Mushoku Tensei: Reincarnated as a Beast Race

King Leonard firmly shook Rygar's hand and, after a light chuckle, glanced around as if confirming everyone's presence. Then, with calm authority, he said:

"Where is your son, Grovewood?"

The King was addressing a weary-looking man, an old figure with a serious demeanor, a graying beard barely covering his chin, and a short sword at his waist.

The man silently stepped forward, bowed, and said, "Your Majesty, he is also here today."

Without more than a simple nod, he discreetly retreated back to his place.

Gertan, heir to House Grovewood and the one who had guided Rygar and his group upon their arrival in the city, soon appeared.

His role in this meeting was not significant. He was the heir to one of the kingdom's most important noble houses, but this garden was filled with heirs, and even many of the noble house leaders were present.

Gertan had little to say; his posture was that of someone who accepted being guided by the situation. He approached and knelt before the King, respectfully saying, "At your command, Your Majesty!"

Rygar watched the scene and sighed. He truly would never kneel to anyone again—unless the circumstances were overwhelmingly against him… After all, a wise man knows when to bow to circumstances.

But with his strength, he believed it would never come to that.

King Leonard, with a calm gaze, seemed accustomed to reverence. A gentle smile appeared on his face as he leaned slightly forward, as if directing attention to the mission he was about to assign.

"You will once again serve as Lord Rygar's guide to the Magic Tower so that he may choose his rewards. Take this letter and deliver it to my third son at the Magic Tower. Tell him to strictly follow the letter's contents."

Gertan raised his head and, with a reverent tone, said:

"Yes, Your Majesty."

The King waved his hand and then turned, unhurriedly:

"I hope our next meeting is also fortunate. I will have my first advisor draft a letter for the Legion's base in Milis. I will send it later so you may sign and review it. I also ask that you inform your subordinates of this alliance through a personal letter. I believe that what we discussed today is only a fraction of the collaboration we can achieve."

Rygar smiled and gave a slight nod:

"I will do so, King Leonard. I appreciate the hospitality."

The King gave one last nod and withdrew with his guard, leaving Rygar alone with his thoughts. Once the King had left the hall, Rygar and Gertan walked down a corridor of the palace.

Gertan seemed lighter, as if a weight had been lifted from his shoulders, and he began chatting with Rygar, his voice lively.

"Lord Rygar, I didn't expect you to have a method to visit the ocean depths!"

Rygar smiled, taking the opportunity to engage in conversation while observing the luxurious corridors around them.

"The sea holds many secrets, Gertan. Some are more accessible than we imagine."

As they walked and talked, Rygar felt the eyes of other servants, guards, and even hidden figures following him—everyone focusing on his presence.

He knew that the King, despite his cordiality, remained cautious, perhaps even suspicious. Which made sense—letting Rygar wander freely through his palace was like throwing meat in front of a tiger and expecting it not to devour it.

Still, he only sensed hostility from a select few; most were merely watching him.

However, Rygar did not feel threatened. His confidence was his strength.

But something bothered him—if there was constant surveillance, that meant someone had set their sights on him.

Probably the Minister or that fat nobleman from the garden.

As they reached a more secluded area, deeper into the palace, vast green fields stretched before them. Rygar noticed that the feeling of being watched intensified. He could sense the danger in the air, even if it wasn't immediate.

Suddenly, a guard approached the pair, interrupting their conversation.

The man was visibly nervous, sweating, and with trembling hands. He addressed Gertan directly, his voice low, as if not wanting to be overheard.

"The Minister wants to speak with you later about something related to your family's accounting."

The guard seemed uneasy, sweat dripping down his forehead, his words rushed. Rygar observed him carefully, watching every movement, every gesture.

The guard continued speaking about various matters with Gertan, as if stalling for time. His unease was a clear sign that something was amiss.

The guard finally left after Gertan lost patience and said he would deal with it later, as he was guiding an important guest. Still, the man remained visibly unsettled.

Rygar took the moment to sharpen his senses and observe everything around him.

The Magic Tower ahead was an imposing presence, and he no longer felt just the surveillance—but a growing sense of danger. However... it wasn't overwhelming. He felt threatened, but not as if this was a life-or-death situation.

Even so, something was about to happen, and he needed to be prepared.

Rygar smiled internally. He prepared a barrier spell around himself, an almost imperceptible aura that surrounded him with a subtle yet effective protection. He reinforced the spell as he advanced, each step calculated and controlled.

He also began gradually channeling magic into his throat, preparing Howling Magic.

He turned to Gertan, who still seemed unaware of the unfolding situation.

This boy only harbored good intentions toward him and his group. He was quite talented—it would be a shame to see him killed so randomly. From what Rygar had deduced, there were clearly opposing factions in this kingdom.

"Gertan, if something goes wrong in the Magic Tower, retreat. You'll only be dead weight in a fight."

Gertan looked at Rygar, puzzled, not fully grasping what was happening.

"What could possibly happen, Lord Rygar? We are in the royal palace…"

Rygar replied with an enigmatic smile. "Just do as I said."

Rygar smiled while looking at Gertan, the tension around them growing like an invisible mist.

He felt the imminent threat, though he still didn't know from where it would come. The atmosphere was heavy, as if the very air crackled with electricity.

Rygar asked, "What did the King mean by taking me to his third son?"

"Oh, the Third Prince… He is a King-tier mage!" Gertan began, admiration evident in his voice.

"He is a disciple of the court mage, Livandrai Kingdragon, the King's brother! And he is currently responsible for overseeing the Magic Tower. It's a great responsibility."

Rygar nodded, absorbing the information.

Soon, they arrived at the entrance to the Magic Tower—a monumental structure, with dark stones and glowing golden lines, as if the very building were imbued with ancient power.

The tower seemed alive, its contours radiating a sense of grandeur and mystery.

The tall, ornate doors were guarded by magical symbols that Rygar, with his magic eye, could perceive with ease.

He observed the magical circles and enchantments protecting the place, detecting layers of invisible barriers that intertwined, forming an almost impenetrable web of defense.

The sense of danger did not subside—on the contrary, it intensified as he approached.

Gertan said excitedly, "This tower has been here since the founding of the Dragon King Kingdom. In fact, after so many years, no one fully understands how its most complex functions work. Much knowledge has been lost over the years!"

As they entered, the air in the tower was thick with a unique energy.

The floor was covered by a luxurious red carpet leading to the center of the tower, where a large dark wooden table was arranged with scattered scrolls and documents.

The room was illuminated by crystals embedded in the walls, emitting a soft glow, creating an atmosphere of intense concentration and power.

In every corner, Rygar noticed more intricate magic circles—some still active, others perhaps dormant, but all pulsating with energy.

And then, finally, they encountered the first person in the tower.

A young man with brown hair, an expression of apparent indifference, sat at a table signing documents. He wore a mage's robe, and his posture was relaxed, as if this place was his comfort zone.

Noticing movement, the prince turned his head, his expression remaining the same but now carrying a hint of curiosity.

Gertan gave a slight bow—a gesture of respect toward the prince's authority.

"Third Prince, this is a letter from His Majesty," Gertan announced in a firm voice, but with a touch of reverence.

The prince took the letter and read it with a slight furrow of his brow before raising his gaze toward Rygar.

The prince's eyes were direct, but there was no disdain or hostility—just a calculated look, carefully observing Rygar as if trying to understand who he truly was.

"Alright..." the prince murmured, more to himself. "Sir Rygar, welcome."

He gestured with his hand, signaling Rygar to step closer.

"You may choose four Saint-level spells and one King-level spell, or one Saint-level spell and two King-level spells here." He paused, studying Rygar more intently.

"You are the first to receive such a privilege in over 200 years in this kingdom. Do not choose hastily—think carefully."

Rygar didn't dwell on it much and replied, "Yes, of course..."

He looked attentively at the grimoire the prince handed him, its thick leather cover emanating an ancient aura.

Flipping through the pages quickly, he felt a surge of excitement upon seeing the listed spells—some familiar, others new and challenging. But one spell immediately caught his attention.

"Flash Over," Rygar murmured, his eyes gleaming with intensity. It was a Saint-class fire spell—exactly what he needed to complete one of his most powerful techniques: Hellish Slash!

He had dreamed countless times of applying this spell, envisioning how it would spread fire almost instantaneously over a large area. Or at least, that's how his Master had described it.

He would later decide whether to take two King-level spells or more Saint-level spells, but even more importantly, he had to resolve this constant feeling of danger he sensed in the tower.

He picked the spell first and looked at the prince. The young man gave him a small approving nod.

The prince stood up and walked toward an imposing door on the opposite wall.

With swift and precise gestures, he began drawing magical circles in the air, and Rygar, observing, was impressed

The prince deactivated multiple magical locks, as if unlocking a high-security vault. Rygar furrowed his brows, realizing that if he had any intention of stealing an artifact or spell from the tower, it would be extremely difficult to bypass these barriers.

When the prince turned around, he extended his hand toward Rygar. Without hesitation, Rygar shook it. The moment their hands met, a magic circle appeared on his palm, glowing with a blue light.

"This magic circle allows you to stay inside the room for two hours after entering," the prince explained, his voice calm and serene. "While you're inside, the circle will turn purple. When you have ten minutes left, it will turn red. Use your time wisely—you can stay longer, but many alarms will activate, and you'd end up trapped there... so don't worry, you'll have another opportunity to return."

Rygar listened intently as the prince continued explaining.

He spoke about the records, enchantments, and practical tips for navigating the tower's complex magical systems—internal barriers, annotations left by past users of the same magic.

The tower held many secrets. It had been left behind by the royal family's ancestors, and no one else possessed the knowledge to recreate or even fully comprehend its mysteries.

After finishing his explanations, the prince gave a slight smile.

"You may enter now, Sir Rygar. Your magic circle is blue. Once inside, it will turn purple. Happy studying."

The prince showed no signs of threat. In fact, he seemed almost indifferent to Rygar's presence, as if this were just routine.

Rygar looked at the door before him, sensing a feeling of danger—but he did not hesitate, as the feeling wasn't strong enough to stop him.

The prince remained behind with Gertan, watching him leave calmly.

Rygar entered the room, the door closing softly behind him.

Suddenly, Rygar felt his body being dragged into an unknown place—an invisible force pulling his hands and body with a pressure that seemed to root him to the depths of the earth.

He tried to resist, but chains wrapped around him. They seemed to be made of a metallic green material, and a dragon's form was engraved on the chains—Rygar recognized it as a truly dangerous item.

The icy touch of these chains connected to nothingness, as if they were an extension of something beyond space and time. With each attempt to move, the pressure increased until he found himself trapped.

He quickly looked at the magic circle on his hand—now a deep black, a clear sign that something was wrong according to the prince's instructions.

The immediate sense of danger he had felt since entering the tower intensified.

His sharp senses, fully alert, caught sight of multiple mages in an enormous hall. Spiral staircases ascended around him, making it feel like he stood at the center of a vast auditorium—like a professor in a lecture hall.

The mages stood in precise formation, their staffs, wands, and other magical implements at the ready, their faces impassive.

And in front of them, dozens of knights stood as their shield. One of them exuded a subtle sense of danger—he wore red armor, had long blonde hair, and carried a slender sword—a rapier.

Rygar recognized him immediately.

He was the King of the North, the very man he had first challenged at the headquarters of the North God Style—Hasjulian, the Red Death.

Among the mages in the back, two figures stood out—one radiating authority, Minister Yaylol Wisebond, and another who bore a striking resemblance to the King, though younger.

The younger mage smirked upon seeing the sealing chains take effect.

This was an item the Dragon King Kingdom had held for a long time—a sealing artifact that could restrain even Emperor-level beings once they were caught. It was said to have once belonged to a Mad Dragon God of the past.

"See?" the mage said, looking directly at Rygar. "I told you I could modify the magic circle."

Minister Yaylol, beside him, seemed slightly relieved, though he still couldn't hide his concern.

All the knights, mages, and warriors present felt relieved. They all knew what they would have faced if the chains hadn't worked, and it was a comfort to see Rygar now trapped.

Some began to laugh, others started talking—but in that instant...

Rygar smiled.

Then, unable to hold back, he started laughing.

Hasjulian, one of the few still paying attention, furrowed his brows, observing Rygar closely, trying to understand the reason for his laughter. And then—his eyes widened as he shouted, preparing for battle:

"Minister! Retreat!"

Only then did others realize—the green magical chains binding Rygar, the most powerful artifact of the Dragon King Kingdom—the Sealing Chains of the Mad Dragon King, which had previously restrained even Emperor-level mages and warriors—were floating five centimeters away from Rygar's skin!

Rygar grinned as he smoothly slipped out of the chains, his body flexible and unrestrained.

The chains had only captured the Barrier Magic Rygar had prepared around himself beforehand.

He had poured a massive amount of mana into that barrier, yet visible cracks had already formed—proving just how immense the pressure of those chains truly was.

Still, he could feel it—the chains did not act purely on inertia. They seemed to freeze space itself, and an overwhelming gravity crushed down on their target. Even with his strength, without the barrier, he would have been caught.

Rygar walked forward smoothly as the chains continued gripping only his invisible barrier, his battle thirst spreading through the hall.

Then, as the warriors panicked and the mages began chanting spells, he spoke:

"If this is all you had... then it's time to cleanse the Dragon King Kingdom!"

Saying this, he unleashed the Howling Magic trapped in his throat at full power. A shockwave erupted like a roar throughout the hall.

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