Paul arrived at the hotel where Rudeus was staying.
This is an inconspicuous little hotel; its signboard sways gently in the night breeze, making a creaking sound.
Paul pushed open the door and went in. Behind the counter sat a middle-aged man, dozing off.
"Excuse me, may I ask which room Rudeus Greyrat is staying in?"
The middle-aged shopkeeper groggily raised his head, rubbed his eyes, glanced at Paul, and then pointed upstairs. " Rudeus, you mean that young man? He lives on the second floor, the third room on the left."
Thanks.
Paul thanked him and went up the narrow stairs to the second floor.
The corridor was dimly lit, with only a single oil lamp at the far end casting a faint glow.
He walked to the third room on the left, raised his hand, and was about to knock.
Just as Paul was about to knock on the door, there was a noise from inside.
" Eris... be gentle..."
"I don't care, Rudeus was such a loser today..."
"No, I really can't hold on any longer!"
"..."
Paul's hand froze in mid-air.
He paused for a moment, then a knowing smile appeared on his lips.
If he remembers correctly, Rudeus isn't even an adult yet, is he?
Honestly, isn't this kid... a little too early?
Should I try to stop it myself?
Paul hesitated for a moment, then didn't knock on the door.
He withdrew his hand, just as he was about to press his ear against the door to eavesdrop, when the door was suddenly pulled open from the inside.
A tall figure appeared at the doorway.
Paul looked up at the man in front of him.
The man who came into view was a bald man who was half a head taller than him, with a strong and well-defined physique.
Those eyes were calm yet sharp, carrying a steadfastness born of experience.
Superd Race.
Paul's heart involuntarily quickened.
Even though he was a veteran of countless battles, his body still tensed up instinctively when facing this race that was known as the "demon" in legends.
"Um... you must be Mr. Rujierd?"
"Yes, I know you."
"You are Rudeus's father, aren't you?"
Rujierd also gave the other person a long look.
Paul took a deep breath, then bowed deeply.
"Mr. Rujierd... thank you for taking care of Rudeus all this time. I thank you on his behalf."
Rujierd reached out and stopped him.
"Actually... I'm the one who's always been the one being taken care of."
Paul straightened up and looked at him with some surprise.
"To be honest."
Rujierd's gaze fell on Paul's face, his tone carrying an undisguised sincerity, "Your son Rudeus is truly outstanding."
"..."
Paul was stunned.
He could tell that the other person wasn't being polite at all; Rujierd's expression was very sincere when he said those words.
What exactly did Rudeus do to earn such favor from the Superd Race?
Paul felt a surge of inexplicable emotion.
pride...
Guilt...
A sour taste... and a faint, lingering pain.
His son, in that place called the Demon Continent, did something that even someone like Rujierd could acknowledge.
But he, as the father, knew nothing about it.
"... Truly worthy of being my son, Paul."
Paul took a deep breath, then looked up at Rujierd.
"Mr. Rujierd, could you tell me more about what happened to Rudeus in the Demon Continent? Please."
Rujierd was silent for a moment, then nodded.
He began his story from the moment he saved Rudeus.
That was on the day the disaster struck. Rudeus and Eris fell from mid-air, and if he hadn't caught them, the two children would have been killed by the fall.
Paul's heart skipped a beat when he heard this.
Rujierd didn't stop and continued speaking.
It tells the story of how they traversed the entire Demon Continent, how Rudeus protected himself and Eris in unfamiliar environments, and every enemy, crisis, and battle they encountered.
The story told by Rujierd was completely different from the few casual remarks Rudeus had made yesterday.
Paul listened to everything and fell silent.
He remained silent for a long time.
"Mr. Rujierd, thank you so much anyway."
There's really no need for words of thanks.
Rujierd waved his hand, "Because I have also received much help from Rudeus, and... you should say these things to your son."
Paul nodded seriously.
He looked up at the closed door; there seemed to be some noise coming from inside.
He shook his head with a wry smile, feeling that he had indeed come at the wrong time.
"Mr. Rujierd, could you please set a time for me? Tomorrow at noon, at the pub next door. I'd like to have a serious talk with Rudeus."
"Good."
Rujierd didn't ask any further questions, but simply nodded.
After receiving Rujierd's assurance, Paul was about to leave when he heard Rujierd's voice behind him.
"I know you have your own perspective... but some perspectives can only be conveyed while your son is still alive."
Paul stopped in his tracks.
He didn't turn around, but seriously reflected on himself and realized that he was still an immature father.
But regardless, starting today, he decided to be a good father.
Paul returned to his hotel.
As soon as he entered the lobby, he saw Lilia rushing over from the other end of the corridor. The anxiety on her face turned into a relieved expression the moment she saw him.
"Mr. Paul! Where have you been? I've been looking everywhere for you—"
"I'm sorry, Lilia... I made you worry."
Paul's voice was soft, but it stunned Lilia.
"I'm so sorry that you've worked so hard for this family..."
Lilia opened her eyes wide and stared at the man in front of her.
She sensed that Paul had changed, but she couldn't quite put her finger on what had changed.
"Mr. Paul?"
"... Um... Lilia, I know what you want to say."
Paul looked at her, his tone more serious than ever before, "Tomorrow, I'll go and apologize properly to that kid Rudeus."
Lilia was taken aback by what she heard.
Then she watched as Paul turned and walked to the bedside, toward his two sleeping daughters.
He sat gently on the edge of the bed, reaching out to tuck the blankets around them, his movements clumsy yet tender.
Lilia stood at the doorway, watching this scene unfold. Although she didn't know what had happened, a faint smile still crept onto her lips.
Paul has changed too. Although Lilia doesn't know the specific reasons for this change, it's ultimately moving in a positive direction.
at the same time.
Rudeus's Hotel.
" Rudeus, are you feeling much better now?"
"Hiss! Eris, are you sick? Go get treated if you're sick!"
Rudeus covered his face, wincing in pain.
Although he had already treated it with healing magic, the force of Eris's punches was no joke, and his cheeks were still throbbing.
"Um?"
A single glance from Eris softened Rudeus's tone.
He shrank back, swallowing the complaints that followed.
Just then, Rujierd pushed open the door and walked in.
" Rudeus, your father Paul just came by."
One sentence was enough to freeze the atmosphere in the room.
Rudeus's face visibly fell into a gloom, and the light in his eyes gradually dimmed.
He lowered his head, his lips pressed tightly together, as if all life had been drained from him.
When Eris saw this, she was furious. Rudeus had only managed to pull himself together after much encouragement from her.
"What is he doing here?!"
Eris suddenly stood up.
His red hair was almost on fire, and his fists were clenched so tightly they cracked.
"This kind of person doesn't deserve to be a father! Ray, Rujierd, what are you doing?! Why are you suddenly stopping me?!"
"I'm going to kill that Paul guy!!!"
Rujierd grabbed Eris by the back of her collar with one hand and lifted her up.
Eris struggled wildly in the air, but couldn't break free at all.
" Eris... this is a matter between the father and son; they should resolve it themselves. You shouldn't interfere."
Rujierd carried the screaming Eris out of the room, then glanced back at Rudeus, his tone carrying a meaningful undertone.
"Oh, by the way, your father asked me to give you a message before he left: he'll be waiting for you at the tavern after dawn."
" Rudeus, although I don't know what happened between you two, I think it's necessary for you to go there."
After saying this, Rujierd carried the still struggling Eris out of the room and closed the door behind him.
Rudeus was left alone in the room.
He sat on the edge of the bed, his hands hanging down on his knees, his head down, staring blankly at the wood grain on the floor.
Should he keep his appointment tomorrow?
Or will he leave Milisien without saying goodbye to Rujierd and the others?
Rudeus was momentarily lost in confusion, as if he were in the same low point as in his previous life.
His mind was filled with painful memories of his past life. He had been a complete scoundrel in his past life; did he want to repeat the same mistakes in this one?
If we put ourselves in Luo Ge's shoes, would he have gone if he were here today?
The answer is yes...
Undoubtedly, Luo Ge was never the kind of person who would back down. While he was still hesitant to leave his home because of the psychological trauma from his past life, he was already wandering around the village.
No matter what Luo Ge does, he always seems to be ahead of me... and do it better than me. I wish I could become as good as Luo Ge.
What Luo Ge was capable of.
But could I really do that myself?
Rudeus closed his eyes; he didn't know... but after taking a deep breath, he didn't know how much time had passed.
He thought back to when he had just been reincarnated into this other world.
In the dead of night... something Luo Ge once told him: no matter what happened in the past, once you're in another world... you should show your true abilities.
He finally got a chance to start over?
Must he simply watch the same mistakes repeat themselves? Must he destroy everything with his own hands? Running away won't solve the problem; he should try to bravely take that step.
Moreover... Paul was able to put aside his pride and take the initiative to offer him a way out. Paul was clearly younger than him in his previous life, yet he accomplished things that he couldn't do in his previous life.
If I choose to back down, wouldn't everyone look down on me? If Luo Ge knew, he'd definitely laugh at me mercilessly, wouldn't he?
It doesn't matter if others look down on me, but if it's Luo Ge, no way, absolutely not!
He couldn't let that guy Luo Ge look down on him.
When Luo Ge's image flashed through my mind... I opened my eyes again.
The confusion in Rudeus's eyes had mostly dissipated.
Instead, he was filled with unwavering conviction. He had made up his mind: he would become a man as outstanding as Luo Ge, and he would prove himself even in another world.