Mushoku Tensei: Sword, Magic Hats, and Romance!

Not long after, Zenith awoke humming a cheerful tune, while Lilia stepped out of the master bedroom looking utterly exhausted and began helping Zenith with breakfast prep.

"Good morning, young master."

"Morning, Lilia."

Rudeus greeted her cheerfully as he passed through the hallway.

"You don't look so good today, Lilia. Are you feeling unwell?"

Her eyes flickered nervously behind her glasses.

"Just didn't sleep very well last night. Thank you for your concern, young master."

Rudeus blinked as they passed each other.

Just then, Allen descended from the second floor, bare-chested with only a towel draped over his shoulders, beads of water still clinging to his damp hair.

"Morning, you two."

Hearing his voice, Zenith peeked out from the kitchen and pressed her palms together apologetically.

"Good morning, Allen! Sorry about yesterday—Paul was a little upset and, well, went a bit overboard. I checked your neck and didn't find anything serious, but you weren't waking up anytime soon, so we just brought you home. Since your body was still dirty with blood, we couldn't help you bathe… so we laid a futon out on the floor for you. Paul actually told me last night that he wants to properly apologize when he gets up. He should be awake any minute now."

Allen squinted at her glowing, energetic face, and a muscle near his eye twitched uncontrollably.

This ball-of-energy lady… if you're really sorry, maybe keep the "night matches" to a minimum, yeah? People are trying to sleep. And did you just say "thank" instead of "apologize"?

Still, I guess I should thank you. If it weren't for you, I never would've realized Detoxification Magic could be used that way. Respect.

"It's fine—after all, I'm the one who caused Rudy and Sylph to get poisoned... By the way, did Uncle Laws take Sylph home yesterday? Was he… mad?"

Zenith blinked.

"Nope! He looked a little exasperated, but it seemed like he had a good impression of you and Rudy. He told me to let you know there's no need to feel guilty—and that he hopes you two will continue to look after Sylphiette in the future."

Allen scratched his head awkwardly.

"That's only natural. I'm just glad he wasn't upset."

Meanwhile, Rudeus stood to the side, dazed by the exchange.

So Paul really did knock Allen out yesterday…? He got clobbered? Then when the heck did he make that shrine? In the middle of the night? Allen looks a little tired. This guy hid the whole poisoning thing for me and made a shrine. He's surprisingly kind-hearted. I definitely have to find a way to repay him.

Knock knock knock!

A sudden knock at the door interrupted the conversation.

Allen glanced toward the entrance, exchanging a puzzled look with the others.

"I'll get it."

To his surprise, the visitor was a petite but shapely young woman. She brushed a lock of hair behind her ear and tilted her eyes upward slightly to peer inside.

But when she saw that it wasn't the strapping knight she expected, but instead a completely unfamiliar boy, she froze. Her gaze swept over Allen's sharp features, lingered on his neck and defined trapezius muscles, then snuck a glance at his bare chest.

She subtly pinched her nose.

"Where's Paul? And you are…?"

Allen blinked. He racked his brain but still couldn't place this woman—no named character from the childhood arc matched.

He instinctively raked his wet hair back and frowned slightly.

"Um, excuse me, you are…?"

Before he could finish, he noticed a short, pudgy kid standing beside her—the same one he'd scared off the other day—looking at him awkwardly.

Wait. Hold on. This plotline seems familiar...

[Real-Time Mission: "The Temptation of the Cart" has been issued.]

[Ada Eto is fond of Paul's muscular figure and frequently finds excuses to seek his attention. At this moment, you've caught her eye. It seems that compared to Paul's fully-grown man physique, she finds your lean, athletic frame just as intriguing...]

[Mission Hint: Zenith often internally complains about this woman's flirtatious behavior. This is your chance to repay her for gifting you the Detoxification magic rune.]

[Reward: Handle the situation well, and you'll increase Zenith's affection rating by 2 participation points. And… you may also gain a charming housewife.]

[Go get 'em, Host! Who says brunettes aren't worth it?!]

Allen had no time to deal with the clearly trolling system. He just stared stiffly at the pudgy kid, whose face was full of shame.

Because—

He suddenly remembered what he'd said to this kid yesterday:

"She's a demon, and I'm your dad."

Oh no.

Oh no oh no.

I think I've just become a father.

Mrs. Eto noticed the awkward eye contact between Allen and her son. In an instant, she realized: this was the rude, good-looking boy who had bullied her child.

She smiled faintly—then furrowed her brows and spoke with a sharp tone.

"So you're the one who bullied Somar, huh? Real tough guy, aren't you? Picking on little kids just because you're bigger and older?"

Allen blinked blankly at her narrowing eyes and then—

Wait. This is the "cart"? Because I'm tall? That's not even what it means! Wait, why am I thinking about that right now?!

He quickly looked at Somar, who had his head buried in his chest, too mortified to speak.

Allen's temper flared.

"Hey, don't just stand there! Did I bully you? Speak!"

Somar flinched, shrinking even further into himself.

Allen gaped.

Mrs. Eto, seeing Allen's stunned reaction, immediately reached out and grabbed him by the ear.

"You dare say you didn't bully him? Come back to my place and explain yourself! Somar's father passed away long ago—I won't let someone like you push my child around!"

Thus, a top-tier Water God Style swordsman was captured by the dreaded "Ear-Twist of Light" from a widowed housewife—and instantly fell into despair.

So it was your brat doing the bullying! And now this widow debuff is stacking on top of everything else—danger danger danger! Somebody save me! Paul, help me!!

"Wait!"

Allen's eyes lit up. It was Rudeus, running to the doorway.

Rudy! You really are a bro! I slaved all night making that shrine for you, and now you're here to repay the favor. Come on—

"Mrs. Eto, could you return him before noon? I have sword training this afternoon."

Rudeus gave a perfect bow—so polite it could've come from nobility—and subtly glanced at Allen with a wink.

Didn't think my chance to return the favor would come this quickly! There's no way someone like Allen could be caught by the ear by a woman, right? So clearly, he's doing this on purpose! Yep, yep. Who would've thought someone with such bold brows would have this kind of kink? Well, since I've accepted him as my big bro, I'll do what I can to support his preferences!

Allen: ??????

"Wait—!"

At long last, Paul arrived. Allen looked at him as if he were a god descending from heaven.

Paul—you are my savior!

But the words had barely formed when Paul stepped out and—

—got shoved back inside by a flustered Rudeus.

The door slammed shut with a loud bang, leaving Allen, Mrs. Eto, and Somar himself in a long, uncomfortable silence.

A warm late-spring breeze blew past Allen's half-naked body as he slowly turned his head toward Mrs. Eto, who was squinting, eyeing him from top to bottom.

All he felt was an icy chill in his soul.