That's great! Congratulations, Mother!
You're such a sweetheart.
And I just know you're going to be an excellent big brother
when this little one comes along.
We did it, Zenith!
I'm so glad.
[PAUL] I can't believe our little family's finally growing!
[RUDEUS] Zenith has been worried that she couldn't
have a second child.
So, naturally, she and Paul were overjoyed at the news.
[ALL laugh]
My humble apologies. I'm afraid I'm pregnant.
[RUDEUS] Time froze.
No one bothered to ask who the father was.
Nor did anyone have to.
Forgive me, Zenith.
That child's, uh, it's probably mine.
[RUDEUS] Pathetic.
But, good on him for coming clean so fast.
I suppose if he's always going to lecture me
about "being a real man," that's the least he can do.
So, you know, that's gotta count for something.
[slap]
[RUDEUS] But this is a nightmare scenario.
[ZENITH] So. What will you do?
After I've assisted you with childbirth, My Lady,
I plan to take my leave of you.
[ZENITH] And your child?
I hope to raise it back in my hometown.
[ZENITH] That's a month's ride south, isn't it?
Yes.
[ZENITH] You'll have to have your baby here first.
You'll be in no condition to travel.
Well, be that as it may. I have nowhere else I can turn.
Zenith, s‐surely she can just stay with u‐‐
[ZENITH] You stay out of this!
[RUDEUS] A month of unaccompanied travel
is a tall order for a woman with a newborn.
This is supposed to be a safe country,
but I still doubt they would make it in one piece.
[RUDEUS] And Zenith is right.
Even if Lilia has the stamina to make it all the way there,
the odds of an infant surviving the trip are pretty slim.
And if Lilia collapses, they're both dead for sure.
It's not hard to imagine: Lilia lying in the snow.
Baby cradled in her arms.
[RUDEUS] Of course Zenith is conflicted.
Lilia has been faithful to this house for years,
and‐‐this drama aside‐‐ they're friends.
I don't want to lose her, either.
She brings me towels when I train outside,
and draws baths when I get caught in the rain.
She lays out blankets when it's cold
and tidies up if I leave books out.
[RUDEUS] And most importantly.
She knows about the holy relic and has kept it secret.
[RUDEUS] It's time I return the favor.
Mother, I thought it would be a good thing
that I'm gonna get two new siblings instead of just one,
so why is everyone so upset?
[ZENITH] It means your father and Lilia
did something very bad.
I guess I get it.
But to me it didn't sound like Lilia
was allowed to say no to him.
What do you mean?
It kinda sounded like Father was threatening her before.
[gasps]
Huh?
[RUDEUS] A while ago, I got up in the middle of the night
to use the bathroom.
And when I passed Lilia's room,
I thought I heard Father say something like,
"Spread your legs if you don't want people to find out."
[PAUL] Rudy! What the hell are you‐‐
I said keep your mouth shut!
[PAUL] B‐But, hang on.
Lilia, dear. Tell me, is that true?
The Young Master must be mistaken.
No, forgive me.
I see you're trying to protect yourself.
Now, hold on just a second.
I‐I never said that.
[RUDEUS] I appreciate your help with Sylphie,
but I'll have to pay you back for that some other time.
You kinda dug your own grave on this one.
Sorry, Paul.
I really don't believe that Lilia
did anything wrong, Mother. It's all Father's fault.
I suppose.
So, it wouldn't be fair for her to get in so much trouble
for something she didn't do, right?
Well. No.
And you know I have a lot of fun playing with Sylphie every day!
So don't you think it would be nice
for the new baby to have a friend, too?
Perhaps, yes.
And no matter what,
I'm gonna be a big brother to both of them.
So please, Mother. Don't make her leave.
I don't wanna say goodbye to Lilia!
All right, Rudy.
I get it. You win.
[RUDEUS] You didn't make it easy, Madame.
Lilia. Please stay.
You're part of the family now.
It would be foolish to ask you to leave.
[gasps]
[RUDEUS] Great. Glad that's settled.
Any further damage control is up to you, Paul.
Sure hope you can handle it.
This is your last chance, SeÃ±or.
As for you.
I hope you're prepared to have a nice,
long talk about all this later.
Uh...
[RUDEUS grunting]
That's way too hard!
Please stop taking this out on me!
[LILIA] I shouldn't have been spared.
This pregnancy is my fault.
I was the one who seduced Paul.
[PAUL, ZENITH moaning]
[LILIA] After years of hearing them carry on
like that night after night,
I finally reached a breaking point.
[LILIA] I'm honestly amazed I held out this long.
[PAUL humming]
[clattering]
[PAUL gasps]
[LILIA] I deserved to be punished.
For giving in.
For betraying Zenith.
But I was forgiven.
Rudeus made that happen.
He even guided us to an elegant compromise.
He understood the situation I was in
and was willing to lie to protect me.
I've always been frightened of that child.
So I've made a point of avoiding him as much as possible.
[LILIA] As a baby, he used to stare at my chest
with that repulsive grin.
It was unnerving.
I thought he might be possessed.
But it's time I let go of that nonsense.
He saved my life, and for that, he deserves my respect.
If this child grows up healthy and strong,
I will see to it that they make their way
into Lord Rudeus's service.
It's the least I can do.
Hey there, girls. Is it Daddy or a monster?
[PAUL] Where'd Daddy go? There he is!
[RUDEUS] Every day with this.
Don't you have anything better to do, Paul?
[NORN crying]
[BOTH crying]
[ZENITH gasps] Oh dear.
You sure are a handful.
On the contrary, this is what childrearing should feel like.
Things with Young Master Rudeus were much too easy!
You're all right.
Darling? Would you go draw some water?
[LILIA] Oh! And would you mind picking up some more candles,
as long as you're out?
[PAUL] Uh. Sure.
Sylphie. I think I have to be the cool
male role model for those girls.
[RUDEUS] Ever since the "incident,"
Lilia's actually been talking to me.
Mostly old stories about Paul.
Turns out, they studied swordsmanship
at the same training hall.
She told me he was very talented,
but preferred to goof off.
Also, true to form, how he'd snuck in her room
to assault and deflower her as she slept.
And then he just bailed.
Like a dirtbag.
[PAUL] Rudy! It's time for practice, let's get to work!
[PAUL] Do you want to loosen up
or do you want to stay Elementary rank forever?
[RUDEUS] Paul may be childish, irresponsible trash,
but I don't think he's rotten to the core.
And despite all his faults, I respect his strength.
[gasps]
[RUDEUS] There are three sword styles:
Sword God, Water God, and North God.
Paul is Advanced in all three.
[RUDEUS gasps]
Hey, watch it, boy, that's cheating!
[gasps]
Heh. You might have a little talent for magic,
but your swordplay has already stagnated.
What a shame.
Wipe that look off your face and stand up.
Don't you want to grow up to be
a cool guy like your old man, here?
[RUDEUS] I didn't think it was very "cool"
to cheat on your wife and almost rip your family apart.
If it bothers you to hear that,
would you please keep your hands off anyone who isn't Mother?
Uh, other than Lilia, right?
I dunno, if it happens again,
Mother might move back in with her family.
Come on, you're a guy, you get it.
What exactly do you think a seven‐year‐old boy
is supposed to "get"?
Well, I know you're into little Sylphie,
and you gotta admit that girl is gonna be
a total knockout when she grows up.
Yeah, of course she is,
but I happen to think that she's super beautiful already.
So you do understand.
Uh. Yeah, yeah.
[RUDEUS] Paul's a scumbag all right,
but we speak the same language.
What am I now, forty‐something?
I was hot garbage in my day, too. I can't judge.
By the way, Rudy.
I want to talk you about‐‐
You know what, never mind.
We should probably get back to training.
What is it?
[PAUL] Hm? Nothing. Just that you're at an age
where kids normally start attending school.
[RUDEUS] Yeah, I know.
You don't need it, though.
You can already read, write, and do math.
[RUDEUS] Well, yeah.
Still. I might wanna.
Are you being serious right now?
Ha. Well, don't think too hard about it.
Joints like that are all full of bratty nobles.
A nerdy little kid from the sticks
would get bullied for sure.
And I'll tell ya something else, the girls in those places
never exercised a single day in their lives.
Sure, they look good on the surface.
Then you get 'em into bed with their corsets off
and they're a total mess.
Honestly I've been tricked more times than I care to admit.
That's unfortunate.
I was kinda looking forward to building a harem
like my dear old dad.
Hey! Would ya look at that, you're my son after all!
But, uh, you're better off chasing just one lady at a time.
[RUDEUS] Yeah.
[RUDEUS] Smart and talented.
She's going to surpass me before too long.
School, huh?
Rudy! What do you wanna do today?
[RUDEUS sighs]
Uh?
Oh, sorry, say what?
You've been acting weird again lately.
According to my parents, I've been weird since I was born.
That's not what I mean. You look sad about something.
I've been kinda stuck lately.
I haven't made any progress with swords or magic.
But you're already amazing, Rudy.
For my age, but I still have a long way to go.
[SYLPHIE] Are you gonna leave?
[RUDEUS] I might.
I don't think this village has much to offer me anymore.
[RUDEUS gasps]
Hey, you okay, Sylphie?
[SYLPHIE] No. No. Please don't leave me.
I don't want you to go anywhere.
Whoa, hey. It's okay.
I understand. I'll stay right here with you.
[RUDEUS] Yeah, why would I ever want to leave a girl
like her behind? Just to improve my magic? [chuckles]
What would be so great about that?
I'd much rather live out my days peacefully,
right here, beside her.
So, that's exactly what I'll do.
And as we grow up together,
I'll have plenty of time to make her my ideal woman. [chuckles]
[RUDEUS] Sylphie!
‐‐Hey. Rudy! ‐‐[RUDEUS gasps]
[chuckles]
[RUDEUS] Didn't anyone ever tell you it's polite to knock first?
Whoa, calm down, you've got a letter.
A letter?
[ROXY] Dear Rudeus, I hope you and your family are well.
I can't believe it's already been
two whole years since we parted.
[ROXY] I'm currently working in the royal capital
of the Shirone Kingdom.
I've been hired as tutor to the seventh prince.
[ROXY] His Highness reminds me a bit of you.
He's not quite as talented, but he's clever.
A budding magician in his own right.
[ROXY] And, also like you, he's prone to
stealing my underwear and spying on me while I change.
They do say great men have great lusts.
I gotcha! Oh, that's the stuff.
[PAX screams]
[ROXY] Oh! And I'm pleased to say I finally
mastered King‐Class water magic.
I thought I'd reached my limit,
but good old‐fashioned effort goes a long way.
I wouldn't be surprised if you're already
casting Emperor‐Class magic.
I'm excited, and a little nervous,
to see what you can do someday.
And I promise to work hard to keep up with you.
I doubt I need to worry,
but if you do hit a dead end in your studies,
I would urge you again to seek admission
to the Ranoa University of Magic.
Good luck! I'll write again soon. Roxy.
Master Roxy.
So that sweet little girl has ranked
all the way up to a Water King.
Good for her.
Is that hard to do?
Indescribably hard.
As a matter of fact, I'd be willing to bet that
you could count all the active King‐Class mages
in the world on one hand.
Oh, wow.
But, uh. Kiddo?
Did you really steal her panties?
[RUDEUS] Busted.
[RUDEUS] Talk about a wake‐up call.
Now what? Damn it.
I don't want to disappoint my master.
Ranoa University of Magic. Huh.
Listen, Father?
May I make kind of an unreasonable request?
You may not.
You can ask us for anything, dear.
I'm sure your father will manage somehow.
What a golden opportunity to actually
demonstrate some paternal dignity.
He wants something so crazy that he asked permission
just to bring it up, so I'm sure it's impossi‐‐
I'm starting to worry that I won't improve
much more on my own.
So, I decided that I would like to attend
the Ranoa University of Magic.
Oh yeah?
But when I brought that up to Sylphie,
she started to cry and begged me not to leave her.
Attaboy, I wonder where you learned
to be such a lady‐killer.
The ideal solution would be for
the two of us to enroll together,
but her family isn't as well‐off as we are.
I was hoping you could pay tuition for both of us.
So, please think about it?
Ohh. All the way to Ranoa? Not a chance.
[PAUL] But to make sure you understand why:
First, you're still learning the sword.
As your teacher, I refuse to let you quit now.
Second, you're smart, but you're young.
It would be irresponsible of us to send you away at your age.
Then, there's the money.
Paying for you is fine, but we can't pay for Sylphie, too.
Got it? We're comfortable, but we aren't nobles.
Of course not. In that case,
may I ask for something else instead?
[PAUL] Shoot.
[RUDEUS] I would like to find a job.
As well‐paid as possible.
A job? What for?
By the time you decide that I'm ready to leave home,
I hope to earn Sylphie's tuition all by myself.
[PAUL] That might not be in Sylphie's best interests.
[RUDEUS] Maybe not, but I think it will be in mine.
Very well, then. If your mind's made up,
I'll see what I can do for you.
[gasps] Thank you so much!
Good to see you, Ghislaine, feels like it's been forever.
Idiot.
[RUDEUS] Madam Titty Kitty!
Ghislaine, hi! I've missed you!
Have you been well?
Yeah. That your kid?
[ZENITH] Yes! This is Norn.
[GHISLAINE] Let's hope she doesn't take after Paul.
That's enough chit‐chat,
I assume if you're here that means everything is ready to go.
Yeah.
Please take care of our little Rudeus.
Can do.
[LILIA] Young Master Rudeus. We'll miss you very much.
[RUDEUS] Huh?
[ZENITH] Take care, sweetheart.
We'll see you when you get back, okay?
"Get back" from what, I'm not going anywh‐‐
[PAUL] Listen, Rudy.
[RUDEUS] Yeah? What's wrong?
Tell me something. What if I said you had to
stay away from Sylphie for a little while?
Huh? Well, obviously I wouldn't want to.
I figured.
Why, what's going on?
Nope. Don't even ask.
I know if I try to explain,
you'll just talk your way out of it.
[RUDEUS] Huh?
[grunts]
[gasps]
[RUDEUS] That's Water God Style.
[RUDEUS sighs] At least it's a wooden sword.
[PAUL grunts]
[gasps]
That hurt, Paul. What the hell?
[RUDEUS] What happened?
I'm Rudeus Greyrat.
And I hope you'll forgive my confusion.
You sure you're Paul's kid? You seem way too polite.
My names Ghislaine.
Starting tomorrow we will be working together.
It'll be my pleasure.
It's very nice to meet you.