A Highest Rank in Another World!

Then another week passed before Ciaphia said goodbye to everyone and finally began her journey. Many people felt sad that she was leaving, but most supported her.

Seeing everyone supporting her like that, Ciaphia couldn't contain herself and began to cry moments before she left.

"Don't cry, it's okay." Hela who was nearby came closer and hugged Ciaphia once again.

"I'm going to miss you so much," Ciaphia said as she cried and hugged Hela with all her strength, making her who was already an old lady feel pain all over her body. But Hela didn't complain, she let Ciaphia do whatever she wanted.

"I'm going to miss you a lot too. Not just me, but everyone is going to miss you very much, aren't you guys?" Hela let go of Ciaphia and then looked back at where all the villagers were.

Many there were almost crying as they watched the hug.

No, some people were crying.

And at Hela's question, everyone started nodding. Some even went so far as to say how they felt and then approached Ciaphia for one last hug.

She didn't know she was so loved in this village, and knowing before she left is a little hard for her. But she tried to stay as calm as possible.

And after all the commotion, Ciaphia finally picked up her purse and climbed into the carriage that was waiting for her.

Along with Ciaphia were three people who would serve as escorts and also as help during the trip. One of these people was in the front commanding the carriage and two other people were in the back along with Ciaphia.

They were three men, which didn't make Ciaphia very comfortable, but since they were residents of her village and she knew them, she trusted the three and went on her way.

Of course, before she went she waved a few more times, especially to Hela who was holding back from starting to cry as she watched Ciaphia's carriage move further and further away.

'Haaa~~ I am leaving.' Ciaphia cringed inside the carriage and began to cry silently as she was watched by the two middle-aged men inside the carriage along with her.

####

"Are you going to say that these men did something to you? If they did... I will..." Noah interrupted Ciaphia's story feeling genuinely worried about what Ciaphia was going to say next.

But she just smiled and looked at him with a sarcastic smile.

"So you're worried about me?" She asked thinking that this would make Noah embarrassed, but he just looked at her seriously and asked again.

"Did they do something, or not?" Hearing Noah's question again, Ciaphia realized that he was serious. So she cleared her throat and then answered.

"Don't worry, they didn't do anything. I never talked to them much, but they are residents of the village I lived in since I was born."

"They didn't even think to do anything?"

"They were all married and didn't seem to have any interest in me. I appreciate that. I wouldn't know what to do if any of them had tried to do something."

"Many women are like that. They are afraid, sometimes they can't do anything to stop abuse, and then they are afraid and ashamed to tell anyone about it."

"Let's not talk about it, okay? It's a subject that's not very pleasant for a girl."

"Oh, I'm sorry about that."

"It's okay. Now know that they didn't do anything to me, we managed to get to the capital without too much trouble."

####

When they reached the capital, Ciaphia put her head out of the window and looked at the great wall and the great line of carriages and people ahead that was heading toward the capital.

It took them a long time to get to the gate but Ciaphia kept smiling. The number of people and the size of the wall around the capital was something she was not used to.

Since her village had no decent protection, she had never seen anything like it before.

"That wall is high," Ciaphia said in amazement as she got closer and closer to the gate.

One of the men who was accompanying her smiled.

"It's really big, isn't it? I've come here a few times and I'm always amazed by this place."

"Yes, it is giant! And just look at the number of people, the size of the gate. I never thought I would see something like this."

"Hahaha, calm down, you will see something even more amazing when you enter." The man smiled at Ciaphia and got off the carriage to talk to some guards.

After a short conversation, the guards approached, searched the carriage, and chatted a bit with everyone. After this, the gate was opened and they were allowed to enter.

Ciaphia felt was an atmosphere she had never felt before.

It was warm, it felt cozy. At the same time, everything was so noisy, so cheerful, everyone was giving it their all. Whether it was to have fun, or whether it was to work at the food stalls scattered around.

"Woo." Ciaphia watched the large mass of people walking the main street as the carriage moved slowly.

"The buildings here are incredible. It even has three-story buildings, look at that." Ciaphia pointed to one of the buildings as she tried to get the attention of the two men inside the carriage.

After that, one of them started laughing.

"Look ahead and see the castle, then you will see what amazing it is."

"The castle?"

"Yes, where the king lives, take a look."

Ciaphia was quite curious so she quickly stuck her head out the window again. After that, she was speechless.

Not knowing how to react, she stared at the large castle for long minutes before she finally closed her mouth and was able to reason out what she had just seen.

"My God, what is that? It's so beautiful." She was in an almost inaudible voice, so the men inside the carriage m could not hear.

But even though they couldn't hear, they continued to laugh at Ciaphia.

She was acting in such a childish and funny way. Surely they were the first to see this in a long time.

####

"I'm jealous now."

"Stop saying weird things, I told you!"

"All right, all right."

"Hmph."

"But it's surprising. I didn't think you'd be so in awe of the capital, you've always shown yourself to be a girl who doesn't care about that sort of thing."

"I had just come back from a quiet village that had nothing, how do you think I wouldn't be impressed by all that?"

"I don't know."

"Now that we're done with my story, it's time for you to talk about why you decided to stay with me. You don't love me, do you?" Ciaphia looked at Noah seriously and waited for an answer.

After sighing, Noah propped both his hands on the floor and looked up.

"I can't say I love you, that would be a lie, not least because I haven't stayed with you that long and we haven't even started dating to build a relationship."

"..."

"You don't love me either. You think I'm cute, you've taken an interest in me and you like me, but love is a different thing. Love is what you felt for your parents. It's just an example, I'm sorry if I said something rude..."

"Don't worry, I understand what you mean."

"You don't love me, but you like me. Likewise, I don't love you, but I like you."

"Got it."

"And you are also beautiful, why would I reject you? Hehehe." Noah gave a small laugh. And Ciaphia who was nearby approached and then tried to slap Noah upside the head.

But for some reason, she got off balance and ended up falling on Noah, pressing her body against his.

As she felt Noah's whole body clinging to hers, Ciaphia started to feel her face getting hot, she was about to explode because of the shame. But even with difficulty, she controlled herself.

Ciaphia took both of her hands and placed one on either side of Noah's head. Then she lifted her body and stood over Noah while looking into his eyes.

"Are you okay? You are very red." Noah smiled at Ciaphia as he watched her. He didn't feel embarrassed, just surprised.

"Shut up..."

"You know I'm only 13, right? You shouldn't do that."

"You don't look 13."

"No?"

"The way you talk, you don't sound 13."

"I see. But I can tell you with absolute certainty that I am 13."

"I don't care."

"Hm?"

"I don't care if you are 13."

"That's a little problematic."

"Let me do it just once. After that then we can wait."

"Do what?" Noah smiled and looked directly into Ciaphia's eyes.

"Kiss... I wanted to kiss you."

"You can do that."

"Can I?"

"Yes, but just this once. I won't try to run away, you can do it."

"..."

"Do it. I'm serious."

"Okay, here I go."