The Great Sword is not the Main Body!
Chapter 10 – Eastern Ruins (2)

“Why do you keep working so hard that you get injured like this? You need to think about your age, Dad. These scars… oh my, what is this…”

“Guffaw! A man’s bound to get a few scratches now and then. And these aren’t just scars… They’re badges of honor, kiddo.”

“Still, you should be more careful. Honestly… I think your own life should come first. That’s not going to change.”

“You’re right. But Noah, look closely.”

Dad rolled up his sleeve, revealing countless scars I’d seen many times before.

“What do you think when you see these scars?”

“Just that… they’re scars. And that I wish you’d been more careful.”

“When I look at these scars, I think of all the people living better lives because of me. Kids going to school, people getting jobs, experiencing failures, enjoying their honeymoons, sometimes crying, sometimes laughing… Just ordinary people living ordinary lives.”

“…I know. You always say that. But aren’t you scared of jumping into those fire pits?”

“Of course I’m scared. I’m not Superman. But even when I’m scared, looking at these scars gives me courage. It gives me confidence that I can save people.”

Dad paused for a moment, then opened his wallet wide.

“And when I look at this photo, I feel a sense of responsibility. A responsibility to protect, and a responsibility to come home no matter what.”

Inside the wallet was a faded but still clear photo of our family.

“…We should update that photo. The colors are all washed out.”

“What’s wrong with this photo? It’s nice and cozy. Oh, and seeing your mom reminded me.”

Dad held up his other arm.

“Look at this! This scar is from when I saved your mom. If it wasn’t for this, you wouldn’t be here right now, Noah!”

“Sigh… I get it. But… you need to think about the people waiting for you too… Take care of yourself. And like I said, consider your age.”

“Haha, you little… I just told you, didn’t I? I always think about it when I look at this photo. You, your mom. That’s why I always make it back home.”

I couldn’t argue with Dad’s words.

I could only close my mouth and stare at his resolute eyes.

“Anyway, son. Don’t worry too much. Dad will always come back. No matter what happens, I’ll protect our family.”

Dad’s hand gently patted my head.

“So Noah, I hope that someday you’ll become a hero who saves people, just like your dad, and just like your name means.”

“…I’ll try my best.”

“Guffaw! Good. Now, if you understand, put some more ointment on this. Your mom’s gonna give me an earful later.”

“Dad, next week… since it’s my day off, how about we go take a photo? Together with Mom.”

“Sounds great! We can grab a drink afterward too!”

“I can’t drink, I have work the next day. Let’s just… have a meal. Buy me some beef.”

“Ah right, work… Well, alright. Let’s have a meal then, son.”

I applied the ointment to the wounds on Dad’s back.

Hoping the ointment would last a little longer. That these wounds wouldn’t get infected. That the scars would fade away. And if they didn’t fade, That they would remain as Dad’s badges of honor for life.

***

“Noah.”

Aileen’s cold voice weighed heavily on me.

“Y-yes…?”

“Do you know that pouring potions like that will leave scars?”

“I… do?”

“What are you going to do with all these scars? You’re a girl, you know.”

“Th-they’re badges of honor…!”

“Don’t say weird things. And I was right behind you, remember?”

“But… there were so many gnolls in front…”

“Healing should have been the priority.”

“There were too many… to do that…”

“Haa…”

Aileen’s voice, which had been so stern, softened a bit.

“…Why did you do it?”

“It’s… the mission…”

Slap!

“Ow! Th-that hurts…!”

“If you had waited just a little longer, I could have easily subdued them with my abilities.”

“…Okay.”

“We could have run away if needed.”

“…Yes…”

“But… why? Why did you do it?”

“You… you said you were in a hurry… Too busy to even take a carriage…”

I wasn’t blaming Aileen. It’s just… It was the only excuse I could think of.

“Noah, are you invincible? Immortal? No, you’re not. So please… don’t do this again next time…”

I could hear the dampness in Aileen’s voice as she spoke close to my ear.

“Look at this… How much must it hurt… Stinging and burning…”

It does hurt.

My left arm, bitten by the gnoll, still throbbed. My shoulder hit by the mace, my leg pierced by the crossbow bolt. My side slashed by the rusty sword, my back hit by the fire arrow. My fingernails and toenails that were ripped out. My left arm where the bone was crushed, and so on.

Aileen’s healing and the potions had closed all the wounds, but it felt like…

Phantom pain? Is that what you’d call it?

So how did I manage to win after taking such a beating?

I don’t know!

When I’m hunting, it’s like adrenaline or dopamine or some hormone just floods my system and I don’t feel the pain!

It actually feels like it adds to my body’s heat!

When the tension fades, it hurts so much I could pass out.

Even now, I want to cry from the pain…

But. What else can I do? I have to fight.

I need to survive today to see tomorrow.

Of course, I’d prefer to fight without getting hurt. Usually, I try to avoid damage as much as possible.

But just now, I had no choice…

There were quite a few attacks that would have hit Aileen if I hadn’t taken them…

So as the vanguard, I took the hits! No, I blocked them!

Tanking is part of the vanguard’s job! And of course, hunting is the vanguard’s job too!

Cowardly ranged DPS should just watch from the back. If they don’t like it, they can try being melee DPS. Tch.

Anyway.

It hurts, it’s scary, and it’s tough, but it’s okay.

Because I saved a ‘person’ named Aileen.

So I…

“D-don’t worry… It doesn’t hurt at all…”

I patted Aileen’s hand and gave her a big grin.

Aileen stared at me blankly for a moment, then poked my left side with her index finger.

“Gyaaaah?! Wh-what are you doing!”

It hurts! It hurts! It huuuurts soooo much! It hurts even as I’m screaming! It just hurts!

“I thought it didn’t hurt?”

“J-just because… you can’t just poke me like that…!”

That’s where I got stabbed with a spear! You cruel woman…!

“Does it hurt or not?”

“It… it hurts, but… I can handle it… Let’s get moving… Reinforcements will probably come soon.”

Gnolls usually live in packs. They’ll definitely come in swarms.

Led by their pack leader. In even greater numbers than before.

“That’s true, but… No. We can’t. We’re going back to Alreba Village. Once we get there-“

I tensed my stomach and shouted, interrupting Aileen’s words.

“We can’t!”

For the first time, I cut off Aileen’s words…! I really gathered my courage there.

“…Why not?”

“Let’s stick to your plan, Aileen. I-I’m really fine.”

I can’t go back after just two days of leaving home. How could I face Hermilla…

I said such a teary goodbye!

Absolutely not!

And… I need to get those 15 gold coins…!

“Don’t be stubborn. How can we continue in this state…”

I took a deep breath and looked straight at Aileen. Please, please let my strong will come through! Please don’t let me stutter!

“Aileen. I’m really okay. Let’s go. To Cartia.”

Yes! I didn’t stutter! That was so cool.

“What…?”

Aileen’s body moved backward. This is my chance!

I grabbed Aileen’s retreating body and pulled her back in front of me.

Then I held my breath, opened my eyes that had been closed, and…

In the firmest tone I could muster, Looking into Aileen’s eyes (even though I couldn’t see), I spoke, imitating Aileen’s manner of speech.

“Answer.”

“Ugh… Then… a-alright. But promise me one thing.”

I tilted my head.

I just tilted my head… afraid I’d start stuttering again if I spoke.

Aileen covered her mouth and turned her face to the side.

“Phew… There’s a small village near the entrance of Halvion Plains. Let’s rest there for a bit before continuing. It’s a quiet village… It shouldn’t be too bad.”

I nodded and released Aileen’s body that I had been holding.

I finally won against Aileen for the first time!

“Hehe.”

“Haa… Really, I can’t figure you out…”

As I was grinning, savoring my victory, I heard Aileen’s exasperated voice.

I… instinctively hunched my shoulders.

Is this that Pavlov’s dog thing or whatever it’s called…?!

“Wh-what is it…?”

“You. I just can’t gauge what kind of person you are.”

“Huh…?”

A hand, damp with sweat but still soft, cupped my cheek.

“Usually, you’re so… slow, silly, cute, and dopey… But when it matters, you become a completely different person…”

“I-I’m not slow… or silly… or c-cute… and I’m not dopey either.”

“Pfft- What do you mean ‘not silly’?”

“Ugh… A-anyway!”

I shook my head, dislodging Aileen’s hand.

“We don’t have time for this. Let’s get moving, shall we?”

“Alright… But are you really okay?”

“Yes. I’m really… fine.”

My body is screaming in pain, but… I have to move somehow and change our location.

If we encounter reinforcements in this state, even I, with my 8 years of experience, can’t guarantee our safety.

And.

The blade of my greatsword is badly damaged. The handle is loose too.

The hammer is long since shattered.

The state of our equipment is dire.

But we can’t just sit here and try to repair it. Of course, I couldn’t do that anyway…

From now on, we need to avoid combat as much as possible.

I can do this. I’ve been through situations like this many times in games.

Even if this is reality, my vast experience should see me through.

I steeled my resolve and took Aileen’s hand.

To make sure I don’t lose her, I interlaced our fingers tightly.

“Let’s go, Aileen.”

Somehow, by any means necessary, I’ll save you.

Do you trust me?

I turned to Aileen and smiled.

“Um… okay. Let’s go.”

Splash, splash.

We walked forward, treading on ground soaked with gnoll blood.

Hehe, I saved Aileen.

Of course, if I hadn’t been here, she would have run away immediately…

But! If we ran away, we’d be late, plans would be ruined, and all sorts of problems would arise!

So! One way or another, I did save Aileen!

“Hehehe.”

“Noah…? Why are you laughing like that?”

“Just… because I’m happy.”

I wonder what expression Aileen is making right now. Is she smiling? Or worried?

Who cares. We’re alive!

Ah… If I ever get the chance, I’d love to see it.

Aileen’s expressions.

And her ordinary, everyday life.

Whinny~

Chomp, chomp.

“Wh-what?! The gnoll, it’s eating… Hey! Um… you, what’s your name… Ah, forget it! Horse! Stop! Th-that’s disgusting! You crazy thing! You’re an herbivore…!”