Mushoku Tensei — Chapter 130 - Demon Continent, Once Again

My daughters are probably at the age where they start forming real memories now.

In my previous life, I think mine began around five or six.

My daughters are barely past three, but the sharpness they've shown tells me they'll remember. Or maybe that's just how children are in this world. Aisha was exceptionally bright at that age too.

.......

Now that the girls are old enough to actually understand things, I've decided it's time to head to the Demon Continent.

The goal is simple: visit Roxy's parents. My in-laws, in other words.

The night before I left, I worked it out with my wives. Roxy wanted to come, but I shut that down with the classic one-two: Lara is still so young, and besides, don't you trust me? I'd also be teleporting back to check in every 2 days. That was enough. Roxy agreed.

.......

I walked into the closet and found my wardrobe.

I opened it, reaching for the robe from my adventurer days.

"Hm?"

The gray-black mage robe that should have been hanging there was gone.

I was still leaning in, searching, when Roxy's voice came from behind me.

"Rudy? What are you looking for?"

"My robe. The one I wore as an adventurer."

Something seemed to click for her. She brought her hands together in a small clap, laughing.

"That robe~ Aisha took it."

"Eh?"

"Well~ she probably just admires adventurer-era Rudy."

"...Alright."

It was just a robe. No enchantments, nothing special. I'd worn it so long it had become habit. I could buy another one.

"Aisha asked us to keep it quiet, so Sylphie and Eris are in on it too."

"It's just a robe. She could've told me directly."

"It means a lot to her~ So! The three of us — me, Sylphie, and Eris, secretly knitted you a new one!"

"Hmm?"

"Wait right here, Rudy!"

Roxy turned and jogged back to the bedroom, leaving me alone in the closet.

A few minutes passed. Then I heard her light footsteps coming back.

Her cheeks were a little flushed. Whether from the jogging or something else, I couldn't say.

"Ta-da~"

She made an oddly cute sound as she held out a gray-brown robe.

"We spent half a year making this together. Sylphie did the most work, honestly... Eris and I are a bit hopeless with our hands."

I took it from her and unfolded it.

The inner lining was soft and fine. Not remotely what any adventurer would actually wear. My lovely wives had clearly never stopped to consider that adventurer robes were supposed to be cheap materials you could destroy without a second thought.

But.......

"Roxy."

"Hm?"

"I love you."

"Why are you suddenly saying that..."

She glanced left and right.

Once she confirmed the children weren't nearby, she moved one step closer.

"Rudy~"

I leaned down.

Roxy cupped my face in her hands and kissed me.

A few seconds later, face red, she pulled back.

"Alright! Go say your goodbyes to Sylphie and the others."

"Got it."

......

I draped the gray-brown robe over my shoulders and picked up Arrogant Water Dragon King.

Hoh.......

That feeling. I hadn't had it in a long time.

Last time I held this staff, a few years ago? Back when I helped Ariel take the throne, I think.

"Rudeus! I, want, to — go — too!"

Eris's voice exploded into the room.

I smiled wryly. "Didn't we settle this last night? I'm going alone."

"No! I'm worried about you!"

"Eris, don't you trust me? I'll be back every 2 days."

"Ugh... b-but... I've been training with the sword all this time so I could protect Rudeus..."

Her voice dropped. The sharpness went out of her completely.

I really can't deal with Eris when she gets like this.

I looked toward Sylphie. She caught my eyes, smiled, and turned to Eris.

"Don't worry, Eris. With the item Orsted gave him and the teleportation circles, Rudy barely has any distance to cover."

"Ugh... really?"

I stepped over and patted her on the head. "Trust me, alright?"

"...Fine."

Roxy stepped forward once I'd settled Eris down. She held out a small wooden pendant.

"This is my token. Show it to the guards at the village entrance when you arrive. They'll know Rudy is someone I trust."

"Got it."

......

Just before I left, my wives and daughters gathered at the entryway.

I crouched down and patted each of the girls on the head.

"Papa, come back soon~"

"S-safe... safe travels, Papa..."

"Be careful, Papa."

Lara Greyrat, Lucy, Windsor, one by one, each of them said goodbye.

Ah, geez.......

"I'll be back before you know it. All of you wait for Papa, okay?"

The separation wasn't going to be long. The farewells were somehow more solemn than that deserved.

These kids, honestly.

I straightened up and looked at my wives. There wasn't much left to say, we'd covered everything the night before. So I just smiled.

"Heading out?"

Sylphie said my name softly.

"Rudy."

"Hm?"

"You look really cool."

Roxy and Eris nodded, and all three spoke at once.

"Safe travels."

➤ Next: Detection