Living My Third Life In Danmachi Chapter 23: Rumi Warhowl (2)

Chapter 23: Rumi Warhowl (2)

Daedalus Street, as the name suggests, is a labyrinth. In Greek mythology, the genius Daedalus built a labyrinth to imprison the Minotaur. Well, this place is just like that.

But all I can think about is: "Give birth to the child of God! Aaaaah!" Damn it, my eyes!

As I follow Rumi through the maze-like alleys, we eventually arrive at what appears to be her home.

For a slum, it's surprisingly clean and well-maintained.

"Excuse us."

"We're coming in."

[Welcome.]

Perfectly synchronized. Both Lili and Rumi have a knack for this. I didn’t expect them to match their words so smoothly—almost like a rhythm.

The house wasn’t very big, but it was spacious enough for two people to live comfortably. Not bad at all.

Inside, there was an old man with a scruffy beard, reeking of alcohol, fast asleep.

Rumi walked up to him and started shaking him awake. But he must have been heavily drunk, as he didn’t wake up easily.

…This old man is pretty strong. Purely in terms of combat ability, he’s above me. About LV.4? The same level as Ryuu.

But this old man…

“What is it, Rumi? My head’s killing me from the hangover, so stop shaking me.”

Shake, shake.

“I said stop shaking me.”

But Rumi kept at it, undeterred. Eventually, the old man groaned and pushed himself upright.

Then, noticing us as guests, he narrowed his eyes and glared. His sharp, rough expression was intimidating enough to make Lili flinch and let out a small eep of fear.

If anything happens, I’ll take him down. No one threatens my daughter.

[These are the people who saved me yesterday.]

“Saved you? What do you mean?”

Rumi took a moment to write a slightly longer explanation about what had happened yesterday.

Thugs repelled. Rescue. Successful. Just three words, yet the message was clear.

The world of language is truly profound.

“…I see. Thank you for saving my granddaughter. I’d offer you something in return, but there’s nothing in the house… unless you’d like some alcohol?”

“Oh, that’d be nice—”

“Alcohol? Again?”

“…Never mind. I’ll pass.”

Lili’s sharp glare made me rethink my decision. Yikes, she’s terrifying.

“This old man is Oren Warhowl,” he introduced himself. “I’m Rumi’s grandfather.”

“You’re an adventurer, aren’t you? Then why are you living in a place like this?”

“…Sharp one, aren’t you? Kids these days are pretty sharp.”

An adventurer wouldn’t normally live in a slum like this. That could only mean one thing—he had quit.

Judging by the calluses on his hands, it’s been a long time since he last wielded a weapon… No, not just a weapon. It feels like he gripped something else for even longer—was it a hammer?

Only now did I notice the faint scent of iron coming from him. This old man… he was probably both an adventurer and a smith.

“My name is Luke Blade. Fourteen years old. A third-class LV.3 adventurer, known as 『Thousand Slayer』 and a member of the 【Susanoo Familia】.”

“And Lili is…”

“This here is my daughter. Her name is Liliruca Arde. Though my personal wish is to rename her Liliruca Blade.”

“Don’t steal my introduction!”

Lili started smacking me again, but all it did was hurt her own fists.

Being blessed by a god makes things so convenient. Ah, anyone who gets that reference is officially old. Verdandi is eternal truth.

“…A Pallum. Your daughter?”

“I adopted her.”

“I heard you’re fourteen.”

"Age, gender, and race don’t matter when it comes to becoming a family. The most important thing is the bond we share."

It’s the second most important thing to me after my own life. If saving Lili required cutting off an arm, I’d do it without hesitation—and even throw in a leg as change.

Lilu’s life for just an arm? That’s too cheap. I’d feel guilty, so I might as well add a leg. Then later, I’ll get a prosthetic and live out my Fullmetal Alchemist fantasy.

"Honestly, you’re not even calling me your little sister—you’re calling me your daughter. It’s weird. Though, I guess you do act like an adult sometimes, so it doesn’t feel too off."

"My daughter’s tsundere act is so cute I could die. If I drop dead one day, it won’t be from old age—it’ll be from heart-throb syndrome or moe overload."

Lili, you’re terrifying…! Even my body, resistant to poison, can still be done in by your sheer cuteness!

"You two are complete idiots."

In a short amount of time, the old man had already figured out my true nature. Damn, he’s good.

Since we had safely brought Rumi home, I figured our business here was done, and we could leave. But then I remembered something.

“Lili, the adults need to talk for a bit. Can you wait outside with Rumi?”

“…I have a bad feeling about this.”

“Don’t worry. It’s not like the house is going to explode or anything.”

“That’s exactly why I’m worried!”

People should always be prepared for the worst. And if the worst-case scenario is the house blowing up… well, that says it all.

Once Lili stepped out, only Oren and I remained inside.

Talking felt a bit too stiff, so we poured ourselves a drink from the bottle on the table before getting started.

“So, let’s have a chat.”

“…I appreciate you helping Rumi, but barging in and prying into someone else’s affairs is a bit rude, don’t you think?”

“If I cared about manners, I’d have been dead a long time ago. Besides, when it comes to kids, I can’t help but stick my nose in.”

“You’re surprisingly kind for someone who acts tough.”

Sorry, but kindness and I are about a hundred million years apart. Still, I feel a little guilty.

Oren chugged down his drink, then let out a deep sigh filled with alcohol and regret before beginning his story.

“I used to be a renowned blacksmith back in the day. Even now, any skilled adventurer would recognize my name.”

“Doesn’t change the fact that you look washed up now.”

“You sure talk rough to your elders.”

“I got the gist of it. I’ve lived a rough life myself, and I can guess where this story is going just from the way you started.”

Does he even realize how many different people I’ve met and how many stories I’ve heard? I can see patterns others might not.

Seeing the burn marks on Rumi’s face and neck, combined with Oren’s profession as a blacksmith, I could already piece together what must have happened.

“…There was a young half-dwarf, relentless in chasing after me, determined to surpass me. Feeling the pressure, I decided to pour everything I had into creating my greatest masterpiece.”

“That’s Rumi’s cue to enter the story.”

“…Yeah. That’s right.”

Regretful tears welled up in Oren’s eyes.

“Rumi’s had a tragic life. Her father was an adventurer who died in the Evilus incident on the 27th floor. Her mother… passed away giving birth to her. Rumi is the only family I have left.”

At least she had her grandfather. Otherwise, she would’ve been a complete orphan.

Most kids in her situation end up in an orphanage… or worse. If they don’t get picked up by a Familia, they might end up like Lili—forced into being a supporter, used as bait, or worse.

“She came to my forge. I was so obsessed with making my greatest work that I didn’t return home for days. That’s my greatest regret. Worried, Rumi…”

“Came looking for you, only to have an accident and spill molten metal over herself.”

Oren fell silent. That was enough confirmation.

“For a girl, that’s a devastating injury.”

“I treated her, but the burns were too severe. The scars are deep. And after what happened to her throat… she hasn’t spoken since.”

“She’s not unable to speak?”

“The scar is there, but her throat itself is fine. That’s the official opinion of the 【Dian Cecht Familia】, so it’s accurate.”

So it’s not that she physically can’t speak—it’s psychological, a trauma-induced muteness.

“After that incident, I stopped picking up the hammer. I just… couldn’t bring myself to forge anything anymore.”

I see.

After hearing his story, I responded with all the emotion I could muster.

“…So now that you’re at death’s door, have you started losing your mind, you miserable old geezer?”

“…What?”

Hearing this, I couldn’t help but feel exasperated.

It wasn’t sympathy. It wasn’t pity. It was pure, unfiltered irritation at the pathetic old man in front of me.

“You quit being a blacksmith and ended up here? What, were you broke? No, with your skill, even if you half-assed your work, you could still make enough to support one child. Even if you threw away your so-called ‘blacksmith’s pride.’”

You say you put down your hammer because you felt guilty about Rumi? Give me a break.

“Yeah, you messed up. Rumi got hurt because of you. She lives like this because of you. She can’t speak because of you.”

Every bit of blame fell squarely on him.

Which meant—

“But Rumi didn’t do anything wrong, you dumbass old man. Stop dragging her into your guilt trip and rotting away in this slum.”

Walking into the forge wasn’t a crime. A child worrying about her grandfather wasn’t a sin. If the world was so rotten that such kindness deserved punishment, then I’d rather burn it all down myself.

Rumi was innocent. She didn’t deserve this life. She didn’t deserve to be stuck here, buried in regret that wasn’t even hers.

Even with scars on her face, she had every right to live a brighter, better life.

“…What?”

“If you really feel so guilty, then at the very least, you should be willing to die for her sake. You’re one of the biggest losers I’ve ever met. Congrats—you made it into the top rankings. Though, I guess it’s not the best list, but the worst.”

At that moment, the door burst open.

Rumi stormed in, her face full of anger.

She hastily scribbled something onto her writing pad and shoved it in my face.

[Don’t say such cruel things to Grandpa!]

Then, she ran up and pushed me.

A child’s desperate struggle. Even weaker than Lili’s punches, but when I saw the tears welling up in her eyes, I let myself be pushed back.

Just like that, I was kicked out of the house.

“…That was a stupid attempt at meddling.”

“I know.”

Lili was already waiting outside. Well, of course. If Rumi had rushed in, Lili must’ve been nearby. She got back surprisingly fast—could’ve bought me a bit more time.

“What did you mean when you said that old man doesn’t have much time left?”

“…This is why I don’t like sharp kids. Oh, wait! That was a joke! Just a joke! Go ask Susanoo about it!”

Realizing that her usual hits didn’t hurt me anymore, Lili suddenly aimed lower—right at my middle leg.

No, not there! My future little brother will die!

“…Look, I’m no Yujiro Hanma. I can’t just look at someone and instantly pinpoint their weaknesses. But even though he’s LV.4, his presence felt weaker than mine. He’s old, his hands are shaking, and he’s got some kind of chronic illness. Add severe alcoholism on top of that… Honestly, the only thing keeping him alive at this point is probably his Status.”

“…So he really doesn’t have much time left?”

“Yeah. Even if I’m generous, I’d say he’s got a few years at best. And that’s if he spends all of it in recovery.”

Status isn’t all-powerful. It extends lifespan and slows illnesses, but it doesn’t make you immortal.

“…Then what’s going to happen to Rumi?”

“No idea.”

Lili hesitated for a moment before speaking carefully.

“…Can’t we bring her into our Familia?”

“Heh. You really got attached to her, huh?”

“...It’s not like that!”

Lili’s tsun is an excellent energy booster. Honestly, it’s more addictive than the divine liquor from Soma’s Familia.

“I’m not a good person. Lili, remember how I made a deal with you? I promised you a better life. And I keep my promises—unless the other party breaks the deal first or it becomes impossible to fulfill.”

“So, in the end, you always demand something in return. You’re worse than I am, you greedy miser.”

“I’m truly sorry for being such a terrible father.”

I looked back at Rumi’s house as it faded into the distance down the alley.

So, what are you going to do, old man?

...

Left alone with Rumi, Oren gently patted her head as she sniffled.

[Grandpa, are you okay?]

“This old man is fine. It’s just…”

Luke’s words lingered in his mind.

Brutal, laced with venom upon venom. Yet, the only reason Oren hadn’t lashed out was because every word had been true.

[I’m okay, Grandpa.]

Rumi smiled as she held up her writing.

Despite having heard everything, despite knowing her scars were his fault…

She didn’t hold a shred of resentment.

“…I see.”

Oren wept.

Such a kind child deserved happiness far greater than his own.

“But…”

Time was running out. The time the gods had granted him wouldn’t even last until Rumi became an adult.

There was only one option left.

“Don’t worry, Rumi.”

He raised his hand.

Calloused from years of work. Trembling ever since he took to drinking, weakened by an old illness that predated his Status.

But now—

The trembling had stopped.