182 – After the First


    Sylphy hugged a giant plushy modeled after Rudy and let out a deep sigh. "I know it''s selfish and mean... but I can''t help but be upset. You understand, right, Rolo?


    Rnd nodded. "I understand, Mother." He gazed off into the distance, reminiscing on the past. "Even when I was a kid, although all of my moms got along well, there was still a bit of jealousy at times."


    "Right?!" Sylphy jumped to her feet and said, "It''s only natural!"


    "...Yes." Rnd slowly nodded.


    Sylphy was in her room with Rnd.


    After going through the draining events of the day, she needed some quiet time to rx, recuperate, and recharge.


    And of course, she dragged along her son to help her with that.


    Well, Rnd wasn''t *really* her son, but he was proof that she and Rudy were meant to be one way or another.


    Unlike Eri, who didn''t have physical proof that she and Rudy were meant to be together.


    ...Ah. That was the jealousy speaking again.


    Sylphy would need to get better at that...


    Rudy wouldn''t like it. And she couldn''t live if Rudy started to hate her...


    Not that he would.


    Rudy was nice, and kind, and loving, and understanding.


    Even though he knew that Sylphy was a bit broken, he still epted her, ws and all.


    So she would try to be better- No, she would BE better.


    For him. For the man she loved more than anything else in this world...


    Except for Rnd, of course. She loved her son too, even if he technically wasn''t hers.


    So that was fine.


    Even so, Sylphy couldn''t help but think about it.


    Sylphy was in Rudy''s house. But he wasn''t here right now. And Eri wasn''t either.


    Instead, the two of them were off somewhere else being intimate in a home that the two called their own.


    It was only for a few days.


    Sylphy knew that. And she also knew that it would be her turn to have Rudy to herself next. But even so...


    She let out a deep sigh and looked at Rnd. "I don''t understand how your mother did it, Rolo. Even after meeting and talking to her..."


    That Sylphy was the first wife, and yet shepromised for Rudy and allowed more. Not only that, but she had been content with just being Rudy''s wife, even if she couldn''t stand beside him.


    A saint. Sylphy couldn''t help but think that Rnd''s mother had been a true saint.


    Because Sylphy couldn''tprehend it.


    That Rudy had been in even more dangerous situations. Faced more terrifying foes while being far from as strong as her Rudy.


    Even so, that Sylphy stayed home and just waited for him.


    She was content to just be the ''anchor'' in his life. The one constant.


    ...But Sylphy couldn''t do that.


    The thought that Rudy might disappear again somewhere she couldn''t see. That she would be left alone again, even though she KNEW that wouldn''t happen...


    Sylphy let out a deep sigh.


    Rnd looked at Sylphy and then nodded. "My mother was indeed a saint." He paused and then said, "Technically a goddess too, ording to my father. But I wouldn''t discount your own efforts, Mother."


    Sylphy smiled at Rnd and then said, "You''re too nice, Rolo." She set her plushy of Rudy aside and then walked over to hug Rnd. "...But thank you."


    Rnd hugged Sylphy back and said, "You''re wee, Mother."


    Sylphy paused and then stepped back, frowning. "...Are you really fine with calling me and Rudy your parents though?"


    Rnd let out a rxed smile. "Of course. Even if the time may be different, you two are still my parents. And besides, I''m needed here more than I ever was before."


    Sylphy stared at Rnd for a while and then said, "I hope my son is even as half as reliable as you, Rolo."


    Rnd shook his head. "I would hope my younger brother be seen for himself, not what he could be." He paused and then said, "...Though a few faint expectations would be good. It''s easy to mistake freedom for indifference."


    Sylphy nodded. "I''ll remember that, Rolo."


    Rnd smiled and then said, "In any case... Are you finished with your preparations, Mother? Is there anyone you wish to invite or anything I can do to help?"


    Sylphy ced a hand on her chin and hummed. "I don''t think so... Everyone in my family is here for the wedding, and the preparations are mostly done for the ceremony. I guess I could invite some friends...?"


    Sylphy didn''t have many friends, but she had a few acquaintances.


    There was that small adventurer party she helped back when she was crossing the Northern Lands. Counter Bow or something?


    Then there was that Sol... Sold it? Soldier? Something like that.


    He said that he owed her a favor, so maybe he coulde visit?


    It might make Rudy a bit jealous too.


    That was a bit mean, but Sylphy would like it if he did get a bit jealous for her, like he did for Eri with that Luke guy...


    Rnd nodded and said, "Alright. Should I round up the knights to go look for them?"


    "No." Sylphy shook her head and said, "It''s fine. I''ll go get them myself."


    Rnd blinked. "Right now?"


    Sylphy waved her arms, changing out from the formal dress she wore for Eri''s wedding into an adventurer outfit.


    A loose white tunic, furry white boots, a gray scarf, light blue gloves and leggings to cover her arms and legs.


    After holding her arm out again to summon a glittering blue ice sword that she hung on her left side, she smiled and said, "Yep! Mommy needs to get her mind off some things, and an adventure to find some friends sounds like just the thing!" She paused and then said, "Do you want toe with, Rolo?"


    Rnd hesitated, but then he said, "Father would be upset if I just let you go off on your own, so I will."


    Sylphy pouted and said, "Do you like Daddy that much more than Mommy?"


    Rnd shook his head. "No. I just don''t want to get lectured by himter for leaving ady alone even though she''s more than capable of protecting herself."


    Sylphyughed and said, "Rudy IS a bit of a hypocrite like that... But okay!" She ran over to grab Rnd''s hand and said, "Let''s go on a trip to meet Mommy''s friends!"


    -SNG-


    It was the day after Onii-chan''s wedding with Eri nee-chan.


    The adults were busy cleaning and reorganizing the house for Erofu nee-chan''s wedding, so there wasn''t much she could do inside.


    Not to mention that Onii-chan and Eri nee-chan were off somewhere doing loveydovey stuff too, so the house had a weird atmosphere.


    So, instead of hanging around all day, Ste immediately left the house to go hunt down Akito.


    It could be a look alike. Weirder things had been happening in Ste''s life. But even so, Ste wanted to confirm it.


    He was easy enough to find. With Fai, Wata, and Wyn sweeping through the city in spirit form, it only took a short while for her to locate him.


    It turned out that Akito had rented a home not far from Onii-chan''s house.


    Or maybe Onii-chan rented one close by for him? Onii-chan definitely knew how and why Akito was here, so that was probably likely.


    But in any case, it was time to confront him.


    Wearing her usual clothes, a loose ck t-shirt and jeans, along with her usual adventurer bag filled with useful tools, she headed over to Akito''s house with Leo in tow.


    Fai, Wata, and Wyn were there too, but Ste made sure they were in spirit form for the day. Just to make sure they didn''t raise any weird gs by ident.


    Not to mention that a cute toddler with a puppy was more disarming than a toddler with a bunch of spirit pals.


    Stopping at the house, Ste tried the door and found it unlocked.


    "Hah..."


    Akito was still as reckless as ever.


    Still, since it was unlocked, Ste let herself inside.


    The house was small. Just a single floor with a living room and a pair of bedrooms. There was also a door that led to a bathroom or something too.


    There was basic furniture there, like a table, chairs, and stuff. But it was pretty empty otherwise... except for all the random notes and paperying all over the ground.


    ncing at it, Ste felt a bit nostalgic.


    Even though it was a different ce, Akito acted the same.


    And just like back then, Akito was sitting at a table, idly sketching out notes amidst a mess of books and papers.


    Ste closed the door behind her.


    Akito flinched and nced over. For a second, he was panicked. But then he saw that it was Ste and let out a relieved sigh. Smiling, he stood up and said, "Good morning, Ste! What are you doing here? And where are your friends?"


    Ste walked over, stering on her best cutesy toddler smile and said, "Morning Mister Akito!"


    Leo wagged his tail and then ran up to Akito. "Wan!"


    Akito smiled and crouched down to scratch Leo''s ears. "Hello again to you too, Leo. Keeping Ste safe?"


    "Wan wan!"


    Ste adjusted her bag and then said, "Can I y here today, Mister Akito?"


    Akito picked Leo up and then said, "Sure! But..." He frowned and said, "Are you sure you want to y here? It''s kind of boring."


    "It''s fine!" Ste smiled and said, "I don''t think Mister Akito is boring! ...And everyone else is busy."


    "Oh. Right..." Akito nodded. "I bet they would be... Well, you can hang out here if you want." He set Leo back down and said, "I''m working on a project your brother gave me, but feel free to look around. I think there''s some snacks in the fri- icebox if you''re hungry too."


    "Kay~! Thanks Mister Akito!"


    Akito smiled and then walked back to his table, looking back over his notes.


    Ste took the time to walk around the house, looking at everything like a curious toddler would.


    Wata''s voice echoed in Ste''s head. <You know, you''re getting really good at ying cute.>


    Fai''s voice echoed after that. [Right?! Ste''s adorable!]


    Wyn''s yawn echoed next before she spoke up. -That''s because it''s Ste''s true nature to be the cute little hero.-


    ''Wan wan!'' Leo''s bark echoed and he chimed in too. ''I agree! Ste''s the cutest bestest hero!''


    Ste blushed and then whispered, "Could you be quiet?!"


    "Hm?" Akito looked over and said, "Did you need something, Ste?"


    Ste smiled and said, "No! I''m fine, Mister Akito! Just talking to myself!"


    "Okay. Let me know if you need anything!"


    Ste let out a sigh of relief, doing her best not to pout at theughter echoing in her head. Instead, she walked around and took a look at what Akito was working on.


    There were a lot of magic formations and stuff. But there were also a lot of weird notes withments like ''unraveling the nature of divinity through knowledge to create a golden sword that severs it'' and ''reaching the root of existence to acquire a grand true sorcery surpassing divinity and worldy logic.''


    ...It was a bit chuuni, actually.


    Ste remembered Akito was a bit of an otaku, but...


    Fai sighed and then spoke up. [Is this really the guy you liked in your past life, Ste?]


    Wata hummed. <He seems kind of pathetic.>


    Wyn chimed in as well. -He really is. His fate is so weak I''m surprised he hasn''t dropped dead.-


    And of course Leo had to get in his two cents. ''Wan! Ste needs a stronger man than that!''


    ''Shut up! I''m thinking!''


    Ste shook her head and then snuck a few nces towards Akito while she walked around.


    ...He was definitely the same person. That face, that same goofy expression he had while concentrating on a project. The messy house and weird notes...


    Ste was sure now. This was Akito.


    But she didn''t know why or how he was here.


    Did Onii-chan bring him here, knowing how important Akito was to her?


    ...Wait. Did Onii-chan even know?


    Ste never actually told him about Akito, right? And unless Onii-chan was a god or something that could read her mind, he wouldn''t know who Akito was.


    <Rudy isn''t a god, but he''s definitely stronger!>


    ''Wan. I agree. I haven''t met the Beast God, but I can''t imagine he''s stronger than Rudy!''


    -Mmhm. If Hitogami didn''t usurp the role of Human God, Rudy would have obtained that role a long time ago.-


    Ste blinked, processing the casualments dropping giant lore bombs. And when she processed them, she huffed and muttered. "Not cool dropping this stuff randomly like this. You could have said something earlier! Hah..."


    At that time, Akito paused in his note-taking and nced over. Letting out an apologetic smile, he said, "Sorry for being boring, Ste."


    Ste waved her hand and said, "I''m not bored! It''s just..."


    She wracked her mind for an excuse and then said, "...I just miss Onii-chan a bit."


    Akito froze. "...Onii-chan?"


    Ste flinched and started to sweat.


    -Hah...-


    [Ooh! So it really is in the blood!]


    ''Wan. Ste...''


    <Do you really have to keep up that character even in telepathy, Leo?>


    ''Wan. I have pride in being a real dog, wan wan. Unlike a certain fake cat.''


    <FAKE->


    Ste pursed her lips and then forcibly weakened the connection between her and her spirits for a bit.


    Akitoughed and then said, "That''s cute!" He smiled and then said, "Did Rudy teach you some Japanese?"


    Steughed. "Th-That''s right! Onii-chan said he used to sing to me in Japanese and stuff. I liked how it sounded when I was a baby."


    Please buy it, please buy it...!


    "That''s adorable." Akito smiled. "Rudy''s a great older brother."


    "Mmhm!" Ste nodded. "He really is!"


    There was afortable silence for a moment.


    Sensing an opportunity, Ste decided to try something.


    ...She probably shouldn''t, but she really wanted to know how he felt.


    So, putting on her best innocent expression, Ste walked over to Akito and said, "Hey, Mister Akito?"


    "Yes?"


    "Do you have a wife like Onii-chan too?"


    "W-What?" Akito flinched. "No!"


    "Well..." Ste shifted in ce and then said, "Do you have someone you like then?"


    Akito paused. After that, a wistful smile crossed his face. "I do... did."


    Ste froze. At the same time, she felt her heart race.


    Then. After that, did Akito still...?


    Akito sighed and shook her head. "She''s far away from me now though." Looking up at the ceiling, he said, "If I had a chance, I''d apologize to her for leaving her behind. But... it''s toote now." He paused. "...Well, I mean I guess I just talked to her, but I really do need to properly apologize."


    "Eh?"


    Ste blinked, realizing something was off.


    Akito reached up to scratch the back of his head. "It''s a bitplicated, but thest time I saw her, we had a big argument and she ran away. It was dumb, and she almost got ki- hurt real bad. But I managed to save her... I think. At least I remember grabbing her before the truck- Er, I mean a big metal monster hit her."


    Ste stared at Akito.


    Akito let out a nervousugh.


    ...Ah.


    ...It wasn''t him.


    Ste felt her stomach churn a bit.


    She should have realized it with the weird timeywimey things going on.


    But the Akito there wasn''t ''her'' Akito.


    ...That made sense.


    There was no way he would be so happy and go-lucky like this if it was her Akito.


    ...But even though it made her feel a bit sour, Ste felt relieved.


    Because she thought her death didn''t mean anything to him.


    If Akito had really been acting like this even though Ste had died to save him... She didn''t know what she''d do.


    But this wasn''t her Akito.


    Then... it was fine.


    "Ste?"


    Ste stered on a bright smile and said, "Then I hope you and your lover make up soon, Mister Akito!"


    Akito blushed and said, "S-She''s not my lover, she''s my girlfriend!"


    Ste decided to tease him a bit and then yed dumb. "But I''m your girlfriend?"


    "W-What?!"


    Ste tilted her head and said, "I''m a girl, and I''m Mister Akito''s friend. So I''m your girlfriend, right?"


    "No, that''s not- I mean, technically, but... Really, that''s not what the word means..."


    Ste giggled at seeing Akito stammer.


    Was this how Onii-chan felt bullying Eri nee-chan? No wonder he did it so often.


    ...But still.


    After seeing Akito again like this, Ste couldn''t help but wonder.


    Why was she born in this world? And why was this Akito here?


    ...If she was a hero, did that mean the time for her to fight wasing up?


    ...And if so, would she be meeting her Akito in the future soon too...?


    Akito cleared his throat. "A-Anyway... Let''s just y a game for a bit." He stood up and walked over to pick up some pieces of paper on the ground. "I have some magic formations here that make things float. I think they should be fun..."


    Ste hopped over and smiled. "Okay, Mister Akito!"


    ...Well, whatever.


    Ste would think about thatter. For now...


    ...Even if it wasn''t her Akito, and even if Onii-chan didn''t intend it, she would be able to get a bit of closure like this.


    -ZNG-


    Zenith hummed to herself as she hung freshly washedundry out to dry in the courtyard.


    Beside her, Paul folded someundry that was already dried and put them in a basket.


    Meanwhile, Lilia sat on a chair nearby, washing more clothes in a tub.


    After finishing his batch, Paul looked at Zenith and Lilia and smiled. "It''s been a while since it''s just been us three."


    Zenith brushed her hands against her clothes and then smiled. "It has, hasn''t it?"


    Norn and Aisha were at school along with Miko. Ste went out to y with her spirit guardians. Sylphy and Rnd were out sending wedding invitations. Eos and Ena were back in Arcadia to catch up on work...


    And then Rudy and Eri were on their honeymoon.


    Zenith walked over to Lilia and then let out a sigh. "It''s a bit bittersweet though." She shook her head and said, "To think I missed Rudy''s cute years and Ste''s baby years... Not to mention Nornie and Aisha."


    Lilia drained the bucket of clothes before handing it to Zenith. After that, Lilia said, "That''s true." She sighed and said, "I wish that we could have been there for Rudy when he was growing up." She frowned and said, "We could have prevented this disaster if we knew."


    Zenith received the bucket and sighed. "Right? I had been hoping that with Milis'' teachings, Rudy would just stick to Sylphy and Eri. But to think our cute little genius is marrying not just two, but four beautiful women..." She paused and then red at Paul. "And all with big breasts too."


    Paul held up his hands and said, "Hey! It''s not my fault! It runs in the Greyrat blood!"


    Zenith scoffed. "You''d better hope that the ''Greyrat blood'' only runs true in men then. Otherwise you''ll have a hell of a time when the girls grow up more and start chasing men."


    Paul froze and then covered his face. He groaned and said, "This is karma, isn''t it?"


    Lilia dried her hands with a towel and then said, "Absolutely."


    Paul sighed and walked over to the next batch of dried clothes. As he took them off, he said, "I''m surprised that Rudy took Eri away for a honeymoon though." Expertly folding them into a pile with a flick of his wrist, he walked back towards Zenith and said, "I would have thought he''d just have us all clear out."


    Zenith shook her head. "Rudy couldn''t do that. Sylphy already imed having the honeymoon here."


    Paul blinked and then said, "That does seem like something Sylphy would do..."


    Lilia shook her head. "I still cannot believe the changes the children went through. And poor Sylphy most of all..."


    Zenith sighed. "I know. She doesn''t talk about it, but the scars on Sylphy..."


    Paul shook his head. "You shouldn''t feel sorry about it. Apparently, Sylphy''s proud of them." Heughed and said, "She calls them her proof of love for Rudy."


    Zenith blinked. "How? No, why?"


    Paul shrugged. "I don''t know all the details, but apparently Sylphy spent thousands of years or something delving in dangerous dungeons looking for Rudy, barelying back alive each time. But she eventually found him, so she''s really proud of it."


    Zenith grabbed Paul''s shoulders and said, "Sylphy did what? For how long?!"


    Paul blinked. "Aha... W-Well, I think maybe it was only a few hundred years? A thousand might be an exaggeration... Though I think Rudy mentioned he spent a few thousand years meditating-"


    "OUR SON IS OLDER THAN THE MILIS RELIGION NOW?!"


    Paul blinked and then said, "...Is this a bad time to say that he might as well be the founder of the Milis religion at this point?"


    Zenith took a step back, feeling faint.


    Lilia let out a long suffering sigh and then said, "...I need to stab that Being W a few times." She paused and then said, "He is male, correct?"


    Paul nodded. "...I think so? That''s what Rudy said."


    "Good." Lilia nodded. "Then I can practice my sausage peeling techniques on him."


    "Sausage-" Paul shut up and then said, "Never mind."


    Zenith shook her head and said, "To think that both Sylphy and Rudy endured so much..."


    A tense silence filled the air.


    After a bit, Paul coughed and said, "On another note..." He frowned and said, "Has it sunk in yet that we''re going to be grandparents? I mean, Eos, Ena, and Rnd are nice. But we''ll have babies around soon. Rudy''s babies. Real grandkids... Not that Eos, Ena, and Rnd aren''t. But you know?"


    Lilia frowned. "...You could have phrased it better... But yes." She sighed and ced her hand on her cheek. "Only a short while ago, Aisha, Norn, Rudy, Sylphy, and Eris were still small children. And now..."


    Zenith nodded. Holding out her arms, she let out a sad smile and said, "I still remember holding Ste when she was just a baby. But in the blink of an eye..." She pulled her arms back, hugging herself. "...I would be lying if I said I wasn''t sad. And to think that Rudy is grown up now with kids of his own soon... Babies too... And that both Norn and Aisha aren''t far from being adults too..."


    Zenithughed and shook her head. "Well, I suppose it will be fun visiting my parents? They''ll definitely have a heart attack seeing their grandchildren and great grandchildren."


    "I think it''s a bitte for that," Paul said. "Rudy''s already being seen as a patron saint of the True Milis Religion since Cliff is the pope-to-be and treating him like one."


    Zenith blinked. "...What?"


    "Didn''t I exin it? Since Rudy rescued so many people in the Magic Continent and created Arcadia, he''s seen as the reincarnation of St. Milis-"


    "But St. Milis is a woman!?"


    Paul shrugged. "People have been liberally interpreting the holy texts these days. But anyway..."