Mushoku Tensei: Sword, Magic Hats, and Romance!

Roxy wore a pensive expression as she recalled something.

"I asked around. Turns out several bandit groups did go north. The ones south of the Red Dragon Mountains—there's only one group. They apparently have a human trafficking outpost hidden in the forest, which is why they've stayed stationed there and kept trying to sniff out information about you. That's all I found."

Allen narrowed his eyes.

"So… you rushed back here because you were worried those bandits might've already found their way to Buena Village? Afraid something might happen to the Greyrats—and wanted to be here just in case?"

Roxy glanced at him, then averted her gaze with a small nod.

"I was also worried about Rudeus. He was my first student, after all. So… have things been alright here lately? No outsiders causing trouble?"

"Nope~"

"I see…"

Allen studied her expression—then looked away, brows furrowing.

Another butterfly effect caused by me… But this one's tricky. One wrong move and the timeline might start falling apart. If Roxy decides to stay with the Greyrats for a year or more out of concern… what happens then?

Do Rudeus and I end up adventuring with her to earn money for the Magic University? Then the plot diverges completely. What happens to his childhood arc? His teenage arc? Would he even meet Eris anymore?

No. I need to nudge the timeline back on track. Use the right words to guide Roxy into leaving. That's the only way to minimize the butterfly effect.

"So basically… when you saw I was safe and sound, that reassured you? Because the disaster you were expecting didn't happen?"

Roxy nodded again. She thought his serious tone was about the bandit threat and tried to reassure him.

"Looks like you took the roads after we parted ways—didn't leave a trail in the forest. That'd explain why they lost track of you and never reached Buena. You really don't have to worry too much."

"Right. Just a false alarm, then. So you'll be continuing your travels like you planned?"

"Of course. Now that I know you're all fine, I'll keep following the original plan."

"…I see."

They stood in silence for a moment.

Roxy fidgeted, gently scuffing her boot against the ground. She had rushed back on impulse, and now that she knew nothing had gone wrong, she wasn't sure what to say next.

"Then—"

"By the way," Allen interrupted. "What happened to those bandits who jumped you?"

Roxy's expression froze, then hardened. She looked Allen straight in the eyes, faintly annoyed.

"I killed them. Took care of the bodies, too. They didn't deserve to live."

Only then did Allen realize how distrustful his question must've sounded. He'd asked because, deep down, he still thought of "Blue Mom" as too kindhearted—he worried she might've let someone go out of sympathy, and that loose end could've led the bandits right to Buena. Maybe they were even tailing her.

He lowered his gaze and apologized.

"That's not what I meant. But… thank you."

Roxy looked at him, then smiled and lightly tapped his head with her staff.

"I was an adventurer, you know. I don't make rookie mistakes like that."

"…Sorry."

They fell into silence again. After a long pause, Roxy patted her cheeks, bracing herself.

"Well. Since you're all safe, I should be on my way. Back to my travels. I'll take my leave now, Allen."

Allen blinked. But he was the one who had guided the conversation here.

He just nodded.

"Shouldn't we tell Pa—uh, the others?"

"No need. It's too late. I'll be gone before they wake. And don't tell them I came back, either. That would be for the best."

She gave him a lingering look under the moonlight, her gaze gentle but cool. Her lips curled upward—just slightly, just enough to form the shape of a crescent moon.

"…It seems like you've been doing well here since we parted. You don't look nearly as anxious as you did two months ago. You're calmer now. Your whole presence has softened."

Allen looked up in surprise, meeting her eyes.

"Really?"

Roxy studied the bangs that now lay neatly over his forehead, his eyebrows smoothed out beneath them.

"Really. Even the shape of your eyebrows has changed. Your hair's longer now too. And your eyes—they're not as sharp. If someone were going off the description on that bounty, they probably wouldn't even realize it was you. So relax, okay?"

She blinked and waited for a reply, but Allen said nothing.

Eventually, she let the smile fade and turned away, raising a hand in a casual wave.

The same gesture Allen had once made to her, two months ago.

"As you said before… there's nowhere in life we can't meet again. And here we are."

"…So, goodbye."

Allen watched her swaying robes as she turned to leave, and his lips moved on reflex.

"Yeah… goodbye."

Roxy stepped toward the gate.

Allen's eyes followed her silhouette.

Under the moonlight, her robe bore visible stains, with parts of it creased from long hours of sitting. The boots that had once been pristine now carried dried mud, and with each step, a wilted leaf peeled off her sole and dropped to the ground.

The heel of her boot was visibly worn down.

Allen stared blankly at her feet.

"…Wait."

Roxy paused. She turned her head slightly, the breeze pressing her blue hair against her damp forehead.

Allen looked at her for a moment.

Then he sighed, shoulders slumping a little—less defeated, more… relaxed. When he spoke, his tone was back to that casual laziness he wore like a second skin.

"…Hey. Why don't you come in and sit down? Stay a few more days. Rudeus is always going on about how much he misses you, and besides—"

"Besides?"

"…Well, you said 'life always brings people back together,' but if we're just meeting for a few seconds and then parting again, that kind of ruins the point, doesn't it? If we're no different from strangers on the road, what's even the meaning of calling it fate? Uh—not that I mean… I just meant Rudeus, he's been with you for so long and, you know…"

Roxy blinked at his awkward rambling.

Then she stepped forward again, cut him off gently—and gave only one word in reply.

"…Okay."

Allen stared at the soft smile returning to her face.

And for a second, the moon above seemed far too bright.

---

Author's Note: This scene marks a shift in the timeline.

If Roxy discovered something had happened to the Greyrat family, she would have turned back.

Whether it was abandoning her original journey after the Teleportation Disaster or declaring to Rudeus that the Greyrats were her second home, there are canon precedents that support her actions here.

So "coming back just to check on Allen" is only part of the reason—small, even.

The real reason Roxy chooses to stay a few days is because, at her core, she's a romantic.

This moment—being forced back by danger, only to cross paths again under the moonlight—felt like fate.

And she couldn't bring herself to leave just yet.