Chapter 106: Long Time No See, Roxy (Patreon)

Hearing Rudeus say that…

Nanahoshi Shizuka couldn't help turning her head.

She laughed. "Of course they are! You dropped a nuclear bomb right on their heads! Who wouldn't be scared of a terrifying blow like that?!"

Eris laughed. "As expected, Rudeus is amazing! You can wield a magic that powerful, straight up! You forced an entire country to back down, just like that. I never would've dared to imagine that before."

Rudeus laughed. "Everybody's only got one life. And people die when they get killed, so of course they're scared!"

Ghislaine asked with a smile, "So what now? Are you going to accept the investiture?"

Rudeus laughed. "Of course I'll accept it…

Since the Pope is the one offering, why wouldn't I take it? Of course, if he's trying to use it to hem me in, then I'm sorry, but he's picked the wrong man.

And if something bad really does happen…

The nuclear bomb that just exploded in the sky will go off again, right at ground level in the capital of the Millis Holy Kingdom!!!!

Then again… even if they don't make any trouble for me, once I've brought Paul and Zenith over, I'll back Ariel, one of the Asura Kingdom's heirs, and unify the Asura Kingdom completely!!!

After that… what's left is unifying the other countries of the Central Continent.

And then, naturally, the Millis Continent and the other two continents."

Hearing Rudeus say this…

The others were hearing it for the first time, too. They couldn't help staring at him in surprise.

Dragon God Orsted was curious. He asked directly, "Your goal is to unify the whole world? Then how does that help us fight Hitogami (Human God)?"

Rudeus laughed. "It helps a lot, naturally.

First. Once the world is unified, we can shut down Hitogami (Human God)'s tricks for sowing discord.

Second… we can gather the strength of the entire continent into one. By then, our goal will be the core purpose behind all of it. Don't underestimate… the power a unified world will unleash!!

Third… while we're at it, during the unification we'll wipe out every petty troublemaker who refuses to submit, and go further and kill Hitogami (Human God)'s Apostles. We'll cut off every hand and foot that carries out Hitogami (Human God)'s orders!!

Fourth… with the whole world unified and wearing the Dragon God's protective blessing, Hitogami (Human God) will be left completely blind and deaf!!!"

Listening to this, Dragon God Orsted nodded in understanding.

To be honest…

Every point Rudeus made struck right at Hitogami (Human God)'s weak spots.

If world unification were really achieved, Hitogami (Human God) would surely be reduced to glaring helplessly from the sidelines.

No… even glaring wouldn't be possible. With nothing visible at all, Hitogami (Human God) could only wait out the miserable fate of being killed, in endless torment.

As Rudeus explained this far, it wasn't only Dragon God Orsted who understood.

Eris, Ghislaine and Nanahoshi Shizuka all fully grasped how terrifying his plan was, too.

It sealed off every possibility Hitogami (Human God) had!!!

By then, Hitogami (Human God) must surely be in deep despair!!!

But… Hitogami (Human God)'s despair was their hope and joy!!

Just then…

A small girl with twin braids slowly came into view before Rudeus and the others.

It was Roxy!!!

Roxy, who had once studied with Rudeus and learned alongside him for two years.

Ever since Rudeus turned five, she had left his home to explore the world.

By a stroke of luck, she had entered the Shirone Kingdom to teach.

Later…

Because of the Teleport Incident in the Fittoa Region, she left the Shirone Kingdom and resigned from her teaching post.

She had walked all the way to the present.

And at last, she had met up with Rudeus!!!

She had been through so much, and worked so hard!!

For Roxy, it had only been seven or eight years.

But for Rudeus…

It had been nearly twenty years since he'd been apart from Roxy!!!

She had once been a girl with a bit of a temper, yet on the whole still very considerate and gentle.

Now that they were truly meeting again, Rudeus's heart was full of deep emotion.

Back then, they had been so close, yet so far…

At the southern harbor of the Demon Continent, within arm's reach of each other. But because of Hitogami (Human God), they could never truly meet.

And now…

Times had changed, and everything was different!!

Rudeus considered himself extremely rational.

But now that Roxy was right in front of him, the feelings in his heart still welled up uncontrollably.

After all…

The time he'd truly spent with Roxy was far more than just two years…

And the one he had first met at the very beginning was also Roxy, this somewhat adorable girl.

It was her…

She had truly broadened his horizons.

She had opened his real road to rising up!!!!

Roxy had stopped in her tracks.

Without a trace of hesitation, Rudeus strode straight up to her and said with a smile, "Long time no see, Master Roxy."

Roxy nodded, delighted. "Long time no see, Rudeus."

Just then…

Eris rushed right up to Roxy's side.

"Hello, Roxy! I'm Eris!" she said happily and loudly. "I've been hearing Rudeus talk about you forever… I'm so glad we finally get to meet. Haha!!!"

Roxy nodded and smiled. "Very nice to meet you, Eris.

By the way, Rudeus, aren't you going to introduce your companions to me?"

Rudeus laughed and patted his head. "We finally met.

I'm so excited I almost forgot. Let me introduce everyone…

Eris is my family and partner, always has been.

Ghislaine is Eris's sword teacher, and our family, too.

Nanahoshi Shizuka is family from the same place I'm from.

And this stern, burly man is Dragon God Orsted.

A legend once, and now a seriously reliable teammate."

As Rudeus made the introductions…

Each time someone was named, they gave Roxy a nod.

But when it was Dragon God Orsted nodding to her…

She had learned on the road that Rudeus's teammates included the Dragon God.

But!!

Knowing is one thing, and seeing it with your own eyes is another!!

And the stern-faced Dragon God Orsted before her…

Even with his overpowering curse restrained by the twisted Dragon God's protective blessing, he still had an enormous intimidating presence for Roxy.

Unable to stop herself…

Roxy stumbled back several steps.

But Rudeus caught her from behind right away.

"Don't worry. Brother Dragon God is a really reliable teammate. He just has a naturally expressionless face."

Then Rudeus turned to Dragon God Orsted. "Brother Dragon God, come on, give us a smile, please."

Hearing Rudeus's words…

Dragon God Orsted felt that he was being a bit rude, too.

He made an earnest effort to put on a smile and smiled at Roxy.