Chapter 5: Schemes
Author's Note:
I took a short break and ended up binge-watching Isekai Quartet, Konosuba, and I've been killing slimes for 300 years (Azusa gives me happy Tanya vibes) and maxed out my level over the past few days; it gave me a bunch of ideas and inspiration for this story and some other fanfics I want to write in the future.
I'll still be making updates for this story even when the NEET in Tanya's body story comes out; the first Chapter there would incorporate major spoilers to this story, which is why I couldn't release them at the same time (and because Tanya the Evil, at least the LN version is very heavy on military terms and ideas, I'm still thinking which direction NEET! Tanya would go and how to balance their traits for a story.
If ever I make a Mushoku Tensei SI/OC separate fanfic, would you want Rudy to be the default Rudy or Salaryman Rudy?
Also, what's a more interesting fanfic idea? Kakashi goes back in time with all his hyped-up chakra capacity, or Sokka getting gamer powers?
K 410, Citadel City of Roa
Philip Boreas Greyrat POV
Thomas informed me that Paul's party was entering Roa; he also informed me that several unexpected people were at the party, an elven family in particular. I wonder why Paul would bring them to this affair.
Sauros entered the Great Hall with a booming voice, commanding several beast girls to bring in more food and drinks and to …dress accordingly… to the situation. He clearly wanted to get Paul as relaxed as possible; I guess that's one way to get information quickly.
A few minutes later, Paul and his party entered, Paul and Zenith leading the way with the elf family behind; they performed a passable noble greeting and bow. Zenith and Rudy also introduced themselves to the court. Even the elves seemed well trained but refrained from speaking since they were not invited to.
"It seems like Paul hasn't forgotten about his manners; after all, he even managed to teach Rudy how to bow properly. Or was that Zenith's work?" Sauros said at his usual volume, "I appreciate the valiant effort in educating not just your family, but the elven guests on proper etiquette. I will permit you to stay!" Paul looked a little puzzled at the elves; I guess he didn't teach them how to do that. I wonder where they learned it; ah, I see that the leading elf has an Estoc; I wonder what house she is in.
Under normal circumstances, there would be a formal introduction by a herald, but the urgency of the situation and familiarity of the party with the family made that point moot, now to hear from the elves.
"Pardon me, Father, but shouldn't we ask who these other guests are, particularly since they did the proper greetings." I stretched my arms out to the elves, who looked more like a family intermarried with humans at a closer glance. Are those beast people traits on the women too? This might be an interesting introduction.
"Very well, let us hear them." Sauros gestured, and the beautiful elf in the lead moved forward and introduced herself and her family.
"I am Elinalise Dragonroad, a former member of Paul's party and mother of Laws." She gestured to the man on her right. "Here is his wife Nymphie and his daughter, Sylphiette." She pointed to the half(?) beast-woman and the small child to her left. "As for the proper greetings, I married into and was once part of the Dragonroad house a hundred and fifty years ago. Unfortunately, they got destroyed in one of the many wars in the conflict zone fifty years later. With most of my house destroyed, I have become a merchant and an adventurer instead. As for Laws, his father is still alive. However, raising him in their household would be a poor choice. After all, he would be a half-human illegitimate child of the Zephyrus Greyrat head, and we all know what their house does to male elves." She paused for a moment; Sauros was massaging his head at the impending headache this issue would cause. I schooled myself not to react visibly.
Zephyrus Greyrats love elves more than we love beast people. However, to prevent female members of their house from having illegitimate children with male elves, any male elf purchased or born into the house gets castrated by their fifth birthday, leaving them in a state that both Zephyrus women and Euros Greyrat men find attractive. No wonder Elinalise left their house too.
At least we Notos Greyrats have the decency to let illegitimate beast men's children grow in the nearby village, taken care of by beast women too old to be our servants. They make a good addition as men-at-arms for our household. Of course, we ban them from our household, but at least they keep their manhood intact.
"I came along to help guard Paul's party and also, as a witness to the events over the past few weeks." Ah, there was the meat of the story. If this can shed light on the recent events and keep this from escalating to the Capital, then all is not yet lost.
We proceeded to the dining hall, where Paul, Lilia, Laws, and Elinalise recounted their stories. We even heard little Rudeus explain what he witnessed in the fights against Sir Jude. I was amazed that someone who just turned three would be able to damage intermediate-level fighters and possess high-level healing and protection spells too. That Latreia wife Paul has is a treasure; the Millis Kingdom would be frothing at the lost opportunities they had with her.
Ghislaine signaled to me that she would have something important to discuss with him regarding Paul and Elinalise; I told her we could talk about it tonight after I do my usual activities with Hilda. I wonder if Ghislaine can be convinced to be my concubine, a smoking hot beast woman, and a sword-ranked king to boot. I'd one-up my cousin Paul again.
Their trip from Buena to Fittoa was anti-climatic. Our forces marched to Vista Village to demand Sir Jude's presence at Roa and to intercept any stragglers planning to escape. A dozen troops and a messenger managed to slip to the back roads, only to be brutally stopped by Ghislaine, Paul, and Elinalise.
Apparently, they ran out of intermediate-level fighters, and the presence of beginner-level knights made this a massacre rather than a skirmish. The messenger was about to send a message to their" mysterious benefactor" about confirming the presence of Paul Notos Greyrat and his child, Rudeus. Even the presence of Lilia as a suspected Royal Handmaiden was noted. Thank the gods that we intercepted this message and that I had the foresight to plant evidence that Sir Jude was merely embezzling the funds given to him and running a child slave trade. While the slave trade is legal through authorized merchants, Sir Jude lacks the authority to issue permits for the slave trade, nor the permission to do so himself. While we cannot expose his actions to Rudy and Lilia directly, we can still get him executed for attacking our forces from Fittoa "unprovoked."
Jude of Fittoa was languishing in the dungeons, tortured for information by guards specially trained by my father, Sauros, to provide a combination of pain, fear, and pleasure to pry information out of him. We also happen to have an intermediate-level healer who can treat him enough to prevent unauthorized death. While we have a good idea of who the "mysterious beneficiary" is, we need his written statement, a public statement, and his cooperation to give the correct messages on both sets of statements. We wouldn't like our residents in Buena village to be under the spotlight for several more years.
I snapped out of my thoughts as Eris was tugging my sleeve; it seemed her patience had reached its limits. "Why am I here? This dinner is boring. Can I practice swords with Ghislaine?" she asked.
"No, as much as you want to go out, it is nighttime, and Ghislaine is needed here. Aren't you interested in hearing stories about the battles earlier this week?" I tried to calm her down; Father really spoiled Eris.
"Hearing them is one thing; experiencing them is another." She said, then she moved backward to do something I knew would melt my heart.
"I want to practice swords with Ghislaine, mew ✩" she stuck her hands in her hair, making cat ears
"I want to learn magic too, mew ✩" she stuck her hips out and toppled the next chair by accident. Everyone at the table looked at the sudden source of the noise.
"If that baby over there can learn how to do it, I can, mew, ✩" My oblivious yet adorable daughter, shouted in an overly adorable voice. I wanted to scold her for causing a commotion, but my brain turned to pudding. My father was even more ecstatic; he looked like he was about to rush over and grab Zenith to ask for magical instruction when the silence broke with an unexpected question; under normal circumstances, it wouldn't have carried across the table, but the poor timing and the sudden silence amplified it.
"Father, do noblemen ask favors like that too?" Rudeus' young voice carried over; it shook me out of my stupor.
"Fool! A man should ask like a man!" My father boomed, I guess the three-year-old wonder child isn't perfect, but it's a start.
K 410, Citadel City of Roa
Rudeus Greyrat POV
That was embarrassing; my childish voice carried over the table just as everyone silenced themselves over the commotion that Eris, my potentially arranged wife, made across the room. I don't even want to consider anything romantic, let alone sexual, at the young age of three, and this five-year-old girl makes things many levels wrong in my mind.
That's it; I'm sure I lost face with Lord Sauros; why was I stupid enough to think that men would ask favors the same way waitresses would do at a maid café in Tokyo years ago? I'll have to make it up to him and the other Boreas hosts over the next week.
"I deeply apologize, Lord Sauros; I should've known better by observing my father." I gestured to Paul
"Please do not blame him or my Mother; I'm willing to take the consequences like a man. However, it is my own failing that I did not learn those proper manners" I hope that worked.
"Hmph, it seems like you do not have the habit of your Father making excuses; I'll let this go, but keep in mind we are Boreas Greyrats, not Euros Greyrats who raise catamites." Sauros barked and then went to Eris to pat her head.
I guess things got diffused.
Dinner went on with the usual fanfare, although Lilia looked like she choked on a sausage when she heard Lord Sauros shout about my masculinity or the weird glances Eris made at me during the dinner. I heard her call me a baby casting spells, but at least I can cast spells. Speaking of learning magic, it appears that Uncle Philip had a recommendation for my parents.
Roxy Migurdia was a Saint-Ranked mage who showed up nearly destitute and desperate to find work at Roa, she was offered to teach Eris magic, but she declined due to Roxy's (reasonable) requirements that the student must know how to read and write before even learning spells. Given Eris's difficulties at learning those, Roxy had to decline. She declined a pure bodyguard job for Eris, too, because she apparently found it too stifling to spend half the day following Eris around.
We were scheduled to meet her tomorrow morning at the great hall; my Mother and I wanted to be her students and, at the same time, get her as a part-time bodyguard. A full gold coin a month should be enough to sway her; that is enough to pay two saint-ranked tutors or half a king-ranked tutor. Philip said he would increase Paul's yearly allowance for Buena by 200 Asuran gold coins a year to finance its expansion and provide another power base for their plans. Which they would discuss later in the night, away from prying ears and my childish presence, I assume.
I know they see me as a three-year-old, a genius three-year-old, but a young child nonetheless; it gets tiring being told to sleep ahead of any secret discussions, but even my enhanced body still gets sleepy and tired more quickly than my midlife self. I wouldn't want to die of exhaustion at the mere age of three.
One of my few friends and coworkers, Azusa Aizawa, died years ago because of her record-breaking fifty days of work consecutively. Even though I tried to force her on vacations and breaks, as any decent HR manager would do to prevent burnout, she was desperately trying to save enough for a nest egg. She told me that she wanted to work as hard as she could to have a nice, peaceful, and slow retirement. Unfortunately, her heart gave out on her, and she died in a puddle of coffee and her own fluids at work. It traumatized a handful of people in my department, but my Secretary, Saori, and I were her closest friends at work, and we killed our emotions over the next few years until my timely death.
I wonder how Azusa is; I hope she is reincarnated in a happier place. Maybe she has a peaceful life now.
Saori must have been devastated at my death; I hope she finds peace at home.
Wow, the diluted beer must be hitting me hard; I think I got too used to the magically generated water me and Zenith make at home. I think they wanted me to get sleepy.
Zenith walked with me and Lyes (a beast woman servant) to my room and tucked me in. She told me to rest and prepare for our Tutor in the morning.
I had a nice sleep. However, the vivid dreams I had plagued me for the days to come.
Somehow I imagined Azusa reincarnated as some witch living a peaceful fairytale life in a picturesque village with a bunch of women. In contrast, Saori was reincarnated as a Russian noble fleeing communist revolutionaries and fighting with a lecherous girl that looked like a gender-bent version of me. I never leered at Saori with those eyes, and I was an unmarried man.
Is this how vivid children's imagination can be? As much as I wanted to have a deep sleep, those dreams came by every now and then, in one vivid sequence or another. But that's something for the future.
I woke up with Lilia gently helping me through all the morning preparation; apparently, she was briefed by the beast women servants on everything needed to make me comfortable. I genuinely appreciate Lilia's hard work and professionalism.
"Thank you for getting up early and helping me, Lilia." I said with a smile, a great manager should acknowledge hard work and dedication, and I couldn't name her "employee of the month."
"It is my duty, Master Rudy; besides, I owe you my life after you saved me and even fixed my legs. I know you worked hard with Lady Zenith to remove the toxins embedded there and restore it to its full function." She happily stretched her legs under her heavy dress; I wonder why she wears such a bulky maid outfit; then again, the beast women here also wear a similar, if modified, outfit, so I think tradition is important. "I will start learning sword fighting with your Father and Elinalise when we get back; the three of us think that between more intense training and the healing skills you and your Mother have, we would at least advance a rank up with our skills." She proudly proclaimed; she also hugged me warmly. Lilia has been warming up to me ever since she woke up from her injuries.
Breakfast was a smaller affair; the Boreas Greyrats, Paul, Elinalise, Ghislaine, and Laws were together in the Boreas Solar; Lilia was even called to discuss confidential matters with them.
I was in one of the smaller halls, together with my Mother. Surprisingly, Nymphie and Sylphie joined us, Nymphie quietly explaining that Ghislaine detected a lot of mana in Sylphie, plus Sylphie was smart enough to read simple messages and write slowly. It is the bare minimum to join the lessons, but even if Sylphie fails Roxy's test, she might learn indirectly through Zenith at a slower pace.
The door opened, and Alphonse led a young witch inside the room; she looked like a teenager and had a focused expression. Under the sun, her hair had significant similarities to that of Sylphie, but as she walked closer to us, the darker room showed her hair to be a strange shade of blue. So I guess she's also some sort of hybrid like Sylphie and Laws.
Sylphie and Nymphie were farther back, the small girl hiding behind Nymphie's skirt; Zenith pulled me beside her and waved.
"I'm Roxy; it's a pleasure to meet you." The young-looking magician introduced herself. She was clad in brown, wizardly robes, her blue hair styled into braids, her posture prim and proper.
Underaged, scornful eyes, an expression similar to my own when I have to let go of employees. I think she's a genius, a genuine one, and not a reincarnated adult such as myself. While I look three, I'm closer to forty-three. This girl in front of me couldn't be more than twelve or thirteen years old, and she was already a Saint-ranked adventurer. I guess she was only destitute due to sexism or underaged discrimination. I wonder how fast her lessons would be; I pity Sylphie; unless she has an unbelievable talent of her own, she won't last under this regimen.
"Oh, uh, are—are you the home tutor?" Zenith finally asked.
"Aren't you a little, uh…"Nymphie managed
"Genius, you must be a genius to be so highly ranked at a young age." I went straight to the point; I need to impress this Tutor.
Roxy paused for a moment and appeared red, I don't know if she was sensitive about her age, but she continued after a few seconds.
"So, where are these students of mine?" She said, looking around.
"Oh, that would be my boy and me over here. Sylphie has a lot of mana for her age, too, and would like to give it a try." Zenith replied, holding my hand and bouncing in excitement.
Roxy appraised us and sighed. "Ugh, this happens sometimes," she muttered under her breath. "Kids show signs of growing up a little fast, and the damn parents get it into their heads that they got a special talent."
Hey! I heard that, Roxy! I mean, I totally agreed with her, but still. Even a genius like her can be narrow-minded sometimes—time to disprove her.
"I'm Rudeus Greyrat, I am three years old, but I am a genius like you are. I mastered intermediate healing, protection and detoxification magic, and beginner-level elemental spells. I'm studying the higher levels of each category and with the help of my Mother." I paused and decided to upsell my Mother's abilities; sorry, Sylphie, I have no idea what you can do. "I have managed to learn all that in one year; I already know all the basic magic principles and fundamentals from my mom." Zenith flushed at the praise.
Roxy's eyes were wide with shock and disbelief as she looked down at me. She quickly regained her composure, however. "Ah, yes, now I get it. That makes sense." I guess geniuses can figure things out quickly. Did she also learn magic when she was two or three? She acts like it is all normal to her. Maybe she didn't expect a fellow genius.
Now I wonder what Sylphie would say.
"Ah, ah, Miss Roxy, I'm not as good as Rudy over there, but I learned some healing and protecting spells while watching Miss Zenith heal around the village. I copied the incantations and did it secretly around our garden; I'm sorry, mama, that I didn't tell you or papa sooner." Sylphie sounded like a toddler who admitted taking candies from the jar but wait. Did she reverse-engineer incantations from that little exposure? Unbelievable, she was a genius herself. Zenith and Nymphie also stared in disbelief at Sylphie. I did not expect that kind of response. If I were a corporate recruiter, I would give her a scholarship and an internship and tie her up in many promises and commitments to eventually work in my company.
Finally, Roxy cracked a smile—a real one. And then she muttered to herself. "Maybe it is worth training this group."
Success! Now I'll let my Mother take over the negotiations.
Zenith took over as expected. "Now that's settled, let's talk about the fees and services. We would like you to train us and also have one shift as a family bodyguard for one asuran gold coin a month." That's a decent fee; I think Lilia was paid half that much, although she might be due for a raise, too, since her bodyguard skills will improve after the training regime she will undergo.
Roxy went wide-eyed again, although she controlled her reaction quickly. "How about 2 Gold coins, three students, and a bodyguard shift would take my entire day? I'll guarantee at least two years of service." Roxy sure knows how to haggle. Are young geniuses this talented?
"How about one gold coin, free food, and lodging at our home? That saves a lot of living expenses and makes your bodyguard shift a lot more flexible on your lifestyle. The two years of guaranteed service is also a good deal." Zenith swung the argument back.
Roxy was visibly thinking about it, free food and lodging make the job a lot easier, but she gave one last argument. "One Gold coin and two silver coins a month, that should be a reasonable rate. I'll even offer the option to extend the contract by another year after the two-year term ends." It seems like Saint-ranked mages are in demand or are very rare. She must have read my mind because the next thing she said was: "There are less than half a dozen saint class mages in this entire continent, and in a few years, they may offer a lot more than what you are giving me, at least this offer gives you the ability to extend further after I prove my services to you." She closed.
"Deal!" Zenith beamed and shook Roxy's hand. It seems like we will have an interesting next few years.
K 410, Citadel City of Roa
Eris Boreas Greyrat POV
This meeting was boring, I wanted to get out, but my father told me to stay put and that it was my duty to stay here. They kept talking about so many things while reading a lot of documents. I couldn't read, but it isn't my fault that written Human language is nonsense. I can always get my servants to read for me, right?
They talked about that Sir Jude guy who made some sort of statement that he was hiding slaves and tried to kidnap me or something. Grandpa said that he would be executed soon; what does that mean?
We're supposed to host Uncle Paul's family for a week, and they told me to make friends with that small kid, Rudy. Why should I talk to him? He acts all formal and stuffy and even thinks that boys should do the cat girl talk to ask favors—what a weirdo.
"I need to pee. Can I go out?" I said, planning to sneak out of the solar.
"Can't you wait for another hour?" my father said.
"No, I can't, and I promised no wet clothes this month." Okay, so sometimes my tutors force me to wait too long, saying that noblewomen should learn how to wait and hold it in with a stiff face. I ruin their food and clothes or do other pranks to make them quit whenever they force me like that. Only Ghislaine is a fantastic teacher.
Lyes went with me to walk me to the privy; however, she knew what I was up to, holding my hand tightly. I had a cup of water strategically between my legs, hiding it as I pretended to hobble out. I spilled it, telling her that I couldn't wait much longer. She panicked and told me to stay put; she ran to the laundry room to get me towels and a new dress. I escaped and went towards the smaller halls. I think I can hide here until lunchtime.
I was hiding in one of the cabinets inside the room, waiting for Lyes to move away. I was supposed to leave the room until the door opened and several people entered; Aunt Zenith, that small kid Rudy and two other women came in and went to the nearest sets. A few minutes later, someone entered with Alphonse, and my escape plan was shot.
Alphonse stood in front of the cabinet door, giving more space to the four others; I couldn't see what was happening. However, I needed to escape; all the water I drank when I was trying to find ways to sneak the cup inside my dress was making me really need to go. And I don't want to be treated like a baby for a week again. They were talking about the magic tutorial and hiring Roxy, the other voice in the room. Eventually, they talked about basic magical principles to Sylphie and some form of homework for Zenith and Rudy. It doesn't make sense; why are they treating these little kids like they know what to do with magic? What's so important about reading and writing anyway?
I was trembling, I had to go out, but Alphonse was leaning on the cabinet. I didn't want to alert him and get into trouble. Finally, he was moving away, and I could sneak a peek outside to see if I could escape.
The first thing I saw gleaming under the sunlight was long, green hair. A superd?!
Suddenly, I didn't need to go.
Unfortunately, I slid on the newly formed puddle, and I got out of the door, crashing on the nearby stand and getting everyone's attention once more.
The Superd turned her face to me, and I was about to scream until she moved a bit more, and I saw blue hair and a young, pretty face. How did I imagine she was a Superd? Now my parents will think I messed up twice today. I hated wearing those baby stuff again.
This was the worst day of my life, and my fifth birthday is coming this week.
K 410, Citadel City of Roa
Roxy Migurdia POV
I was relieved; I really needed money to pay for my living expenses. Leaving Ranoa was a considerable shift in lifestyle, and I didn't feel like becoming an adventurer again so soon. I never wanted to return to the demon continent because of the awful food, and humans consistently discriminated against me at the adventurer's guild around these places. Who would think that an A-ranked adventurer would be unable to find a party in the central continent just because she was a demon?
I did my best to negotiate with Miss Zenith and got far more than I expected. While being a bodyguard would take away a lot of my free time, the salary was more than enough to avoid the need to do extra errands to augment my savings. Staying at their manor (who else can afford such monthly salaries aside from wealthy lords and merchants) and having free food is even better.
Sylphie was a genius; nobody would expect a young child, who can do basic reading and writing, despite her commoner background, to copy Zenith's beginner healing and protection spells just by following her around and imitating them. She looks like a potential apprentice; maybe I can offer her parents to take her as my apprentice several years from now if all this potential is realized.
Rudy was unbelievable; he knew how to cast healing, protection, and detoxification magic even better than she could, and she was surprised that he was even willing to teach her some in exchange for experimenting with specific magical theories. Zenith looked like she was calculating the cost and benefits of that deal.
Rudy had this mistaken assumption that I am a genius; I think he assumes I'm a teenager like many ignorant humans do and thinks I learned magic at the same age he did. I don't want to expose my age; who knows how they feel about demons around these parts? He was making me a little worried about the way he seemed to speak much older than he looked; as a Migurdian who was tired of being mistaken as a 13-year-old rather than someone in her late 30s, it takes one to know one. I couldn't take him as an apprentice because I assumed he would be busy with whatever his role would be; he is a Greyrat, after all. I will try to teach him and his Mother, but they might exhaust all my knowledge within two years unless I find ways to research further.
My musing was interrupted by a muffled scream and the sound of a child tumbling.
"Y-You aren't a superd?" The red-haired girl quietly said, lying in a messy heap and a small puddle.
"Heh. I'm guessing I'll be let go tomorrow." I said; she looked like the Boreas Greyrat girl, Eris, I think. She reminded me a lot of myself when I was younger; back when I still lived in the Migurd village, my parents used to tell me stories of how the Superds ate disobedient children or those who ran away from the village. I knew a Superd was lurking around our village and Rikarisu, and whenever my parents or neighbors shouted that there was a Superd, I ended up wetting myself in fear.
My lack of telepathy aside, that bullying was one of the reasons why I left that village, never to return again.
I approached the girl; this might be my only chance to do right.
I quickly cast the smallest water ball spell at her and whispered to her: "Lady Eris, we can pretend that I misfired my water spell if you would let me explain myself."
The girl's face was as red as her hair, she nodded thankfully, and I cast the spell quickly.
The others approached Eris and me, wondering why Eris had a soaked dress and why the floor was wet too.
"Errrm, I didn't believe she was a Magician and asked her to show me a spell, I disturbed her, and it spilled all over me. Please don't blame her." It seems like Eris was quick on the uptake; I owe her one
"Uh, yeah, I was supposed to demonstrate to her what a water ball spell is, but she grabbed my hand and distracted me, leading me to misfire. Take note, Rudy and Sylphie, if you use spells, make sure nobody will disrupt your casting, or else misfires will occur." Now that's settled. Eris gave me a small but affectionate punch to my elbow and smiled at me; I guess she didn't want to be embarrassed too.
My job was saved, right?
Everyone else was retiring to their rooms, and I was headed to my inn to gather my belongings before I moved in with the Greyrat party.
Before dropping me off at the castle gates, Alphonse whispered to me: " Thank you for saving the dignity of Lady Eris. However, her parents already know of her tendencies, and she would still be disciplined for a week due to this. She might respect you; she gave that look in her eyes that she only gives to Ghislaine; if ever you need something from the young mistress, please do not abuse her favor." He smiled and walked back. I got back to the hotel and packed everything I needed. When I returned to the castle, I was shown a guest room and got to settle down. Food for servants and those employed by the Greyrats come an hour after the family eats dinner, typical noble behavior, so I took the time to wait in my room; scraps of noble meals are better than the gruel I ate for months after all.
I needed to contemplate how to maintain my edge; I wanted to get those higher-level Millis spells; I was researching how to contract spells, and my master at Ranoa managed to do it wordlessly. He gave me some ideas not discussed in the books, and for some spells, I could compress the incantations already. I need to master it soon so I can trade that knowledge in exchange for advanced and above healing, protection, and detoxification spells. If I can crack the code for wordless casting, I might even be able to get those saint-level spells in return. I'd be invaluable in the labyrinths if I were a well-rounded mage and healer.
K 410, Citadel City of Roa
Rudeus Greyrat POV
Dinner came, and we received an invitation to Eris' fifth birthday, it was a large extended family party but nothing like the larger parties the tenth and fifteenth birthday parties will be. Eris looked uncomfortable at the announcement, although she had looked uncomfortable and shifty since this afternoon. Was she constipated or sick? I'll try to be nice to the poor, sickly girl; she's been in a few unfortunate situations this week already.
I was excited to train under Roxy; she was comprehensive in her training and knew far more offensive and elemental magic spells than Mother did. She even helped me visualize some intermediate spell drills better; once we get into the open, we can try those spells properly and maybe make them more efficient. She even hinted that she would have the appropriate trade for the higher level Millis spells Mother was carefully guarding, that Roxy would discuss after several weeks. I wonder what that is.
The guestlist for Eris' birthday was announced; by tradition, the immediate and extended family of nobility must be invited; however, unlike the tenth or fifteenth birthdays, vassals and other officials were not invited. After all, a five-year-old may not be "on the market," as they would bluntly put it.
Her birthday coincidentally was on the same week as the First Prince Grabell Zafrin Asura; in fact, it was only two days apart. Now while Eris had the opportunity to celebrate her birthday a day earlier, in order to allow the extended Greyrat nobles a chance to prepare and travel to Ars from Fittoa, Philip intentionally shifted the birthday to a nighttime affair on the original day. It limited the distant Greyrat families from traveling from their regions to Fittoa and back to Ars.
Uncle Philip was a devious man; he reminded me of those cutthroat CEOs that manage to turn setbacks and limitations into opportunities. Remember how Apple had a massive gamble on their iPhones, despite the unconventional formats they had? It paid off, despite critical disdain at the start. Uncle Philip and my Father were planning something and were investing in myself and Eris to make it happen. I just hope I can stack the deck by the time I get publicly revealed.
They wanted me to train and improve as much as possible until my tenth birthday, the same age my Uncle Pilemon and his wife, Padme, married and had their first child. That was disgusting, was my uncle that greedy for power that he went that far to be a father the moment he could do it? Was his first child even his? His sons were named Ben and Luke, and I was beginning to see an inside joke. Will someone approach them someday and say, "I am your father." I miss being in my old world.
"The Notos Greyrats respectfully decline the invitation to Eris' party, saying that they would rather send their entire family to Ars. Zephyrus Greyrats also declined due to the fact that Ars is in between their region and Fittoa; making a bypass of the Capital was rude. Euros Greyrats also declined due to the sheer distance of Wishiru region from the Capital and Roa" This was a relief; none of them were visiting; James, the head of this family, was also in the Capital, representing the Boreas interests. It seems that Eris's party would consist of little more than this household, our party, and even Elinalise's family, as they too can (illegitimately) be considered as Greyrats.
Author's Notes
1. The battle at Vista would be too dull to write; Ghislaine, Paul, Zenith, and Elinalise are far too strong for almost anyone in Asura to take out without hiring outside help.
2. I added a few more worldbuilding elements to Elinalise and her family; 200 + years is a long time for someone to have a lot of opportunities, especially in a chaotic region such as the conflict zone. It would also explain why she would have a surname and why it is "Dragonroad" the conflict zone is near the dragon mountains, so might as well take that opportunity
3. I also dealt with the issue of the inevitable flood of illegitimate children the Greyrats would make; Sauros had ten legitimate SONS alone; how many daughters and illegitimate kids does he have lying around the region?
4. If there are any significant continuity errors, it may be because I haven't read the WN, Redundancy novels, and the other extra materials outside of the LN, Manga, and Anime.
5. Saori Hayami is the Japanese VA for Visha, and Yor from Spy X Assassin, the Salaryman, said that Visha resembled his old Secretary, someone he cared about in the past. Young Salaryman looked a lot like Tanya too. Azusa Aizawa is from another Isekai, and her Japanese VA is the same one as Tanya. Fun coincidences, right?
6. Fear of Demons, especially Superds takes a toll even on the most talented people; sadly, Roxy was a victim of it too. It killed a lot of her job opportunities in the Central Continent outside of Ranoa
7. Zenith going around the village and blatantly using her magic as much as possible has some side effects around the village
8. The next Chapter will still be a slow burn, but after Eris' birthday and the return home, there will be a training montage/time skip to let Rudy and the kids grow.
9. Do you want to know what happened to the NEET, Hitogami, and Being X? I can show it before TP1, but it would be heavily redacted; however, the remainder of the scene will be shown after. The longer the wait before I release this scene, the more details can be revealed on their fate. If nobody wants it out before TP 1, then the whole scene will be revealed rather than a portion of it.
10. I intentionally obscured a lot of the 'adult' discussion, largely because Salaryman!Rudy would see the aftereffects of it over the next few updates, and may influence its final results.
Excerpts From
Rifujin na Magonote Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation (Light Novel) Vol. 1 and Vol. 2