Volume 20 Chapter 13 : It is Okay to Rejoice

Part 1

Now, the return report.

Eris also might have been naive concerning childbirth.

That is to say, she also has times when she goes into an emotional slump.

Zanoba and I moved towards my home.

Julie needs to be handed back over.

I could keep her at my home for a while, but Julie and Zanoba will be happy to be reunited.

By the way, Ginger has been busy trying to find Zanoba a place to sleep.

The dormitory of the university should be usable, but…

After giving notice of withdrawal, can he really return to school?

Graduation was only a few months away; what a waste.

I wonder if Jinas could do something if we asked him.

That fellow is reliable so he should be able to study at the university under a magic guild after graduation.

"Anyway, Zanoba, in the future, come to me if you need anything."

"It is I who should say that to you."

Just having Zanoba around in the foreseeable future, for my sake, I'm happy.

Development on the Magic Armor can continue and I will not need to give up on the doll sales

project.

As for the matter with Zanoba being out of a home, I may lend him the money if he wishes.

Borrowing and loaning money can be a source of trouble, but I wouldn't regret even just giving it to him.

While I was lost in thought, we arrived at my house in no time.

With the treant entwined around the gatepost and the emerald green roof, it's a house overflowing with a natural LOHAS atmosphere.

As we approached the front gate, Beat opened it for me as usual.

"Well, I hope Julie hasn't been a bother to Shishou's family."

"Julie is fine. Her and Aisha are close friends…"

Whoosh!

The moment I enter the grounds I hear a particular sound made by the wind.

I immediately recognize that sound.

After all, it's a sound I've heard millions of times.

It's the sound of practice swings.

Has Norn returned to the house?

Whoosh!

No, anyway, that's a pretty good sound for Norn.

Although I haven't practiced the sword with her recently, when I was teaching her, it was a sound like whuhmp and wobble.

Now the sound is 'whoosh'.

It's the sound of a sword swinging straight.

Even I may not easily make such a good sound.

It's a sound like Eris --.

And, when I viewed the source of the sound, I could not believe my eyes.

There was a woman waving that stone practice sword I had made a long time ago.

The woman's hair was bright red, as if someone had thrown primary color paint onto it.

She was easily swinging that terribly heavy stone sword with one hand.

That woman who was expecting.

Eris.

"Oh, Rudeus, welcome back. You are late."

"Wa-wa-wa-wait! Eris! What are you doing!?"

I hastily ran up to her.

No good.

She's doing this despite being so close to her due date.

She's waving that awful heavy thing around like it's so light.

That's going to put a lot of stress on your stomach…

Her stomach.

"Wuh?"

Eris's stomach is slim.

She's slender.

Where's my Baby?

"Wuh?"

I try to touch it.

Oh, wow, it's a six pack.

And it's tight.

This is not the belly of any pregnant woman I have ever seen.

"Eh?"

What is this?

Perhaps the muscles of Eris's brawny six pack, perhaps they have permanently compressed our baby into a tiny package…

What the hell.

No, I shouldn't panic yet.

Maybe it's just been pushed downward into her.

"Or maybe here?"

"What are you doing!?"

I was hit hard when I moved to grab her butt.

I look up at her from the ground.

With her feet spread apart shoulder length, her arms crossed, and her chin stuck out, Eris looked down at me.

She just bluntly said to me,

"I gave birth!"

"To what?"

I answered on reflex.

Even though there is only one correct answer.

"A child!"

"Who did?"

"Obviously I did!"

Eris.

Our child.

She gave birth.

" … "

I sat up in the seiza position.

"Ah, then… it came, tell me about it, when…"

"It came ten days ago! It happened late in the night, but I somehow managed."

Ten days ago.

What was I doing?

Certainly, I would have been in Shirone.

In the Inn perhaps, that day with Roxy…

No, it doesn't matter.

In other words, it was that?

"I didn't… make it back in time for the delivery… ?"

"Well, you ought to have come home a little earlier, it's a damn shame!"

Eris said that with a smirk.

Yeah, it was a voice that seemed to say "I can do it on my own."

What should I do?

I wonder if I should show a broad grin.

Though I don't really have that much of a reason to feel guilty.

Originally, we had considered such a possibility.

However, I am filled with regret.

"Hey, why… aren't you happy?"

As if confused, Eris frowned.

There is no reason to not be happy.

"Uuh, I'm happy, but also, it's a complicated feeling…"

"Ah! That's right, naturally it's a boy! He's named Arus, after the great hero of humanity."

But, I wonder if it is okay to be happy.

I failed Orsted's job.

Zanoba's brother Pax died.

There is some hope remaining, but I still failed.

In this situation, if I receive such happy news, then is it fine to be pleased?

"Master~!"

While I was lost in thought, the front entrance swung open.

A small orange haired figure came flying out of the front door.

That person ran straight past me to the shadowy figure at my rear.

She ran right for Zanoba.

While trying to leap towards Zanoba, she stumbled, and it became a scene where she was embracing his thighs.

"Ah, Julie, my disciple! I am back!"

Zanoba picked Julie up with both hands, and lifted her up so their eyes met.

Julie, tears pouring from her eyes, squeezed Zanoba's sleeve.

"Julie has been looking forward to your return Master!"

"Yes."

It's a deeply moving reunion.

She seems to have not been bullied by my family, it's obvious from such a moving scene.

A moment later, Julie said something jaw dropping.

"Julie, about master, adores him!"

"Ah, so that was the case. I hadn't noticed…"

"Again, please don't leave me again. Please let me be by your side when you die!"

She began to cry out her grief.

From the crying you can see that behind the scenes of this incident, Julie was incredibly worried about Zanoba.

Zanoba made a face like he was taken back and, before long, smiled softly.

"… Yes, be at peace. After this we will remain together."

"Mastaaaaaaaaaaa~r"

When Julie began to cry, Zanoba gently pulled her head into his shoulder.

Zanoba seemed kind of delighted.

In the end,

Pax certainly died, the job was a failure, and we lost to Hitogami.

However we all came back alive.

Neither Zanoba, Roxy, Ginger, or I died.

We didn't lose a single person.

Let's celebrate.

I'll say it happily.

"Eris!"

I wasn't going to fight against the feelings that had suddenly started bubbling up inside of me.

I embraced Eris, and then kissed her.

Even though she was surprised, Eris responded well.

She returned the embrace, and I was kissed back.

Then I rubbed her ass and stroked her back, by the time I got to her shoulder, she was kissing me deeply.

When I moved my hand down and rubbed her chest I was allowed to kiss the ground after being hit.

"That was too much!"

"I'm sorry!"

"Whoa!"

I immediately got up and put Eris in a princess carry.

It was the only option.

I need to go see the face of my child.

"Hey, my boy, where is he?"

"In the house!"

Eris was unusually obedient and wrapped her arm around my neck.

Then, like that, we went toward the house.

"Yes… Shishou!"

"What is it Zanoba!?"

"This is it for me today! In the future, I'll come and thank Roxy-dono!"

"Yeah!"

With that exchange, Zanoba left.

He likely doesn't want to intrude on our family's affair.

I also dash into the house.

Through the front door I entered the living room.

There, two girls there sitting on the couch, holding a baby.

"Look look, Norn-ane, he smiled, just now he smiled!"

"Aisha, Aisha, let me hold him too."

"Here, gently support his head and neck."

"I know that already, I've already helped Lucy and Lara… Ah, this child is groping my breasts, could he be hungry?"

"Here you go. That's just because he's our brother's child, right?"

"A baby won't do that kind of thing!"

Two 14 year old girls, holding my son; the youthful energy is overflowing.

My sisters, and my son.

Oh, it sound like I'm saying some indecent thing.

"… Eris, I'm going to set you down."

"Gotcha."

After I put Eris back down on the floor, the sisters notice me.

They look up at me, two people with smiling faces.

"Oh, nii-san, welcome back."

"Onii-chan, welcome home."

They are smiling.

Both of my sisters are here smiling.

Seeing that, suddenly, the face of Pax appeared in my mind.

I remember the self mocking smile of a man who had given up.

"I heard from Roxy-ane that it was a bad time."

"Now see here, Norn-ane."

"Oh, yes… that's right, Brother. This is Arus-kun, your son."

Norn handed me the baby.

This is Arus.

His hair is red. His eyes also look just like Eris's.

It's unreal.

I wonder if that's because I wasn't here when he was born.

An uneasy feeling welled up in me.

The baby watched me, and moving his tiny hand reached out and touched my chest.

He gently poked me, pat-pat, as if he was looking for something soft.

However, my chest is tight.

"Aaya~! Agyia~!"

He begins to cry immediately.

All of my anxiety was swept away at the same time, relief spread out from my heart.

There is no doubt.

This is my boy, Paul's grandson.

"Huh? Arus, this is your papa, okay? It is not a stranger, okay?"

"Ni-Nii-chan are you alright?"

Aisha and Norn cast anxious looks my way.

Those two people were holding my child and saying 'cute'.

They held him with a smile.

They love him.

Surely I love these two as part of my family.

Thinking about Pax.

He was killed.

Zanoba has no children, but Zanoba did have siblings.

His younger brother's children, his older brother's children.

They were massacred…

He wasn't able to love them.

He wasn't able to be loved by them.

They never mutually loved.

Ah.

Zanoba, he meant this.

I wonder if he wanted this kind of relationship with Pax.

" … !"

The moment I realized it, tears came flowing out.

"Hold on! Why are you crying!?"

"Yeah, somehow my tears just fell."

"It can't be helped, I have an idea. You should stop crying if I embrace you…"

"Stop that…"

My baby's head bobbled around, I took him and sat down between Norn and Aisha.

For a while my baby and I were crying between those two.

Until that moment, why didn't I have any recognition for Pax?

I wonder why I didn't realize the feelings Zanoba had for Pax at an earlier stage?

If it's me, I should have been able to understand Pax's feelings.

Hearing my cries, footsteps sounded from upstairs.

Lucy and Sylphy appeared in the living room, and then after a brief moment, Roxy, holding Lara, followed them down.

Then from the kitchen, Zenith and Lilia came.

Sylphy should have heard from Roxy what had happened.

Looking at me blubbering, she just stroked my head without saying anything.

Lucy trying to imitate it, climbed on top of my knee, and gave me a pat.

"Rudeus is always such a crybaby…"

Finally, Eris patted my head.

Everyone is so kind.

"Aisha… Norn…"

Crying I called out to my two little sisters.

"I'll help you anytime you need… If you are in trouble, don't hesitate to rely on me… You might think I'm unreliable, but no matter what, I'll do everything in my power…"

Those two looked at one another.

Rather then helping them, maybe my crying face is troubling them instead.

I don't know.

Maybe they won't be able to rely on me in an emergency.

"Yeah, I know."

"Yes, I understand."

But, those two nodded.

That's good.

Everything is fine.

"Gusu~tsu."

While sniffing I look up at Roxy and Lara.

In her arms Lara is making her standard impudent face.

Certainly, this time, my life wasn't in danger.

However, without Roxy, it might have been critical.

Even though I have strengthened my determination, I am still weak.

If she had not been by my side, I may have folded at some point.

Once again, Roxy is dependable.

And then I wouldn't have even taken Roxy with us if it had not been for Lara.

Roxy and Lara.

This time, there's no way I can thank the both of them enough.

"Roxy, …thank you for your hard work."

"Rudy too, thanks for your effort."

Anyway, it's over.

This time, it was a hard one.

I doubted things unnecessarily, to the point that I'm mentally worn out.

All I did was increase my stress, I couldn't manage Orsted's task.

I let Pax die.

It was a nightmare.

But now, it's all over.

There will be other things to do from tomorrow on.

Before waiting on the next incident, there are things that need to be discussed.

"Everyone, please pay attention to what I'm about to say."

That day, for the family, I explained about Hitogami.

Not only Hitogami, but also about Orsted.

Until now, it was the two of us fighting.

I told them that Lara might be the savior, why I cooperate with Orsted, and the other details.

Then when I was finished I asked for everyone's cooperation.

From now on, Orsted and my forces would need to increase.

The entire family nodded.

Sylphy and Eris, not to mention Roxy.

Even though Norn and Aisha seemed puzzled, they as well.

Lucy, without firmly understanding, made a serious face and also nodded.

It was refreshing.

Now the only secret I'm still holding onto is that I am reincarnated from another world.

I've returned to the start.

Part 2

Let's organize the information.

First up, how to defeat Hitogami.

To reach Hitogami, five treasures handed down through the Dragon Tribe are necessary.

These five treasures were manufactured by the Dragon Tribe in ancient times.

Respectively, each of the Five Dragon Generals holds a treasure, and the Dragon God possesses the secret skill necessary to open the world's door.

The me from the future realized that one of the treasures could no longer be acquired and fell into despair.

Perhaps that treasure was the one held by Laplace.

If I think about the words Orsted used, then he must be killed.

Then I should assume that the treasures can only be obtained by sacrificing the lives of the Five Dragon Generals.

Mad Chaos Dragon is already dead.

Probably Orsted's doing.

His treasure has been recovered.

Of the Five Dragon Generals, only four remain:

[Holy Dragon Emperor] Szilárd

[Dark Dragon King] Maxwell

[Armored Dragon King] Perugius

[Demon Dragon King] Laplace

Maxwell and Szilárd might already be dead.

Orsted has not said anything about them to me.

Still, that is killing your allies and harvesting them; it's something I need to think about, or perhaps just accept with a guilty conscience.

It doesn't seem like he's on bad terms with Perugius, after all…

Anyway.

In order to get the five treasures, the resurrection of Laplace is essential.

Laplace must be resurrected through reincarnation.

He'll be born as a baby.

Orsted specifically said that he had attempted to kill Laplace effortlessly as a baby.

However, that was a failure.

The resurrection takes place in an unknown location, from there Laplace gathers followers to wage war on humanity.

That way Laplace has to be killed during the war in order to get the treasure.

Even though Orsted can do it, it's tiring.

That becomes a major detriment in the fight against Hitogami thereafter.

Therefore, the current loop is a failure.

That's what Orsted said.

However, I did not feel resignation from him.

It felt like he was extremely disappointed, but I would not say he has given up.

If I think about it, it seems like this situation is still within Orsted's prediction.

For example, Ariel's affair.

Orsted had said that 100 years from now, Asura will fall into a crisis.

If Ariel became king, it would be possible to overcome.

Afterward, certain talented people would be born in Asura, is what he had said.

That this crisis is the war with the reborn Laplace is likely.

The Kingdom of Asura is the world's largest nation.

If it can resist for a long time, then Laplace's forces will wear down.

It will also aid in limiting Orsted's magic consumption.

Or perhaps, from the time Orsted became aware of my existence, he may have considered the possibility that Laplace won't come to be born in the same place as usual.

My presence may have been sufficient to disturb that relationship flag.

Why does Hitogami prevent it?

That question comes to mind, but I squash it instantly.

Thinking about it, although Hitogami cannot see the presence of Orsted, he regards the Dragon God as hostile.

For a long time, Laplace was an existence that waved the anti-Hitogami banner.

If Orsted works towards Laplace's revival, then he is up to something.

If Hitogami notices some pattern during the hundreds of years at the start of Orsted's loop, and decides he wants to obstruct that and interfere with him, then it's something I can understand.

The Dragon God's aims will only become harm for Hitogami.

In any case, this means that we'll be slightly diverging from the history which Orsted knows from here on.

This is the end of traveling the world on Orsted's orders setting flags.

Since the plan has been knocked out of order, such things are no longer important.

Laplace is reborn.

War occurs.

If Laplace isn't defeated, we can't reach Hitogami.

Hitogami can't be defeated by an Orsted who has been worn down.

So it becomes Zanoba's proposal.

I can collect companions.

Separate from Orsted, to enhance our strength, I'll gather allies while moving freely.

This is all in preparation for the war which will take place in 80 to 100 years.

I will organize the Anti-Hitogami faction, gathering men to defeat Laplace and support Orsted.

I'll create Orsted's armed forces.

Probably, I'll die before the battle takes place.

But Orsted will overthrow Hitogami for sure if I bequeath him an organization of companions.

With my life, I'll guide the future.