Chapter 16: Runaway Rudeus

────Rudeus’ POV────

When Orsted summoned me and ordered me to make Ariel queen, I immediately thought of killing the Water God and the North Emperor.

There were many reasons.

In the future described in that old man’s diary, Sylphy was killed by those two when she tried to make Ariel queen. In the same diary’s future, Edith lost an arm after being poisoned by the North Emperor. And when Ghislaine declared she would head to Asura Kingdom to take revenge on those bastards, Edith clutched her head in despair.

And above all, Orsted’s command was to help Ariel ascend to the throne—and that meant the Water God and North Emperor, either as apostles or puppets, would stand as our enemies.

Hitogami was serious about destroying my family. Ariel and Orsted both refused to give up the throne. Inevitably, they would become our enemies and hurt my family. Which meant—I had no choice but to kill them.

In the diary’s future, Ariel would take Sylphy with her. Even if I opposed it, what right did I have? I betrayed Sylphy twice, fathered a secret child, and yet she still hadn’t divorced me—a miracle in itself. Neither Ariel nor Sylphy would listen to me now.

And Ghislaine? She’d be justified in crushing my son underfoot the moment we met again. Yet she swallowed it all and accepted Eris and Edith for their sake. There’s no way I could ever tell her to abandon her revenge.

That old man’s story wasn’t just about him—it was about me too. He kept betraying trust until he was abandoned. I’d already lost plenty of trust myself. Frankly, I no longer trusted myself.

And since Orsted’s orders would only arouse suspicion, I couldn’t mention him. So, on the very day I received the command, I rushed to Ariel’s side and forced a meeting, making it look like my only purpose from the start was to support her.

(As long as I make them believe I’ll cooperate completely, that’s enough. Even a bastard like me—who ignored the child born from an affair for four years, got forgiven halfheartedly, then married three women—can still be useful. Probably. Worst case, they might just ask for Eris and Sylphy, but still…)

If Sylphy and Ghislaine couldn’t be stopped, then I’d bundle us all together—including Eris—and while we had the justification, wipe out anyone who might become an enemy.

It wasn’t a lie. If Sylphy was bound to get dragged into a succession war, then I truly wanted the entire Greyrat family to support Ariel and make her queen, to gain her protection. The only thing I was hiding was that the order came from Orsted.

After two hours of desperate persuasion and flaunting our strength, the Greyrat family was officially assigned as Ariel’s personal guards until she took control of the Asura Kingdom.

"Ru… Rudi… hey, Rudy!"

"Ah, sorry, Sylphy. I was just thinking about yesterday’s talk with Lady Ariel."

"That’s fine, but… don’t you have something to tell me?"

"Eh? Well, of course I know I’ve been nothing but trouble for you, and no matter how many times I apologize it’ll nev—"

"That’s not what I mean! …Honestly, you really don’t get it, Rudi? Haa… Fine. Then at least explain to Edith where you’re going and why. She may see them as Ariel’s enemies, but to Edith, they’re acquaintances, aren’t they?"

"…Who are?"

"The Water God and North Emperor! Didn’t you hear it from Eris!?"

Acquaintances… the ones who taught her swordsmanship…?

So in that future, because of me, my daughter had to fight to the death against people she knew?

"Father. Please, come back safe with Sylphy-mother and Eris-mother. We’ll all be waiting together as a family."

Edith, remembering her last talk with Ghislaine, had already understood everything and steeled herself.

To her, I was just a scummy harem fool who made life hard for Eris. Yet even so, she told me that we mattered more than the Water God and the North Emperor. She gave me her support.

There’s no way I’ll let her suffer the fate I saw in that diary. No matter what it takes, I’ll crush that future.

And so, I kept acting while hiding Orsted’s involvement.

I cleared the Library Labyrinth searching for clues to Perugius’ questions. Sometimes, I even snuck off to secretly ask Orsted for hints. Helping prepare for Ariel’s campaign was harder than I’d ever imagined.

When I introduced Eris and Ghislaine after the labyrinth, and Luke tried to hit on Eris—if Sylphy and Eris hadn’t decked him first, I’m certain I would’ve beaten him half to death.

"Wait, Rudeus Greyrat."

"Yes, Lord Perugius?"

"You and Orsted… what exactly are you plotting? Do you intend to use Ariel Anemoi Asura as your puppet?"

In the audience chamber, Perugius pressed me with that question.

"We’re not making her a puppet. Ariel-sama insists on dragging Sylphy—my wife—into this fight. All I want is to protect her by staying close. And in return for my help, I want Ariel-sama to repay it as a queen should. Just like when I challenged Orsted, I’ll do whatever it takes if it means protecting my family and my friends."

"I see… As foolish as ever, aren’t you. But I suppose that’s better than the reckless bravado of challenging the Dragon God."

Foolish indeed. I’d thrown away my credibility through my own irresponsibility, and now I was weaving lie after lie, plotting murder.

But half-measures were over.

"Then, Lord Perugius… I’ll be counting on you in the Asura Kingdom."

────???’s POV────

"So that’s how it is. I went along to probe Orsted’s true intent, but never again will I waste my strength on such a foolish matter."

"Of course. Thank you for your aid."

"Hmph. I truly don’t understand you. But… you cannot remain unaligned forever."