Mushoku Tensei — Chapter 52 - Parting — What Was Lost

In the early hours of the morning, I opened my eyes.

My mana sense caught someone standing at the door.

Hmm... Ghislaine?

I carefully slipped my hand free from Eris's arms and stepped out of the room.

Ghislaine leaned against the wall, arms crossed.

"What is it?"

"I'm here to take Miss Eris."

Her expression didn't change, but I caught her gaze flick toward the inside of the room.

I eased the door shut behind me.

"Take her where?"

"The Holy Land of Swords. Didn't Miss Eris tell you?"

"No."

"I see."

The Holy Land of Swords. I'd never heard of it, but just from the name alone, it was clearly a place for sword training.

Eris is going to train? I support her — of course I do, but why didn't she tell me...

"Is this the time you agreed on?"

"Yes. Any moment now, to be precise."

"Alright... What about Aisha?"

"Sleeping at the inn. Your little sister has real talent for the sword. Unlike you."

"True enough. But with both you and Eris leaving, there'll be no one to teach her."

Ghislaine tilted her head, and then, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world, said a name.

"Paul. Paul can teach her. Your sister loves to play clever — I'd say she and Paul are a perfect fit."

"Is that so?"

"Yes. I'm certain she'll surpass him."

"Is that right..."

Happy as that made me, I couldn't quite manage a smile right now.

Having to part with a lover I'd only just begun a romance with, it'd be stranger if I could.

"Wait by the door. I'm going to lie down a little longer."

"Mm."

I was already turning back when I remembered something.

I turned around again.

"Will you be at the Holy Land of Swords?"

"Yes."

"If I write to you, will you receive it?"

"Yes. But don't write to Miss Eris. Sword training requires a clear head."

"I'm writing to you, not Eris. Though if something truly important comes up, I'll write to her too."

"I see... Why write to me?"

"Same reason. If something big happens and I need your help, I'll write. You can do the same — once I've settled somewhere, of course."

Ghislaine nodded.

"That works..."

"Why that tone?"

"I feel like I've forgotten most of what you taught me."

"That's not possible. Once you learn to read, you don't forget."

"Really? Hm. Then there's no problem."

"You..."

"It's fine. Just write in the Human Common Tongue. Even if I can't read it myself, there'll be someone at the Holy Land of Swords who can."

"Fair enough. Then that's settled."

I went back inside and climbed onto the bed.

Eris was still asleep.

Such an adorable sleeping face. And yet so fierce, so passionate, when she had come to me.

Maybe... I'm actually pretty lucky. Having a girlfriend like this.

I ran my fingers through her hair and leaned in close for a moment.

So she did use perfume. I never imagined Eris, of all people, would pick up something like that...

Suddenly, I was pulled into a tight embrace.

"Rudeus. Pervert."

"Does Eris not like it?"

"I like it... I want to do it again..."

I shook my head.

"We're about to part. I just want to hold you a little longer. One last time."

"Rudeus already knew?"

"Yes."

Eris held on tighter. So tight I could feel every breath against my face.

"Rudeus... are you angry with me...?"

"No. The person I love wants to become stronger. What reason would I have not to support her?"

"Rudeus... you're really mature."

Mature?

Maybe. Two lifetimes combined puts me somewhere past thirty.

Yeah. Mature.

Eris loosened her arms.

"It's time. I need to go, Rudeus."

"Mm. When will you come back?"

"When I'm stronger than Ghislaine. Stronger than the Dragon God. Strong enough that no one in the world can beat me. Then I'll come back."

"What kind of answer is that... The way you say it makes it sound like we'll never see each other again..."

"Ah... then... then... when I'm strong enough to protect Rudeus... I'll come back."

"Mm. I'll wait for you."

Eris got up from the bed and started getting dressed.

She really does have a great figure. I'd spent so much time beneath her that I'd never stopped to notice.

Beautiful muscle, defined but not excessive. The kind of abs that only come from years of real training. So this is what a swordswoman's body looks like.

Eris finished dressing and turned to look at me.

"Rudeus. One last question."

"Hm?"

"Rudeus... even if... even if I come back very late... would you... always keep a place for me... in your family..."

I got up and walked to her.

I was in nothing but my underwear, but I didn't particularly care.

"Eris. We'll always be family. When you come back, I'll put together a grand wedding."

I pressed my forehead to hers and held her.

We didn't speak. We didn't kiss. Neither of us leaned into the other the way you might expect.

In the end, we just touched foreheads. A simple, quiet embrace.

Then Eris stepped back, turned, and walked straight out the door, like she was afraid that if she hesitated, she wouldn't be able to leave.

I tracked her with my mana sense. Listening as her footsteps grew smaller, and smaller, and then disappeared entirely.

"Hah..."

I lay back on the bed. It felt like everything had been drained out of me.

Time to figure out what comes next.

➤ Next: Three Years — Face to Face