A gathering of roughly a dozen houses. A crude fence.
A small farm. At the edge of the farm, pacca flowers.
Middle schoolers swarming around a large pot.
Everything was just as I remembered.
"How's Father doing, I wonder?"
"Who knows..."
The Migurd village was as if time had stood still.
---
About two months had passed since adding Atofe to our ranks.
During that time, I'd been traveling around delivering letters to various Demon Lords.
With Atofe's letters and the tributes Orsted had recommended, I went from one end of the Demon Continent to the other... well, via teleportation circles, anyway.
The Demon Lords were a colorful bunch.
The gourmand Demon Lord who looked like a pig—"Plunder King" Bagrahagura.
The face-only, Moai-statue-like "Face Demon Lord" Linevine.
The "Light Demon Lord" Saimedinomedi, who constantly emitted light from his entire body.
The "Bewitching Demon Lord" Patlusertrul, who concealed her translucent body beneath gossamer robes.
And others.
I even met "Discomfort Demon Lord" Kebraelabrer, whom Orsted had flagged as one to watch out for.
He was a spherical being covered in holes, and every last one of them constantly emitted the stench of vomit.
I went to each meeting prepared for a fight.
After all, they were Demon Lords.
When you said "Demon Lord," you pictured a bunch of idiots like Atofe Latofe and Badigadi.
There was no way they'd listen to reason.
...or so I thought, but they turned out to be surprisingly reasonable.
When I presented my gifts, they lit up like children. When I handed over Atofe's letters, they turned pale, muttered "The Hero...?", averted their gaze, and bowed their heads.
One of them even wet himself while begging me not to kill him.
"Discomfort Demon Lord" Kebraelabrer was the same way.
I now had a clear picture of just how feared Atofe was, and just how much of a wildcard she was considered to be.
The Demon Lords were, for the most part, a bunch of good-natured folks who simply did whatever they pleased.
When I laid out my requests, they gave it serious consideration.
That said, while they agreed to help search for Kishirika, most of them had little to say about the eighty-year mark: "Can't really say what'll happen that far down the road."
With their long lifespans, the Demon Lords probably weren't the type to worry about the distant future.
Along the way, I stopped by the town of Rikaris.
The town under Badigadi's control, where Kishirika Castle stood.
The town in the crater that Kishirika had once used as her base.
Badigadi wasn't there.
I asked around, but he apparently hadn't returned even once.
Where he'd wandered off to, the soldiers could only shrug.
I left a letter with the soldiers guarding the place and asked them to search not only for Kishirika but for Badigadi as well.
There were only a few more Demon Lord keeps to visit.
It looked like everything would wrap up without a hitch.
That was when Roxy spoke up.
"Um, would it be all right if I made a quick trip home?
I'll be fine. It won't take long—I'll go by myself and come right back."
There was no way I was letting her go alone.
I immediately returned home, grabbed Lara and the betrothal gifts, and headed back to the town of Rikaris.
And after three days of travel, I arrived at the Migurd village.
The three of us: me, Roxy, and Lara.
Eris had made some excuse or other and held back.
She told me to at least return the favor for the sword, but... the fact that she'd learned to be considerate made me feel oddly sentimental.
---
Roxy's mother, Roxy, froze the moment she saw her daughter.
No.
It wasn't seeing Roxy that made her freeze.
It was seeing me standing warmly beside Roxy, and the child Roxy was holding, that stopped her cold.
In this village, there were always people who would stare intently whenever they saw Roxy.
They were probably sending her telepathic messages.
But Roxy's mother was different.
This was unmistakably a freeze caused by her brain grinding to a halt.
She stood there, motionless, for about five seconds.
"Mom, I'm home."
Being addressed aloud, Roxy's mother flinched violently.
"R-Roxy, who is... who is that person? And that child?"
"This is my husband. And our child."
"........!!"
In the next instant, Roxy's mother made an "Oh my!" face and looked frantically around the village.
Almost simultaneously, I noticed Migurd villagers nearby starting to move toward us—which meant she'd probably shouted something via telepathy.
Or perhaps she'd called Roxy's father, Roan.
Something like: "Oh my God, Roxy brought a man home!"
I imagined.
"..."
"..."
The silent stares were painful.
But I was Roxy's man.
I had to conduct myself without shame.
Arms crossed, feet together, chest puffed out. I wrapped myself in psychic energy...
"Mom, is Father here?"
"Y-yes. I just called him. He's at the elder's house, so... he should be back soon."
"Then let's wait at the house. Everyone's staring, and Rudeus is starting to look strange."
Huh!?
Strange!?
It was the proper pose for a distinguished leader of darkness, though...
"Well then, Rudeus, let's go."
"Okay."
I followed Roxy's lead.
The weight of the pack on my back was probably from the pressure of meeting my father-in-law and mother-in-law—not from the fact that the love of my life had just dissuaded me from my finest posing.
"Sorry for the intrusion."
Following the two of them while bathed in stares, I entered Roxy's family home.
Come to think of it, I hadn't been inside this house the last time I visited.
Would I get to see her room from when she was young?
Well, I knew this settlement didn't really have the concept of individual bedrooms, but still.
"I wonder if they have enough food stored..."
"No, we'll be heading back soon, so please don't trouble yourself."
"Roxy, you've come all this way—why don't you stay a while?"
I listened to Roxy's mother's lonely words as I sat near the hearth.
Roxy immediately sat down beside me.
"We're both quite busy, I'm afraid."
"Is that so..."
Roxy's mother looked disappointed.
Honestly, I wouldn't have minded staying three or four days...
Roxy apparently didn't have the best feelings about her hometown, so maybe heading back quickly was unavoidable.
"To think you'd come back so suddenly... and with such a distinguished gentleman, at that..."
That was when Roxy's mother turned her full attention to me.
She looked me over from head to toe without any pretense of subtlety, and then, as if suddenly remembering, bowed her head.
"Oh, I haven't introduced myself. I'm Roxy's mother, Rockari. It's a pleasure to meet you."
A pleasure to meet you...
So she really didn't remember me. I supposed it was only natural—she'd met me just once, more than ten years ago.
"I'm Rudeus Greyrat. We have actually met once before, about ten years ago, when I came here with Ruijerd."
"Ruijerd Speldia's acquaintance? But he was in this village when..."
Roxy's mother put her hand to her chin in thought at the mention of Ruijerd.
Then something clicked, and she gasped.
"Could it be—you're the small human child who was with Ruijerd when he departed?"
"Yes, that's right."
"My goodness...! How nostalgic! You've grown so much. It's been barely over ten years, but for a human, growing this much means you're already a full-fledged adult, isn't it?"
"Yes. I'd like to think so myself. I still have much to learn, though..."
I placed my hands on the floor and bowed my head.
"I know this is belated, but I've married your daughter."
"...Ah, yes. Um, is this girl the one?"
"She's the one."
When I looked at Roxy, her face was flushed.
"Erm, Roxy—has she been performing well as a human wife? There must be friction between humans and demons, yes? She hasn't been causing you any trouble, has she?"
"There's nothing to perform about—Roxy is the one who's always helping me. She's the most dependable person in our household."
"I see..."
Roxy nudged me in the side.
Wondering what that was about, I looked over, and she whispered, "You're overselling it."
I wasn't exaggerating one bit, though.
"But such a distinguished person... is he really suited to be our daughter's husband?"
The same question as before.
Roxy's mother seemed just as confused.
"Rudeus has two other wives as well. I'm essentially a concubine, so it's all right even if I'm a little lacking."
Roxy interjected.
There was nothing lacking about Roxy whatsoever, and I had never once treated her as a concubine, but...
"Is that so... but still..."
"Mom, please, this is embarrassing enough."
"Right... yes... but I do worry. You've always been so unsociable and quiet..."
"I know my own shortcomings. But I've properly given birth to a child, and I've fulfilled my duties as a wife."
Duties—how clinical.
Even if she couldn't bear children, my love wouldn't change...
Still, maybe it was better to phrase it that way.
"Rudeus, is that true?"
"Yes. At the very least, I will never grow tired of Roxy. I swear it on the gods."
My love was agape. An infinite love.
"I see..."
Roxy's mother wore a troubled expression.
Perhaps I should have shown her through actions instead.
Like putting my arm around Roxy's shoulder or something.
Ah—my hand was grabbed.
No, Roxy, I wasn't about to touch your—
Then my hand was held.
Roxy's hand was warm.
"It would seem so."
Roxy's mother appeared to be satisfied.
Just then, Lara, who had been sitting next to Roxy, suddenly looked toward the entrance.
"Oh, Roan has returned."
It seemed my father-in-law was here.
Time for a proper introduction.
I steeled myself.
I was ready for a full prostration.
---
The greeting with Roan went just as smoothly.
He'd had the same reaction as Rockari.
He made similar remarks, so I gave the same answers. It was a very straightforward operation.
I might not even need to prostrate.
"Either way, congratulations, Roxy. Seeing you happy is all that matters to me."
In the end, Roan said this with tears in his eyes and clasped Roxy's hand.
"Thank you, Dad."
Both Roxy and Rockari were tearful.
Was I truly making Roxy happy?
What even was happiness, anyway?
I didn't know, but I wanted to keep trying so she'd never grow tired of me.
"To think Roxy is married... that little girl who used to trip over nothing and cry her eyes out..."
"Please don't talk about that in front of Rudeus."
Roxy as a little girl.
She must have been adorable.
Or maybe not all that different from now, appearance-wise.
If I'd met her back then, and we'd grown up together... we'd probably have a different kind of relationship now.
No, actually, I think I'd still end up respecting Roxy no matter what kind of relationship it was.
"Either way, I never thought I'd get to see my grandchild's face."
Roan seemed deeply moved.
Even after being chided, he kept saying things like that, holding Lara up with a grin.
Lara, as usual, didn't fuss. She simply stared at Roan.
Roan saw this and broke into a gentle smile.
"So you're Lara. What a clever girl—you can even say your own name."
"Huh?"
"Huh?"
Roxy and I spoke at the same time.
Lara's name hadn't been mentioned yet.
And Lara herself hadn't said anything.
Why was that...
Just then, Roxy looked at Roan with a sudden realization.
"...Our child—could she be using telepathy?"
"Hm? Oh yes. It's still a bit rough, but she communicates quite clearly."
Roxy and I exchanged looks.
A shocking truth, revealed at last.
Our daughter was an esper.
Well, thinking about it, it wasn't all that strange.
Roxy couldn't use telepathy.
But both of her parents could.
It probably just wasn't something that was inherited.
"Didn't you know?"
"...No one in our family can use telepathy, so..."
"Is that so...? But Lara says Grandma talks to her all the time."
Grandma.
Lara's grandma... that would mean Rockari... no.
Zanis.
"Ohh..."
At the same time, something clicked into place.
The Oracle had told me.
Zanis could read people's hearts.
And in Zanis's memories, Lara had been quite the chatterbox.
The Lara who was usually silent and sullen.
The memory of her chatting away merrily with Zanis.
So that was it—telepathy.
Lara had been communicating via telepathy all along.
That was why she'd been able to talk with Zanis.
"..."
Somehow, I felt relieved.
But the same couldn't be said for Roxy.
She wore a complicated expression and looked down.
She's probably thinking that her daughter can do something she can't.
The mood was turning somber.
"Really... oh my, what to do... Laraaa, it's Daddy!"
I stood up, stroked Lara's head, and announced myself.
Lara didn't crack a smile, but she stared at me intently.
She was probably saying something.
"She says she doesn't know what you said."
Hm?
Oh right—I'd spoken in the Demon God language.
"Laraaa, it's Daddy!"
This time I tried in the human language.
Then I checked Roan's reaction.
"She says she knows."
She knows?
Of course she does—how could she not? I say it all the time.
Still, she was pretty cold about it.
A little "I love you, Daddy!" wouldn't have hurt.
Nowadays even Lucy said things like that.
Come to think of it, telepathy had nothing to do with language.
Was the feeling conveyed different from spoken words?
Probably—otherwise talking with Zanis would have been pretty difficult.
"Either way, I'd been wondering if she was developing a bit slowly, so this is a relief."
"She's still young, so she can only communicate in her head for now, but in a little while she'll start speaking aloud."
Roan said this with a nostalgic, soft look in his eyes.
"I'm sure the feeling you two have now is the same as when Roxy was born."
"What do you mean?"
"We thought Roxy was slow to develop, too—because she couldn't speak..."
Roxy, the only member of the family who couldn't use telepathy.
And Lara, the only member who could.
Were their positions similar?
Like mother, like daughter.
In any case, I was relieved.
Our daughter was growing properly, it seemed.
Of course, it would have been a problem if there truly was no one in the household she could talk to, but that wasn't the case.
Zanis, certainly, and probably Leo as well, were communicating with Lara through something similar to telepathy.
Once she learned to speak, she'd be able to interact with the rest of the family.
Just a little longer.
"So Lara really does look just like Roxy."
"Ha ha ha, she does. Especially around the eyes."
Roan laughed happily.
Rockari looked joyful, too.
Even Lara seemed to have a faintly cheerful expression.
After that, I returned the money I'd borrowed previously at ten times its value, presented the betrothal gifts, and—while inwardly wincing at the Great King Land Turtle dish I hadn't had in ages—politely told them it was delicious.
We spent a wonderful time.
I'm glad I came.
That was what I thought, but...
Roxy's expression never brightened.
Not once, all the way to the end.
---
In the end, we ended up spending the night in the village.
Whether out of consideration for the fact that we were married, Roxy's parents put us up in a vacant house near their own.
The three of us slept side by side in the slightly dusty vacant house, our bodies forming a character for "river."
It reminded me of those inns with only one bed and two pillows set side by side.
But when Lara was with us, we couldn't do that sort of thing—and the current Rudeus was a man of abstinence.
Even with Roxy sleeping beside me, I could manage without touching her.
But, well, watching her with her eyes closed as she slept...
That feeling, just a little bit, wouldn't hurt...
Would creep up.
And sometimes...
Well, let's think about this rationally.
I'd started living a life of abstinence to avoid having children for a while.
Which meant, conversely, that all I had to do was not make a child.
If it was just a matter of releasing bad fluids, fate wouldn't be disturbed.
Roxy was safe.
So, forgive me for just a small—
"Rudeus."
I froze!
Sorry.
It was just a momentary impulse.
"Are you still awake?"
"Zzzzz..."
"Stop pretending—you looked right at me just now."
Reluctantly, I opened my eyes.
Roxy was lying on her side, looking at me.
She had a serious expression.
"It's about Lara."
Lara was already fast asleep.
She looked tough when she was awake, but her sleeping face was that of an angel.
"Honestly, I'd been wondering if that might be the case."
I didn't need to ask what she meant.
Today's revelation—that Lara could properly use the abilities of the Migurd tribe.
"I've kept quiet about it until now... but every time I saw Lara and Zanis gazing at each other, I'd been considering that possibility."
"I hadn't even considered it. Not once."
"I imagine not. You've been running around busy these past few years."
You don't have time to watch the kids, is what she meant.
Well, she might have been right.
Maybe I'd only been looking at the cute parts and doting on her.
I hadn't done a single thing that could be called parenting or education.
Honestly, I'd been relying entirely on Sylphie and Roxy.
"Why do you make that face? I'm not blaming you."
I was grateful to hear that.
No matter how much I agonized or reflected, dealing with the Hitogami was more than enough to keep me occupied.
I had no resources left for parenting.
"It's just... I've been thinking about something."
"What is it?"
Roxy gently stroked Lara's head.
"I was born in this village. Ever since I became aware of the world, I've always felt a sense of alienation."
"..."
"When I think back, those were painful days.
When I left this village and went to a town where people communicated through words, made friends there, and began living as an adventurer, I finally realized that that was the world I belonged to."
Everyone else could do something that I couldn't.
Such a simple thing, yet I couldn't do it.
When people asked why such common sense was beyond me, I had no answer.
I simply couldn't do it, the people around me called me a worthless failure, and I came to believe they were right.
But that wasn't actually the norm.
It was okay not to be able to do it.
The sense of indescribable liberation Roxy must have felt when she learned that.
"If Lara continues to grow up like this, she may end up feeling the same way I did.
I only had to leave the village, but Lara is different. There are no other species that share the Migurd tribe's abilities."
Roxy briefly averted her gaze.
But she might have been right.
The Migurd tribe rarely left this village.
Even on the Demon Continent, encountering someone who looked Migurd was exceedingly rare.
They weren't exclusionary, but they were an insular people.
There was no guarantee that Lara wouldn't feel alienated in the future.
"So I've been thinking..."
Roxy said this with her gaze still turned away.
She wore a difficult expression, as if she lacked confidence in her own idea.
"How would you feel about leaving Lara in your parents' care?"
"...What?"
"Until she's about ten or fifteen, until she's grown enough...
Wouldn't it be better for her to live here in the Migurd village, as a Migurd?
And then, after that, she could choose whether to leave the village or stay.
That's what I was thinking."
"..."
I wanted my children—son and daughter both—by my side for as long as possible.
I believed that was the duty of a parent. Taking responsibility meant that, too.
Even setting aside the Hitogami business, I wanted to raise Lara where I could see her.
But Roxy was speaking from careful thought.
She wasn't saying this to escape her responsibilities or abandon her parenting.
She was saying it because it would be painful for Lara.
Because she didn't want her daughter to go through what she had.
A child with blue hair and a unique means of communication, different from everyone else.
There was no way difficult moments wouldn't arise in the future.
That parents couldn't shoulder all of a child's pain went without saying.
"I'm opposed... but if Roxy thinks this is best, then I..."
The words wouldn't come.
I couldn't choose.
Prioritize my own feelings, or prioritize Roxy's proposal?
Unable to decide, I simply pressed my lips together.
"I'm sorry, Rudeus. Forget I said that."
After a brief silence, that was what Roxy said.
That was the end of it for that day.
Roxy and I fell asleep holding hands.
---
The Migurd village.
It was a quiet village.
You couldn't hear conversation.
The villagers communicated via telepathy, so there were no conversations in this village.
There might have been children waving or greeting Roxy, but—
Roxy couldn't hear them.
Could Lara hear them?
The chatter of people preparing meals, the petty arguments inside the houses, and all the other clamor on the other side?
"Looking at how nothing has changed here, I can really appreciate how eventful the past ten years of my life have been... or rather, how hectic human life is."
Roxy said this as she looked down at the child in her arms.
Lara, as always, wore a sullen expression as she gazed up at Roxy.
This village would probably look exactly the same ten years from now.
Or maybe it would change in ways we wouldn't even notice.
"Well, take care of yourselves."
"You could stay a little longer, you know..."
Roan and Rockari had come to the village entrance to see us off.
They looked lonely.
"One last time—could I hold Lara?"
Roan said this and reached out his hands.
Grandchildren were precious in any world.
They didn't seem to have any plans for more children beyond Roxy.
"Of course. Here."
Roxy held Lara out toward him.
She started to, at least.
"Huh?"
Lara was clinging to the neckline of Roxy's robe for dear life.
It was a scene I'd seen before.
"Come now, Lara, say goodbye to Grandpa and Grandma."
"..."
Lara was gripping Roxy with all four limbs, clinging to her like a cicada.
In that position, she looked at me.
Her usual tough, sullen expression...
Was gone.
Her mouth was twisted, her brow was furrowed, and she looked like she was about to burst into tears.
It was the face of someone begging for help.
"Ah... ha ha ha. Never mind, then."
Roan smiled wryly and waved his hand.
"She's saying she doesn't want to be separated from her mother."
"...!"
Roxy looked at Lara in surprise.
Seeing Lara's near-tears expression, anxiety spread visibly across Roxy's face.
"I don't wanna... I wanna stay together..."
Lara said this as if wringing the words out.
My daughter, who had barely spoken until now.
It was the first time she'd ever asserted herself.
"..."
Perhaps Lara had overheard last night's conversation.
Or perhaps she hadn't, but after that talk, she'd had a dream about being left behind.
We'd made her anxious for no reason.
"It's all right."
Roxy gently pulled Lara into a hug.
Biting back her own tears, pressing her lips tight—
Wearing the exact same expression as her daughter, Roxy said:
"We'll always be together."
At that, Lara's face relaxed with relief, and she let her body go limp.
"Roxy, when are you coming back next?"
"Let's see... after Lara's grown up a bit... about ten years from now, I think."
"...All right, I understand. Take care of yourselves."
Rockari said this with concern, as if ten years wasn't long at all.
And so, we left the village.
The two of them stood at the entrance, watching us until we disappeared from sight.
It had been a little awkward, but I was glad we'd been able to make our introductions.
Eris's parents were dead. Sylphie's parents were gone.
Roxy's parents were distant, but even so, parents were parents.
As long as they were alive, I intended to keep that relationship going.
"Well then, Rudeus—it's back to being busy for you."
"Yes."
But first, let me handle what's right in front of me.
Thinking that, we made our way back to the town of Rikaris.