Mushoku Tensei (LN) - Volume 15 - Chapter 5

Chapter 5:

A Letter from Afar

THE SWORD SANCTUM, in the far west of the Northern Territories, was a place where the air rang with fervent battle cries and the sound of wooden swords. Most of the people you passed on the street wore martial arts uniforms or something similar, and carried practice swords and hand towels. Sometimes you might see a visitor in the dress of a swordsman, but those who chose to stay for an extended period usually adopted clothes designed specifically for training.

At the very back of this little town was a vast, snowy field that led to a great training hall. Today, a woman in swordsman’s clothes stood in that field, near the entrance to that hall. Her light shirt and black pants were clearly chosen with mobility in mind. Over these, she wore the traditional overcoat granted to Sword Saints of the Sword God Style. There were two swords at her waist; even at a distance, the longer of the two was distinguishable as the work of a true master.

From the quality of her weapon alone, it was clear she was a highly-ranked student of the Sword God Style—one of the few who had reached the rank of Sword King, in fact. Her intimidating appearance, combined with her long, brilliant red hair, was reminiscent of a lion. Nine out of ten people who saw her in the street would have immediately stepped out of her way on instinct.

She was the Berserker Sword King, and her name was Eris Greyrat.

At the moment, however, she was looking down at her imposing outfit with a slightly anxious expression.

“Hey, Nina… are you sure I look all right?”

“Yes, yes. You’re fine. You look very impressive, I promise.”

Standing in front of this red-maned lion was a young woman in a martial arts uniform, who wore her dark blue hair tied back neatly. Her name was Nina Falion, and from the tone of her voice, she was starting to get a little exasperated with her rival.

“Really, Eris, the outfit’s perfect. You’re the very picture of a Sword King.”

“But Rudeus used to say he liked my frilly clothes better.”

“Oh, for crying out loud…”

Nina let out a long-suffering sigh, then continued the conversation as best she could.

“Eris, how exactly do you expect me to know what your boyfriend wants to see you wearing?”

“Oh. Yeah, I guess you wouldn’t…”

“Would you please stop looking at me with pity in your eyes? You know, Gino and I… Ugh, never mind about that!”

With a firm shake of her head, Nina jabbed a finger into the air.

“Look, it’s not like you’re going to find dressy clothes like that around here, anyway. You do remember where we are, right? If you really want some frilly outfit, you’ll just have to buy one in the city.”

“Yeah, true enough,” said Eris with a little nod.

From all appearances, the matter was now settled. But this was the fifth time today they’d basically had this exact conversation.

“Anyway, I don’t know why you’re obsessing about your outfit right now. No matter how fast you go, it’ll be a good month on the road before you reach Sharia.” 

“…”

“I’d worry less about the clothes and more about making sure you’re clean and presentable when you see him. Make sure you take a bath, comb your hair, and put on a little perfume… Uh, you do know men don’t like stinky women, yes?”

“Rudeus does. He never seemed to mind when I got all sweaty.”

“Well, I suppose he’d have to be understanding, if he found you attractive…”

“Actually, I even caught him sniffing my sweaty old underwear a couple times. He seemed to be enjoying it.”

“What?! The man’s a pervert!”

Eris scowled slightly at this remark. “Rudeus isn’t a pervert. He’s just a little…naughty.”

“He was getting off on your body odor, Eris! That’s the definition of a pervert!”

“…”

Eris brought her nose to her armpit and took a few experimental sniffs. Her clothes were new, and she’d taken a bath in preparation for her journey. All she could smell was the faint scent of soap.

“He’s not a pervert.”

“…Well, if you say so. Sorry, I suppose I went a bit too far.”

The two of them fell silent for a while. Now and then, their hair stirred as a cold wind blew across the quiet, snowy field.

“Ghislaine’s sure taking her time,” muttered Eris.

“I suppose the students might be squabbling about who gets to come along.”

Eris nodded vaguely. “Yeah, maybe.”

“…You know, Eris, I have heard a few rumors about your boyfriend now and then.”

“What kind of rumors?”

“They say Rudeus Greyrat can make his own eyes pop out.”

“I wouldn’t be surprised!”

“Also, he supposedly likes girls with flat chests.”

Nina glanced over at Eris as she spoke these words. Eris looked down at herself, as well. It was rare to hear the word ‘voluptuous’ applied to a swordswoman, but in her case, the glove fit.

“…That won’t be a problem.”

Her voice sounded confident enough, but Eris’ face looked a little paler than before.

“Let’s see, what else? They say he conquered a legendary labyrinth, destroyed an immortal Demon King, and put up a good fight against one of the Seven Great Powers.”

“No kidding? Well, that’s Rudeus for you! I’d expect no less.”

Just like that, the color was back in her cheeks. She even looked a little flushed. It made her happy to know that Rudeus had been working hard to grow stronger, just like she had. 

“The man is monstrously strong, I’ll give him that. Normally I wouldn’t have believed a word of all this.”

Eris puffed up with pride and let out a little snort of pleasure. “I know! He’s amazing!”

“However, there are also some… less pleasant rumors out there.”

“Like what?”

“Like he’s a notorious playboy who struts around with a different woman every other day.”

At these words, Eris’ smile suddenly stiffened.

“Oh, and it sounds like abuses his strength to get anything he wants…”

“…”

“Look, Eris, this is just a possibility.” Nina paused, then continued in a very quiet voice. “But maybe he’s forgotten all about you?”

As soon as these words left her lips, Nina’s left hand shot up to block her face. And a split-second later, Eris’ fist slammed into her palm.

“…”

While she’d managed to stop the punch, the fury of Eris’ gaze was too much for Nina to withstand. She averted her eyes awkwardly.

“It’s just a rumor.”

Eris pulled her fist back and folded her arms. She widened her stance and threw out her chest, twisted her mouth into a frown, and sulkily turned her head.

“…”

“Oh, look. Ghislaine’s finally here.”

Four horses were approaching slowly from the direction Eris had glanced in. A Beastfolk woman was leading them. This was the Sword King Ghislaine Dedoldia. While she had to be nearly forty years of age by now, her body was as lean and muscular as ever. 

Ghislaine led two of the horses by the reins. Just a little behind was a young and beautiful woman who led the other two. While she wore plain travelers’ clothing, her long silky hair and shapely face were more than enough to entrance all who saw her. This was the Water King Isolde Cluel. The Water God herself, Reida Lia, was perched atop one of the horses she was leading.

“Sorry for the wait.” Ghislaine handed Eris the reins to a horse laden with luggage. “Were you two fighting again?”

“It was Nina’s fault,” replied Eris, pouting sullenly. Nina just shrugged her shoulders.

“I see,” Ghislaine murmured, an amused smile flashing across her face.

“Not much of a sendoff,” came a voice from above. “Gall didn’t even bother getting out of bed?”

The old woman on the horse, easily the most formidable person in this imposing group, was looking backwards at the hall with a grumpy expression.

“I wouldn’t read anything into it, Master Reida. The Sword God is something of a lightweight, I’m afraid.”

“What, you think he’s got a hangover from last night? Good grief. The man should know his limits at his age… You know, Nina, this might be a golden opportunity. Why don’t you go challenge him to a duel?”

Nina smiled awkwardly at the old woman’s teasing. “I think I’ll have to refrain. I intend to become the Sword God in a somewhat more sportsmanlike fashion.”

“Aw, you’re such an earnest little thing. Don’t worry, dear, you’ll surpass that old sourpuss in no time. Just keep doing what you’re doing! But for what it’s worth, you might want to keep an eye on the folks below you on the ladder instead.”

“The ladder? Well, in any case, I’ll do my utmost to make good use of everything you’ve taught me.” Nina bowed her head respectfully to Reida, then turned to face Isolde. “Might I ask where you two are off to next? You’ll be traveling with Eris partway, correct?”

“That’s right,” Isolde replied. “We’re returning to the Kingdom of Asura. I’ve been invited to serve as an instructor of swordsmanship at the royal palace.”

“Ah, I see. It’s going to get a bit lonely around here without you…”

Isolde smiled gently at Nina’s words. “Do make sure to pay me a visit if you happen to stop by the kingdom. I’ll show you around the capital.”

“No thanks,” Nina said, scratching her nose bashfully. “If a country girl like me stumbled into Asura, I’m sure all your fancy city folk would just point and laugh.”

Eris snorted disdainfully. “Hmph. If anyone laughs at us, we can just cut them in half.”

Alarming as these words were, they did remind Nina exactly who the three of them were, and she chuckled softly. Laughing at a Sword Saint, let alone a Sword King or a Water King, generally wasn’t the best of ideas. You’d either have to be a truly formidable combatant in your own right, or a complete and utter fool.

“All right then, Eris. Shall we be on our way?”

“Yeah! Let’s go!”

Isolde smiled at Eris’ energetic reply, and hopped onto her horse. Eris followed suit, mounting hers so roughly that it shook itself in displeasure. She slapped it on the neck and it quickly settled down again.

“Be well, everyone,” called Nina, surprised to find that there were tears in her eyes. Her thoughts were drifting through the years since Eris’ arrival here. Their first meeting had been a truly horrible one. Nina had been humiliated, and Eris subjected her to many more embarrassments in quick succession. But the frustration of those failures had driven Nina to improve. And when Isolde arrived, her gentle words and tactful advice had been of great help as well. If it weren’t for them, Nina would no doubt have still been stagnating in the middle of the pack of Sword Emperors. She might never have risen into the realm of the Sword Kings. In other words, she owed them—

“Heya, folks! Got a delivery for ya! Mind signing for me?”

Nina’s melodramatic musings were abruptly interrupted by a cheerful, carefree voice. Trying to contain her irritation, she turned in its direction. 

A somewhat dopey-looking man in a thick winter coat was standing in the snow nearby, puffing white clouds of vapor with every breath. It appeared he had absolutely no idea who any of them were. Rather than waiting for them to respond, he reached into his bag and retrieved an envelope.

“Oh, good grief. Who is it from?”

“Err… Well, looks like it’s addressed to Miss Eris Boreas Greyrat.”

Eris frowned suspiciously at this. But at the man’s next words, her eyes shot wide open.

“It’s from a Mr. Rudeus Greyrat.”

“Rudeus?!”

Eris instantly leapt from her horse and snatched the envelope from the man’s hands. Just as she was about to rip it open, however, he hurriedly grabbed her by the shoulder.

“Hey, wait a second there. I need you to sign, or they won’t pay me for the delivery…”

“Fine! Where do I sign?”

“Ah, right. Hold on just a moment, please…”

The man reached into his bag and pulled out a pen and some sort of form, which he handed to Eris. She paused for a few seconds, clearly attempting to remember the letters of her name, then scribbled it in a barely comprehensible scrawl.

The man studied these characters for a long moment, and eventually managed to identify the letters Eris.

“Okay then. Thank you kindly… Boy, I wish every job paid this well…”

He tucked the receipt back into his bag and headed back up the path in high spirits. Eris barely spared a glance in his direction as she got to work on the envelope. She was about to tear the thing open with her hands—but then she saw the words ‘Miss Eris Boreas Greyrat’ on the front of it, in what was clearly Rudeus’ handwriting.

Heh. He must have been in a real hurry! I haven’t used the name Boreas in years… Oh, wait. Maybe he doesn’t know that?

She flipped the envelope around and studied the name written on its back: “Rudeus Greyrat.” His handwriting hadn’t changed at all. The letters were carefully shaped, but always looked a little off somehow. A long time ago, she’d spent hours every day staring at this handwriting as Rudeus tried to teach her how to read. The memory made her smile.

In order to preserve the envelope as best she could, Eris decided to open it at the top with her fingernails. Her first attempt had no effect. Neither did her second. After her third try, she reached for one of the swords at her waist. Tossing the letter into the air, she drew her blade.

“Hah!”

Somehow, instead of slicing the envelope in half, her sword cut a tiny sliver from its very top. Eris caught both pieces as they fell back down, tossed aside the smaller one, and finally pulled the letter out. With an eager look on her face, she began to read it. And then she continued to read it. As she did so, her excited expression quickly gave way to one of profound irritation. 

“Uhh, Eris?” Nina asked gingerly. “What does it say?”

Eris didn’t reply. She was still glaring fiercely down at the piece of paper in her hands.

“Eris? Are you listening?”

“Oh, shut up! I don’t recognize some of these words, all right? It’s just taking me a little while to read it!”

“Ah. I see…”

“You do it, Nina!”

“What? Uh, I can’t read myself, you know?”

“Seriously?! That’s gonna come back to bite you some day!”

“Why are you lecturing me about this? You can’t read it either!”

As the two of them began to squabble, Isolde hopped down from her horse with a sigh. “Calm down, you two. I’ll read it instead.”

“Oh, okay,” said Eris, handing the letter over. “Thanks.”

Isolde began to read it slowly and carefully. At first, her expression was neutral, but as time passed, it began to grow stormier and stormier. And once she was finished, she cried out in a voice full of anger.

“What is the matter with this man?!”

“Huh?” said Eris nervously. “What? What does it say?”

“Oh, Eris… You were training so hard all these years for him? You poor, poor thing. Saint Millis, take pity on this girl…”

Isolde folded her hands and looked beseechingly to the heavens for a moment, then looked over at Eris with eyes full of sympathy.

“Eris, you really ought to forget all about this man. Why don’t you come along with me to Asura instead? It would be such a waste to give yourself to a scoundrel like this.”

“Look, will you just tell me what the letter says?!” hissed Eris, reaching for the swords at her waist. “Do you want me to chop you in half?!”

“Very well then. Here it is.”

Clearing her throat, Isolde began to read the letter in a voice that rang with righteous outrage.

“Dear Miss Eris—

It’s been quite some time, hasn’t it? This is Rudeus Greyrat.

Somehow, it seems five years have passed since we went our separate ways.

Do you still remember me? I certainly hope so. I know I haven’t forgotten you, or the time we spent in each other’s company.

During our first night together, I swore to myself that I would stay with you forever. I fully intended to stand at your side for the rest of my days, supporting you through anything life sent your way.

But when I woke up in the morning, I found myself alone in bed. You were already gone.

Devastated by your disappearance, I sank into a deep depression. The next three years of my life were bitter, lonely ones. Nothing I did felt meaningful. I felt as if I was wandering through a heavy fog.

Of course, I don’t blame you for any of this now. But I hope you can at least understand how miserable I was at the time. As for the reason I’m writing you this letter, well… let’s just say a certain someone recently mentioned you to me.

Up until now, I was convinced that you’d abandoned me to travel the world on your own. But this individual claimed I had misunderstood your feelings completely—that you’d never stopped caring for me, or thinking of me.

I have two wives now.

Both of them pulled me out of my despair in moments when it might have crushed me. While I may have misinterpreted your actions, that didn’t make my pain any less real. And they were there for me when I needed them most.

However, if it’s true that your heart remains unchanged—if you truly want to be reunited with me, and spend your life with me—I’m prepared to accept your feelings. I have no intention of leaving my two existing wives, so you would become my third.

I understand you might find this proposal unacceptable, or perhaps even infuriating. If so, you have every right to punch me to your heart’s content. I’d appreciate it if you let me off with two or three good swings, though.

Of course, my hope is that it won’t come to that. Even if you’re not willing to join my family, I hope we can at least become good friends.

Sincerely,

Rudeus Greyrat.”

“…”

Eris wasn’t saying anything. She wasn’t moving, either. From all appearances, she’d been turned to stone.

Isolde took one look at her and promptly resumed her earlier tirade. “Well, there you have it. Isn’t he awful? Having two wives is bad enough, and now he’s casually offering to make you number three! The man clearly has no respect for women whatsoever!”

“I don’t know,” said Nina, peering at the letter with a thoughtful frown. “It sounded like he was trying pretty hard to be considerate…”

“Considerate?! It’s the first letter he wrote her in years, and he didn’t even bother to say I love you! He seems to think he’d be doing her a favor by marrying her! No, I’m sorry. I don’t like this Rudeus Greyrat one bit!”

“Look, he thought Eris had dumped him, right? And he spent three whole years moping about it, too! Isn’t it partially her fault for wandering off like that?”

“Oh, please! He probably made all that up to make her feel guilty. He just wants her because she’s a master swordsman with a nice body!”

“Uhhh… I don’t know about that. Would you really risk keeping Eris around just to have a sexy bodyguard…?” 

Nina was pondering the matter seriously. Isolde was squawking mad. And Eris was staring up at the sky, her arms still folded, her eyes no longer seeing anything at all. The sky above was blue, but her mind was a pure white void.

“Hm? Oh, there’s one more piece of paper in here…”

It was at this point that Isolde realized she hadn’t read the entire letter yet. Retrieving the final sheet of paper, she began to read.

“Let’s see… Ahem.”

“P.S.

As I write these words, I’m preparing to fight the Dragon God Orsted to the death. I have no idea if I can win. It’s possible I won’t even be alive by the time this letter reaches you. But if I do make it back alive, let’s talk things out.”

By the time she finished reading out these words, Isolde’s face had visibly stiffened. That went for Nina as well. Her expression was one of fear and awe. The mere idea of challenging the Dragon God himself to a duel had turned her spine to ice.

But on Eris’ face, and hers alone, there was a grin. Her eyes were alive again—burning with passion and determination.

“All right!” she cried, leaping back up onto her horse. “We’ve gotta hurry if we’re gonna make it there in time! Let’s move, Ghislaine!”

Just like that, she kicked her steed into motion. It sprinted forward across the plain, kicking up snow as it went; Ghislaine hurried her own horse after it. They barreled past the courier who’d delivered the letter, sending him flying to one side, and disappeared into the distance in a matter of seconds.

Nina and Isolde just stood there staring after them, too stunned to even blink.