Rudeus's healing magic wasn't yet at the Intermediate level. In the end, considering the matter couldn't be hidden anyway, Allen didn't use his Healing Magic Sigil and instead apologetically asked Zenith to heal his hand.
Paul, on the other hand, looked at the broken bed frame and clicked his tongue in wonder.
Then he turned to Allen.
"Dreaming that hard, were you? Since it's healed, let's go practice swords. A good way to vent some excess energy."
...Give me a break, Brother Paul...
Allen silently rolled his eyes at him.
"Master, today I'd like to go out with Rudy to look at the plants around Buena Village..."
Paul and Rudeus both looked over at him with identical expressions of surprise.
Paul spoke first. "What's so exciting about looking at plants compared to crossing swords?"
Rudeus thought, Is he the practical type? He said he wanted to be my friend last night, and now he wants to make it happen today. He's so impatient... Well, I guess I can bring a tagalong today. He did me a favor yesterday, after all, and kept the secret of the sacred relic.
Allen said nothing, just looking quietly at Paul.
Paul blinked, looked at Rudeus, then back at Allen.
I almost forgot this kid is only nine. It's good for him to be friends with Rudy... A pity, today will be a bit lonely... Eh, wait a minute. Zenith isn't going to the clinic today, and Lilia is going to the market... hehe, the house will be empty. It's been a while since I tried having Zenith on the kitchen counter...
Zenith glanced at Paul, then suddenly seemed to realize something. The hand she was using to heal Allen squeezed a little harder without her noticing.
"Haha... is that so... Alright, you two go ahead. Just remember not to go too deep into the forest, there are monsters in there..."
As he spoke, the lecherously smiling Paul paused, his eyes involuntarily flicking to Allen. "Uh... well, if Allen's with him, it should be fine. Go on, just remember to be back early tonight."
Rudeus looked at Paul's face, his own lip twitching.
Hey, hey, Lord Paul, your thoughts are written all over your face! We have a guest!
Rudeus turned to look at Allen.
The latter was staring at his own hand, lost in thought.
It's less about completing the quest and more about using the quest's countdown to give myself a sense of urgency... Being bullied... something similar happened at the orphanage in my past life... It's the kind of thing you'd rather selectively forget. Sylphie... I wonder if she has short hair right now? The dream last night must have been a case of 'what you think about by day, you dream of by night'...
After breakfast, the three of them saw the two boys to the door. Just as they were about to leave, Rudeus turned his head to Allen.
"Do you want to go somewhere far today, or stay close to the village?"
Allen rubbed his chin.
Sylphie's father seems to be a hunter in the forest. And sometimes he takes turns with Paul on duty at the watchtower on the edge of the village, monitoring monster activity. If Sylphie is bringing him lunch, the bullying probably happens somewhere between the village and the tower. The forest is north of the village...
"The area from the outskirts of the village north to the forest."
Rudeus blinked.
His purpose is clear. He's a little kid with a plan.
He turned his head to look at Paul. "Father, we'll be active in the area between the village and the northern forest. If we're not back before nightfall, we've definitely been caught up in some kind of incident. Please follow this route to find us..."
"No need to report," Allen said. "There are no monsters or people around Buena Village that can threaten me. And today, you're probably safer with me than at your house."
Rudeus blinked, looked up at Paul, who was distractedly glancing at Zenith's legs. He had clearly heard the words but showed no particular reaction. Then he turned back to Allen, who was still staring downwards, deep in thought, as if the rather boastful words just now hadn't even come from him.
This guy's strength seems to be fully acknowledged by Paul. His words even vaguely imply he's stronger than Paul, and Paul didn't even refute it.
No, wait. His precondition was 'today'... Today, Paul and Zenith will be making a baby brother or sister for me and won't have the energy to mind us. So, being with him is safer?
Right. This guy's expression was so calm when he saw the underwear. And he said he's an adventurer, so he should be used to this kind of thing. Damn it, I'm so jealous... So he instantly understood what Paul and Zenith were going to do... He might even have suddenly suggested going out with me today because he noticed Paul has been holding back from being intimate with Zenith at night since he arrived, out of consideration for his guest. He might have deliberately created this opportunity for them...
He's more mature than I thought.
"Alright," Rudeus said. "In that case, let's head out."
"Be careful on your way~" Zenith called out in a cheerful farewell.
After the two boys were a good distance away, Lilia glanced at Paul and Zenith, then bowed.
"Then I will be off to the market to do the shopping, Master, Mistress."
"Alright~ Um, I heard the mushrooms picked by the old woman at the northernmost end of the market are especially fresh... Could I trouble you to walk a little further and buy some back, Lilia?"
Lilia looked at the smiling Zenith, nodded in agreement, then turned and left.
A moment after Lilia was gone, Paul and Zenith broke free from their petrified-like stillness. Paul swept Zenith up into his arms, his hands wandering restlessly under her plain dress, while Zenith wrapped her legs around Paul, their faces tangling together.
"D-Darling, ever since that child came, you've been so... restrained... at night you don't even..."
"Well, he is Philip's child. Having him in our house, I always feel as if Philip is here... But I've gotten used to it these past few days... From now on, let's just carry on. What do kids know anyway..."
"...Okay."
Paul lifted Zenith with both hands, and she straddled his arms as they moved towards the house.
Slam. The door was shut.
A short while later, faint sounds drifted out through the window, with absolutely no attempt to suppress the noise.
Because the houses in the village were spaced far apart, no one would be listening in on them, and the house was now conveniently empty.
"Darling, don't... ah..."
"Don't what? Hmm?"
"I hate this..."
"The things you hate are just getting started. Prepare yourself!"
"...Darling... just like that... yes."
Outside the gate, Lilia leaned against the wall, her brows furrowed as if in great pain. The basket in her hand had fallen to the ground at some point.
Her hands separated from her waist, one moving up to adjust her maid uniform, the other moving down, lifting her maid skirt.
Her body slowly crouched down.
After all, the houses were spaced far apart. Of course, no one could see the corner by the Greyrat's gate...
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