For a first meeting with a 'stranger,' the gesture was a bit rude.
But Allen did it on purpose. For one, he had indeed been acting like a rogue just now.
For another...
If this continued, it would really turn into a guide for a romance anime's bad boy. Although he had loved Roxy before transmigrating, constantly calling her 'Blue Mama,' reality was now staring him in the face: Allen had to rely on his foreknowledge from the novel to safely participate in the major events of Mushoku Tensei.
Allen needed to get close to Roxy, but maintaining a proper distance was equally necessary.
In the world of Mushoku Tensei, communication was limited to letters and face-to-face conversations due to the lack of information technology. Relationships were simpler. That's why Rudeus, with his cheesy pickup lines and simple tricks from the internet...
...could so easily get strong, vivid, and positive feedback from the opposite sex.
It was absurd, but it was a fact.
As these thoughts flashed through his mind, Allen's actions were decisive. He mimicked Roxy's gloomy expression, raised his sharp, upturned eyebrows, and stared straight at her forehead.
"Of course, if there really was a red magic eye here, you might have your head chopped off by me before you could eat me. After all, the distance between us... is too close."
"It's just a matter of swinging my sword, wouldn't you say?"
He then glanced at the headless corpses of the four monsters nearby.
Roxy instinctively followed his gaze and shuddered.
That's right... I'm a magician, yet I was trying to intimidate a swordsman at close range.
Ultimately, it was because she had just separated from Rudeus. Encountering another child who looked young on the surface, she had subconsciously reverted to her way of interacting with Rudeus.
But this person wasn't Rudeus, nor was he a harmless child.
He was an adventurer wandering in a forest teeming with monsters late at night. In the instant he drew his sword to slay four monsters, he could also effortlessly cleave her mana-boosted water ball in front of his face. His control of distance was precise to the extreme.
This casual display of skill... was stronger than most A-rank adventurers she had ever seen.
An Intermediate swordsman? No, that's not enough. He's very likely an Advanced-rank swordsman.
At this thought, Roxy immediately calmed down. She started to get up to put some distance between them, but when her eyes fell on Allen, she suppressed the urge.
In the blink of an eye, Allen's expression had turned serious. He extended his right hand in a nobleman's salute and bowed his head to Roxy.
Roxy could even see the fine hairs on the back of his neck.
With this action, Allen demonstrated that, contrary to his words, he had no ill intentions.
"My apologies, I'll stop joking. I am truly grateful to you. To be honest, even though I cut your water ball, I am still indebted to you for saving my life."
He even used a respectful form of address.
Roxy blinked, sat back down properly, and placed her hands on her knees.
After this push and pull from Allen, a complete 'reset,' the atmosphere between them became formal again.
The conversation was back on track.
"What do you mean by that... and how do you know about the Migurd tribe?"
Allen unfastened the scabbard from his waist and placed it horizontally between them, signaling that he had no intention of attacking. At the same time, he pointed to the scabbard and looked at Roxy, starting his lie.
"As you can see, the sword technique I just used puts a great strain on my body. If you hadn't been here and more monsters had been drawn by the firelight while I was injured, my life would have been in danger."
"As for the Migurd tribe, well, all swordsmen yearn for a divine blade that suits them."
"Although I am young, I have read the Chronicles of the North God's Hero. Those magic swords with various effects were forged by the renowned demon swordsmith, Julian Haurice. To learn more about this master, I read many books about the Demon Continent, so I know about many demon tribes."
Roxy was silent for a moment.
"...But, if I hadn't cast the spell, you wouldn't have had to use such a taxing technique. Compared to the monsters, my water ball must have felt like a greater threat to you. You couldn't tell if the source of the sudden magic in the dead of night was friend or foe, so you tried to eliminate the crisis in the shortest time possible, while also displaying your strength to intimidate the newcomer. Am I right?"
Allen looked at Roxy with surprise. She had reverted to her cool, half-lidded expression, but there was no fear or distance in it. In response to Allen's gesture of goodwill, she returned the favor, sitting obediently on the ground. Her mage's robe was stretched taut in her seated position, her hands resting on her knees, looking as if she were ready for a serious discussion.
'As expected of an adventurer who has struggled through the Demon and Millis Continents. Aside from the moe points deliberately emphasized for the market in the anime, Roxy's judgment is incredibly sharp. She probably let her guard down because she's in the peaceful Asura Kingdom and has been comfortable for too long.'
This was a formidable person who could solo-level in a labyrinth with the frail body of a magician. To treat her like a fragile flower that would break in the wind would be an insult to her status as a goddess.
Allen smiled.
"You're not wrong, but the fact is, your water ball was meant to save me, not for any other purpose. Isn't that right? I only stopped pushing myself after realizing that. And after I fainted, you used healing magic to save me. That kindness was real. I am indebted to you."
Roxy looked at Allen, leaning forward slightly, gazing at him with a somewhat aggressive posture. This time, she was silent for a long while before pointing to the corpse of the Finisher Boar.
She said faintly.
"I knew it. Your fainting was also deliberate, wasn't it? To test whether I had malicious intentions... After you fainted, you remained on your back, so you could still draw your sword without hindrance. If I had done anything bad while you were unprepared, my head would probably be like theirs right now, wouldn't it?"
Allen froze. Crap, she saw through me. He quickly tried to cover his tracks.
"That was... uh... subconscious..."
Before he could explain, Roxy interrupted him.
"It's fine. I could see that you let your guard down after you sat up, and your thanks now are genuine. A solo adventurer needs to have that kind of awareness. It's truly commendable for someone your age to have such vigilance. It is I who have become complacent after these past few years of peace. You've taught me a lesson."
Roxy tugged at her bangs with a slightly troubled expression, looking at the staff beside her, her voice growing softer.
"...However, being a smooth-talker and not telling the truth... that does make you a qualified adventurer."
Allen stared at Roxy, and in that moment, he truly felt the charisma she unconsciously radiated.
It wasn't something superficial like her fair skin or beauty.
She was genuinely kind.
At this thought, Allen looked at Roxy very seriously.
She seemed to sense his intense gaze and turned to look at him with some confusion.
Then she heard a childish yet firm voice beside her ear.
"Thank you, but I can't agree with the 'smooth-talker' part. Perhaps what I said when I 'woke up' sounded like nonsense to you, but every word came from the heart."
Roxy stared blankly at Allen's serious face.
[Host should be reminded that repeatedly farming Roxy's favor will not yield more rewards, but I must say...]
Allen quickly waved his hand, dismissing the system text that had yet to fully form.
'Can't I even say thank you? Can genuine feelings be called 'farming'? Give me a break.'
Roxy was stunned for a moment. Seeing Allen's strange behavior, a faint smile blossomed on her lips.
"So, you calling me 'Mama' was also from the heart? You were clearly teasing me for being short... But then again, no one in the Asura Kingdom would expect a demon to be here. A short stature with a mature way of speaking... it is indeed suspicious."
Allen (internally): Get a grip, Blue Mama... where is your tone mature? The Migurd tribe has a lifespan of two hundred years, which makes you a teenager. Even your brain development is at a teenage level... and that's not even mentioning the fact that demon races generally have lower intelligence.
As he was thinking, Roxy cleared her throat.
"Don't call me Mama. I have a name."
Allen nodded along with her words and asked.
"Then, may I ask your name?"
"Roxy Migurdia. And you?"
"Allen..."
Allen paused and looked at Roxy. In the darkness of the night, her serene blue eyes held only sincerity.
Forget it. I've told enough lies tonight. I won't lie to Roxy anymore.
He would just have to ask her to be careful later. With Roxy's personality, even if she went to the capital and heard some rumors, she would be willing to help keep his whereabouts a secret.
After a slight pause, Allen gave his full name.
"Allen Boreas Greyrat."
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