Before long, Zenith hummed a tune as she got up, and Lilia emerged from the bedroom looking tired as she went to help with breakfast.
"Good morning, young master."
"Good morning, Lilia."
Rudeus passed through the hallway, full of energy, and greeted her cheerfully.
"Lilia, you don't look too good today. Are you sick?"
A flicker of panic passed behind her glasses.
"I didn't sleep well last night. Thank you for your concern, young master."
Just then, Allen came downstairs shirtless, a towel around his shoulders and droplets of water still clinging to his hair.
"Morning, you two."
Zenith poked her head from the kitchen with a slight look of guilt.
"Morning, Allen. Sorry—Paul was a bit angry last night and hit a little hard! I checked your neck, and everything looked fine, but you weren't waking up, so we brought you back. You still had blood on you from the wild boar, and we couldn't bathe you, so we just laid out a futon. Paul also said he wants to properly thank... I mean, apologize today. He should be up soon."
Allen squinted at her vibrant face, his expression twitching.
'If you're really sorry, lady, maybe don't go playing bed sports so loud at night. And did you just say "thank" instead of "apologize"?!'
'Still, I should be thanking you—if not for you, I wouldn't have realized detox magic could be used like that. Pretty amazing.'
"It's alright. I was the reason Rudy and Sylphy got poisoned. By the way, did Uncle Rorze take Sylphy home yesterday? Was he angry?"
Zenith blinked.
"No, not at all. He looked a bit exasperated, but seemed to think highly of you two. He even asked me to tell you not to worry and that he hopes you'll keep looking after Sylphy."
Allen scratched his head.
"That's a relief. As long as he's not mad."
Meanwhile, Rudeus was staring blankly, overhearing everything.
'Wait… Paul hit Allen yesterday? Knocked him out? Then when did he make that shrine? In the middle of the night? And now he looks tired… This guy really covered for me and even made me a shrine. What a good guy. I've gotta repay him somehow.'
KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK!
Suddenly, there was a loud knock at the door.
Allen and the others exchanged confused glances.
"I'll get it."
To his surprise, the visitor was a short but well-proportioned young woman. She brushed hair behind her ear and gave a sharp glance inside.
But when she saw Allen—a stranger instead of the expected brawny knight—she paused. Her gaze slid from his rugged face down his neck to his trapezius and chest. She quietly pinched her nose.
"Where's Paul? And you are...?"
Allen blinked, scanning his memory but failing to place her.
He started brushing back his wet hair, frowning. "And you are...?"
Before he could finish, he caught sight of a familiar figure behind her—the same chubby kid from yesterday, looking awkward.
'Wait… this setup is familiar…'
[Urgent Quest: Temptation of the Wagon Mom – Activated]
[Madam Somar has always liked Paul's muscular build and uses any excuse to seek his attention. Now, she seems intrigued by your lean but fit frame. Proceed with caution.]
[Quest Hint: Zenith frequently complains about this woman's unwanted advances. This is your chance to earn favor in return for the detox glyph.]
[Reward: Handle things well, and gain 2 Participation Points and possibly a beautiful married woman.]
[Go for it, Host! Yellow-haired waifus aren't to be missed!]
Allen ignored the troll-like system's jabs and focused on the awkward kid in front of him.
He remembered what he had said to the boy yesterday:
"She's a demon, and I'm your dad."
…Crap. Oh no.
'I'm about to become a dad?!'
Madam Somar looked between Allen and her son, catching on. Her face darkened.
"So it was you who bullied Somar, huh? Throwing your weight around just because you're bigger and older?"
Allen flinched at the gaze she gave him, and when he looked down, Somar was hanging his head in utter shame.
"Hey! Speak up! Did I bully you? Say something!"
Somar flinched and buried his head deeper.
Allen was stunned.
Seeing this, Madam Somar grabbed his ear and started pulling.
"Come with me! We need to talk. Somar's father passed away, and I won't let anyone bully my child!"
Dragged away by a widow with a fierce grip, the Water God Style swordsman saw his life flash before his eyes.
'Come on! He's the one who bullied others! And what's with this "widow" bonus?! Help! Somebody save me!!'
"Wait!"
Allen's eyes lit up. Rudeus had come running.
'Rudy, you're the best! You didn't forget I helped you with the shrine!'
"Madam Somar, could he be back before noon? He's got sword training later."
A polite bow. A wink at Allen.
'He's totally doing this to repay me! But… wait… with Allen's strength, how did she even grab his ear unless he let her… Wait, is this his thing?!'
Allen: ???
"Wait!"
Paul finally arrived, looking like a savior to Allen.
'Paul! My hero!'
But just as he appeared, Rudeus shoved him back into the house and slammed the door.
Leaving Allen alone.
A spring breeze brushed against his skin. He slowly turned to Madam Somar's intense, half-lidded gaze.
His heart sank.
(End of Chapter)
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