Mushoku Tensei (LN) - Volume 12 - Chapter 14

Chapter 14:

Report 

T HINGS WENT BY in a frenzy after I returned. First, Aisha ran out to fetch Norn from school. Roxy, either out of consideration or because it felt too awkward lingering here, went off to retrieve Geese and the others. Elinalise seemed anxious to rush to her beloved Cliff’s side, but resisted the temptation. 

As we waited for everyone to gather here, I passed the time asking Sylphie about what had happened since I left. I was sure she wanted nothing more than to hear how my adventure had gone, but she didn’t complain as she recounted events during my absence. 

Her pregnancy was moving along smoothly. According to the doctor, the child would most likely be born right on time. As for the others, they were apparently doing well. There’d been a small incident at the school a few days ago, but Nanahoshi had resolved it. Something must have changed in her if she was going out of her way to help the people of this world. 

Neither Aisha nor Norn had gotten sick or injured; they were both doing well. Aisha’s gardening hobby had taken off, and she even had new plants growing in her room. I’d have to take a look for myself when I had the opportunity. Norn was gradually becoming an idol-like figure at the school, having spawned something akin to a fan club. It made sense, given how cute she was. 

Zanoba, Cliff, and Linia and Pursena popped in occasionally at the house to check in. Ariel had apparently complained that I’d said nothing to her before leaving. She was right, come to think of it. I’d need to apologize the next time I saw her. 

Even so, everything I heard suggested they were all doing well. When I had the time, I would have to go inform them all that I’d returned. 

Apparently, the only exception to our group of friends was Badigadi, who remained unaccounted for. Well, he was immortal, so I doubted anything bad had happened to him. 

Sylphie looked adorable as always, with a finger pressed to her chin as she tried to recall the past six months. 

“So nothing happened to anyone,” I remarked. 

“Nope. Nothing I think would worry you, at least.” 

“All right.” 

Sylphie changed the subject. “Anyway, so tell me. What happened with you?” 

“Oh, I’ll tell you,” I promised. “Just wait until everyone is gathered first. A lot happened.” 

“…Okay. Oh, it looks like they’re back.” 

In the midst of that conversation, Roxy returned, along with Geese, Talhand, Lilia, Vierra, Shierra, Elinalise, and Zenith. With Sylphie and myself included, there were ten of us. Our living area was spacious enough to accommodate them and then some. 

“Oh, you must be the boss’ wife,” Geese realized. “Heh heh heh, you sure are cute. Boss, you’re a lucky one.” 

“That’s my granddaughter,” Elinalise informed him. 

“Yep, and if not for her slutty granny, she’d be perfect.” 

“Excuse me?!” 

The rest of the party ignored their two bickering companions, moving to greet Sylphie one by one. She received them humbly, returning their greetings in kind. 

“A pleasure. I’m Roxy…Migurdia.” 

“Roxy? As in the master that Rudy is always boasting about?” asked Sylphie. 

“Yes, that one,” Roxy said, then paused a moment before continuing. “Although I’m not special enough to warrant such boasts.” 

“Well, I’m pleased to meet you. I’ve heard so much about you from Rudeus. I’m Sylphiette. It’s an honor.” 

“Y-yes, for me as well…” Roxy said, seeming a bit awkward. It made sense that she would be, I guess. Not much time had passed since our conversation the other day about her joining our family. But that talk would have to wait until later. 

“It has been a while, Mistress Sylphiette,” Lilia greeted her with a bow of the head. 

“Yes it has, Miss Lilia!” Sylphie seemed delighted at their reunion, her lips threatening to break into a genuine smile, only to turn bitter just as quickly. “Um, there’s no need for ‘Mistress Sylphiette.’ Could you just call me Sylphie, as you did so long ago?” 

“No.” Lilia shook her head. “I cannot treat you as I did before, not now that you’ve wed Lord Rudeus.” 

“O-oh, all right…” Sylphie looked abashed. 

Lilia had taught her everything she knew about housework. In a way, she was Sylphie’s “master,” the same way Roxy was mine. Of course Sylphie respected her. 

“It’s been a while, Miss Zenith,” Sylphie said, at last turning to greet my mother. “Um…Miss Zenith?” 

“…” 

Zenith just stared blankly ahead even as Sylphie called out to her. 

“Um…?” Troubled, Sylphie glanced back at me. The look on her face said she was worried Zenith wasn’t pleased by our marriage. 

“Sylphie,” I said, “I’ll explain about my mother and father once Norn gets here.” 

“Oh yes, I don’t see Mister Paul here…” she began to say, her eyes searching the room. It didn’t take long for her to infer what had happened after everyone fell silent and she glimpsed their faces. Sylphie pursed her lips and went quiet. 

Silence fell as we waited for Norn to return. It was tacitly understood that we couldn’t begin until she arrived. 

After a bit, Aisha and Norn returned, both breathless from the run. 

“B-Big Brother, welcome back from your long trip!” Norn huffed and puffed as she spoke, bowing her head. She caught a glimpse of my hand and jolted. “Is your hand okay?” 

“It’s fine. It’s inconvenient, but it doesn’t hurt,” I said. Compared to what we were about to discuss, my left hand was hardly noteworthy. 

“O-oh, okay.” Norn was still struggling to catch her breath as she glanced about the room. “Huh?” she muttered in confusion, unable to find who she was looking for as she took a seat. 

Aisha approached me and asked, “Before we proceed, would it not be appropriate to serve the guests some tea?” 

“Yeah, you’re right,” I agreed. “This is going to take a while, so please do.” 

“Oh, I’m sorry,” said Sylphie. “I should be the one doing that. Let me help out.” 

“Not at all, Mistress, stay here.” 

Entrusted with the task, Aisha immediately set to work. She prepared enough tea for everyone, gathered their luggage in one place, and hung up their coats, wet from the snow. She offered everyone slippers to use, taking their damp shoes and setting them to dry by the fireplace. 

I sat unmoving and merely watched her do all of this. It wasn’t just me watching, either. Lilia was also observing her daughter closely. Come to think of it, Lilia had always been the one doing this kind of work back in Rapan. But now, in the deathly silence, she stayed put, not lifting a finger. That was a rare sight. 

“Aisha.” Once her daughter’s work was mostly complete, Lilia called out to her. 

“Yes, what is it, Mother?” 

“It seems you’re attending to your duties properly and not causing trouble for your brother.” 

“Yes.” Aisha nodded. 

“You may be related to Lord Rudeus by blood, but it was he who saved your life. Keep that in mind as you continue to carry out your duties as his maid.” 

“Yes, Mother,” Aisha replied, sounding just as formal as Lilia. 

It didn’t feel right to hear a parent and child talk like that. This was their first time seeing each other in a while. I felt like they should be…well, you know, warmer toward each other. Then again, perhaps Lilia was just restraining herself. The conversation to come was going to be a painful one, after all. 

“Since everyone is gathered, why don’t we start?” My heart felt heavy, but it was my duty to speak. Paul was no longer here to do it for me. 

“But Father isn’t here yet,” Norn said anxiously in protest. 

Would she be angry when she learned, I wondered? Before I left, she’d clung to me, crying for me to help him. I’d told her to leave everything to me. She would probably blame me when she learned he was dead. 

It was fine if she did. I was the one who’d failed to grant her wish. 

I glanced around at everyone and then said, “Our father is…Paul Greyrat is dead.” 

“Huh…?” Norn raised her voice in confusion. 

Sylphie lowered her head, the heartbreak plain on her face. 

Aisha’s eyes went wide, her fists curling up tight. 

“This is what he left behind,” I said, setting out his equipment piece by piece on the table. His sword, his shortsword, his armor, and his remains. Just those four things. 

“W-why?!” Norn jumped to her feet and approached. “But you went! Why did he die?!” 

“I’m sorry… I wasn’t strong enough.” 

“But you’re…!” Norn stepped close, as if perhaps she intended to grab me by the collar. But her fury suddenly lost steam. I could see my left hand—or rather, lack thereof—reflected in her eyes. Her gaze shifted between that, Paul’s leftover belongings, and my face, and tears began to slowly well up in her eyes. 

I covered my left wrist with my right hand and continued, “I’ll explain in more detail right now.” 

She sniffed and muttered, “Okay…” 

Aisha strode up behind her, grabbing her by the shoulder. “For now—” 

“Enough, I know!” Norn smacked her hand away and stalked back to her seat. 

Aisha stood idle for a moment before returning to her position behind Sylphie. 

“All right, I’ll explain from the beginning…” 

I summarized everything that had happened. How Elinalise and I set out for Rapan and reunited with Paul and the others there. How, based on information we had about Zenith’s whereabouts, we dove into the Teleportation Labyrinth together and started mapping it out. I told them how things went smoothly until we ran up against the guardian. How the ensuing fight had been so rough that I’d lost my hand and Paul had lost his life. That although we’d succeeded in rescuing Zenith, she’d become a husk. Geese interjected intermittently to supply additional information as I slowly worked my way through it all. 

Then finally, Norn asked, “So that means you weren’t able to save Mother or Father?” 

“…That’s right.” 

I felt like I could see her hackles rise the moment I nodded. But she didn’t explode on me. Instead, she bit her lower lip and stared at my left hand. “Did you do everything you could?” 

“Yeah. I gave it all I had.” 

“If you tried that hard and you still failed, then it wouldn’t have mattered if…” She spoke calmly, but her voice then trailed off. I could see the tears begin to fill her eyes again. “I’m sure it wouldn’t have mattered… Father is…gone… Waah…wah…waaaaah!” She began to sob, large droplets streaming down her cheeks. 

Norn was crying. Loudly. In a voice that pierced me right through the heart. Everyone present wore grave expressions as they listened, and her body shook as she sobbed. And sobbed. And sobbed. And sobbed. She cried all the tears that the rest of us hadn’t, and we just listened as she did so. 

“Hic…waah…” 

After a while, she stopped. Her eyes were swollen and bright red, strangled noises kept escaping her throat. But she turned to me, her eyes filled with determination. 

“Big Brother?” 

“Yes, what is it?” I asked. 

“This sword, can I…hic…can I have it…?” Norn pointed a finger toward Paul’s favorite weapon. The one he’d had with him since before I was born. The one he always kept on him, the one that had never left his side. 

“Yeah, sure. You should take it. Just don’t use it recklessly.” 

“Huh…?” 

“Don’t mistake having that sword as a sign that you’ve suddenly gotten stronger.” 

It had been on my fifth birthday that Paul handed me a sword and said the very same thing to me. 

“I…understand,” Norn said, hugging it close to her chest. 

She was strong. It wouldn’t be unusual for a child her age to hole up in their room and cry, but she was facing Paul’s death head-on. Completely unlike me, who couldn’t even crawl back to my feet without Roxy’s help. 

Truly, she was strong. 

We decided to split his other mementos up amongst our family. Aisha chose his shortsword, and I chose his armor. As for his remains, we would build a proper grave for him and bury him there. At least, that was the plan until Zenith drifted forward and took his armor into her hands. 

“Mother?” 

“…” 

I called out to her, but she didn’t respond. As usual, she just stared blankly ahead, like a husk. And yet, she’d moved as if she understood what was going on here. Or was that just a coincidence? No…perhaps the core of who she was still remained. 

Regardless, it meant that I was left with nothing of his. But I was satisfied with that. I’d received so much from him already. 

“Well then, let’s talk about Mother next.” Once again, I explained Zenith’s condition to them—that she had lost her memories and seemed almost completely empty inside. 

“She won’t get better?” Sylphie asked. 

I shook my head. “I don’t know.” 

I intended to have doctors and healers examine her to be sure, but I’d never heard of healing magic that could restore lost memories. Honestly, we didn’t even know the root cause of her condition. We knew she’d been encased in a magically imbued crystal and lost her memories, but that was it. It might well be something akin to oxygen deficiency. 

I was certain of nothing, of course. But I did think the chances of curing her condition were slim. If there was damage to her brain, then the medical technology of this world wouldn’t be enough to fix her. Even Advanced-tier healing magic hadn’t done anything. I’d read a manga or two where inflicting the same level of shock that had made a person lose their memories in the first place snapped them back to normal, but we couldn’t test that out on Zenith. 

Besides, I wasn’t sure she’d be happy even if we did cure her. Paul had died trying to save her. I was sure she’d blame herself, saying, “If only he hadn’t tried to help me.” Maybe she was better off not remembering. 

No, that wasn’t right. We should work to restore her memories. 

“Anyway, she’ll need treatment and care,” I said. “I plan for her to live here with us.” 

If my parents in my previous life had lived, grown old, and become bedridden, would I have looked after them the same way? 

Lilia had initially said she planned to rent separate living quarters so that they wouldn’t impede on my life. She’d earned enough from the Teleportation Labyrinth to live on for over a decade in this town. I’d shot that idea down flat. I wouldn’t allow such a thing. Paul wouldn’t allow such a thing. It was our duty as her remaining family to look after her. 

“I plan to entrust her care to Miss Lilia,” I continued, “but I am sure everyone will end up having to lend a hand.” 

“Very well. I will do my best to help out, too,” Sylphie said gladly. 

No one seemed to disagree—not that I intended to let them. Paul had told me to save Zenith even if it killed me. Even now, I didn’t truly know what he’d meant by that. But now that he was gone, it was up to me to protect her. 

Besides, though I’d said she needed treatment, it wasn’t as though she had Alzheimer’s. She was just more or less an empty husk. With Lilia by her side at all times, I was sure she’d be fine, though I would need to gather the necessary supplies for her care. 

“So that means Mother will be living here as well?” Aisha blurted out, voice filled with confusion and anxiety. 

“Yes, Aisha. I will be in Lord Rudeus’ service.” 

I wondered if Aisha saw Lilia as a thorn in her side? Lilia had been a strict disciplinarian when she was growing up, and I’d gotten the sense Aisha enjoyed living away from her mother. Still, I didn’t feel like it was appropriate for her to express her displeasure here. If she did voice such complaints, I would have to chastise her accordingly. 

“Will we be splitting the work as well?” Aisha pressed on. 

“We can discuss that later,” said Lilia. “I intend to make the Mistress’ care my primary focus, leaving the majority of the household work to you, Aisha.” 

“…All right.” Aisha didn’t protest, but it did look like she was uncomfortable with her mother present. Her voice was stiff, her expression gloomy. 

Having noticed that, Norn interjected. “Hey, Aisha.” She put a hand on her sister’s shoulder and whispered, “You don’t have to hold back on our account, okay?” 

Aisha glanced at Norn, then at Lilia, then at me. Then again at Lilia and back at me. I wasn’t sure why she was looking to me for approval—or what she was looking for approval for—but I nodded nonetheless. 

Aisha hopped to her feet and threw her arms around Lilia. “M-Mother…! Mother, I’m so glad you’re safe!” She bawled, burying her face in Lilia’s stomach. 

“I’m home now, Aisha.” Lilia’s expression turned gentle as she stroked her daughter’s head. 

Ah, yes. It all made sense. 

Aisha had to have felt conflicted. Lilia was her mother, after all. I was sure she’d prayed for Paul and Zenith’s well-being, too, but it was Lilia’s safety she’d prayed for above all others. And now that she had returned safely, it was under circumstances too grim for Aisha to express her joy sincerely. 

Forgive me for doubting you, Aisha. 

We talked about a variety of things after that, concluding our return announcement. The conversation had included Geese’s financial report proving that we’d come out in the black, not that our newly deep pockets had done anything to brighten the cloudy expressions on everyone’s faces. 

“Well then, guess we oughta be off to look for an inn.” As soon as we were finished, Geese took to his feet. Talhand, Vierra, and Shierra followed his lead. 

I hurried to stop them. “I don’t mind if you stay here with us today.” 

“What, Boss? Don’t be stupid. We’ve got brains enough to know we’d just be gettin’ in the way of your family here,” Geese shot back. 

The other three seemed to agree, moving to retrieve their luggage, pulling on their still-damp shoes and coats. 

“…” 

In the end, I decided to see them off at the front entrance, and as I watched the four of them recede, I called out again. “Everyone, thank you for all the assistance you provided my father all this time.” 

Vierra and Shierra, in particular, bowed their heads deep. They had helped Paul ever since his time in Millishion. I hadn’t spoken with them very much, but they’d supported us in myriad ways as we dove in and out of the Teleportation Labyrinth. They were the heroes behind the scenes. 

“No, we should be the ones apologizing for not being more helpful.” 

“We’d appreciate if you’d let us know where the captain’s grave is once you have it finished.” 

Their replies were short. I wondered what Paul had been to them? They’d followed him to the Begaritt Continent even after the Fittoa Search and Rescue Squad disbanded. Perhaps they’d had special feelings for him? But even if they’d loved him, it was all over now. 

“What will you do now?” I asked. 

“Once winter is over, we’ll return to the Asura Kingdom. There are other people from the Search and Rescue Squad to whom we are indebted.” 

“I see,” I said. “Well, take care.” 

“You as well, Lord Rudeus. I know you’ll have a lot on your shoulders from here on out, but take care of yourself.” They bowed their heads to me one final time before disappearing into the curtain of falling snow. 

The Search and Rescue Squad… Oh yeah, hadn’t someone said something about Zenith’s family helping finance Paul’s activities? Zenith wasn’t exactly what you’d call safe and sound, but we should still inform them that she’d been found. I could at least pen them a letter. 

As I was preoccupied with those thoughts, Geese slapped my shoulder from behind. “Well, see ya, Boss.” 

“Mister Geese, Mister Talhand.” I looked at each of them. 

“What? Wipe that gloomy look off your face,” Geese grumbled. 

“What will you both be doing after this?” 

Geese scratched his head. “We plan to head as far as Asura. We wanna exchange our Begaritt currency and sell these magic items we got.” 

“You’re going to sell all of them?” I asked. 

“Plan to keep a few to use ourselves, but for the most part, yeah.” 

Geese still had one in hand. They’d informed me of what the items did when they appraised them, but most were nothing special—just random stuff like a shortsword that could be used in place of a match. I figured I might find a use for them eventually, so I tossed them into our basement storage area. No matter how ridiculous the effects, they would still fetch us some money if we were ever in a pinch. 

The magic stones that absorbed mana were a separate matter. I wanted to research them once I had the time. If I faced a similar opponent in the future, I didn’t want a repeat of the Labyrinth. I didn’t want to be powerless. I might not be skilled enough to get anything out of researching the stones, but I’d rather try than just give up. 

“If you want, we can take your items along with us to sell in Asura. You’ll get a lot more bang for your buck there than you would here, you know?” 

Asura did have a steep price for commodities, and their currency was accepted widely across the Central Continent. If you were going to sell something, Asura was the place to do it. 

“And let me guess,” I said knowingly, “on the way back here, you’ll gamble it all away and make a run for it?” 

“Ah—hey, no way, I wouldn’t put my hands on your money, Boss.” His eyes darted back and forth, not looking at me. Perhaps he really did plan to gamble the money away. 

Ah, well. If not for Geese, we would’ve never made it through that labyrinth in the first place. I owed him an enormous debt. This was trivial by comparison. 

“I’m kidding,” I said finally. 

“Well, I did plan to gamble some of it,” he confessed, the edges of his lips curling up in an ornery chuckle. 

“And after that?” 

“Going to continue as an adventurer.” Geese shrugged. “Those’re the only skills we got.” 

“All right.” 

“Well, we’ll be here until spring, so come drink with us when you’ve got the time. You said you’d introduce me to a nice female monkey, yeah? Ah, I guess since you got a wife and kid on the way, you probably don’t frequent those kinda places. Heh heh.” 

True, we wouldn’t be seeing the last of each other just yet. Even so, Geese was the kind of man who’d just up and leave on his next adventure without a word in advance. I wanted to at least say my farewells while I had the opportunity. 

“Mister Geese,” I started. 

“Boss. You’re talkin’ all funny, you know? Talk to me like you always do, like, ‘Hey, Newbie!’” 

Curious, I asked, “Why are you so particular about being called ‘Newbie’?” 

“It’s a jinx.” 

A jinx. That word alone should have been an inadequate explanation, but it hit me straight in the heart. If it was one of his jinxes, I couldn’t complain. “Well, either way, thank you both for everything you’ve done up until now.” 

“I told ya, no need. Anyway, take care, Boss.” 

Once I bowed my head low, Geese waved his hand and started to walk off. 

“He’s right, you don’t owe us anythin’. If anyone does, it’d be Paul. What I mean is, we don’t need any thanks,” Talhand said as he shifted his burly body to follow Geese. 

I watched until they disappeared. 

“Men always want to show off like that,” said a voice. 

I glanced over to see Elinalise standing beside me. Apparently, she’d been talking to Sylphie while I was bidding them farewell. I wondered if it was about Roxy? I’d told her I had a duty to tell Sylphie everything, but being the busybody that she was, Elinalise might have put in a few words for me. Honestly, I wasn’t anxious to have that conversation, so I was grateful for her consideration. 

“Well then, I should be off to see Cliff. I don’t have much time left.” Elinalise stroked her lower abdomen as she spoke. I’d put her through a lot, too. On our way here and back, she’d slept with a total of three different strangers. This was normal for her, of course, and she’d laughed it off, but I couldn’t be so flippant. 

“Miss Elinalise, you were really there for me,” I said. 

She had a bitter look on her face. “…I’m sorry about Paul.” 

“No, that was my—” 

My mistake, my carelessness . At least, I tried to say as much, but she cut in first. 

“It was my duty in that party to make sure things like that didn’t happen. Paul died because of my shortcomings.” 

There was no way that was true. We’d been fighting for our lives back there; none of us could have known what lay in wait after we’d dodged the hydra’s ultimate attack and were a single head away from victory. There were only two people who could blame her: Elinalise herself and the deceased Paul. 

“I can’t blame you,” I said. “Or anyone else.” 

“Then don’t blame yourself, either.” 

“…All right.” 

“Okay, time for me to get going!” Elinalise said before dashing out into the snow. There was someone important still waiting to hear that she’d returned. 

“Phew.” I let out a long sigh, my breath turning into a visible plume that rose and dissipated amidst the snow. 

At last, the Displacement incident was over. At least for me. All my missing family members had been found. There were probably other victims out there still missing, but I had no obligation to search for them. 

It was over. It was the conclusion of a long, frustrating, bitter journey. Now life could move on to the next stage. No looking back. I had to live on and look ahead. There was still so much I had to do in this world. So much I still wanted to do. 

So let’s look to the future. 

“Rudy, has everyone already left?” A girl’s voice called from behind. I glanced over my shoulder to see Roxy standing there. “I also wanted to talk to them a bit…” 

“It seems they’re staying in the city for now, so you can see them against when you have time,” I assured. 

“True.” 

Roxy didn’t step out into the snow. She remained in the house, the only member of the party who’d done so. Whether she continued to stay here or left to find a room at an inn depended on how our impending discussion went. 

“Well, Roxy…” 

“Yes?” 

“Let’s do this.” 

I stepped back inside, Roxy’s petite form following along beside me.