Chapter 5

Roya Greyrat didn't have much to do anyway. His small frame wasn't yet developed enough to wield a sword, and aside from frittering away his magic, he had little else to occupy his time. So, he figured he might as well work on winning over the maid in front of him.

Yawning, Roya snatched a rag from Lilia and began helping her wipe the table's smudges.

Lilia cast a glance at the aloof little boy, leaned in slightly, and said, "Hello, Miss Roya."

It was her playful jab at his earlier behavior.

Roya froze mid-motion, then slammed the table with a small hand. His cool, childish demeanor cracked as he barked, "Call me Young Master Roya!"

Morning light spilled across his adorable face. He was a doll-like child, with clear eyes that shimmered like a tranquil mountain pool in summer, their gaze as refreshing as cascading spring water.

To an outsider, he might look angry. But those who knew him well understood that beneath his icy, standoffish exterior lay a gentle and kind heart.

His slightly raised eyebrows betrayed that he wasn't truly upset. When Roya was genuinely mad, his brows would arch sharply, and his eyes would lose their calm, cold clarity.

Lilia studied the two-year-old before her—arrogant yet kind—and felt a tangle of emotions.

This child was nothing like Paul.

She'd assumed Paul's offspring would inherit at least a hint of his flirtatious, carefree nature. But the boy in front of her was deliberate, methodical, and often thought of others without realizing it.

Ever since he could walk, Roya had been quietly helping her in small ways.

Struggling slightly to clean the table, he glanced at Lilia and asked, "Lilia, how did you meet Father?"

Lilia paused, her soft red hair brushing Roya's shoulder as he moved closer. He carried a faint, unique scent—like nameless wildflowers, fresh and refined, both soothing and invigorating.

"Probably when I was training with a sword," she replied. "I was his junior back then." Her expression grew complicated whenever Paul came up.

Roya huffed in a lofty tone, "Indeed, Paul's always a handful."

Lilia shot a look at the cheeky little boy. Though he called Paul "Father" in public, he dropped the formality in private.

It was impolite, but she could tell he meant no malice.

Grabbing another rag, Lilia dipped it into a wooden bucket and began wiping the floor with practiced ease.

When she didn't respond, Roya pressed on, "Do you think it'll be a boy or a girl?"

Lilia considered it for a moment. "I hope it's a girl," she said. "Then there'd be one of each."

Silence settled between them again. After tidying the living room, Roya wiped sweat from his brow, gave Lilia a small wave, and shuffled back to his room.

Sprawling lazily on his bed, he began pondering how to deal with Rudeus.

Time passed quickly.

Autumn arrived, a season of beauty. Blue skies mingled with white clouds, and a gentle breeze rustled golden fields, carrying the faint fragrance of wildflowers.

The sun shone warmly, painting everything in a radiant glow.

Today was a joyous occasion.

Zenith had given birth again.

As expected, it was another blond baby. Roya leaned in for a closer look.

The newborn had a big head, a chubby body, and yellow hair. He gazed around in a daze, his expression eerily similar to Roya's own when he'd first arrived in this world.

Though carefree, both brothers seemed to sense something off.

Paul and Zenith exchanged a quiet look, a little speechless. Two children in a row, and both felt… unusual.

If Roya could read their minds, he'd probably say, "Both your sons are reincarnates."

Still, the happiness of a safe birth outweighed any oddities.

Paul leaned in eagerly but then hesitated, recalling an incident from two years ago, and stepped back.

Eyes wide, he studied the baby in the cradle. The child's green eyes sparkled with vitality. "He's healthy," Paul assured Zenith.

Cradling Rudeus in her arms, Zenith softened with tenderness.

Roya stood nearby, watching the warm scene unfold, his sharp brows furrowing slightly.

Rudeus Greyrat.

The protagonist of the story he knew. But his life wasn't an easy one.

A shut-in in his past life, Rudeus had been tossed around by fate—manipulated by humans and gods alike after crossing into this world. Frankly, Roya didn't care for him much.

He was a bit of a coward, even if he'd gradually overcome his flaws. Roya still wasn't impressed.

The story he recalled—...—felt grounded. No one was born flawless, and even crossing into another world didn't erase regrets. 

Roya hadn't finished it, though. He'd only seen parts of it and wasn't well-versed in the later arcs.

But now that he was here, reincarnated as Rudeus's older brother, he figured he might as well steer things toward a better ending.

The Teleportation Incident, the Demon Continent, the Human God, the Dragon God—those words swirled in his mind, his frown deepening unconsciously. [Note: Changed "Transfer Event" to "Teleportation Incident" to match Mushoku Tensei terminology.]

Logically, he should team up with the Dragon God to crush the Human God's schemes and secure a happy ending.

But what if he defeated the Dragon God instead? Could he gain immense power over space and time? Maybe subdue the Dragon God, make him an ally, then take down the Human God for a perfect conclusion?

The real question: Could he even defeat the Dragon God?

The strongest being in this world.

Roya glanced inward at his own gift: Immaculate Body.

Fools chased greed.

Maybe it was worth a shot.

Not now, though—charging in would just be suicide.

Lost in thought, Roya snapped back when Rudeus's loud cries filled the room. Watching the baby guzzle milk with glee, Roya smirked, silently judging the former shut-in.

Unlike Rudeus, Roya prided himself on his dignity. After that first forced feeding, he'd insisted on a bottle.

Gazing at the smug little glutton, he sighed inwardly: Damn my principles.

Once Rudeus finished and the thrill of nursing wore off, he turned his attention to the two-year-old standing quietly nearby.

His eyes lit up. A striking boy with pink-tinged golden hair, a cute yet delicate face, and long, smooth locks down to his waist—Rudeus's pulse quickened.

In an instant, he entertained the absurd notion of claiming this boy as his future bride.

Then he caught Roya's expression and faltered.

Those golden eyes were frigid, reflecting Rudeus sprawled on the bed. The doll-like face was blank, staring at him with an icy, unspoken question: "Who the hell are you?"