Peak Between Two: Mushoku Tensei

-Luciel Greyrat-

After listening to Gustav's explanation, I realized that Rudeus and his group had already left two weeks ago. That meant we were still somewhere on the Demon Continent.

Well, that wasn't a problem. We were bound to meet again eventually.

More importantly, I was intrigued by this person named Ryu. The name felt oddly familiar to me.

Could he be Ryusei?

The sun began to set behind the towering trees surrounding Doldia Village, casting long shadows over the ground still littered with debris from the recent attack. The distant cries of wild beasts echoed through the air, blending with the murmurs of the beastmen as they busily rebuilt their homes.

I stood amidst the ruins, where some of the wreckage had already been cleared away, watching as the villagers worked together. My arms ached slightly from lifting several heavy wooden beams earlier.

Beside me, Gesse—the raggedly dressed man who had once shared a prison cell with me—was devouring his food with his usual enthusiasm.

I let out a deep sigh. To be honest, I was still exhausted from everything that had happened. Being imprisoned for three days, fighting Gallus, and now assisting the beastmen—it all felt like a whirlwind of events.

But there was still one thing I hadn't done yet.

I needed to see Aisha and Norn.

They must have been worried. I could already picture their faces when they found out I had been missing for three days. Aisha, despite her usual cheerful and confident demeanor, was still just a little girl who needed reassurance. Norn, quieter and more reserved, likely kept her emotions bottled up, but I was sure she had been deeply anxious.

I took a deep breath, preparing myself to go find them. But before I could take another step—

"Onii-chan!!"

A loud voice pierced the air, followed by the sound of small feet dashing toward me at full speed.

I turned my head.

Two small figures were running in my direction from a distance, with Ruijerd trailing behind them, his expression as calm yet vigilant as ever.

It was them.

Aisha reached me first, leaping into my arms and wrapping herself tightly around my waist. Her hands trembled, and her breathing was ragged.

"Onii-chan, you idiot!! Why did you take so long!?" she cried, her voice almost breaking into sobs.

I was momentarily taken aback. Aisha always acted strong, often seeming more mature than her age. She rarely displayed emotions so openly. But now, she looked like a child who had lost something precious.

Slowly, I raised my hand and gently stroked her head.

"Sorry for making you worry, Aisha."

She tightened her grip around me without saying another word.

I then turned to Norn, who stood a few steps behind, clutching the hem of her small dress tightly. Her eyes were teary, but unlike Aisha, she didn't immediately rush toward me.

Norn was different.

She wasn't the type to express her feelings so easily. I knew she was worried, but she probably didn't know how to react.

I gave her a gentle smile. "Norn."

She bit her lower lip, her eyes growing mistier.

For what felt like an eternity, she hesitated. Then, all at once, she rushed forward and crashed into me, hugging my waist just as tightly as Aisha had.

"...You're an idiot," she muttered softly, her voice trembling.

I lowered my head and gently patted her hair.

"I'm home, Norn."

For a while, I simply stood there, letting my two little sisters release all the emotions they had been holding back.

Ruijerd, who had remained silent up until now, finally spoke.

"Luciel, you made them worry far too much. You should have gone to see them first after returning."

I let out a small sigh. "I know… I just wanted to make sure everything was okay before that."

Ruijerd looked at me with his piercing gaze, as if assessing my words. I knew he understood my reasoning, but to him, protecting family always came first.

"I'm counting on you, Ruijerd. Thank you for watching over them."

He gave a firm nod. "Of course. That is the duty of an adult."

I smiled faintly. That was exactly the kind of thing he would say.

After a few moments, Aisha finally released her hold on me and looked up, her face still a bit sulky.

"Onii-chan, you really need to stop making us worry!"

I shrugged. "I'll try, but I can't make any promises."

Aisha pouted. "Hmph! Then you have to make it up to me. I want a sandwich!"

I raised an eyebrow. "...A sandwich?"

She nodded with a serious expression. "Onii-chan's sandwiches are the best! That's the only way I'll forgive you!"

I couldn't help but chuckle. "Alright, alright. I'll make some onigiri later."

"Yay!" Aisha immediately brightened up, while Norn simply gave a small nod beside her.

I turned to Ruijerd. "Would you like some too?"

He looked at me seriously. "If you're offering, I won't refuse."

I let out another chuckle. Moments like these… they felt so warm.

And for the first time in a long while, I could smile truly from the heart.

###

I stared at the carving on the wooden wall, my expression stiff. To anyone else in this world, the writing might look like meaningless scribbles.

But to me, it was a clue too familiar to ignore.

The rough etching on the wood read:

"If you can read this, you owe me a bottle of sake, Kaz."

Kaz.

That name… There was only one person in this world who ever called me that.

Ryusei.

For a brief moment, my world froze. My mind rapidly pieced together the fragments of information. A beastman named Ryu. An odd set of habits. And now, a message written in Japanese?

"No way…" I muttered unconsciously.

My body felt lighter, as if a weight I hadn't even realized was there had suddenly lifted. I had never considered the possibility before, but if he was here too…

I turned toward Gyes, who was still standing near the doorway.

"Gyes, can you tell me more about Ryu? What is he like? What kind of person is he?" I asked, trying to suppress the surge of emotions within me.

Gyes eyed me for a moment before exhaling.

"Ryu is a silver-furred beastman, unlike most Dedoldia, who have tiger-like patterns. He's strong—very strong. Some of the young men in the village even look up to him. But… he's also a little odd."

I narrowed my eyes. "Odd how?"

"He often talks to himself in a language none of us understand. Sometimes, he draws strange symbols on the ground, only to erase them right after. And then there's his strangest habit… Before going to sleep, he always folds his clothes with an almost military-level precision."

That was it.

I could no longer deny it. That odd habit—it was something only a former soldier would do.

Someone I knew better than anyone else.

Ryusei was here.

My hands unconsciously clenched into fists. So he really was in this world? He was alive, just like me?

Aisha, who had been silent up until now, finally spoke in a curious tone.

"Onii-chan, do you know this person?"

I turned to her. Her eyes were filled with curiosity, while Norn stood slightly behind her, waiting for my answer with a hesitant expression.

I let out a slow breath, calming my thoughts before replying.

"Maybe. I'm not a hundred percent sure, but there's a very strong chance that he's someone I know… someone very important to me."

Aisha frowned. "Important how?"

I gave a small smile. "He's my best friend."

Aisha's eyes widened slightly, surprised by the serious look on my face. I rarely talked about my past in this world, so it was no surprise that she had never heard of Ryusei before.

Ruijerd, who had been silent all this time, finally spoke up.

"If he's someone you know and trust, then perhaps it would be wise to seek him out. Do you wish to find him?"

I hesitated for a moment. Find him? Of course, I did.

But…

I had to think logically.

"He already left for the Central Continent with Rudeus' group, right?" I asked Gyes.

Gyes nodded. "Yes. He departed two weeks ago with several others."

I exhaled deeply. Two weeks… That was quite the distance.

I bit my lower lip. I wanted to see him, to confirm with my own eyes that he was really Ryusei. But at the same time, I couldn't just leave on a whim.

There was Aisha and Norn.

I glanced at them. Aisha could probably manage on her own—she was sharp and perceptive. But Norn…? I couldn't just leave them behind.

Ruijerd could protect them if I left, but still… I couldn't make a rash decision.

I sighed. For now, I would stay here.

But I would find him.

Sooner or later.

I would see Ryusei again.

Night had fallen by the time our conversation ended. We had settled in Ryu's house for the time being.

I leaned against the wooden wall, staring at the ceiling with mixed emotions.

"Ryusei, huh…?"

I let out a faint smile. If he was really Ryusei, then this world was truly full of surprises.

Across the room, Aisha had already fallen asleep in a weird position, while Norn slept much more peacefully beside her. Ruijerd sat in the corner, keeping watch as always.

I took a deep breath.

"So you're here, Ryusei…"

I didn't know when I would see him again. But one thing was certain—when the time came, I would make sure we still stood on the same side, just like before.

I closed my eyes.

Tomorrow would be a new day.

And I would begin searching for more clues about my old friend.