NOVEL NEXT Chapter 169
169. You’re My Partner, Right?
I mobilized all the healing slimes to help recover the monkeys led by Tsodotos and said with a stern expression:
“I’ve healed you all, so you better bring back some good ingredients! If you slack off…”
“O-Of courSe! We’re graTeFul for this opporTUNity!”
Following Tsodotos’ orders, the monkeys scrambled off, desperate to find ingredients. The slimes also withdrew, leaving only Raize and me in the vast forest. Just moments ago, there had been over a hundred people, but now it suddenly felt quiet.
“…Well, should we head back first?”
“Yeah. The monkeys will bring the ingredients… Ow!”
As we started towards Mila-san’s house, Raize suddenly grimaced and crouched down.
“What’s wrong? Are you hurt?”
“It’s nothing. Just tripped—”
“No way. Let me see.”
I examined Raize’s leg as she huddled on the ground. The cause was obvious. Her right leg was badly swollen, with one spot on her otherwise pale skin inflamed an angry red, just looking at it made it seem painful.
Of course. It must’ve happened when she delivered that kick during the battle. Hitting the hard Behemoth’s body must have caused this injury.
“Why are you hiding it? I’ll call the healing slime…”
“No need to heal me. But…”
With that, Raize suddenly leaned against my back.
“…Carry me.”
She wrapped her arms around my shoulders. Her unusual and fragmented request left me bewildered.
“You don’t want healing?”
“No, I don’t, but I can’t walk because it hurts. Just carry me already!”
Baffled by her sudden demand, I decided to follow along and gave her a piggyback ride.
Feeling her weight on my back, I started walking home. The fallen leaves underfoot crunched with each step, and the wind rustling through the trees emphasized the quiet.
Why the sudden request for a piggyback ride? And why the silence? I was starting to feel a bit nervous around Raize, so I broke the silence.
“By the way, you surprised me earlier. Jumping into the frontline like that—what was that about?”
“It was nothing. Just a whim. I figured I’d try being on the frontlines from now on.”
“Really? I thought your moves were impressive, though…”
“Well, getting hurt like this shows there’s room for improvement… But I don’t think I’m that bad.”
…Our conversation stopped there. We kept moving in silence.
“…So, what did you think?”
After a pause, Raize spoke abruptly.
“About what?”
“My performance on the frontlines! Like Mila-san would say—rate me out of 100!”
I could hear a hint of anxiety in her voice coming from behind me. I wasn’t sure what she was thinking, but I decided to answer honestly.
“A hundred. If you hadn’t been there, defeating the Behemoth would’ve been impossible. You really helped a lot.”
“Really? Truly? Because of me?”
“Yes. Because of you.”
It wasn’t flattery; it was the truth. Her advice during battle even helped me come up with the
Just then, I felt her grip on my clothes tighten.
“So… am I a good partner for you?”
There was no confidence in her words. In that moment, I understood. Raize was feeling insecure, which is why her grip reminded me of a lost child holding their parent’s hand.
But… that was a silly question to me.
“Of course. There’s no one else who could be my partner.”
“…Really?”
“I told you before: I protect you, and you protect me. Always.”
When I said that, I noticed the strength in her grip lessen. At the same time, I felt her heartbeat through my back.
“That doesn’t sound like the usual you. Is it because of your injury?”
“…Yeah, probably.”
Raize chuckled softly, then gently leaned into me, no longer clinging like before, but resting in relief.
“Alright! Let’s head home quickly and have lunch! Arx, hurry back and heal my leg!”
“Which one is it!?”
Raize laughed like a child from my back. Her joyful laughter was oddly comforting.