Chapter Fifteen: The Relic and the Shrine—Paul as Allen’s Deity

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Paul didn’t look at his wife; instead, he raised his eyes to the ceiling above, his thoughts drifting to Allen’s situation and the words he had once spoken.

Allen had said he would safeguard Rudy’s future, which made it seem that Rudy didn’t really need to obsess over perfecting his swordsmanship… With the abilities the two of them possessed now, they could even seamlessly fit the role of adventurers in the labyrinth… Yet, there was a lingering dissatisfaction. How could my child lack talent in swordsmanship?

“Well…”

“Master Paul, without a doubt, this plan is feasible. I know nothing about magic, so if Rudy focuses on magic and I specialize in swordsmanship, we can complement each other’s weaknesses. Besides, rather than a teacher-student relationship, I’d rather be friends or partners with Rudy.”

Paul was momentarily taken aback, watching Allen suddenly straighten his back and sit upright, looking very serious. Instinctively, he felt Allen’s reasoning made sense.

“…Alright then, let’s shorten it by an hour.”

Allen turned to Rudy, who quickly blinked and gave Allen a thumbs-up under the table.

——

“Thank you, teacher.”

In Rudy’s room, Allen looked at the tuft of brown hair sticking up on Rudy’s head and felt an overwhelming sense of unreality.

I worked so hard to gain your favor, but it was useless. Just as I was about to give up and become a couch potato, the favor suddenly appeared? Does this make sense?

“Skillfully guiding a father’s words and actions is something I often do; I hadn’t expected you, teacher, to be a fellow traveler in this art.”

“Oh, right.”

“Please, keep it up and make sure I don’t have to study swordsmanship anymore. You must have seen I prefer magic over swordplay.”

“Oh, right.”

Allen was momentarily stunned.

No, this kid is just hoping I lose my job and disappear from his sight.

Rudy watched Allen’s dazed expression and stretched his mouth into a benevolent smile, like he often did when Paul looked foolish.

When Allen looked back, Rudy instantly became serious again.

“Father said you met Lochis on the way?”

Allen blinked.

“Yes, I suppose I owe her a favor…”

Rudy nodded vigorously, then twisted his face with a conflicted expression—he looked torn between asking anxiously and not wanting to know the answer.

“So… Did she mention me?”

Allen glanced at Rudy.

“Yes, she did.”

Rudy’s face lit up immediately.

“What did she say??”

“That you’re slick-tongued and sleazy.”

Rudy’s mouth drooped.

“Huh?”

“She also said you stole her underwear.”

The moment those words fell, Rudy twisted his head toward under the bed, then realized something and slowly turned his neck to look at Allen.

Allen narrowed his eyes.

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“I didn’t expect you really stole her underwear…”

“I can explain! Please don’t tell Father or Mother!”

“Yeah, right.”

Allen approached the bed, observing Rudy’s nervous expression, then looked down.

“A small pair of white underwear was tucked into the gap beneath the bed frame…”

…Even though he was mentally prepared, seeing this scene still made Allen sigh again—Rudy really is a pervert…

Allen twitched the corner of his mouth and turned to the expressionless Rudy.

“The shrine? Isn’t it usually kept in the shrine?”

Rudy was momentarily stunned.

“What?”

Allen raised his eyebrows.

“Not there?”

Wait… maybe it hasn’t been put in the shrine yet. He must have mixed up the timing.

He blinked, preparing to come up with an excuse.

Suddenly, Rudy shouted, startling Allen.

“Genius!”

Rudy’s face showed a familial warmth as he held Allen’s hands.

“Genius! Yes! Sacred artifacts should be enshrined! Teacher, you really are a genius!”

Allen’s expression twitched as he looked at him.

‘Damn it. Certified as a professional pervert.’

[Affection gained from Rudy again. Success is no accident; the host’s ability has been verified multiple times.]

‘Screw this. Can we get some normal tasks for once?’

Rudy blinked suspiciously at Allen.

“Do you also have shrines like this in your hometown?”

Allen curled his lips.

“Oh, right. My hometown is rather remote, so there are some strange beliefs—each household worships their own deity.”

Rudy asked curiously.

“…Deities?”

“For example, the sea deity is Ohao, the contract deity is RNG, and the abstract deity is Jin.”

Rudy’s expression was somewhat puzzled.

“…Those names sound strange… Are they in the local dialect? Uh… What deity does your family worship?”

Allen glanced at Rudy.

“We worship the Three-Color Deities: Blue Mother, White Mother, and Red Mother.”

Rudy scratched his head. This time he understood the words but not the meaning.

‘What nonsense is this guy talking about…’

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Allen looked at Rudy and, thinking of the Three-Color Mothers, was reminded of Silphy. He then asked.

“By the way, I’ve noticed you’ve been going out a lot these days. Have you made any friends? If you have, you could invite them home for a meal; I’m sure both Master and Mistress would be happy to see you making friends.”

Rudy’s expression turned confused.

“Friends? No, I’ve just been scouting terrain.”

“I see…”

Allen studied Rudy’s face, sensing he wasn’t pretending to be dense. In his past life, Rudy was kicked out of his home, so this time, venturing out was genuinely to train his wilderness survival skills, just in case he got kicked out again.

In the original story, Rudy quickly met Silphy after Lochis left, but in reality, there should be an interval during which he was doing this.

He likely encountered Silphy during summer, but it’s only late March, almost early April now.

Looks like Silphy will have to endure some bullying for a while… She’s bullied because of her green hair, probably since she was old enough to roam outside.

…White Mother’s gray childhood left deep scars; her submissive traits in the newlywed arc are directly related to this.

Allen sighed silently.

Guiding Rudy to rescue Silphy in advance shouldn’t cause many butterfly effects… Judging from the connections, nothing else should change much, just an earlier acquaintance by about half a year.

“…Don’t you play with the other kids in the village?”

Rudy tilted his head and scratched his cheek.

“Well… Maybe we don’t get along.”

Allen looked down at Rudy.

“Do you think… we’re friends?”

Rudy twitched his mouth.

‘…I thought this fierce little devil was more mature, but turns out he’s still like a child who likes to say silly things all day…’

Rudy put on his trademark obedient child smile.

“Of course we are. After all, you just got me an hour less of sword lessons today!”

Next moment, Allen poked his face with a finger.

“Don’t fake it. I really want to be your friend.”

Rudy was stunned.

Allen glanced at him, then turned and left the room. As he exited, he looked back and said,

“I’ll help you make the shrine tomorrow, and I’ll keep the underwear incident a secret.”

Rudy’s eyes sparkled.

“Okay!”

Dust swirled before Allen’s eyes.

[Free Instant Quest—Gain Silphy Yet’s Favor is now available.]

[Quest Reward: Barrier Magic Slot Unlocked.]

[Before the original storyline encounter between Rudy and Silphy Yet, you may choose when to start this quest. Once started, it must be completed within one day. Publish now?]