Just a bit ago I heard how Luke thinks about Rudeus.
Luke says that Rudeus cannot be trusted.
It seems to be due to the rumors about Rudeus.
For a man such as Rudeus, besides Sylphy’s description, we just heard rumors.
According to the rumor, even though he is so strong, he never gets angry and never picks a fight.
There is no bad rumor about him at all.
When I hear this, I take him to be a character from a story.
According to Luke’s theory, a person with only good rumors about him is worse than a person with bad rumors about him.
Luke suspects that he manipulated the rumors.
For example, the information that came in the other day said that "Rudeus of the Quagmire exterminated a stray dragon alone."
Exterminate a stray dragon alone.
There is no way that you can do it.
Luke said, "It's at most a rumor, there is no way to confirm that".
Perhaps, it was an extermination by a small group.
To take credit of that for himself...
Of course, if you want to say he is strong, then he is.
Probably in some way he used magic items to defeat Sylphy.
He is definitely stronger than a run-of-the-mill magician.
Or, maybe, it is possible for him to get rid of a stray dragon alone.
However, even if he defeated a stray dragon, this rumor is weird.
To begin with, in a short span of time of 2 years, spreading the rumors to [Magic Triumvirate] won't be possible unless you do it intentionally.
Intentionally manipulating the information and only spreading good rumors.
Such a cunning man.
That’s how Luke saw Rudeus.
We won't know when such a man would betray us, so he can’t be trusted.
"I'm against having him in our group. Ariel-sama."
"Well, I think so as well. Though there is no doubt he is strong..."
Sylphy was puzzled by this decision.
"Eee?"
She defended him.
Not being able to remember me has nothing to do with his power and ability.
Rudeus has become amazingly strong.
And, also that weird Ran Ma magic.
That surely is some unique race's magic ability.
By using it, all magicians become powerless.
As an ally there is no one more reliable.
However, this is not the case.
I already thought he was shady.
Apparently, Sylphy seems to be blinded by her reunion with her childhood friend...
After that, we allowed our emotions to get in the way of our judgment, the one who was Sylphy's heart's support, is without a doubt that Rudeus.
Will it be possible to forget about that?
In the last few months, how much did Sylphy wait with excitement for this day? I was expecting a more touching reunion for those two.
After the Metastasis Event and being separated for so long, I was expecting a happy ending.
What’s this, really...
Of course Sylphy is cross-dressing, but a long-ear race with white hair isn’t all that common for him not to remember.[10]
And not to mention that humble attitude after winning against Sylphy.
Is he lumping my Sylphy with those run-of-the-mill magicians?
That is how I thought.
As for Sylphy.
Even though she had lost that pathetically, why is she looking so happy?
I feel a strong jealousy.
"Now, I remember the indignation to the man called Rudeus."
"I too. Whether he forgot Sylphy or not, just because he is strong, I am not teaming up with a man who might betray me at any moment."
Luke as well confirmed my words.
And, Sylphy said.
“... what is this, the two of you teaming up and bad-mouthing Rudi.”
Sylphy did not seem convinced, but the strategy to bring Rudeus on board has been temporarily put on hold.
So we decided to wait and see for a while.
Excessive contact with him is forbidden.
However, Sylphy can interact with him on a personal level.
Even if he is such a shady guy, he is still Sylphy’s friend.
Sylphy, regardless of what happened, seems happy.
And it is possible that our first impression of him was bad and he is as good a guy as the rumor says.
Let’s keep a connection for now.
"Of course, if Sylphy wants to reveal her identity, I do not mind."
There is a risk to him knowing Sylphy’s identity.
But so long as that would let us know if he is as the rumor says, it will be a cheap price.