Mushoku Tensei (LN) - Volume 6 - Chapter 1

Chapter 1:

Route Selection 

I was now twelve. 

I only realized this when I looked down at my Adventurer card and, all of a sudden, saw the number twelve in the age column. When had my birthday gone by without me noticing? Being on a voyage like this skewed my sense of time. 

Still, two years since we were teleported, huh? It had only taken two years to travel across both the Demon Continent and the Millis Continent. Or, if you looked at it the other way, two whole years had already passed. 

At any rate, the Asura Kingdom was almost before us. After what had transpired on the Millis Continent, it seemed unlikely we’d experience much hardship from here on out. We had money and the means to travel. The only thing I had to worry about was not knowing the whereabouts of the rest of my family: Zenith, Lilia, Aisha, and also Sylphie. Despite Paul’s efforts, they still hadn’t been found. 

I believed they were all still alive, but no matter how eager I was to search for them, they wouldn’t be easy to find. All I could do was take my time and do a thorough job. 

*** 

We were currently at the eastern edge of the King Dragon Realm in the harbor city of East Port. Just like in West Port, the city had a sizeable presence of fisheries and smugglers. 

We booked an inn and began our strategy meeting. As usual, the three of us gathered around a map, our faces pressed in close. 

“All right, let’s talk about what we’re going to do from here on out.” 

The other two peered at the map with serious expressions on their faces. We’d done this enough that I expected them to be sick of it, but even Eris—someone with no patience for complex conversations—was listening in with a solemn look on her face. 

“There are three routes from here to the Asura Kingdom,” I explained, pointing at the map I’d just purchased. It was a simple map with rough outlines of forests and village locations. The manufacture and sale of detailed maps was strictly prohibited in this country, so as to prevent other countries from possibly getting hold of those maps. Well, it didn’t matter as long as we knew the basic lay of the land. 

“The first is a highway primarily used as a trade route.” I used my finger to trace the path, which detoured east around the King Dragon Mountains. “This is the safest route. Based on our travelling speed, we’d arrive in ten months’ time.” 

“Why do we have to go around like that?” Eris asked, understandably doubtful. 

I pointed to the western flank of the mountains. “Because if we detour to the west, we’ll run into a large forest. That’s the second possible route.” 

A vast, dense forest spread across the land west of the King Dragon Mountains, making it impossible to travel by carriage. If you were familiar with the path, you could take months off the journey by taking this route, but that would require riding on horseback. Eris and I couldn’t do that. Ruijerd could probably ride a horse, but no matter how small I was, there was no way three of us could fit on one horse. If we were going to take that route, we’d have to take it on foot. 

I had no way of figuring out how many days that would take, but I knew that basically everyone chose the safe eastern route over the alternatives. Either taking the other routes didn’t actually save much time, or the eastern path itself was actually faster. Slow and steady wins the race, as they say. That was how I summarized my explanation, at least. 

“Okay, then scratch the western path,” Eris agreed. 

“As for the third possible route…” It would involve taking a ship to the Begaritt Continent, and then trekking overland to the Asura Kingdom. I had no idea how long this path would take. “I’m crossing it off our list of options.” 

“How come?!” 

“Because it’s dangerous,” I said. Mana was even thicker on the Begaritt Continent than it was on the Demon Continent. The average strength of the beasts there was on par with those of the Demon Continent, but there were numerous underground labyrinths that created bizarre weather patterns on the surface. 

The climate there could easily be described in one word: desert. The entire continent was one enormous desert. There were gigantic scorpions the size of a Great Tortoise, and masses of enormous worms that preyed primarily on said scorpions. The days were scorching hot and the nights were Arctic cold. There were almost no oases, so there was nowhere to stop and rest. As one approached the Asura Kingdom, the sand gave way to a snow-covered terrain with freezing temperatures, and there would be fewer and fewer monsters to hunt for food. 

“Thus, we’re going to take the eastern route.” 

“As usual, you’re a coward,” Eris complained. 

“I’m just faint of heart.” 

“I think I could do it just fine.” It seemed Eris wanted to see the Begaritt Continent. Her eyes were alight. However, the distance between the Central Continent and the Millis Continent was nothing compared to the distance between here and the Begaritt Continent. “We’d be on a ship for a long time if we chose that route. Are you sure you’d be okay with that, Eris?” 

“…We’re not going to Begaritt.” 

And that was how we decided we were taking the eastern route. 

*** 

Before I realized what was happening, I was in a pure white room. Emotion welled from the depths of my body. It was such a familiar sensation that I could easily describe it. 

So damn disgusting. 

“Already resorting to foul language? Just as crass as ever, I see.” 

Standing before me was an indistinct, person-shaped mosaic: the Man-God. 

Tch, acting like you know me. Can’t believe you’re showing up again, just when I’d finally started to forget about you. 

“Yes, it’s been a whole year.” 

Yes, a whole year. Such a long time. Tell me, do you only show up once a year? If so, that would put my heart at ease. 

“No, that’s not the case at all.” 

I figured as much. After the first time you appeared, you showed yourself again just a week later. 

“That aside, you’re as cold to me as ever. It’s all thanks to me that you got that demon eye, you know.” 

Yeah, well, I’m grateful for that…but if you’d told me more, I wouldn’t have ended up in that cell, and I wouldn’t have missed important information that led to my fight with Paul. Ah, dammit, I bet you found the whole thing really entertaining: Paul and I butting heads because I didn’t know my family was missing, me being all depressed afterward and Eris cheering me up…even managing to make up with Paul in the end. 

“Well, yes, that was entertaining. But are you sure about that?” 

Sure about what? 

“Sure that it’s all my fault?” 

Tch… Dammit. Being in this room takes me back to the past. Back to when I used to blame everything on other people. I’ve reflected on my mistakes. Reflected… Argh, dammit, I can’t remember what kind of reflection I did. Why can’t I… Dammit, dammit! 

“Well, that’s part of your charm. But a little reflection won’t be enough for you to move forward.” 

Whatever. It’s just that I can’t remember right now. But I will when I wake up. I can recognize my mistakes. So, let’s restart our conversation. I’ve decided to listen to you. 

“Listen? Hmm, now this is different. You’re honestly going to listen to what I have to say?” 

Yeah, that’s right. But there’s one thing I want you to tell me. 

“What’s that? I don’t mind answering if it’s something I have knowledge about.” 

Tell me where my family is. 

“I thought your family was in another world?” 

Don’t play games with me. Zenith, Lilia and Aisha. If possible, Sylphie, Ghislaine, Philip, and Sauros, too. 

“Hmm.” 

What? I’m asking sincerely. 

“I don’t know if I should tell you…” 

You’re just a voyeur who spies on people’s lives! Are you only going to tell me things that are convenient for you? You can arrange for me to meet up with the World’s Greatest Demon Emperor, but you can’t tell me where my family is? 

“Okay, okay, I’m sorry. I got a little carried away.” 

Good, as long as you know what you did. 

“But are you sure? I might lie to you this time.” 

What! Lie?! So, you finally admit it! That’s right, you are the type to lie, aren’t you? 

“I’m asking whether you can trust what I say.” 

No, I can’t trust you. This is an emergency, so I’ll do as you say, but if it turns out you’re lying to me, I’ll never listen to your advice again. Got it? 

“Then I want you to promise me something.” 

Promise you what? 

“If my advice allows you to reunite with your family, then I want you to trust me from now on.” 

Are you telling me to be your little puppet? Be your yes-man and obey your every command? 

“No, no, I’m not asking you to go that far. But it’s going to get exhausting if you’re this hostile every time we talk, you know?” 

It’ll be exhausting even if I’m not. Do you even know what it’s like? To be haunted by a past you want to forget? To feel like the memories of your repentance and growth have been erased? To be overwhelmed by self-loathing the moment you wake up in the morning? 

“I see. I’ve wronged you. All right, then why don’t we decide on some rules? Like me telling you ahead of time when I’ll next drop in to give you advice?” 

Yes, that’s a wonderful idea! How about coming to see me again in a hundred years? 

“But you’ll be dead by then, no?” 

I’m telling you to never show your face again. 

“Sigh… Well, I figured you’d say that. Are you sure you don’t want any advice from me this time?” 

…No. Hold on a sec. I’m sorry. I’ll compromise. If you can give me advice this time that will reunite me with a member of my family, then I’ll stop being so hostile when we talk. 

“And you’ll trust me?” 

Nope, I’m not willing to go that far. But I’ll at least stop having these meaningless exchanges about whether or not I’m going to listen. 

“Well, that’s optimistic.” 

So, you compromise, too. Stop showing up out of nowhere like you did this time. Give me some prior warning. Or show up in someone else’s dreams and use them to pass on a message to me. 

“That would be difficult. There’s actually a condition that must be met for me to be able to appear in someone’s dreams.” 

A condition? So that means you can’t just show your face whenever you want? 

“Exactly. In addition to that, I can only show up in the dreams of someone who is on the same wavelength as I am. There aren’t many who can receive my advice with such fortuitous timing. You’re quite lucky.” 

I could weep for joy. Anyway, there’s a condition, huh? What is it? 

“Who knows? I’m not even sure myself. All I know is that there’ll be a sudden ‘aha!’ moment where I’m like, ‘This guy’s the one, today is the time.’ And that’s when I’m able to link up.” 

Yeah? So that means you can’t completely control it, either. Forget the prior warning, then. Let’s see…I’d like you to be more detailed in your advice. If all you say is “go here” or “go there,” it just leaves me confused as to what I’m supposed to do. It makes me feel like you’re playing me. 

“All right, more details. Got it.” 

Okay. Go ahead, then. 

“Ahem. Well, this is my advice this time.” 

A vision suddenly appeared in my demon eye. 

A back alley in some country somewhere. There’s a lone girl, and someone violently grabs her hand. The person who seized her is a soldier. There’re two soldiers. The other one is tearing a piece of paper he’d snatched from her into pieces. The girl watches him, screaming something. 

The vision suddenly ended there. 

“Rudeus. Listen to me closely. Her name is Aisha Greyrat. She is currently being detained in the Shirone Kingdom. You’ll be there when the events from your vision transpire, and you’ll meet her and save her. You absolutely must not let your name be known. Call yourself the Kennel Master of Dead End and ask her for the details of her situation. Then send a letter to your acquaintance in the Shirone Royal Palace. If you do that, both Lilia and Aisha will be rescued from that place.” 

Huh? Wait, what? No—wait, why? Acquaintance? A letter? 

“Was that a little too much detail? If I tell you too much, it’ll spoil my fun, so that’ll have to do. Now then, I wonder which one you’ll get along with…” 

What? Lilia and Aisha are both in the Shirone Kingdom? Why? If that’s where they were, they should have been found by now. And what do you mean, which one am I going to get along with? Does that mean I’m going to clash with the other? 

“Good luck, Rudeus.” 

Luck…luck…luck… 

As the word echoed in my mind, my consciousness faded. 

*** 

I woke with a start. 

“Ugh!” 

My head was pounding. The dizziness was overwhelming, and I felt nauseated. I climbed out of bed and half-ran straight to the bathroom, where I started vomiting into the toilet bowl. 

I had a dreadful headache, and my feet were unsteady. When I left the bathroom, the trip back to my room felt much longer than it had when I raced in here. I pressed my hand against the wall and slowly slumped to the floor. In the darkness of the inn, I could hear someone panting. Startled, I looked around to find the source, only to realize that it was the sound of my own breathing. 

“What’s wrong? Are you okay?” 

A white face floated in the pitch black of the hallway. It was Ruijerd. He was peering at me with a worried look on his face. 

“Yeah…I’m fine.” 

“What did you eat? Can you use detoxification magic?” He pulled a cloth from his pocket and wiped the area around my mouth. 

At the whiff of my own vomit, the nausea flared up again. But I managed to keep from barfing again, even as the queasiness lingered in my chest. “I’m okay.” I somehow managed to wring the words out from the depths of my throat. 

“Are you sure?” He still sounded worried. 

I nodded. I was familiar with this headache. I’d felt it before when we were in Wind Port. “Yeah, I was half-asleep and failed to moderate my Eye of Foresight. That’s why this happened.” 

When I’d previously used the Eye of Foresight to look several seconds into the future, it had given me a headache just like this one. I had a good idea of why this had happened. The dream, that advice, and the vision he made me see—the Man-God showed me the future. Most likely using the Eye of Foresight. 

“So that’s why…” I mumbled to myself. Ruijerd gave me a puzzled look. 

I remembered how I’d met the Great Demon Emperor in the port city and obtained my demon eye. I remembered how sudden it was and how, for some reason, I’d picked this specific eye. I’d met Gallus right after that, but the eye contributed nothing to our journey across the sea. 

It was true that I’d eventually defeated Gallus using the eye, but I felt like I could have managed that on my own if I’d had to. To me, there was no greater meaning behind my acquisition of the demon eye, but perhaps there was to the Man-God. Perhaps the whole reason he’d arranged for me to meet the Great Demon Emperor was so he could use the eye to show me the future. It sure did feel like he was making careful preparations for something. 

My anxiety reared its ugly head, and for the first time, I feared the Man-God. I got the impression that this being, this creature with undefined form and incredible power, was trying to use me for something. It sent a chill through me. 

“Rudeus, you look pale. Are you sure you’re okay?” Ruijerd asked again, looking concerned. 

I almost blurted out my anxieties. The truth is that ever since I met you, the Man-God has been monitoring me. I’ve been following his advice and doing what he tells me. 

But in that moment, I realized something. Ever since I met you. That was it. The first time we came into contact was right before I met Ruijerd. Back then, the god had also advised me to help Ruijerd out. 

Now, that was strange. Why didn’t he contact me before that? Why did he only contact me right after the Displacement Incident? Why advise me to help Ruijerd rather than just rely on him? 

I felt like all of these things were connected. I had no proof of this, but despite that, a thought occurred to me. Maybe the Man-God plans to make Ruijerd do something. 

The Man-God said he could only appear in my dreams if a certain condition were met. Perhaps he was bound by that condition so he couldn’t manipulate Ruijerd directly. So he triggered the Displacement Incident to transport me—someone who did fit that criteria— to the Demon Continent, and guided me to Ruijerd, thereby getting him to accompany us to the Central Continent. 

But if that were the case, why help me acquire the demon eye or give me advice on how to save Aisha? I didn’t know. I didn’t know what he was thinking. Nor was I sure if I should say anything to Ruijerd. 

“…” 

I wanted to confide in someone, but I didn’t think it was right to put more on Ruijerd’s shoulders. Maybe telling him would even fulfill the Man-God’s unknown conditions, and the god would be able to talk directly to Ruijerd. Honestly, Ruijerd would probably be easily taken in by whatever the Man-God said to him. I wasn’t even entirely convinced he was telling me the truth, but at least my hostility made it difficult for him to deceive me. I wanted to believe that as long as I kept that up, nothing too terrible would happen. 

“Mister Ruijerd, if you ever find yourself in a difficult situation and someone whispers honeyed words in your ear, don’t ever believe what they say. Deceitful people strategically target you when you’re the most vulnerable.” 

In the end, I didn’t tell him about the Man-God. 

“I have no idea what you’re talking about, but I understand.” 

I had mixed feelings, watching him look at me so earnestly and nod. Ruijerd trusted me, and yet I was hiding things from him. It was largely because I’d determined keeping them secret was the best course of action, but that didn’t alleviate the guilt. 

My headache and nausea had faded without my noticing. Now my thoughts weighed heavily for a different reason. I returned to my room, but even after I crawled back into bed, I didn’t feel like sleeping. My eyes were wide open, and ideas churned in my head. When I closed my eyes, they floated in front of me, one after the other. 

“Whah ish it…” 

I heard someone talking in their sleep. Eris was sprawled in the bed beside me, snoring away. Her legs were spread wide open. Her toned legs emerged from a pair of shorts and her shirt was riding up, exposing her adorable belly button. Even if you looked straight down at her, you could see the curves of her chest. She didn’t wear a bra to bed, so if I squinted hard enough, I could see the small peaks of the tips of her breasts. I could also see the drool dribbling down her chin as she grinned in her sleep. 

“Mmph.” 

I smiled wryly at her sleep-talk and rose out of bed. I pulled her shirt back down and readjusted the blanket over her. 

“Rudeus…is a perv…” 

She had a dirty look on her face. Here I was, making myself sick with worry, and she still called me a perv. 

I was tempted to touch her breasts so my actions would at least warrant that accusation, but a wave of drowsiness came over me. I yawned and collapsed back into my bed.