Rewards (2)
Transcendent Weapon. An object of spirit that embodies magic or authority at least at the level of 7th circle or higher. Even those rated as the lowest grade possess a spirit that chooses their owner themselves, requiring specific conditions to be met in order to wield them.
"The most common condition is being an Aura User or a Ma-Do Knight."
Of course, it varied from weapon to weapon, but if it didn't demand reaching the superhuman realm, it usually came with even more stringent requirements.
"For instance, matching the gender, age, and appearance of the first owner."
Given that not even the countless knights and mages of the imperial palace—nor even the mighty Ma-Do Knight Ludwig—possessed a Transcendent Weapon, the ones in the Imperial Treasury were likely just a pipe dream for Tiny.
"Besides, Nocturne is more than enough for me."
The treasure of the Great Labyrinth he would seek out the moment he reached the proper realm. He alone satisfied its ridiculously demanding conditions, so Nocturne's owner was as good as decided.
That was why Tiny hadn't coveted the pipe dream and had demanded a different reward instead.
Wealth or treasures held no appeal for him anyway.
Of course, the listeners' reactions couldn't have differed more from his own thinking.
"Hah... What nerve."
"What on earth is he trying to say..."
"Such an insolent fellow."
The nobles packed into the grand hall muttered one after another, their gazes flicking between Tiny and their sovereign.
The Crown Prince, receiving those looks, peered down at Tiny with intrigued eyes.
"A reward in place of a Transendent Weapon? I'd like to hear what you desire. It won't be a problem if you're asking to take back the holy relic you borrowed, though."
Tiny grinned back at the Crown Prince's teasing remark laced with amusement.
It was probably because the overlooked relic's value had been reevaluated after the imperial palace incident.
But he'd already secured a separate promise regarding that.
'Borrowing the relic once when needed—that's settled.'
The imperial family's stance hadn't budged even during Carun's catastrophe, so this shift alone was satisfying enough. For now, he wanted to resolve what had been nagging at him.
The matter that had lingered in his mind even after resolving the palace affair.
"...If it's not too unreasonable a request, I would be grateful if Your Highness would free the surviving descendant of the Morse family under imperial custody. I understand the family's false charges have already been cleared."
He wanted to make up for the lie he'd told his old comrade, the Reaper.
But in reality...
"Morse?"
The Crown Prince tilted his head in genuine confusion, while the listening nobles exchanged baffled glances.
"Ah, about a hundred and fifty years ago? The family that vanished for assassinating royalty..."
A few elderly nobles seemed to recognize the name, but it was unfamiliar to most.
The Crown Prince pondered briefly before nodding as if something clicked.
"Morse—the name of the saint you used in Carun, wasn't it? Was she truly from that family? I heard it was a borrowed identity."
Tiny flinched inwardly at the word "borrowed," but he'd anticipated this and responded swiftly.
"It was mere coincidence that our paths crossed. That's why I'm making this presumptuous request—to repay the debt I owe her."
"Hm, that's no great matter. It's trivial compared to your achievements. The issue is... I want to grant it, but I don't know which descendant of the Morse family you're referring to..."
The Crown Prince trailed off with a troubled expression, his gaze shifting to Iksillan standing rigidly at his right.
He'd noticed the knight, who had served him for ages, flinch as if he knew something.
Iksillan immediately bowed and whispered into the Crown Prince's ear.
"Oh... I see..."
The Crown Prince nodded repeatedly as he listened, his expression hardening slightly before turning back to Tiny kneeling below.
"Unfortunately, I can't grant that request right now, Sir Tiny."
"Pardon?"
He'd just said it was no big deal?
Tiny, who had been kneeling with one knee down and head bowed, looked up at the Crown Prince without thinking.
"Look at that—a true barbarian..."
"Can't even grasp basic etiquette."
"How can he call himself a knight of glory...?"
Murmurs rose from the ministers watching from both sides of the hall.
And rightly so—staring straight ahead and questioning the Crown Prince in disbelief was blatantly rude.
Fortunately, the Crown Prince merely laughed it off.
"But I give you my word: within the next six months, 'her' freedom is assured. Will that suffice?"
What else could he say?
Tiny promptly bowed his head in gratitude.
"Your benevolence overwhelms me!"
"Good. However, for 'our' sake, settling such a grand merit with that simple request doesn't sit well with my dignity. So take the gift I mentioned earlier as well."
"Pardon!?"
Tiny's head snapped up again in surprise.
But this time, not even the ministers could chide his breach of etiquette.
They were too busy staring at the Crown Prince on the throne in shock.
"As you said, the Morse family's false charges have been lifted, so your request isn't truly one. However, she—who temporarily served the imperial family for her house's revival—will complete her final duty and regain her freedom ten years ahead of her own promised schedule. Along with the prearranged reward."
...Final duty?
"But even her ten years don't compare to your feats, so take the aforementioned gift as is."
Whatever that final duty was, if the Crown Prince truly understood the Reaper's value, he wouldn't say such a thing.
'Did even the late Emperor not know her worth?'
Or perhaps the information gap during the few days of transition after the previous Emperor's death led to this judgment.
"Your benevolence overwhelms me!"
Whatever the case, Tiny quickly bowed his head again and shouted loudly.
'Please, just one Transcendent Weapon that matches my conditions!'
Forgetting his earlier thought that Nocturne was enough, Tiny prayed fervently in his heart.
* * *
After leaving the grand hall, discussions followed—such as condemning Second Empress Kartia and Knight Commander Griwell to extreme punishment, or declaring the deceased Azure Blood Ma-Do Knight a traitor and erasing him from the imperial records.
There were noisy spats too, like between the Sword Emperor and Duke Rohiter.
But most held no interest for Tiny, so he let them go in one ear and out the other.
The only noteworthy bit was that the Crown Prince and Cloi's wedding had been postponed until after the ascension ceremony.
The one piece of news that truly perked his ears was...
This single declaration would thoroughly screw over the demon worshippers.
Nothing else caught his attention, so with the hall conference wrapping up, Tiny busied himself pondering the reward he'd receive.
'What Transcendent Weapons does the imperial family have? I've never heard of any.'
He didn't dare hope for something as niche as a warhammer among ordinary weapons, let alone transcendent ones.
'Even if there is one, it couldn't surpass Nocturne.'
So what he needed was armor or an accessory in Transcendent Weapon form.
He prayed desperately that one matching his conditions existed among them.
And as soon as the conference ended, a white-haired elder with a long trailing beard approached him.
"You're the Knight of Glory? Hah, even younger than I imagined."
His white hair and beard suggested great age, yet his skin was wrinkle-free, and his sparkling brown eyes brimmed with curiosity.
Fortunately, Tiny had met this distinctive old man in his previous life.
'Still young at this point, the Ice Flame Archmage Tiness.'
A capable talent who had supported the empire's rear with firepower and logistics even during the Great War against the demon realm.
Another Ma-Do Knight from the Imperial Magic Tower—who had gone to suppress a corner of the demon worshippers' provincial rebellions—now stood before him.
"It's an honor to meet a pillar of the Imperial Magic Tower. Please call me Tiny."
"Haha, more polite and knowledgeable than expected. Then you know why I'm here?"
"To guide me to the Imperial Treasury?"
"Exactly. Ah, and I have business with that ring too."
"Pardon? Ah...!"
Tiny nodded a beat late, following the man's gaze to the gold dragon-patterned ring on his left hand.
It was such an extraordinary treasure that it was odd the Crown Prince hadn't mentioned it outright in the hall.
A top-grade artifact that wielded power surpassing most Transcendent Weapons within the palace—not just manipulating the palace's mana, but with additional effects to boot.
Tiny unhesitatingly removed it and handed it to the Ma-Do Knight before him.
"Here you are, Lord Tiness."
Tiness's eyes widened in surprise at the unhesitating gesture.
"Hoho, handing it over just like that?"
"Of course? It belongs with its original owner."
"One could argue it's your spoils of war. That's probably why His Highness—er, His Majesty—didn't mention it."
"Ah... It'd be like a necklace on a pig's neck if I kept it."
"Even so... No, no. I'm in no position to refuse. I'll gratefully accept."
The Ice Flame Archmage waved it off awkwardly before taking the ring.
"So much happened while I was away."
Gazing at the ring with mixed emotions, he pocketed it and bowed politely to Tiny.
"As representative of the Imperial Magic Tower, I offer profound thanks for returning the treasure, Sir Tiny. Henceforth, within the bounds of not defying His Majesty's will, the Tower will unconditionally fulfill one request of yours."
"I'll remember that, Lord Tiness."
It was the best recompense Tiness could offer, so Tiny didn't decline.
The Imperial Magic Tower belonged firmly to the imperial family and couldn't arbitrarily give away assets or treasures.
And on top of that...
"Mere words without a timeline prick my conscience, so I'll give you information that'll help right away."
"Pardon?"
"Don't think of the Imperial Treasury as some noble's treasure vault. It's vast beyond imagination, with Transcendent Weapons stored in separate locations. I'll guide you to those not requiring Aura User-level strength or higher."
Irresistible information followed.
"Of course, they might demand even trickier conditions, but who knows? Maybe there's one you can claim."
It was a proposal Tiny could only be grateful for, but one thing nagged at him.
"What if I hadn't returned the ring?"
"I'd have guided you anyway. It's His Majesty's command."
Huh? That didn't sound like him...
'Has this guy's personality changed from my previous life too?'
As Tiny eyed him suspiciously with growing unease...
"To the haughty Transcendent Weapons that have rejected even famed imperial Aura Users of old—I'll guide you there personally, nice and kindly."
Only upon seeing the Ma-Do Knight's mischievous grin did Tiny finally smile back.