Mushoku Tensei — Chapter 143 - A Letter

Cliff's confidence wasn't unfounded, he had succeeded.

Words that matched his confidence made me think even more highly of him.

I like people like that.

"Thank you, Cliff."

"No, I should be thanking you, Rudeus. I was able to confirm the next Pope matter because you were willing to help."

"That's different. I didn't actually do much of anything. You're the one who truly helped me."

Cliff shook his head and extended his hand.

"Is this really something that requires such solemn thanks? Rudeus, when I become Pope, come to my wedding."

"Of course."

"Bring your wives and children. I'll host you all with the highest standards the Holy Country of Milis can offer."

"Something to look forward to."

After our conversation, Cliff turned back and resumed directing the medical team.

He'll make a fine Pope. That confidence is exactly what a king needs.

------

Then the work began.

One group was busy making medicine. Another was hauling water, checking on patients.

Norn was among them, pushing herself hard, rushing back and forth across the territory.

Mm... very cute.

Not that I'm some kind of pervert. It's just that my little sister working hard looks cute.

The children of the Superd Race apparently agreed with me.

I could hear them talking about Norn.

Go ahead and praise my little sister, just keep it respectable.

"Brother... help me..."

"Hm?"

Norn walked up to me and held out her hands. The skin was peeling.

I cast healing magic without thinking twice.

"Don't you know intermediate healing magic? A small injury like this shouldn't be a problem for you."

"Using magic makes me tired. I don't want to stop."

"Norn."

"Hm?"

"You've grown up."

"I grew up a long time ago..."

We smiled at each other. Neither of us said anything more.

Norn went back to work.

As for me,

I had no intention of lifting a hand to help them.

My disgust toward the Demon Race has never changed. That's just the truth.

It's only because of certain individuals that I choose to help at all.

The Migurdia Race, of course, doesn't count as Demon Race in my mind.

------

The treatment continued for 2 months.

Every night I'd return home to my wives and daughters. Every day I'd be back in the Superd Race's village.

Mainly because Norn really loved to push herself.

Injured, exhausted, feeling off, she endured it all without a word.

Every time, I'd be the one to find out. I'd scold her, then treat her.

In her eyes, those were probably minor problems. In mine, they weren't.

After each treatment, Norn would lean against my shoulder and sleep for a while. If she went deep enough, I'd carry her back and put her to bed properly.

Right now, she was leaning against my shoulder.

Sleeping soundly. The treatment was over, finally over, and she had completely let go.

I picked her up and headed toward the teleportation circle. Time to get her home for a proper rest.

"Rudeus."

I stopped.

I turned, it was Ruijerd and the chieftain.

"Keep it down. I'll take Norn back first. Come back and talk after."

"Alright."

I carried Norn into the teleportation circle without another word.

The moment I stepped through at home, my wives came out to meet me.

"Rudy~"

Roxy's drowsy voice reached my ears. She'd been on the living room sofa, apparently waiting for me.

It was late, after all.

My wives always waited for me in the living room. Sometimes they even fell asleep on the sofa.

The girls would wait too, but once they were asleep, someone would carry them back to their rooms.

Roxy came toward me with half-lidded eyes and a dopey grin.

"Roxy~ Rudy's carrying little sister Norn — don't disturb her."

Sylphie noticed Norn in my arms and caught Roxy before she got any closer.

"Oh... right... I was half-asleep..."

"Very cute, Teacher Roxy."

"Ugh... Rudy, stop teasing me..."

Eris, standing beside Roxy, had probably been about to shout "Rudeus" at full volume.

But she'd noticed Norn first and stopped herself.

Swordswoman instincts, I suppose.

Still holding Norn, I kissed each of my wives in turn.

Then I carried Norn upstairs and settled her into an empty room.

Back downstairs, Sylphie looked up at me.

"Rudy, want some late-night food?"

"Mm... a little, sure. But I still have to head out again."

"Already? Will you be back soon?"

"Yeah. Just need to talk something over. I'll be right back."

"Alright~ We'll wait for you."

"Love you all."

Just as I was stepping toward the teleportation circle, Sylphie suddenly remembered something.

"Rudy, wait!"

"Hm?"

"This — a letter came today."

"Okay."

Who'd be sending a letter?

Cliff had been around in person lately. Father and my in-laws could just come through the circle. Kings came to visit directly...

I took it and opened it on the spot.

My brow furrowed.

"Geese..."

To be precise, this was a declaration of war.

The contents were simple.

Time of the decisive battle. Location of the decisive battle.

And a final line:

[I don't want to spend my days scheming against my friend's son. Let's end it once and for all.]

Ho.

That suits me just fine.

I don't want to be chasing him across the world either.

"Rudy? What does it say? Your face looks strange..."

"Ah?"

"Rudy, just now... were you smiling...?"

"It's nothing. Letter from an old friend. Alright, I'm heading out."

"Mm, safe travels~"

------

Back in the Superd Race's village.

The chieftain and Ruijerd were sitting together. I spotted them the moment I stepped out of the circle.

"Benefactor..."

"Mm. No need for formalities."

"Alright..."

We got into it, the question we'd tabled earlier.

Where the Superd Race should go from here.

This forest was no longer viable.

Not because of any threat from the Bihiril Kingdom. If I wanted, one spell would wipe that nation off the map.

The real problem was the food and water in this forest. It wasn't sustainable for them.

"Benefactor... you said that as long as the Superd Race fought for you, you would provide us with shelter... but our warriors are already so few now..."

"I'm not asking all of you to fight for me. Just a few of your strongest — that's enough."

Ruijerd lowered his head beside me.

"Rudeus. Use me however you see fit. Even if you send me to my death, I won't hesitate. I am the strongest warrior in our race."

"I'm not sending you to your death. Norn would cry."

"Norn..."

"Alright. I'll have Ariel find you a settlement in the Asura Kingdom. City or forest?"

The chieftain answered without hesitation.

"Forest."

"I'll say this upfront, discrimination against green hair in the Asura Kingdom is practically nonexistent. Think it over."

The chieftain turned to Ruijerd.

Ruijerd nodded.

"Rudeus is right. In the Asura Kingdom, their queen declared green the color of happiness. No one would dare speak against it."

"This..."

The chieftain lowered his head and thought for a moment.

"Then... is there a forest near a city? We could live quietly in the forest and still go into the city to trade for supplies."

"No problem."

Someone fit to lead, alright. A sound decision.

With the Superd Race's situation settled, I sent the chieftain out of the room.

Then I activated the scroll magic that summoned Orsted.

About 10 seconds later, Orsted stepped through.

"What is it, Rudeus?"

"Take a look at this."

I handed him Geese's declaration of war.

He read it. Then he smiled.

"What are you thinking?"

"Isn't this perfect?"

"Seems we're of the same mind. Do you need me to step in?"

"Same as always. If something goes wrong on my end, then you move. He's already picked the location this time, so just watch from a distance."

"Mm. You can also ask me directly if you need me involved. My magic is at full capacity right now, and that's your doing. So I'd rather you not take on too much risk."

"Ho. My doing, huh."

Well.

Being acknowledged by someone that powerful, it still felt good.

"Do you need me to notify your little sister?"

"Honestly... I don't know exactly how strong Aisha is. But as her older brother, I'm not thrilled about pulling her into this..."

Orsted laughed.

It was the first time I'd seen him laugh that openly.

"Your little sister once said that besides me, no one could kill the person she wants to protect in front of her."

"Well... what exactly does that mean?"

"She was right. No one can — except me."

"Aisha really is a genius."

Orsted shook his head.

"More than a genius. A complete prodigy. In the years she spent studying at my side, she's gotten a grasp of essentially every skill a human can learn. She picked up magic from following you, so you know better than anyone how terrifying she is."

"Fair enough."

"That's why I'm grateful to you, Rudeus. Across countless cycles of reincarnation, you were the variable. Your presence changed Aisha Greyrat."

"I didn't really do anything."

"Aren't you doing something for me right now?"

"This one's for myself too. And for you, of course. My friend."

"Mm. I'll go notify your little sister. I'll give her the enemy's intelligence and the location of the decisive battle. What she does from there is up to her."

"Alright."

From here, the path was clear.

Assemble my forces. Use Orsted to get a read on the enemy's capabilities.

Aisha, Ghislaine, Ruijerd, plus the elite warriors of their race.

Eris... she was pregnant.

6 months along.

There was no way she was fighting.

"Rudeus."

"Hm?"

"You're too tense."

"Am I?"

"Mm. This is a battle we're going to win."

"Is it?"

"Just set up the battlefield. I'll give you the intelligence on anyone who might stand against you shortly."

"Alright."

➤ Next: Keith — Tears Unshed