Consciousness returned.
When Rudeus slowly opened his eyes, the first thing he saw was a head of bright red hair.
Eris was fast asleep, her head resting in her arms.
Her sleeping face was peaceful and gentle, her long eyelashes trembled slightly, and her even, warm breath gently brushed against his cheek, carrying a faint fragrance.
Looking at her pretty face so close to his, he subconsciously felt an urge to kiss her.
However, the next moment, their gaze was drawn to the flickering flames not far away.
The crackling campfire dispelled the chill of the night, its orange flames leaping and outlining a silent figure in the darkness.
Rudeus looked in the direction of the firelight.
He was a green-haired man.
His face was cold and stern, his expression indifferent, and he exuded a sense of aloofness that kept strangers at bay.
A bright red gemstone was set in the center of her forehead, gleaming faintly in the firelight.
After noticing my gaze, the man merely glanced at himself before turning his attention back to the campfire.
"Are you from the Superd Tribe?"
Rudeus spoke first in the Demon God Tongue.
The man suddenly turned his head.
For the first time, obvious shock appeared in those sharp eyes.
"You... aren't you afraid of me?"
Why be afraid?
Rudeus propped himself up and sat up.
"If you hadn't saved us, Eris and I would probably be stuffed inside a monster by now."
"To turn against one's savior is utterly despicable."
The man fell silent.
After a long while, he slowly withdrew his gaze.
Where are we now?
"The northeastern part of the Demon Continent, the Biegoya Region."
The man answered calmly:
"When I found you, you were falling from a great height."
"When I got closer, I realized you were all completely unharmed."
He paused here.
"But human cubs are extremely vulnerable."
So I lit a campfire.
His tone remained calm, yet it inexplicably conveyed a sense of seriousness.
"This is a huge help."
"Taking care of children is a matter of course."
The man answered solemnly.
Rudeus stood up and extended his hand to him.
Let's get to know each other formally.
" Rudeus Greyrat, Emperor Rank mage and Magic Sword Saint. From the Asura Kingdom."
This time, the surprise on the man's face was even more obvious than before.
After a moment of silence, he said:
" Rujierd Speludia."
"A... swordsman."
Rudeus paused for a moment, then looked at the spear placed beside him.
"Wait, aren't you using a gun?"
Why do you call yourself a swordsman?
Rujierd looked down at the spear, then at Rudeus.
In the human race's understanding, those who hone their martial arts skills and fight with weapons are generally called swordsmen.
He said calmly:
"To me, the spear is my sword."
"As for the form of address, it's not important."
"I see."
Rudeus nodded thoughtfully.
"That's not wrong. Those guys from the North God Style, some use broadswords, some use clubs, some use daggers, they have everything, and yet they're all called swordsmen."
Rujierd did not respond.
I simply watched the burning campfire in silence.
Just as Rudeus was about to continue chatting--
"Aaaaaaahh...
A bloodcurdling scream suddenly shattered the night.
"S-S -Superd Race!!!"
" Rudeus--!! Help me--!!!"
The next second.
A red figure pounced straight at them.
Bang--
Eris clung to Rudeus's back.
The enormous impact nearly broke his spine on the spot.
"Cough--!"
Rudeus's vision went black, and he nearly died on the spot.
He quickly channeled magic into the magic circle on his clothes.
Buzz--
A pale blue magic barrier quickly unfolded, dissipating most of the impact.
He finally managed to catch his breath.
" Eris, calm down."
Rudeus patted her back gently.
"I'm here."
No one will hurt you.
Eris's body trembled slightly.
It took a while for my emotions to gradually calm down.
Rudeus seized the opportunity to say:
" The Superd Tribe are not as brutal as the rumors suggest."
"If what they say is true, our bodies would have already started to decompose while we were unconscious."
"Really... really?"
Eris timidly peeked out.
He cautiously glanced at Rujierd on the other side of the campfire.
At this moment, Rujierd was quietly roasting a monster leg.
The grease dripped continuously into the fire, sizzling as it did so.
The rich aroma of meat wafted in the wind.
Eris's nose twitched slightly.
Tears involuntarily streamed down her face.
Rudeus couldn't help but laugh.
Go say hello.
"Huh? Me?"
Eris immediately shrank back into her arms.
"I... I'm scared..."
"It's alright, I'm right here, no one can hurt you."
Even so, she still clung tightly to her clothes.
They showed no intention of letting go.
Seeing this, Rudeus deliberately put on a stern face:
" Eris, have I wasted all these years teaching you swordsmanship? You're so afraid!"
Eris lowered her head, looking aggrieved.
But I don't have a sword right now...
"..."
Rudeus was speechless.
It seems that's really the case.
After a moment's thought, he unleashed his trump card.
"How about this?"
"As long as you take the initiative to greet Rujierd."
I'll give you a new sword.
The words had barely left his mouth.
Eris's eyes lit up instantly.
The results were outstanding.
She finally loosened her grip on Rudeus's clothes and mustered the courage to look at Rujierd.
"Hello... you..."
"My name is Eris Ber... Ber... Boreas Greyrat..."
Rujierd stood up, ready to respond.
He had just stood up when...
Eris, like a startled kitten, darted back behind her.
Rujierd was stunned.
Rudeus coughed awkwardly twice.
"Um... she's a little shy."
Eris immediately retorted:
"He was the one who suddenly stood up!"
"I thought he was going to eat me!"
Upon hearing this, Rujierd slowly lowered his gaze.
That demeanor suggested he was already used to similar reactions.
After a moment of silence, he said seriously:
"Hello, Eris, Boreas Greyrat."
Eris blushed instantly.
"It's Boreas--!"
"Feel sorry."
Rujierd nodded:
I thought that was your original name.
After a brief farce.
Eris's tension finally eased considerably.
The three sat around the campfire and began exchanging the information they had.
In other words...
"You plan to search for your family while returning to the Central Continent?"
"That's right."
Rujierd remained silent for a moment.
Then he spoke solemnly:
"Since that's the case."
"I will be responsible for protecting you until you return home safely."
"Huh?"
Rudeus paused for a moment.
"Isn't that unnecessary? Don't let my appearance fool you, I'm a genuine Emperor Rank mage."
"No."
"That's what Rujierd said firmly."
"Let two newcomers, new to adventure, travel alone across the Demon Continent."
"I can't do that."
Looking into those unwavering, almost stubborn eyes, Rudeus finally gave up trying to persuade him.
After all, this guy was clearly serious.
well...
I had originally planned to take a sweet trip with Eris.
Now it's all gone.
"Then let's decide on this."
"From today onwards, we're a three-person team."
Rudeus turned to look at Eris.
"How about it?"
"Yay!"
Eris immediately cheered.
" Rujierd, how far is the nearest town?"
" Rikarisu Town. About three days on foot."
"I see."
Rudeus nodded.
"Let's rest tonight and set off officially tomorrow."
After saying that.
He raised his hand and activated a clay magic trick.
As the ground trembled, the two simple earthen forts slowly rose.
Then, he picked up Eris and leisurely walked towards one of the rooms.
Upon entering the room, Eris suddenly noticed something.
Her face instantly turned bright red.
"Why... why is there only one mattress?"
"I've run out of magic."
Rudeus answered in a very serious tone:
"I can't make a second one."
"Liar!"
Eris glared at the other person, her cheeks puffed out in anger.
"I've never seen you run out of magic!"
"Then why don't you go sleep next door with Rujierd?"
"Huh--?!"
Eris immediately shook her head frantically.
"No... no!"
The next second.
She skillfully slipped into bed and buried her entire face in the covers.
Rudeus couldn't help but laugh out loud.
Then he lifted the other corner of the blanket and lay down on the edge of the bed.
Night deepened.
The light from the campfire flickered gently through the cracks in the windows of the fort.
But I just couldn't fall asleep...
No, it wouldn't be good for him to be exposed naked to the eyes of Man-God like this.
Open the Grimoire Accompanying the Deity, and search for "magic to shield against divine detection..."
The only result quickly appeared on the magic book:
[ The Void God Concealment Veil ]
Type: Blessing Magic
Level: God Rank
Mana cost: one million
Effect: Blocks all detection abilities below the God Rank God Rank, preventing them from knowing the caster's past, present, and future.
(Awesome!)
I learned it very decisively.
However, it consumes one million mana...
If I release it directly, I might run out of magic power and cause the story to end prematurely.
(Ah! I've got it...)
I promptly redeemed a bottle of Elementary Rank magic expansion potion from the System Shop and drank it all, temporarily increasing my magic limit by 10%.
OK, preparations are complete.
He clasped his hands together, guiding the surging magical power within him to cover his body.
[ The Void God Concealment Veil ]
A magical light emanated from his body, brief and calm.
There were no extraordinary phenomena, no deafening drumbeats.
All I felt was exhaustion...
Now... I can finally get a good night's sleep...