Mushoku Tensei: Reincarnated as a Beast Race-Chapter 123 - Back Home

Finally, the first dragon had been captured and "domesticated."

Of course, we still needed to completely tame it, break that last trace of resistance in its eyes, and maybe make it see us as companions; that was going well.

Time was doing its work, and fear too.

One day, to test the limits of that proud beast, I decided to leave the group for several hours. It was left to travel with the others, free from my constant shadow.

And to my satisfaction, it did not flee.

After a while, I extended the test. I was away for two whole days, without any sign.

During that time, I continued observing from afar. And, as expected, it tried.

In the middle of the second night, in absolute silence, it rose and began to move away from the group's trail.

But it did not count on Ghislaine.

She pursued it like a voracious shadow. No sound, no warning.

When I returned and saw the scene, the dragon was on the brink of death, its eyes wide with pure terror, panting while lying on the ground, covered in cuts and abrasions.

After that, it seemed... uninterested in fleeing. There was something in its eyes. Perhaps it was resignation.

Maybe it had finally understood that there was no escape—that every attempt would only result in suffering.

The only thing that still seemed to bother it was the way Eris treated it, as if it were a pet.

It, for its part, always maintained the serious and intimidating expression of a dragon. But, in the end, it did nothing. It did not roar, did not attack, did not protest. It merely accepted its fate.

And truth be told, it was not treated badly. There was always fresh water thanks to water magic, and it and Skoll had become our primary hunters. Every day, they went out together to hunt.

Skoll, however, seemed to be trying too hard. He probably thought he could lose his position if he did not show enough utility to the group.

Anyway, the days passed. Gradually, we crossed the Wishiru region, an area known for its low hills and crystal-clear rivers, and finally arrived at the province of Milbotts.

We continued searching for information in every adventurer's guild we passed by, anything about Paul, Zenith, Rudeus, or Hilda, Eris' mother, but we found nothing.

And then, it was decided that Lilia would leave the group and return to her father's dojo.

After telling me that Aisha could go with us to the Sword Sanctuary, Lilia had spoken with Aisha in private; they talked for a long time.

I did not know the content of their conversation, nor did I ask, but after that, it was basically decided that Aisha would go with us to the Sword Sanctuary.

It was Aisha's choice, although it was probably related to what Lilia had told her.

Thus, we continued our journey.

----

Obviously, entering a city with a red dragon was not an option. Skoll already attracted attention and was stopped by guards several times, with his four meters of height and piercing eyes.

But a red dragon? That was a sign of calamity in any region of that kingdom. The mere presence of Ezkalor would put the whole city on alert.

So, only Rygar, Lilia, and Aisha would enter, with Eris and Ghislaine staying with Ezkalor and Skoll.

Before that, Lilia said goodbye to Ghislaine, Eris, and Skoll.

She had become especially close to Ghislaine on this trip. She also whispered something in Eris' ear before leaving, to which Eris reacted only with a slight smile and a nod.

Rygar could have heard it, but he did not mind.

They headed toward the center of the city of Limar.

The streets were lively, with people coming and going, the smell of warm food and spices filling the air. Lilia seemed to look around with a mix of nostalgia and longing.

Aisha was visibly excited. She skipped alongside Lilia, pulling her by the hand and asking questions about what her grandparents were like.

Rygar followed alongside, alert but silent.

It was not long before they spotted the dojo. A traditional building, with a dark wooden roof and walls reinforced by simple but firm columns.

Sounds of wooden swords clashing echoed inside.

Lilia stopped in front of the door. She was visibly nervous, hesitant.

She held Aisha's hand, who looked at her curiously, trying to understand the reason for that sudden stop. Rygar observed her for a moment, without saying anything.

And then, he simply moved ahead.

With a firm impulse, he kicked the dojo door wide open. The hinges creaked loudly and everyone inside immediately turned around.

Silence.

Practitioners with wooden swords in hand froze mid-motion. Instructors frowned.

Everyone's eyes fell upon Rygar, as if he owned the place. The sunlight at his back made him seem even more intimidating.

Lilia, right behind, was with wide, shocked eyes.

Aisha laughed, finding it all extremely amusing.

And Rygar simply walked inside, as if nothing unusual was happening.

A tall man, with an imposing stature, muscles sculpted by a life dedicated to the sword, approached Rygar's group.

His reddish-brown hair revealed the blood he shared with Lilia. His eyes, for a moment, carried only astonishment and a natural distrust toward the unknown.

"Who are you?" he asked, with a firm voice and tense posture, his eyes fixed on the figure of Rygar who had entered the dojo.

But then he froze. His eyes wavered, widening upon seeing the woman behind the intruder. Next to her, a miniature version of Lilia facing her grandfather for the first time.

"L-Lilia...?"

She smiled, a soft smile, touched with contained emotion.

"Father..."

The man went to her without hesitation and enveloped her in a tight hug, his strong arms trembling slightly.

Aisha, holding Lilia's hand, watched everything with big, curious eyes.

Meanwhile, Rygar looked aside, noticing the dojo practitioners beginning to approach, bewildered and intrigued. Then he raised his voice:

"Come on! Let's not interfere with a family reunion!"

His eyes shone with confidence as he took a step forward.

"My name is Rygar Adoldia! A North King!"

Silence fell over the dojo like a sudden snowstorm.

"I challenge all of you at the same time to a fight," Rygar continued, his voice firm, a slight defiant smile on his face.

"Anyone who lands a single blow on me, without me using my sword, I will appoint as the North Saint!"

Murmurs began immediately. One of the practitioners, with wide eyes, murmured:

"A North King of the beastial race... golden eyes and silver hair... wait... are you the Red Wolf?!"

It seemed it was true that rumors and stories ran faster than the wind.

During that month in the Dragon King's Realm, Rygar had become known even in other kingdoms.

Rygar smiled.

"It's me."

One of the young men couldn't resist. Propelled by the promise of being named North Saint— he attacked. And, like a spark thrown on dry straw, the others followed.

Augusto, still embracing his daughter, watched the scene, astonished.

"But what...?"

"Go, master!!" shouted Aisha, jumping excitedly.

Lilia sighed.

"Forget this, father... let's go inside."

With a slight push, she led Augusto to the back of the dojo, the area that was also the family's home.

Meanwhile, Rygar faced the practitioners with skill. No blow would leave permanent marks, but all would make bones and muscles ache for days.

----

Several minutes later, everyone was on the ground. Breathless. Sore. Some with eyes wide in disbelief.

Rygar sat among them, legs crossed, arms resting on his knees, and conversing with them about various things.

"In general... would you say that your instructor Augusto and Mrs. Flute are... good people?" he said, observing the sweaty faces around him.

One of the practitioners, holding the side of his body with an expression of contained pain, still had the courage to look Rygar in the eyes. "Yes, sir."

Rygar pondered, then nodded. "Okay, thank you for your cooperation."

He then approached the young man, touched his wound with two fingers, and healed it.

"Unfortunately, none of you became a North Saint today... but I must say: you are not bad at all."

The eyes of the defeated shone with pride. Some smiled even without strength to get up. Others even thanked him.

While Rygar walked toward the house, he thought to himself:

'Being strong is quite convenient... In what kind of place can you beat everyone and they still thank you for it?'

But he set that thought aside as he approached the back door.

Inside, Lilia, Aisha, Augusto, and Flute were seated at the table. The scene was warm and peaceful.

Flute was a woman with a firm, yet gentle expression.

Her features were very much like Lilia's — and, by extension, like Aisha's.

Upon seeing Rygar enter, Augusto stood up and went to him.

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"Rygar Adoldia. I must thank you for saving my daughter and my granddaughter in Milis."

Rygar shook his hand, firmly.

"Do not worry about that. Aisha is my disciple now. We are closer than that."

Augusto seemed satisfied with the answer.

"Come, sit down."

The conversation extended for hours. They talked about Lilia's journey, about the dangers faced, about the small and big achievements. They were impressed with the Iron Legion.

When the subject turned to Aisha going to the Sword Sanctuary, Flute showed some discomfort and said that she thought Aisha should stay with them; Augusto agreed.

But Lilia spoke up and cut them off, saying that it had already been decided.

Flute was somewhat in a bad mood, but did not continue insisting; overall, the conversation was very pleasant, except of course for the parts that mentioned that Paul, Zenith, and Rudeus were still missing.

Aisha asked many questions about everything concerning her grandparents, and they were more than happy to entertain their cute granddaughter.

Augusto sighed, then smiled slightly at Rygar.

"You are quite unbelievable. Sword King and North King... Water Saint... and yet proficient in various types of non-enchanted magic."

He looked at Lilia. "If you weren't here to attest it, I would never believe it; it's great that someone like you has chosen Aisha as your disciple."

Lilia just smiled confidently.

Rygar only replied, "It's Aisha's talent that attracted me, the credit is hers."

Augusto turned to Rygar once again.

"I was very happy to meet my granddaughter. And I thank you, once again, for saving them. I..."

He paused for a moment, his voice faltering.

"...wanted to spend more time with her, but I know that is just the selfish request of a grandfather."

Then, he took a deep breath.

"I will write to Reida, letting her know that you will be going to the Sword Sanctuary. She will probably be interested in a talent like yours."

Rygar nodded with a slight smile.

"Thank you for that. I have always been interested in the secret techniques of the God of Water Style."

Eidar's name was not mentioned. That was a night for reunions, for restored bonds. Mentioning his death would make the atmosphere sad again.

Rygar also discovered something curious.

The current Water God, Reida Reia and Eleonora, Eidar's grandmother who was in the Great Forest, had both been senior disciples of Augusto.

The three had known each other since youth and were old friends.

---

The next day, Rygar and Aisha were ready to leave.

The morning sun began to illuminate the narrow and quiet streets around the dojo, when Augusto and Flute came to the entrance with several packages in their hands — clothes, a new pair of reinforced boots, since it was cold in the north, homemade sweets, and even a lucky charm made by Flute.

Aisha was the center of all attention and was loving it.

Flute held her as if she did not want to let go, smoothing her brown hair.

Lilia, on the other hand, was emotional, but tried not to show it. Her eyes were red, and she seemed unable to stop talking.

"Stay close to Rygar. And to Ghislaine, always. Do everything he tells you, Aisha. Train hard. Focus. Do not get distracted. Eat well. Come back to visit. Please."

She bent down and hugged her tightly.

Aisha, quiet, only returned the hug with her little arms around her mother's neck. But she held back her own tears and did not cry.

But Rygar saw her fingers gripping Lilia's clothing tightly. Since the conversation she had with Lilia, Rygar noticed that there was something different in her—a spark of silent determination.

Which made him a little more curious about the content of the conversation.

Shortly after, Rygar placed Aisha on his shoulders. She settled easily, her arms crossed over his head and her gaze fixed ahead.

"Thank you for everything —" Rygar said, looking at Lilia, Augusto, and Flute.

Augusto only nodded, with a serious look.

Lilia forced a smile, waving her hand.

"Be careful, don't let her do anything too dangerous..."

"Of course... after all, she is my disciple." Rygar replied calmly, before turning around.

And then, they left the city without looking back.

The road stretched out before them, and there was no longer any reason to go through Ars. With Eidar dead, the path now went straight to Fitoa.

The weight of the recent events still hung over their thoughts, but for now, Rygar kept his focus ahead. There was much to teach. And Aisha—his disciple—was ready to begin.

-----

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