Mushoku Tensei: The Sword, the Magic Hat, and the Love System

Allen snapped out of it under Roxy's glowing gaze.

"How... how can you be back?! That doesn't make any sen—mmph."

Roxy immediately covered his mouth, glancing around nervously, then put a finger to her lips.

"Shhh! Everyone's still asleep."

Allen blinked and glanced at the hand on his mouth. Roxy blinked too, realizing what she was doing. She quickly pulled her hand away and tugged her bangs nervously.

"I only came to check if you were all right. Seems like you are. Congrats on joining the Greyrat family. I'll be leaving soon, so please don't shout."

Allen stared at her, still trying to process what was going on.

'Why did Roxy come back? Everything was still under control until now. What's with this "just checking if you're okay" line?'

"You came back just to see us in the middle of the night? You're leaving right after seeing me? Aren't you going to see Paul, Zenith, or Rudeus? Doesn't add up."

Roxy scratched her cheek. She noticed Allen wasn't using honorifics anymore but let it slide. After a moment of thought, she pulled something from her robe—a well-folded, high-quality document—and handed it to Allen.

Allen frowned, unfolded it, and his expression turned to surprise.

It was a missing person request. The paper was old, clearly posted a while ago, and the tone was unmistakably noble.

To All Adventurers:

I am James Boreas Greyrat. My beloved son, Allen Boreas Greyrat, went missing on the way to his studies near the Red Dragon's Upper Jaw. I am deeply troubled. All search parties dispatched have returned without success.

Thus, I issue this request to all adventurers: help me find my son.

He is nine years old, but tall like an adult woman, well-built, with brown hair, gray eyes, and sharp features. He keeps his hair slicked back and often raises his eyebrows when speaking, looking sharp yet calm.

If anyone sees a boy matching this description, report to the Boreas mansion in the royal capital.

Verified leads will be rewarded with 200 gold coins.

Returning the boy will earn 1,000 gold coins.

Thank you for your aid.

Allen read it carefully, then slowly looked up at Roxy.

"Sorry about earlier. I didn't tell you everything when we met... I was trying to stay hidden."

Roxy blinked, then looked away, a little embarrassed.

"It's okay. I understand. You did say the truth—just not all of it. I guessed wrong. Sorry."

Allen eyed her warily.

"Still, you didn't need to come all the way here to confront me. You could've just written. So there's more, right?"

Roxy hesitated. Then she pulled out a rougher sheet of paper, its edges curled. She handed it to him.

Allen unfolded it and his expression turned dark.

It was a bounty notice, crude and vulgar—everything the noble letter wasn't.

Night Lion Bandit Group Bounty Notice:

Target: Allen Boreas Greyrat

Description: Brown hair, gray eyes, a face that pisses people off.

Reward: 1,000 gold coins.

He is a Sword God Style upper-rank swordsman. Killed nine of our men at the Red Dragon Upper Jaw. If interested, prepare a team for the hunt.

Note: Only the corpse is required.

Payment on delivery. Contact the local Night Lion Bandits.

Bounty valid indefinitely.

—Night Lion

Allen narrowed his eyes, then grinned coldly.

'No wonder Roxy came rushing back. A bounty of 1,000 gold coins... James, James... you never disappoint. Killing me is easier than dragging me back alive, huh?'

He looked at Roxy.

"Did you find this one at the Adventurers' Guild too? Paul has been trying to gather info for me, but he hasn't heard anything about a bounty."

Roxy had already read the two papers many times. She knew this was clearly the work of the Boreas family. One request to maintain appearances, one bounty to ensure Allen's death.

Unlike her own situation—rejected by villagers—Allen had his own father calling for his execution.

She sighed.

"No, I found this one while traveling to Rigat. I was ambushed by three bandits. I took this bounty off one of them. It's probably circulating in the gray zones. The Guild only had the missing person post. Honestly, the Guild in Asura Kingdom is so dead—it only had a few notices, so this stood out."

Allen's brows twitched.

"Bandits on the way to Rigat? From the forest? They were searching for me?!"

Roxy nodded.

"Apparently a group of bandits is searching eastward along the Red Dragon's lower ridge."

Allen's face darkened.

"...That doesn't make sense. I left signs pointing north. Why are they searching the southern ridge?"

(End of Chapter)

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