The conclusion is that Zenith was Allen's real savior.
Hearing the commotion outside, she burst out of the kitchen and rescued Allen from the depths of hell.
"I'll vouch for Allen. He absolutely won't intimidate Somar again. I'm very sorry."
Paul bowed his head, apologizing profusely to Mrs. Somar, while Zenith stood silently beside him with a frosty expression. She rarely gave this flirtatious woman who kept eyeing her husband any kindness.
Mrs. Somar just blushed and stared at the floor. But under Allen's dumbfounded gaze, she put on an expression of reluctant forgiveness and began softly speaking to Paul.
"Auntie! Just a moment ago you were furious, now you're putting on a pure act?!"
After seeing her off, Paul turned sternly to Allen with hands on his hips.
"Allen, what happened?"
He looked ready to scold him.
To Paul, Allen was the son of a close friend and cousin, so despite their usual camaraderie during sword practice, Paul naturally took the adult role when he thought Allen might be in the wrong.
Just as Allen was about to explain, Zenith snorted and stomped back to the kitchen.
Paul stared after her, puzzled.
Allen sighed and leaned toward Paul to whisper.
"Uncle—I mean, Master—you may not realize it, but I think Mrs. Somar has her eyes on you."
Paul blinked, then his eyes lit up as he turned to Allen.
"Really?"
Allen: . . .
Rudeus: . . .
Rudeus covered his face.
"All that anger a moment ago vanished instantly. Master Paul, you're just as easy to read as ever."
Allen massaged his temples.
"Yesterday, I saw Somar throwing mud at Roxy's daughter by the rice paddies. I scolded him a bit, but I swear I never touched him."
Paul raised an eyebrow.
"Really? Mrs. Somar always says her boy is well-behaved. She always comes to talk to me about him—wait, don't tell me..."
"Exactly. She's just finding excuses to talk to you. I think Zenith's been aware of this, which is why she was upset."
Paul gulped and quickly glanced at Lilia, who was quietly standing to the side. Then he ran off to the kitchen.
"Zenith! Listen to me! I didn't know!"
Rudeus looked toward Allen, who was watching Lilia with a thoughtful expression.
He leaned in and whispered, "Mrs. Somar's still nearby. You should go after her. I'll tell them you went to look for Sylphy—ow!"
Allen flicked Rudeus's forehead.
"Go charm your mother out of her grumpiness. Or you won't get breakfast. Smells like something's burning."
Rudeus froze, then sprinted for the kitchen.
Allen turned back to Lilia. She quickly glanced at him, adjusted her glasses, and said, "I'll go help too."
She practically ran into the kitchen.
Allen tapped his chin.
"So the cheating was foreshadowed early on... In the original, Lilia only got involved with Paul after Zenith got pregnant, and Paul had... excess energy. But at this point, it seems like Paul already flirts with Lilia occasionally, and she doesn't entirely reject him."
"When will this soap opera finally kick off? If I interfere now, maybe Aisha won't be born... Or maybe it wouldn't matter, since Paul initiates things later anyway."
Allen chuckled.
"This family's life just keeps getting more interesting. Aisha, Norn... how long until you're born?"
Breakfast was delayed by an hour.
Why? Because Paul spent the whole time sweet-talking his wife in the kitchen.
Fortunately, as always, the smooth-talking scoundrel succeeded. Before long, Zenith forgave him.
When it came time to eat, Paul was in high spirits. He even suggested bringing Sylphy over to play.
Perhaps because the kids had made a new friend, he generously canceled sword training for the day and told them to go play.
When it was time to leave, Paul clung to Zenith's hand. She tried to shake him off discreetly under Lilia's gaze but failed.
Maybe having no kids around made for a more harmonious marriage.
"By the way, we never asked Sylphy where she lives yesterday. How are we going to find her?"
Allen shrugged, pulling his gaze back from the affectionate couple.
"That hill from yesterday. I think she might be there."
"Really?"
"Just a guess. We've got nothing else to do anyway, let's check."
Allen had no time for Rudeus's questions. He was busy arguing with the system.
[Instant Quest: The Temptation of the Big Wagon has failed. Evaluation: What a pity. 2 points is still something.]
"Pity your damn self! Do you even know what 'Big Wagon' means? You're using it all wrong! Just because she's older and busty doesn't make her a Big Wagon!"
[Ah, so it's a height issue. My apologies. Next time, for sure.]
"Damn you."
Sure enough, when they arrived at the hill, a small figure stood under the tree. She wasn't playing, just scanning the area.
Upon seeing them from afar, she hopped up and down a few times, then awkwardly flailed around before finally settling into a run.
Allen grinned and walked faster.
"Morning. Were you waiting for us?"
Sylphy almost tripped and visibly panicked.
"No! I wasn't! I..."
"See? I told you Sylphiette wouldn't wait around for us, Allen. You were so sure she'd be here. Clearly a coincidence."
Rudeus chimed in smugly.
"Fine, fine. You're right."
Sylphy had now reached them. Hearing Allen's words, she grabbed Rudeus's head and dragged him behind her.
Given their tiny bodies, she barely hid him behind her back.
"No! Allen! It's not that! I just..."
Allen laughed, ruffling her hair.
"Sorry about yesterday. You guys okay after the poisoning?"
Sylphy's ears twitched. Her reddish-brown eyes sparkled under the sun. She slowly let go of Rudeus.
"I'm fine."
"Hah!"
Rudeus gasped for air like a drowning man.
"Hey! I was the one who got sick!"
Allen rubbed his chin as he watched them.
"Sylphy also has Laplace Factor. This is earlier than in the novel. If we start magical training now, maybe after the Displacement Incident she'll have a better chance at landing safely."
"Rudeus, how about you teach her magic?"
(End of Chapter)
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