Back to Asrian: Spirits and Secrets
Human and elf spirit arts exchange. But strictly speaking, it was trading thousands of years of accumulated practical elven spirit techniques for the firsthand experiences of just one human spirit sorcerer. Naturally, Raphtan stood to gain far more than Tiny.
"Indeed... I see. Truly... ha..."
Raphtan's dazed eyes fixed on Tiny, his expression filled with pure admiration—the lingering resentment from his shattered nose seemingly melted away entirely. Tiny couldn't help but smirk at the sight.
I wonder what kind of man you'll become?
He had no certainty whether this pre-regression trash, who hadn't yet broken bad, could truly change. But he had one firm resolution.
Don't screw up like in the previous life. Or I'll personally rip your limbs off again.
It was like a regressor's question hurled at the world, an experiment in keeping him alive.
Still, it's proving useful.
For Tiny, the practical spirit techniques mattered less than the insights from a higher-realm spirit sorcerer.
—Spirits must understand humans too. The moment Rami deeply empathized with me and felt a sense of kinship, our soul communion deepened, elevating its realm.
Raphtan's words were something elves, born attuned to beasts and nature, could never hear. For humans, they were the core of spirit arts. His detailed account of ascending to the 5th stage even previewed Estina's path ahead.
If Estina's vague advice was a vast misty forest shrouded in fog, Raphtan's experiences guided her to one clear path through it. Narrow, without signposts, yet free of fog—the immediate goal shone vividly.
The path to the 5th stage. Following that experience in training would surely lead there soon. It was that clear a lesson.
But.
"Kinda disappointing, though. Tsk."
As he smacked his lips, Wolrang—summoned for night watch duty—narrowed his eyes and nudged Tiny's face with his snout.
"Krrrng."
"Ah, obviously not your fault."
Tiny chuckled, soothing him. Spirit sorcerers hit a turning point at the 5th stage. Amplifying a spirit's power based on the contractor's level was natural. But from the 5th stage, the contractor could wield the spirit's special abilities one by one—a major difference.
Raphtan using his mimicry spirit Rami's first special ability, Mimicry, was a prime example.
But Wolrang's first special ability, Soul Site, was useless for Tiny to use directly since he shared it with Wolrang anyway.
"Krrrh."
"No? You think it'd be different? Well, sure..."
"Kyung!"
"Okay! I got it! I believe you! I believe!"
"Krrng!"
"Ah! Don't bite, you mutt!"
"Garung."
Chomp.
Tiny was bickering with Wolrang, reviewing his gains from Raphtan, when a familiar voice cut in from the side.
"Hm. A beast gaining reason and understanding humans... that's human spirit arts, eh? Interesting."
It was Jenas, who had stayed awake—still distrusting Raphtan—to eavesdrop.
"Then for Tiny and Wolrang, it's a beast understanding a human wilder than itself, so easier than for that con artist? Or maybe harder?"
"...What kind of nonsense is that?!"
"You think it's nonsense?"
Tiny ground his teeth at Jenas's wide-eyed retort, but arguing further would just play into it.
True to being the Sword Emperor's disciple—sly as hell. I gotta hold back.
He exhaled a long sigh, swallowing his irritation. Then.
"It'll be easy. You're... similar."
Luna, leaning against his back asleep—or so he'd thought—mumbled casually.
"What!?"
Crack.
Fury surged; his neck cracked audibly as he whipped around. But seeing Luna's sleepy-eyed half-smile made anger hard.
"Similar how? Ngh."
"Don't trick your conscience."
Grrn.
You're supposed to be on my side! Sis!
He glared, hurt, but it bounced off.
"Liar. Bad."
...What was an assassin even saying? Stunned, he stared blankly. Luna shook her head seriously, like lecturing a child.
No way...
They were tag-teaming him on purpose. Engaging meant losing. Yeah, teasing...
...Right?
That uneasy morning passed, leaving doubt in Tiny's heart. The group swiftly resumed their journey. Thankfully, no further mishaps.
They raced across plains, camping rough, stopping only in villages or cities when game was scarce. Using apprentice knight Toren's identity, with spirits unsummoned.
A week from the border—an unbelievable speed for ordinary folk—they reached Asrian.
Four months since the palace disaster and Tiny's departure from the capital.
In the previous life, the empire was in chaos by now. Philes overflowing with refugees again...
Tiny gazed up at the massive, steadfast walls amid complex thoughts.
"Still solid, right? Proof you're doing well, Tiny."
Jenas clapped his shoulder, as if reading his mind, and strode ahead. Tiny smirked, following.
Luna, no longer shadowing Raphtan but glued to Tiny's back, absentmindedly reached out, catching a white flake from the sky.
"...Snow?"
Snow fell on Asrian, days before the new year.
* * *
"Cold. Freezing."
"Seriously. What a year."
"Hoping next year's better."
Merchants entering the west gate bundled up, murmuring.
"Those demon worshippers... think they'll stir trouble again?"
"Probably. God, hope not."
"If only there were more knights like that Radiant Knight."
A faint smile tugged Tiny's lips as he slipped into Asrian incognito.
Of course, gripes too. Him playing squire, holding Jenas's reins. Hood hiding his black hair, even.
"Do we really need to hide our identities all the way here?"
"Of course, 'Toren.' Reveal yourself, and meeting His Grace could take three days amid the fuss. See? The Radiant Knight's still hot news. Better announce after seeing him at the mansion."
Hmph. Logical, but he hated yielding.
"...Why's the Duke still in Asrian anyway?"
"His Grace! Mind your address, Toren."
"Yes, His Grace. Why's that guy still here? Not back to Valentino."
Jenas twitched at the insolence but sighed.
"New Emperor's succession isn't complete yet. After that mess... He's aiding as the Emperor's father-in-law. That's the pretext."
"Pretext?"
Meaning not really? His questioning gaze drew Jenas's wry affirmation.
"...To avert that event, we need pan-national, interspecies alliance. But the empire's insular. His Grace advising the Emperor is right."
Subtle discontent in Jenas's tone, but Tiny nodded. If the Sword Emperor said so.
Still.
Means the Sword Emperor's tied to the Emperor?
A bit stifling. Shouldn't he move freely in the empire?
"...Wish we could convince the Emperor."
His offhand grumble met Jenas's sharp rebuke.
"If he knew the secret, he'd use it for empire's expansion, His Grace says. Even blackmail you as 'Toren' under pretext of telling the temple."
What? Tiny hadn't forgotten his pact with the Sword Emperor.
Share the future only with the nine pre-regression comrades who'd saved each other's lives—excluding God Hand. Only Jenas, chosen by the Sword Emperor and approved by Tiny, knew besides.
He agreed leaks' fallout was too grave.
But puzzled, he countered.
"Crown Prince didn't seem the type."
Jenas firm: "Empire first, always. Royals raised that way. Brainwashing isn't just magic. Long-term education—that's scarier."
"That effective?"
"Absolutely. Priests chase money, women, bribes—trash to the core—yet believers worship the Goddess. Proof."
"..."
Jenas's disgusted face hinted at history, but the point landed. No one ignored the temple's rot.
Why we ignored heroes and saints without seeing them.
Holy power's miracles proved the Goddess, but temple and priests corrupt. Continental sages' consensus.
"I spoke out of turn. Anyway, know that. Hurry—His Grace awaits."
Jenas clammed up. But his unchanging expression post-Goddess talk suggested complications.
Bored by the lull, Luna—posing as attendant—piped up.
"Little bro, almost 15?"
"Orphan, no birthday—count from new year. Body suggests close enough."
"Ho. One year to adulthood."
Her sparkling eyes sparked ominous vibes.
"...Why?"
His wary probe got absurdity.
"Adulthood? Marry quick. Restart house. His Majesty will help."
"...What?!"
Voice rose unwittingly; eyes turned.
"Toren?"
"Ah, uh. Sorry... What the hell?!"
"Still far off. Win then, you're too old. Marry fast, heir. Want nephew."
"Hah..."
Absurdity drew a gasp. Tiny barely felt Morse kin yet.
What is this...
Speechless, he caught Luna's narrowing gaze drifting low.
"Problem down there?"
"No!!!"
"Then why hate? Little bro likes... men?"
"Absolutely not!!"
Absurd stares and worse questions boiled his blood.
"N-not hate! Back then's environment made women tricky... Agh! Why explain!?"
"Toren!?"
Jenas calmed flailing Tiny; fuss ended.
Or so he thought. Shoving Luna's words aside, he pondered ahead.
Hear Sword Emperor first, set course.
Carun, empire, orcs altered. Futures shifted. But Sword Emperor...
Has countermeasures for coming disasters.
Vague faith. And.
Wonder what he'll say about my soul weapon?
Curiosity too. But arriving at Valentia mansion brought unimaginable news.
"Splendid, Tiny. Exceeded expectations. Too well, even."
Sword Emperor's smile and shoulder pat ignited dread.
This guy's not one for pure praise.
Eyes narrowing—trust lost—Tiny tensed. Sword Emperor smirked, delivering.
"Did so well, Emperor wants you betrothed to First Imperial Princess. Thirteen years older. How's that? Eh? Kekekek."
"Wha—!?"
Unthinkable nonsense drew a grotesque yelp from Tiny.