Paul Is Definitely Someone You Can Entrust Your Life To!

The next morning at breakfast, Zenith looked at Allen in astonishment.

The young man seated at the table had washed his hair again. His soft brown hair slightly covered his freshly trimmed straight brows. At the same time, he wore a pair of black rectangular glasses. The lenses had been removed, but it was hard to tell without looking closely.

He had also changed into Paul's clothes. They looked a little loose on him, with a rather low collar that gave him a lazy air.

He smiled at everyone around the dining table.

His overall demeanor had abruptly changed from razor-sharp to gentle and amiable.

Allen nodded gratefully at Lilia beside him, who faithfully carried out her maid duties and did not join them at the table.

"Thank you."

Lilia blinked.

Last night, Allen had suddenly knocked on her door and asked for a pair of glasses, saying his face might be too scary and that he was afraid of frightening Rudeus. Though she found it strange, she had given him a pair of old glasses she no longer used.

Now that he wore them, they unexpectedly suited him.

"You're welcome. They suit you very well."

Allen smiled and nodded to himself.

This should be much better, right? I spent so long changing my look in front of the mirror last night. Surely Rudeus won't be so scared of me now. Why do I keep feeling like I'm playing a gal game?

He turned to look at Rudeus, only to find—

Rudy wearing a horrified expression as he lowered his head and began stuffing himself with food and drink.

Cross-dressing pervert!

Allen's mouth twitched. He had no idea what to do.

However, this seemed to hit Paul right in his strike zone. Paul stared straight at Allen's glasses, then let his gaze drift down to the muscles bulging beneath Allen's chest before turning to look at Lilia. He nodded now and then, seeming thoroughly pleased.

Congratulations, Host. You have once again gained Paul's favor.

Allen smiled as he reached out with his spoon and scattered the system text, casually scooping up a spoonful of soup.

This was fucking ridiculous.

Throughout the entire morning, Allen deliberately hovered around Rudeus, whether openly or subtly. At noon, he even used the Franklin Effect, intentionally dropping his spoon and asking Rudeus to pick it up for him.

Then, with a completely deadpan face, he deliberately expressed his sincere gratitude.

But when Rudeus saw him acting like that, he wore the same horrified expression as someone in a novel illustration who had seen Dragon God Orsted ahead of time. He seemed even more afraid of Allen.

By the afternoon, Rudeus had gone out to survey the terrain and did not even return home. Naturally, the swordsmanship lesson fell through.

Instead, Paul enthusiastically challenged him to a one-on-one duel between real men.

It was not until evening that Rudeus returned home. Paul, meanwhile, had enjoyed himself so much that he had no time to care whether Allen, his teacher in name, was actually fulfilling his duties.

Lying in bed, Allen painfully drifted into sleep as the system jubilantly announced that Paul's favor had surged once again.

Early the next morning, Paul came to call Allen out for another duel.

Unable to refuse such enthusiasm, Allen accepted.

This time, Rudeus stayed home.

But the problem was that the two of them fought with such exhilarating intensity that they went at it for an entire day.

During that time, Allen could clearly sense that Paul's swordsmanship proficiency, dulled by his long life in the countryside, had improved somewhat.

That night, Allen once again fell painfully into sleep.

What even was this?

On the third day, things finally took a turn.

Rudeus could no longer avoid facing his swordsmanship teacher. After spending the last two days together, he had also realized that Allen only looked unlike a good person. He was not the sort of bully from Rudeus's previous life.

Still, Allen had not gained his favor. That was only natural. Rudy merely regarded Allen as an ordinary passerby.

The afternoon sword practice was an opportunity.

But an accident still happened. When the absentminded Rudy let the wooden sword slip from his hand again, Paul, who had been sitting to one side with his brows twisted into a deep frown, suddenly rose to his feet.

He picked up the wooden sword and immediately began grappling with Allen!

Allen looked toward Rudeus in horror, only to see him gazing at Paul with a face full of worship, as though he had witnessed the Sky God descend into the world.

Then Rudy immediately turned and ran into the house. Before long, he darted back out, clutching a plant encyclopedia, and left to play under Allen's dead-eyed gaze.

At dusk, the system informed Allen that he had improved the relationship between Rudeus and Paul, rewarding him with 5 points in the Mushoku Tensei major-event participation evaluation.

That night, Allen painfully slapped his own face and made a grave resolution. Tomorrow, he absolutely had to complete the task of gaining Rudeus's favor.

Allen, Allen, how could you fall this far?

The fourth day.

Dueling.

At dusk, Allen stared miserably at the bowl before him, feeling as though his mental state might collapse at the slightest touch.

Rudeus: Countdown: 9:16:47

Come on, Host. If this keeps up, Paul will be proposing to you soon.

Allen painfully buried his face in his bowl.

Zenith cast him a puzzled look.

"What's wrong, Allen? Are you not feeling well?"

I feel terrible. Do you know that if this goes on, I'll become your mistress before Lilia does?

Allen struggled to pull his face out of the bowl, then smiled crookedly.

"I'm fine. The food is delicious. I really like it."

"Really?! Darling! Allen has been praising my cooking these past few days!"

Paul smiled and nodded in agreement, looking at Allen with great admiration.

"He often praises my swordsmanship too."

Brother Paul, don't do this. I'm scared.

Allen pressed a hand to his forehead and looked at Rudeus across from him, who was eating with his head down.

As though sensing his gaze, Rudeus looked up and gave him a faint smile of someone enjoying the show.

Allen met his gaze in defeat and nodded.

Just then, Paul suddenly spoke.

"Rudy, I've noticed that you haven't seemed very invested in swordsmanship these past few days."

Rudeus's eyes lit up. He quickly glanced at Allen, seeming to realize why Allen had nodded at him. Then he said,

"Father, Teacher Allen is actually very skilled with the sword. It's just that my talent seems to lie in magic instead. And lately, the weather has been getting warmer, and so many plants outside are growing lushly. I can't help wanting to go out and identify more of the plants recorded in the plant encyclopedia. Sorry."

Listening to him deliberately make excuses for his teammate, Allen unexpectedly found Rudeus very considerate and could not help developing some goodwill toward him.

The tables have turned! Rudeus has successfully gained the Host's favor!

Fuck, just let me die. Right now, immediately!

Paul rubbed his chin and looked up at the ceiling. After a long while, however, he said something startling.

"To be honest, I didn't think so before, but now that Allen is here for comparison... I really don't think you're cut out for swordsmanship."

Allen looked at Paul in horror.

My favorability is already hanging by a thread, Brother Paul! Don't ruin me!

Steam from the food suddenly billowed.

Rudeus's favor has been successfully obtained. Time taken: 86 hours, 31 seconds. Evaluation: Escaping death by a hair's breadth, an ingenious angle. Paul is definitely someone you can entrust your life to.

Detoxification Magic slot unlocked.

Allen stared wide-eyed at Rudeus. Rudeus quickly glanced at Allen, showing gratitude, then widened his eyes and looked at Paul with feigned innocence.

After some deliberation, he spoke. The upward curl of his lips was nearly imperceptible beneath the lantern light as he finally revealed his dagger.

"Then, Father, can I shorten the time I spend practicing swordsmanship and focus on studying magic instead? I think swordsmanship only needs to be enough to keep me fit and healthy. After all, I'm not suited for becoming good at it."

Paul froze for a moment, then instinctively looked at Allen.

Allen's mouth opened and closed repeatedly like a goldfish.

Rudy, that was one hell of a move. I surrender. But why the fuck are you looking at me instinctively, Paul?

When it comes to raising your child, you should be looking at your wife!