Vol 16 summary [spoiler]Various things happened, and in the end Hitogami finally shown his true colors, demanding MC to kill the Dragon God Orsted.  With Hitogami holding his family hostage, MC had no choice but comply.  He begun making preparations for his duel to the death.  To shore up his weakness in close combat, MC reached out to Zanoba and Cliff on creating a magical armored core.  With assistance from Sylphy, Roxy, and consultation with Hitogami, progress advanced rapidly.  In the end, standing 3 meters tall and weighting several tons, the armour came complete with magical minigun capable of firing 10 rock bullet-a-second on its right hand, and the magic absorbing Hydra scale embed on its left.  Additionally, MC prepared the duel site various traps and poisons, and acquired Nanahoshi's cooperation as bait.  Finally, MC sent a letter to Eris to requesting reconciliation (and possible assistance).

You should read ch 162-163[/spoiler]

164 Mushoku Tensei

Morning begins with exercise and sword practice with Norm, then return home to give Sylphy a tight hug, whose busy taking care of Luci.  Drop by the living room to greet Aisha and Lilia good morning, help the still sleepy Roxy braid her triple ponytails, head to the yard to call Zenith (in midst of a staring contest with Giraud) in to eat, then everyone ate breakfast together.

As if nothing actually happened, life returned to normal.

But the truth is, something did happened.  I did indeed have a duel to the death with Orsted and got my ass whooped... yet I'm alive.

The proof of that is -- I look at my hands, when I curl them up into a fist I can feel my fingers touching, both of them.

After what happened, after I prostrated myself before Orsted and swore loyalty to him, as promised Orsted casted healing magic on me.  Soon I regrew both of my hands, and finally regained all my limbs.  After casting another magic on me, he handed a ring he had on him and said, "After your magic replenished, contact me."  Then he left.  That ring I now wear on my left hand.  What it actually does, I'm not particularly sure, maybe something to help with replenishing magic?  Or perhaps it helps to prevent Hitogami from spying on me.

It's been 10 days since then, but Hitogami has yet to reappear in my dreams.  Under the protection of the Dragon God, since Orsted has said that he could pretend Hitogami's interference, so maybe the latter case.  Then again, it could be meaningless, just a symbol of a subordinate of the Dragon God or something like that.

Regardless, I lost to Orsted, joined his camp.  Betraying Hitogami and joined the other side, this ring is probably something I can't take off anymore.

Honestly, I don't regret betraying Hitogami at all.  I feel good about it, rather than "what have I done?," my feelings are closer to "I did it!"

No retreat, no matter how annoying Orsted is, I won't betray him.  We're in the same boat.  Even if this was part of Hitogami's plan too, what's done is done.

Still, in my personal opinion, Orsted seemed more trustworthy than Hitogami ever was.  Somehow, he reminds me of Ruijerd in a way.  Although he doesn't honor and care for children like Ruijerd.  Still, compared to the Hitogami that just stare down from above but does nothing on his own, Orsted seems like someone who puts his all in everything he does.

In any case, despite such a heavy burden, I suddenly felt emancipated, like a huge weight off my shoulders.  If I look at it seriously, maybe I'm not exactly of the fire, but at least I escaped from death's door.

Afterwards, I spoke with Sylphy and Roxy at the duel site.  Sylphy cried, and Roxy yelled at me.  She regret not knowing how dangerous an opponent I was facing.  She also felt uncomfortable that I now work for Orsted.  I told them it couldn't be helped.  What's done is done.  I can only follow through now, hopefully they will understand.

Returning to Sharia and letting everyone know that I'm fine.  I report to those that helped how I lost to Orsted and joined his camp.  By the way, Peruguis seemed the most relieved out of everyone.  Heh, I guess nobody really want to make enemy out of someone like him.

Everyone seemed shocked when I met them.  I couldn't figure it out until they point out that my hair was dyed white.  I don't really get it either, maybe similar to what happened with Sylphy?  Even if it's permanent, since Sylphy and I match now, I don't really mind...

Ten days of peace and quiet.  I'm a bit vigilant of Hitogami's next move, but for now nothing.

My body is recovering well, and my magic has replenished.  Speaking of which, Orsted seemed to know some secret about this body, Laplace Factor?  Or something like that...

Putting that aside, there has been one change to my comfortable everyday life.

----

"Another bowl!"
"Eris-sama, we're out of soup already."
"Eh, it wasn't enough!"

There's a new addition to the dining table, a tall woman with red hair.  That tall woman is Eris.
As a matter of course she came home; as a matter of course she took the guest room; and as a matter of course she begins to live here.
By the way, Ghyslaine booked a room at a nearby inn instead.  Maybe she was shocked by how Eris' acting, or maybe she's trying to be considerate for us.
In any case, Eris stayed.
She would go out some times, but basically she's always home.  She'll watch Sylphy make the meal, or watch Roxy prepare for class, or watch Aisha and Lilia taking care of the house, or spy at Luci and Sylphy when they're together.
In any case, when she's not doing anything, she would just watch.  Especially when Sylphy or Roxy are busy at one thing or another, she would look with a troubled expression and :<.
Eris has changed since when we last met.  What I mean is, she's prettier now.  She's tall for a girl, her body well proportioned and appropriately dressed.  Wearing a leather jacket like Ghyslaine, a light black undershirt and trousers that are easy to moved in.
Anyone can see, at a glance, the muscles chiseled on her well toned body.  But they're not at all budging, but layered tightly.  It's hard to look away.
Particular to note are her chest, thigh, and waist.  Explosive, tight and tight.  Compared to 5 years ago, her face has lost its childishness and instead a cool beauty.  Not longer a girl, but a mature feminine.