Mushoku Tensei: The Sword, the Magic Hat, and the Love System

After Paul smacked his forehead and assured Mrs. Somar that Allen hadn't bullied Somar Jr., the lady finally left—face flushed with satisfaction under Zenith's burning stare.

Indeed... worthy of being Buena Village's undefeated champion of pure love, on every level.

Then, with Allen's usual instigation and Roxy's inability to reject others, the group soon found themselves gathered in a circle in the yard. They began testing Sylphy's magic control and mana levels, which naturally drew Zenith and Lilia over to spectate.

"Alright, Sylphy, try casting Sui-dama (Water Ball). Ah—make sure not to hit Zenith's beloved tree."

"Got it! Sui-dama!"

"Hey! Sylphy, you just dumped that on my head! Where are you looking?!"

"S-Sorry, Rudy!"

Sylphy flailed with embarrassment, her eyes constantly drifting toward Roxy.

The latter scratched her cheek helplessly, clearly unsure how to respond.

Meanwhile, Lilia had already gone inside and returned with a dry towel, dabbing Rudy's head. Zenith smiled tenderly, watching the kids goof around.

The scene felt like a painting—burned into Allen's eyes, who grinned.

"Maybe ten years later, when Rudy settles in Sharia of the Kingdom of Ranoa, he'll see scenes like this again. It feels like I'm glimpsing the future."

He blinked, stepped back, and looked again at the five figures.

"Rudy, Roxy, Sylphy, Lilia, Zenith... Everyone who should be there in the future... is here."

Then he turned.

"The ones who won't be there in that future."

Not far away, Paul leaned against a tree. The shade of the leaves cloaked him in shadow—apart from the sunlight where his family stood.

Allen walked into the shadows and looked at Paul's face.

Paul stood there, arms crossed, smiling as he gazed toward his family. He didn't look at Allen.

"Oh? What brings you here?"

Allen stared at his side profile in silence before asking, "Uncle, to be honest, I don't really understand family. So I wonder... if I died, what would my family feel?"

Paul paused, turning slowly to Allen.

"I'd love to tell you something sweet... but I can't lie to you, Allen. I can't relate. Still—"

Allen cut him off.

"Then let me ask this: If, one day in the future, you died in some accident, what would you feel? What would you want to say to your family in your final moments? Or would you say nothing... and just watch them, accepting death in silence?"

Paul blinked in surprise.

He looked again at his wife and son.

"Years ago, back in my adventurer days, I might've said nothing. I've always wanted to meet my father again and resolve our grudge. Death didn't scare me—every adventurer knows how to die."

Allen watched as Paul's gaze softened.

"But now... now I wouldn't be so calm. If I really died, I'd at least want... to see Zenith and Rudy one more time."

Allen looked up at the mole under Paul's eye.

"Just see them?"

"Yes. To know they're safe... that might give me peace. And selfishly... I might hope... maybe they'd cry for me, this useless father."

Allen lowered his eyes to the sheath at his side.

Paul continued.

"If Zenith, Rudy... even Lilia cried for me, then maybe that'd be enough. But... I think I'd be unwilling."

He chuckled.

"Anyone can talk big. But deep down, I'd probably be screaming, 'I don't want to die.' Because... there's still too much I want to do. I don't want to leave Zenith... maybe we'll have more kids. I don't want to leave Rudy... I want to see him grow up, go to school, be safe. Maybe one day, I'll be a grandpa hearing little voices call me that."

"I really don't want to die."

Allen instinctively reached for his sword.

"Then if it were between you and Rudy—only one could live. Or to save him, you had to die... what then?"

Paul didn't hesitate.

He looked directly into Allen's eyes.

"Then I'd die."

He smiled.

"Simple as that."

(End of Chapter)

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