
But last night, she had already promised to be Noah's wife. She couldn't act like a little girl and cling to him.
Th-though just thinking about what the word "wife" meant made her cheeks grow hot and left her feeling shy...
But! She had already said it, and Noah hadn't objected. He had even shown her his Falna status, which clearly meant he had accepted.
So she couldn't take it back!
A wife had to act like a wife!
The sensation of his palm touching empty air brought Noah back to his senses.
Seeing the faint resistance on the little girl's face, Noah realized he might have acted inappropriately.
Oh, was she already conscious of the difference between boys and girls at eight or nine?
Girls really did mature early. When he was seven or eight, he hadn't understood a thing.
Still, women were all the same, whether young or old—he couldn't even pat her on the head, and she said she wanted to be his wife.
Noah hadn't taken what Ais said yesterday seriously, anyway. She was just a little girl acting on impulse and making a defiant promise.
In the past, plenty of little girls had said they would marry him when they grew up. But Noah couldn't imagine spending a long life with someone and raising children together.
So at most, he'd bring it up later to tease them, once they were old enough to understand and get embarrassed.
This girl in front of him was still little, but—
Noah glanced at Ais and gave up on the dangerous idea in his mind.
It was amusing to see her blushing furiously, gripping her skirt with both hands in embarrassment. But if he pushed her to the point of rolling around on the ground or swinging her sword wildly, that wouldn't be a pretty sight.
Yesterday's rumors probably hadn't died down yet. Noah didn't want to give them any more gossip to talk about.
"Noah, are you going to the Dungeon today?"
After thinking for a few seconds, Noah shook his head under Ais's hopeful gaze.
"Probably not today. At least, I don't have time this morning. I have to visit the Dian Cecht Familia later, and then deal with the magic stones and drops. More importantly, Goliath won't respawn for at least half a month. The monsters in the upper levels aren't as useful to me as training on my own, so I'm considering whether to spend a few days going straight to the lower floors."
At the mention of the lower floors, Ais lowered her head in disappointment. If she had a pair of animal ears, they would surely have drooped.
Never mind that she had angered Riveria again just yesterday. Even if they were as close as mother and daughter, Ais would never be allowed to enter the lower floors.
Riveria wouldn't allow it. Neither would Loki, Finn, or Gareth.
"But even if I wanted to find time to train, I don't know where to go. Training in Twilight Manor would disturb everyone..."
Following Noah's gaze, Ais looked up at the city wall to the north.
"Noah, do you want to go up on the wall?"
"Mm, I guess so. It looks like a good place to train, but it doesn't seem easy to get up there. And if the Ganesha Familia finds out—"
"I know!"
The sudden, excited voice made Noah look at Ais. He saw excitement and a hint of pride shining in her eyes.
"I know how to get up there!"
"Really?"
Ten minutes later, standing before the battlements built from massive blocks of stone, Noah surveyed the scene before him.
The crimson glow of dawn gradually appeared along the distant horizon, but the mountains below were still sunk in deep, shadowy darkness. The city beneath the enormous walls was darker still.
Orario possessed the world's largest magic stone industry. Naturally, installing enough Magic Stone Lamps to keep the whole city lit through the night was an easy matter.
The Guild headquarters, the Pantheon, the Southeast Pleasure District, Western Tavern Street, and the southern entertainment district, packed with casinos, theaters, and other attractions, all came to life at night and stayed active until dawn.
So it was only just before sunrise, when the lights in those grand buildings had gone out, that the Labyrinth City entered its darkest and quietest hours.
The city within the walls lay in darkness, while the world outside gradually came alive.
"Ais, you're amazing. You even found a hidden entrance. Even if we don't train, it's nice just standing here in the breeze."
"Mm..."
Under Noah's admiring gaze, Ais puffed out her cheeks and unconsciously looked away.
She was embarrassed to admit that she had discovered the wall's secret entrance by accident during one of her past attempts to run away from home.
Still, maybe that was for the best.
Seeing the contented look on Noah's face as he stood in the cold wind, Ais didn't understand why he looked that way. But it meant she could finally ask the question she had been holding inside.
"Noah..."
"Mm?"
Meeting Noah's gaze, Ais tightened her grip on her wooden sword. She drew the cold air into her lungs, then exhaled. A white mist gathered before her eyes and quickly dissipated.
"Why are you so strong?"
Although Loki had locked away Noah's magic and skills and hadn't let Ais see them, she didn't mind.
Because Ais had finally realized what the feeling of excitement and admiration that had been hidden in her heart ever since Noah saved her more than half a month ago really was.
There were plenty of adventurers in the city stronger than Ais, including many in her own Familia. But Ais knew she couldn't learn much from them.
A large part of their strength came from being older than her and having spent more time on the path of an adventurer.
If she had more time, she could catch up to them sooner or later.
And so what she wanted to learn from Noah wasn't technique, magic, skills, or anything else external.
What truly fascinated Ais was the way Noah faced battle—with a fearless, unwavering spirit and fighting intent.
Even though they were fighting to take each other's lives, she couldn't see even a trace of hatred or gloom in his eyes. He threw his whole heart and soul into battle.
His bloodlust was enough to make anyone tremble, yet it was so fierce, so clear, so pure, so dazzling, and even a little sacred...
Why could he enjoy fighting so much?
Ais believed that if she understood why Noah could be so resolute, she could become strong, too!
Chapter 50: The Boy
"Mm, that's quite a sudden question..."
Noah looked at Ais in surprise. She stared back at him with an utterly determined gaze, as if she wouldn't let him leave unless he answered.
"Oh, so you helped me because you were waiting for this moment?"
"Mm, y-yes. I'm sorry, but that's not—"
Ignoring Ais's resistance and troubled expression, Noah ruffled her smooth hair until it stuck up in every direction, then finally withdrew his hand, satisfied.
"Having enough talent, working hard, and getting lucky are all indispensable if you want to get this far. I won't deny that, but I can't teach you those things—"
Noah rubbed his hand over the sword's hilt, feeling the cold metal, and spoke slowly.
"—If there's one thing I can tell you that might help, Ais, it's that you should figure out what kind of person you are as soon as possible."
The cold wind howled across the city wall. Ais spent a long time fixing her hair, and finally managed to smooth it down again.
Hearing Noah's clear voice cut through the wind, Ais stopped what she was doing and tilted her head in confusion. Her golden eyes held the dazed, bewildered look of a kitten.
"Figure out what kind of person I am?"
"That might be a little hard to understand, so let me ask you a different question. Ais, what kind of person do you think I am?"
Meeting Noah's deep blue eyes, darker than the sky, Ais bit her lip. Her cheeks flushed faintly.
"I think Noah is very handsome, cooks really well, and is great with a sword. Even though you don't smile, you're very kind to people. You're someone who's as good to me as Riveria and the others..."
Even in the cold wind, Ais felt her face grow hot. After she finished speaking, her mouth felt dry, and she nervously swallowed.
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