Cleanup(?)
"......Is that even human?"
A short exclamation that sounded half like a curse. Tiny gave a wry smile, let out a sigh, and hopped lightly to his feet.
His body suddenly felt weak and light, bringing a momentary sense of deprivation, but since he could recover quickly anyway, it didn't bother him much. If anything...
Thanks to that bastard, my resistance to fire and lightning magic has shot way up. All things considered, it's a net gain.
The adaptive power—no, the evolutionary force—of his Nian Ti had added yet another trait. His revival from the brink of death wasn't mere recovery; it had led to growth. On top of that, his deeper understanding of soul power had strengthened his bond with Wolrang.
—Woof.
As a result, some of the mana used to restore his body had even eased Wolrang's exhaustion from soul depletion.
"Good."
Crack.
Tiny nodded with a smile, rolled his limbs around, then finally turned to Grid and bowed his head.
"Thank you for your help, Lord Grid."
"......Damn, you're quick with the manners."
Grid couldn't help but snark, feeling absurd.
"Yeah, better than being slow, right?"
Tiny's blunt retort left even Grid looking sheepish as he glanced up at the ceiling.
"It wasn't like I wanted to be late..."
"What about Sword Emperor?"
"......Tch, he's fine. I lent a hand, and he wrapped it up quick. Though he collapsed from exhaustion right after. But those guys attacking him..."
"Ah, we can talk about that later. First..."
"What? Hey, you little... er, Sir Tiny?"
Grid nearly let a crude word slip, but he caught Tiny's gaze and followed it. Recognizing the emperor—bound head to toe, eyes bulging—he quickly regained his composure. With a sigh, he silently trailed behind Tiny.
They had to accomplish their purpose here, after all.
Krunch.
"Grahhh! Ptui!"
Huff. Huff.
Once the hard seal over his mouth shattered, the emperor spat violently and gasped for air. Even after the bindings loosened, he glared at Grid for a moment before slumping onto the throne and forcing his chin up.
"......I commend your efforts. In the emperor's name, I promise rewards for today's crisis. Lord Grid, you may leave. You there—stay by my side until this is resolved."
His expression assumed they'd obey as if it were natural. But the two men just swallowed dry laughs.
It was far too arrogant for someone who'd had one foot in the grave moments ago.
Well, he's the emperor, so maybe...
Tiny, already sick of noble entitlement, had no desire to respond. Fortunately, Grid stepped in first.
"Your Majesty's consideration is appreciated, but the situation is already over."
Grid bowed elegantly, and the emperor's face changed.
"Wh-what? It's over? Really!?"
"Yes. As I came here, I saw the disturbance in Kreim Palace fully quelled. The Imperial Knights, the core of the rebellion, have been subdued. The monsters swarming the palace grounds will be mopped up soon enough."
"Oh!?"
"However, the identities of the monsters' master and the assassins who targeted Duke Valentia remain unknown..."
Grid trailed off deliberately, and whether the emperor noticed the probe or not, his elation froze.
This bastard...
Confirmed.
As Tiny and Grid exchanged glances to solidify their suspicions, the emperor forced an awkward smile a beat late.
"......The monsters' master? Obvious. Demon worshippers, no doubt."
"Is that all you know, Your Majesty? If you have any guesses, you should share them."
The emperor's face twisted uncomfortably at Tiny's words—as if reading "Who do you think you're talking to like that?"—but he glanced at Grid and shook his head.
"If I'd known this would happen, I'd have acted sooner. Are you interrogating me now?"
......Dare?
Is that what you say to your savior?
Absurd, but Tiny could only sigh. He'd meant to humor the emperor's status, but after all the hell they'd been through, he just couldn't muster the will.
And the emperor's arrogance didn't end there.
"What's with the sigh?"
"Ah...... My apologies, Your Majesty. Just some worries on my mind..."
The half-hearted excuse rang hollow, and the emperor's brow twitched as if he'd caught it—but he said no more.
As the Aslan Empire's emperor and a slum-born knight traded cold silence, Grid watched with a smirk before bowing gracefully to the emperor.
"Then I'll take my leave, Your Majesty. Wishing you long life and health."
Whether sensing the mockery or not, the emperor visibly brightened at Grid's departure.
"Ah, yes. Good work. As I said, I'll reward you generously."
Grid shook his head with a smile.
"No need for rewards. I only joined at Duke Valentia's request—best give them to him."
A polite refusal befitting a foreign knight of honor and etiquette. But it stung the emperor's inferiority complex.
"What!? How dare you insult the emperor of a great empire!?"
The emperor's roar echoed through the battle-ravaged hall.
What the hell? Has he lost it?
Tiny—and even the calmly smiling Grid—froze at the outburst. Yet the emperor, oblivious, kept raging with a flushed face.
"When I offer a reward, you take it! Who do you think you're bossing around!? Some alliance scrap thinking you're a superhuman or something!?"
—Know your place!?
No one spoke until the echo faded in the desolate hall.
This guy's actually insane!?
Tiny cursed inwardly. And rightly so. Grid van Selden, Weapon Master, was the brother of Selden Kingdom's king—one of the alliance's pillars—and the alliance's sole Aura User. No emperor could hurl such insults at him lightly.
One misstep, and...
War. Because of this brainless lunatic.
As Tiny glared daggers, the emperor finally read their grave expressions and paled.
Tiny was certain it wasn't fear of war—but fear for his own skin.
But fortunately...
"Hm, that's rather unpleasant. I, Grid van Selden, rightful heir of Selden and descendant of ancient elves, don't believe I deserve such treatment."
Grid showed patience worthy of his fame, and the emperor quickly shifted tone.
"Ha, haha. I spoke harshly, Lord Grid. As you say. Your merits will be commended to Duke Valen...tia."
His awkward smile rang more like a lame excuse than an apology. Grid gave a curt nod, face stern.
"......Thank you, Your Majesty. Then I'll go. I must tend to my exhausted comrade."
He turned for the door but paused.
"Ah, Sir Tiny. I don't think this is the best choice."
"Pardon?"
"Maybe that old state you mentioned would've been better. Won't this just get in the way?"
The vague words tossed over his shoulder. But Tiny knew exactly what "this" meant—and what it would hinder.
He agreed deep down, but...
"......Sword Emperor will handle it."
That was all he could say now.
"......Right. I suppose so. Fine, I'll trust that friend then."
With that icy line, Grid left the hall.
The emperor's attitude flipped instantly.
"Hah, that alliance mongrel acting all high and mighty..."
This mad bastard...
Tiny wanted to ditch him too, but...
—We need this to justify slaughtering the palace knights!
Sword Emperor's words held him back.
"Ah, you. Stay by my side till the other knights arrive. Heh, Tiny, eh? Where you from? Family? Not Valentia, I hope?"
Tired of the drivel, Tiny forced a smile.
"I'm with Valentia."
"......What?"
"Allow a proper introduction. Tiny, of House Valentia. Known in the world as the Knight of Light—though it's an overly grand title."
Emphasizing Valentia to vent frustration, he watched the emperor stiffen noticeably.
Yet...
"Tch, Va-Valentia...... Ah, hm. Well, fine. You don't look related by blood anyway."
The response differed from expected.
"I'll grant you captain of the Imperial Knights. Leave Valentia. Better than slaving under a duke, no?"
His smug face was utterly repulsive.
Why did I save this guy? Should've let him die and let the crown prince take the throne.
Tiny still couldn't grasp Sword Emperor's intent; the effort to save this man felt wasted, churning his gut.
And the emperor never shut up.
"No answer? You refusing? Staying with Valentia? How dare you?"
Dare, dare...
His consistently obnoxious attitude drew endless sighs, but...
"......No, Your Majesty. I'm considering it positively, but shouldn't I inform Duke Valentia and get his permission first?"
Tiny played along at an appropriate level. If Sword Emperor refused, that was that.
Or say I defected. Whatever.
Oblivious, the emperor beamed.
"Good, good. No duke would refuse. You saved my life—perfect justification."
Just watching his smug ignorance boiled Tiny's blood again.
Hurry up, old man Sword Emperor. Before I burst a vein.
As he managed his expression, the emperor spouted something odd.
"Yes, a young talent like you by my side is how the empire prospers. From today, the empire returns to my grasp."
Tiny tilted his head.
He's already emperor—what more empire does he need to seize?
Ignorant of imperial and noble power dynamics, he couldn't parse it. But the rest was clear.
"Thus, the empire grows strong again, unifying the continent under its name. And you'll stand at the forefront, sharing all glory with me!"
The emperor rose from the throne, clapping Tiny's shoulder. Tiny's face twisted.
"......My apologies, Your Majesty. Did you just say unify the continent?"
Hoping he'd misheard.
"Of course! A real man needs grand ambition. After today, power centralizes in me. Our empire advances, standing alone on the continent. Imagine it. We..."
The nonstop nonsense no longer registered. Thoughts raced, but Tiny's conclusion was singular.
This guy's a pest. Humanity's pest.
Veins bulged on the hand gripping Wolhammer's handle.