Mushoku Tensei: Reincarnated as a Beast Race

The chilling mist still lingering in the air served as a silent reminder of the massacre that had just occurred. As Rygar moved across the debris-strewn terrain, his thoughts returned to Gallus. He hadn't destroyed the ice statues. The thought struck him, quickening his pace.

"If he's escaped…" Rygar muttered to himself. That would be troublesome—or perhaps Gallus would simply flee to another country. Still, Rygar wasn't willing to take that risk. He silently prayed that Gallus was still there, trapped and unable to escape the ice that encased him.

When Rygar arrived at the location where the statues stood, he exhaled a sigh of relief. They were still there. The frozen forms of the mercenaries remained motionless, their expressions twisted in pain and shock, eternally etched into the translucent ice. Gallus was among them, though his condition was different. Rygar stepped closer, narrowing his eyes to examine him more carefully.

The ice encasing the advanced warriors was complete, penetrating deep into their bodies. Rygar could sense no trace of life within them. However, Gallus, with his robust Touki, had resisted more than the others. The ice had not penetrated as deeply, leaving him partially frozen but still immobilized. His wide eyes reflected the terror and agony of someone who had endured indescribable torment.

Rygar recognized this as a truly terrible way to die. In such a situation, being weaker might have been better, as death would have come instantly.

"This ends here," he murmured, raising his hand. A sharp gust of wind surged from his palm, obliterating the ice statues in an instant. Shards glittered in the air like crystalline rain, dissolving into the blood-stained ground.

With that done, Rygar climbed atop a mound of rubble and surveyed the entire complex. He closed his eyes and activated his mana vision, allowing energy to flow into his field of view. Every corner of the structure was analyzed, his senses attuned to any signs of life. There was no one left on the surface. All enemies who hadn't fled were dead. Unfortunately, even the servants and slaves in the upper levels had succumbed to the chaos. Still, Rygar detected movement below ground. The underground area teemed with activity, mana signatures pulsing with desperation or confusion.

He closed his eyes again, deactivating his mana vision, and took a deep breath. There was still more to be done. With firm steps, Rygar left the ruins to meet his group, who awaited him outside. The sight he encountered brought a mix of relief and concern. Scattered around them were bodies, evidence that the battle had extended there. At the center, Yan lay wounded and unconscious on the ground. Rygar paused for a moment, realizing he had completely forgotten about Yan, whom he had ordered to attack the base with him.

"Eidar, were there any complications?" he asked.

Eidar, breathing heavily, nodded. "Two advanced warriors showed up. The Doldia warriors and I managed to handle them together."

Rygar turned to Rufus, who was staring at the lifeless bodies on the ground but seemed unharmed. "And you, little one, how are you?"

"I'm fine!" Rufus replied.

Rygar's gaze fell on Yan, whose breathing was irregular. Kneeling beside him, Rygar quickly examined his injuries before raising his hands to cast a healing spell. Luminous energy enveloped Yan's body, gradually closing his wounds. Once finished, Rygar stood and looked at Eidar with a grave expression.

"How did he survive? I froze the entire base. I thought no one could escape."

Eidar ran a hand through his hair. "He managed to infiltrate, killing three people by pretending to be an ally. But when they discovered him, an advanced warrior chased him down. He barely escaped with his life."

Rygar studied him for a moment, assessing his words. He knew Yan wasn't particularly skilled, which made the extraordinary luck that had kept him alive all the more evident.

"He's incredibly lucky. I really had forgotten about him," Rygar said, a shadow of a smile crossing his lips before turning to the rest of the group. "Okay, let's free the slaves. Let him recover here."

Rygar's statement was met with resolute nods. Despite their evident exhaustion, a glimmer of determination shone in everyone's eyes. They knew the fight wasn't over just because their enemies were dead.

As they prepared to re-enter the building, Rygar cast a glance over the battlefield around him. The weight of his actions hit him like a wave. He knew that day would be remembered, both by the people they saved and by the enemies they made.

Moving forward, he led the group back into the building. The slave rescue would now begin.

The group approached one of the entrances to the underground area, where a heavy, frozen, reinforced wooden door blocked their path. Rygar raised his hand and conjured a powerful gust of wind. The cutting blast shattered the ice instantly, scattering gleaming fragments into the air. One of the group's warriors stepped forward and pushed the door open with a loud creak, revealing a staircase descending deep into the earth.

Rygar led the way for a moment, carefully observing each step before abruptly stopping. He turned to the group and spoke in a firm yet controlled tone: "There are four guards lying in wait to ambush us ahead. They aren't strong. You handle them."

Eidar and the Doldia warriors nodded promptly, stepping ahead without hesitation. Rygar glanced around before crouching down to pick up Rufus. The four-year-old looked at him curiously, sensing his mentor's reflective tone.

"What do you think of this mission?" Rygar asked as they descended, his voice softer this time.

Rufus tilted his head, pondering for a moment before replying, "I think… it's cruel."

Rygar smiled faintly, nodding in agreement. "You're right. It is cruel. Many things in life are like that. Sometimes, you have to choose, weighing the benefits." He paused, looking at Rufus seriously. "I don't want you to think that the Iron Legion is an ally of justice. To some people, we'll be exactly the opposite. We just protect our own and fight our enemies. There will always be differences in opinion between people, perhaps even within the Legion itself. And that's when strength makes the difference."

Rufus remained thoughtful as Rygar paused. Then he continued, "I want you to keep this in mind during your training. I'll teach you to be strong, and you'll always use that strength to defend your own 'justice.' There will be moments of doubt, and when they come, you can always ask me anything."

The child nodded slowly, absorbing his mentor's words as the sounds of battle echoed ahead. Within minutes, the group caught up with the others. The four guards who had planned the ambush lay sprawled on the ground, their bodies motionless. Eidar and the warriors were unharmed.

They continued descending until they emerged into a vast underground chamber. The site was striking in its immensity, lit by torches mounted on the walls. Metal cages lined the space, forming endless rows housing hundreds of slaves. The conditions were horrific: many were malnourished, some already in critical condition. Various races were present, but most were humans and members of beastfolk, with some demons scattered among them.

Rygar looked up at the ceiling. It was full of cracks, with some stones already fallen to the ground. The entire structure seemed on the verge of collapse. He walked slowly down the main corridor, his gaze somber as he surveyed the scene.

"Start freeing everyone," he ordered. The others immediately dispersed, forcing the cages open and helping the slaves out. Many were too weak to walk on their own. Some initially resisted, scared or distrustful, but Rygar's calm presence and the others' efforts eventually convinced most to cooperate.

Rygar, in turn, focused on healing those on the brink of death. With his hands enveloped in luminous energy, he moved from person to person, restoring just enough vitality for them to move. Unfortunately, not everyone survived. In some cells, lifeless bodies were piled up, and the pain on the survivors' faces was a stark reminder of the horrors they'd endured.

Finally, after long minutes of work, the group managed to gather all the slaves on the surface. The sight awaiting them was striking. The complex, once an imposing fortress, was now a frozen landscape, with structures covered in ice and stalactites glistening under the first light of dawn. Many of the freed slaves stood in awe, unable to fully process the scene before them.

Rygar remained silent, observing the expressions of shock and relief around him. He knew this was just the beginning. Freeing the slaves was a victory, but now they needed a path forward.

Rygar stepped into the center of the group of newly freed slaves, his relatively small figure standing tall on a stone platform he created, drawing the confused and fearful gazes of dozens toward him. The chill still emanating from the surrounding ice heightened the atmosphere of tension and uncertainty.

He took a deep breath, projecting his voice firmly but without aggression.

"You are free now." His declaration echoed across the open space, reverberating among the nearby trees and the frozen walls of the destroyed complex. Some slaves exchanged glances, as if they couldn't believe what they'd just heard. "I don't know where you all come from—whether you became slaves voluntarily, were sold, or attacked—nor do I care. I saved you primarily because of those of my own race. But I know that many of you have no place to return to; some younger ones don't even know a trade to live by."

Rygar paused, his gaze sweeping over the tired faces marked by pain.

"I'm offering you a choice. You can join us, become part of the Iron Legion. You'll work alongside us, fight alongside us—for your lives and for the lives of others like you. If you decide to stay, you'll have security and support. I won't promise an easy path, but you'll have a chance to make a difference."

"The Iron Legion isn't an alliance of justice. We don't fight for an absolute ideal but for ourselves and those who choose to stand with us. We are the shield and blade for those who trust in our strength, but that doesn't mean we are free from mistakes or judgment. What matters is that we walk with purpose, determined to bear the weight of our choices."

Some expressions shifted to curiosity, while others remained skeptical. He continued:

"If you don't want to stay, no one will force you. You're free to follow your own path, return to your homes. But always remember this debt, and if we ever need your help for any reason in the future, I hope for your cooperation. The choice is yours."

There was a heavy silence after his words, broken only by the sound of the wind rustling through frozen branches and hesitant murmurs among the slaves. Most of the beastfolk had already made their decisions, but the other races remained hesitant.

A human man stepped forward. He looked slightly stronger than the others, but his body was still marked with deep scars.

"Will you give privileges to your own race? I have nothing left, and I'd likely become a mercenary after this. But if you tell me your organization will be based on merit and not race, I'll give it a chance."

Rygar looked directly at him, surprised by the man's perspective.

"I don't discriminate against any race. Everyone is welcome, and everyone has equal opportunities. Of course, those who join earlier will have more chances to prove themselves. I'll give you all time to think it over."

The man hesitated for a moment but then nodded. Others began murmuring among themselves, and gradually more figures started stepping forward.

Turning around, Rygar saw ten individuals from the beastfolk race approaching.

He greeted them warmly and then turned to the two Doldia warriors accompanying him. He noticed their emotional expressions as they looked at two of the newly freed captives.

"Do you know them?" Rygar asked, curiosity evident in his voice.

One of the warriors, a man with brown hair and deep-set eyes, responded with a trembling voice:

"Yes... They're from our tribe. We thought they were dead. They were captured years ago..." He swallowed hard, clearly struggling to contain his emotions.

Rygar nodded, understanding the weight of the moment. Then, he continued:

"I'll need your help. Take these ten to the underground chamber. There's a room where the organization hid its treasures. It's too much for just the two of you to carry, so take them along. Your mission is to retrieve everything you can and bring it to the surface."

The two warriors nodded immediately, now filled with renewed energy. They turned and began leading the ten volunteers toward the underground chamber. Rygar watched them disappear into the entrance before turning his attention back to the remaining slaves.

He also made his way to the battlefield, retrieving weapons and valuables, including the Black Troll's axe and a black gem embedded in the troll's chest. It appeared to be part of the creature's body. He theorized that it might be the source of the troll's dark energy and decided to take it for further investigation.

Rygar gave the slaves time to decide their fates. Many were still confused, discussing in small groups, some with teary eyes as they pondered the young warrior's words. Meanwhile, the Doldia warriors returned from the underground chamber, carrying everything of value they could find: sacks of gold, jewelry, and high-quality weapons. Some beastfolk who had joined Rygar helped carry heavy chests.

Rygar observed silently as the group reorganized. Once the final load was brought out, he approached the entrance to the underground chamber. His expression hardened, and his heart raced.

"Everyone, step back at least 100 meters," he commanded, his firm voice cutting through the murmurs. The warriors, slaves, and even Eidar retreated, forming a wide circle around him.

Rygar drew his sword in a slow, deliberate motion. Its blade shimmered in the icy light around them but was soon engulfed in flames. At first, the fire was a timid flicker, but it quickly grew, fueled by his magic. He intertwined compressed wind, amplifying the flames' intensity. The fire roared now, burning in shades of orange, red, and finally, violet. The temperature skyrocketed.

Rygar could feel his skin burning from the heat radiating off the blade, but his gaze remained fixed on the frozen base before him. He murmured to himself, justifying what he was about to do.

'Killing two Saints was a statement. But I don't know if it's enough to deter the more powerful organizations. And it's certainly not enough for Milis. They need proof. Something they can't ignore. Something to show that I am not someone to be trifled with'

As he continued gathering fire into his sword, Rygar sharpened his senses. He wanted to ensure there were no innocent lives in the direction of the impending destruction. His perception confirmed: no villages, no nearby life—just a vast forest with animals and a few monsters.

The wind around him began to spiral violently, driven by his magic. Everything nearby started to melt—the ice, the stones, even the ground seemed to dissolve. The heat was unbearable, but Rygar's supernatural resilience healed his burns as he fed more power into the growing inferno on his blade.

The violet fire reached an intensity he had never seen before. His blue sword seemed alive, pulsating with the accumulated energy. He knew this was the most powerful spell he had ever cast—a strike not just of destruction but of declaration.

"Hellish Slash," he whispered, naming the move as he pulled the sword back.

With a devastating swing, he unleashed the blade's power.

The world seemed to freeze for a moment before a wave of violet fire consumed the slavers' base. The explosion was deafening, a surge of heat so intense that even those far away felt their lungs burn from the scorched air. The base and its underground chamber were obliterated in seconds, reduced to ash.

The devastation didn't stop there. The forest behind the base was engulfed in flames, a voracious wave of fire consuming everything in its path. The impact was so powerful that the ground trembled, and the sky was lit by a purple glow that rivaled the sun.

As the smoke and echoes of destruction began to fade, Rygar stood still, staring at the scene before him. The blast's radius could have destroyed a city five times over. A smoldering, fiery void replaced the former complex. The distant forest was gone, with a few lingering flames still spreading. He looked up at the sky, noticing rain clouds gathering, and decided to let the rain extinguish the remaining fires.

Slowly, he turned to face the group behind him. Their expressions were a mix of fear, admiration, and shock. Many were speechless, unable to find words for what they had just witnessed.

Eidar was the first to approach, his expression serious but respectful. Before he could speak, Rygar said:

"I'll help the others." His voice was calm but carried unyielding determination. He looked at the slaves and added: "Let them make their choices. Those who wish to join us, take them to the city."

Without waiting for a response, he turned and ran toward the city, the violet light of his flames still burning in his memory. The proof he left behind was not just an act of destruction—it was a warning. One he hoped he would never have to use again.