Chapter 080: The Faithless Butler (Patreon)

Roa Town...

Once, it had been the most prosperous town in Fittoa Territory — one could even call it the brightest jewel of the region without exaggeration.

But now... it had become nothing but a ruin.

On the site of what had once been Roa Town, people had pitched tents of every size, just to have somewhere to live.

Compared to how things had been over two years ago, when the townsfolk's eyes had shone with life, the people here now were, in no small number, sunk into despair. Many were weeping openly — perhaps they'd learned that their loved ones had died during Teleport Incident.

Watching this scene, Eris didn't blame Rudeus for not lending a hand. As someone who had gone through the regression herself, and since Rudeus had explained everything to her after the battle with the Dragon God, she understood the difficulties he faced. It wasn't that Rudeus didn't want to help — he simply couldn't.

Even so... she'd already braced herself for this. But seeing the wretched scene before her now, her heart still ached.

"We'll see Ghislaine soon," Rudeus said gently.

Eris nodded softly.

Seeing the two of them like this, Nanahoshi Shizuka started to speak, but in the end, she said nothing.

Soon, with Rudeus leading the way, it didn't take the group long to reach a red tent.

Inside, Ghislaine — whom they hadn't seen in a long while — was busy tidying something up.

The heaviness in her heart vanished the moment she saw Ghislaine. Eris couldn't hold back any longer and rushed toward her with a shout.

Hearing the familiar voice, Ghislaine turned around, hardly able to believe her ears.

She watched Eris come rushing toward her, and her face softened into a gentle smile. Gently, she wrapped both arms around her.

"Thank goodness you're alright, Eris," Ghislaine said with a smile.

Then she raised her head and looked at Rudeus.

"You too, Rudeus — I'm glad you're safe," she said, smiling.

Just then, the steward of Eris's household stepped out from inside the tent.

"I'm glad you're both safe, Miss Eris, Lord Rudeus," he said, bowing.

Eris gripped Ghislaine tightly, tears streaming down without end.

The steward glanced at Ghislaine, then turned to Rudeus.

"Lord Rudeus, please wait outside for a moment."

Hearing this, Eris wiped away her tears and turned to face him.

"No. Rudeus comes too."

The steward glanced at Eris, a trace of helplessness crossing his face, but he nodded in agreement all the same.

But at that very moment — the steward was kicked straight to the ground, and the spot where he'd been standing was already occupied by Rudeus.

Rudeus looked down at him, watching the steward writhe in agony, unable to get back up.

"Eris has already been my fiancée for some time now," Rudeus said with a smile. "So what exactly do you mean by this — arranging things on my behalf?"

"I know you carry plenty of seniority in Eris's household. But please, don't go treating her family as if it were your own, understand?"

"A few years apart, and you've grown more and more presumptuous."

"Now you dare meddle in Eris's affairs. You dare meddle in mine..."

"And after that — would it really stop at just meddling?"

"The moment it touches your own interests, killing us would take no more than a passing thought."

"Honestly, someone like you is far too dangerous."

"If it weren't for Eris's sake, I wouldn't have just kicked you down — I'd have struck you dead on the spot!"

Hearing Rudeus speak in such an ice-cold tone — a domineering edge utterly unlike the man he remembered — the steward's body trembled violently.

No one is free of the fear of death, and the steward was certainly no exception. But fear was useless.

Rudeus stepped forward and planted his foot on the steward's thigh, watching him cry out in pain.

"Were you about to say the lord is dead, that Eris's parents died long ago amid the fighting, and that to keep this territory stable now, Eris has no choice but to become someone's concubine? Is that it?" Rudeus asked with a smile.

[Author's Note: Requesting flower votes...]

"...!?"

Hearing this, the steward went rigid with shock. He hadn't said a word — how could Rudeus possibly know?

Rudeus, of course, wasn't about to admit that he'd learned it all from watching the anime. Instead, he simply stared at the steward with cold eyes.

By now, the steward was thoroughly frightened. He hastily tried to admit fault.

"I'm sorry, I was just — just—"

Unfortunately, before he could finish, Rudeus kicked him flying to the side.

"Sauros was executed, and Darius became the lord of this place," Rudeus said with a smile, watching the steward writhe in pain.

"I really do wonder — are you already serving under Darius now? Is that why you feel free to meddle so shamelessly in Eris's household?"

Watching the scene unfold, Ghislaine felt a surge of grim satisfaction.

Earlier, when she'd heard the steward planning to marry Eris off as someone's concubine, she'd already been furious and told him it wouldn't happen. She hadn't expected him to bring it up again.

Wait — how did Rudeus know about any of this?

Because of this regression, Rudeus hadn't explained anything to Ghislaine, so in this timeline she had no idea what he'd planned — nor why he could see through the steward's hidden schemes so clearly.

Still, watching Rudeus stand so overwhelmingly dominant, his words so firm and decisive, Ghislaine's heart inexplicably settled into calm.

Thump! With one kick, Rudeus sent the steward flying out of the tent.

"Get lost," Rudeus said with a smile. "Watch your words next time we meet — there won't be another chance."

Terrified, the steward hurriedly kowtowed to Rudeus again and again.

Then he struggled to his feet, clutching his aching leg, and limped off into the distance.

Watching him go, Eris spoke up.

"Sorry," she said.

Rudeus shook his head with a smile.

"It's fine. With the master gone, some people's hearts change too."

Eris nodded, her expression serious.

"If he ever tries it again, I'll kill him with my own hands!"