It feels like a great morning.
I feared that I would be killed in my sleep, or wake up someplace that wasn’t my bed like a dim forest.
Until I found a bed that I felt was safe, I was always afraid of sleeping.
It got better when I found a technique that let me stay wary while sleeping…
The study is piled up with documents detailing the differences between the original history and the current loop.
And events that changed as a result of my actions are the『Alternate』.
I write these documents for the sake of defeating Hitogami.
Minimising our losses against him is directly related to defeating Hitogami.
Of course, since I can’t take the documents with me on the next loop, right before each loop I organise all my actions and have no choice but to memorise them and try again.
But this loop is different.
With each person he encounters, the world greatly changes.
I had intended to record the differences as usual, but before I knew it they had turned into an observation diary of him.
And with so many changes, my writings can’t keep up.
There’s something odd about this loop.
The chance of Rudeus being in the next loop is quite small which would render all these notes meaningless.
I most likely have to win with this loop.
We must store up as much fighting power as possible, I’ll preserve as much of my Mana as possible and defeat Laplace with the bare minimum, so as to go all out against Hitogami.
That said, there’s no reason to not take notes.
First up is the information that came through the Lithograph.
Thanks to this communication lithograph, collecting information has gotten considerably easier.
I had gotten used to it, but due to my curse, it was quite stressful work.
Compared to that, now I can do nothing but sit and the information comes flowing in.
Although, if Rudeus didn’t exist, I would never have needed such a comprehensive information network.
If too much was changed, on the next loop I would wonder where to begin.
And I’m still troubled on how to treat the Automaton he created.
Pergius was surprised too, that it was more human than his spirits.
That doll is most likely the existence that the Mad Dragon King Chaos dreamed of.
If he is still in the next loop, I guess I’ll put off collecting his treasure.
“Alright.”
While thinking such things, when I looked at the communication lithograph I saw something rather interesting.
As far as I could remember, the two of them were never married.
And children go without saying.
This would also have to be because of Rudeus.
At my current level, I haven’t a clue…
Depending on the circumstances, I may end up preventing their child from being born.
Even if in the case that he’s in the next loop, he’d forget about everything.
Part 2
“Is it paperwork again today? You’re always so devoted Orsted-sama.”
“The fact that it’s usual is what’s important! Life is long after all so you have to take it little by little! As expected of Orsted-sama! You do understand!”
Rudeus sometimes gets strange.
When he gets this high spirited, it’s because something good is happening.
He’s rather easy to read.
“What’s happening today?”
Chris is always clinging to me but I never expected to hear it from Lara, so I was a little excited. Hehe.”
“Yeah. I brought Lara and Sieg here on Leo.”
Sieg as well hmm.
But when I thought that, Rudeus’s complexion took a turn.
“Aah, about Sieg! It seems that he’s a fan of Alek.
And he asked me if I was going to meet with the North God-sama to take him along so he could hear the story again.
“Right.”
“No, I don’t mind.”
Rudeus’s Achilles’ heel is his family.
He’d do anything for his family, and if you hurt them, you will become his enemy.
So to be his ally, you have to pay attention to his family.
Which is why I’ll assure their safety to the best of my ability.
That would be impossible for Hitogami.
Leaving aside the calculating thoughts, it’s quite bizarre that Rudeus’s children are immune to the curse. But I don’t dislike it.
It almost makes me feel like a normal person.
“Because your children are cute.”
I had intended to complement his children with a smile…
Not good, this look is not good.
This man can suddenly go from peaceful to pulling off unbelievable things.
At this instant it would be simple to defeat him but if he came at me with a surprise attack…
“Even if it’s Orsted-sama, I won’t give you my daughter.”
“I don’t mind. There’s no need to be respectful.”
A mock battle with the『MK 1』? Or maybe an adjustment of the Curse nullification Helmet?
Or we could conduct another meeting on our future actions…”
They’re all things Rudeus is in charge of.
But a little bit before when I was filling in my files, I remembered something.
A number of families will die.
But that in itself isn’t important.
It’s an unimportant house without any particular characteristics, but the youngest son alone is special.
And he will be in charge of the defensive battle at East Port against Laplace.
But this time, although the war with Laplace is unavoidable, Rudeus is also here.
“Then it’s fine if you leave tomorrow.”
Seeing how disappointed he was, I offered an alternative but Rudeus shook his head.
“No, without knowing exactly when they’ll starve, it’s better to act quickly.
I have arrangements to set out in place for time such as this so it would be best to leave as soon as possible.”
But somehow I ended up convincing him.
“If that is fine with you then so be it.”
He’s dressed in traveling clothes with a backpack full of provisions, the Scroll Vernier, and all kinds of other things.
Leo is with them so they should be fine, but it would be too late by the time something happens.”
That goes without saying.
“Well then, I’ll be off.”
After he says that, he immediately heads to the basement where the teleport magic circles are located.
And he will almost certainly accomplish his mission.
I had used people to accomplish tasks in previous loops before.
But I have never had someone so capable who would faithfully carry out my orders.
Rudeus is a reliable man, but I shouldn’t overuse him.
I have already used too much Mana in this loop.
When I pass Faria she jumps a little.
“Aah! If it isn’t the president.”
I seem to have surprised her.
Without it, her reaction would be quite different.
“No need. I’m only going a short distance. I’ll be back soon.”
I could hear a voice coming from the side.
“It was then! Whoosh! Taking advantage of the slight opening, the Sword King Eris cut off the Third’s arm!”
A voiced echoed in the back courtyard, originating from a small patch of shade.
“Standing before the now one armed Third was North God Kalman the Second and the Demon Lord Atofe Ratofe!
His front and back were covered by people who wouldn’t listen! There was no use in talk!
But in the moment they thought victory was in their grasp! Whoosh! The Third ran into the Earth Dragon valley!”
Under the shade there was a man sitting on a rock.
The young boy is Sieg Saladin Greyrat.
Time really does fly by quite quickly.
“The Third ran!
There was no human who follow him into the valley and live.
“Those two aren’t human?”
They possess the blood of the Immortal Demon race!
But then! Wham! With a huge sound, a giant had flown!
Was it the Second? The Demon Lord? The Mad Sword King!?
“Papa!”
Sieg is in a daze with Alek’s story, but I wonder where Lara is?
When I went to take a look, there was a blue haired girl calmly napping on top of it.
Lara and the Sacred Beast Leo.
Lara is the Saviour that the Sacred Beast chose, but looking at her like this, she’s nothing more than a child.
I just parted with Rudeus at the entrance to the office so I don’t think more than an hour has passed…
Come to think of it, I remember hearing that Lara liked pranks.
If that’s the case, I feel sorry for Rudeus, being used like that…
“Still riding his half destroyed Magic Armour, he alone chased after me!
He hit the Third who was trapped in the air! Wham! He hit the Third with the huge Magic Armour! And hit! And hit!
When the dust cleared, standing there was the one-legged, one-armed Third!
Nobody was coming to help. It was a one on one fight!”
Lara most likely fell asleep right as she got here so he’s been entertaining Seig.
“But Rudeus didn’t have the strength to overcome the Third.
The Third thought that and began to carefully observe Rudeus.
He thought that because Rudeus is a Magician, in a fight, he would shoot off his specialty the Stone Cannon while retreating.
Rudeus did exactly that! He ran and shot Stone Cannons!
To avoid the Stone Cannon, the Third retreated for an instant!
“A Feint!”
But it still worked! The Third flew backwards but suddenly… his foot floated in the air.
The same magic as the King Dragon Sword Kajakt! The Third for just an instant, floated!
Rudeus’s strongest Magic Tool blasted the Third into pieces! Dudududu! The Third was so longer breathing…
Kling…! The King Dragon Sword fell from his hand.
“Hooray!”
Sieg let out a cheer.
Feeling the pleasant atmosphere I walk up to Alek.
“Aleksander Rybak.”
“No, Rudeus just departed.”
The there’s no reason for me to go… I guess.
“That’s good to hear. I’ll leave it to you.”
Part 3
After completing the first stage of my recount, I left the study.
The sun is about to set, it would probably be better to have them back sooner.
In fact, he probably really is a coward.
But now instead of telling a story, he sounds as if he’s teaching something.
Orsted-sama apparently had a similar experience.
And because I couldn’t defeat his spirit, was most likely the reason I became his subordinate.
“Hmm?”
“Papa, strong? But Papa would lose to Red Mama…”
Your Papa can’t wear Touki by nature.
Hie eyes aren’t that good. Even with his Magic Eyes, he’s only reached the level below Orsted and I.
He’ll hesitate when killing people, he has trouble delivering a killing blow to a flesh and blood enemy.
In the time it takes him to kill me with one『Stone Cannon』I can kill him three times.
No matter how many different kinds of tactics he has, none of them have any meaning.
Of course, he could retreat and throw out all kinds of complex magic, but him having the chance to do that is unlikely.
“Papa… Is weak…?”
Sieg looks quite sad.
Especially because Rudeus showers his children with love.
“Aah, don’t give me that look.
Listen. The reason your Papa is strong, is because he know his weakness better than anyone.
“Hmm?”
Meaning that, even if you catch him by surprise, he can still manage to survive.
Of course, he’s still not on the same level. The disadvantage doesn’t change.
He can’t wear Touki, he’s a magician whose only merit is his mana.
Sometimes fair and square, sometimes cowardly from behind, sometimes borrowing his friends power, and sometimes all by himself.
For the sake of the family he loves dearly, he can’t die.”
When Alek said that, Sieg’s eyes seemed to sparkle.
“Yeah, he’s a Cheddar Man! A true Hero!”
A word I haven’t heard before came up.
Just what kind of metaphor is that?
This is the first time I’ve heard it over the years.
That man is constantly creating new words.
I’ll ask him next time I see him.
“You can, to be a true hero requires effort. My father is a true hero and he said so. Did your Papa not tell you that?”
“Is that so. Well, when you get a bit older, your Papa will tell you too.”
“It will make you stronger.”
“You have to train your body, and study the sword and magic.”
“I understand! North God-sama please teach me the sword!”
“Can’t you?”
“I want you to teach me! I wanna surprise Papa and Mama!”
When he became a North God, there were more than 20 people studying under him.
After that, Alek never took on another disciple.
“But you look so cool when you’re fighting. If I have to study I want it to be with the North God.”
I suddenly remembered Rudeus.
And without exception, they were all thankful for it.
He looks as if he hadn’t even noticed me approach.
“That’s exactly why you should train him. If you watch him and raise him all by yourself, you just might discover just what it is about the North God Style you are lacking.”
In the original history, North God Kalman III Aleksander Ryback corrected himself after losing to Jino Blitz.
That child was in no way talented, but by watching him grow and and correcting himself, he matured into a true North God.
So I might as well accelerate his acceptance of a disciple.
And incidentally, Sieg is also quite talented.
It’s not on the level of the Miko Zanoba, but in the future he’ll be able to swing a sword with ease.
And this case is no exception.
And while I’m talking, there was one thing that Alek failed to understand.
And that he has friends in places other than a battlefield.
But by being with his children, maybe he might realise that.
“…If Orsted-sama says so, I understand.”
Alek smiled at me and turned to look at Sieg.
“Alright then, Sieg-kun, From tomorrow onwards I’ll be training you. But if you want to surprise your Papa and Mama, you’ll have to keep it a secret from them, alright?”
Alek seemed bewildered at having such a small disciple after such a long time.
They’ll definitely make an excellent pair.
But…
“…Aleksander Ryback, may I ask you something?”
“What’s that thing on your back?”
On Alek’s back is a large number of some kind of spiky fruit.1
You could call it some kind of prickly child insect.
“Aah, this was Lara-dono’s work. She must have been bored because she snuck up to me from behind and stuck it on.”
“It was the doing of a child after all. I’ll remove it later.”
Lara really does like her pranks.
“She went into the office.”
She couldn’t have found her way into one of the teleport magic circles could she?
With a blank look, on top of Leo.
She was most likely keeping Lara company on the second floor.
“Lara-dono! Leo-dono! It’s about time we returned home!”
She then got on herself and proceeded to sit behind Sieg and hold him.
“Then we shall head out.”
Under Alek’s leadership Leo began to walk.
Right as they walked passed me Lara looked at me and gave an evil little laugh of success.
I wonder what the meaning of that was.
I didn’t understand but after seeing them off, I returned to the office.
I told her that it was about time she went home and headed inside.
“Hmm…”
It was then I understood the meaning of Lara’s smile.
My chair.
If I were to sit like this, my behind would most likely be covered in them.
But when I was about to put the bag in the desk I felt something was off.
“Hmm…?”
It was a slight unease.
It’s the same unease as an assassin using poison.
Because of my Magic Itemmana bestowed item and Saint Dragon Touki, not even ancient poisons can harm me but I still felt some unease.
“…”
But I had opened the drawer completely off guard.
5 of them.
She must be happy with herself.
“…”
But Lara really is the only one who I have no idea how she’ll grow up.
Part 4
He didn’t just complete his goal, but apparently also made it rain and somewhat helped the drought.
“Why would that be?”
Naturally he seems somewhat puzzled.
“…Is it dangerous?”
“Will he be back by curfew?”
“Understood. For the time being I’ll let the women know.”
He probably hasn’t asked for any more confirmation due to his faith in me.
“No, I somewhat understand that someone will be teaching him something… Although I don’t understand why it’s a secret from me.”
“I think it’s better that way. Give Alek my regards.”
We’ve been seen through.
My interactions with Rudeus will continue.
It’s somewhat better as a secret after all.
“Well then, I’ll be off.”
I remembered a certain something I wanted to ask.
“Rudeus.”
“What is a Cheddar Man?”
“He’s a Hero who’s head is made from cheese.
He defeats bad guys who try to scare people with a single punch.”
“In my world he was made of bread filled with red bean paste.
I tell it to the children as a bedtime story.”
I learned something.
Although I don’t understand why he tears off bits of his face.
“What about it?”
“I see. Then I’ll be heading out.”
After seeing that Rudeus had left I returned back inside.
The grasshoppers had already hopped outside.
Aleksander and Sieg.
1. It literally referred to some fruit known as "Xanthium strumarium" But that sounds odd in writing so I fudged it to make it sound better.