To act so boldly toward someone he'd just met… it was rude, no question.
But Allen had done it on purpose. Part of it, admittedly, was him getting a bit too cheeky just now.
But more importantly—
If this kept up, it was really going to turn into a blonde-haired romcom harem route.
Before transmigrating, he had been a huge Roxy fan—"Roxy this," "Roxy that" every day. But now, facing the living, breathing person before him, reality was setting in.
Allen had to use the foresight he gained from having read the novel to safely navigate the major events of Mushoku Tensei.
He needed to get close to Roxy—but keeping a respectful distance was just as important.
In the world of Mushoku Tensei, where information flow was limited and communication relied on letters or face-to-face interaction, relationships were simple. That's why Rudeus's corny pickup lines from Earth and basic emotional strategies often resulted in strong, overwhelming responses from the opposite sex.
Ridiculous—but true.
The thought flashed through Allen's mind, and he acted decisively. He copied Roxy's serious expression, furrowing his sharp, sword-like brows, staring coldly at her forehead.
"Of course, if you really did have a red Demon Eye right there, then before you could eat me—I'd probably take your head off first. We're… a little too close, after all."
"One swing of the blade—that's all it would take. Don't you think?"
He tilted his head toward the nearby pile of monster corpses—four of them, all beheaded.
Roxy followed his gaze—and shuddered.
Right… she was a mage. What had she been doing threatening a swordsman up close?
The truth was, having just separated from Rudeus, she instinctively fell back into the same behavioral patterns when faced with another childlike figure.
But this boy wasn't Rudeus. And he wasn't harmless.
He was an adventurer—wandering deep in the woods where monsters prowled after dark. In a flash, he'd drawn his sword and taken down four beasts. And even as a [Waterball] spell—amplified for power—flew toward his face, he'd sliced it in half with perfect control, never once faltering.
That one move alone… outclassed most A-rank adventurers she'd seen.
Intermediate swordsman? No—probably advanced.
Realizing this, Roxy instinctively tried to stand and create distance.
But then, her eyes caught on Allen again—and she hesitated.
In just the time it had taken her to process her thoughts, Allen had already dropped into a noble's formal bow. Right hand extended forward, head dipped low.
Roxy could even see the fine hairs at the nape of his neck.
His posture said what his words didn't—I mean no harm.
"My apologies. No more jokes. Truly, thank you. Even though I cut the [Waterball] myself… I wouldn't have survived without your intervention."
Roxy blinked, then slowly sat back down, placing her hands primly on her knees.
Allen's push-pull approach had brought the mood back to neutral. The air between them regained its formality.
Back on track.
"…What do you mean by all that? And how do you know about the Migurd tribe?"
Allen carefully unbuckled the sheathed sword at his waist, laying it in front of them to show he had no intention of attacking. Then, pointing at the scabbard, he met her gaze and smoothly lied:
"As you saw, the sword technique I used puts a serious strain on my body. If you hadn't been here, and another monster followed the firelight to this camp, I might not have made it."
"As for the Migurd tribe… well, every swordsman dreams of wielding a legendary blade."
"Though I'm still young, I've read the Heroic Legends of the North God. Those magic swords with incredible effects? They were forged by a demon blacksmith—Godbard"
"In researching him, I read a lot of books about the Demon Continent. That's how I learned to recognize various demon races."
Roxy fell silent for a moment.
"…But if I hadn't cast a spell, you wouldn't have needed to use such a draining technique. Between me and the monsters, it was clearly my[Waterball] that posed the bigger threat. Because you couldn't tell—deep in a forest at night—whether that spell had come from a friend or foe. So you responded with overwhelming force, both to eliminate the risk as quickly as possible… and to intimidate whoever had cast it."
"Am I wrong?"
Allen looked at her in surprise. She'd returned to her usual half-lidded stare, calm and cool. But she didn't seem suspicious or guarded. In fact, she was sitting comfortably, hands on her knees, robes stretched tight from her cross-legged posture, simply discussing the situation with a clear head.
No wonder she survived years of adventuring on both the Demon Continent and Millis.
Sure, the anime had played up her "cute" side for marketing—but in truth, Roxy's judgment was razor sharp. She'd probably only let her guard down because she'd been in the peaceful Asura Kingdom too long.
This was the same person who, with a physically frail mage's body, could solo-clear a dungeon.
Underestimating her just because she looked like a tiny flower would be an insult to her divinity.
Allen chuckled lightly.
"You're not wrong. But in the end, your [Waterball] really was meant to save me—not for anything sinister. That's what I sensed… and that's why I didn't keep up the act. And after I collapsed, you used a healing spell to help me. That kindness was genuine. I owe you."
Roxy looked at Allen for a long moment, then leaned forward slightly, posture sharp, eyes narrowed.
This time, she didn't speak for a while.
Then, with a subtle shift, she pointed at the corpse of the Doomfang Boar.
"…So your collapse—wasn't real, was it? You faked it. To see whether I meant harm."
"You laid on your back, keeping your sword arm free. If I'd done anything while you were 'unconscious'… I'd probably have ended up like them, wouldn't I?"
Allen stiffened.
Shit—she saw through it.
He scrambled for an excuse. "I—it was instinctual—"
But Roxy cut him off.
"It's fine. I could tell. And I can see you've let your guard down since getting up."
"That level of awareness? For someone your age, it's impressive. Solo adventuring demands it."
"I should be more ashamed. I've gotten too comfortable these past few years. You gave me a much-needed wake-up call."
She tugged lightly on her bangs in frustration, glancing at her staff beside her. Her voice dropped to a soft mumble.
"…Though honestly, that slick tongue of yours and tendency to stretch the truth… does make you a pretty qualified adventurer."
Allen stared at her.
In that moment, he felt it—her genuine charisma. Not superficial beauty or aesthetics.
Roxy was good. Through and through.
Moved, he looked her in the eyes, deadly serious.
Roxy seemed to sense his gaze. She turned to face him with a small frown of confusion.
Then he spoke, his young voice quiet but certain:
"Thank you. But… I have to disagree about the smooth-talking. Maybe what I said after I 'woke up' sounded like nonsense, like lies meant to flatter…"
"But I meant every word."
Roxy stared at him, stunned.
[Note: Gaining Roxy's favor again will not result in additional rewards. That said—]
Allen immediately waved the system window away before it could finish forming.
I can't even say thank you anymore? You're calling real emotion a 'grind' now? Give me a break.
Roxy blinked at his strange behavior. Then, faintly, the corner of her lips curled into a rare smile.
"…So calling me 'Mom'—was that sincere too? Pretty sure you were just mocking my height."
"Well, not that anyone on the Asura Continent would guess a demon tribe member's walking around here. Petite frame, mature speech—it does make you seem a little suspicious."
Allen: Please, Roxy—your speech isn't mature at all. Migurd tribe lifespans are around 200 years, which means you're basically still a girl. Your brain's probably not even finished developing yet. Don't get me started on the whole "demon race intelligence curve."
As Allen spiraled into thought, he heard Roxy clear her throat.
"Don't call me 'Mom.' I have a name."
Allen nodded along and asked politely, "Then may I ask… what is your name?"
"…Roxy. Roxy Migurdia. And yours?"
"…Allen."
He hesitated for a moment. Under the night sky, Roxy's deep blue eyes held nothing but sincerity.
Fine. I've lied enough tonight. No more lies to Roxy.
He could always explain things later. Given her personality, even if she heard rumors in the royal capital, she'd likely keep his secret.
With a short pause, Allen gave his full name.
"Allen Boreas Greyrat."