I wake from my sleep.

    It feels like a great morning.

    At one time, this was the moment I most feared.

    I feared that I would be killed in my sleep, or wake up someplace that wasn’t my bed like a dim forest.

    Until I found a bed that I felt was safe, I was always afraid of sleeping.

    But there were also times when the lack of sleep chipping away at my alertness almost got me killed.

    It got better when I found a technique that let me stay wary while sleeping…

    But during those days, I never would have thought that I would eventually be able to sleep without worry.

    “…”

    I steady my breathing and head for the office’s study.

    The study is piled up with documents detailing the differences between the original history and the current loop.

    Written in them is the『Original』and the『Alternate』.

    The history where I did nothing is the『Original』.

    And events that changed as a result of my actions are the『Alternate』.

    I write these documents for the sake of defeating Hitogami.

    To defeat Hitogami, I have exhausted no little amount of effort but there is a need to reach where he is.

    The battle with Laplace 80 years from now is especially important.

    Minimising our losses against him is directly related to defeating Hitogami.

    And for that purpose, I’m going to freely use the 『Original』and the『Alternate』to change history and ensure we have as much fighting power as possible.

    Of course, since I can’t take the documents with me on the next loop, right before each loop I organise all my actions and have no choice but to memorise them and try again.

    But this loop is different.

    Rudeus Greyrat is here.

    With each person he encounters, the world greatly changes.

    I had intended to record the differences as usual, but before I knew it they had turned into an observation diary of him.

    Most of the pages have Rudeus’s name written on them.

    And with so many changes, my writings can’t keep up.

    I had originally intended to keep a detailed record of all events until the end of the loop but quite a bit of information has probably been left out.

    Honestly, I don’t think it has much point.

    There’s something odd about this loop.

    It feels like something special is going on.

    The chance of Rudeus being in the next loop is quite small which would render all these notes meaningless.

    I most likely have to win with this loop.

    That is what fate dictates.

    We must store up as much fighting power as possible, I’ll preserve as much of my Mana as possible and defeat Laplace with the bare minimum, so as to go all out against Hitogami.

    That said, there’s no reason to not take notes.

    If I am to fail and on the next loop, Rudeus is still there, this information will certainly prove a powerful weapon.

    “…”

    And now I’ll record today’s happenings.

    First up is the information that came through the Lithograph.

    Thanks to this communication lithograph, collecting information has gotten considerably easier.

    In all the previous loops, if some change occurred, without going to the scene and collecting the information myself, I wouldn’t be able to know the result.

    I had gotten used to it, but due to my curse, it was quite stressful work.

    Compared to that, now I can do nothing but sit and the information comes flowing in.

    Before I had to go through a number of loops to know the full extent of the changes resulting from a single action, the difference in convenience is astounding.

    Although, if Rudeus didn’t exist, I would never have needed such a comprehensive information network.

    I alone would never have caused so much change.

    If too much was changed, on the next loop I would wonder where to begin.

    And I’m still troubled on how to treat the Automaton he created.

    I saw the doll he had named Anne, but I never thought something like that could be made with human hands.

    Pergius was surprised too, that it was more human than his spirits.

    That doll is most likely the existence that the Mad Dragon King Chaos dreamed of.

    Chaos has already passed and is no longer in this world, but if he was still alive, he would have loved to join them in their doll making.

    If he is still in the next loop, I guess I’ll put off collecting his treasure.

    “Alright.”

    While thinking such things, when I looked at the communication lithograph I saw something rather interesting.

    Information from Ariel.

    It seemed as though Doga and Isolte got married.

    As far as I could remember, the two of them were never married.

    The chance of Isolte ever getting married was always quite small.

    And children go without saying.

    This would also have to be because of Rudeus.

    How would I ever manage to reproduce this.

    At my current level, I haven’t a clue…

    Although before I attempt to reproduce such an occurrence, I would have to see what kind of person their child is and what kind of role they’d play.

    Depending on the circumstances, I may end up preventing their child from being born.

    But if I did that, Rudeus would most likely oppose me.

    “…”

    I do not wish to lie to or deceive Rudeus.

    Even if in the case that he’s in the next loop, he’d forget about everything.

    “Good morning!”

    Mid way through my documentation Rudeus appeared.

    “…Yes.”

    “Is it paperwork again today? You’re always so devoted Orsted-sama.”

    “No more than usual”

    “The fact that it’s usual is what’s important! Life is long after all so you have to take it little by little! As expected of Orsted-sama! You do understand!”

    Rudeus sometimes gets strange.

    He’s normally quite docile.

    But his attitude does follow a pattern.

    When he gets this high spirited, it’s because something good is happening.

    And conversely, when he’s very quiet and apologetic it means he has something hard to say.

    He’s rather easy to read.

    “What’s happening today?”

    “As expected of the President! Vigilant as always! Hehe, This morning Lara said that she wanted to be with papa forever! How do I put it. Ehehe.

    Chris is always clinging to me but I never expected to hear it from Lara, so I was a little excited. Hehe.”

    “Did you bring them with you?”

    “Yeah. I brought Lara and Sieg here on Leo.”

    Sieg as well hmm.

    That’s somewhat unexpected.

    But when I thought that, Rudeus’s complexion took a turn.

    “Aah, about Sieg! It seems that he’s a fan of Alek.

    He enjoyed the story of the Biheilil Kingdom that he heard from Alek.

    And he asked me if I was going to meet with the North God-sama to take him along so he could hear the story again.

    He’s with Alek right now.”

    “Right.”

    “Umm… Should I not have brought children to the office after all…”

    “No, I don’t mind.”

    Rudeus’s Achilles’ heel is his family.

    He treasures them. Rudeus lives for his family.

    He’d do anything for his family, and if you hurt them, you will become his enemy.

    He’ll hit you with all kinds of unthinkable attacks from all directions, and when it looks like he’s about to lose, he’d easily throw away his pride and betray Hitogami or the like and beg for forgiveness.

    Evening.

    After completing the first stage of my recount, I left the study.

    It seems Alek hasn’t yet delivered the two of them home.

    The sun is about to set, it would probably be better to have them back sooner.

    Fariastia’s hours must have ended because she’s no longer at the reception.

    “Your Papa normally walks around like he’s cowardly and incompetent.

    In fact, he probably really is a coward.

    But when he gets mad he’s scarier than anyone else.”

    Even now, they’re still talking.

    But now instead of telling a story, he sounds as if he’s teaching something.

    Sieg is listening with a serious expression.

    “When facing that unyielding spirit, I lost.

    Orsted-sama apparently had a similar experience.

    Of course, someone such as him didn’t fail to overcome it like I did.

    And because I couldn’t defeat his spirit, was most likely the reason I became his subordinate.

    But do you understand why both Orsted-sama and I recognise him?”

    “Hmm?”

    “That’s because he’s strong.”

    “Papa, strong? But Papa would lose to Red Mama…”

    “Yep. That’s right. But it’s a little different from normal strength.”

    I’m also somewhat interested in how Alek sees Rudeus.

    “Your Papa has no redeeming features besides his mana.

    Your Papa can’t wear Touki by nature.

    His judgement isn’t particularly high, and when confronting unexpected circumstances he’ll panic.

    Hie eyes aren’t that good. Even with his Magic Eyes, he’s only reached the level below Orsted and I.

    His reactions are slow. No matter how far ahead he can see with his Magic Eyes, his body can’t keep up.

    He’ll hesitate when killing people, he has trouble delivering a killing blow to a flesh and blood enemy.

    His chantless magic is a point in his favour, his magic activations speed is unmatched among Magicians, but compared to us swordsmen, it’s still too slow.

    In the time it takes him to kill me with one『Stone Cannon』I can kill him three times.

    That is to say, no matter what he does, if I feel like it, I can take him out.

    No matter how many different kinds of tactics he has, none of them have any meaning.

    And I’m not even the world’s strongest. In just speed, I’m one or two ranks below top class.

    Of course, he could retreat and throw out all kinds of complex magic, but him having the chance to do that is unlikely.

    In other words, if you systematically analyse him, he just doesn’t seem cut out for fighting.”

    “Papa… Is weak…?”

    Sieg looks quite sad.

    Having their father admonished to their face, there are very few children who that wouldn’t make sad.

    Especially because Rudeus showers his children with love.

    “Aah, don’t give me that look.

    I’m not done talking yet.

    Listen. The reason your Papa is strong, is because he know his weakness better than anyone.

    That’s why he can get rid of his weakness and think of how to take advantage of his strong points.”

    “Hmm?”

    “Yup. He can use the Magic Armour to increase his speed many times over.

    Because of my Magic Itemmana bestowed item and Saint Dragon Touki, not even ancient poisons can harm me but I still felt some unease.

    “…”

    But I had opened the drawer completely off guard.

    And then grasshoppers came jumping out at me from inside.

    5 of them.

    So I was supposed to feel relieved after seeing the spiky fruits and then this was meant to surprise me. A two stage plan.

    Lara most likely waited behind the reception until I went out, before intruding to commit the crime.

    She must be happy with herself.

    “…”

    But Lara really is the only one who I have no idea how she’ll grow up.

    That’s most likely what Hitogami is afraid of about that child.

    Several day later, Rudeus returned.

    He didn’t just complete his goal, but apparently also made it rain and somewhat helped the drought.

    He really is an efficient man.

    After receiving his report I decided to tell him about Sieg.

    “…I would like to have Siegheart commute here regularly.”

    “Why would that be?”

    Naturally he seems somewhat puzzled.

    Now how shall I explain it?

    “There’s something I’m somewhat interested in so I would like to watch over him.”

    “…Is it dangerous?”

    “No.”

    “Will he be back by curfew?”

    “That’s not a problem.”

    “Understood. For the time being I’ll let the women know.”

    He probably hasn’t asked for any more confirmation due to his faith in me.

    Or perhaps he simply gave up due to my insufficient explanation.

    “You aren’t going to ask?”

    “No, I somewhat understand that someone will be teaching him something… Although I don’t understand why it’s a secret from me.”

    “Aah.”

    “I think it’s better that way. Give Alek my regards.”

    We’ve been seen through.

    But I’m grateful that’s the case.

    My interactions with Rudeus will continue.

    It’s better when the other party can understand you.

    It’s somewhat better as a secret after all.

    “Well then, I’ll be off.”

    “Good work today.”

    Right as Rudeus was about to leave,

    I remembered a certain something I wanted to ask.

    “Rudeus.”

    “Yes?”

    “What is a Cheddar Man?”

    “He’s a Hero who’s head is made from cheese.

    He finds hungry children and tears off bits of his face to feed them.

    He defeats bad guys who try to scare people with a single punch.”

    “…Was there a man like that in your previous world?”

    “In my world he was made of bread filled with red bean paste.

    But since red bean paste doesn’t exist here it was replaced with cheese.

    I tell it to the children as a bedtime story.”

    I learned something.

    Cheddar Man.

    Although I don’t understand why he tears off bits of his face.

    “What about it?”

    “Nothing, I was just a little curious.”

    “I see. Then I’ll be heading out.”

    After seeing that Rudeus had left I returned back inside.

    When I returned to my desk I saw the bag of spiky fruits that Lara left.

    The grasshoppers had already hopped outside.

    After she got home she was probably scolded for the prank she was running away from too.

    “Haa.”

    I let out a sigh.

    Lara and Fariastia.

    Aleksander and Sieg.

    And Rudeus and Cheddar Man.

    This loop really is quite fresh.

    ―○●○―

    1. It literally referred to some fruit known as "Xanthium strumarium" But that sounds odd in writing so I fudged it to make it sound better.