"On the way back, I was thinking that Goliath probably wasn't enough for him to advance to Level 2, and the Udaeus on the 37th floor is also hard to say."
"To achieve the great feat of defeating a Floor Boss, even if Noah could find so many enemies, how would he challenge them? Now I can still protect him, but if I can't keep up in the future, won't he have to risk his life on his own?"
Seeing the beautiful elf looking troubled and confused, Finn and Gareth exchanged a glance, their lips twitching several times before they finally couldn't help but burst into laughter.
"You're really asking for trouble! Who would worry about something like this!"
"Exactly! You're always worrying about this and that. You're worried that Ais won't be able to catch up, and you're worried that Noah will run too far away. What's the difference between that and worrying that your child won't grow up, and worrying that your child will grow up and go too far away? And you still say you're not a mother?"
As soon as Gareth finished speaking, Finn felt a sharp pain in his right thumb, which jolted him awake.
"...Is it really that funny, Gareth?"
Gareth's arrogant grin froze as shadows enveloped him. Looking at the icy, condescending high elf, even Gareth, who held a heart of stone, couldn't help but tremble.
"Honestly, watching Noah go on an adventure all day has made me want to stretch my muscles too! Gareth, let me see how much you've improved lately!"
"Hmm, so, does that mean I have to put on my gear? It seems a bit unfair that I'm empty handed while you're holding your staff."
But...it was impossible!
Riveria's icy smile plunged Gareth into despair.
Where's Finn? Use your brain, which can easily twist the truth, now! Save me!!
But when Gareth looked to the side and saw that no one was there, his eyes nearly popped out. Turning his head again, he saw the Pallum who had tiptoed to the edge of the corridor stop, turn around, smile, and wave casually.
"Um, I just remembered I still have a lot of work to finish... Goodbye!!"
'Sorry, Gareth, someone has to stay behind to deal with Riveria, and besides, you're tough, but I'm not, so I'm asking you' that was the meaning behind Finn's eyes. Looking at Finn, who had vanished without a trace, Gareth stretched out his helpless hand.
"Finn! You tricked me!!"
Early morning. The world was dark, and all was quiet. Only a sliver of pink dawn appeared in the sky. The cold wind carried a hint of dampness, making the chill seep even deeper.
Yawning, Noah carried his sword. He had just stepped into the courtyard when he met Ais's gaze as she stood in the garden, sword in hand, lost in thought.
"Noah..."
The blonde girl looked at him and spoke softly, her voice sounding ethereal in the cold wind, just like her thin, petite body.
"Ais, you're really diligent."
Walking to Ais's side, Noah, still a little dazed, looked at the little head in front of him, which was at a very good position and height. He subconsciously raised his hand and rubbed it. Hmm, her head is so small and her hair is so smooth, just like a kitten's. It feels so good.
"When I was your age, I wouldn't get up until noon in the winter."
Completely unprepared for Noah's actions, Ais felt the touch from above her head, her eyes wide and her mouth agape. To be honest, it felt tingly and numb, which was very comfortable and made Ais want to squint, stand on tiptoe, and rub her head against his hand. However, after hesitating, Ais bit her lip, took a few steps back, and dodged Noah's hand.
In the past, Ais wouldn't have thought anything of Noah patting her head. Moreover, Noah had a fragrance that she liked. But last night, she had already agreed to be Noah's wife, so she couldn't act like a spoiled girl. Although, just thinking about the word wife made Ais blush... However! The words were spoken, and Noah didn't object. He even showed me his status! That clearly means he agreed. Then I can't go back on my word! A wife should act like a wife!
The sensation of his hand hitting empty air brought Noah back to his senses. Seeing the hint of resistance on Ais's face, Noah realized his behavior was somewhat inappropriate. Wow, she's only eight or nine years old, and she's already starting to care about the difference between boys and girls?
However, girls, regardless of age, were all the same...Noah didn't take Ais's words from yesterday seriously; it was just a little girl's impulsive act of spite. In the past, many little girls said they wanted to marry him, but Noah could not imagine himself living a long life with a human and raising offspring.
The girl in front of him was also a little girl. While it would be amusing to see Ais blushing, it wouldn't be pleasant if she got agitated and started slashing wildly with her sword. The rumors from yesterday probably hadn't died down, and Noah didn't want to give them any more gossip.
"Noah, are you going to the Dungeon again today?"
After thinking, under Ais's expectant gaze, Noah shook his head. "I probably won't go today, at least not this morning. I need to go to the Dian Cecht Familia later, and also deal with the magic stones and drop items. More importantly, Goliath won't respawn for at least half a month. The monsters in the upper floors aren't as good as training on my own. I'll consider choosing a few days to go directly to the lower floors."
Upon hearing lower floors, Ais immediately lowered her head in disappointment. If she had demi-human ears, they would definitely be drooping. Even if she hadn't angered Riveria yesterday, there's no way she would be allowed to enter the lower floors. Riveria wouldn't allow it, nor would Loki, Finn, or Gareth.
"But even if I wanted to find time to exercise, I don't know where to go. Staying in the Twilight Manor would disturb other people..."
Following Noah's gaze, Ais looked up and saw the city wall to the north. "Noah, do you want to go up to the wall?"
"Hmm, right? It looks like it would be a great place for training, but it doesn't seem convenient. What if the Ganesha Familia finds out."
"I know!"
The sudden burst of excitement made Noah instinctively look at Ais, and he found her eyes sparkling with excitement and a hint of pride. "I know how to get up there!"
"Huh?"
Ten minutes later, standing in front of the battlements, Noah surveyed the scene. A fiery red sunrise gradually appeared on the distant horizon, but the shadows of the mountains below appeared even darker, especially the city shrouded by the massive walls.
For Orario, which boasts the world's largest magic stone industry, setting up numerous magic stone lamps to illuminate the city is a piece of cake. Areas like the Guild Headquarters, Daedalus Street, and Entertainment district all started to become popular at night and stayed open. So it wasn't until just before dawn, when the lights went out, that the labyrinth city entered its darkest, quietest moment. The city inside the wall was plunged into darkness, while the world outside gradually came alive.
"Ais, you're amazing! You managed to find the hidden entrance. Even if we're not training, it's very comfortable up here."
"Umm." Faced with Noah's admiring gaze, Ais pouted and unconsciously looked away. She was embarrassed to say she had accidentally discovered the secret entrance during one of her past runaways. However, this is also for the best. Seeing Noah looking so content, Ais didn't understand why, but it allowed her to ask the question on her mind.
"Noah..."
"Um?"
Meeting Noah's gaze as he turned, Ais gripped the wooden sword in her hand, inhaled the cold air, and exhaled white mist. "Why are you so strong?"
Although Loki had locked Noah's magic and skills and not shown them to Ais, she didn't care. Because Ais finally realized what the feeling of excitement and longing hidden in her heart since Noah saved her was.
There were many adventurers in the city stronger than Ais, including many within the Familia, but Ais knew she couldn't learn anything from them. The strength of those people was largely due to age and time spent as adventurers. If she gave herself more time, she'd catch up.
Therefore, what she wanted to learn from Noah was not external things like skills, magic, or techniques. What truly captivated Ais was Noah's unwavering, resolute spirit when facing battle. Despite it being a fight to the death, there was not a trace of hatred or gloom in his eyes; he devoted his entire being to the battle. That murderous intent was chilling, yet it was also so intense, so clear, so pure...
Why can he enjoy fighting so much?
Ais believed that once she understood why Noah was so determined, she would also become stronger.
"Hmm, this is quite a sudden question..."
Noah looked at Ais in surprise and found her staring at him with an incredibly determined gaze, as if she wouldn't let him leave until he spoke.
"Oh, so you were waiting for me here, not just to help me, right?"
"Um, yes, I'm sorry, oh?! But not... that..."
Ignoring Ais's resistant and frustrated expression, Noah ruffled the soft hair on her head until it became frizzy before finally withdrawing his hand with satisfaction. "Having enough talent, hard work, and luck are indispensable, I won't deny that, but there's no way I can teach you those things..."
Noah rubbed the hilt of the sword in his hand, feeling the coolness of the metal, and murmured softly. "If there's anything that can help you, Ais, it's that you need to figure out what kind of person you are as soon as possible."
The cold wind howled past, and it took Ais a long time to comb through her tangled hair. Hearing Noah's clear voice, Ais stopped, tilting her head in confusion, her golden eyes filled with the bewildered look of a kitten.
"Understanding myself?"
"That might be hard to understand. Let's change the question. Ais, what kind of person do you think I am?"
Looking into Noah's eyes, Ais bit her lip, her face slightly flushed. "I think Noah is handsome, a great cook, and a skilled swordsman. Although he doesn't smile much, he's very kind... He's someone who's just as good to me as Riveria and the others..."
Even in the cold wind, Ais felt herself blushing. After speaking, she felt thirsty and nervously swallowed.