Reborn in Mushoku Tensei

"You, Rudeus Greyrat, have a deal."

That was… faster than I expected.

Ariel was many things sharp, calculating, and constantly two steps ahead but for her to agree without hesitation? That meant she had a lot to gain. Or maybe she had already played this conversation out in her mind, weighing every possible outcome.

Still, I smiled. "I'm glad you agreed, my princess," I said, trying to keep the mood light.

But then her eyes changed. That calm, regal composure shifted into something… dangerous. Amused. Predatory.

"Oooooh~ say that again," she purred, standing up and dragging her fingers along my arm.

A chill ran down my spine. My instincts screamed at me retreat, retreat, retreat!

I backed up, nearly tripping over my own feet. "Uh, I need to heal Sylphie," I blurted, turning on my heel and making a straight beeline for my unconscious friend.

Ariel chuckled behind me, but thankfully, she didn't press any further.

I knelt beside Sylphie, placing my hand over her and channeling healing magic. The soft glow illuminated her face as her breathing eased.

"You know," Ariel mused, "I'm quite intrigued by her. From what I've heard, she nearly leveled an entire city block."

I kept my focus on Sylphie, though I could feel Ariel's gaze burning into me.

"Yeah," I admitted. "That fireball was dangerous. With my Demon Eye, I could see just how much mana she packed into it. It was enough to turn a city block into ruble." I tapped my temple, hoping to shift the conversation away.

Ariel hummed thoughtfully. "Honestly, I could've pulled that off. Maybe even more."

I looked up at her. "I could beat Sylphie in a fight."

It wasn't arrogance. It was just a fact. I had a wider range of spells, more versatility. If we went all out, I could end it in an instant.

Ariel stepped closer, her expression unreadable. "I just don't want Sylphie in danger," I added quietly.

A pause. Then, Ariel tilted her head slightly and sniffed the air.

"You smell that?"

I blinked. "Uh… what?"

Her lips curled into a teasing smile. "Oh, nothing…"

She giggled, her voice light, yet laced with amusement.

"You're trying to show off in front of a fair maiden. It's quite attractive, you know." She leaned in ever so slightly. "You don't have to do so much to win me over, Rudeus. You could have me right now."

My brain short-circuited.

No. No, nope, absolutely not.

"I think I'll pass on that," I said quickly, standing up and dusting off my robe. "Can we get back to business?"

Just like that, Ariel's expression shifted. The flirtation vanished, replaced by the sharp, calculating princess once more.

"Do you have a plan?" she asked.

I exhaled, relieved. "Yeah. I need you to distract the Water God somehow. She's in love with Darius, and she probably knows I'm planning to kill him."

Ariel folded her arms, deep in thought.

"And she hasn't killed you outright because…?"

"I don't know," I admitted. "I was in her dojo, and she let me go. Well, more like I ran away before she could reconsider."

Ariel chuckled at that. "She must have a reason to keep you alive. That means she'll be even more cautious. Any diversion we make will have to be airtight."

She went quiet again, thinking. After a moment, her lips curved into a sly smile. "You're clever. I think you'll come up with something. But for now, it's late. You should go."

She turned, before suddenly turning back. "Actually… you could just stay here. I could give Sylphie her own room, and I'll sleep with you."

I froze.

"Yeah, I think I'll pass on that," I muttered, scooping Sylphie into my arms and bolting for the exit.

"Wait!" Ariel called after me. "Guards! Get him!"

Heavy footsteps thundered behind me. The guards charged, but I twisted my fingers in the air, sending a burst of wind to knock them off balance.

I dashed through the palace, dodging past corridors and skidding out into the streets. After a few blocks, I finally ducked behind a building, pressing against the wall to catch my breath.

"Finally…" I exhaled.

Then, I heard the clash of swords nearby.

I peeked around the corner. Two figures were engaged in a fierce duel, their blades flashing under the moonlight. One of them had fiery red hair, moving with raw aggression. The other was taller, muscular.

My eyes widened.

"Eris?"

She turned at the sound of my voice, barely sparing me a glance. "Tch, glad to see you too."

Ghislaine stood on the other side, lowering her sword. "Rudeus. What happened to Sylphie?"

I adjusted Sylphie in my arms and sighed. "We met the Water God. Fought a North God practitioner. He got roasted. Oh, and we saved Princess Ariel. She's my ally now. So, y'know, nothing major."

Ghislaine's single eye widened slightly. Eris, however, practically sparkled.

"WHAT?!" she shouted. "You had an exciting adventure, and you didn't take me?!"

I groaned. "Yeah, yeah. I really need to lie down. I'll put Sylphie in a room."

Ignoring Eris's grumbling, I made my way inside the manor. It was nice, sure, but compared to Ariel's palace? Not nearly as impressive.

Navigating the halls felt like wandering a maze, but eventually, I found an unoccupied room. I set Sylphie down on the bed and let out a breath.

"This day has been insane," I muttered.

No response. I look down at sylphie and remember her earlier speech about how she well wet herself and I start to smell the room. I can smell well her excrements coming from her body and I don't want the bed to smell like that because I'm probably going to sleep here this bed is way to comfortable.

I look down at sylphies shorts and sigh.

I sighed again, rubbing my temple. "What has my life come to…?"

I glanced at her, suddenly realizing how this situation would look if anyone walked in. If they saw me like this—

I shook my head. No, focus. I moved my hands to the waistband of her shorts, carefully gripping them and starting to pull them down. I had only gotten halfway when she suddenly awoke.

Her eyes cracked open. We locked eyes. She glanced down at her shorts. I followed her gaze.

I opened my mouth to explain—

She screamed.

A sudden gust of wind slammed me against the wall, hard. Pain shot through my body.

"Oh, Rudy! I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to—" Sylphie gasped, running over.

I barely registered her words as I slid down the wall.

I must've looked like Golden Freddy right now.