Mushoku Tensei — Chapter 198 - Cliff, the Child

In the days leading up to my daughters' birthdays, Cliff and his wife Elinalise brought their child to find me and Nanahoshi.

The six of us gathered in the laboratory.

Why six?

Because I'd brought Christina along to see Nanahoshi too.

Nanahoshi was the one who suggested the name. It only made sense to bring the baby over.

Cliff reached out and patted his son's head.

"My son, Clape."

"Oh, he's going to be quite the looker."

"Right?"

I leaned over and played with the baby in Elinalise's arms.

The moment Tina, currently nestled in Nanahoshi's hold, caught sight of that, she burst into tears.

Nanahoshi scrambled to soothe her. Tina kept crying anyway.

Hmm. Jealous, is she?

She's definitely jealous.

My daughter isn't even a year old and she's already jealous over her father.

Adorable.

I stopped immediately and walked over to Nanahoshi, lifting Tina out of her arms.

Sure enough, the crying stopped the instant she was against my chest.

Nanahoshi looked thoroughly put out.

"Come on... I'm basically Tina's godmother, aren't I? I even helped name her. And she's this clingy to you..."

"Nothing I can do. Tina just loves her daddy."

"Tsk. That's just infant ignorance. Ask me again when she's older."

"Doesn't matter how old they get. My daughters will always like me more~"

While Nanahoshi and I were bickering, Clape in Elinalise's arms started crying too.

Elinalise rocked him gently for a moment. When that didn't work, something seemed to click.

"You're hungry, aren't you~ Mama will feed you right now."

And with that, she tugged the fabric on one side of her chest straight down.

I blinked. Then I turned my head away fast.

"Cliff. Tell your wife to be more careful."

Cliff smiled and looked over at her.

"Lize, you really should be more careful. No matter how much you trust Rudeus, he is still a man. I'd get jealous too, you know."

"Sorry, Cliff... I'm just so used to doing this at home..."

"It's fine. You let your guard down because you trust him, and so do I."

"Rudeus, sorry about that."

Elinalise apologized and carried Clape over toward the sofa.

Honestly...

I stroked Tina's soft little cheek.

At least Eris had fed her before I brought her over.

"Alright, Rudeus." Cliff's tone shifted, businesslike now. "Bringing the children to see you was the main reason I came, yes — but discussing the research on the curse-weakening device and the Mana Storage Device with you and Nanahoshi is just as important."

I nodded.

"Then let's send the children home first. Your son probably can't handle Orsted's curse."

Cliff agreed without hesitation.

Nanahoshi had no objections.

So we brought the children back to the house.

When we reached the front door, Sylphiette was the one who opened it.

"Welcome back~ Rudy, Tina..."

She smiled, then noticed the others behind me.

"Oh! Grandma, Mr. Cliff, Miss Nanahoshi — welcome, all of you!"

I passed Tina to Sylphiette. She took her gently and looked at me.

"Rudy? Are you heading out again?"

"Cliff, Nanahoshi, and I still have research to do. One more trip to the laboratory."

"Okay. Will you be back for dinner?"

"Of course. I'm looking forward to it."

"Good~ Oh, right! Let's invite Mom and Dad over tonight too. They used to be teammates with Grandma, after all."

"Fine by me, if Elinalise and Cliff don't mind." I glanced back at them. "You too, Nanahoshi."

"I don't mind," Nanahoshi said.

Elinalise nodded. She stepped inside with Clape, then turned back to face Cliff from the doorway.

"I don't mind either. But~ Cliff."

"Hm?"

"Before you go, you have to give your beloved a kiss."

Cliff smiled, that particular fond, indulgent smile, walked up, and kissed her on the lips.

Sylphiette watched them. Then she turned and looked at me.

As if I wouldn't know what that look meant.

I walked up and kissed my wife.

"Rudy, honestly~" She laughed. "Alright, Grandma, let's head inside. We'll get dinner ready together."

"Sounds good~"

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On the way back to the laboratory, Nanahoshi's exasperation was already showing.

"You two are disgustingly lovey-dovey."

Cliff replied without expression.

"You should find a lover, Nanahoshi. Love changes things. It might do something about those dark thoughts of yours."

"Dark thoughts? I was blessing you in my heart."

"I hope that's true."

"Heh... hehe... Rudeus. What are you laughing at?"

Nanahoshi rounded on me.

I was just thinking this kind of banter between friends was funny.

"I just thought your reaction was entertaining, Nanahoshi."

...I can't believe the day finally came when what I say is the exact opposite of what I'm thinking.

Nanahoshi smiled with her mouth but not her eyes and stomped on my foot.

"And to think I've been researching new things for your sake."

"Oh? What kind of things?"

"Not telling you. There's nothing to show yet."

"Fair enough. Still — you're doing research for me. That genuinely means a lot."

"Right? I do all this for you, and you still laugh at me?"

The three of us bantered our way back to the laboratory.

I activated the magic link and notified Orsted.

When Orsted arrived, we first reported on the Mana Storage Device, then moved on to running experiments with Cliff's curse-weakening device.

The afternoon disappeared.

That evening, the three of them came to my house.

Four, counting me.

Orsted came too, wearing the curse-weakening device as he walked through the front door.

The thing actually worked remarkably well.

My wives and parents were used to him by now, and the children weren't afraid. The maids had been trained. Ghislaine knew him.

Aisha wouldn't come in for dinner, but she knew him too, so she stayed near the entrance without making a scene.

Elinalise had heard enough from Cliff that she was prepared. Clape trembled in her arms, but he didn't cry.

Tough little guy.

All things considered, the atmosphere was decent enough. We ate dinner together.

Nobody left right after.

Lara dragged Orsted out into the yard and demanded magic lessons.

I'd asked Orsted about this beforehand, and he'd agreed without complaint.

Honestly, though, I think he would have said yes even if I hadn't asked. He genuinely has a soft spot for Lara.

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In the yard, Windsor had roped Aisha and Ghislaine into sparring.

Lucy sat off to the side, watching, a little unfocused, until Nanahoshi wandered over.

"Sister Nanahoshi..."

"Hehe, little Lucy~ How about I teach you some magic?"

"Ah?"

"I don't know a ton of spells myself, BUT! My theoretical foundation is rock solid, which means I'm actually great at teaching."

"...Is that so?"

The unlikely pair of Nanahoshi and Lucy drifted off together.

I stood with my wives and watched.

My parents were inside with Cliff. Mostly it was Paul and Zenith catching up with Elinalise, trading old stories from the days when they'd all traveled together.

The yard was warm with quiet noise, sparring, laughter, Nanahoshi explaining something with exaggerated gestures while Lucy listened with wide eyes.

I stayed there a moment longer than I needed to.

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