Leon Greyrat: The Second Son – Mushoku Tensei OC

Chapter 117 – The North God

— Leon Anemoi Greyrat —

“So this is the place…”

Lowering my scarf, I looked around the large forest spread out before me.

The faint sounds of birds… the running water of a distant stream… yep, this was definitely a forest.

And with the faint glow of the blue moss stretched across the trees… it was a pretty one too.

But unfortunately, I wasn’t here to sightsee.

Opening my map, I traced my finger over the teleportation ruin that I had just stepped out of, marking a path northward towards a supposed cave on the edge of a small mountain range.

The cave where the current North God should be.

Of course, things might have changed since Orsted last checked a couple of weeks ago, especially with the unknown variable of the Man-God and his schemes, but I hadn’t set a deadline to the battle against Laplace for this very reason.

Besides… even if I couldn’t find this North God, I could always visit the Sword Sanctum again and try my hand against the sixth ranked fighter, and maybe if I defeated that guy, he would join us.

Going by a normal person’s standards, this should take about a month or so of travel, even more considering the terrain and unlucky weather.

But… I wasn’t exactly normal, and I had a gaggle of cute kids to get back to, and four beautiful wives as well.

I had been thinking, ever since last night, where Ariel said she could wait forever for me… while I appreciated that, I didn’t want her or the rest of my family to wait too long.

And thus, an idea to cut down the travel time was born in my head.

Would it work?

Probably… but there was only one way to find out.

And so, concentrating on the touki coating my body, I infused mana into it as well, having it retain the element of wind as I shot forward, my blast devastating the family of trees behind me.

“Haha… so it worked- woah!”

I nearly tumbled as I lost my balance before I focused on my feet, righting myself in the air as I continued moving forward.

Okay… okay, this was good.

It… wasn’t exactly a method for perfect flight, but it was damn near close. 

It was more akin to gliding, with the wind mana making my body lighter while adding a propelling force forward.

And as evidenced by how high I was soaring over the trees below, my idea and training had absolutely paid off.

— Leon Anemoi Greyrat —

With me leaping through the forest with ease, I reached the designated mountain range within a few days, only taking quick breaks each day for lunch, dinner, and sleep.

Sleep was quite easy with my experience in camping from the past, and as for the meals… well, even though she was the Queen of Asura’s wife and main attendant, Sylphy still found the time to make amazing packed meals for me.

What a wonderful wife.

And then there was that night with those two before I left… well, let’s just say I was very energized throughout my entire journey.

But despite the wonderful departing gift that was meant to hold me out for a month or two, I didn’t want to take too long before heading back.

So let’s make this quick.

Taking out my map once again, I turned my gaze to the large tree in the distant treeline, marking the estimated distance from my position, and then towards the supposed location of the seventh world power.

So… it should be… this way, right?

Shit… while I was well-travelled, I wasn’t some sort of navigator.

Couldn’t Orsted have come with me to help point it out?

Ah, but then again, with his curse, he would probably just make this North God impossible to deal with-

“Oi! You there!”

…What?

Well… I guess he would have to come outside sometimes, but still… what a coincidence.

“Hey! Are you deaf or something? I’m talking to you!”

Turning around, I was met with the face of a young man around my age as he rested his sword on his shoulder.

Dark hair… red eyes… that incredibly erratic flow of touki…

This was definitely him.

Well… let’s just hope this all plays out alright.

“Yes… I can hear you,” I responded. “It’s… a nice night, isn’t it?”

Now… how to lead this conversation.

The man’s eyes twitched in confusion.

“I don’t care about whether it’s nice outside. Rather, what are you doing here? And who even are you?” he asked, narrowing his eyes.

Well, I suppose introductions would be natural.

“I am Leon Anemoi Greyrat… the King of Asura,” I said, bowing my head. “Pleasure to make your acquaintance.”

His eyes widened slightly, but he didn’t seem too surprised.

I guess as the North God, he had already met more than enough royalty in his lifetime to become immune to the weight of such a title.

“Hoh? Well, you can call me Kalman III, the current North God,” he said, tilting his head. “But more importantly… what the hell is a king doing all the way out here? And you… you’re strong, aren’t you? I can tell that much.”

“Yeah… you could say I’m strong,” I said, removing my hand from my sword.

I didn’t sense any anger or surprise in his face when I revealed my name.

It was like he knew nothing about me at all.

So that meant… he was unlikely to have been manipulated by the Man-God… I think.

Interesting.

To leave such a valuable pawn unattended, I really wonder what that being was doing at the moment, but I suppose this was useful for me.

“Well… that’s great and all, Mr. King, but that doesn’t answer my question,” Kalman said, nodding my way. “What are you doing here?”

“Ah… right, that,” I said, shaking my head. “Well… you could say that I wanted to meet you.”

Kalman’s expression turned sour as his face morphed into a scowl.

“You know, a lot of people like you have wanted my service, but guess what? I refused all of them! But they still kept coming… it got so bad that I ended up all the way out here so no one would bother me while I trained,” he said, shaking his head before he glared at me. “So? Do you get what I’m saying? I’m telling you to screw off.”

To take that attitude with a king… it was definitely something only someone extremely prideful in their strength could do.

And he had a reason to be, being the seventh ranked power and all.

The prestige of a king wouldn’t matter in front of that.

“Don’t worry, it isn’t some personal service I’m asking for or anything,” I said, waving my hand. “But rather… it’s an offer.”

“An offer?” he replied, confused.

“Yes… an offer,” I said, smiling. “Say… would you like to be a hero?”

The change in Kalman’s mood was obvious, as his eyes lit up with excitement and wonder.

Got him.

“So, what do you say, Kalman III?” I asked. “How would you like to join me in fighting against the Demon God Laplace, and ending him for good?”

The North God licked his lips.

“Laplace, eh? And ending him for good… That’s quite the feat. Definitely something that would paint me as a hero,” he said, smiling wide. “But… together… together…”

Huh?

His smile was fading… slowly getting replaced with a frown.

Wait… his touki… why was it acting like that?

It was almost as if he was preparing to-

Clang!

Having drawn my sword to defend just in time, I was barely able to keep my balance as I shot across the ground, the surrounding trees wavering at the shockwave from his strike.

That… was an attack.

One meant to kill.

Even if I raised my sword in time… if I hadn’t taken off Orsted’s restrictions before coming here… I would have just died from the sheer power behind that strike.

It was strength truly worthy of being among the Seven Great Powers.

But… why?

“The hell are you attacking me for? Are you allied to Laplace or something?” I asked, setting my stance.

Maybe I was wrong in my assumption of the Man-God not manipulating him?

“Hm? No, it’s nothing like that,” he said, shaking his head. “It’s quite simple. I… I will become a hero of legends! One that will be spoken throughout the ages for his might and glorious feats… and I cannot have someone getting in my way. You understand, right?”

Understand what?

The fuck was this guy on?

Heroic delusions… this wasn’t even on that level.

He was completely insane!

“Anyway, Laplace… I’ll defeat him by myself. Alone. If I don’t…” he said, tightening the grip on his sword. “If I don’t, then how am I any better than my father?”

What?

His father… that was Kalman II, right?

The second North God and one who slayed the Dragon King Kajakut.

But then… what did he mean by that?

Surpassing him?

Was he saying that if he defeated Laplace with allies, it wouldn’t be enough of a legend for his heroic delusions?

What… what a fucking joke!

“You can’t do it alone!” I shouted. “Even your grandfather needed two others’ aid against Laplace!”

“Yeah… I know, and that’s why I’ll get stronger. To surpass even him as well,” Kalman said, raising his sword again.

“What idiocy… even I can’t beat him alone,” I said, gritting my teeth.

“Heh. Then, if I beat you… that means I have a chance, right?” he said, chuckling to himself. “So prepare yourself, Leon of Asura!”

Fucking dammit!

This idiotic motherfucker!

And so, the battle began, with the North God’s touki appearing in his legs as he ran forward, the air exploding with a crash as he slashed downward.

A perfectly fluid movement, both in body and blade.

Gritting my teeth, I raised my sword, transforming my touki into a surging river as I let his blade slide down away from me, the force transferring into my sword as I returned a slash of my own.

But of course, befitting the greatest swordsman of one of the three great styles, he dodged quite easily, even weaving in a hidden strike as he retreated.

Thankfully, it was weak enough to block with only my touki.

But still… this wasn’t good.

It was only a quick exchange, but it was enough to know that this guy was at the level of the Water God at least, if not stronger.

And unlike her… I wouldn’t be able to use a set technique.

After all, this guy’s entire style was build on unpredictability and adaptability.

This wouldn’t be a fight that would end in one exchange, nor with a single overwhelming counter.

“Heh,” he chuckled, lowering his body to the ground. “So it’s like that, huh?”

What was like what?

I didn’t understand a thing about what this crazy guy was saying.

Orsted had said that things might lead to a fight even without the Man-God’s interference due to this guy’s nature, so I had somewhat expected this.

He had also noted that after ‘showing him his place’, everything would be sorted out, but…

Was it even worth having this guy as my comrade?

Such a question went through my mind, but as I parried another one of his strikes, carving out a section of the ground from the force… I realized why.

This guy was simply too strong to not use, much less have the possibility of falling into the Man-God’s hands.

And besides… I’ve been missing the chance to fight against a truly strong opponent for a while.

Eris was a great opponent for me to fight when I was sealed, and was even strong enough to beat me handily when I was in such a state, but I still had no equal when I went all out.

But this guy… he was different.

It was a bit exciting… but just a bit.

And so, raising my sword, I went on the attack.

A horizontal slash that was blocked, only for my sword to slide into a thrust that scratched his shoulder.

His sword cutting through the ground, sending up a wave of dirt that hid his veiled strike, only for me to release a blast of wind magic to blow both him and the cloud of soil away.

Another slash, and another, and another…

It was a messy flurry of exchanges and feints, completely different from the calm and controlled fights of the Water God style and the instant conclusions in a spar of the Sword God style.

But still, while the North God style was the one I was the least competent in compared to the other two… that didn’t mean I was weak in it.

“Hup!”

Clang!

With my sword parrying his to the side, I finally formed an opening in the young man that I could exploit without repercussions.

Thus, with my sword unleashing a ranged strike, my slash rode across the touki present in the air as his head soon tumbled to the ground, his body crumpling a moment later.

I was momentarily shocked, but I soon remembered about what I knew of this guy.

He had died… or rather, that would be the case if he was a normal person.

Orsted had said that this North God, along with the second one, had obtained the power of the Immortal Demon King Atofe that Rudy had fought by being her child and grandchild, and thus, something like this wouldn’t keep him down.

With his skin wriggling on the open cut of his neck, his head began to regenerate from the bone outward, reminding me of the Hydra back in the Begaritt Continent.

How disgusting…

“Haa… you… you’re really strong, huh?” he said, smiling maniacally as he reformed. “And that style… that isn’t a normal one, is it?”

“No… it’s not,” I said, deciding to entertain him.

Maybe this would make him respect me a bit more?

It was worth a shot.

“I am Leon Anemoi Greyrat, the Elemental God,” I said, introducing myself again. “And once again, I ask you to join me.”

“Elemental God… a style that merges all three of the great styles…” he said, his smile growing somehow even wider. “How interesting! Yes… definitely interesting!”

He didn’t listen… but to instantly know I was using all three styles, at least he wasn’t a complete idiot.

He then raised his sword overhead, the mana in the surroundings fluctuating as his sword gained a dark blue hue.

“Making me use this… consider yourself lucky, Leon!” he shouted. “My name is Aleksander Ryback! Now prepare to face the might of the Dragon King Sword Kajakut!”

The instant he released those words, I felt an intense, overwhelming pressure descend upon me, forcing me to kneel as my body began to sink into the ground.

The fuck… the hell was this?

That sword… it was casting a spell?

And not just any spell… it was a spell that was at the pinnacle of magic, both in scale and element.

An element that even Rudy and I were unable to cast as a spell in combat despite our attempts.

Gravity magic… just what the hell was that sword?

I didn’t receive any answers, instead being forced to leap away as the North God, Aleksander, struck my previous position, carving a trench into the ground as the world around me rumbled.

Insane power… and an insane technique…

What a ridiculous sword.

Well… I guess it was time for me to bring this out as well.

Even though I wanted to test my meddle without it…

Releasing a sigh, I began to fill my touki defences with mana once again, except instead of using the element of wind… I decided to counteract this guy’s ridiculous sword by imbuing the element of gravity.

Gravity was… fickle.

After all, it was something that went against a fundamental force in the world, and was something present without form, without the need of mana… at least from what I could tell.

It wasn’t something a normal magician could cast, even with the knowledge of physics that Rudy and I had.

And so, along with being difficult to comprehend, it was also incredibly unstable, and nearly impossible to control.

To put it simply, as a fundamental force rather than an element, it lacked structure to maintain its form properly, much less being able to control it.

I really wonder how that future Rudy was able to cast it so well… but while I was still clueless as to how to form a spell like him, I had found my own way in the meantime.

After all, the problem was that it lacked structure, right?

And what better structure were the layers of touki that I covered my body with?

So, with the pressure lessening on my body as I converted my mana, I slowly stood up, brushing the dirt off of my pants as I did so.

“Wait… you can move? That’s… that’s pretty damn cool!” the North God said with a wide smile.

…Yeah, definitely a crazy bastard.

He then ran forward once again, his sword striking down with the same power as before, except this time, I was able to match him with a block, using his momentary surprise to slide my blade across his and through his left shoulder, sending his arm flying through the air.

But as if it was a simple scratch, he continued pressuring me as his arm began to heal back to normal.

Shit… past just beating him, I needed a way to put him out of commission with that ridiculous regeneration.

Would a powerful fire work?

Probably… but then again, I didn’t want to kill him, but just make my win obvious.

Cutting his head off didn’t work… but maybe it could be overwhelmed?

If I cut his entire body up… I bet that would work.

Or, at least, I hope it would.

We continued exchanging strikes as we ran across the clearing, except unlike before, when the sound of clashing metal echoed through the forest, now, it sounded as if thunder was striking continuously.

Paired with the constant blasts of air pressure… it must have seemed like a disaster had struck if one was to view as a third party.

But still… our fight continued.

The pinnacle of the North God style was bare of any techniques like the other two, it was more like a simple way of fighting, where the user would use everything to their advantage.

And Aleksander… he was extremely skilled at it.

And so, while I was continuously able to get through his defences to draw blood, he was soon able to do the same as he adapted to me and my fighting style.

“Fuck,” I groaned as his blade impaled my side.

With him cutting outward with a confident smirk, I backed off as I flooded my system with healing magic, bringing me back to my peak strength and health.

I could tell from his face that he was surprised, but he was able to mask it easily with another crazed grin.

Yeah… I wouldn’t be able to continue like this for very long.

After all, while we could both regenerate our wounds nearly instantly, unlike him, if I was struck with an instantly fatal blow, it was over for me.

Not to mention that even if I was extremely efficient, my mana wasn’t infinite.

I had the Man-God in my sights, and to reach him, I had to defeat the fourth strongest in the Demon God Laplace.

To lose against someone like him, who was so much weaker than the targets I was aiming for… that was unacceptable.

So… it was time to end this.

The North God landed back on the ground, taking a moment to regain his balance before charging at me once more, his form blurring as he zigzagged from side to side on his approach.

A rash, confusing trajectory, and one that could easily be morphed into a parry or a dodge.

His sword whizzed towards me once again as he sprinted forward, the air churning at the speed as his touki flared through the air.

A method of attack that was completely overwhelming, not in the sense of speed or control, but rather how easily it could be morphed to strike whatever point was exposed.

And right now… my side was completely open.

This… was going to hurt a bit.

Reinforcing the touki across my torso, I let his sword strike my side before I released a slash of my own through his arm, sending it flying through the air.

It was something that had happened a few times throughout our fight by now, except this time, it was the arm that was holding his sword, leaving him completely open.

Concentrate… focus on the form of the touki across the sword… it doesn’t need to be overwhelming in scale, but rather in power… a power that could even reach Orsted…

And then… release it.

The world was set alight in a brief flash of white, or perhaps that was just me, but either way, an instant later, I watched as the North God’s surprised face was split into ribbons before his entire body crumbled into a pile of bone, skin, and organs, having been instantly cut to pieces.

There…

That… should do it.

Still though… he was damn strong.

If it was a month ago, before I perfected my touki technique, I very likely would have lost.

And don’t even get me started on Orsted’s seal.

I would have definitely died if he didn’t release that before I came over here.

Taking a deep breath, I lowered my sword as I began to heal the giant gash on my side, pushing my exposed intestine back in as I did so.

Shit… and that shirt was new too.

I guess it was time for shopping when I got back.

Shaking my head, I then began to look at the surrounding area, taking in the utter destruction our battle had brought across the land.

The new valleys carved through the hills, the craters that peppered the ground, the shattered trees… well, with this, I could definitely say I had gotten stronger.

And thank Millis there were no people around.

But still… it was fully dark now, huh?

Walking over to the edge of the clearing that had only grown from the battle, I picked up a few pieces of scattered wood, removing the moisture from them as I returned to the pile of North God and prepared a fire.

He… would be fine, right?

Orsted said he really was immortal, so it should be fine.

Luckily, my worries soon disappeared as his body began to slowly reform, his body reconnecting where it could, and regrowing when it couldn’t as the man soon took his usual form… although this time without clothes.

So he really could revive from even that… how incredible.

“Hey, you back?” I asked.

“Uhh… yeah… I am,” he said, dazed.

Well, I could only imagine what it felt like for him.

I idly watched the fire as the North God regained his sanity, a minute or so passing in silence.

“So… I lost,” he eventually said, still sitting on the ground.

Well, it’s good that he knew that.

I did not want to fight him again.

“Yeah, you did,” I said, tossing over an old cloak of mine and his sword. “So, do you want to join me now?”

Luckily, he did cover himself up, but his face was still twisted in dissatisfaction.

“I… lost… and against you…” he spat, his eyes nearly tearing up.

Against me?

Hey, I took offense to that.

But, well… I guess it made sense.

He had seemingly been chasing his father’s shadow for a while, so to lose against a human who wasn’t even among the world powers was probably… disappointing, to say the least.

But that wasn’t too important right now.

I needed to cement him as an ally.

“You want to become a hero, right? One greater than your father?” I asked.

“Uh… yeah,” he replied. “How did you know that?”

“That doesn’t really matter,” I said, shaking my head. “But if I was to give you some advice… your father, and your grandfather especially… they weren’t heroes because they won, but because they saved people.”

This, of course, was a lie.

A hero in this world was defined as anyone who triumphed over demonfolk and their allies, or sometimes a strong monster, usually in the form of defeating a Demon Lord.

It didn’t matter how noble they or their intentions were, nor how many they saved… it was a title fit for the strong and the strong alone.

But I had a feeling that this idiot wouldn’t be able to tell, so I might as well take this opportunity to make him a bit better than the savage dumbass he was right now.

At my lie, his eyebrow perked up in interest, yet he still remained slumped over in defeat.

This… this was like what Aria or Anna did when I needed to convince them of something.

This was like the second stage, where I had their attention, but needed something to push them over the edge and into agreement.

Let’s see… ah! That’s perfect.

“Hey. You said that you want to be a better hero than your father, right? A true legend,” I said, preparing the bait.

“Yeah? What’s it to you?” he replied.

“Well… would you say that your grandfather was at least equal or greater?” I said. “Than your father, I mean.”

“Of course,” he said back. “But… I want to be better than even him…”

“Right. And his most prominent feat was sealing Laplace with his two allies in Urupen and Perugius,” I said. “But if you join me… we wouldn’t be simply sealing Laplace, but ending him for good. A completely different level of an achievement than what your grandfather did so long ago.”

The bait was laid.

His eyes widened with a childish wonder sparkling through.

He took it.

“Ah! That’s right!” he exclaimed, standing up.

So he really just realized… what an idiot.

“Leon, the king with the weird sword style! I’ll join you on your quest!” he said happily. “And I shall become a hero for the ages!”

And with that, I gained my second ally, and the final key required to obtain Perugius’ blessing and participation in the upcoming fight.

But… did it really have to take so much effort?

This guy… I could already tell that he would be annoying.

— Leon Anemoi Greyrat —

“So you’ll be staying here,” I said, leading Aleksander into his room, which was more like an apartment. “You can do what you want, just tell the maids if you are going somewhere. And don’t hurt any innocents.”

I then opened the door, the faint glow of the morning sun shining through the window as it lit up the beautiful residence.

“Whoa… you really are a king, huh?” he said, admiring the place.

This guy… I just hope he wasn’t completely ignoring me.

“And yeah, I don’t plan on it. I’ll be sure to only use my strength for the weak!” he said happily. “Ah… but, other than you, is there anyone I can spar against? I think I’ll just be spending most of my time training…”

Hmm… Orsted would probably be a bad idea, considering his curse.

Besides, I didn’t want to even think what destruction a fight between the two of them could cause.

“…The current Water God will be a good sparring partner, as will my wife Eris, as long as you don’t use your sword’s power and restrain yourself,” I said. “And on that note, you can ask the maids if you want anything. Just… don’t get into trouble… please.”

“Hah! You got it, boss!” he returned with a smile. 

Haa… tiring.

That was the word I would use to describe Aleksander Ryback.

He was like the enthusiasm and trouble of all my kids combined into one, but much more powerful, and much less respectful to authority.

“Right… then, I’ll see you around,” I said, closing the door behind me.

Thank Millis, I was free.

Now, to inform the man that made me take that guy in.

Luckily, he had decided to grace the royal palace with his presence as soon as I returned, so I didn’t have to go back to the floating fortress just to meet him.

Making my way through the halls of the palace, I eventually reached the place that was his designated guest room, which was the most extravagant room in the palace aside from the throne room.

Nodding at the spirit that was standing guard, I then entered the room, seeing the man sitting as he looked out the window with his usual fierce gaze.

“Good evening, Lord Perugius. It’s awfully convenient for you to visit us at this time,” I said, bowing my head respectfully.

“There is nothing convenient about it. I simply noticed that the seventh world power had changed,” he said, turning to me. “Congratulations on fulfilling your end of the deal, Leon Greyrat.”

So I did become the seventh… well, I just hope that the power of that title keeps more people away than not.

I would be very annoyed if a bunch of people wanting such a title started coming to challenge me.

“I see… then, thank you for coming to greet me,” I said. “That aside, the rankings are conveyed by symbols, right? I’m curious as to what mine is.”

“I thought you would be. Here,” he said, tossing me a paper.

Opening it, I saw a rough sketch of what seemed to be a sword coated with flames and the handle resembling a dragon.

There were even whips of wind and streams of water around it…

It seems like it had taken into account all the parts of my combat style as best as it could.

How interesting.

“Thank you… but how did this even come to be?” I asked. “How does it even know my style of combat?”

“Who knows. The Technique God is a mysterious figure that even I am ignorant of,” he said with a huff. “And as for thanks, think nothing of it. Perhaps you can adopt it as your family’s crest.”

“Hah. Perhaps I will,” I said, shaking my head. “Either way… with the North God joining my plan… is it acceptable?”

“Yes… as promised, I will join you against Laplace,” Perugius said, looking my way. “Do not disappoint me, Leon Greyrat. I will now consider you my comrade, the greatest honour one can have.”

The greatest honour…

“Then… can I ask you for one thing, Lord Perugius?” I asked.

“There is no need for such respectful language among comrades… but yes, what is it?” he said.

“Then… if something happens to me… can I ask that you take care of my family, both in matters regarding the Man-God’s possible revenge, and the world as a whole,” I asked. “Especially with Ariel as the queen, and Emilia as the princess of Asura. I wouldn’t want to leave them in danger.”

Being met with silence, I watched as Perugius nodded his head.

“That is the least I can do,” he responded. 

Good…

“Now, you mentioned wanting to gain one more comrade for our battle?” he asked. “The Superd… correct?”

“Yes… Ruijerd Superdia,” I answered him.

Ruijerd… I could only hope that he was doing well, and that he was still in the northeast of the continent.

Hmm… thinking about it, with all the things related to family and the kingdom, I had not had much time alone with Eris since she returned from the Sword Sanctum, aside from our nights of course.

Maybe that would be a good trip together, considering that she would definitely want to see Ruijerd too.

Yeah… that sounded perfect.