Mushoku Tensei (LN) - Volume 6 - Chapter 12

Chapter 12:

The Reality of the Calamity 

The refugee camp was quiet, and the size of a village. If this were the Demon Continent, it would be just large enough to be considered a city, but it had no life to it. Silence permeated the air, and the camp’s occupants were few relative to its size. I could sense people within the hurriedly constructed log houses, so the place was definitely inhabited, but there was no spirit left in its residents. 

I headed into the middle of the refugee camp, where a building that resembled an Adventurers’ Guild stood. This was the headquarters of the refugee camp, according to the note that was written on the entrance. When I went in, I found it was just as melancholy. 

I had a bad feeling about this. 

“Rudeus, that’s…” Eris pointed at a sheet of paper. At the very top of the page was the name “Fittoa Liege Lord James Boreas Greyrat,” and beside it, “Seeking Status Information, Deceased or Missing.” Beneath that were the names of those who’d gone missing after the incident, listed alphabetically by village and city. 

“Let’s look at that later,” I said. 

“Yeah.” 

The list of the deceased was incredibly long. Also, the Liege Lord named at the head of the document wasn’t Sauros. Both of those things made me anxious as we headed deeper within the building. 

When we gave Eris’ name at the counter, the middle-aged woman attending it quickly slipped into the back. Then she returned, happily, with a man and woman in tow. Their faces were familiar. One of them was bearded and white-haired, wearing an outfit that looked slightly finer than that of an ordinary townsperson. It was Alphonse, the household butler. The other had chocolate-colored skin and was wearing a swordsman’s outfit. 

“Ghislaine!” Eris had a look of pure joy on her face as she raced over to the woman. If she had a tail, it would be wagging. 

I was happy, too. I hadn’t heard any news of Ghislaine this whole time, but she looked well. Perhaps the reason Paul hadn’t heard anything about her was just a gap in the information stream. 

Ghislaine looked at Eris’ face and broke into a wide grin. “Eris, no, Lady Eris, I’m glad you made it safely—” 

“…It’s fine, you can just call me Eris.” 

Ghislaine looked happy for a moment, but soon enough, her expression clouded over. Even Alphonse was gazing at her sympathetically. It can’t be… I thought as a sense of unease welled up within me. 

“Eris…let’s talk further in.” Ghislaine’s voice was hard. Her tail was standing straight up. Her expression wasn’t that of someone who was simply happy at Eris’ return. She was nervous. 

“Yeah, okay.” Eris saw the look on Ghislaine’s face and seemed to understand. She followed Ghislaine deeper into the building. 

When I tried to follow them, Alphonse stopped me and said, “Master Rudeus, please wait outside.” 

“Huh? Oh, okay.” It made sense, I guessed. I was honestly just hired help, so perhaps I wasn’t allowed to listen in on important conversations. 

“No, Rudeus will come too,” Eris said in a strident tone, one that would brook no dissent. 

“If that is what you wish, Lady Eris.” 

Eris’ lips were pulled together even tighter than usual, her hands curled so hard at her sides they were turning white. 

We silently passed through a short hallway and entered what looked like a workroom. There was a sofa in the middle, and a vase at the edge of the room which contained a Vatirus flower. The far end of the room was furnished plainly and contained only a cheap-looking work desk. 

Eris didn’t wait for an invitation before taking her seat on the sofa. She grasped my hand and dragged me along to sit beside her. Ghislaine, as usual, took up her position at the edge of the room. Alphonse stood in front of Eris and bowed to her in the traditional way of a butler. 

“Welcome home, Lady Eris. I received word earlier you would be making your way here and waited patiently for your—” 

“Cut the courtesies and just say it. Who died?” Eris interjected. She asked the question outright, without any padding to cushion the harshness of the words. She sat straight-backed, with strength in her gaze, but I knew there was anxiety swirling in her heart. Mostly because she was squeezing my hand so tightly. 

“About that…” Alphonse’s response was evasive. 

Judging by his manner, Sauros was likely dead. Eris was a grandpa’s girl. She mimicked every single one of his mannerisms. If he was dead, it would hurt her greatly. 

Alphonse forced the words out with great effort. “Lord Sauros, Lord Philip, and Lady Hilda… All three of them are deceased.” 

The second we heard those words, her fingers crushed my hand. Pain shot up my arm, but it was Alphonse’s words, rather than the pain, that left me dazed. It had to be a mistake, right? It hadn’t been that long. It hadn’t even been three years yet. Or perhaps it’d be more correct to say it would soon be three whole years. 

“There’s…no mistake about that, right?” There was a tremor in Eris’ voice when she asked the question. 

Alphonse nodded. “Lord Philip and Lady Hilda were teleported together and passed away in the Conflict Zone. Ghislaine confirmed this.” 

Ghislaine bobbed her head. 

“That’s right… Where was Ghislaine teleported to?” 

“The same place as Lord Philip. The Conflict Zone.” Ghislaine said succinctly. 

As she was pushing through the Conflict Zone on foot, she’d happened upon Philip and Hilda’s bodies. That was all she said. She didn’t explain what condition their remains were in or how exactly she’d found them, but judging by the look on her face, it was bad. Was it the condition of the bodies or the way in which they died? Or had she seen something that made her want to turn away? Had she heard something that made her want to cover her ears? 

Eris just made a single humming sound, but her hand was trembling as it gripped mine. “And what about my grandfather?” 

“…He was forced to take responsibility for Fittoa’s Displacement Incident, and was executed.” 

“That’s absurd,” I blurted out without thinking. “What meaning would there be in executing Lord Sauros?” 

He was forced to take responsibility for a natural disaster, and executed? That was ridiculous. There was nothing he could’ve done about it. Or did they expect him to stop it before it happened? It had happened suddenly and without forewarning. What responsibility was there to be had? 

“Rudeus, sit.” 

“…” 

Eris tugged at my hand and forced me back into my seat. Apparently, at some point, I’d stood up. There were feelings pooling around inside my head that I couldn’t express in words. Perhaps it was the extreme pain that made them incoherent. My hand hurt. 

No. In truth, I understood. Even if there was no forewarning, even if it couldn’t have been prevented, people had died. Fields and crops had disappeared. The losses were immeasurable. The people were steeped in discontent and they needed a scapegoat. Even in my previous life in Japan, the Prime Minister would take responsibility by immediately resigning if something shameful happened. 

By dying, Sauros had taken the people’s discontent with him. Someone capable could take his place. At least then, people might find some relief. 

It wasn’t just that, though. I was sure that some power struggle between the nobles was involved. I had no idea just how much the old man Sauros had possessed in terms of authority, but it must’ve been enough for his downfall to warrant being killed. 

I could rationalize it. I could . But then, that just brought us to our current situation. To a refugee camp blanketed in silence. To a practically deserted headquarters. There were no signs that the country was serious about reestablishing the Fittoa Region. If Sauros were still alive, perhaps he would’ve taken more active measures. That old man was useful precisely in these kinds of situations. 

But no—that was only a front. Eris’ feelings were what I cared about. I couldn’t stay calm when I thought about how she must be feeling to hear she had no family left. I had no idea when Philip and Hilda’s deaths were reported. It could have been before or after Sauros’ death. But Sauros at least had been alive—“had” being the keyword. There’d been no need to kill him. 

Just how many did they think had died in this disaster—in the Displacement Incident? Hundreds of thousands, an uncountable number, and yet they purposefully killed a man who had returned alive? Eris had come all this way to return home just to learn that? 

Ah, crap. I couldn’t think straight. My hand hurt. 

“Master Rudeus, I understand how you feel, but…this is the current state of the Asura Kingdom.” 

Alphonse, the master you served was killed! Ghislaine, the man who saved your life was killed! I thought. Those were the things I wanted to say to them. 

Yet…nothing came out. 

Mostly because Eris didn’t say anything. There was no point in me shouting and crying. Even though they’d taken care of me, and we were related, Sauros had still been a stranger to me. If his family wasn’t going to say anything, what point was there in me complaining? 

“…So, what am I supposed to do?” In an uncharacteristic show of quietness, Eris neither lashed out nor yelled. 

“Lord Pilemon Notos Greyrat has said he would welcome you as his concubine, Lady Eris.” 

Even I could feel the murderous intent suddenly pouring out of Ghislaine. “Alphonse, you bastard! Do you seriously intend for her to take that offer?!” she howled at him, so viciously I thought she might split my eardrums open. “I’m sure you remember what he said!” 

Alphonse retained his cool even in the face of Ghislaine’s fury. “Even so, if we’re to think of the future of the Fittoa Region, a bit of discomfort is—” 

“As if she could ever be happy being married to a man like that!” 

“He’s filth, but he has a distinguished family name. There are many undesired marriages that result in happiness,” Alphonse said. 

“I don’t care how many! Are you even thinking about Eris at all?!” 

“I’m thinking about the Boreas family and the Fittoa Region.” 

“So you plan to sacrifice Eris for that?!” Ghislaine barked back. 

“If it’s necessary.” 

I watched in mute amazement as the two of them suddenly broke into an argument. Eris stood before I realized what was happening. She let go of my hand and folded both arms over her chest, her legs spread wide beneath her and her chin tilted forward. 

“Enough!” 

Her voice was loud enough that Ghislaine had to cover her ears. This was the full extent of Eris’ bellow—one I hadn’t heard lately. However, that was all the energy she seemed to have. 

“Just…leave me by myself. I want to think.” The two of them looked shocked when they heard how disheartened her voice sounded. 

Alphonse was the first to leave. Ghislaine looked reluctant as she gazed over at Eris, but left. 

Then it was just me. 

“Eris…um…” 

“Rudeus, did you not hear me? Leave me alone for now.” Her tone left no room for argument. 

I felt a bit shocked. This was probably the first time in a few years that Eris had pushed me away like this. 

“Okay, I…understand.” My shoulders drooped as I watched Eris turn her back toward me. The second I left the room and closed the doors, I swore I could hear a sob. 

*** 

Alphonse had prepared rooms for us. There were four of them, narrow and located in a house near the headquarters, probably intended for the refugees. I carried my luggage into one of them and stowed Eris’ in the room neighboring mine. I changed out of my travel clothes and into ones for going around town. I discarded my misshapen, patched-up robe on the bed and left the room. 

I returned to the headquarters. I wanted to try talking to Alphonse and Ghislaine some more, but I didn’t see them. I didn’t have the willpower to search for them, so I gazed at the notice board instead. Paul’s message was pinned there, the one I’d seen numerous times in the past few months. Search the Central Continent or the northern region , it said. Written when I was still about, what, ten years of age? I’d soon be thirteen. Time sure had passed quickly. 

My eyes scanned over the list of dead and missing. They landed on the section titled “Buena Village.” The names of people I knew were listed in a row on the missing persons list. Over half had a line slashed through them. A glimpse at the column of the dead revealed that the same names had been written over there. Apparently, as their deaths had been confirmed, their names were crossed out and they were added to the list of dead. There were slightly more names in the missing column than the dead, but the list of dead were densely packed together. 

I saw Laws’ name written in the missing persons column with a line run through it, and my brows furrowed. I’d heard from Paul that Laws was dead. I hadn’t heard the details of how he died, though. 

Then, just below that, I saw it. There, in the missing persons column, was Sylphie’s name. And a line was drawn through it. 

Ba-thump . My heart drummed loudly. 

It can’t be , I thought as I looked at the column of the dead. I didn’t see her name near Laws’. I started at the top and scanned down to the end, but her name wasn’t there at all. 

“Um, this, there’s a line drawn through this name, but it’s not in the list of the dead…?” I asked one of the staff, voicing my doubt. 

“Yes, that’s one of the people who was confirmed to be a survivor.” 

When I heard those words, something inside my chest dropped with a thud. It was like my heart had fallen straight through my stomach and right through my guts. That’s how relieved I felt at the revelation that Sylphie was alive. 

“Then do you also know how to contact them?” I asked. 

“If that person hasn’t come to our headquarters here themselves, then I’m afraid not.” 

“Could you check for me? The name is Sylphiette.” 

“Please wait just a moment.” 

It took some twenty minutes or so as the staff searched. 

“I’m sorry, but her contact information hasn’t been registered with us.” 

“Oh, All right…” 

There were two possibilities, then. Either she hadn’t settled down yet and so she had no contact information to list, or someone else had spotted her and updated the list, so her contact information hadn’t been recorded. There was the possibility that there’d been some mistake, but I didn’t think that was it. There was an extremely high possibility that Sylphie had survived. For the moment, I should just be happy about that. 

Of course, I was worried, too. About her hair color, for instance. It was a slightly different shade than that of the Superd’s, but it was still the same general color. According to the Man-God, the curse was one that applied only to the Superd tribe. Still, there were many cruel people out there in the world. She might be out there somewhere, crying because of a comment made about her hair… 

No. Paul had said that she could use healing magic without the need for incantations. That meant she had enough strength to survive on her own. Perhaps she was just like me, working as an adventurer. Perhaps she was searching for her family, unaware that they’d already passed away. In fact, if she’d survived the incident, that was probably the most likely possibility. I just prayed she hadn’t become a slave or anything. 

For the moment, I took it upon myself to cross Lilia’s and Aisha’s names off the missing list. There was already a line through my name. They had heard that Eris was on her way here, so they probably knew about me as well. 

Among Paul’s family, the only name that remained was Zenith Greyrat, meaning she still hadn’t been found, after all. Perhaps I’d ask the Man-God the next time he appeared in my dreams. 

When I finished looking over the bulletin board, Eris still hadn’t come out of the room. She was normally so quick to recover. This was the first time I’d seen her this troubled over something. But we’d journeyed so far to get here, and now that she’d arrived home, there was no family or warm house to welcome her. Perhaps that was enough to overwhelm even someone as strong as Eris. 

Maybe I should go back and comfort her after all , I thought. No, let’s wait a little bit longer. 

I decided to return to the building where I’d left our luggage. I figured I’d find something to preoccupy myself, though I didn’t have any ideas as to what. Perhaps I’d just rest a little instead. 

*** 

Alphonse called to me as I moved to leave. He brought me to a room located in the refugee camp’s headquarters and took a seat in front of me. To my right sat Ghislaine. The only reason the two of them were sitting was probably because Eris wasn’t with us. Unlike me, they seemed to understand the master/servant hierarchy. 

“Now then, Master Rudeus, please provide a concise report.” 

“A report?” 

“Yes, as to what you have been doing these past three years.” 

“Oh, yeah, all right.” 

I told him how we’d been transported to the Demon Continent and met Ruijerd. How we registered as adventurers and used that to bring in daily income as we moved from place to place. I told him about the incident in the Great Forest. Then I told him how we met Paul and his Fittoa Search and Rescue Team, and how that was the first we’d learned of the situation back home. I told him how we headed north while searching for information, and about the events that transpired in the Shirone Kingdom. I tried to be as concise as possible, keeping the conversation centered around Eris. 

Alphonse listened in quietly, but when I told him about how we’d parted with Ruijerd, he spoke up. “The man who escorted you returned home?” 

“Yes, he really looked out for us.” 

“Truly? Once things settle down, I’d like to propose to Eris that we officially reward him for his assistance.” 

“He’s not the type of person who would accept something like that.” 

“Is that right?” Alphonse nodded and quietly glanced over at me. His eyes were those of an exhausted man. “Well, Master Rudeus…of those who served Lord Sauros, it is only the three of us who remain.” 

“What about the other maids?” I asked. 

“Judging by the fact that they haven’t returned, they’re either dead or they’ve returned to their homeland.” 

“Oh, all right.” So even the cat-eared girls were wiped out? Or perhaps some of them returned to their home in the Great Forest. 

“And the lord took such good care of them, too. How dreadful.” 

“It was ultimately nothing more than a financial relationship to them, I assume.” When I said that, Alphonse’s poker face cracked slightly. My words might have been a tad harsh, but I was sure they were true. 

“Because of your youth, I hesitated over whether or not to include you in this conversation. But if you can retort like that, I’m sure you’re more than capable. You protected Lady Eris and delivered her here safely. As a way to recognize your achievements, we welcome you as vassal to the Boreas Greyrat family.” 

A vassal? So that’s what this gathering was? 

“Henceforth, I will be conducting this as a meeting between vassals. You take no issue with this, I presume?” 

A meeting? I was sure they’d probably conducted these meetings even before I was sent to tutor Eris. I was also sure that Ghislaine hadn’t been included back then. There were only three of us right now, but many vassals had undoubtedly gathered for such discussions in the past. 

“Thank you. What is the topic at hand?” I had no intention of engaging in idle banter, so I cut to the chase. Besides, Philip and Sauros were no longer here. It was obvious who we were going to be talking about. 

“It’s about Lady Eris.” 

See? Just what I said. 

“Specifically, I’d like to talk about her future.” 

“Her future?” I echoed. 

Eris had returned to her homeland, but there was nothing here. She had no family and no household. She couldn’t return to the life she’d enjoyed before. 

“While it’s true that Lord Sauros and Lord Philip have passed, the Boreas family itself hasn’t been completely destroyed, correct? They can at least prepare a place for her to live in, right?” I asked. 

“Lord James would be concerned about rumors. I think it likely he would refuse to take Lady Eris into his household.” 

James… In other words, Eris’ uncle, right? The current Liege Lord. If he cared that much about what people thought, then he probably wouldn’t want someone like Eris around. Her manners were a bit iffy, and she didn’t exactly fit one’s image of a noble lady. James was also supposedly sheltering Eris’ brothers, and most likely a number of cousins as well. It wasn’t difficult to imagine Eris causing strife with one or more of them. 

“Even if he were willing to take her in, it’s doubtful whether the other nobles would accept her as one of them. I can’t picture her taking on the duties of a maid, either. Therefore, I’m going to reject the idea entirely.” 

I nodded at his words. He was right. Even though Eris had mellowed a bit, her wild disposition was the same as ever. 

“Next, I’d like to discuss the invitation from Pilemon Notos Greyrat. He said that when Eris returned home, if she had no other place to go, he would be willing to welcome her as one of his concubines.” 

Pilemon—my uncle and Paul’s younger brother. He was the current head of the Notos household. I’d gotten the sense old man Sauros didn’t like him at all. 

When I glanced at Ghislaine, I saw she had her brows knit and her eyes closed. 

“It’s not a bad option,” Alphonse said. “But there are some troubling rumors about him.” 

“Troubling rumors?” I asked. 

“Yes, about him trying to curry favor with High Minister Darius, who has rapidly been gaining political power as of late.” 

Why was that troubling? Wasn’t it normal for powerful people to curry favor with those who possessed more influence than them? 

“Lord Darius has been gaining power for the past few decades, and supports the First Prince’s ascension to the throne. He’s also primarily responsible for driving the Second Princess out of the country.” 

I have no idea what you’re talking about when you suddenly bring up First-this and Second-that , I thought. 

“Lord Pilemon was once amongst a group of those supporting the Second Princess, but…” 

“But when she was driven out of the country, his group lost all of its power?” I guessed. 

“Precisely.” 

In other words, the big boss on his side lost and now he was scheming to try to switch over to the winning team. “I don’t see the problem,” I said. 

“Lord Rudeus, do you remember that kidnapping incident from some time ago?” 

“Kidnapping incident?” 

“The one where actual kidnappers seized Lady Eris.” 

The kidnapping plan I’d proposed, then. 

“The one behind that crime was Lord Darius,” Alphonse said. 

“…Hm.” 

“Lord Darius has only been to the Fittoa Region once, and in that time, it took just one glance for him to take a deep interest in Lady Eris.” 

“You mean in a sexual sense?” I asked. 

“Of course.” 

So, the truth was revealed after all these years. No—he’d probably been identified as the culprit even back then, but they couldn’t afford to kick up a fuss because of how powerful he was. 

I wondered why Sauros had refused to let him have Eris. Was it because he hated Darius? The old man had been the type to let his personal feelings dictate his actions. Well, whatever the basis for his decision, it didn’t matter much now. 

“If Lord Pilemon were to take Lady Eris as his concubine, he would probably find some excuse to offer her to Lord Darius.” 

Hmm, so Darius had been the perverted noble all this time. Apparently, there were a lot of those in the Asura Kingdom. Granted, he had good taste if he fancied Eris, though that taste was the only non-terrible thing about him. 

“Well, we’re rejecting that idea, right?” 

“Not quite. While I can’t help but grimace at the idea of the man himself, Lord Darius has the most influence in the capital right now. Lady Eris won’t like him, but it would guarantee her status and the comfort of her living conditions.” 

“But still…” 

“And if she were to make a bit of a selfish request, he would surely listen to her. For example, if she requested the development of a village in the Fittoa Region for its people.” 

Now I understood. If she became a powerful woman herself, then she’d be able to tap into his money and influence. Even so, I didn’t like the idea of Eris being with that pervert. “What are our other options?” 

“As for the other nobles… With Lord Sauros and Lord Philip gone, Lady Eris doesn’t have any value left as the daughter of a noble family.” 

Value, hm? Maybe that was how they saw it. In my eyes, Eris already had plenty of value just on her own. 

“Lord Rudeus, which do you think is the best route for us to take?” Alphonse asked. 

“Before I state my opinion, can I ask what Ghislaine thinks?” I hadn’t gathered my thoughts yet. 

“I think Lady Eris should stay with Rudeus.” 

“With me?” 

“You’re Paul’s son. Zenith was also from a powerful noble family in Millishion. With your lineage and background, you should be able to make a place for yourself among the Asuran nobility.” 

I wasn’t so sure about that. I looked at Alphonse to gauge his reaction. 

“It’s not out of the question. Lord Paul has accomplished much during this incident. If you use that to your advantage, you should be able to consolidate some power and influence. However, getting the Liege Lord to let you oversee the Fittoa Region would be far more difficult. I can’t imagine Pilemon would allow a son of Lord Paul to have any power. I also can’t imagine that Lord James and Lord Darius would look kindly upon Eris marrying into the family of another influential person.” 

No, I didn’t think so. Still, I more or less understood what Alphonse was getting at. He was thinking about how to ultimately secure the revival of the region. 

“In that case, Rudeus should just take Lady Eris and run away,” Ghislaine said. 

“And then what happens to the Fittoa Region?” Alphonse snapped. 

“You deal with it.” Ghislaine retorted coldly. Perhaps she and Alphonse just fundamentally did not get along. 

“Would it not be the realization of our dearest wish, if Lady Eris were to take control over the land that Lord Sauros so loved?” 

“That’s your greatest wish. Don’t lump me in with you. I just want Lady Eris to be happy.” 

“And you think she’ll be happy if she runs away with Lord Rudeus?” 

“Happier than if she’s forced to marry Pilemon,” Ghislaine argued. 

“And what about the people of the region?” 

“I don’t care about them. Lady Eris was never expected to deal with those matters from the start.” 

It seemed our group of vassals was divided. Alphonse wanted Eris to follow in Sauros and Phillip’s footsteps and take over management of the land. If that required her to endure living with a pervert, she just needed to suck it up. Ghislaine, on the other hand, just wanted Eris to be happy. As far as she was concerned, Eris should abandon her political power and family name to elope with me. 

Personally, I leaned toward Ghislaine’s way of thinking. It wasn’t logical; it was entirely emotional. But still, I didn’t want a girl I cared about to be taken by some pig. If those were our options, then we’d be better off eloping. I didn’t care about political power. 

I did understand what Alphonse was saying, and why he thought it was important. I just didn’t agree with him. 

“Looks like we’re at a standstill,” I mumbled. And when I did, the two who had previously been arguing looked my way. 

“What do you mean?” Alphonse asked. 

“Whatever it is, Eris is the one who gets to decide. There’s no point in us even discussing it. So, let’s try to find a more constructive topic of conversation. Is there anything else?” 

Alphonse stared at me dumbfounded. Ghislaine also went quiet again. 

“If not, then I’m going to rest.” 

Just like that, the day’s meeting ended.