148 Mushoku Tensei

The plan is simple.

First, with Perugius' assistance head to the Demon Continent.
Find Kishirika Kishirisu.
Ask if she has a cure, or knows someone who do.

Indeed quite simple.
If only the Great Demon Empress Kishirika Kishirisu would stay put on a throne overseeing a city somewhere.

But I know Kishirika wanders the Demon Continent.
Meeting her is up all to chance.

Who know how many months it'll take.
Perugius said that he has magic teleportation circles near all major cities in the Demon Continent.

Thinking about it, magic teleportation circles are truly terrifying.
Especially when he can teleport anywhere in the world from this castle, an incredible threat.
After all, there's no way to attack this castle in the sky, yet there's no defense against it.

So it's understandable why the art has long been forbidden.
Even though Orsted and Perugius have both been using them in secret.
This world probably has quite a few guys secretly breaking the rules.
It might be cheating, but that's the nature of this world.
Those magic teleport circles probably aren't used by Orsted's alone.

Anyways, find Kishirika.
Just like Roxy had done before, search one city at a time.
Who knows how long it'll take.
But it shouldn't take more than a year.
Since teleporting only take a day.

The problem is what if Kishirika and us pass each other somewhere.
About that, I think I'll ask the Adventurer's Guild for assistance.
Reward for the capture of the Great Empress of the Demon Realm.
Capture Kishirika.
Must be alive.
ALIVE ONLY. <ref>In English.</ref>

I gather everyone together and lay out my plan.
Ariel, Luke, Cliff, Zanoba, Elinalise.
And also Sylphy.
Sylphy regained consciousness while I was talking with Perugius.
But her exhaustion is obvious.
She was thin to begin with, but now she's more frail than ever.
She should rest for at least 5 more days.

"Everyone, please lend a hand for Nanahoshi's sake."

When i said that, Ariel nods in approval.

"Then, I can provide some magic tools."

Ariel removes the magic rings she's wearing and hand it to me.
A pair of matching rings, when injected with magic, both gemstones will shine together.
Useful for an emergency, seems like a secret magic tool of the Asura Kingdom.
Although I don't know what for, I'm sure it'll come in handy.
Reminds me of a pager.

"Zanoba and Elinalise, please accompany me."

I ask Zanoba and Elinalise to be my guards.
No matter what, Zanoba is a miko.
Even if we were to fight a hydra, he can probably come in handy.
Because I lack touke, I'm weak defensively, but with [Disturb Magic] and absorbing magical stones my resistence against magic is strong.
With Zanoba as forward guard, we can even take that hydra.
But, I can't bare to see Zanoba die for my selfish desires, so with Elinalise as support I feel reassured.

"I..."
"Cliff-senpai, I'll like you to make a magic tool."

Honestly, I don't know whether we can find a cure.
Kishirika might not know either.
So this trip might be a waste of time.
To avoid this, we should try different approaches.

Nanahoshi's illness seem similar to a curse.
With some adjustments to his research, maybe Cliff can develop a magic tool to extend Nanahoshi's lifespan.

"I want to go too!"

Even though I thought so, Cliff refused.

"Please take me, I want to help Nanahoshi as well."

But continuing his research will help Nanahoshi too.
But Cliff probably want to do more than that.
Like if he just contniues as usual, he won't feel like he really done anything for Nanahoshi.

"Please, Rudeus, even I could understand her want for returning home."

Cliff begging like this.
Now that I think about it, he has been away from home for a long time too.
Height-wise he might look only 15, but he's already 19.
I heard he left the Holy Kingdom of Milis almost 6-7 years ago.

Although the home Nanahoshi looks to return to isn't the same as Cliff's.
But their intent is the same.

"Fine."
"Really?"

Well, with Elinalise coming along and Nanahoshi frozen in time, then he won't have much opportunities for research.
Yeah, no reason to force it.
If we confirm that there's no cure, or if we can't find Kishirika, then we can focus on research instead.

"Yes.  I'll be in your care, Cliff-senpai."

Let's shorten the search period a bit, so we can get back to research in time.
Half a year is enough.

"... Then, is there... anything I... can do?"

Finally, Sylphy asks, looking unwell.
Her has yet to recover.
She can't travel with us.
Besides...

"Sylphy, please rest here for now."
"Em, and then?"
"After rest..."

I'm hesitant over what I'm about to say.

"I wish for Sylphy to return home to care for Luci."
"Eh?"

Sylphy looks visibly gloomy, but I continues anyways.

"It might be a long time before I can return home this time.  I don't think it's good for both parents to disappear on her."

For children, parents' presence is absolutely necessary... I don't have to say that.
But it's because that Paul and Zenith exists, that I am who I'm.
For children, it's better for the parents to rear them personally.
Of course, absence for a week or two won't be a big deal.
But not a few months.

"Ah, that.  You're right.  If Rudi isn't here, then I need to take care of Luci."
"Sorry."
"Um."

Even though Sylphy has been informed that Nanahoshi's collapse isn't her fault, she still want to help somehow.

"Sylphy has done enough.  Leave the rest to me."
"Em..."

Sylphy nods with regrets.
Of course she loves Luci.

But at 10, she was force to stand on her own after the Metastasis Event.
Without a last goodbye, both her parents passed.

She did well despite that.
Despite some twist and turns, she found a job, got married, and managed to live on.
So for her, maybe parents may not be that great of a presence.

Or perhaps, even children without parents can grow and prosper is the wisdom of this land.

Sylphy is only 18.
People won't change that much, just because of childbirth.
It was only through caring for my own, did my thinking start to change.

When I was 18 in the previous world, children won't even cross my mind.
In comparison, Sylphy is exceptional.

I will help Nanahoshi.  Sylphy will stay at home.
I hope she won't feel jealous.

"But won't Roxy complain?  Roxy knows the Demon Continent the best."
"That's too.  Well, if we're in trouble, I'll talk to Roxy about it."

Roxy isn't present.
No matter the reason, Perugius will not allow a Demon Race from entering the castle.
She tried to come but was refused.

Besides, Roxy has her teaching career.
She's finally getting used the rhythm of work.
She can't quit with only a year on the job.

I will help Nanahoshi.
But, I also need to maintain my current lifestyle.
Lifestyle is important.
Both are important.
That's why, I need to protect Sylphy and Roxy.

Of course, that's also because I'm selfish.
I don't think I'm always right.
But right now I don't want Roxy and Sylphy to face danger.
I don't want them to die in front of me like Paul.
Even though perfect security doesn't exist in this world.
Compare to the Demon Continent, Magic City Sharia should be much less dangerous.

"Please don't do anything like lose your hand again."

Sylphy looks uneasy.

"I'll be careful."

Staying safe is why I'm bringing Zanoba and Elinalise along.
But if they're in a life or death situation, even sacrificing my right hand I'll help them.
Of course, I don't want to die either...

I won't make a mistake this time.

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