Mushoku Tensei: Reincarnated as a Beast Race-Chapter 103 - Towards the Demon Continent

POV: Rudeus Greyrat

We were already far from the capital.

We didn't go back there because the king was on Rygar's side, and Larax didn't want to risk another ambush.

After Sylphy healed everyone's most serious wounds, we kept galloping almost without pause.

However, Larax always seemed exhausted, even while mounted and moving forward.

Shortly after, the rain began to fall.

At least the rain helped erase many of our tracks, but even so, we made an effort to eliminate any sign that could give us away.

We were dealing with someone who was likely an expert tracker.

Everything seemed normal during the journey, but then Larax suddenly fell from his horse.

The dull thud of his body hitting the muddy ground was muffled by the rain.

The horses neighed, and we all stopped immediately.

We jumped off our mounts and gathered around him.

Vidette quickly approached and saw that he was breathing heavily, then removed his shirt.

That revealed something sinister—much of Larax's chest was petrified.

Raindrops slid down the hardened surface as if they were the storm's own tears.

Vidette knelt beside him, analyzing his condition.

She ran a few tests, pressing different points on Larax's body, trying to detect any reaction. Her expression grew heavier with each passing second. Then, she clenched her fist, tears streaming down her face uncontrollably.

"A large portion of his internal organs has already turned to stone..."

A heavy silence fell over the group.

Larax, lying on the ground, struggled to breathe. His mind worked quickly, connecting the dots. His eyes widened slightly as he realized the truth.

"The black blade..." he murmured, his voice hoarse and low.

"The sword that pierced me... was poisoned... or has some kind of magical effect like this."

Vidette nodded, but the tears didn't stop, and a silent fury burned in her eyes.

"I don't know a detoxification spell that can reverse this," she admitted.

"But even if I did... it would already be too late."

Larax's breathing grew even more erratic. A bitter laugh escaped his lips.

Rygar already knew.

He had known from the moment he drove that blade into him.

That's why he remained so calm in the face of Larax's threats.

He didn't need to react because the man's fate was already sealed.

The poison was relentless. Even if Larax fled, even if he hid, his death was only a matter of time.

Rudeus thought, Is that why Rygar asked if I would seek revenge? If I had known his situation, I would have said no.

I looked at Larax, and despite the gravity of the situation, I couldn't feel much sorrow for him.

I was sad about Igreed's and Mortan's deaths, but not that much.

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We were never that close.

And Larax? He might have treated them well in some way, but in the end, they were just tools to him. He forced them to fight at every moment.

They never had a choice.

They were prisoners, not allies.

If it were Hector... If Hector had died, then I would have been truly angry.

The old man helped us a lot over these past two years.

He treated us like a loving grandfather, trying to find ways to get us back home, taking care of us in every way possible. He genuinely cared.

I turned my gaze to Sylphy.

Her face was calm.

She didn't seem too affected by Larax's impending death.

In fact... she seemed happy, in a way. But at the same time, I saw a trace of sadness for Igreed.

She, like me, was closer to Hector, but she also had a good relationship with the women in the group.

The rain kept falling, drenching us completely, while Larax lay before us, on the brink of death, consumed by Rygar's poisoned blade.

Hector knelt beside Larax, his wrinkled face marked with pain.

His hands trembled as he held his lord's, as if trying to keep life from escaping his body.

He had served Larax's father to repay a debt, and when the man died, he continued serving the son since he was just five years old.

He raised him, protected him, endured his difficult temper.

He knew Larax was walking a dangerous path and that his death was only a matter of time, but he never imagined it would be so soon.

Deep down, he expected to be the first to go.

Vidette, on the other hand, stood rigid, her body tense, her eyes burning with hatred and suffering.

Larax was her lover. Mortan and Igreed were her closest friends.

Everything had been taken from her in a matter of hours.

Her clenched fist trembled, but she said nothing.

She just stared at Larax, waiting.

The dying man let out a hoarse chuckle, mixed with coughing. The petrification had already consumed much of his chest and was spreading rapidly.

He had already accepted his fate.

"Well... I'm going to die here, hahahaha..."

His voice sounded strangely light, almost carefree. After a moment, his expression turned serious, and he murmured:

"Glass Cannon... you're free! Go your own way! Go home, or find your family... whatever it is..."

Sylphy gave a faint smile, while I felt a strange tightness in my chest. Something deeply unsettled me about this scene.

Then Larax looked directly at me, something rare. He almost never called me by name, but this time, he did clearly:

"Rudeus..."

I held my breath, waiting for his words.

"You're too soft... you've gotten a bit tougher these past two years, but you need to be firmer! That guy saw your weakness, and don't think he'll be merciful. He wouldn't let a mage of your caliber roam free knowing you could be an enemy. You need to be careful."

He let me go because he didn't care, because he thought I was too much of a coward to go against him again. In a way, that was good, but it ate away at me.

Larax continued, his breathing growing heavier.

"I won't ask you to avenge me or Mortan and Igreed."

His eyes then found Sylphy. "But protect your girl... she's the most important thing you need to keep in mind."

I kept looking at him in silence, absorbing his words.

He had lived life the way he wanted, with no regrets, and now he spoke as if passing on some important lesson.

He seemed satisfied with his life, even in the face of imminent death.

He turned to Vidette and smiled.

"I lived like a madman for almost forty years... and I expected to die on the battlefield... but I don't have that luxury, hahahaha..."

His laughter was weak now, the petrification advancing further.

Then, he looked at me again, his expression turning serious once more.

"I know I wasn't a good leader, but I want to ask a favor..."

Sylphy frowned, suspicious, and I asked hesitantly:

"Depends on the favor..."

Larax gave a tired smile.

"It's my last request... please, take Vidette and my child that she's carrying back to your tribe in the Demon Continent..."

My body went rigid. My eyes widened, and my gaze immediately turned to Vidette.

She was crying, her eyes filled with pain and fury.

Rudeus knew what this meant.

Igreed's second wife, who died in battle, was sterile and could not have children.

But Vidette... she and Larax were from different races, and it was extremely difficult for such couples to conceive a child.

Yet, after so long, it had happened. And now, in this moment of tragedy, that truth came to light.

I looked at Sylphy, who seemed just as shocked, and then at Hector.

Unlike us, he remained unshaken. There was no surprise on his face. He already knew.

My mind started spinning.

I fell into a deep silence, lost in my own thoughts.

And the rain kept falling as Larax took his last breath.

His chest, now almost entirely petrified, rose and fell slowly until finally stopping.

For a moment, no one spoke.

Only the sound of the rain mixed with the heavy breathing of some present.

Hector closed Larax's eyes with an expression of sorrow, but not surprise.

He had served Larax's family long enough to know that this moment would come sooner or later.

Vidette, on the other hand, clenched her fists, pain written all over her contorted face.

Her eyes, red from crying so much, carried a deep hatred, but there was no one left to direct it at—she couldn't do anything against Rygar, after all.

Before passing, Larax muttered, "Rygar planned all of this... He must have a way to track that sword..."

His voice was hoarse, weak. "Leave the sword with me. Don't give him such an easy path."

He also requested that all of his belongings, including his scimitar, remain with Hector.

And so it was done.

A grave was dug under the rain, and his body was placed there, along with the black blade that had taken his life.

A moment of silence was held before they covered the hole.

No one prayed, no one spoke kind words—Larax was not one for touching speeches, nor did he worship any gods.

Larax's journey had come to an end, and it was up to the living to move forward.

With the skies still overcast, they kept riding.

The group was silent.

Hector held the reins firmly, his gaze fixed on the path ahead.

Vidette did not exchange words with anyone. Rudeus was lost in thought, and Sylphy stayed close to him, occasionally glancing at him with concern.

When they finally set up camp, exhaustion weighed on them. Rudeus lay beside Sylphy and, before he could reflect too much, sleep overtook him.

---

Then, the white void filled his vision.

"Yo, Rudeus!"

The annoyingly carefree voice of Hitogami echoed through the nothingness. Rudeus's mood sank instantly. He crossed his arms, narrowing his eyes.

"..."

"Come on, not even a response?"

Hitogami feigned disappointment.

"And here I am, bringing good news..."

Rudeus's eyes narrowed.

"Good news? Your last advice didn't work out too well, did it? Half of our group is dead!"

Hitogami raised his hands, as if defending himself.

"And I stopped all of you from dying! After all, aren't you and your little elf friend still alive?"

Rudeus clenched his fists.

"If you had told me how dangerous he really was, we would never have gotten involved in the first place!"

Hitogami sighed, shaking his head as if Rudeus were being stubborn.

"Well then, forget the good news!"

He turned dramatically, as if about to leave. Rudeus gritted his teeth and scratched his head.

"...Just say it already! What's the good news?!"

Hitogami grinned.

"I know where your parents are!"

Rudeus's heart pounded. He took a step forward.

"My parents? And Lilia? My sisters?!"

Hitogami tilted his head, thoughtful.

"Hmmm... I only saw your parents. I didn't see your sisters or the maid. Like I said, I can't see everything—I only see what is shown to me... But still, isn't that great news?!"

Rudeus's gaze darkened.

"Your powers are very convenient."

"Oh, don't say that!" Hitogami smiled. "How many times do I have to help you before you stop being so paranoid?"

Rudeus didn't answer. Hitogami sighed dramatically and, with a mischievous smile, continued:

"Your parents are currently in a very difficult situation and can't leave where they are. Well, here's my advice! Take Vidette to her tribe on the Demon Continent. Once there, speak to the demon with six eyes. That way, you'll find your parents!"

Before Rudeus could question him, the dream began to dissolve.

---

He woke up slightly startled, feeling his heart race. The fresh night air filled his lungs, and he noticed Sylphy stirring beside him.

"Rudy...?" Her sleepy voice carried a hint of concern. She partially sat up, rubbing her eyes.

"What is it?"

Rudeus remained silent for a moment, digesting Hitogami's words. He felt a whirlwind of emotions—hope, suspicion, frustration.

"Sylphy..." he said hesitantly. "I believe my parents are on the Demon Continent..."

Before he could continue, Sylphy's eyes widened, and she grabbed his hand.

"They are?! That's great! We finally have news about someone! How are they?!"

Her excitement made Rudeus's chest tighten. He swallowed hard.

"I... I'm not sure. It's just a lead..."

Sylphy frowned, noticing his hesitation.

"But how do you know that?" she asked, suspicious.

Rudeus avoided her gaze.

"I just... feel it...?"

Sylphy watched him for a moment, but soon her expression softened.

Rudeus asked, "Are you sure you want to follow me there?"

"I'm going with you. Rudy would do the same for me."

Rudeus's heart warmed. He looked at Sylphy with admiration and affection.

This elf held an almost irreplaceable place in his heart.

He smiled. "Then, let's go to the Demon Continent."

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