Mushoku Tensei — Chapter 121 - A Small Drinking Party

"So you'll be helping me again from here on out?"

"Yeah."

Inside the laboratory, I explained Aisha's situation to Nanahoshi.

"Well, I don't really need you two anymore at this point. I've already figured it out."

"Huh?"

"Mm... to be precise, I can't go back for a while."

"Why?"

"Same as when we crossed over here — when someone else crosses over again, I should be able to use the Magic Circle to go back."

"And how can you be sure anyone will cross over in the future?"

"We'll get to that later. For now, what I want to research is the hibernation pod. Orsted did say my lifespan is limited too."

Nanahoshi pushed the blueprints across the table toward me.

The design looked like something straight out of a sci-fi movie from my previous life.

Except none of it ran on technology. It ran on mana.

"Interesting design. Pretty difficult to build, though, isn't it?"

"Indeed."

Nanahoshi nodded and added,

"Right now it's still just a concept. No rush."

"A hibernation pod, huh. So I won't be able to come drink with you anymore?"

"Why would that be? When the time comes, we'll set a timer — wake up once a month, once every two months. Wouldn't that work out fine?"

"Fair enough. I've said everything I needed to say. I'm heading back."

"One drink before you go?"

"Mm... just a little. I'll sit with you for just a bit."

"Heh. Then let's call it that."

Nanahoshi gathered up the research blueprints, then took out a scroll and burned them.

Shortly after, Orsted teleported in.

"Rudeus, good afternoon."

"Good afternoon."

He turned toward Nanahoshi, gave a small nod, and said nothing.

"Boss, you're joining us too?"

"Mm. We're friends, after all. Getting together once in a while is a good thing."

Orsted delivered those words with his usual expressionless face.

I shook my head and laughed.

"Then let's head out. Though... I'm guessing it won't be a regular tavern?"

"Of course not. My curse would make ordinary people faint on the spot."

He reached into the Magic Circle and pulled out several bottles of liquor.

"Right here is fine. These are all fairly ancient vintages. We can sample them together."

Nanahoshi's eyes lit up. She came over and settled into a seat like it was the most natural thing in the world.

...This girl. I pulled out a chair and sat down too.

Orsted used magic to pour our drinks, then poured a glass for himself.

...

After a few rounds, both Nanahoshi's cheeks and mine had gone red.

It wasn't that we'd drunk all that much. It was just that everything Orsted brought was high-proof.

"Rudeus. Is there nothing you want to ask me?"

Orsted's face hadn't changed at all. It was hard to believe the man had already had over a dozen glasses.

"You mean about Aisha?"

"Mm."

Orsted nodded and downed another glass.

"I trust you wouldn't harm her... but..."

Alright.

I wasn't sure what I was even supposed to ask. Even if Aisha said she simply wanted to go out and adventure, I couldn't have stopped her.

I turned it over in my head, then spoke slowly.

"But you're right. I should ask something. Like — what did you tell her? Any secrets?"

"No secrets. I only told her where some of the dragon race's treasures are located."

"That's all?"

"Mm, that's all. I also told her which individuals are the Man-God's apostles. Told her to keep an eye out."

He must have caught the look on my face.

Orsted immediately added,

"Rest assured. None of those people come close to her in strength."

"I see. Then why didn't you send me instead?"

"Isn't your wife about to give birth?"

That matter-of-fact delivery stopped me cold.

Does he truly consider me a friend?

I drained my cup and said,

"Let me go next time."

"Heh. As things stand, there won't be a next time. I don't believe there's anyone left in this world, apart from myself, who could pose a genuine threat to Aisha's life."

"You trust her that much?"

"Her strength is far more terrifying than you imagine."

I thought of Aisha's monstrous talent, her raw power, and nodded.

"...Can't argue with that."

Orsted smiled faintly and went back to his wine.

Nanahoshi, beside us, had already crossed into fully drunk territory.

His liquor hit harder than anything she'd had before.

I cast a healing spell on her, carried her to the sofa in the corner of the laboratory, and pulled a blanket over her. Then I walked back and sat down with Orsted again.

The two of us drank on, slowly, as the daylight faded into night.

At some point I even asked if he could help think of a name for the baby.

He answered immediately.

"Wouldn't Rudeus II be fine?"

He sounded completely serious.

Then he caught my expression and smiled.

Right. He was joking.

...

That night, I carried Nanahoshi back to her dormitory, then made my way home.

My wives seemed to have seen Aisha's departure coming from a mile away. When I told them, every single one of them had the same look on their face.

Of course she did.

It made me wonder if I'd ever really understood Aisha as well as I thought.

"Rudy, don't overthink it. Aisha is really strong, you know."

"I know."

"And we have a teleportation circle right here at home. Aisha took a teleportation scroll with her too. When she wants to come back, she'll come back."

"Yeah... you're right."

Listening to Roxy, I felt the knot in my chest loosen a little.

Sylphie and Eris came to find me after that, and we talked about Aisha too. Not to comfort me, really, just swapping stories, the funny things she'd done over the years, small moments none of us had forgotten.

When it was time for bed, all four of us settled in together.

Nothing happened, of course. There's a pregnant woman in the house.

But this was just how we were. The four of us, together. Doing something or doing nothing, it didn't much matter.

"Good night."

➤ Next: Beautiful — Tears Unshed