Mushoku Tensei

Volume 19 Side Story: One Example of Work

Part 1

Angelique Karentail, nicknamed Ange.

She was born in a small village in the west edge of the Kingdom of Dragon King, close to the jungle.

Her parents were pharmacists. Ange was raised to become one as well.

Before she reached adulthood, her parents died in a magic beast's [Goblin] attack, but that's not unusual in a village like this.

After finishing their funeral, with the villagers' help, and overcoming her sadness for their death, she took over her family home and business.

Ange has one person whom she could call a close friend.

Fam Haindora.

A hunter born and raised, she is both Ange's companion and guard. Her mother caught a disease that infects only adults, and her father was killed by a goblin , along with Ange's parents, when they went in the forest together to collect medicine for her.

In other words, Fam's father couldn't protect Ange's parents.

Thus, Fam feels indebted to Ange.

Once upon a time, Ange also begrudged Fam.

But after some conflict, it was settled.

Now, this duo of best friends is known to everyone in the village.

Like that, these two people will be 20 years old this year.

"Oh… I wonder if there isn’t a good man somewhere."

Muttered Fam.

Dressed in tanned leather vest and skin tight leather pants.

Wearing thick leather boots, carrying a long bow and quiver of arrows at the shoulder, and machetes on the waist.

She is dressed like a bandit, and looks dirty. But, overall, it can be said that she is a beautiful woman with well-defined features.

"At least, he won’t be in a place like this."

Ange answered.

She's a pharmacist, but she wears leather pants so she could move easier.

There was also a knife strapped on her waist, and an adze as well.

If there was a very large difference between these two girls, it was that Ange carries a large basket.

The basket's contents were a variety of nuts and medicinal herbs, which were arranged orderly and took about half of the basket's total volume.

These two girls, now inside the forest.

They’re harvesting medicine supplies for Ange's pharmacy.

"Well, he has to be rich, handsome, but naive, and a bit awkward in company of women. The kind that blushes full bloom from holding hands."

"Just an average guy for me. He doesn't need to be rich, as long as he's nice and normal."

"Ange, you have no dream!"

"Fam, let's look at reality."

In the village inhabited by these two girls, there is no such young man like in Fam's description.

It’s not like there is none at all, but most of them are already married.

Millis devotees are not so much in number in that village.

But having more than one wife is prohibited by law, other than the village chief of course.

The current chief is almost 50, and already has five wives.

He won’t get married again.

"Also in reality, and If I get married, maybe it’s with Dochin."

Dochin son of the Village chief, 20-years-old, he's the same age as these girls.

However, he's already married to his fiancee who was selected since their birth. He also already has an heir.

There is also a rumor that he will become village chief soon.

If that happened, he could marry his second wife.

According to the village tradition, when someone is appointed to become village chief, he must choose his second wife and marry her.

It's the talk of the village on who will be his number two right now.

For that man, there are plenty of unmarried maidens to choose from.

"Well, Dochin probably won’t choose me."

"Fam was always bullying Dochin when we were young."

"No, what if he selects me to exact his revenge? And bullied me at night?"

"I don’t think so Fam, I think Dochin is still scared of you."

Because they’re from the same generation, they often played and hung out together from a young age.

There were seven of them, and Fam is a bully child from their age.

At the time, Fam often made Dochin cry.

Ange thought she would end up marrying one of them some day, but unfortunately that didn't happen.

From those seven childhood friends, three of them left the village, leaving only three women and Dochin as a lone bachelor in their generation.

Dochin then married his fiancée, so Fam and Ange ended up as leftovers.

"But, I think Ange has a chance, since you’re so cute."

"Well, I won't. Cause I'm the only pharmacist in the village. I can't work if I married the chief. It would just cause trouble for the village."

"Well… Maybe can be reward for our efforts for this'

"I hope you are right, ha-ha-ha-ha."

And, Ange said that with a laugh.

But, the truth was she was thinking about something else entirely.

(I wonder … that …… a Prince, won’t come and take me as his wife, huh?)

Although Ange told her close friend to look at reality,

When she was a child, she heard such a story from the bard, and longing for it.

It is a story of a little adventurer with blue hair.

She was journeying alone as an adventurer from Millis continent to all over the Central Continent, becoming an A rank adventurer in no time.

That story made her young heart race.

But still, at that time it was just a simplistic story from the other side of the world.

But it’s no longer just a fantasy, it happened 10 years ago.

A certain adventurer appeared in the village vicinity 10 years ago.

On the way leaving the forest, she tried to reach West Port.

That adventurer stopped at Ange's village.

A small adventurer with blue hair.

She was just like how the bard described about her.

It was in that moment that the other side of the world, the story became reality.

She stayed overnight in the village, and told the 10 year old Ange at that time about her adventures.

It’s not a fantasy story product from someone's delusion, it was a real story.

Fam's eyes shone when she heard her story about her fight against the boss of the Labyrinth.

Ange's heart was racing when she heard the part of [Entering a Labyrinth searching for a cool man] was the purpose for her adventure.

The adventurer succeeded in capturing the labyrinth but still failed to fulfill her purpose, that story never-the-less left a great impression in Ange's heart.

From that day after she heard the story onward, Ange had some kind of admiration for adventurers.

Sometimes, her head was full of such longing of delusional encounters.

She was in a pinch from being suddenly attacked by a demon, suddenly a prince gallantly appears to her aid. And to that person, she offered herself as a form of gratitude.

(Kya!)

And, it’s where her delusion come to an end in agony.

The longing is just longing.

A delusion is just a delusion.

There was no way such a convenient thing will occur, and Ange knows about that.

Delusions about such marriage is only a pipe dream.

Mere fantasy.

The Ange now was only looking properly at reality.

5 years ago, she felt the feeling of sadness and loneliness from losing her parents, and she hated those feelings.

"Ange be careful, we’re entering that guy's territory."

"Yeah, I know."

They have come to a cave in the deepest part of the forest. Ange places her basket by her feet.

This time, these two girls came to this cave in search for material for a certain medicine in this cave.

A disease called Iburi Disease, which as become an epidemic in the area. The main ingredient for the cure is inside this cave.

"It cannot be helped, if it’s for Dochin."

"Yeah."

Currently, the son of Village chief Dochin was infected by Iburi Disease.

The Iburi Disease, it's a disease that spreads all over the body and will cause certain death, if the patient didn’t drink the medicine within 10 days.

However, there is a sure way to cure it, that was by using intermediate detoxification magic, and it’s not contagious.

From this view, it is a disease which isn’t dangerous in most of the world's cities.

But, this deadly disease is feared in a remote area like the village where Ange lives.

Because it takes at least ten days to travel to the nearest city, where an intermediate detoxification magician could be found.

Their childhood friend and future village chief, Dochin, is inflicted with such a disease.

For that matter, this same disease is also the one which caused Fam and Ange's parents' deaths.

Fam's mother was also infected by Iburi disease,

In an attempt to cure it, Ange's parents and Fam's father entered the forest to search for its medicine… and perished.

It is a disease that caused these two girl's relationship to become closer.

And that accursed disease is now sinking its poisoned fangs into their childhood friend.

"……"

Carefully, the two girls take each of their steps.

The ingredient for the medicine is a flower that only blooms at the foot of this cliff.

They don't need a lot to make a single portion.

Just five or six petals.

With that amount, it’s enough for one person.

"…… Gulp"

These two girls gulp when they reached the clearing.

The gap between the trees suddenly cleared, and they come out in a place that look like a plaza.

There in front of them, a high cliff.

With blue flowers blooming at its base.

"…Gasp!"

Even while looking at the beautiful sight, their expressions didn’t relax one bit.

Ange quickly went to the flowers and tore a handful of petals with her trembling hand.

The next moment.

"GroaaaaaaaaRRRRRRRRRRR!!"

A thunderous roar could be heard.

"Ange, run away!"

Fam cried.

However, Ange's feet were already frozen the moment she heard that roar.

"Ange! Hurry!"

While she grabbed her long bow and an arrow from her quiver, Fam yelled at Ange.

"!"

It appeared on top of the cliff.

A Giant lizard with purple-red skin, at least ten meters in length.

Master of the forest.

Iburi Lizard.

That reptile has no wings, so it’s similar to the giant lizard inhabiting Begaritto Continent.

So why is the lizard, called [Iburi] Lizard?

Because near the area where that lizard lives, Iburi Disease always spreads.

And because the flower necessary to cure Iburi Disease is only found within its territory.

Because of this a group of scholars came up with a theory,

They said that the Iburi Lizard is spreading the Iburi Disease.

By spreading Iburi disease, their prey will come to pick the flower to cure the disease.

But, that truth has yet to be confirmed.

Regardless, this village has been haunted by this lizard and the Iburi Disease for the past five years.

Ange's parents, Fam's father…

Everyone has been killed by this guy.

"AAAAAAAAAAAARGGGGGHHHHHHH!"

Fam shouted to strengthen herself, and fires her arrow.

That arrow flew and stuck itself on the scales of the Lizard with a [Ting!] sound.

In that moment, Iburi lizard also made its move.

It ran down the cliff at a tremendous speed like a gecko.

It looks like Fam's arrow didn’t have any effect on it.

"Ange, please get up! Run! "

With Fam's voice, Ange stood up at last.

But she didn’t run away immediately, she was indecisive.

Such impatience tangled Ange's legs.

She finally turned around and ran.

Seeing that, Fam also turned to make her escape.

However, it was already too late.

"GuuuAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!"

"A Gyaa A~a~a~a!"

The thin Iburi Lizard caught up to Fam at a tremendous speed, with its chaotic movements and sharp teeth it cornered Fam and glared.

The Iburi Lizard grabbed Fam in its mouth and lifted her like a doll, she was swung about while screaming in a way not befitting a young girl, and was thrown back towards the cliff into the bed of flowers.

Ange was looking at that.

Her eyes reflected Fam being thrown through the air.

She saw Fam's desperate face.

In that moment she hesitated.

She had thought to help her best friend.

Then when she noticed it, the Iburi Lizard was already in front of her.

"Ah"

I will die.

Ange realized this.

Someone would come to save her at the last minute.

Sometimes she has such delusions.

A delusion is only a delusion.

While in fact, there is no way someone will come to her rescue right now.

At this moment, she will die.

That was reality.

So surely, everything after that moment must have been a dream.

Suddenly, the Iburi Lizard was blown off to the side.

"What?"

Ange did not understand the scene in front of her.

Suddenly, the monster that almost killed her, changed its direction.

Suddenly, the body of that giant lizard flew off in an impossible direction.

"GRRRRR…"

With its blood spilling from its mouth, the Iburi Lizard frantically looked in the direction of whatever had managed to blow it away.

Ange also looked in that direction.

Standing there, a man.

Wearing a dark grey robe, fluttering with the wind, with a black armor hidden below.

In his left hand he carried some kind of tube.

With his dazzling brown hair dancing in the wind, he walked toward the Iburi Lizard.

"GrAAAAAAAAWWWWW!"

The moment it saw that man, Iburi Lizard opened its jaw and rushed at that man.

Huge fangs approached that man, but he faced it calmly.

The man was bitten without mercy - that was what Ange predicted.

However, the man was alive.

The man, he caught the Iburi Lizard's head.

He stopped the giant Iburi Lizard's movement with one hand.

Then, as if in slow motion, he directed his left hand at Iburi Lizard head.

"Shotgun Trigger!"

Next, something fired from the tube.

Seeing that, Ange didn’t know what just happened.

But she concluded that it fired something at very high speed.

After Ange's point-of-view, it was over in a flash,

Because the Iburi Lizard's head has already vanished from this world.

"……"

Its head exploded into a million pieces, the long neck that was caught in that explosion's momentum caused the Iburi Lizard's body to fall backward.

It lands with a sound too faint for its size.

An unbelievable sight.

However, bright red blood continued to flow from its severed neck.

"Whew…"

While sighing, the man aimed his right hand to the lizard corpse.

Then, the body of Iburi Lizard burst into flames in an instant.

Sounds of oil crackling and the smell of burning flesh filled the air.

Then, the man turned towards Ange.

With the fire raging behind him, as if nothing happened to that man, he opened his mouth.

"You … are Angelique Karentail right?"

"Heh?"

He suddenly said that with such a goofy voice.

"Or, Miss Fam Haindora?"

How did you know my name?

Ange wants to say, but the words won't come out. Still in a daze, she shakes her head. Ange noticed that they’re staring at each other.

"I came to help."

Hearing those words from that man in grey robe, Ange's heart started beating loudly.

Part 2

The man called himself Rudeus Greyrat.

While casting skeptical gazes at Ange's unquenchable throbbing chest, he applied healing magic to Fam who was treated in an instant.

Although Fam's consciousness didn’t return immediately, even injuries such as broken bones, her leg that was almost torn, and purple bruises on her skin were immediately healed.

He explained that he had been asked to come here by a certain person to help Ange, but he didn’t reveal this much about his request.

Also, Ange has no idea about who could have asked him to come to help her.

"Regardless of what has happened, it was good that I just barely came in time this time."

"Ah … Right!"

Rudeus is walking through the forest while piggybacking Fam.

Ange is following with her basket of flowers and herbs.

While walking, she is frequently worrying about her appearance.

(No doubt about it my hair is disheveled, my clothes also covered with mud, maybe …… Yeah, my face looks so dirty. Oh……what must I do about it? Is my appearance a mess?)

She was blushing every time Rudeus turned around, and turned to hide herself.

It seems Rudeus didn’t mind such attitude.

Rather, it’s like he convinced himself to not look at her face.

Without looking back, they walk in silence.

He looks back once a while, but it’s really only once in a while.

Ange wanted to see Rudeus's face more.

(Ee~r, what can I do? Soon we will arrive at the village. And then he will be treated like a hero. Defeating the Lizard, he saved the village. What should I do, if that happens I'm sure, it won’t be possible to talk to him …)

And then, Ange saw Fam's figure piggybacking on Rudeus and burned it into her eyes.

Her ample bosom is successfully pressed against Rudeus's back.

Seeing that, Ange felt a little jealous with her.

"Eh, well, Rudeus-san!"

"Yes, what?"

Rudeus looking back at her remaining expressionless, and Ange riding on that momentum.

"About, Fam! Isn’t she heavy?"

"It's all right"

"Eh, but you've already been carrying her since a while ago, don't you feel tired?"

"No, I always train myself, so this level of activity won’t make me tired."

Saying so, while rolled-up his robe Rudeus showed her his upper arm.

Although his biceps was not visible because of his black armor, for some reason while watching it Ange was impressed by the words of [After all, I’m always training myself.]

Then Rudeus struck his hands with pop.

"Oh, yeah. I'm sorry I’m not being considerate."

"What?"

(What, What, did you notice it?)

And, Ange's eyes turned into black and white.

Rudeus said that with a smile while showing his shining white teeth.

"Say, Angelique-san I’m a bit tired. Shall we take a short break?"

By the way, his teeth shining is only Ange's delusion.

"Oh… Yeah, I’m sorry and thank you very much for your hard work, please take a rest… and please just call me Ange by all means!"

"Ange… Okay."

Rudeus, slowly put Fam down, then sat himself on a fallen tree.

That fallen tree has a V-form shape.

To Rudeus it was obvious that he was only being friendly, sitting opposite Ange.

But, as for Ange, she thought…

This is a chance, and now is the only time.

(Eit!)

As it is, Ange sat down next to Rudeus.

"…!"

Ange could feel that Rudeus was a little startled.

(I wonder … if it feels unpleasant?)

She takes a glance at his face.

Rudeus had an indifferent face.

But, his expression didn’t look like he dislikes it.

He is just confused.

From what Ange guessed, and from her lips an excuse leaks immediately.

"Su, about this I'm sorry, I was scared. Well, even now I’m still scared, let me sit beside you!"

"Oh!… Yeah, if that’s what you mean."

Ride on the momentum.

Ange was going all-out.

To the end the holy war.

"Oh, and thank you very much."

"No, it’s fine because it’s my job."

Though Rudeus's attitude looked unfriendly, his eyes swam right and left overlooking Ange.

Ange followed his line of sight.

She's wondering, what he sees.

Around her neck, her clothes are unbuttoned and her chest is exposed.

"!"

In an effort to hide it in the moment, Ange hugged herself with her own hands.

It seems that Ange's attempt to be not interrupted.

Is already going beyond the horizon.

"…!"

Ange tried to cuddle next to Rudeus.

But as she tried to get closer, each time Rudeus would move a bit away.

In the end, Rudeus was cornered at the end of the fallen tree and Ange pressed up against his arm.

"That, Rudeus-san…"

"What a… Is it…"

When she could feel Rudeus's line of sight focused on her chest, Ange swallowed.

Her size isn’t as big as Fam.

But it’s definitely greater than the average size in the village, she often receives sexual harassment like [Ange-chan, won’t you bring me medicine from the valley of your breast?] from middle aged men.

It was a tool that only made fun of inside the village.

A part of Ange had cursed it, but…

This was a weapon now.

"I said, even if its work but the fact that you saved my life didn’t change, I’m truly grateful for that."

"Errr~… You're welcome."

"If, after this, we go back to the village, as long as you didn’t immediately go back you can come to my house…and I will give you something as thank you present."

"No, I can’t do that. Because my next job is already waiting for me there."

Her plan failed, but Ange didn’t give up.

This is because Ange was determined to make it to the far end of the journey, to the Eternal City.

"So, that is, well then, at least please let me give my gratitude, but I don’t have anything…except for my body."

Even while feeling her face becoming red, Ange's arms that crossed around her body to cover her chest.

…then opening her arms that covered her chest, Rudeus's eyes were immediately glued there.

And then Rudeus suddenly stood up.

"Oh… Rudeus-san?"

"Surprise attack, my chronic disease is almost acting up, I need my medicine!"

While he said that, his line of sight was still glued to Ange's chest.

But, hearing the word medicine, Ange came back to her senses a little.

She is a pharmacist.

She had thought that if the man in front of her had a chronic disease, her actions might be triggered it to act up.

"Oh, I am a pharmacist! If it’s medicine, I could mix it after we’ve arrived at my home."

"No need to worry, because I brought some with me."

After giving such a vague answer, Rudeus reached inside his armor…

And took something out, wrapped in a white cloth.

Seeing that, rather than a love affair, Ange was more excited by the medicine.

Could it be some kind of recidivistic disease?

Rudeus is a powerful warrior.

He has strong stamina, which makes it possible for him to travel while wearing an armor capable of taking the Iburi Lizard's attacks head on.

In spite of that, he can also use healing magic.

Had applied advanced level Healing magic to Fam.

She often heard that Healing magic and Detoxification magic are learned as a set.

Thus perhaps, he is also familiar with detoxification magic.

Afflicted with a chronic disease without any cure, he seemed to be a person right out of a legend.

He himself didn’t know how to cure his disease, and journeyed the world searching for a cure.

"Is that the drug… for your treatment?"

"Yeah, well, it's something like that."

But despite saying that, Rudeus took the edges of the cloth and spread it.

At first Ange had thought that the medicine would fall, and motioned to catch it…

But nothing fell, not pills nor powdered medicine.

Other than that cloth, nothing was to be seen.

So, where is the medicine?

A strange thing caught Ange's attention and caused her to look up as she thought that.

It was pantsu.

Rudeus is holding pantsu.

According to its size, it’s from an adult woman.

When did…?

Eh.

Why.

The… The cloth that was wrapping the medicine until a little while ago…

No, that is the cloth from a little while ago.

That cloth he was holding was pantsu.

What?

Why?

"…? …?"

"Whew…"

While Ange cast her confused gaze at Rudeus, he… was taking a deep breath.

He buried his face against the pantsu.

"Su~tsu~u~u ???? …… ~Haaa~~ ~~!"

He exhaled a deep breath.

"Suha, bad habit, bad habit, Suwa"

As he said that he continued to take breath after breath…

Smelling and smelling, sometimes he snorted.

He was completely mesmerized by the pantsu.

"……"

At that sight, Ange was terrified.

The scene made cold sweat run down her back, she could not move nor make a sound.

She was perfectly still, she couldn't do anything but look on in horror at Rudeus.

"Whew……"

Rudeus finally ended his bizarre ritual five minutes later.

"O God, I give my thanks to you!"

After saying that, while posing like a devotee praying to their god, he folded the pantsu neatly and return them to his bosom.

"……"

Ange didn't know how to respond, the only thing that could escape her mouth was a [pacpac] sound.

Her wit could not keep up with the current situation.

She thought this was her chance, then suddenly the pantsu came out and…

She could not comprehend what just happened.

"After all, the holy relic is limited use only."

But, only one fact came to her.

Rudeus's behavior just now had smashed her delusions to pieces.

Yes, Ange's love at first sight shattered instantly.

"Well, what was it Ange-san?"

"……I, I, it’s nothing…"

She woke up from her dream.

Part 3

Then, Ange returned to the village unceremoniously.

Before they entered the village, Rudeus entrusted Fam to Ange.

"Because I won’t make a stop at the village, I will excuse myself here."

"…… Yes …… Yes"

Hearing his words, Ange could only nod her head in reply.

That bizarre scene still burned strongly in her mind.

"Now, take care."

Then suddenly… he stopped as if he remembered something. Rudeus stopped walking and turned around to face Ange.

He looked back.

"Oh, well Ange-san didn’t you mention about a reward before."

Hearing his words, a chill ran down Ange's spine.

Thank you.

Yeah.

When she considers it, he did indeed save her life.

She can’t refuse if it’s his request.

No matter how much she wants to run away from the physiologically disgusting man in front of her…

Ange is not that ungrateful to that level.

"Eh, uh… so, I'm troubled that, you want my pantsu too?"

"No, I don’t need that. But, I need you to do something."

"And, what do you want me to do?"

(Oh, What should I do. It must be something amazingly kinky.)

Ange's resolute face turned pale.

"……"

While scratching the back of his head after seeing Ange's reaction and muttering [Well, what do I say…], Rudeus took something out of his backpack.

A picture book along with a doll.

"Then, Ange-san, please read this book to your children when they’re born. Please read this picture book to them and tell them that the Supard race isn’t like the Iburi."

"Pardon me? Huh? Supe?"

"This is the Supard race."

"Supard race…"

After hearing those absurdly strange words, Ange's eyes went black and white.

"At the end of the book there is a table that shows you how to read the characters, so it could be used to teach your children to read. Just that, thank you."

After saying that Rudeus placed the book and the doll in Ange's hands and left.

In Ange's hands sat a green haired Magic race doll and a picture book.

Just from the look of that Supard race doll, she felt terrified.

It's incredibly detailed and painted with vivid colors.

It seems like it could come to life at any moment.

The image of the terrible demon.

There was an impulse that made her want to throw it away on the spot.

However, the fact that it’s a request from someone who saved her life made her reconsider.

"… Let me see?"

Supard race.

She never met them, but she knew about them.

The Supard race she knew was just as frightening as the Iburi.

When she was a child, if she was doing something bad, her parents would threaten her by saying she would be eaten by a Supard.

Was there really another story that the Supard race weren't bad guys?

(Why such a thing…)

Ange, not knowing what to do about such a strange request, pinched the doll's head.

"Oh…"

Then the doll's hair came off.

Now in Ange's hands was a warrior holding a spear with a rugged face.

"Cool."

Seeing that, Ange laughed.

She didn't know what his intention was.

But, it's what the person who saved her life requested.

Let’s do as he asked.

That was Ange's decision.

A few years later.

By curing Dochin from the Iburi Disease, Ange was chosen as his second wife when he became the village chief.

Dochin is an ordinary man, but he is a hard worker to the point that it isn’t even funny.

However, he is not a pervert.

While feeling grateful for that fact, Ange raised their children while reading that picture book for them.

Over time, the story from the picture book became a staple for the children in the village. The story of the bald warrior from the Supard race carrying out justice. Later it spread through the neighboring villages…

But… That's for another time.

[Next story notice]

Rudeus that barely escaped from the temptation of cheating.

He who was exhausted both physically and mentally finally arrived at home.

But Eris's selfishness immediately hit Rudeus who came home seeking some healing from his daughter!

Next time episode 192 of unemployed reincarnation

"Borrowed Cat"

- Tyrant does not return, what he borrowed.

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