Chapter 38: Twisting the Storyline? The Hesitant Allen
Roxy's expression turned thoughtful.
"I asked. It's true that several groups of bandits went north. The only group south of the Red Dragon's Spine was this one. It seems they happened to have a base for human trafficking and smuggling in the forest, so they gathered manpower to keep looking for news of you. That's all the information I have..."
Allen narrowed his eyes.
"So you were worried that the bandit group might have already found their way to Buena Village, and you were afraid something might have happened to the Greyrat family, so you rushed back? So that if something had indeed happened, you could lend a hand? Is that it?"
Roxy glanced at Allen, then looked away and nodded.
"I was also worried about Rudy. After all, he was my first student. So, have you all been well recently? Has the village been disturbed by any outsiders?"
"No, it hasn't~"
"I see."
Allen looked at Roxy, his expression grim.
'Another butterfly effect caused by my actions... but this one is a bit tricky. If I don't handle this well, it could even affect the future plot. If Roxy decides to stay here for another year or so out of concern, what will happen then?'
'Will Rudy and I go with Roxy to become adventurers and earn money? And then save up for tuition at the University of Magic?... That would completely change the plot. Then how would the Childhood and Adolescence periods be defined? And would Eris and Rudy ever meet?'
'No! I have to twist the plot back to its original path... I have to use my words to persuade Roxy to leave as soon as possible. That way, I can minimize the butterfly effect of this incident.'
"I see... so that's why you breathed a sigh of relief when you saw I was safe, because the scenario you imagined—the bandits showing up—didn't happen?"
Roxy nodded. She saw the solemn look on Allen's face and thought he was worried about the bandits. She tried to comfort him based on the current situation.
"It seems you took the main road after we parted ways that day. That way, you wouldn't leave any more traces in the forest, so the bandit group lost your trail and naturally couldn't find Buena Village. You don't have to worry too much—"
"Yes, it was indeed a false alarm. So, will you still be traveling according to your original plan?"
"Yes. Since you're all fine, I can rest assured. I'll continue my journey as planned."
"...I see."
After she said this, the two of them fell silent for a while. Roxy felt a bit awkward and lightly scuffed the ground with her foot. She had rushed back on a whim, and now that she had confirmed that nothing had happened to the Greyrat family, she didn't know what to say.
"Well then—"
"By the way, how did you deal with those bandits who blocked your path?"
Roxy froze, her brow furrowing. She turned to look straight at Allen, her expression seemingly tinged with some anger.
"I killed them. The bodies have been dealt with. They deserved to die."
Under Roxy's gaze, Allen realized that his words had carried a sense of mistrust. But it was only because he subconsciously thought of Blue Mama as being kind and was afraid she might have let the bandits go out of soft-heartedness. If Roxy had asked too many questions about Allen, the bandits might have followed the scent right to Buena Village, or even sent someone to secretly trail her.
At this thought, he lowered his head and apologized.
"That's not what I meant. But, thank you..."
Roxy looked at him, then smiled and gently tapped Allen on the head with her staff.
"I was an adventurer once, you know. I wouldn't make that kind of mistake."
"Sorry."
The two fell into silence again. After a long moment, Roxy lightly patted her face.
"Alright, since I've confirmed that you're all fine, I should be on my way according to my plan. So, farewell, Allen."
Allen was stunned for a moment, but it was he who had deliberately steered the conversation to this point. He just blinked and then nodded.
"Then... aren't you going to tell Pau—Master and the others?"
"Ah, no need. It's too late. I'll leave now. You don't need to tell them I came back, either. It's better this way."
With that, Roxy looked Allen up and down. The moonlight flowed in her pupils, and her usually cool lips curved into a crescent moon.
"But, it seems you've been doing well at the Greyrat's since we parted ways that day. You don't have that sense of anxiety you had two months ago. And you look much gentler now than you did then. It's good... you've toned down a lot of your aggressiveness."
Allen looked up in surprise at Roxy, who was staring at his face.
"Really?"
Roxy studied Allen's neat bangs and the straight eyebrows between his hair under the moonlight and nodded.
"Yes. The shape of your eyebrows has changed, your hair has grown longer, and your gaze isn't as sharp as it was two months ago. If someone were to rely solely on the description on that wanted poster, it would probably be difficult to identify you at first glance. So you don't have to worry too much."
After she finished, Roxy blinked. Seeing that Allen didn't reply, she felt as if he had no desire to continue talking with her. She watched him quietly for a few breaths, then her smile faded. She turned around and gave Allen a small wave.
Just as Allen had done to her two months ago.
"It really is as you said... life is full of chance encounters. We met again so soon..."
"Then... goodbye..."
Allen was stunned for a moment. He looked at the hem of Roxy's robe swaying in the wind and subconsciously replied.
"Ah... okay... goodbye."
Roxy turned her head and walked out of the yard. Allen subconsciously watched her retreating back.
Under the moonlight, her magic robe had obvious stains, and some parts were even curled from being sat on. Her boots, which had been clean when they first met, were now covered in dirt. As she walked, a leaf stuck to the bottom of her shoe fell to the ground.
There were obvious signs of wear on the heels of her boots.
Allen lowered his eyes and looked at Roxy's boots, somewhat dazed.
"Um..."
Roxy's figure paused. She tilted her head slightly to look at Allen. Under the moonlight, a strand of smooth blue hair was stuck to her slightly sweaty forehead.
Allen looked at Roxy. After a moment's pause, he seemed to suddenly lose heart, yet also relax, letting his tense shoulders drop. He spoke, his tone finally returning to his usual leisurely, lazy state.
"...Uh... I think you should still come up and sit for a while. Staying for a few more days would be good, too. Rudy is always telling me he misses you and all that... and..."
"...And?"
"...And, although life is full of chance encounters, such a hasty meeting has completely lost the meaning of a reunion, hasn't it? So why pretend and say 'life is full of chance encounters'? What's the difference between you and me and any other stranger?... Uh, no! That's not it... I mean... Rudy and the others have known you for so long... uh... how should I put it..."
Roxy blinked, watching Allen repeatedly search for the right words. She turned around and interrupted him.
She answered him with just one word.
"Okay."
Allen stared blankly at the smile that had reappeared on Roxy's face.
He suddenly felt that the moonlight tonight was a little too bright.
Author's Note: I re-plotted the storyline for this part.
If Roxy knew the Greyrat family was in trouble, she would absolutely turn back.
This is supported by her abandoning her original travel plans to search for the Greyrat family after the Teleport Incident, and by her confessing to Rudeus in the labyrinth that the Greyrat's were her second home.
Her coming back to check on Allen is just one of the factors leading to this result, and not a major one.
But Roxy is a romantic at heart (as seen by her falling in love again upon reuniting with Rudeus in the labyrinth). This kind of strange, seemingly fated reunion, forced by a crisis, is the real reason she chooses to stay for a few more days.
Join my patreon For Early access to Chapter : patreon.com/TheWorldGod
Tiamat 200 Chapter (Final)
Honkai 269 Chapter
Lobotomy 110 Chapter
MushokuTensei 115 Chapter
'Pure Evil' Simulator Chapter Ending
Crossover Fic Blapterue-Eyes 267Ch