Chapter 165 News from Family

Chapter 165 News from Family

"Um.

""

Rijerud nodded. He actually felt that this kind of life was already very good. He could see things changing. The fear on the faces of the demons, the beastmen of the great forest, and people here when they saw him was gradually disappearing.

He was sincerely grateful for the changes Rudius had brought about, and he didn't think there was anything wrong with his decision, or rather, he didn't understand why Rudius would feel guilty.

Given his lifespan, as long as these positive changes continue, one day their clan's reputation will return to normal.

There is nothing more joyful than this.

"Then let's have a day off tomorrow."

The team has used the concept of "holiday" several times so far.

Initially, this system was arranged because people were worried that Alice, a little girl, couldn't handle it. But from the middle onwards, it became a system so that Rudeus could take a break.

Alice showed no signs of fatigue and was full of energy every day. Rijkaard was also a tough guy, and Brother Yueren was even more so. It felt like he was working every moment except when he was sleeping, treating this journey as a trip. He was the only weak and spineless guy in the group.

Of course, his problem wasn't physical; although he wasn't even as strong as Alice, his body was still quite robust. It was mainly a mental issue.

Perhaps it's because he still feels a sense of aversion to killing living beings, but each time he kills a monster, he accumulates a strange mental stress.

After all, one cannot expect a soul that barely saw blood in its previous life to suddenly adapt to a life that takes away living beings every day.

However, this time the reason for taking a vacation is not because of fatigue.

Rather, it's because if he needs to gather intelligence, go to the guild to confirm what commissions are being made, and then deal with miscellaneous matters, he'll inevitably forget to send the letter again.

That's how it has been all along.

So, in order not to forget, he decided to spend the entire next day writing letters.

"Rudius, are you feeling unwell again?"

"No, there's something else this time. I want to write a letter."

"write a letter?"

Rudius nodded in response to Alice's question.

"Yes, we should write a letter to let them know that we are safe and sound."

"Oh... fine, it's alright if you handle it, Rudeus, right?"

Alice now has basic literacy skills, but unfortunately, cultural work remains her weakness, and it seems to be the only thing she doesn't want to get involved in.

"Um."

Yes, I'm writing to you tomorrow.

Let's reminisce about the village of Buena while writing letters to Paul and Hilfi.

Although Paul had forbidden him from writing home while he was working as a governess, given the current situation, Paul couldn't possibly have any objections.

"Regarding this, I feel it seems unnecessary."

"?"

It was Yue Ren who spoke. Rudius looked surprised upon hearing this, as it was hard to imagine that Yue Ren would stop such a thing.

Is there anything wrong with him writing a letter?

"I just stopped by the guild to gather some information, but I saw some things about you guys, and I was just about to tell you about them."

'

"...What's wrong?"

"The 'Fitoa Territory Search Team'—I saw their missing person notice in the guild. It described them as a group of people from the Fitoa Territory affected by a magical disaster, searching for their families scattered across various locations. The team leader, or captain, is named Paul Greirat."

"!!??Father!!"

Hearing Rudius's exclamation, Yue Ren nodded.

"So that's how it is. It seems that the disaster that teleported you and Alice to the Demon Continent affected not only the two of you, but also other people in the territory. They were all teleported to various parts of the world. According to the information I've gathered, the place called Fituia Territory is now in a state similar to a wasteland."

"This...how is this possible...?"

Alice was shocked. The territory of Fituia was her home.

If it becomes a desolate place, then her grandfather, parents, and...

"The good news is that this team called the 'Fitoa Territory Search Team' is currently operating in this city, so there's a high probability that your father, Paul Greirat, is here."

So that's why my brother said there was no need to send a letter? Oh, I see. Damn it, I was just about to get angry. I deserve to die.

"Thank you so much, brother. I really don't know how to thank you enough."

"It's alright, we're a team, aren't we?"

"And you should note that their work doesn't seem to be going very well, because I don't see your mother's name, the maid named Lilia's name, or your sister's name on the list of returning personnel."

During a previous casual conversation, Rudius mentioned his family: his father, mother, maid, and two half-sisters.

"What... what do you mean by that..."

'

"So even if your father were here, he would probably be in a very bad state right now. If you see him, try to understand his feelings. After all, you should understand that this world is so dangerous. If you, with your talents, are already having such a hard time, how much more difficult is it for them?"

"

"Understood! Thank you, brother."

His elder brother's words struck Rudeus's heart like a heavy hammer. Yes, Senis was alright; at least she was a magician with healing abilities and had experience as an adventurer, so her chances of survival were higher. But Lilia and her two newborn sisters were just ordinary people with no strength to even kill a chicken.

And Sylphie is so young...

This is a fantasy world still under a feudal system, where the power gap between people is absurdly large. For them to suddenly arrive in such a strange place, let alone people, even the environment itself could silently kill them...

But what about myself? If it weren't for my older brother reminding me, I would never have realized this before. What am I...?

Yes, perhaps there are also people who were transferred from the territory of Fetoa in the towns on the Magic Continent that we pass through on our journey.

Having spoken with those people, he might be able to estimate the scale of the disaster.

He certainly didn't properly check the situation.

He prioritized dealing with Rachel Rudd's affairs over investigating disaster intelligence, and how could he face Paul's possibly dejected face?

A complete and utter failure.

Looking back on the mistakes of my past life, it seems that this is also the case. Why didn't I realize it?

Rudius felt guilty and instinctively curled up.

But the next moment, a pair of warm, large hands were placed on his shoulders, and the boy subconsciously looked up.

They are Yue people.

"Don't blame yourself for this. You've done enough, and no one can judge your behavior over this period and say you haven't done enough."

"Big brother..."

""

"Let me tell you something else. Actually, I had already noticed something before this, but I didn't tell you because I thought you didn't have the energy to deal with these things."

As he spoke, Yue Ren took out a piece of paper from his pocket, which contained a list of about a dozen people.

Rudeus was shocked to see this.

"That's what they mean by those people..."

'

"Although I didn't have any relevant information when I was in the Demon Continent, I gave the people from that territory some money for their journey home when I encountered them, and those who became slaves were freed from their status before that."

"And these things were done in your name, Rudius-Greirat, so even if your father asks, you can tell him with confidence that you haven't forgotten them."

Rudius reached out and took it with trembling hands. Seeing the unfamiliar name on it, his heart was filled with turbulent emotions.

"Of course, I really haven't learned anything about your family in the Demon Continent. They shouldn't be there, and neither should Alice's family. So you'll have to work on that."

"6

""

Ah... what's this feeling? There's something in my eyes that I can't stop. Why do I want to cry? Why does this person in front of me radiate the same light as Luo Qixi?

Deep down, he understood. So, someone was silently thinking behind the scenes. Is this what it feels like to have someone as a backup?

So that's how it is. It seems that the elder brother's actions along the way have become more traceable. So there was another meaning behind going to densely populated areas and slums. It was all for their sake.

"Brother Yue, why did you go to such lengths?"

"Rudeus, your elder brother saved the territory, why would you say such a thing..."

'

Before Alice could finish speaking, Yue Ren chuckled and raised his hand to interrupt her.

She has also made considerable progress in obeying the Yue people.

Yue Ren understood what the young man meant. After all, what he had just said was very misleading. They both knew each other's backgrounds, and as fellow time travelers, they couldn't use age as an excuse.

"A person who strives to make themselves and those around them better, a person who keeps climbing, always shines." If I had to give a specific reason, Rudius, your ever-ascending figure is the reason I'm willing to help you.

"Or rather, your journey has convinced me that you are someone I should help. This has nothing to do with age, but rather it is a matter of duty to a friend."

"I suppose Rigdell felt the same way, not only because he felt obligated to help the child out of his own sense of community and personal will, but also because that child was you, Rudeus."

The blond-haired boy turned to look at the old man.

The latter nodded slightly.

"Yue Ren is right. You and Alice are both friends I would entrust my life to."

"6

'

"If you feel indebted to me, then help me whenever I need it, okay?"

"Understood, thank you everyone, I know what to do."

Rudius rallied, and his ever-present smile gradually eased Alice's worries.

"I'm sorry for showing everyone this unpleasant side. Let's resume the meeting. I'll be going to the guild tomorrow. What are your plans?"

"I'm going with Rudius."

"Don't worry about me, after all, I might not even see my father again."

"Iris, this is Rudeus's family matter. Let him handle it alone."

"Then I'm going to hunt down goblins!"

After thinking for a moment, Alice answered in this way.

Rudius's expression froze.

"Goblin?"

When you talk about goblins, is it that kind of goblin?

They are only about half the height of a person, equipped with weapons such as clubs, have yellowish-green skin, reproduce rapidly, and have a high chance of appearing in fantasy-themed erotic games, similar to the kind of creatures that play male supporting characters in adult films.

"I just heard from the town that goblins appear in this area! As adventurers, we should at least see what goblins look like!"

Alice answered with great enthusiasm, expressing her excitement for this species that had appeared multiple times in Rudeus's adventure stories.

In this world, goblins are equivalent to rats.

They are highly prolific and can be harmful to humans.

They are basically able to understand language, so they are classified as monsters. However, despite being able to understand language, the majority of individuals still live by instinct, so if their numbers increase, they will be driven out.

"I understand. Mr. Rachel Rudd, I'd like to ask you to act as my bodyguard."

'

"They're just goblins, I can handle them all by myself!"

Alice spoke so loudly, her face showing a look of utter disapproval.

"6

""

What should we do?

Alice is very strong. Judging from the level, goblins should be enemies that even an E-rank adventurer could handle.

Perhaps appointing Rachel Rudd as her bodyguard was an overreaction...

However, female adventurers who are defeated by goblins are destined to become sex slaves.

Although Rudeus was not familiar with the goblins of this world, the goblins in his previous world were basically all like that.

Given Alice's strength, he knew there was almost no problem.

But, there's always a "but".

If he were to let Alice get into that kind of trouble while he wasn't looking after her, how could he face Gilead and Philip?

"Rudeus. It's alright, let her try."

Just as he was deep in thought, Rachel Rudd offered his help.

That's truly rare.

During this time, Rijrud had been teaching Alice tactics for dealing with all sorts of enemies. Since he said it was all right... it really is all right, isn't it?

"Alright, Alice, even if the opponent is weak, we must never be careless."

"Of course not!"

"Please make sure you are fully prepared before taking any action."

"I know!"

"If you encounter danger, you must escape immediately."

"Just tell me I know!"

"In case of an emergency, grab the other person's hand and shout, 'This person is a pervert!'"

'

"You're so annoying! It's just goblin extermination, I can do that too!"

'

'

Rudius's father's request to marry off his daughter angered Alice.

Despite lingering unease, let's trust the veteran (Rigid Rudd)'s words this time.

"In that case, I don't have anything special to say. Just keep up the good work."

"Yes, I'll do my best!"

Alice nodded in satisfaction.

"So, what does Mr. Rachel Rudd intend to do?"

"I'm going to see an old acquaintance."

This was the first time I had ever heard Rachel Rudd use the term "old acquaintance".

"Oh? An old acquaintance... So Mr. Ridge Rudd also has an old acquaintance."

"Of course."

Rudius always thought he was a lone wolf... but that makes sense, since he's lived for five hundred years, he must have one or two old friends.