Meeting the Lord
Soldier Rom, guarding the front gate of Philes' inner castle, frowned at the unusually warm sunlight for winter.
"Of all days, why'd I get stuck on dawn duty on a nice one like this? Could've slept in at home."
But Latin, on duty with him, didn't respond like usual.
"Snap out of it, Rom. There's chaos with the invaders. Those... shops are mostly shut down."
"Those shops?"
"You know, man." Latin made a crude gesture to fill in the blank, and Rom finally got it, nodding with an "Ah!"
"That's why Knight Ram got summoned by the lord and put on probation. Plus, rumors say old man Hicks the undertaker was hauling bodies like mad last night. Who knows what'll happen—stay sharp."
"Yeah, I saw that geezer coming through the outer gate when I headed out. That creepy old bastard looked pale as a ghost."
"For real?"
"Yeah, front teeth all knocked out from who-knows-what, legs shaking like jelly... Wait, so that means it's true...?"
"Yeah, sounds like a big brawl among the thugs. The lord summoned some 'Ta... whatever' today—the new boss of the invaders, they say."
"Oh, weird name. Ta... Ah! Tiny! A gang leader named Tiny?"
"Name's not the point. Rumors are flying everywhere."
"Weird rumors?"
"You haven't heard? Some monster kid beat down all the thugs, a monster wolf showed up—total madness."
"...What kinda bullshit is that?"
It was too absurd for a "stay alert" warning. Rom scowled in disbelief, but Latin nodded like he got it.
"Well, that's how rough the back alleys are getting. Upper ranks are tense too. So stay sharp."
"Damn, why's a small city like this full of bad omens..."
Rom grumbled but straightened his slouched posture anyway. True or not, orders to tighten security had come down. No sense getting chewed out by a patrolling knight and losing this cushy gig.
They'd barely done so when a black-haired kid appeared in the distance, striding toward them.
His rags looked beggar-like, but his bouncy, lively steps suggested a well-fed commoner's child.
Wait, do we even have black-haired folks among our territory's people?
Rom tilted his head at the fleeting thought, but the kid didn't turn—just marched straight up to them.
"Halt!"
"Kid, turn back! This area's for the lord and his retainers."
Big cities might have civilians inside the inner walls, but Philes was too small. Only the lord's family, knights' estates, and inner retainers lived there. Entry was for invitees or merchants with high-end goods.
But the kid said something unexpected.
"The lord summoned me."
"What?"
"What're you on about, kid? Don't say stuff like that—you'll get in big trouble. Go home."
Latin tried kindly, but the boy just smiled faintly at him, no sign of leaving.
"Hm, no orders came down? About a Tiny coming?"
"Huh? Oh...! Whoa, kid. Where'd you hear that? The lord's orders don't leak to street rats like—"
"I'm Tiny."
"Pfft! That's the new invader boss! Kid, impersonating him's dangerous. Back-alley thugs are scary for real—not like us! Totally different breed!"
He meant it as sincere advice, but the reply was odd.
"That's why you guys get treated like people. No discrimination just for black hair."
"What?"
The kid's smirk felt off, but they dismissed it. Then.
"Man... Being small is inconvenient in so many ways."
"Kid, what're you—"
As Rom barked again at the nonsense, a translucent wolf materialized before them.
- Grrrrowl.
"Whoa!"
"Gah!"
Rom leaped back; Latin collapsed on the spot. Tiny smiled again.
"I'm Tiny. Could you escort me, soldiers?"
But.
"H-Huh..."
"U-Uwaa... Th-This..."
It took a while for them to respond.
After the commotion, Tiny followed their shaky guidance into the inner castle. Even at the final checkpoint—the lord's manor—the same thing happened.
"What? Oh, you're that slum rat Tiny...?"
The steward glared down snootily, but.
- Grrr.
"Eek!"
He turned ghost-white, legs trembling like he'd wet himself.
Watching them, Tiny sighed inwardly.
Never thought my size would be such a hassle.
Memories of his massive previous life made him overlook how people might underestimate his tiny frame. Lucky he'd reunited with Wolrang.
The knight at the lord's office door was different, though.
"Heard about you from Ram, but you're really young. Hah..."
A dry chuckle of disbelief. But the middle-aged knight—neatly trimmed brown hair, square face, sharp blue eyes—scanned Tiny head to toe without a gap.
Meeting his gaze, Tiny snorted and eyed the ornate door behind him.
"They keep guests standing for inspection here?"
The gate soldiers would've gaped. He'd been polite to them, but casual to this knight.
To Tiny, it was natural. This was Cran, one of Philes' most corrupt knights in his memory.
Knight Commander Cran.
Unaware, Cran bristled.
"Guest? Hah, kid. Know your place. How dare you..."
His hand went to his sword, killing intent rising, but Tiny didn't flinch.
"Knight commander attacking the lord's guest? You his boss or something?"
The steward paled; Cran's brow twitched.
"Slum trash like you stinks of rot."
That stench comes from your shit-eating ass, corrupt bastard.
Tiny met his glare with a twisted smirk. The air crackled with imminent violence; the pale steward wedged between them.
"Sir Cran, the lord awaits."
"...Right. My apologies, little guest. But watch your tongue inside. The lord's strict."
Cran warned condescendingly, but got only mocking laughter. His face hardened, but he knocked instead.
"My lord, 'back-alley' Tiny has arrived."
Emphasizing "back-alley," but a voice replied instantly from within.
- Enter.
Creeeak.
Following Cran—who'd opened the door courteously—Tiny stepped into the territory lord's chamber.
"Ho? Truly young. Hah, live long enough, you see it all..."
A middle-aged handsome man approached lightly, sighing. Slicked-back red hair framed sharp blue eyes fixed on Tiny.
Tiny knelt on one knee, right fist over heart, head bowed.
"I see the ruler of Philes."
"Ho? Where'd you learn etiquette? Like a knight."
The lord's chuckle dripped mockery, but Tiny's face stayed neutral.
Baron Timon von Philes.
Second-worst scum left in Philes. Noble or not, Tiny couldn't execute him without treason-level crimes—even as a knight.
That's what confused me before.
He'd resolved to live boldly per his sister's wishes last life too. But he'd compromised with reality from the start because of this lord.
Where boldness ended and groveling began—he'd agonized over it.
Not this life. As mighty knight Tiny—not naive boy—he'd long decided.
Punish villains realistically; ideals ignoring reality were pointless.
So.
"I practiced to meet you properly, my lord."
He could hide his true feelings before trash if needed.
"Ho, different from how you treated Sir Cran?"
"How could I treat the blade and its master the same? I aspire to be your hidden blade, my lord."
Ego bent for the big picture? No issue.
"Hah? Seeing Knight Commander Cran as rival? Bold little guest. You're a riddle—how at your age..."
The lord trailed off, blue eyes gleaming oddly at the kneeling boy.
"...Possible? Dwarf or elf blood? Looks young, but older?"
"No, sir. Just turned thirteen."
"Thirteen!?"
Lord and commander gaped; Tiny smiled slyly.
"Back alleys are rough. Consider me mature for my age."
"Hm. Whatever. Can't deny what's before me. But..."
The lord smiled coldly, locking eyes.
"...My 'hidden blade' gutted my wallet? Explain."
Killing intent laced his grin. Tiny nodded calmly. He knew the lord's view on Wolf's gang and invaders.
He wouldn't have acted without that intel.
"I saw it as serving you, my lord."
The casual reply irked him.
"What? Hahaha, thought you were clever, but still naive. For me?"
"Order it, my lord, and I'll behead them here."
Shing.
Cran drew beside him, equally annoyed; the lord didn't stop him.
But.
"Heard Duke Valentia's starting crackdowns on prostitution and drugs in his territories?"
Their faces hardened.
"...What?"
"Lady Cloi von Valentia visited recently, right? Heard from her entourage. Checked, and it's true."
He hadn't really checked—but it was true. That's why he was confident.
"Rumors of major inspections soon too. Cleaned up before backlash hits—grateful if you see it that way."
True again. Last life, by the time he toppled Wolf, invaders were already gutted. Philes baronate nearly collapsed under fines then too.
First time hearing it now, though.
"...What?"
Not surprising he'd freak.
"Verify if you doubt."
Tiny's confidence stiffened the lord's face.
"My lord, kid's nonsense. No way—Valentino brothels alone bring in..."
"Shut it, Cran."
"...Sorry."
Cran silenced by his lord's snap.
"...Heard the youngest lady's coming-of-age is soon—big cleanup makes sense. If true..."
Muttering, he scanned Tiny seriously.
"Hm. Then it's praiseworthy."
"Thank y—"
"But I haven't acknowledged you. Hidden blade? We'll see after verifying rumors."
"Understood."
By then, you're done.
Ledgers proving Wolf sold vagrants as slaves and churned prostitutes—on lord's orders—were already en route to Valentia two ways.
No fine-and-done like last life, trash.
Tiny smiled genuinely.
But the lord continued.
"That aside, you don't expect me to buy you did it just for me?"
Sharp blue eyes. Expected question; no hesitation.
"Of course. I wiped invaders for personal grudge against Wolf. Helping you was later."
So far, as planned.
Then.
"...Good, honest. Be more so. You handle wolf spirit, right? Stolen from Wolf's spirit stone?"
Utterly unexpected.
What?
Stunned, he stared blankly into those blue eyes.
- Grr?Grrrrowl.
Wolrang stirred first in his soul.