This... maybe my build just closely resembles one of his past-life bullies, so I triggered Rudeus's PTSD. That makes this goodwill mission infinitely harder. If only Rudeus were a girl... No, wait, a 34-year-old pervert NEET mentally inhabiting a girl... Hiss... Mind-blowing.
Allen sighed silently and walked to the study door.
The door was open. Inside, Paul was tugging at his hair, seemingly deep in thought.
Allen knocked on the doorframe.
"Master."
Paul looked up. Several sheets of letter paper were scattered on the desk.
"Oh, sit."
Allen glanced at the chair—it was placed extremely far from the desk where Paul was sitting. Paul picked up a pen and looked at Allen.
"Because your background is unclear, before you become our family's swordsman, I need to do a simple investigation."
Allen raised an eyebrow and stared straight at Paul.
Seeing this, Paul quickly waved his hand, then scratched his head, looking at the ceiling with a troubled expression.
"Don't worry, I know the adventurer's code. I used to be in that line of work too... Just a very rough check. It involves my child's safety, so please understand."
Allen's expression shifted instantly. As if suddenly interested, he relaxed his body, leaning back into the chair with a faint smile.
"Ask away."
"Uh... Name?"
"Allen."
Paul's hand paused, then he nodded slowly and continued.
"Mind telling me your age?"
Allen looked at the pen in Paul's hand and smiled indifferently.
"Nine years, four months."
Paul blinked.
"Usual area of activity..."
"Around the Asura Royal Capital."
Paul seemed to find his throat dry and swallowed hard.
"Swordsman rank?"
"The title granted is only Water God Style — Advanced."
Paul scratched his head with the pen. It took him a long while to smile again.
"I see your clothes are very tattered... You must have had no income for a long time. When did you lose your money in the labyrinth?"
Allen replied with a beaming smile.
"To answer Master... last November."
Paul took a deep breath and looked visibly relieved. He looked up at Allen, his expression softening, his tone suddenly carrying an inexplicable warmth.
"Good... Then Allen... you stay here for now. Let's eat together later. Zenith's cooking is quite good."
Allen squinted at him.
"Any more questions, Master?"
Paul looked like he wanted to say something but stopped. He shook his head.
"You... no, that's all. You can go back to your room to rest, or go play with Rudeus. You're tall, but you're only four years older than him..."
Allen stood up.
"Then I'll excuse myself?"
"Mm, go ahead."
After speaking, Paul looked a bit dazed. Watching Allen's back as he reached for the door, Paul lowered his head and pulled out a blank sheet of letter paper.
Click. The door closed.
Paul immediately began to write.
But before he could even finish half of the first character, a lazy voice drifted from in front of him.
"Uncle Paul... who are you writing to?"
Paul's pupils constricted. He looked up in shock.
Allen was leaning against the closed door, watching him quietly.
A few months ago, Allen's System had suddenly popped up a notification: [Mushoku Tensei Major Event Participation Score Increased by 2 points]. At the time, Allen was very confused.
He had just started his journey to Buena Village. The people and events he encountered in the Capital had nothing to do with the "Infancy Phase" major events. How could his score increase?
Now, the source of the anomaly was found.
It seemed someone had 'known' him long ago.
Allen walked toward the slightly flustered Paul. When he reached the desk, he looked down at it with great interest.
On the desk was a letter filled with writing. The handwriting was neat, the ornate script common among nobles. But the paper itself looked old; it wasn't written recently.
Allen narrowed his eyes and rudely reached out to pick up the letter.
Paul's expression changed. Instinctively, he lunged up to grab Allen's hand.
The moment Paul was about to seize his wrist, Allen pressed his index and middle fingers together. He used the side of his fingers to press against Paul's palm and slid gently.
Like a fish, his hand slipped free from Paul's grip and deflected Paul's hand to the side.
Paul grabbed empty air. His body tilted, and momentum carried him crashing onto the desk.
He watched helplessly as Allen picked up the letter with two fingers, lifting it right before his eyes, muttering.
"Water God Style — Flowing Secret Technique..."
Allen held the letter in the air. His eyes moved, reading the content seriously.
Paul,
How have you been lately? Life in the countryside with your wife must be pleasant.
I am writing to you now because I have a favor to ask.
It concerns my eldest son in the Royal Capital—Allen Boreas Greyrat. I don't know if you remember, but I wrote to you when he was born.
Back then, not long after he opened his eyes, he was taken by James to the Capital to be raised as his own child. This is the price the loser of the succession battle must pay.
It is also a Boreas tradition, to avoid excessive infighting within the clan.
But I couldn't help myself. Using my reporting duties as Mayor as an excuse, I secretly visited him behind Father's back.
After all, he is the first child I, Philip Boreas Greyrat, have left in this world.
Ironically, I didn't even have the right to give him a name...
You can take this opportunity to mock me. After all, I'm usually the one looking down on you and mocking you. It's only fair.
Back to Allen. That child is different from me. He is exceptional. At a young age, he showed extraordinary talent in the way of the sword.
When I watched him from afar, surrounded by people like stars around the moon, accepting James's praise... his expression showed neither arrogance nor timidity. He was very steady.
That contradictory temperament—calm yet sharp—dazed me. His expression is somewhat similar to Father's, yet not entirely. I couldn't help but wonder: Is this really a child born of me, Philip?
But one thing is undeniable.
He should grow up amidst such flowers and applause, not follow a loser like me to stay in the Fittoa Region as the son of some bullshit mayor.
Yet, looking at him, I couldn't help thinking: If I had won the battle for succession against James back then... would the one standing in front of him right now be me?
I am jealous of James. He doesn't deserve...
I've rambled on unknowingly. I'll stop here. Back to the main topic.
One month ago, Allen went missing on his way to the Magic University.
At least, the official news states it as a disappearance.
James seems to have no intention of searching for him, but I am deeply worried about his safety.
Therefore, I asked the family guard—your former teammate, the Sword King Ghislaine—to investigate the location where Allen disappeared: the Red Wyrm's Upper Jaw.
But ten days have passed, and she has found nothing.
I smell a conspiracy.
I wanted to ask Ghislaine to use her adventurer connections to inquire, but she apologetically told me that 'connections' are outside her capabilities, and told me to ask you...
So, I am asking you. Please use your former connections as an adventurer to help me find his trace.
His features are very rugged. His eyebrows are almost identical to Father's. He also inherited my brown hair and Hilda's gray eyes. He is very conspicuous in a crowd, easy to recognize.
If there is any news, please notify me. If someone sees a person fitting his description, please help me send a message: tell them to keep him there, then write to me and wait for me to confirm.
Please understand, I cannot hire people to search for him with great fanfare. It does not fit my position.
After all, his 'biological father' is James.
Sorry for showing you my weak side.
Seeing these words is like seeing my face.
Philip.
Allen looked at the familiar yet strange name on the last line and fell into silence.
Beside him, Paul just looked at him, scratching his head and cheeks, not knowing what to say.