Chapter 47: Human God Returns (Patreon)

They had just arrived at Rikarisu Town. Though they'd already picked up a C-rank subjugation quest, everyone decided to find an inn first. They wandered the town for a while, restocked on supplies, and planned to rest for the night before heading out to finish the job.

As night gradually fell, Rudy—deep in sleep—once again felt his consciousness connect to Hitogami. It was the same blank, empty space as always. He watched the white figure drawing nearer.

Rudy smiled and said, "Hitogami, we meet again."

Hitogami nodded, smiling. "So, how's it going? You took my advice and made it to this town—the journey's been pretty smooth so far, hasn't it?"

Rudy smiled. "Not bad at all. We've even formed an adventuring party—Dead End."

Hitogami beamed. "The Justice League, huh? What a name... Truly admirable. You must have quite a warm heart."

Rudy lowered his head slightly, smiling bashfully. "Thank you for the compliment, Hitogami."

Hitogami said, "Honestly, I just came to check on you—see if you needed any help. But it looks like everything's going quite smoothly on your end."

Rudy said, "Yes, it is, Hitogami!!! I've already managed to form Dead End adventuring party. Once we've earned enough money, we'll keep heading south... to receive the Eye of Foresight you gave me through the Demon Emperor."

Hitogami nodded, smiling. "Mm, all right, I'll be going now. And lastly—I wish you smooth sailing ahead..."

"Thank you, Hitogami..."

As Rudy's words faded, sensation slowly seeped back into his body, and he slowly opened his eyes. There was the familiar layout of their inn room. By the bedside, Sylphiette was still diligently practicing her magic, while Eris was working hard to settle into a calm, focused state.

It seemed the scene Rokari had once shown the two girls was really paying off. Rudy closed his eyes again and drifted back to sleep.

In the days that followed, to earn travel funds and quickly build up Sylphiette and Eris's combat strength, Rudy and the others threw themselves into taking subjugation quest after quest. Thanks to that brutal first impression they'd left, their Justice League had actually begun to earn a reputation that made people wary.

Whenever they showed up at the Adventurers' Guild, the whole hall would fall into perfect order—no more mockery, no more insults, no more brawls breaking out over a careless word. Rudy, naturally, was quite pleased with this state of affairs. Now it finally felt like a proper quest-issuing establishment.

A new day brought a new commission: the target was a mysterious monster deep in the Petrified Forest.

After leaving the Adventurers' Guild, Rudy turned to Sylphiette and Eris.

He asked with a smile, "So, you two taking point again this time? Feeling confident?"

Sylphiette nodded and smiled. "Leave it to me!!!"

Eris grinned proudly. "We've run into nothing but weak monsters these past few days... I hope this mystery monster's actually got some strength to it this time, or it'll be way too boring."

Rudy nodded, smiling. "Well, maybe this one will actually give us trouble."

Eris grinned. "That would be great!!!"

Laughing and joking among themselves, the group set off toward the Petrified Forest, weapons in hand.

Along the way, Rudy noticed Ruijerd watching him closely. He turned with a smile and asked, "Something on your mind, Mr. Ruijerd?"

Ruijerd shook his head and said, quite seriously, "I get the feeling you must be very strong."

Hearing that, Eris hurried forward, declaring with fierce pride, "Of course he is!!! Rudy is truly, truly, incredibly amazing!!!"

Rudy smiled. "Mr. Ruijerd, I'm only ten years old, you know."

"Huh..." Ruijerd blinked, not quite grasping what Rudy meant.

But the next instant, Rudy grinned and raised the high-grade staff in his hand—the Arrogant Water Dragon King—and declared with pride, "At ten years old, I've already touched the level of an Emperor-rank mage!!!"

At those words, Ruijerd's eyes widened slightly in surprise. "Touching the Emperor rank at just ten years old—that really is impressive!!"

"Thank you for the kind words, Mr. Ruijerd..."

Rudy smiled and pointed at Eris and Sylphiette. "So my current goal... is to train my two future wives... all the way up to Emperor rank!!!"

Ruijerd nodded. "No wonder these past few days the two of them have been the ones finishing the quests. A household with three Emperor-rank fighters... that's truly formidable. But the road there won't be an easy one."

Before Rudy could even respond, Sylphiette spoke up first, her voice firm and resolute. "No matter how hard it gets... if I want to stay by Rudy's side forever, reaching Emperor rank is something I have to achieve!!"

Eris grinned beside her, hands planted on her hips. "Same here!!!"

Ruijerd nodded slowly. Such a bright, spirited atmosphere stirred an unexpected pang of envy in him. Unbidden, his mind drifted back centuries, to his wife—and his child.