Peak Between Two: Mushoku Tensei

-Third Point of View-

In the vast Milis Forest, amidst towering trees that filtered sunlight into a soft glow, a small boy continued his relentless training.

Every swing of his wooden sword was sharp, his movements controlled, and his breathing steady. Sweat dripped down his forehead, yet his eyes remained focused, showing no signs of excessive fatigue.

To most, this scene would seem strange—a three-year-old boy, who should be playing with kids his age, instead training like a warrior preparing for battle.

But Ryu Dedoldia didn't care.

Training was the only bridge connecting him to who he once was—the only way he didn't feel like a stranger in this new world.

However, today was different.

From behind the bushes, two pairs of eyes watched him with an unexplainable curiosity.

Rinia Dedoldia and Pursena Adoldia.

Two beastman girls who had always seen him as the weird kid—too serious about training and clueless about having fun.

But now…

They couldn't look away.

A Curious Observation

Rinia flicked her furry ears, her expression a mix of confusion and intrigue.

"Why is he training alone again?" she thought, crossing her arms.

Beside her, Pursena sat lazily on the root of a large tree, chewing on dried meat while watching Ryu with half-interest, half-boredom.

"He's so serious," she muttered, her tone far more relaxed than Rinia's.

Her golden eyes followed Ryu's movements as he swung his wooden sword with precision. There was something odd about the way he moved—as if he wasn't just practicing techniques but sharpening something much deeper.

Rinia scoffed softly. "I don't get it. He's always alone. Why?"

Pursena simply shrugged. "Maybe he likes it that way?"

But Rinia still found it strange.

After their fight some time ago, they should've forgotten about the boy. Yet, the more they saw him train without rest, the harder it became to ignore him.

Not because they wanted to challenge him again.

Not because they were angry.

But because something about him made them want to understand more.

An Awkward First Interaction

Ryu finally stopped.

He straightened his posture, stabilizing his breath, and quickly became aware of his two uninvited observers.

His sharp eyes immediately locked onto the bushes where they were hiding.

"What do you want?" he asked in a flat tone.

Rinia flinched but quickly put on a confident expression. She stepped out with her hands on her hips, trying to appear casual.

"None of your business," she replied quickly.

Pursena just sighed before standing up and walking out, still lazily chewing her meat.

Ryu stared at both of them, expressionless.

"…If it's not important, then why were you hiding in the bushes?"

Rinia froze.

"I-I wasn't hiding! We were just passing by!" she blurted out.

Pursena chuckled quietly.

Ryu remained silent, then raised an eyebrow.

"Really?"

Rinia avoided his gaze, her tail flicking slightly in unease.

Why was she really here? Was it truly just a coincidence?

Or… was she actually interested?

Pursena, who was far more relaxed, eyed the wooden sword in Ryu's hands with slight curiosity.

"Aren't you bored training alone?" she asked.

Ryu turned to her, staring for a moment.

"…No," he answered simply.

Pursena gave a small nod. "Hmm…"

Rinia, still annoyed that she hadn't given a good response earlier, clenched her fists before saying,

"Then, you wouldn't mind if we watched?"

Ryu stared at her longer this time.

"…Why?"

Rinia hesitated, then quickly replied, "Because I'm curious! Is that a problem?"

Ryu remained silent, his unreadable gaze making Rinia more restless.

But finally, the boy just let out a soft sigh and turned away.

"Do what you want."

With that, he resumed his stance and began training again, as if their presence didn't bother him at all.

Rinia's eyes widened.

Did he really not care?

As if their presence made no difference from the trees around them.

Pursena sat back down on the tree root, her tail swaying lazily.

"Hm, this might be interesting," she murmured.

Rinia eventually sat beside her, resting her chin on her hand.

And without realizing it, that day marked the beginning of their curiosity about the boy named Ryu Dedoldia.

###

Two years had passed since that day. Now, both Luciel and Ryu were five years old. Many things had happened—some too trivial to mention—but while Ryu hadn't faced any significant issues, Luciel had encountered some problems.

And those problems involved his parents.

No matter how one looked at it, this was complicated.

Paul's insatiable lust, his intense nightly activities—these were things the other women in the house couldn't ignore. They knew it was wrong, but sometimes, a woman's heart was vulnerable.

Outside, snow continued to blanket the village of Buena. The cold air seeped into the Greyrat household, but the true chill came from the awkward silence at the dinner table.

Zenith kept her head down, her expression unreadable, but the heavy atmosphere around her spoke volumes. Paul, on the other hand, looked like a soldier who had just been summoned by his commander after committing a fatal mistake on the battlefield.

Luciel, his face as calm as ever, sipped the warm soup in front of him. There was no dramatic reaction, as if this was just another problem in life that needed to be addressed. Meanwhile, Rudeus sat not far from him, his keen eyes analyzing everything.

He knew.

Rudeus had suspected something like this would happen. From the way Paul treated Lilia, from Lilia's excessive obedience, her closeness. Truthfully, he had been suspicious from the start, but he never thought it would actually come to this.

What happens now?

The Inevitable Conflict

After what felt like an eternity, Zenith finally raised her head.

"So… how long?"

Her voice was flat, but the tension behind it was palpable. Paul swallowed hard, struggling to find the right words.

"Zenith… I…"

"Just say it."

Paul clenched his hands together, nervous. "Around… half a year ago."

Zenith closed her eyes for a moment, taking a deep breath. Beneath the table, her fists tightened.

"And you never thought to tell me? You just hoped I wouldn't find out?"

"Zenith, I—"

"Have some self-awareness, Paul."

Her voice remained calm, but that only made the air feel even heavier.

Lilia, who stood nearby, kept her head lowered, not daring to look up. There was no defense, no plea for forgiveness—just silent acceptance of whatever consequence awaited her.

Luciel observed them all.

This was a difficult situation.

He wasn't emotionally attached to any side, but he understood that this could change everything. If Zenith's anger escalated, if Lilia was banished… the balance in this household would be thrown into chaos.

It wouldn't just affect Paul.

But also the unborn children within both women's wombs.

In times like this, children like Luciel or Rudeus could be the key to de-escalating the tension, even when every adult in the room was drowning in emotions.

And then, Lilia made her decision.

"If this is too much trouble, Lady Zenith, I will leave the house and raise this child on my own. I apologize once again."

"Lilia!"

"What are you saying?" Zenith cut in before Paul could speak. "Are you planning to let yourself and your child freeze to death out there?"

"I…"

'Yep, their emotions are clouding their judgment right now,' Luciel thought.

He was a reincarnated individual—a former scientist known worldwide for his genius.

He wasn't experienced in relationships or marriage, having died a bachelor, but he had some idea of how to handle situations like this.

Even if he was just a child now.

"Mom…"

"Yes, dear?" Zenith paused, turning toward her adorable youngest son.

"Do I have two little siblings?"

Silence fell over the room.

Luciel's innocent question pierced right through the unresolved tension.

Zenith's eyes widened. Paul looked as if he had just been handed a death sentence. Rudeus, who had been analyzing the situation, simply gazed at Luciel with newfound admiration—perhaps because his little brother had just dropped a question powerful enough to shake the foundation of their family.

Lilia remained quiet, her expression unchanged, but her eyes flickered with uncertainty.

Luciel didn't speak without purpose.

He fully understood the impact of his words.

And that was exactly why he chose to say them.

His question forced everyone to stop thinking about blame, about punishment… and instead, to acknowledge the reality in front of them.

Regardless of the emotions involved, the children growing inside Zenith and Lilia were still family.

They were still his siblings.

They were still Paul Greyrat's children.

And they would still be born, whether this family accepted it or not.

Zenith took a deep breath, her eyes filled with conflict.

That child… was Paul's.

Every time she thought about it, her chest ached. This wound wouldn't heal in a day, a week, or maybe even years. But… did she truly want to drive Lilia away?

If she did, what would happen to that woman?

To that child?

To her own family?

Finally, Zenith closed her eyes.

"…Luciel."

"Yes, Mother?"

"You're right."

Zenith turned to Lilia, her gaze sharp, but no longer overflowing with pure rage.

"Lilia, I still can't fully forgive this."

Lilia lowered her head. "I understand."

"But I won't cast you out."

Paul's eyes widened in shock.

"Lilia," Zenith continued, her voice firm but calmer, "if you truly want to leave, I won't stop you. But you don't have to go. If you choose to stay, I will accept your child as part of this family."

Lilia lifted her face, eyes slightly widened.

"Lady Zenith…"

"But don't misunderstand," Zenith cut in coldly. "I'm not doing this for you. I'm doing this for the child."

Paul swallowed hard, not daring to speak.

Then, Zenith turned toward him.

"Paul."

"Y-Yes?"

"You will take full responsibility for this. Every consequence of your actions. I don't want to hear a single complaint from you. From now on, you will be a father to all of your children. Do you understand?"

Paul nodded rapidly. "Yes! Yes! I understand!"

Zenith still felt like screaming, like unleashing all her emotions. But she also knew she had to make a decision that wasn't purely driven by her feelings.

Seeing Lilia still bowing in silence, Zenith sighed again.

"You may continue working in this house, but I don't want to see you in front of me too often for the time being."

Lilia bit her lip and bowed deeply.

"Thank you… Lady Zenith…"

Paul let out a long sigh, as if a great weight had been lifted—though he knew he was still in dangerous territory.

Rudeus, who had remained quiet all this time, finally leaned back in his chair.

"Fuuuuh… I thought this house was going to collapse."

Luciel glanced at his older brother and commented casually, "It still might if Father messes up again."

Paul broke into a nervous sweat.

"I won't! I swear!"

Zenith shot him a sharp glare. "If you ever do this again, I won't just kick you out of the house. I'll chop you to pieces first."

Paul immediately straightened his posture, nodding frantically with a pale face.

"Understood! Completely understood!"