Mushoku Tensei (LN) - Volume 22 - Chapter 10.5

Interlude:

We Got Married

IN THE MIDDLE of a cluster of ten or so houses stood a rough fence around a little vegetable garden, and in the corner of that garden was a patch of Pir*nha Plants. Junior high students crowded around a giant cooking pot. They looked the same as they had ever been, just like a memory.

“I wonder if Dad’s doing okay.”

“Yeah, I dunno…”

In the Migurd Village, it was as though time stood still.

Two months had passed since I convinced Atofe to join me. I’d used that time to deliver letters to all the demon kings. I trudged from one end of the Demon Continent to the other bearing letters from Atofe along with Orsted’s recommended offerings, forging alliances with the sweat of my brow… Okay, well, I used the teleportation circles, but you know.

The demon kings were a diverse bunch. There was the Plundering Demon King Baglahagla, a gourmand who looked like a pig, then the Face Demon King Lynebyne who was literally a disembodied face, like those Moai statues. After that there was the Demon King of Light Samedynomedy, whose whole body constantly shone, then the Bewitching Demon King Patorsetor whose translucent body was concealed under sheer robes. Plenty more besides. 

Every time, I went in ready to fight if I had to. These were demon kings, you know? An association of morons with Atoferatofe and Badigadi at the top. I had no hope in hell that they’d listen to me.

At least, that’s what I expected, but they turned out to be unexpectedly easy to talk to. 

They accepted their presents grinning like kids on Christmas, and then when I gave them Atofe’s letter, they turned pale and whispered, “A champion,” bowing their heads and averting their eyes. 

One even wet himself while pleading for his life.

The Vile Demon King Qeblaqabla did the same. Orsted told me to be particularly careful with him. He was a sphere full of holes, and every hole constantly emitted the smell of vomit. Vile as he was, he was also looking for a fight. Even he bowed down the moment I said Atofe’s name, though.

I now understood both how feared Atofe was, and how unusual.

The demon kings, in general, seemed like a bunch of easygoing guys doing their own thing. Each one listened earnestly to my requests and heard me out regarding my search for Kishirika. Eighty years from now was another story; most said it was too far off for them to promise anything. Demon kings live a long time. I doubted they thought much about the future. 

We also dropped in on Rikarisu along the way—the location of Kishirika’s castle, currently ruled by Badigadi. It was a crater that had once been Kishirika’s stronghold. 

Badigadi wasn’t home. I checked in with the soldiers, who all shrugged and said he hadn’t been back even once. They said he was likely off wandering somewhere. 

I handed Atofe’s letter over to the soldiers watching the castle in his absence, just in case, and asked them to look for both Kishirika and Badigadi. There were only a few demon king castles left. We were apparently going to get through this without any problems.

Then Roxy came to me. “Would it be all right if I stopped in to say hello in my hometown?” she asked. “Don’t worry, it won’t take long. I’ll go by myself and be back before you know it.”

No way was I letting her go alone. I went straight back to the house, picked up Lara as well as Roxy’s betrothal gift, then returned to Rikarisu. 

I’d had a hunch this might happen. I was ready.

Three days later, our journey came to an end as we arrived at the Migurd village. 

Me, Roxy, and Lara. Eris muttered something about not wanting to get in the way and tapped out, though she did say to pass on her thanks for the sword. To think, Eris had learned tact. I could’ve teared up.

***

When Roxy’s mother Rokari saw her daughter, she froze. 

Well, not at Roxy, specifically. It was when she saw Roxy with a child in her arms and me standing beside her, the picture of a happily married couple, that she froze. 

A few people in the village had stared intensely at Roxy. I’d wondered if they were sending telepathic messages, but Rokari was different. Her brain had obviously ground to a halt, and she along with it.

She stayed completely still for about five seconds.

Then Roxy said, “I’m home, Mom,” and she twitched.

“R-Roxy, is this…” she stammered, “and this child…?”

“My husband and daughter,” Roxy replied.

For a moment, Rokari looked shocked, but then her expression changed to one of delight. She turned this way and that, looking all around her. Almost at once, I saw all the nearby Migurd turn towards us, so she must have yelled something with telepathy. Maybe she called Rowin, Roxy’s father.

Oh my goodness, dear! Roxy’s brought a man home!

Something like that.

Silence fell. It was uncomfortable, everyone staring without saying anything. But I was Roxy’s husband. I couldn’t let any embarrassment show. I folded my arms, planted my feet apart, and stuck out my chest. Then, I channeled Psycho Power…

“Mom, is Dad around?” Roxy asked.

“Um, yes. I just called him. He’s at the elder’s house…” Rokari replied. “I’m sure he’ll be here soon.”

“Could we please wait inside, then? There are too many people staring, and it’s getting to Rudy. Look at the weird pose he’s pulling.”

Say what?! This isn’t “weird”! This is the pose of an evil dictator of noble heritage, I’ll have you know.

“All right, Rudy. Let’s go in,” Roxy said. I grunted my assent and followed her into the house.

Was it the pressure of introducing myself to my in-laws after this that made my pack feel so heavy? I’d rather blame it on that than my beloved Roxy’s insults for the pose I’d tried so hard at.

“Thank you for having me,” I said as I followed Roxy and her mother into the house, away from the prying eyes. Thinking back, the last time we were here we didn’t go into this house. Maybe I could get Roxy to show me her old room and her high school graduation photos.

Yes, yes, I know they don’t have those things in this village.

“I wonder if we have any provisions stocked,” Rokari mused out loud.

“Don’t worry,” Roxy said. “We won’t stay long.”

“But Roxy, my dear, you’ve come all this way. You mustn’t just hurry away again.” Rokari sounded forlorn.

I sat down next to the hearth. Roxy promptly sat down next to me, saying, “I’m afraid we’re very busy, Mom.”

“Oh.” Rokari looked disappointed.

I thought we could probably spare three or four days to stay if she wanted… But I knew Roxy didn’t much care for her hometown, so a longer stay wasn’t on the cards.

“Anyway, Roxy. This is very sudden, you coming back…and with such a nice man…” Rokari looked back to me and, without reserve, slowly looked me over from my toes up to my head. Then she gave a little gasp of realization and bowed. “How rude of me! I’m Rokari, Roxy’s mother. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

To…meet me…?

She didn’t remember the time we’d met ten years earlier.

“My name is Rudeus Greyrat. I believe we have met once before,” I replied.

“Have we really…?”

“Yes, around ten years ago. Ruijerd brought me here,” I explained.

“You’re a friend of Ruijerd Superdia? But the last time Ruijerd was here…” Rokari put a hand to her mouth as she thought back. Then it seemed to click. “Oh!” she exclaimed. “Are you the little human Ruijerd had with him when he left on his journey?”

“Yes, that was me.”

“Dear me…! Oh, that does take me back! Haven’t you grown? It’s barely been ten years, but I suppose humans must become full-fledged adults when they get as big as you are.”

“Yes, ma’am. I’m doing my best to stand on my own two feet, though I have a long way to go…” Here, I placed my hands on the floor and bowed my head. “I’m sorry the announcement comes so late. I have married your daughter.”

“…I see. Is she, um, are you happy with her?”

“I am very happy with her.” I looked over at Roxy. She was bright red.

“Is Roxy, ah, behaving herself properly as a human bride? There’s a lot of tension between humans and demons, isn’t there? She isn’t causing you any trouble?”

“Not only is she doing very well, but she’s also constantly getting me out of trouble. She’s the most reliable person in the whole family.”

“Well, that’s…good…” Rokari said, though she still sounded doubtful.

Roxy jabbed me in the side. I looked at her questioningly, and she muttered, “Too much praise.”

I wasn’t exaggerating anything! I did rely on her.

“It’s just, you seem like such a fine young man… Are you sure you’re happy with our Roxy?”

The same question again. Rokari was flustered too.

Roxy butted in. “Rudy has two other wives. I’m more like his mistress. So even if I’m not totally satisfactory, it’s not a problem.”

There was nothing unsatisfactory about Roxy, and I’d never once treated her like a mistress.

“I see… Still, though…”

“Mom, can you stop? You’re embarrassing me.”

“Oh…yes. I just worry, dear. You were always so unfriendly and quiet, not to mention your manners.”

“I’m aware of my weak points, Mom. But look, I’m fulfilling my duties as a wife. I even had a child.”

Duties? Very businesslike. But I’d still love you just as much even if you couldn’t have children. Maybe I should say something.

“Rudeus, is that true?” Rokari asked.

“It is. At the very least, I’ll never stop loving Roxy. I’d swear that to any god you like.”

My love was agape. It knew no limits.

“Is that right…?” Rokari said, still troubled. Maybe showing her through actions would work better. If I just put my arm around Roxy, like so… Oops, she grabbed my wrist. It’s not that, Roxy, I’m not trying to touch your butt, I thought, but then I realized she was squeezing my hand. Her fingers were warm.

Rokari seemed convinced. “I suppose it is,” she said. Just then, Lara, who sat beside Roxy, turned to look outside.

“Ah! Rowin is back,” Rokari said. My father-in-law was about to make his entrance, which meant it was time to make my introductions once again. I plucked up my courage. I’d grovel on my hands and knees if I had to.

***

Introductions with Rowin went without a hitch. He reacted just like Rokari and said pretty much the same things, so I gave him the same answers. It was a simple operation. No need for groveling.

“Well, Roxy, congratulations,” Rowin said at last, choking up a bit. “So long as you’re happy, that’s all that matters.” He squeezed her hand.

“Thank you, Dad,” Roxy replied. She and Rokari were getting teary as well, and watching them, I felt my own emotions welling up. Could I make Roxy happy? What was happiness, really? I didn’t have an answer, but I’d do my best to make sure our love never faded.

“Ah, dear. My Roxy, married…” Rowin said. “You were always tripping over your own feet and bursting into tears ever since you were little. And now here you are…”

“Dad, please don’t talk about that in front of Rudy.”

Roxy when she was a little kid…! I bet she was adorable. I mean, she probably looked more or less the same as she did now, so obviously she was adorable. I assumed she talked more like a little kid back then. If we’d met back then and grown up together, things might have turned out pretty different… But no matter what kind of relationship we had, I was sure I would always respect her.

“And here,” Rowin went on, sounding emotional, “I never thought I’d get to meet my grandchild.” Even after Roxy reproached him, he picked up Lara in his arms, looking delighted. Lara, as usual, didn’t protest. She just stared at him, wide-eyed. He smiled at her.

“Lara, is it? Aren’t you a clever girl, already knowing how to say your name.”

“Huh?” Roxy and I exclaimed together. We hadn’t told them Lara’s name. And Lara hadn’t said anything.

How did he… I thought, but then Roxy turned to Rowin with amazement.

“Is our daughter… Can she use telepathy?” she demanded.

“Eh? Yeah, she still stumbles a bit, but she can get across what she wants just fine,” Rowin replied.

I looked at Roxy. A shocking truth had been exposed. Our daughter was a psychic.

Okay, thinking about it, it wasn’t that shocking. Roxy couldn’t use telepathy, but both her parents could. It probably wasn’t down to genetics that Roxy couldn’t communicate that way.

“Didn’t you know?” Rowin asked.

“No one else in the family is telepathic,” Roxy replied.

Rowin frowned. “Are you sure? Lara here says her grandma talks to her all the time.”

Her grandma. Lara’s grandma, so…Rokari? That wasn’t right.

She meant Zenith.

“Oh…”

It clicked for Roxy and me at the same time. This was what the Blessed Child had talked about. Zenith could read minds. And the Lara in her memories was a chatterbox. Lara was always silent and sullen, but Zenith remembered talking away happily with her. So it had been telepathy. Lara had been talking with telepathy the whole time.

I felt a wave of relief. Roxy didn’t seem to be taking it the same way, though. She was frowning at the ground. I could imagine what was going through her mind: Even my daughter is a telepath. Why am I the only one who isn’t?

The atmosphere in the room darkened.

“Is she really? Um, okay then…” I stood up and went over to stroke Lara’s hair, saying, “Laaara! It’s your papa!”

Lara didn’t smile. She just stared at me. What was she saying?

“She says, ‘I don’t understand,’” Rowin translated.

Say what? …Oh, right. That was demon tongue.

I tried again, this time in human tongue. “Laaara, it’s your papa.” Then I looked expectantly at Rowin.

“She says, ‘I know,’” he said.

Oh, she knows, does she? Well, I supposed there was no way she wouldn’t. I did tell her all the time. 

Still, her response was a bit cold. She could have at least indulged me with an “I love you, Papa!” or something. Lucie used that line just yesterday. 

But then, telepathy wasn’t the same as language. It probably came across differently from how it sounded out loud. Yeah, that had to be it, or she’d hardly be able to talk to Zenith.

“Well, that’s a relief,” I said. “I was worried that she had some delays.”

“She’s still too little to talk except inside her head, but she’ll start talking out loud soon,” Rowin reassured me with a nostalgic smile. “Right now, I bet you two feel just like we did when Rokari had Roxy.”

“How so?” I asked.

“When Roxy was born, we thought that because she couldn’t speak, she wasn’t developing properly.”

Just like Roxy was the only one in her family who couldn’t use telepathy, Lara was the only one in her family who couldn’t speak. They were similar in that way. Like mother, like daughter.

For now, all I felt was relief. Our daughter was growing up just fine. If there were no one at home for her to talk to, that might have been a problem. But it wasn’t like that. There was Zenith, who I was certain about, and I had my suspicions that Leo used some telepathy-like power to talk to Lara as well. Once she started using words, she could communicate with everyone else too. She just needed a little longer.

“Lara looks exactly like Roxy, doesn’t she?” I said.

Rowin laughed good-naturedly. “She does, yeah? The spitting image. Especially her eyes.”

Rokari looked like she was enjoying herself too. And maybe it was just my imagination, but I thought Lara looked the same.

After that, we returned the money we’d borrowed ten times over, I presented my betrothal gift to them, and then we sat down for a meal of Giant Rock Turtle. It was the first time I’d eaten it in ages, and I made sure to enthuse over how delicious it was while hiding my urge to gag. We had a lovely time. I was thinking how glad I was we’d come when I noticed something: Roxy didn’t look happy at all. She didn’t smile once the whole time.

***

Roxy and I ended up staying that night in the village. Perhaps in consideration of the fact that we were a married couple, her parents put us up in an empty house nearby. 

The house was still a bit dusty, so we did a brief spot of cleaning and then lay down to sleep, all three of us side by side. It felt a bit like a scene in a movie where the couple shows up at the hotel and there’s only one bed with the pillows side by side, something cheesy like that. But we couldn’t do anything with Lara here and besides, I was Rudeus the Celibate now. I could get through a night without touching Roxy, even with her sleeping right beside me.

When I saw her lying there though, her eyes closed, I couldn’t help it. Those feelings just rose up. I started thinking, Just a little touch would be all right…

Think about it for a second. For the time being, I’d embarked upon the path of celibacy to ensure none of my wives got pregnant. Put another way, anything was fair game so long as no one got pregnant. Just blowing off some pent-up urges wouldn’t affect anyone’s destiny. Roxy wasn’t in any danger.

Glad we cleared that up. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ll—

“Rudy.”

Aiaaah! I’m sorry! It was a passing thought! I didn’t think you’d mind a little touch… But no, you’re right! I’m Rudeus the Celibate! Rudeus the Celibate would never permit such a thing!

“Are you still awake?” Roxy asked.

“Hooonk…shooo…”

“Don’t pretend to be asleep. Our eyes just met.”

Reluctantly, I opened my eyes. Roxy lay there, looking at me. Her eyes were serious.

“It’s about Lara,” she said.

Lara’s breathing told me she was already fast asleep. She looked like an angel when she slept, a far cry from her usual expression of defiance.

“The truth is, I suspected this might be what was happening,” Roxy explained. I didn’t have to ask what. She meant what we’d talked about today. Lara’s possession of the Migurd ability.

“I didn’t say anything until now, but…whenever I saw Lara and Zenith looking into each other’s eyes, I considered the possibility.”

“It never occurred to me at all.”

“Why would it? You’ve been so busy these past few years, running around everywhere.” She may as well have said, You haven’t paid any attention to your children.

When you put it that way, maybe she had a point. Maybe I only paid attention to the sweet side of my children. I didn’t help to care for them or bring them up. Honestly, I’d taken advantage of Sylphie and Roxy. 

“Don’t make that face,” Roxy said. “I’m not blaming you in the slightest.”

It was kind of her to say so. It didn’t matter how much I agonized or repented—right now, my hands were full dealing with the Man-God. I didn’t have anything left over for looking after the kids.

Roxy gently stroked Lara’s face. “I just had this thought. I was born in this village, and for as long as I can remember, I felt like an outsider.”

When I didn’t reply, she went on. “Looking back now, it was hard. When I left home, I went to a town where people used words to communicate. It wasn’t until I got to know people there and started my life as an adventurer that I really felt like I was living in my world.”

She couldn’t do what everyone else around her could. Life was simple for them, but not for her. When they asked her why she couldn’t do this thing that ought to come naturally, she had no answer. All she could do was go on being seen as a useless burden by those around her until she began to believe it herself.

Just because everyone else could do it, though, that didn’t mean it came naturally. It turned out she could make do without it. The sense of freedom Roxy got when she realized that must have been incredible.

“What if by raising Lara this way, we end up putting her through that? I was fine once I left home, but that won’t work for her. The Migurd are the only ones with this power.” Roxy looked away from me.

She might be right. The Migurd Clan rarely left this village. Even on the Demon Continent you hardly ever saw one. They didn’t exclude others, but they were reclusive. It was all too possible that one day, Lara might start to feel like an outsider.

“So this is what I thought.” Roxy frowned like she wasn’t sure about what she was about to say. She didn’t look at me. “What if we left her with my mom and dad for them to look after her?”

“…What?”

“I thought that maybe it’d be better for her to live here amongst the Migurd until she’s grown up a bit more. Maybe until she’s ten or fifteen. After that, she can decide for herself whether to leave the village or remain here.”

I didn’t know what to say. I wanted to keep my son and my daughters as close as possible. That was the obligation you took on when you had a child; it was part and parcel of being a responsible parent. Even making allowances for the Man-God, I wanted to bring up Lara where I could see her.

But Roxy had thought this through properly before bringing it up. Her words weren’t rooted in wanting to escape her obligations or give up on raising her child. She saw how hard this was on Lara, and she hated the idea of making her daughter go through what she had.

There was no way that Lara, with her blue hair and her ability to communicate in ways that others couldn’t, would go through life without experiencing any hardship. And parents can’t protect their children from all bad things.

“I don’t like it,” I began, “but, if you think it’s the right thing, I’ll…” I stopped, unable to get the words out. I couldn’t decide. Should I put my feelings first, or Roxy’s proposal? I didn’t know what to say, so I simply shut my mouth.

The silence stretched on until Roxy said, “I’m sorry, Rudy. Let’s pretend I never said anything. Please, just forget about it.”

With that, the day drew to a close. Roxy and I fell asleep hand in hand.

***

The Migurd village was quiet. You didn’t hear any voices. The villagers all communicated with telepathy, so there was no need for conversation. Some of the children might have said hello to Roxy, but she couldn’t hear them. I suppose Lara could. She could probably hear the people over there getting food ready, and the lovers’ quarrels from inside the houses, and all the other hustle and bustle.

“Seeing how little has changed here, it makes me realize how full these last ten years have been,” Roxy mused. “Or, I suppose, how rushed human lives are.” She looked down at her daughter in her arms. Lara stared back at her with her customary sullen stare. Given another ten years, this village would likely look much the same. Or if it did change, it wouldn’t be in ways that we could see.

Rowin and Rokari both came to the entrance to the village to see us off. They were sad to see us leave. 

“You take care now,” said Rowin.

“I wish you’d stay a bit longer…” added Rokari.

“Mind if I give Lara another cuddle before you go?” Rowin held out his arms. It was probably true that grandparents favored their first grandchild in every world. These two looked like they were finished having children of their own.

“Of course not. Here.” Roxy held Lara out to him, then made a noise of surprise as Lara grabbed hold of the collar of Roxy’s robe. I recognized that gesture.

“Come on, Lara,” she tried. “Say goodbye to your granny and grandpa.”

Lara didn’t react. She had all four of her limbs wrapped tight around Roxy like a cicada. Then, without letting go, she turned to look at me. Her expression was the same as ever, sullen and defiant. Her mouth turned down, her brow furrowed, and she looked ready to burst into tears. It was like she was asking for help.

“Oh, dear… Hahaha, don’t worry about it then,” Rowin said, waving his hand with an awkward smile. “She says she doesn’t want to leave her mommy.” 

Roxy looked at Lara in astonishment. Then, seeing her daughter on the verge of tears, her expression changed to anxiety.

Lara broke the silence. “No. I wanna be with mommy…” The effort it took her was clear in every word.

Our daughter, who’d barely said two words till now, was asserting herself for the first time.

Maybe, I thought, Lara had been listening to us last night. Or maybe she hadn’t been listening, but hearing our conversation had given her dreams about being left behind. If so, we’d made her worry for nothing.

“It’s okay,” Roxy said, hugging Lara to her. Her mouth was tight as she struggled not to cry. “I’ll never leave you.”

The worry left Lara’s face, and she relaxed.

“Roxy, when do you think you’ll be back?” Rokari asked.

“Good question. I think it’ll be once Lara’s grown up some more, so perhaps…another ten years or so.”

“All right, dear. You take care of yourself, now.”

Rokari’s reply was matter-of-fact. Ten years wasn’t a long time to her, I figured.

With that, we departed the village. Roxy’s parents stood at the entrance to the village until we were out of sight. Though the visit had been a bit awkward at times, I was glad to have met them properly. 

Eris and Sylphie’s parents were all dead. Roxy wasn’t close to hers, but still. Family was family. I hoped to keep up our acquaintance for many years to come.

“Well, Rudy. Things are about to get busy again,” Roxy said.

“Yeah,” I replied. 

But first, I thought, I have to take care of the task in front of me. 

We set off back to Rikarisu.