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"What's wrong with escorting you for a bit?"
Roxy pouted, glaring at Allen, who was sprawled lazily on the carriage seat with his sword in his arms.
"I... I thought you were coming with me to become an adventurer... but you..."
After getting into the carriage, Allen had explained that he was only there to see her off for part of the journey. This immediately shattered Roxy's earlier joy, and she turned her head away, refusing to look at him. She muttered incoherently under her breath as she stared out the carriage window.
"You were nowhere to be found when it was time to say goodbye, and now you're here to see me off? You might as well have stayed with them. Sneaking out now only means you'll have to go back later..."
Allen couldn't help but find Roxy's expression amusing. He understood that after being alone for so long, she had mistaken his actions as him finally accepting her proposal from two months ago—to become adventurers together.
Since you're already wanted, why not just leave this place and start over somewhere else, right?
But given Allen's current situation, that wasn't possible. After all, he was tied to the major events of Mushoku Tensei.
He shook his head. "If I snuck out, it's not just to escort you for a short distance. Didn't you say a week ago that there were bandits blocking the road outside Rikarisu City? Since this situation arose because of me, it's only reasonable that I ensure your safe passage to Rikarisu City. Last time, you killed some of their men. What if they come back in greater numbers this time, with skilled swordsmen among them? What would you do then?"
Roxy suddenly turned to look at Allen, her expression blank. Although she felt like he was twisting the logic, his explanation sounded reasonable at first glance. Just as she was about to think more deeply about it, Allen spoke again.
"Their bandit group's base is clearly involved in smuggling, and slave trading is definitely part of their business. What if you were captured? The next time we meet, would it be in a black-market slave auction? And in the loli section, no less... Ouch!"
Before he could finish, Roxy kicked him in annoyance and turned back to the window.
Allen blinked, relieved that Roxy seemed to have dropped the issue of whether it was reasonable for him to escort her to Rikarisu City. He had no intention of dragging her into his mission to deal with the Maned Wolves. He wanted to handle it alone.
First, he didn't want to trouble Roxy further. If he explained everything, she might insist on coming along. Roxy was too kind-hearted for her own good.
Moreover, Allen had spent the previous night carefully considering his next steps. He had decided on a guiding principle:
While maintaining the original story as much as possible, I'll aim for high scores in events to earn bonus rewards. If there's a conflict between the two, I'll prioritize the story over the rewards. The foresight from knowing the novel's plot is far more valuable than any point-based rewards.
From a logical standpoint, the benefits of knowing the future far outweighed the risks of disrupting the timeline. Therefore, Allen concluded that any butterfly effects involving Roxy should end here. He needed to avoid any actions that might significantly alter the future.
Second, Allen was confident he could handle the bandits alone. Underground groups like these rarely had experts above the Saint-tier. Even if there were Saint-tier fighters, they would likely be close to the bandit leader, not stationed in the forest to ambush travelers.
For Allen, who was still in his early years, this was the perfect opportunity to sharpen his skills.
But this wasn't just about training. Allen also wanted to eliminate the risk of the bandits investigating and potentially discovering Buena Village. These bandits had many enemies, and if their base were wiped out without leaving any survivors or evidence, the chances of anyone suspecting Allen were slim.
This way, all variables during his early years would be corrected.
Allen looked up at Roxy, whose expression had softened, and chuckled.
"But if it's about becoming adventurers together, there will definitely be a chance in the future. I promise. Right now, I'm still too young, and as you know, I'm wanted. I won't be inheriting my family's estate. So, in three or four years, after I've trained more with Master Paul, I'll come find you, and we'll become adventurers together. How does that sound?"
After the Great Teleportation Incident, teaming up with Roxy would be a good idea. With my tracking abilities, I can avoid the awkward situation in the original story where we missed each other at the port. Perfect.
Roxy glanced at Allen, suddenly remembering that he was only nine years old. His height and mature demeanor often made her forget his age.
"...I forgot you're only nine. You're way too smooth-talking for a nine-year-old..."
Allen's face fell.
"I'm not smooth-talking..."
Roxy stared at him for a long moment before changing the subject.
"But I didn't bring enough food..."
Allen reached into his pocket and pulled out a jar of Batyril flower seed powder, excitedly saying, "Look! I came prepared. You like sweet and spicy flavors, right? I can hunt some magical beasts and roast them..."
He trailed off as he noticed Roxy's strange expression as she looked at the jar. His face stiffened.
Oh no, I keep forgetting that consuming too much of this can cause fainting... I thought I wouldn't see Roxy for a few years, but here we are! Wait, has she already fainted from it?!
Roxy narrowed her eyes, her gaze shifting between the jar and Allen's face. Finally, she pursed her lips.
"...I didn't even bring it up, and you're already offering it..."
"...Let me explain..."
Before he could finish, Roxy opened her luggage and pulled out an entirely empty jar. She scratched her cheek, her face slightly red.
"Although it seems like it has some... unconventional uses... it's really delicious... Good thing I know detoxification magic. But let me make this clear: every time I eat it, I'll use detoxification magic on myself!"
What do you mean 'unconventional uses'?! If I wanted to do something like that, wouldn't it be easier to just buy aphrodisiacs?! And why are you emphasizing the detoxification magic? Do you think I'd stop you from using it? Do I really look like some kind of pervert to you?!
Allen's lips twitched as he held back a flood of complaints. He could only mutter, "Detoxification is definitely necessary..."
"...Give it to me. I'll keep it. You can ask for it when you want to use it... to make sure you don't misuse it."
"...You just want to keep it for yourself, don't you?"
"No!"
That night, in Buena Village.
Rudy stared blankly at the shrine containing his plain white underwear.
Note: So far this story is published up to chapter 100 on my patreon, go check it out and remember that if we reach the goal of 80 power stones I will publish the next chapter.