Road To Ruins (2)

The valley wasn't far from our tent.

Had Aileen chosen this spot on purpose?

I thought she was just picking a random location, but it turns out we were following a pretty efficient route.

"Noah, go ahead and wash up. I'll keep watch," Aileen said, standing a bit away from me, handing over a spare set of clothes.

She didn't really need to keep watch, though. I could extend my sensory field to get a rough idea of what was around us. Sure, it might give me a slight headache, but nothing I couldn't handle.

"Okay…"

I took the clothes and headed toward the water. The stream wasn't too fast or too slow, just perfect.

Oh! Fish!

Maybe I could catch one for later and grill it. Aileen's magic could mask the smell, so it wouldn't be a problem. There's something about grilled fish that just screams adventure.

I was still contemplating which fish to catch when Aileen approached me.

"Noah."

Her voice sounded serious, almost like she was upset that I was dawdling.

"Y-yeah... I'll get in quickly…"

"No, that's not it. I just... I don't know how to ask this, but... can you bathe on your own?"

Her words caught me off guard. I mean, I could technically bathe myself if I held onto my greatsword. Sure, it'd take a while and be a bit inconvenient, but after two months, I'd gotten used to it.

"I can manage..."

"Hmm..." Aileen hesitated again, her lips pursing slightly.

"I-I mean it! I can do it!" I stammered, feeling self-conscious.

"No, it's fine. I'll help. I'll wash you," she declared suddenly.

Huh? Wait... what?

"W-what?!"

"There's dirt all over you, and it looks like it'll be tough to clean by yourself. Just hurry up and get in."

As she spoke, Aileen began undressing...!

Oh no... This is bad...

I quickly turned my head away and narrowed my sensory field. Sure, I couldn't physically see her, but... still! It felt wrong.

"What are you doing? Hurry up and undress."

Whoa, her voice... saying things like that...

As someone who has been single for 25 years, this is too much stimulation!

"Do you want me to help you undress?"

Gah! No! Stop!

"O-okay, I'll do it!"

Maybe I should just let go of my greatsword. Then I wouldn't sense anything about Aileen's... body.

Nope, can't do it.

I crouched down and started with my shoes. Then, I tried taking off my shirt, but it was so soaked with sweat and blood that it wouldn't come off easily!

Plus, trying to do it one-handed... ugh...

I was struggling to pull the half-removed shirt over my head when Aileen's voice broke the silence.

"Raise your arms."

"Th-thank you…"

I set down my sword, lifted my arms, and Aileen effortlessly slipped the shirt off.

"You can handle the pants on your own, right?"

"Y-yeah..."

Might as well use both hands for this...

I took off my pants, turning slightly so Aileen couldn't see me. I couldn't see her, but she could definitely see me...

It was... embarrassing.

"You go in first, Aileen..." I waved my hand awkwardly while keeping my back to her.

Aileen sighed heavily. What was her problem?

Hey, I didn't ask for this body either! I wanted to be tall and... you know, have those... assets.

Sure, I'm jealous of your... uh... size, okay?! But hey, at least I don't have to deal with all that extra weight bouncing around, right?

I clicked my tongue, grabbed my sword, and stole a quick glance in her direction, but I couldn't see much. I just heard the splash as Aileen entered the water.

"Ugh! It's freezing!" I yelped as the cold water shocked my system.

I nearly had a heart attack!

As I submerged myself in the stream, Aileen followed me in.

Just look at that... every step she takes, everything... jiggling like that...

I glanced at my own body.

This is so unfair...

I turned away in frustration, disgusted with my own figure.

"I'm going to pour some water over you. Try not to be too startled."

"Okay."

Aileen gently cupped water in her hands and poured it over my back.

"Ugh... it's cold..."

She repeated the process a few more times before speaking again.

"Now for your hair. Keep your eyes closed."

"Got it."

I mean, my eyes were already closed, but I didn't want to freak her out by saying that.

A cascade of cold water fell over my head, but I was starting to get used to it.

"I'll start washing you with soap now. Is that okay?"

Huh? Soap? Why ask? Just do it!

"Sure, go ahead."

Aileen inhaled deeply, and I assumed it was because of the cold water. I guess she wasn't used to this after all.

Honestly, washing in a stream didn't bother me. I'd gotten used to it. When I first arrived in this world, the inn I stayed at didn't have any running water, so I figured, "This must be how it's done here," and bathed outside. Turns out I was just staying at a super cheap inn.

Anyway, I'm totally used to this. Unlike some people, apparently!

"I'll start now."

"Okay."

Aileen's trembling voice reached my ears, followed by the sound of soap being lathered.

I clenched my eyes shut in preparation for the soap, but—

"W-what?!"

Her hands weren't on my head—they were on my waist.

"Huh...? Wh-what...?"

Even though I was making all sorts of weird noises, Aileen didn't stop. She continued scrubbing, her hands moving skillfully across my body.

Every time her hands touched me, I bit my lip and tried to stay still.

"Just bear with it a little longer... I'll be done soon."

Her hands, surprisingly nimble, cleaned every inch of me.

Honestly... I wanted to tell her to stop, but... her washing technique felt amazing.

She's got to have some serious experience...

Is she... a professional?

"There, all done. Now, let's rinse you off."

I almost wanted to ask her to keep going, but my last shred of dignity as a man stopped me.

Taking a deep breath, I submerged myself in the water, letting the bubbles rise as I thought back on the washing.

Is this what it feels like to get a bath at a spa?

Maybe I should pretend I can't wash myself from now on...

My dignity and my instincts wrestled in my mind.

* * * *

Drying myself off, I glanced at Noah, who was still shivering despite having dried herself. I whispered to myself,

"Is she really the same person?"

Closing my eyes, I recalled the scene from earlier, the one where Noah had ruthlessly torn apart the Black Bear.

When she fought, Noah was like a completely different person.

Her usual goofy expression had been replaced with one filled with rage and anger.

And behind her closed eyelids... were those hollow, red eyes, filled with nothingness.

The timid girl who usually shrank at my teasing had stood firm, even in the face of a mighty beast.

Her fighting style was also entirely different.

Typically, someone wielding a greatsword would attack with one powerful strike and then retreat, waiting for the right moment to strike again.

But not Noah.

She fought close, always pushing forward without ever retreating.

If her sword was blocked, she'd strike with her shoulder, her fists, her legs—even her head.

Her battle was relentless, almost animalistic.

At first, it looked like Noah's small body was being overwhelmed by her massive sword, but that wasn't the case at all.

She used the momentum to launch even stronger attacks.

This wasn't a normal person's fighting style—it was the combat of someone born with incredible talent.

That's what I believed.

Until I saw her scars.

Despite the summer heat, Noah had always covered herself head to toe. And now I knew why.

Her body was covered in scars. It was easier to count the areas of her skin that weren't marred.

A priest's healing doesn't leave scars.

So these marks must have come from potions hastily applied to open wounds.

Two months.

She had only been a mercenary for two months.

Sure, she was a natural talent. But that talent alone hadn't gotten her this far.

What had she gone through to end up like this?

What had she faced that made her fight so fiercely?

I couldn't understand.

Hermilla told me that Noah didn't have any family left.

Was she like me? Did she lose everything precious to her, just like I had?

If Noah ever learned about this world's darkness, about humanity's ugliness, how would she respond?

If someone asked her to sacrifice herself to save this filthy world, even the vile humans within it...

What would she choose?

I wanted to know.

But at the same time, I didn't.

I didn't want Noah to know how disgusting this world truly is.

I didn't want her to lose her light.

I opened my eyes to find Noah struggling to dry her hair.

If she dries it like that, it'll get all tangled.

I chuckled quietly.

She really can't do anything except fight.

Can't even take off her clothes properly.

Even though she said she could bathe on her own, she still asked me to help with the soap, leaving me flustered.

Was she just longing for a bit of warmth from another person?

It was annoying, but... she reminded me of my sister. I didn't mind.

"Sigh..."

Fine. Just a little bit.

Just in case, for whatever reason, I'm not around anymore.

I'll make sure you can handle yourself in this world.

"Noah."

"Y-yes?"

"I'll help you dry your hair. Come here."

"I-I can do it by myself..."

"Shh. Just come here. I'm faster, anyway."

"Okay..."

Noah hesitantly approached me, her body curled up slightly.

"Please... take care of me..."

I never liked using the divine powers that the 'Goddess' gave me.

But I guess I could use it for something as small as drying her hair. It would make my life easier, too.

I summoned a gentle, warm breeze using my divine energy.

"Oh...? A-Aileen! What is this?!"

"Hehe... Noah, aren't you supposed to be an adult?"

"I-I'm telling you... I am...!"

And a bit of healing, too.

No need to waste potions when I could use this.

Besides, I could always sell the potions later.

They sell pretty well.

I activated the divine energy once more, healing the small wounds Noah had sustained from the earlier battle.

"Huh...? Healing?"