Arthur's POV
After that touching moment between Rudeus and Sylphie, I took a deep breath and stepped forward.
"Well… now that things have calmed down a bit… I want to introduce you to someone. Come on, Fenril... say hello."
For a moment, nothing happened. Then, right next to me, the air rippled slightly, like heat rising from sun-baked ground. Norn stared blankly into space, while Aisha squinted, trying to focus her eyes on the distortion. Sylphie instinctively hid a little behind Rudeus.
"Arthur," Rudeus murmured, "I don't think we can see it that way."
"Give it a second," I replied.
Two bright yellow eyes appeared, floating in the middle of the room. Norn jumped back. "W-what is that!?"
Aisha accidentally gripped Norn's arm, her voice rising. "Oh, oh, oh! That's scary!"
I coughed, trying to sound as if this were the most normal thing in the world. "Relax… that's Fenril."
The distortion in the air lowered its head, as if politely greeting them. Sylphie tilted her head curiously. "Is it… a spirit?"
"No," Rudeus quickly interjected, moving a bit closer. "Spirits don't have twitching ears... It's... an invisible wolf."
Fenril became visible for a few seconds: a slender, silvery-gray wolf, about the size of a large puppy but slightly more substantial. His fur seemed to absorb the light around him. Then he vanished almost completely again, leaving only a blurry, shimmering silhouette.
Aisha stepped back further. "How could you bring *that* into the house, Arthur?! We're going to get it!"
Fenril let out a small, offended "pfft!"
I crossed my arms. "They're not coming. If they wanted to, they would have already done so."
Norn peeked out from behind her sister. "Is it… dangerous?"
"No. I found him injured in the forest. His pack expelled him because he can't properly control his invisibility."
Fenril lowered his ears upon hearing that. Aisha's expression softened, replaced by a hint of guilt. "Oh… poor thing…" She took a step closer, but Fenril vanished even further, looking nervous.
"Don't approach so quickly," I warned. "He still gets scared easily."
Norn looked at him intently, her expression turning very serious. "It's... cute..." she whispered softly.
Aisha turned around abruptly. "Huh? What did you say?"
"N-nothing!" Norn stammered, covering her face.
Fenril revealed only the tip of his tail, wagging it timidly. Sylphie stepped forward with a calm smile. "Hello, Fenril. Welcome."
The wolf made a small, soft sound, almost like a happy snore. Aisha sighed, her resistance crumbling. "Well… I guess if Arthur brought it… it should be fine."
Norn nodded. "Yes… and… I can help take care of him."
I raised an eyebrow. "You? I thought you were afraid of him."
"I'm not afraid of him!" Norn snapped, looking annoyed. "I was just… just surprised!"
Aisha poked her with a finger. "Uh-huh… sure, sure."
Norn puffed out her cheeks. Rudeus crossed his arms, smiling at the chaos. "Well, we have a baby on the way… and now a pet in the family. Definitely… life will never be boring here."
"Definitely!" Aisha exclaimed.
"Yes..." Norn whispered, glancing sideways at me. Fenril's invisible head nudged her hand, his tail causing a slight tremor in the air.
Aisha took a step forward, taking charge. "Then, brother, I'll take it upon myself to convey the news to Ariel-sama. And Sylphie-ne..." She glanced at the elf, who was still glowing with excitement. "...you need to take a break from work."
"I think it would be more appropriate if I—" Rudeus began.
"Oh... brother," Aisha interrupted with a firm but warm smile. "Don't worry. You must stay and talk to Sylphie. She needs you more than anyone right now."
Sylphie blushed and squeezed Rudeus's hand. He hesitated for a moment but eventually gave in. "Okay… thank you, Aisha."
"Come on, Arthur," Aisha said, grabbing my arm before I could protest.
"W-wait—" I stammered. "Ah… Norn, take care of Fenril. I'll be right back…"
"I'll take care of it," Norn replied, her eyes wide as the invisible wolf approached to sniff her. Fenril revealed a single yellow eye, as if greeting her, before settling by her side.
Aisha dragged me toward the door. Standing in front of Ariel's office, I let out a heavy sigh. "I really... didn't want to come," I murmured.
Aisha raised an eyebrow. "And why didn't you want to come?"
"Well, you see..."
But before I could finish, Aisha opened the door. The office was bathed in afternoon light. Ariel Anémoi Asura was at her desk, reviewing documents with perfect posture. To her side, Luke Notos Greyrat remained alert, his hand near his sword—until he saw us.
Luke gave me a familiar greeting. We knew each other well; ever since Sylphie told the princess about my "talents," Ariel hadn't stopped pestering me to join her faction.
Ariel looked up, first at Aisha, then at me. A charming smile appeared on her face. "Well… it seems you've returned from your mission, Arthur-san. Have you decided to help me win the throne?"
I sighed. "I said I'll think about it."
"Hmm..." Ariel narrowed her eyes, resting an elbow on the desk. "And if I paid you very, very well... would you reconsider?"
My stomach lurched. A large payment was tempting, but I wasn't about to admit that. "Aisha," I murmured, "you'd better tell her the news yourself."
Aisha stepped forward confidently. "Sylphie-ne is pregnant."
The silence lasted only a second. Ariel's eyes widened with genuine surprise, followed by a look of unexpected sweetness. "Oh… what wonderful news. I will personally congratulate Rudeus. Tell Sylphie to take a break of at least two years. I'll see to the arrangements."
Luke nodded in approval. But then, Ariel sighed with the dramatic flair of a stage actress.
"Of course... now I'll be completely defenseless. Where will I find a bodyguard as competent as Sylphie?" She looked around dramatically. "If I can't find anyone... I might have to revoke her leave."
Her gaze slid very pointedly toward me. I felt my eyebrow twitch. "Is she seriously using Sylphie's pregnancy to hook me? She's shameless!"
Luke offered a resigned smile. He was used to her theatrics. Aisha frowned and put her hands on her hips. "Ariel-sama… are you implying that Arthur should replace Sylphie?"
Ariel put on the purest, most fake smile in the Asura Kingdom. "Am I implying anything? Not at all. I'm just saying it would be tragic to be left without someone trustworthy to protect my life."
I almost covered my face with my hands. "I should have stayed home."
"Besides... you know my position, Arthur-san," Ariel continued, her tone shifting to a dangerous mix of sincerity and strategy. "There are those who might try to assassinate me. Luke is excellent, but he can't be in two places at once. So, I have a proposition. If you agree to be my temporary bodyguard... I think it will be much easier for you to decide whether you wish to permanently join my faction. What do you say?"
The room fell silent. I knew she wasn't going to let this go. "Okay… okay. I'll do it. I'll be your temporary bodyguard."
Ariel smiled with such satisfaction that Luke had to look at the ceiling to keep from laughing. "Excellent decision, Arthur-san. I'm sure it will be… beneficial for both of us."
"Only… temporarily," I added. "Until you find someone else. No weird attempts to keep me here forever."
"Of course. Temporary," Ariel said, pronouncing the word as if it meant "until I manage to convince you otherwise."
Aisha immediately grabbed my arm. "Very well, Ariel-sama, we've delivered the news. We need to go."
.....
For the next few months, I became Ariel's shadow at school. She spent that time questioning me, clearly plotting how to make me stay. But after school, I would go home, spend time with the family, and play with Fenril.
The peace was wonderful. We had a dinner to celebrate the news, and the house was filled with laughter. Rudeus felt that everything was finally falling into place. Paul, Zenith, and Lilia would soon arrive, and the dream he had left behind in Buena Village was finally coming true.
.....
Rudeus's POV
The bad news came two months later. An express emergency message. The sender: Geese.
"The rescue of Zenith has become complicated. We are requesting assistance."
The instant I saw those words, the world turned white. When I came to, I was back in that featureless room. I was in my old, greasy body. My spirit felt like it was breaking. And there he was—the mocking, faceless being. Hitogami.
"Hey," I said, unable to contain my fury. "What does this mean?"
"What do you mean?" he replied with that stupid smile.
"Geese's message. It says the rescue of Zenith has become complicated. Tell me what that means!"
"It doesn't mean anything. I'm sure things just got difficult."
"You told me yourself!" I hissed through gritted teeth. "That if I went to the Begaritt Continent, I'd regret it. Are you telling me that hasn't changed? Even now?"
Hitogami snapped his fingers. "Ah, I see. In other words, that fact hasn't changed. That's what you mean."
"Stop talking in circles!" I growled.
"Rudeus," he said in an almost paternal tone, "logically speaking, have you ever regretted anything until today? You've made friends. You've grown. You've fixed your body. You're married... you have a child on the way."
"Don't change the subject!" I interrupted. "You said not to go to Begaritt. You deceived me. Just like when you told me that thing about Arthur."
Hitogami remained silent. A shadow crossed his eternal smile—so faint I might have imagined it. Then, his lips curled again.
"Well, well... anyone can make a mistake. But I'm not wrong about this: he is a threat to your family."
My body trembled.
"Look what's happening right now in your house," he continued. "They have a monster, don't they? And who brought it... that boy. That Arthur. I'm just saying, don't say I didn't warn you. After all," he crooned, "you always regret it too late."
"Arthur wouldn't be capable of that," I replied, my voice shaking with conviction. "I've lived with him for months. He protected my sisters. He would never put them in danger."
Hitogami's smile faltered. He didn't know how else to accuse Arthur; I noticed it.
"Now that I think about it," I said, feeling something boil in my chest, "you… are the type of person who cheats."
The shadow crossed his face again. "That's a very poor way of putting it," he replied, his smile returning. "But in the end, my advice has helped you, hasn't it? It's gotten you this far. I'm reminding you of this because I want to save you from trouble, Rudeus."
"Enough with the games," I spat. "Tell me what I have to do."
Hitogami tilted his head, savoring the moment. "Oh… so you will listen to my advice?"
"For now," I replied, my patience gone. "Speak."
The god's eyes shone with a strange, cold, almost smug tinge.
"Rudeus… what you must do now is…"
End of Chapter