The Greatsword Is Not My Main Body!

Following Rebuje's lead, we arrived at her office.

It was a cramped space, filled to the brim with towering bookshelves and a desk buried under piles of documents.

Does she really work in such a suffocating environment...?

While I clicked my tongue and looked around the room, Rebuje and Rubia were busy bowing to each other, exchanging polite apologies.

"I apologize for the inadequate handling of the situation. It was our oversight."

"No, not at all. I came in too forcefully, so it's only natural. I should be the one apologizing."

Feeling awkward from just standing there and watching, I eventually bowed my head too, following their lead.

"If I may offer an excuse... I didn't properly train Shure, our receptionist..."

"She seemed lively and energetic enough. I quite liked that about her... Pfft..."

Both Rubia and Rebuje lifted their heads simultaneously and exchanged faint smiles as they continued their subtly insincere banter.

This... was adult talk.

Conversations that sounded like they had no substance or meaning but were actually laden with hidden implications.

The kind of noble talk that I'd never be able to keep up with.

Even just listening to it was giving me a headache...

But I still tried my best to understand, furrowing my brow in concentration.

In the end, though, it was impossible.

I couldn't even catch the flow of their conversation.

Finally giving up, I started daydreaming about what wild berry jelly might taste like.

But then—

"That aside... Noah, you're quite different from the rumors I've heard."

She was finally paying attention to me!

"A-ah... Uh, um..."

But... I wasn't prepared for this. Words refused to come out of my mouth.

"Those are all... b-baseless rumors."

"I see. That's a relief. According to the rumors, you were a demon who drinks the blood of both humans and beasts without distinction."

"Pfft—!"

...What...?

"W-what are you even—"

"Well... you know how rumors are. The more they spread, the more exaggerated they become."

Even so...

I—I don't drink human blood...

Beast blood, sure, but that's only because I sometimes get splattered while hunting, and... it's accidental! It just happens to end up in my mouth, and I just... instinctively swallow it, okay?!

It's not on purpose!

"Well then, setting the small talk aside, let me formally introduce myself. I'm Rebuje, the guild head of the Ursphere Adventurers' Guild."

This time, unlike before, she gave a dignified bow, exuding grace and refinement.

"Yes, it's a pleasure to meet you, Miss Rebuje."

Rubia, who had been sitting beside me, removed her robe, letting her hair fall elegantly past her shoulders.

"I am Rubia, the Priestess of Erden."

However, unlike Rebuje, Rubia didn't bow her head.

I guess she decided this was a situation where maintaining her authority was important.

Smart Rubia!

Not only that—she's dignified, cool, and charismatic.

In that case, I have to show my worth too!

"I-I'm Sh-Shin Noah... P-pleased to meet youh...!"

It was a disaster.

An absolute disaster.

My voice, my tone, my movements—every single one of them was... awkward.

I looked like a complete dork.

The difference between me and Rubia couldn't be more obvious...

I should've introduced myself first...

"It's a pleasure to meet you as well. Although I am the guild head, I'm also an adventurer, just like you, Noah. Please, don't hesitate to speak comfortably with me."

Rebuje's face briefly twitched, as if she was suppressing a laugh, but she quickly regained her composure and spoke smoothly.

"Ah... y-yes, of course...!"

I was mortified.

"Now that introductions are out of the way, shall we start by discussing the bounty?"

Rubia straightened her back and nodded, her expression calm and composed.

"Yes, please go ahead."

"As you've likely already been informed, but I'll repeat it here for clarity—Heinzel's bounty has been fully donated to Roholan."

Rubia nodded in agreement.

"And... Luchi's bounty has been donated to the people planning to settle in the ruins—well, I mean Havlon."

"That's correct."

"Following that, the smaller bounties were distributed among the adventurers involved. As for the bounties allocated to both of you... they amount to this."

Rebuje slid a stack of documents across the desk toward us.

Rubia gave me a light tap, silently signaling me to pick up the papers.

But she quickly leaned forward and grabbed them herself, flipping through the pages with practiced ease.

"Yes, it matches the details we were given."

After scanning the documents for a while, Rubia nodded and set them back down on the desk.

Then she leaned close to my ear and whispered the total amount, adding, "Don't freak out."

"Wha—w-wha...?"

The amount was way higher than what Aunt Jur from Roholan had told us...

What on earth had happened to double the money like this?

"Alright. If you've confirmed the details, could you please sign here?"

"Would it be possible for me to sign on her behalf?"

"Of course, that's perfectly fine."

While I was still busy being baffled, Rubia moved ahead like it was nothing, proceeding smoothly with the process.

She signed her name on several sheets of paper, her movements steady and deliberate.

After finishing the final signature, Rubia set the pen down and flashed a smile.

Honestly, no matter how you looked at it...

It was the smile of a con artist.

"Alright, I've confirmed everything. Now, regarding the next matter—"

"Shouldn't we discuss the distribution of Karpeng's materials?"

"What...?"

Both Rebuje and I tilted our heads simultaneously, confused.

"M-materials...?"

"Yes. Karpeng's materials are of the highest quality. We need to discuss how they'll be allocated, don't we?"

Well, that was true, but...

Hadn't the Central Guild already collected them?

"But... uh, I mean, didn't they already..."

"It's fine. Just trust me, Noah. I'll make sure we get what we deserve. Who do you think I am?"

Interrupting my hesitant words, Rubia puffed out her chest with absolute confidence.

The buttons on her robe strained under the pressure, looking like they might pop at any moment.

This is dangerous...!

"Ah, ahhh... M-miss Priestess..."

"Exactly. So sit back and watch carefully."

Rubia leaned close and whispered into my ear, smiling mischievously.

* * * *

"Yes, I've finished speaking."

Rubia smiled confidently, radiating a sense of triumph.

It was as if light itself was shining from behind her.

Forget what I said about her being a con artist earlier!

Rubia was the ultimate negotiator!

"Well then... I suppose we've saved the most important matter for last."

Rebuje adjusted her expression, her demeanor turning serious. She reached into a pile of documents stacked high behind her and pulled out a single sealed envelope.

She slid it toward me with a calm but deliberate motion, continuing her explanation.

"Congratulations on achieving Gold rank, Miss. Noah."

"H-huh? G-Gold...?"

I was completely stunned.

Meanwhile, Rubia just nodded as if she had known this was coming all along.

"Please feel free to read—oh, my apologies. Would you prefer I read it to you instead?"

Rebuje hesitated, glancing at me cautiously as if worried she had overstepped.

There was no need to apologize...

I nodded enthusiastically.

"Ahem. Then let me begin by going over your record."

Rebuje carefully unfolded the letter and began reading aloud, recounting every single request I had taken on since my time in Alrba.

Considering I used to take on at least three requests a day, there were well over 180 of them. She listed each one meticulously.

"Haa... That concludes the record from Alrba. You've... completed quite a lot, haven't you? Now, moving on to Roholan. The extermination of all beasts inhabiting the plains and the ruins. The estimated number is... roughly..."

Rebuje took a deep breath before continuing.

"Fourteen thousand..."

That's... a lot.

But still—

"I-I didn't take down all of them myself..."

"That's true, but... the testimonies from the residents of Roholan and Mr.Heinzel were highly influential in crediting you as the main contributor"

"E-eh...?"

"And lastly... among all your achievements, there's one that stands far above the rest. This isn't just an accomplishment—it's a feat worthy of legend."

Rebuje carefully folded the letter.

"The Nightmare of the East. The Red Wolf, Karpeng, subjugated."

Her expression turned wistful, almost reverent.

"You have avenged my dear friend, Luchi. Truly... truly..."

Rebuje knelt on one knee, bowing her head deeply toward me.

"Thank you. Thank you for protecting Roholan. For reclaiming Havlon. For giving humanity hope... I sincerely thank you."

"You are a hero"

"A-ah... uh..."

Hearing those words—those exact words—spoken aloud was... surreal.

Words I had only ever seen as text on a screen in the game.

Words I had only ever heard from a speaker.

Now, hearing them directly... it made me feel strange.

Like my heart was softening... melting...

"Sniffle... hic..."

"Noah...? Why... why are you crying?"

"Haha... She's really nothing like the rumors, is she? Truly the complete opposite."

Rubia's hand gently brushed my cheek, wiping away the lukewarm liquid trickling down.

I raised my hand to rub my eyes. My fingers came away wet with tears.

Why... why am I crying?

"Sniffle... Rubia... why am I crying...?"

Rubia stared at me with a mix of sympathy and fondness before raising her arms and pulling me into a tight hug.

"Ah... huh...?"

"You've worked so hard, Noah. Truly, you have..."

Her voice was soft, soothing, as she carefully stroked my hair, strand by strand, with her fingers.

"Sniff... hic... I... I feel... weird... Waaaahhh..."

As soon as I buried myself in Rubia's embrace, the tears I had been holding back poured out uncontrollably.

No matter how tightly I squeezed my eyes shut, no matter how hard I tried to stop, the tears stubbornly forced their way through.

I hated it.

And yet, at the same time...

Somewhere deep inside, I felt warm.

That warmth was so unfamiliar, so comforting, so... nostalgic.

So, I let the tears flow freely.

I opened my heart to that warmth, welcoming the tears that streamed from my eyes.

[The subject is a charac■er in a game.]

[The sub■ect is a character in a game.]

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[The subject is a character i■ a game.]

[The subj■ct is a character in a game.]