At that moment, my heart had already pictured myself being run through by that man in white. I never expected you to be able to save me under such circumstances. I truly don't know how I can repay this kindness.
I was somewhat suspicious of you before; that was me judging a gentleman with the heart of a petty person. I hope you won't mind.
From now on, you are my big brother. As your younger brother, I will always respect and admire you.
This life I owe to you. If you have any future requests, I will not hesitate to go through fire and water for you."
Hearing him pour out so many heartfelt words at once, I was left speechless about how to respond. By the way, does that phrase 'go through fire and water' exist in Japan?
"Haha, Rudeus, it's nothing. I didn't contribute much afterward either. I cast Flight Magic, and that man in white couldn't catch up to me. There wasn't much danger. You flatter me."
"Oh, Brother Daolin, don't be so distant. From now on, please call me Little Brother Rudy. That will make me feel better."
"...Little brother is a bit much. I'll call you Rudy.
Rudy, I have something to ask you. What is the Human God Hitogami?
Why did that man in white go mad trying to take your life upon hearing that name?"
Rudy appeared a bit awkward, speaking hesitantly:
"The Human God Hitogami is a person who appears in my dreams. He constantly gives me advice through dreams. Every time I follow his advice, I gain great rewards.
My Foresight Eye was obtained through his suggestion."
It was fortunate that things were consistent with my expectations; the Human God's advice to Rudeus hadn't changed much.
"Rudy, you must know that everyone acts with their own purpose. There is no goodwill without reason. As the saying goes, one must maintain vigilance against others. You should keep your previous sense of caution and be wary of strange characters in your dreams."
I didn't fully expose the truth, as doing so would reveal that I knew specific information about the Human God Hitogami.
If Rudeus showed too much wariness, the Human God might guess something.
Subsequently, to celebrate our survival, we ordered many more drinks and dishes, and everyone began to drink heartily.
Rudeus aside, Roxy and Elinalise also became much warmer toward me because I saved their lives.
They drank their share of the alcohol too.
In the end, I drank a bit too much, and it was Aisha who helped escort me back to my room.
When I woke up in the morning, I instinctively squeezed the woman in my arms' pert backside with my left hand.
After all, for the past few mornings, Elinalise would usually be lying in my arms, and I had gotten used to reaching out and touching her.
But today's sensation was completely different; it was similar to my former Little People Clan maid, Eva.
Actually, it hardly qualified as a sensation because my pectoral muscles were larger than theirs; they were basically flat.
I lowered my head and found my apprentice, Aisha, inexplicably appearing in my embrace.
I was startled, and most of the alcohol-induced haze cleared up.
Observing closely, thankfully her clothes were completely on. It seemed she lay down next to me to take care of me while I slept.
I almost committed a major mistake. After all, she is just a child, and she probably doesn't have any hang-ups about that.
Moreover, if one vomits while drunk, it can easily lead to suffocation, requiring someone nearby to care for them. Aisha is truly an attentive apprentice; I was very relieved.
Afterward, I dressed and washed up by myself.
At this moment, on my bed, a girl with wine-red hair quietly opened her eyes after I left.
She placed her hand on her chest, lightly pinching it just as her master had done moments before, then sighed with an 'Ah.'
She secretly vowed that she must eat more every day in the future so that she could grow up quickly.
She had a lot of room for growth. When that time came, a seductive slut like Elinalise wouldn't be able to steal her master away.
When I finished washing up, I found Aisha was also awake.
I thanked her for taking care of me last night while I was drunk. Then I went downstairs for breakfast.
I drank quite a lot last night, but I didn't black out. I clearly remember Rudeus being very grateful to me and even wanting to call me 'Big Brother Dorin'.
In the inn's dining hall, I ran into Rudeus and Norn. As for Roxy and Elinalise, the two of them aren't exactly the early-rising type.
During breakfast, I discussed our route within the Asura Kingdom with them. Although I haven't noticed anyone looking for me...
...I still chose to avoid the Donati Territory.
I don't know what my grandfather is thinking. He doesn't seem to care at all that I've vanished into thin air.
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