Mushoku Tensei — Chapter 38 - Hope — Tears Unshed

"This is really......."

When I returned to Likaris Town, I found the city had gone dead.

Could the magical disaster have reached this far.......? Then my hometown.......

No. First things first — I needed to find news of Rudy. At least since arriving on the Demon Continent, I hadn't noticed anything unusual.

I walked into the guild and found the front desk.

"Excuse me — have you heard the name Rudeus Greyrat?"

The receptionist froze for a moment, then smiled.

"Yes. He left this city about two months ago."

Eh? There really was news of Rudy?

We just missed each other........

Still, knowing he was alright was what mattered......

"If I may ask one more thing."

I pushed three copper coins across the counter.

"Go ahead."

"Has the Demon Continent suffered some kind of magical disaster? Why does everyone in town look so lifeless?"

"Ah....... that....... we're still investigating. Two months ago, countless lightning bolts suddenly rained down on the western district. Many people died........ over a thousand dead........ more than two thousand seriously injured....."

"I see. My condolences."

I adjusted the brim of my hat, picked up my staff, and moved to leave.

That was when a minotaur, drunk to a stupor until a moment ago — lurched to his feet.

"How many times do I have to say it! It was that human, Rudeus, who did this! Why won't any of you believe me! I saw it with my own eyes!"

He roared at the receptionist. His severed arm hung at his side, a perfect match for the ruin of the rest of him.

The receptionist smiled awkwardly.

"Sir....... our records show that Mr. Rudeus was only a support mage....... all monster kills were credited to his older sister Eris, and that's been corroborated by other parties."

"Then he was lying to you! You've all been deceived!"

The minotaur snarled a few more times, then went suddenly quiet. He dropped back into his seat and reached for his drink.

Rudy did it.......? The odds were nearly zero. My kind-hearted disciple was not capable of slaughtering innocents.

He might well have the power to cast something like that. But Rudy would never use that power the wrong way.

Eris, though....... wasn't that the name of his student? I remembered hearing about her, some impossible young lady with a temper to match......

I shook my head, left the guild, and made my way to the western district.

The moment I arrived, I stopped.

Countless people knelt before collapsed buildings, hands pressed together, eyes shut, lips moving in prayer. They prayed for their families to find rest in whatever land the dead go to. They cursed the one who had thrown that power at innocents without a second thought. They were crying.

I laced my fingers together and closed my eyes.

"May you....... find peace."

An hour later, I picked up my staff and walked away from this city and its grief.

Rudy had left Likaris Town, which meant he was likely heading for Wynn Port. By the time he reached Tezan Port, he should find the message Mr. Paul had left behind.

Either way, I was on the Demon Continent now. I would visit my parents first, long overdue, and then go find Mr. Paul and help however I could.

I walked out of Likaris Town and turned back for one last look.

"It's already lost its life, hasn't it......."

➤ Next: South — Heartbreak