Chapter 89: Improving Physical Fitness (Patreon)

The ox cart rolled slowly onward.

Inside the carriage, Rudeus watched Nanahoshi Shizuka as she stepped inside.

Eris laughed. "Rudeus, you really have to win Shizuka over."

Nodding, Rudeus smiled. "I'll do my best. If it doesn't work out, I won't force it."

Ghislaine laughed. "She's from the same world as you, after all. Because of that connection between you two... there are many things the rest of us simply can't give you. But Nanahoshi Shizuka, who comes from the very same place as you, can bring back a piece of those old memories and joys. If she became your wife, I think that would be a wonderful thing."

As Ghislaine finished speaking, Eris nodded seriously, a smile on her face. "So... it's not something to just try at — it's a must! Bring out your drive, Rudeus!!!"

Looking at the two of them before him, Rudeus felt his heart warm at being cared for like this.

The two of them could be rather dense about most things, but when it came to matters of the heart, they were sometimes surprisingly sharp.

And indeed — after meeting Nanahoshi Shizuka, Rudeus had naturally felt some fondness for her, given who she was. But back then, he'd never once considered taking her in as anything more.

Eris, however, had noticed. And she'd brought it up to him more than once — even dragging Ghislaine in to help make her case.

Rudeus reached out and took hold of Eris's hands, turning her palms over and holding them up before him. Looking at the calluses covering them, all shapes and kinds, he found himself recalling something from not long ago — a thing Dragon God Orsted had once told him, back when he'd been reshaping Orsted's twisted Dragon God's Blessing.

Eris's talent, honestly, would have topped out somewhere around Saint-rank, King at best. But now — she had forced her way past that limit, through sheer willpower and unyielding perseverance, pushing her own strength from King all the way to Emperor!!!

And King alone was already a level that countless, countless people could never hope to reach!!! As for Emperor, reaching that was like scaling the heavens itself!!! The gap between King and Emperor was an absolutely massive chasm!!! Across the entire world, there were barely a handful of Emperor beings to speak of.

From the Demon Continent all the way through this current journey, Rudeus understood more and more with each passing day just what kind of level Emperor truly represented!!!

And Eris — just to keep pace with him — had worked, and worked, and worked again!!! She had poured nearly every thought she had into an obsession of her own, turning it all into the drive that pushed her forward!!!

There was no doubt about it: Eris's mind might be a bit slow, but she was fiercely stubborn, one of a kind!!! Ever since their relationship had become official, her whole heart had already belonged to him — for his sake, for the sake of keeping up with him!!! The effort Eris had poured in was more than anyone could measure!!!

Before all this, Rudeus's main adversary had been Hitogami. What he'd wanted most was to strengthen himself quickly and break through Hitogami's blockade.

When it came to Eris, his feelings for her had stayed, until now, coolly rational. He'd used various methods to push her, spurring her rapid growth. All along, he had really treated her more as a promising assistant with good potential.

And even so, he had rarely embraced her or spoken any words of tenderness to her.

If he put himself in her shoes, honestly, Rudeus knew he could never have done what she'd done. He was, after all, a rather selfish person!!! If someone had treated him the way he'd treated her, at best he would simply walk away. At worst, he might make things thoroughly humiliating for them!!!

As an adult who had come into this world of Jobless Reincarnation, having been through the harsh trials of his former life, he'd long since stopped believing in anything like emotion. What he believed in was power and self-interest!!!

But now — Rudeus felt that emotion truly did exist in this world. At least, it existed here!!! Eris really was a wonderful girl.

Sitting across from him, Eris — after watching him take her hands — simply kept her head down, watching quietly, saying nothing.

At first it was fine. But as time went on, Eris couldn't help feeling a little embarrassed, and she quickly spoke up. "Rudeus, what are you thinking about?"

Hearing her question, Rudeus lifted his head and looked at the red-haired girl before him. He reached out and pulled her straight into his arms, holding her tight — just holding her there, quietly.

At first, not quite understanding, Eris tried to pull away. But little by little she stopped resisting, letting herself simply feel his embrace.

She could vaguely sense the emotion stirring in him, and so, deep down, she felt genuinely happy. After all, who in this world doesn't want the person they care about to care just as much for them in return?

Ghislaine, sitting nearby, watched the warm scene unfold and couldn't help breaking into a bright smile. She had watched both Eris and Rudeus grow up, and seeing the two of them come this far together made her, as an onlooker, tremendously happy.

Just then, Rudeus's emotions finally settled a little. He spoke softly, smiling. "Thank you, Eris."

Eris said, "Between us... do we really need to say thanks?"

Rudeus laughed. "Even if it's not needed, I still want to say it — thank you."

Eris nodded lightly and gave a small hum in response.

Rudeus smiled. "So, to answer your trust and reliance on me — let me boost your physical conditioning again. Sound good?"

Though he phrased it as a question, in practice he didn't wait for her answer at all.

Seeing this, Eris jumped, startled. "You — what are you doing?!"

Ghislaine immediately got to her feet, trying to slip out of the carriage. But Eris grabbed hold of her tail before she could.

With a pleading look, Eris said, "Ghislaine, you want to improve your physical conditioning too, don't you?!"