"It's fine, as long as you understand what's going on."
"Oh, Grandpa, the guild's library is going to need an expansion. The books we collected from Blue Pegasus and the Four Hounds this time are quite extensive. I roughly calculated, and the current space won't be enough to hold them all.
We'll also be sending more books back to Blue Pegasus and the Four Hounds. Their help was invaluable this time, and the ones we sent earlier weren't nearly enough."
"All right. I'll go with you to pick some volumes to send them.
As for the library, if we're expanding, we can build further toward the back. When the time comes, you can help decide the scope of the extension."
"Yes, I will. For now, I'll head home."
"Then go on ahead."
Noah nodded and returned home to rest.
Although he loved reading spending every day buried in books he didn't feel physically drained, even after months of study and carefully recording ancient documents. What he did feel was a deep mental fatigue.
Noah planned to rest for a while at home before taking care of other matters.
When he arrived, he found Erza seated on the sofa, taking a break.
The moment Erza saw him, her face lit up with a smile. This time, Noah had been away for a long while; aside from coming back briefly for the New Year, he hadn't really been home in nearly half a year.
She was about to greet him, but after spending so much time together and thanks to her sharp perception Erza immediately noticed the faint exhaustion in his expression.
She quickly stood and stepped toward him.
"What's wrong? You look tired."
"It's nothing serious," Noah replied. "I've just been reading non-stop for months, and it's worn me out a little."
At that, Erza's eyes narrowed in sharp disapproval.
"I thought we agreed you'd get proper rest and not overwork yourself. Don't tell me you've been pulling all-nighters again."
Noah shook his head, dropped onto the sofa, and let out a heartfelt sigh.
"It just feels so good to be home. I haven't stayed up late; I kept to a regular schedule every day. But the sheer intensity of all that reading left me mentally tired. A little rest is all I need."
Erza was silent for a moment, then suddenly offered:
"If it's mental exhaustion, Noah, a massage should help relieve it. Let me give you one."
Noah blinked in surprise.
"You… want to give me a massage?"
"Why? Am I not allowed to?"
Erza's face clouded with displeasure. Noah quickly waved his hands.
"Of course you can. Please, I'd be happy to have one."
"That's better."
Erza's expression softened into a smile as she sat down beside him.
Noah looked at Erza in puzzlement, trying to guess what she intended to do. Erza, however, patted her thigh and said firmly:
"Come, lie down."
"???"
Whenever Noah saw a question mark like that, it wasn't him with the problem it was the situation itself. He gave Erza a doubtful look, but her serious expression made it clear she wasn't joking.
"What are you waiting for? Lie down, quickly!"
Noah's gaze flicked to Erza's outfit. She wore a light-colored dress that fell to her knees, with black stockings on her legs. Seeing her determined look, he had no choice but to lower himself cautiously. Yet before he could settle, Erza abruptly pushed him down.
There was nothing gentle about it only the painful thud of being forced onto her lap.
Once Noah was lying there, Erza began to massage his head with her hands.
"Ow, ow! Erza, be gentler! My head isn't one of your weapons you don't have to use that much force!"
Noah nearly leapt up. The way she pressed down, it felt like she was treating his skull the same way she treated her sword.
"Sorry, I'm not used to this. I pressed too hard. How about this?"
She gradually lightened her touch. Noah kept flailing his hands until her strength finally reached a tolerable level. Only then did he relax.
Erza continued, slowly kneading from his forehead to the crown of his head, then down to his ears and cheeks.
Thanks to the influence of Ultear and Sorano, Erza, though often careless in her daily habits, had still picked up the finer points of personal care. At their insistence, Noah had even developed a skincare potion, which the guild's girls all used.
As a result, Erza's hands bore no calluses despite years of swordplay. They were pale, smooth, and elegant, her slender fingers both strong and gentle. The sensation of them pressing lightly against Noah's face was surprisingly pleasant.
The earlier sting of her rough start faded, replaced by a soothing warmth. Noah sank deeper against her thighs, closed his eyes, and let himself drift.
Her legs, toned through constant training, were firm yet soft, giving him a sense of ease. A faint fragrance tickled his nose the light, refreshing scent of the shower gel Erza always used.
He didn't feel romantic excitement, but rather a profound sense of safety of being home, with someone he trusted.
The fatigue he had carried for so long spilled out all at once, and under Erza's steady hands, Noah slipped into a deep sleep.
Erza felt his breathing steady beneath her fingers. Realizing he had dozed off, she softened her touch further, then eventually let her hands rest still. She gazed down at him, her back against the sofa, her expression thoughtful.
She had only meant to shower, change, and rest before bed, but when Noah came home looking so weary, she had impulsively offered the massage.
Now, as his peaceful face lay on her lap, the drowsiness spread to her as well. Before she knew it, Erza, too, had nodded off against the sofa.
When Yukino Sorano returned, she found the two of them asleep in that position. She sighed softly, carefully adjusted Noah so he no longer weighed down Erza's legs, and covered both of them with blankets taken from their rooms.
Those who came home later moved quietly at Sorano's reminder, not daring to disturb the scene.
By the time Noah opened his eyes, the room was filled with the sound of others moving about. Erza was no longer beside him, but everyone else had returned.
He glanced at the clock. It was already evening. Since he had come back at noon, that meant he had slept away the entire afternoon.
....
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