Mushoku Tensei: Sword, Magic Hats, and Romance!

"There's a type of pack monster near the Red Dragon Mountains called the Assault Dogs," Roxy said, her voice soft beneath the flickering candlelight. "Territorial and aggressive. Individually, they're only ranked E-class—low attack power, easy to kill. But once they move as a group, adventurers generally treat them as an A-rank threat. A few hundred attacking all at once can be a nightmare to deal with."

They'd already watched the fireworks. By all logic, it should've been time to sleep—but Sylphy wasn't tired. So, resigned, Roxy had gathered the kids again for another impromptu story session.

"That sounds scary…"

Roxy glanced at Sylphy and Rudeus, both slumped over the table, eyelids drooping. Despite being clearly exhausted, neither of them showed any signs of getting up to go to bed.

"Yes, quite. Once their territory is invaded, they attack relentlessly, no matter the strength of their opponent. They'll even charge creatures far more powerful than themselves. Even an S-rank monster—like a red dragon that's strayed from its nest—will still be attacked."

"...Will the red dragon eat them?"

"Ah—no, not really. Red dragons usually ignore monsters too weak to pierce their skin. To them, the bites of a Assault Dogs must feel like mosquito bites."

"Then… they'll just let the dogs keep biting them? Won't they get mad? And if they get mad… what happens? Do the… dogs run… away?"

Sylphy's soft, sleepy voice was slurred with drowsiness, her childish question tinged with worry. Roxy chuckled quietly.

"When a dragon gets angry, it breathes fire. And when that fire sweeps through… not even the bones of the dogs remain."

Her voice dropped, almost to a whisper, as she glanced at the now-closed eyes of Sylphy and Rudeus.

"They don't even get the chance to run."

Roxy lifted her gaze toward Allen, who was seated quietly off to the side, leaning back in his chair. He squinted at the map in his hand, lips curved in a strange smile—like he'd just thought of something only he found amusing. Then, sensing Roxy's gaze, he looked up and turned toward the sleeping children.

"They're out cold. I'll carry Rudeus to bed?"

Roxy nodded. "I'll help."

Allen rolled up the map and slipped it into his coat. As he gently lifted Rudeus into his arms, Roxy looked around, realized there wasn't much left for her to carry, and instead scooped up Rudeus' magic textbook. Together, they headed to his room.

Allen laid Rudeus down on the bed with care. Then, from beside him, came a hesitant voice—low and breathy.

"…Did you mean it?"

Allen blinked, untying Rudeus' shoes. "Mean what?"

Roxy's gaze flickered. Then she glanced at the edge of the bed, where the black leather offering bucket was half-hidden under the frame.

"You said you were certain… that you'd meet me again someday."

Allen froze briefly, fingers still on the shoe.

"Oh. That."

Roxy reached down absentmindedly, fiddling with the bucket made from giant boar hide, her fingers pressing into the leather.

"…Even if it was just to comfort Rudeus and Sylphy, it worked. Pretty words like that… really do help."

Allen blinked, then smiled lazily.

"I meant it."

Roxy said nothing.

Allen placed Rudeus' shoes neatly by the bed and continued.

"But as for when… well, who knows? Maybe tomorrow, maybe a few years from now. It's hard to say. But I can say one thing for sure."

Still silent, Roxy kept her eyes on the offering bucket.

Allen looked up at her, ready to speak the final word.

"I'll definitely see—whuh?!"

He choked on the last syllable.

Because just then, Roxy, wide-eyed and stunned, pulled something out of the shrine bucket—something very small, very familiar, and very much hers.

A certain pair of her previously-offered underwear.

Allen's jaw dropped. Their eyes locked.

Then—

WHUMP!

The entire offering bucket, boar hide and all, was hurled square into Allen's face.

He instinctively caught it with a Flow Technique redirect. But by the time he looked up again, Roxy had already bolted, stuffing the offending item into her cloak as she fled down the hallway in a mad dash, leaving nothing but her retreating back.

Allen stood frozen, mouth agape, then slowly turned to the door she'd left wide open.

Then to Rudeus, who remained peacefully asleep.

Well—almost asleep. His lashes were twitching, stirred by the noise.

No time!

Allen's Sword God training kicked in. In a flash, he dove into the closet, yanked out a pair of Rudeus' tiny white underpants, stuffed them into the shrine bucket, jammed the whole thing back into the offering bag, and booted it under the bed with a perfect kick.

Then, without hesitation, he smacked Rudeus across the face.

Rudeus shot up, eyes wide.

Allen immediately started patting him on the arm.

"Ah! Nightmare, huh? Poor guy. Don't worry, don't worry—go back to sleep. I'll wake you up before Sensei leaves, I promise."

Rudeus blinked, confused.

"S-Sensei hasn't left yet?"

"Nope, still early. Go on—sleep."

"Oh… okay. Wake me up, yeah?"

"Of course~ Just rest now, okay?"

"…Thanks, Allen. You're such a good guy…"

Rudeus tilted his head and dozed off again.

Allen forced a grin through gritted teeth.

"Not a problem."

...

The next morning, Rudeus was woken by Zenith.

When he came downstairs, Roxy had already packed and was kneeling to comfort a weeping Sylphy.

He looked around.

"…Where's Allen?"

Zenith blinked. "I saw him earlier this morning…"

Paul scratched his head. "He was washing up just now… Allen! Allen!!"

Roxy's eyes widened slightly, then flickered with a trace of last night's embarrassment. She quickly interjected:

"Ah—no need! We already said goodbye earlier this morning. He's probably in the bathroom or something."

Rudeus rubbed his forehead.

Good! Allen, this round goes to me! I'll take the small victories where I can.

The group headed out to the courtyard, still without spotting Allen.

Everyone exchanged farewells. Roxy gently patted Sylphy on the head, then turned to Rudeus—who leaned forward expectantly.

But instead of a pat, he got a firm flick to the forehead.

Rudeus beamed.

Yes! This time, I definitely win! Wait… why didn't she pat my head? Huh? Why does she look kinda upset? Was it a rough night...?

Roxy stole a glance at the house behind them and exhaled softly.

"Well then… farewell. If fate is kind, may we meet again."

Zenith's eyes misted over just like the last time they said goodbye. Paul pulled her into a warm embrace—his hand slipping a little too casually down to her backside.

Only Lilia, standing to the side, witnessed that part.

"Goodbye, Sensei! I'll definitely come find you with Allen one day!"

Rudeus waved, then blinked.

...Wait, what about me?!

Unlike last time, this time the group had arranged a carriage in advance—sponsored by Laws. He'd said it was all thanks to Allen. If Allen hadn't preserved the hide from that wild boar so well, they wouldn't have had enough money to show their appreciation properly.

And so, Roxy departed Buena Village.

...

The morning sun lit the dirt road outside the village. Hooves clopped softly over packed earth.

Inside the carriage, Roxy leaned on her hand, her eyes wandering across the passing landscape, lost in thought.

Dilapidated fences rolled by, one after another…

Until they stopped.

Still dazed, Roxy didn't notice.

A faint voice reached her ears.

"Miss… uh, we've got someone…"

The coachman's voice grew louder.

"Miss!"

Roxy jolted upright. The carriage had stopped.

"Ah?! What's wrong?"

The coachman's voice held a note of exasperation.

"Miss, someone's blocking the road asking to hitch a ride."

Caught off guard, Roxy lifted the curtain—

And froze.

Bathed in golden sunrise, a figure stood in front of the cart.

His steel-gray eyes were sharp—chilly, even, with a distant aloofness.

But to Roxy, it only felt familiar. Reassuring.

The man smiled, his voice the same easy drawl as always.

"Excuse me, miss. Mind giving a fellow traveler a lift?"

The sunlight kissed Roxy's cheeks, casting dancing amber light into her eyes.

"…Sure."

...

Back at the Greyrat home.

Lilia, Zenith, Paul, Rudeus, and Sylphy all stared blankly at the note on the table.

To the Master:

I'm off to clear out the Assault Dogs.

Should take a month. Two at most.

I'll be back soon.

…Sorry for slipping out like this, but if I asked, I figured you'd try to stop me.

Don't worry. I can take care of myself.

P.S. No need to pay me for the next couple months. You can even dock extra if you want.

—Allen