Mushoku Tensei: Sword, Magic Hats, and Romance!

Rudeus's [Healing] Magic hadn't yet reached Intermediate level. In the end, since the injury couldn't be concealed anyway, Allen didn't use his [Healing] Rune. Instead, he apologetically asked Zenith to heal his hand.

Paul, meanwhile, was crouching beside the broken bedframe, clicking his tongue in fascination.

Then he turned toward Allen.

"Must've been some dream, huh? Well, since your hand's healed, let's go practice swordplay. Gotta burn off that excess energy."

...Please give me a break, Paul.

Allen silently rolled his eyes at him.

"Master Paul, I'd like to go with Rudeus today to explore the plant life around Buena Village."

Paul and Rudeus both looked at him in surprise.

"Looking at plants isn't nearly as exciting as swinging swords, is it?"

Ah, a pragmatist. Said he wanted to be my friend yesterday, and now he's pushing for it already. Eager type… Well, I guess I'll let him tag along today. He did cover for me yesterday—didn't rat me out over the sacred relic incident.

Allen didn't reply—he simply looked at Paul quietly.

Paul blinked, looked at Rudeus, then back at Allen.

Right, I nearly forgot. The kid's only nine. Becoming friends with Rudeus is probably good for him anyway. A shame though—today might be kind of lonely for me…

Wait… That's right. Zenith isn't scheduled to help out at the clinic today, and Lilia's off to the market for supplies. Heheheh. The house is empty. It's been way too long since I had Zenith bent over the kitchen stove...

Zenith noticed Paul's strange look and, as realization struck, her grip on Allen's hand unintentionally tightened.

"Haha… Well, sure, go ahead then. Just don't wander too deep into the forest—there are monsters there."

As he said this, Paul's lecherous grin faltered slightly. He glanced at Allen.

"Er, well, if Allen's with you, it should be fine. Go on—just be sure to come back before nightfall."

Rudeus glanced at Paul, his lips twitching.

Oi oi, Master Paul—your thoughts are written all over your face. Don't forget we've got company here!

He turned to look at Allen.

The boy was staring down at his hand, spacing out.

Rather than saying he's completing a quest, it feels more like he's using the countdown to push himself. The stuff about getting bullied… it's just like what happened at the orphanage in my past life. Most people end up trying to forget it altogether. I wonder if Sylphiette has short hair right now… That dream last night must've been born from what was on my mind during the day.

...

After breakfast, the three adults saw the two boys off at the door. Just before they left, Rudeus turned to Allen.

"Do you want to head farther out today, or just stay close to the village?"

Allen rubbed his chin.

Sylphiette's father sometimes hunts in the forest and occasionally takes shifts with Paul at the tower near the village, watching for monster activity. If she's bringing him food, then the bullying probably happens somewhere between the village and that tower. The forest lies north of the village…

"Let's cover the area stretching north from the village to the forest's edge."

Rudeus blinked.

He's got a clear goal. Pretty methodical little guy.

He turned to Paul.

"Father, we'll be exploring the area between the village and the northern forest. If we're not back by nightfall, assume something's happened and follow that path to find us."

"No need to report in. There's nothing around Buena Village that could pose a threat to me—or anyone else, really. Besides, today… you're probably safer with me than staying home."

Rudeus blinked, then looked up at Paul. The man was absentmindedly eyeing Zenith's legs. He'd clearly heard what was said, but didn't seem particularly concerned.

Then Rudeus looked at Allen—still deep in thought, his expression unreadable, as though the rather arrogant words he'd just spoken hadn't even come from him.

This guy… Paul completely trusts his strength. His tone just now even implied he might be stronger than Paul, and Paul didn't deny it.

No wait, he said "today" specifically. Which means today, Paul and Zenith are… ah.

That guy doesn't even flinch at the mention of underwear. And as an adventurer, he's probably pretty seasoned with this kind of thing. Damn, I'm jealous. He immediately figured out Paul's plans with Zenith. Hell, maybe the reason he suddenly offered to take me out today was because he noticed Paul's been holding back ever since Allen arrived—and decided to give them space on purpose.

He's more mature than I thought.

"Well then, let's head out."

"Be careful out there~!"

Zenith waved with a cheerful goodbye.

Once the boys were out of sight, Lilia looked at Paul and Zenith, then bowed.

"I'll be heading to the market now, Master, Madam."

"Sure~ Oh, I heard that the mushrooms sold by the old lady at the far north end of the market are really fresh. Lilia, could you go a bit farther and get some for us?"

Lilia glanced at Zenith's smiling request, nodded politely, and turned to leave.

A moment after she was gone, Paul and Zenith—who had stood frozen like statues—sprang into action. Paul swept Zenith into his arms, one hand slipping under her skirt, while Zenith wrapped her legs tightly around him, their lips already tangled together.

"Darling, ever since that boy arrived, you've been… really restrained. You haven't even touched me at night—"

"Well, he is Philip's kid. Having him under our roof makes me feel like Philip's watching. But I'm getting used to it now… Besides, what would a kid know about any of this?"

"…Right."

Paul lifted her with both hands, Zenith straddling his arms as he carried her inside.

SLAM.

The door shut behind them.

Moments later, muffled sounds began leaking from the window, without the slightest attempt to keep them down.

After all, the houses in the village were spaced far apart—no one would be eavesdropping. And today, for once, there was no one else home.

"D-Darling… Not like that… ah…"

"Not like what? Hm?"

"You're such a tease…"

"The real teasing hasn't even started yet. Brace yourself!"

"Ah… Yes… Right there…"

Outside the courtyard gate, Lilia leaned against the wall, her brows furrowed tightly in what seemed like pain. Her basket had somehow fallen to the ground.

One hand smoothed her maid blouse upward.

The other slipped beneath her skirt.

Her body slowly crouched down.

After all, the houses in this village were far apart.

And no one could see the shadow pressed against the Greyrat family's front wall.