Peak Between Two: Mushoku Tensei

-Luciel Greyrat-

I remained silent.

Not out of fear or hesitation, but because the situation felt somewhat awkward.

After walking for what felt like an eternity, we finally emerged from the mist-covered forest.

The moment we stepped out of that eerie place, I felt like I could breathe freely again.

The air outside was much fresher, though traces of dampness from the fog still lingered.

I turned back, checking on Norn and Aisha.

Both of them seemed more relaxed now.

I let out a long sigh.

"I need to make some kind of compass when we reach the city. I don't want this happening again."

Then, I shifted my gaze toward Ruijerd, the man who had just guided us out of the forest.

"Thank you..." I said sincerely.

Ruijerd nodded. "It's nothing. I couldn't just leave children to die in front of me. Besides… I'm impressed by you."

I raised an eyebrow. "Impressed?"

The green-haired warrior studied me with sharp eyes.

"Not many children your age could have made it this far while protecting their younger siblings."

His words weren't spoken in mockery or condescension.

There was genuine respect in his voice.

I scratched the back of my head, feeling slightly embarrassed. "Well… I just did what I had to do."

Ruijerd didn't look away. "So, can I ask what really happened to you three? You seem to be from the Central Continent, aren't you?"

Sharp observation.

I took a deep breath.

Lying wouldn't help.

So, I told him everything.

How Norn, Aisha, and I were suddenly engulfed by a mysterious light, only to find ourselves stranded in an unfamiliar land.

I didn't mention my theories on the teleportation incident, but I was honest about our current situation.

Ruijerd listened attentively, his expression serious.

When I finished, he closed his eyes for a moment before speaking.

"Hmm… I don't know how to respond to that."

I shrugged. "I wasn't expecting a solution. I can only survive while figuring out how to get back."

Ruijerd nodded slowly before giving me a look of admiration.

"You're remarkable."

I blinked. "Huh?"

"You're still just a child, yet you managed to survive in the Demon Continent. That's no small feat."

I smirked slightly. "Well… I am the eldest. I have to take responsibility."

I turned my gaze toward Norn and Aisha, who sat nearby on a large rock, listening to our conversation.

They hadn't said much, but I knew they understood more than I gave them credit for.

Ruijerd looked at them briefly, then back at me.

"You are… not an ordinary child."

I stiffened slightly.

"What do you mean?"

Ruijerd crossed his arms. "Children your age would usually cry, panic, or seek help from adults. But you…"

His piercing gaze locked onto mine.

"You think like a warrior."

I went silent.

That wasn't just a casual remark.

From anyone else, those words might have been a simple compliment.

But coming from Ruijerd, a veteran warrior of the Supred Tribe, I knew this was genuine recognition.

I let out a small chuckle. "I just do what I must."

Ruijerd nodded, then fell into thoughtful silence, as if he was considering something.

After a few moments, he finally asked—

"What is your next destination?"

I exhaled. "We need to reach the nearest city. From there, I'll find a way to return to the Central Continent."

Ruijerd stroked his chin. "I can escort you there."

My eyes widened slightly.

"You're offering to help us?"

"Yes."

His answer was firm, without hesitation.

Aisha, who had been quiet, finally spoke up.

"Ehh? But… isn't he a Supred?" she whispered to me, looking a bit uneasy.

I sighed. "Aisha, not all Supreds are bad."

Aisha bit her lip. "But… the stories people tell…"

Ruijerd looked at Aisha calmly, his voice gentle yet resolute.

"It's true that many people fear the Supred Tribe. But I am not a monster."

Norn studied him carefully, and I could tell her skepticism was fading.

I turned back to Ruijerd, studying him as well.

"You want to help us… just like that?" I asked, still trying to understand his reasoning.

Ruijerd nodded. "Yes. I want to prove that the Supred Tribe is not what the world believes us to be."

I fell into deep thought.

From the way he spoke, I knew he wasn't lying.

I finally let out a small smile.

"Alright. I'll accept your help."

Ruijerd gave a satisfied nod.

I turned to Norn and Aisha. "Are you two okay with this?"

Norn still looked a bit uncertain, but after a moment, she nodded.

"If Big Brother trusts him… I trust him too."

Aisha hesitated, staring at Ruijerd for a few more seconds.

Then, with a long sigh, she finally muttered—

"Haaah… Fine. If he can help, I won't complain."

I let out a relieved smile.

With Ruijerd's help, our journey to the city would be much easier.

###

That night, after setting up camp and teaching Norn and Aisha, I finally got the chance to speak with Ruijerd alone.

There was a reason I deliberately arranged for this.

Even though I had agreed to accept his help, that didn't mean I fully trusted him yet.

I wasn't someone who would easily entrust my fate—and more importantly, the fate of my younger siblings—to someone I had just met.

Especially when that someone was a Supred.

The name of this tribe was infamous even in the Central Continent. Not as heroes, but as a dark legend passed down through generations.

From childhood, people were taught that Supreds were bloodthirsty monsters, demonic creatures that massacred anyone in their path, without distinction between friend or foe.

I wasn't the type to blindly believe in folklore.

But still... doubt was natural.

And that was why I wanted to talk to him tonight.

I had to confirm something.

Ruijerd sat cross-legged on the ground, his gaze fixed on the small campfire flickering between us. The orange glow of the flames cast sharp shadows across his face, emphasizing the serious and resolute aura he naturally carried.

I sat across from him, sipping water from a leather pouch.

Several seconds of silence passed.

Eventually, I spoke first.

"Ruijerd," I called out softly.

The green-haired man turned to me. "Yes?"

I met his gaze. "I want to ask you something."

Ruijerd gave a small nod. "Go ahead."

I took a deep breath, then got straight to the point.

"Why do you want to clear the name of the Supred?"

Ruijerd fell silent.

His eyes closed for a moment, as if he was recalling something painful.

And when he reopened them—

His expression was different.

Heavier. Deeper.

"I…" he began, his voice steady yet filled with emotion, "was once a soldier under Laplace's command."

I remained silent, listening intently.

"Back then, I fought alongside my brethren. We believed we were fighting to protect our tribe, to secure our future. But without realizing it…"

His fists clenched tightly.

"We were cursed."

My eyes widened slightly.

Ruijerd continued, "The spears Laplace gave us… they were not ordinary weapons. They were cursed tools that turned us into bloodthirsty creatures."

I listened in complete silence.

"We lost control of ourselves. We slaughtered everyone—our enemies, our allies… even our own families."

His grip tightened, veins bulging from his hands.

"I… I killed my own son with my own hands."

His tone remained flat, but the pain in his voice was undeniable.

I held my breath.

"He killed… his own child?"

I couldn't even begin to imagine what that must have felt like.

Ruijerd continued, "I finally came to my senses… but it was too late. When the war ended, those of us who remained became fugitives. We were branded as demons, and generations after us inherited this curse. No one wanted to hear our side of the story. No one believed we were victims."

He took a deep breath, trying to calm his emotions.

"That's why I swore to clear the name of the Supred. I want to prove that we are not the monsters the world believes us to be."

I stayed quiet for a while, letting his words sink in.

To be honest, I hadn't expected his story to be this heavy.

I had heard tales of the Supred Tribe before. But none of them ever mentioned a curse.

The world only knew them as butchers.

No one knew that they were Laplace's victims.

Finally, I broke the silence.

"So… that's why you help others?"

Ruijerd nodded. "Yes. I want the world to see that the Supred Tribe is not the beasts they think we are. I want to prove that we can be trusted."

I studied him closely, searching for any signs of deceit in his eyes.

But all I saw was sincerity.

Ruijerd wasn't lying.

I let out a slow sigh.

"This man… is different from what the world claims."

Then, I gave him a small smile.

"You're an incredible person, Ruijerd."

The green-haired warrior blinked, looking somewhat surprised. "You believe me?"

I shrugged. "Well… I'll still keep my guard up. That's only natural, isn't it?"

Ruijerd smiled faintly. "That's fair."

I shifted my gaze toward the campfire, watching as the flames danced gently, casting long shadows across the ground.

Tonight, I had learned the truth about the Supred Tribe.

And though the world saw them as monsters—

I now understood that Ruijerd Supardia was not one of them.