Allen Boreas Greyrat

For a "stranger" she had just met, that gesture was somewhat rude.

But Allen had done it deliberately. On one hand, what he had just done really had seemed a little like harassment.

On the other hand.

If this kept up, it would really turn into some blond rival's dating-show guide. Though he had liked Roxy before his reincarnation, calling her Blue Mom all day long, reality now lay before him: Allen had to rely on his foresight from having read the novels to safely take part in Mushoku Tensei's major events.

Allen needed to grow close to Roxy, but maintaining an appropriate distance was equally necessary.

In this world of Mushoku Tensei, information traveled slowly. Aside from letters, people communicated face-to-face, and relationships were relatively straightforward. So when Rudeus used cheesy internet pickup lines and little tricks,

he could easily get intense, vivid positive feedback from the opposite sex.

Absurd, but true.

As thoughts flashed through his mind, Allen did not hesitate. He imitated Roxy's gloomy expression, raised his sharp, arched brows, and stared straight at her forehead.

"Of course, if there really were a red demon eye here, then before you could eat me, I might cut your head off first. After all, the distance between us... is too close."

"It would only take one swing of my sword. What do you think?"

After saying that, he tilted his head and glanced at the four headless monster corpses nearby.

Roxy subconsciously followed his gaze and immediately shuddered.

That was right. As a magician, she had actually threatened a swordsman at point-blank range.

Ultimately, it was because she had only just parted ways with Rudeus. Then, upon meeting a child who appeared young, she had subconsciously adopted the same manner of interaction she used with Rudeus.

But he was not Rudy, nor was he a harmless child.

He was an adventurer wandering through a forest where monsters often appeared late at night. In the instant he had drawn his sword and slain four monsters, he had also casually split apart her Water Ball Spell before his face, a spell whose output she could increase at will. His control over distance was precise to the extreme.

That casual display of skill... was even stronger than most A-rank adventurers she had seen.

An Intermediate Swordsman? No, that was not enough. He was very likely an Advanced Swordsman.

Thinking that, Roxy immediately calmed down. She raised a leg, about to stand and put some distance between herself and Allen, but when her eyes swept over him, she restrained the impulse.

In the span of a single thought, Allen had put on a solemn expression. He extended his right hand, assumed the posture of a noble's salute, and lowered his head to Roxy.

Roxy could even see the hairs on the back of his neck.

Through his actions, Allen showed that contrary to his words, he bore no ill will.

"Sorry, no more jokes. Thank you very much. To be honest, even though I split your water ball apart, I really do owe you for saving my life."

He had even used an honorific.

Roxy blinked, sat back down, and placed both hands on her knees.

After Allen's push and pull, that complete round of "testing," the atmosphere between them became formal again.

The conversation returned to its proper course.

"What do you mean by that? And how do you know about the Migurd Race?"

Allen removed the blade at his waist, sheath and all, and laid it horizontally between them to show that he had no intention of attacking. At the same time, he pointed at the sheath, looked up at Roxy, and lied.

"As you can see, the swordsmanship technique I used just now puts a great burden on my body. If you had not been there, and I had been injured, then if more monsters followed the firelight here, my life would have been in danger.

"As for the Migurd Race, all swordsmen yearn for divine weapons and sharp blades that suit their hands.

"Though I am young, I have read Northern God Heroic Saga. Those magic swords with all sorts of effects were forged by the demon race's master swordsmith—Julian Harris.

"To learn more about that master, I read quite a few books related to the Demon Continent, so I recognize many demon race members."

Roxy fell silent for a moment.

"...But if I had not cast magic, you would not have needed to swing your sword using such a burdensome technique. Compared to the monsters, my Water Ball Magic must have felt more threatening to you, because in the middle of this forest at night, you could not determine whether the source of sudden magic was friend or foe. That was why you did everything possible to eliminate the danger in the shortest time, while displaying your strength to intimidate whoever had come. Am I right?"

Allen looked at Roxy in surprise. She had returned to her half-lidded, indifferent expression, but there was no wariness or distance in her eyes. In response to the goodwill Allen had shown, she returned it in kind. She sat obediently on the ground, her mage robe stretched round by her duck-sitting posture, one hand resting against her knee as if simply discussing the matter at hand.

As expected of an adventurer who had struggled across the Demon Continent and Millish Continent for many years. Aside from the deliberately emphasized cute traits in the anime for market appeal, Roxy's judgment was incredibly sharp. The reason she had lowered her guard around me was probably because she had been in the peaceful Asura Kingdom for too long and had let her guard down.'

She was a ruthless person who could solo dungeon leveling with the frail body of a magician. Treating her like some delicate little flower that would snap in the wind would be far too insulting to a god's stature.

Allen smiled.

"That is true, but the fact is that your Water Ball Spell really was meant to save me, not for some other purpose. Wasn't it? I only stopped forcing myself because I realized that. And after I fainted, you used a Healing Spell to save me. That goodwill was real. I have to accept your kindness."

Roxy looked at Allen, leaning forward slightly as she stared at him in a somewhat aggressive posture.

This time, however, she remained silent for quite a while before extending a hand toward the Terminator Boar corpse nearby.

She said flatly,

"As expected, you fainting was deliberate too, wasn't it? You wanted to test whether I had malicious intentions.

"After you fainted, you still kept your face upward. That would not hinder you from drawing your sword. If I had done anything bad while you were defenseless, then my head would probably look just like theirs by now, right?"

Allen froze. Damn, she had seen through him. He hurriedly tried to patch things up.

"That... that was instinctive—"

Before he could explain, Roxy interrupted him.

"It's fine. I could also tell that after you sat up, you were completely unguarded around me. Your gratitude now is genuinely sincere too. A lone adventurer needs that kind of awareness. It is not easy for someone your age to possess such vigilance. As for me, I have been too settled these past few years. You ended up teaching me a lesson."

Roxy tugged at the bangs before her forehead with slight frustration, turned her head to look at the staff beside her, and her voice gradually softened.

"...Still, being slick-tongued and not telling the truth does make you a qualified adventurer."

Allen stared unblinkingly at Roxy. In that moment, he genuinely felt the charm of her character radiating from her unconsciously.

It was not something shallow like fair skin or pretty looks.

She truly possessed kindness.

Thinking that, Allen looked at Roxy very seriously.

As if sensing Allen's burning gaze, she turned toward him and looked at him with some confusion.

Then a young but resolute voice sounded beside her ear.

"Thank you, but I cannot agree that I am slick-tongued. Perhaps what I said after 'waking up' sounded like deceptive nonsense to you, but every word truly came from my heart."

Roxy stared blankly at the serious-faced Allen.

The host is reminded that repeatedly raising Roxy's favorability will not earn additional rewards, but it must be said.

Allen hurriedly waved his hand, dispersing the system window before it could fully solidify.

I can't even express gratitude? Calling genuine feelings farming too? Cut it out.

Roxy paused for a moment. Seeing Allen's strange behavior, a faint, concealed smile bloomed at the corner of her lips.

"Was calling me Mom also a genuine feeling? You were clearly teasing me for being short. Still, no one on the Asura Continent would think there was a demon race member here. Short stature and a mature tone really are suspicious."

Wake up, Blue Mom. Where is your tone mature? The Migurdia have a lifespan of two hundred years. By that calculation, you are still a girl. Even your brain is still developing at the stage of a girl's... and I will not even mention the demon race's naturally low intelligence.

As he thought, he heard Roxy clear her throat.

"Don't call me Mom. I have a name."

Allen nodded along with Roxy's words and asked,

"Then may I ask what your name is?"

"Roxy Migurdia. And yours?"

"Allen."

Allen paused and looked at Roxy. There was only sincerity in her deep blue eyes beneath the night sky.

Forget it. I had already lied plenty tonight. I would not lie to Roxy anymore.

Later, I would give her a small warning. With Roxy's personality, even if she went to the royal capital and heard some rumors, she would be willing to help keep my whereabouts secret.

After a slight pause, Allen gave his full name.

"Allen Boreas Greyrat."