Mushoku Tensei: Reincarnated as a Beast Race-Chapter 173 - Prelude

Amid the towering trees of the Great Forest, a figure moved with almost supersonic speed.

His body was an almost imperceptible blur to ordinary eyes, like a shadow slicing through the air between colossal trunks and branches.

He was a man of the beast-like race, about one meter and eighty centimeters tall. His long, dark-brown hair was tied back in a ponytail that swayed with the wind of his fierce movement.

His eyes, red and sharp like those of a predator, revealed an unshakable gleam. A prominent scar crossed one eye, climbing up his forehead and disappearing into the dark strands.

At his waist hung a falcata-shaped sword.

The brown hilt was detailed with intricate silver runes, and the blade had a dark-silver hue, with an almost liquid gleam, as if it pulsed with energy.

On the opposite side of his waist rested a short black sword, whose sheath seemed to absorb the light of the surroundings.

Unlike the norm among beast-men—who usually wore light armor or even went shirtless to maintain agility—this youth wore full black armor.

Silver accents traced the lines of the armor with lethal elegance, and at the center of the breastplate shone a symbol: the face of a wolf surrounded by a mystical aura.

Anyone who had visited one of the monuments of the Seven World Powers in recent months would recognize the symbol immediately—the emblem of the Beast God, the newly elevated sixth among the Seven World Powers.

This young Doldia warrior racing through the Great Forest was Kilian Dedoldia, sixteen years old, the current second-in-command of the burgeoning Iron Legion.

Known to allies and enemies alike as the "Gale Reaper," his reputation had already crossed the borders of the forest and reached even the Central Continent.

As he ran, nearby beasts instinctively recoiled, sensing the mortal danger in his presence.

Some, perhaps driven by fury or ignorance, dared not get out of the way—and were cleaved in two by an invisible blade, without Kilian even slowing his pace or shifting his course.

His magical attacks with Wind Magic were so fast and precise they seemed a natural manifestation of the forest itself, a force of nature that could not be stopped.

Soon, the sound of a waterfall echoed in the distance, too soft for human ears but loud enough for Kilian's keen senses.

He diverted his course with feline ease, as if the wind obeyed his will, and in moments arrived at a clearing where a waterfall poured into a crystalline lake, surrounded by rocks and dense vegetation.

There, three figures awaited him.

The first was an elf with long golden hair that gleamed in the sunlight filtered through the canopy; her blue eyes sparkled like sapphires in the gentle light.

She wore a cloak the color of a starry sky, embroidered with countless tiny star-like details. At her waist hung a curved elven sword, and a blue bow and quiver were strapped to her back.

Her name was Verdia Solarion, master of the Iron Legion's leader, an exceptional mage whose power and wisdom earned her the respect of all in the Legion.

Next to her stood a beast-girl of the Adoldia tribe, with firm features and disinterested eyes, wearing the same black armor of the Legion as Kilian.

Coincidentally, she was chewing on a strip of bacon even as they spoke.

She was Pursena Adoldia.

Though only thirteen years old, she was an exceptional warrior on the battlefield.

A prodigy in Earth, Healing and Water Magic, as well as her tribe's Howling Magic, she also mastered the Water God Style in swordsmanship.

Her potential was among the greatest, and she was considered one of the most promising members of the Legion.

The third figure was an old demon, his skin a deep blue, two twisted black horns, and long hair the color of ripe wheat.

On his back rested a double-edged axe.

He was Lerov Jinkan, former leader of the Jinkan demon tribe.

He—and his entire tribe—had joined the Iron Legion four years ago, and since then the elder had shown absolute loyalty.

Recently, just like Taes Dedoldia, Lerov had been named North King by North Emperor Ornthorn himself, who had come from the Central Continent to join the war under the Legion's banner.

When Kilian arrived, the three were already conversing by the lake's edge, but upon noticing his approach, they all stopped and greeted him.

The youth bowed slightly to his leader's master in respect, then greeted Pursena and Lerov, being especially affectionate toward Pursena.

After the greetings, he asked:

"Was Rufus unable to come?"

Verdia shook her head slightly, her eyes fixed on the steady flow of the waterfall ahead:

"He went to help Taes on the front line in Hobbit territory. Galgard was there."

Kilian frowned, thoughtful for a moment, then asked:

"So the Demon King Gretta went there too?"

The elf nodded calmly.

Unlike the Central Continent—where the mountain ranges were mostly populated by red dragons, aggressive and territorial monsters—Milis was less concerning in this regard.

There, blue dragons predominated, but they concentrated in specific locales and had migratory habits.

Some parts of the range were true death zones, but others were relatively safe—at least by the standards of those who grew up facing wild beasts daily.

Of course, monsters inhabited the entire range, but both the people of Milis and the beast-like race were accustomed to that.

Recently, however, Milis had begun to advance aggressively into Hobbit territory, even crossing the range with its troops.

In recent months, the generals of Milis realized that conquering that region was essential.

The true motivation came with the arrival of Ornthorn, the North Emperor from the Kingdom of the Dragon King by sea.

With his presence reinforcing the Iron Legion's lines, Milis decided to invest heavily to cut off this vital maritime connection so that no more incidents like that could occur.

Pursena looked at Kilian with a worried expression.

"Will we be able to complete the mission without Rufus?"

Kilian thought for a few seconds, analyzing the variables. He wanted to bring Rufus precisely for his proficiency with Earth Magic, his natural affinity.

But for that very reason, Rufus was perfect to support Taes in Hobbit territory, where Milis was concentrating its invasion efforts across the range. Besides, he and Pursena also wielded Earth Magic—though not at Rufus's level.

"I believe you and I will be enough, Pursena," he replied firmly. "But if we're not fast enough, Lady Verdia could simply destroy everything with the Earth Rupture. It wouldn't be ideal... but I believe it would achieve the same result."

Pursena merely nodded, a bit more confident.

Verdia then spoke in a soft but assured voice:

"Rygar will be arriving in the coming months. So even if we only delay them, it will be enough."

Pursena sighed, exasperated:

"I still can't believe the boss tamed a dragon! He really has no limits!"

Lerov ran his hand through his thick beard, adjusting the strands with the calm of one who has seen many wars:

"From the stories they told me about him... I have high expectations for this youth."

He began counting on his fingers: "Destroying an entire forest in one blow, killing a Saint at six years old, slaying an terror of the depths, taming dragons... and now he's even become one of the Seven Great Powers at sixteen..."

Kilian remained expressionless. This mission was indeed extremely important.

Removing four heavyweights like himself, Verdia, Lerov, and Pursena from the front line represented a huge loss.

That was precisely why they had gathered as quickly as possible—if Milis noticed their absence for too long, the consequences could be catastrophic.

In the past months of the conflict, Milis had increased its aggression even further upon discovering that Rygar had become the Sixth World Power.

At first, the Legion was able to repel the armies efficiently, but over time, the true strength of the world's second-largest military power began to show.

After all, they were the only kingdom that had existed long before the Demon God Laplace.

It was only a matter of time before some point in the defenses collapsed under the constant pressure. From then on, everything would cascade in a domino effect.

This mission was not about direct victory, but about time. Time for their leader to return. And then, they would finally launch the counterattack.

"Good," said Kilian with resolve. "Let's go. The sooner we return, the lower the risk of our disappearance being noticed."

All nodded solemnly. Without another word, they dashed into the forest.

As they ran, Kilian couldn't help but admire once more the elf with golden hair.

Even as a mage, his leader's master was still faster than Pursena. She moved through the forest with a natural grace—as if the vegetation shaped itself around her.

'I suppose that's to be expected of a mage with five hundred years of experience,' Kilian thought, slightly impressed but keeping his focus.

In any case, they had officially begun their march—toward the Nikolaus River.

----

Ranoa Magical Academy.

In recent years, the academy had undergone great transformations.

What had once been merely an institution dedicated to training promising mages had now become a stage for intrigue, academic revolutions, and silent political movements.

It all began four years ago, with the arrival of a figure who changed the course of that institution forever: Princess Ariel Anemoi Asura.

Few knew, but her coming was not voluntary.

Fleeing the Asura Kingdom, the princess escaped constant assassination attempts. Her trusted knight, Luke Notos Greyrat, insisted she leave the kingdom before it was too late.

Each day, the noose tightened. Derick Redbat, the princess's Magical Guardian, shared the same opinion. Ariel refused at first.

But her heart shattered on the day one of her closest attendants—faithful to the point of giving her life—was killed trying to protect her from an attack.

The image of her guard's body falling before her was forever etched in her memory.

She finally agreed to leave the kingdom. And it was also that day, when she finally consented with her Magical Guardian, that she decided she would fight for Asura's throne.

The escape was long and painful. They lost seven members during the journey to Ranoa. Of the fifteen who departed, only eight survived. fгeewebnovёl.com

But they survived. They finally arrived at Ranoa Magical Academy and began their studies.

In the following years, Ariel focused on finding allies, forging alliances, and increasing her influence, preparing for the day she would return to Asura to claim the throne.

She was not just a princess with heroic aspirations. She was a strategist. And her time at Ranoa would not be wasted.

Each year brought something new. In the year after Ariel's arrival, the Silent Seven Stars appeared, a magical researcher who introduced various technologies and innovative ideas. Even the standardized uniforms the academy now used were her idea.

In the third year, another name emerged in Ranoa's halls: Zanoba Shirone. A prince of the Shirone Kingdom, but more than that, a Miko.

His brute strength was legendary. It was said he could crush skulls with his bare hands as if they were clay.

Despite his strange appearance and personality, his heart belonged to a passionate, obsessed collector of figurines.

Some believed the next would be Rygar Adoldia, who was at the Sword Sanctuary. But many said he would not come, since he was far superior to any Ranoa instructor.

And, according to those expectations, he flew back to Milis on his red dragon to fight a war against the Sacred Kingdom of Milis.

Shortly after his departure, two names arrived that also shocked everyone at the academy.

Cliff Grimoire, a young genius—arrogant and brilliant; and Harry Grimoire, the former Pope of Milis, who became an advisor in the Ranoa Kingdom, hiding from persecution by the Sacred Country.

Those four years had been turbulent and full of surprises for Ranoa.

Ranoa Magical Academy had become a boiling cauldron, a convergence point for great powers, a seedbed of global change.

But, unknown to most, a group destined to cause more uproar than any other was rapidly approaching.

The group of Rudeus, Sylphy, Roxy, and Ruijerd had finally reached the Magical Triumvirate.

-----

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