The Great Sword is n Chapter 17

The elderly couple who lived next door to where I grew up had a good relationship.

During the day, they would have soft conversations, but at night, I could hear the grandmother's screams and the grandfather's crying.

The grandmother had dentia.

She was fine during the day, but at night, her symptoms would worsen, and she would scream like a child.

Seeing this, my mother couldn’t just let it go. She started helping with everything, from side dishes to anything else that could ease their burden.

And every ti, she would always say this:

“Sigh... See? Raising children doesn’t an anything, you know? You give birth and raise them well, but what good does it do? When they get old and sick, they don’t care at all...”

But.

Even as she said this.

“She’s still a good girl, though. Noah would never abandon , right?” She would give

a warm smile.

I nodded, of course, answering that it was natural.

And then, that day was just like any other.

“Son! I’m going to take so side dishes to the old lady next door. Could you help

carry them? They’re too heavy.”

“Uh... I’m in the middle of a ga, it’s going to take a little longer...”

“Hm... It’ll only take a mont, can’t you do it?”

“Ah, I’m in a boss fight... No, wait! Why are you going in there?! You crazy—”

“Noah? Use polite words, please?”

“Uh... Sorry. Um... Can we go in like 10 minutes?”

“Sigh... Fine. I’ll go alone. I’ll also organize the fridge. It’ll take so ti! And don’t get too close, you’ll ruin your eyes looking so closely! After, have dinner from the table when I’m back!”

“Mmm... Okay, I understand.”

“I’ll be back—”

“Ugh, the wizard’s damage... Ah.”

As my father’s job required

to say “take care,” I lived with that phrase.

But that day...

I was so absorbed in the ga that I couldn’t even say goodbye.

If only...

If I had told her to be careful.

Maybe...

It tickles.

Like sothing soft, like doggrass, brushing in front of my face.

There’s a nice scent.

And my body is comfortably cradled.

I feel a gentle rocking, up and down...

“Hah, we’re almost there.”

Ailyn’s voice reached , right in front of my face.

“Just about 10 more minutes, and we’ll be done with the ruins.”

In front of , I could hear Luchi’s voice.

“Ugh... I haven’t slept a wink. I’m so tired. You really can’t outrun age.”

The bald... I an, Heinkel’s voice ca next.

Soone’s arm was supporting my back and legs, and my body was floating in the air.

Am I... in Ailyn’s arms?

Also, my waist feels empty. Where did my greatsword go...?

I rember falling asleep.

How long has it been since then?

Ailyn must have been really worried. Hmm...

“By the way, weren’t we supposed to stop and rest at Rohollan Village before entering the ruins?”

“Yes. We’re planning to stay there until Noah’s body gets a little better.”

“Hmm, then what do you think about resting for a bit ourselves? Heinkel, we could also help Noah with her training.”

“Oh, good idea. Teaching the little kid could be fun.”

Huh...?

...? Why?

I was trying to let them know I was awake, but hearing such a strange conversation, I decided to keep my mouth shut.

“Uh, by the way... could you teach

swordsmanship...?”

Huh?

Why is Ailyn suddenly asking to learn swordsmanship?

“The lady? Well, how about learning polearm instead of a sword? This halberd is the most exciting—”

“No. I prefer a sword. I don’t like those heavy... I an, cumberso weapons.”

“Heh! That’s right. You’ve got good taste. Unlike the rough polearm, swords have a certain romance to them. Alright, your posture’s good. How about we train together in Rohollan?”

What is this?

One-handed swords and halberds have romance?

Romance is in the greatsword!

You should learn from !

I tried to keep pretending to sleep, but I couldn’t take it anymore.

I can’t let Ailyn learn so one-handed sword nonsense.

I need to get up and give so pointers too—

“Yes. Thank you. But first... I’ll talk to Noah a bit, then I’ll ask for your help.”

Wait, hold on.

Let’s stay still for now.

“Yeah, right... You probably have a lot to talk about with the little kid. Then, Heinkel, how about we rest a bit too? I heard Rohollan’s stone plate steak is delicious.”

“Hm, good idea.”

“You always think everything is a good idea.”

“Well, isn’t it just a bit stiff to always give just a plain response? I’m practicing so that Noah doesn’t get scared.”

“Ha, Heinkel, despite your appearance... you have a cute side to you.”

“That guy, despite his size, loves cute things. He raised pets at ho like crazy. Ugh, I can’t even step inside because I’m so allergic.”

“Who doesn’t like cute things?”

“That’s... true. But Heinkel liking them... feels weird. Hahaha...”

I tried to picture Heinkel’s image in my mind.

From what I rembered... Hm...

He shaves his head with a razor every morning, so his scalp is smooth.

He’s as tall as my greatsword.

I can’t quite rember his face, though.

Anyway, he looked like a macho man. Cute...?

Well... I guess cute things are good.

I like cool things though.

The greatsword is cool!

And isn’t the way I fight cool too?

Yeah, right. I’m cool.

“Hehe.”

“Huh? Noah? Are you awake?”

Oops...

I laughed out loud when I ant to laugh internally.

I... have to keep pretending to sleep...

“Are you sleeping? Hmm... Did you know that when people sleep, they breathe with their diaphragm?”

“Hm? I didn’t notice.”

“Heinkel, looks like you lost both your hair and intelligence. Of course, you wouldn’t notice since you’re sleeping.”

“Oh... I see.”

“...Well... yeah. I guess that’s true. Now, let

ask you a tough question. What does chest breathing an, Noah?”

Hmph.

Is this supposed to be difficult?

Ailyn, you fool?

“I woke up...! Hah...!”

Huh...?

“Pretending to sleep, huh?”

Ailyn’s stern voice started to prick my conscience.

As expected, Ailyn.

She’s no ordinary person...

“Hm... G-Good... morning, Ailyn... and, um... Uncles...?”

I waved my hand awkwardly with a sheepish smile.

“Oh, the little kid’s awake?”

“You woke up quicker than I expected.”

“Yes. Noah, good morning. How are you feeling?”

Ailyn’s hair gently covered her face.

Hmm... Did she lower her head?

I can’t feel anything through Giga Sense, so it’s really frustrating.

Ugh!

“I’m feeling better... But, um... could you put

down? I can walk now...!”

“No. Absolutely not.”

“Huh... why, why not...? You’re not... heavy, are you?”

“Not at all. You’re so light, I’m actually worried. Just stay like this. We’ll be at Rohollan soon.”

Ailyn gave

a firm “no” as though it were a decree.

I’m... embarrassed...

That’s... huh?

The cushion-like feeling... is so soft, it’s embarrassing...

“Well, what about the greatsword...?”

I’ll use Giga Sense to look around!

“The greatsword? Noah, you’re light, but the greatsword is heavy... We’ll reach Rohollan soon, so just hold on a little longer, okay?”

Lies...

The greatsword is lighter than ...

“Ah, alright...”

“Heh... You’re so well-behaved, Noah.”

Ailyn’s hand patted my backside.

She’s supporting

with one arm and patting

with the other... an impressive skill...!

“If it’s too heavy, you can switch. My muscles are ant for this kind of thing—”

“No. I’ll carry it. Noah says she’s scared of Heinkel.”

What? Huh?!

What is she saying!?

I never said that!

“No, no, I didn’t... uh-!”

As soon as I opened my mouth, Ailyn squeezed my backside and whispered, “Shh.”

Why! Why is she making

look like a weirdo!?

“Ah, I see... Hm... I guess I have no choice...”

“Heh... Did the little kid say that?”

Look at that!

The bald guy is upset!

“Yes. So I’ll carry her. Is that okay, Noah?”

Squeeze—

“Ugh... Yes, yes...”

“Hehe... That’s what she said.”

Ailyn has gone weird...

“Ailyn, Miss.”

I heard Heinkel’s gloomy voice.

Ugh... Poor bald Heinkel...

He’s lost his hair and his confidence...

“Yes?”

“I’ll teach you so useful techniques... Could you teach

how to get along with the kids?”

“Hehehe! Heinkel, didn’t I always tell you? You should work on your face. When I see that face... Hm... Ahem. I misspoke.”

Luchi suddenly stopped speaking and cleared his throat.

Hmm... Since I’m blind... is he trying to be considerate?

Good Luchi!

“Luchi. You’re really trash.”

“Hmph... I think so too.”

No... I didn’t an it like that.

“Hehehe! Haha! These people are platinum adventurers... Haha... Alright, I’ll teach you how to get along with the kids. Luchi, do you want to learn too?”

“P-Please...”

“Yes. Alright. Hehehe.”

The conversation continued, with

left out, as always.

I wanted to join in, but I couldn’t ti it right... Not once.

Every ti I tried to speak, Luchi, Heinkel, or Ailyn!

They took my turn! Why! Let

join!

Did they all beco close while I was sleeping!?

Ah, Ailyn, I knew her first...!

Ailyn and I are closer!!

I was frustrated and tightly gripped Ailyn’s collar.

The things I couldn’t say earlier... I’ll definitely say them later.

You guys can eat at.

Ailyn and I are going to have our own fun.

“Noah. Don’t we have a lot to talk about?”

Arriving in Rohollan, I was planning to grab so snacks... but Ailyn grabbed

and dragged

into the inn room.

I wasn’t thinking of this when I wanted to have so fun alone...

“Ugh... Mm... Yes...”

Ailyn’s voice sounded subdued.

Was it because I had left on my own despite being her protector?

Hadn’t I forgiven her last ti...?

No, with that much gold, there’s no way she’d forgive

easily...

“Phew... Then, first, Noah, tell

if there’s anything you’re curious about or want to say.”

Hmm...

There was sothing I wanted to ask her earlier.

“R-Really... can I ask anything?”

“Yes. Anything. I’ll answer everything, so feel free to ask.”

“Uhh... then... I’m really going to ask...?”

If I ask this, I might never see Ailyn again...?

Really?

“Yes.”

I gripped the hilt of my greatsword tightly.

Summoning all my courage, I spoke.

“Between those uncles and ...! Who... who are you closer to?!”