Chapter 16: Mushoku Tensei: What Does It Feel Like to Not Die? - Eris (Patreon)

The carriage bound for Eris's home set off once more.

Inside the carriage... Ghislaine studied Rudy with a serious expression. "You... you're really strong."

Rudy nodded, smiling. "Not bad. I just prepared in advance, that's all."

Ghislaine shook her head, her tone earnest. "No... Being able to set up a counterattack that fast — you're genuinely amazing!!! Honestly, Paul told me before that your strength was extraordinary. Deep down, I didn't really buy it. After all, you're just a six-year-old kid. No matter how strong you are, how strong could you really be???? But after that little exchange just now... I understand now. My own view of things was far too narrow."

Rudy laughed. "Honestly, I was already near my limit. If you'd pushed even a little further just now, Ghislaine, I would've had to bring out my last resort."

Ghislaine's brow furrowed, and she tried to move quickly. But the instant her body shifted... A strange, wrong sensation made her stagger despite herself. She ended up sprawled in front of Rudy in a most undignified fashion.

Seeing this... Rudy said, a little embarrassed, "Sorry — my body is surrounded by deadly poison. If you get too close to me, you can't help but be exposed to it. But as long as you stay outside my immediate range... the poison will clear on its own. Please don't worry, Ghislaine."

Ghislaine nodded, clearly unwilling. But with no other choice, she retreated back to her seat. Sure enough... Before long, the discomfort in her body faded away completely.

By this point... though her heart still burned with fighting spirit, she'd also come to understand that Rudy trusted absolutely no one, not even a little. Even though this job had been arranged by Paul. Even though she was an old acquaintance of both Paul and Zenith. Rudy still held the same fierce wariness toward her as he would toward anyone else.

A child like this... the more she thought about it, the more unsettling it seemed!!!!

Perhaps the only one Rudy trusted completely was Sylphiette. Only she could stay by his side without a single reservation.

Just then, a thought of the young lady Eris suddenly surfaced in Ghislaine's mind. One was proud as could be, the other was proud in her own tsundere way. If the two of them ever clashed head-on... Lady Eris would probably end up getting quite the lesson.

At the thought, the corner of Ghislaine's mouth curled up just slightly.

......

......

Before anyone noticed... time slipped quietly by. As the sky began to darken, under Ghislaine's guidance... Rudy and Sylphiette, finally arrived at their destination — Eris's home.

The moment they stepped through the door... two rows of stunningly beautiful beast-eared maids stood in formation to welcome them. After that... the two of them were led into a parlor.

Just as Rudy and Sylphiette had settled into their seats, the master of the house soon arrived. A middle-aged man with short brown hair, every bit the picture of noble bearing, walked slowly into the parlor flanked by two attendants.

Seeing this... Rudy and Sylphiette both rose to their feet.

Rudy spoke first. "It's a pleasure to meet you. I'm Rudeus Greyrat."

The middle-aged man nodded with a smile... and said, "When nobles greet one another... one steps the left foot back, extends the right hand, and finally bows the head slightly."

Since the man had said as much... and since he was, after all, the one now providing for his food and clothing, Rudy went along with the request quite naturally, performing the exact gesture that had been asked of him.

Seeing this, the man laughed. "What a fine child! Please, sit."

Nodding, Rudy and Sylphiette returned to their seats. The middle-aged man took the seat across from them.

Looking at Rudy, he smiled. "I'm Philip Boreas Greyrat. I'm the lord of this town, and, well — a sort of cousin to Paul."

Rudy nodded, smiling. "I never expected Father would use a family connection to find me this job."

Philip laughed. "That's right. What did he tell you about it?"

Rudy smiled. "That if I tutor his daughter for five years, I'll have enough for tuition to attend a magic university."

Philip blinked, then asked, "That's all?"

Rudy said, "That's right."

Philip laughed. "Well then... let's have you meet my daughter first. We can discuss the details later."

Rudy said, "Of course."

Philip rose to his feet, gestured for Rudy to follow, then walked ahead, heading outside. Rudy and Sylphiette naturally fell in close behind him. Ghislaine and the other attendants trailed further behind still.

The whole group... with Philip leading the way, made their way slowly toward Eris.

Along the way... Philip said with a smile, "My daughter is a bit willful, I'm afraid. You'd best be careful with her."

Rudy nodded, smiling. "Understood. Actually, I'm quite willful myself."

"Oh??"

Philip blinked in surprise. "You certainly don't look it... As far as I can tell, for a six-year-old, you're already remarkably well-mannered."

Rudy laughed. "Under normal circumstances, yes, I suppose I am. But when something comes up, my willful side shows through. Once I meet Sister Eris in a moment... my behavior might get a little out of hand. I hope you'll forgive me in advance."

Philip nodded, smiling. "Very well. I'll look forward to seeing what you do."

As the two of them talked... the whole party arrived at a much larger parlor not far away.

The door swung open. And there stood Eris, dressed in her finest, her hair a vivid red... just then receiving the finishing touches from an adorable sheep-eared girl.