Reunion with the Sword Emperor
"Puhahaha! What a face—what a sight! Kekekeke. Don't worry. I've already turned it down for you. With His Majesty's wedding to Cloi even postponed, what talk is there of a marriage for the First Imperial Princess? Kkhum."
What the hell's so funny...?
"B-besides, she's got such a unique personality that she hasn't even been betrothed yet. She'd probably refuse even if she heard about it. Kekekeke. That guy's face... priceless!"
What's so damn hilarious?!
"Ugh. Damn it, fucking hell."
Even as he listened to the Sword Emperor's teasing, cold sweat trickled down Tiny's back, and a curse slipped out unbidden. The old man's face, twisted in laughter a moment before, instantly soured.
"What was that about 'hell'?"
"Ahh! I was really, really shocked!!"
"Shocked? Oh ho...?"
"...Sir!"
This time, since the Sword Emperor bore some blame, Tiny had boldly tried to push back. But the overwhelming pressure was still too much. Was even that a test? In an instant, the Sword Emperor's menacing aura, which had gripped the space like a vice, dissipated.
"...Hoo. You've made real progress in the meantime. Impressive as always."
Tiny wanted to call the man's face—calm again in a heartbeat—utterly insane. But more than that, the subtle shift in the Sword Emperor's presence gnawed at him.
"...You've not been slacking either, Your Excellency."
He hadn't quite breached the wall to Aura Exceeder, but he was tantalizingly close. Considering how exponentially harder each step became at higher realms, this was a monumental leap in just a few months. The Sword Emperor flashed a wry smile at Tiny's admiring look.
"I have to. Can't leave everything to you."
Good to know he's pushing himself. Tiny was relieved, but his words came out differently.
"Still not enough. Zerik's already reached Aura Exceeder level. Step it up."
The retort sprang from all the past scoldings and the fresh teasing. At that moment, with a crack, the corner of the desk crumbled in the Sword Emperor's grip.
Shit.
A chill ran down Tiny's spine; he cursed his loose tongue. But he'd survived on sheer guts his whole life. He slapped on a brazen front.
The Sword Emperor's blue eyes bored into him fiercely for a moment, but as before, spiritual pressure without physical force was just a spring breeze to Tiny. Then, the old man bowed his head with a low groan.
Urgh.
"...I'll train harder."
Tiny smirked inwardly at the gritted-teeth words. He'd meant it half in jest, but there was truth in it too. At least give him some fire.
"Brute strength, divine sword, divine bow."
"Hm?"
"In our past lives, people often compared you, me, and Estina that way."
"Hmph. I heard. Still can't believe they lumped you with me."
You believe it, you just won't admit it. Tiny tsked softly and pressed on.
"Estina's a spirit user with different weapons, so it was mostly you and me. Our backgrounds were polar opposites, after all."
"What, bragging now? That you matched me?"
No, that I was the strongest. At least one-on-one. But this wasn't the time for pride. Tiny puffed out his chest, letting quiet confidence shine.
"Short-lived humans like us outshone the orc great warriors passed down generations, the beast kings, the machine kings, even the Goddess's knights—named as the pinnacle first."
The Sword Emperor's brow twitched; then he chuckled.
"Hmph. At least I topped Grid. That's satisfying."
Not honest at all.
"Grid got underrated too—too many transcendent weapons, so folks called it gear carry. Still..."
Watching the Sword Emperor's eyes flicker, Tiny spoke firmly, deliberately.
"...We were closest to the top. Our final stand together proves it."
The room grew heavy for a moment.
"Being this era's greatest knight was an honor. But I'm aiming beyond. You should too, Your Excellency. Absolutely."
I'll etch my name into history, surpass the era!
Future truths fused with present resolve into unshakeable will. It pierced the Sword Emperor's eyes, his heart, truer than ever. The old man grinned fiercely, nodding.
"...Obvious."
"Don't settle for small wins."
Pfft.
"A pup still miles below lectures me. Fine, show me your progress firsthand."
Huh?
"...Pardon?"
"Why hesitate? After all that posturing?"
That's not— But the Sword Emperor's taunting look ignited his pride.
"Ha, ha, ha. Let's do it."
Damn it. Fine, time to die trying.
Tiny clenched his fist and followed.
* * *
"With the realm gap, one transcendent weapon's fair, no?"
The Sword Emperor swung a blunt iron sword in the training grounds, grinning at him.
"Same conditions, then."
Thud.
Tiny smirked boldly, setting Animus aside and hefting a sturdy warhammer.
Whoosh!
"Good."
The Drexler-custom hammer was a bit short for him now, but the Sword Emperor's blunt blade evened it out.
"No aura. That enough?"
"Use it if you want."
"What?"
"I've got a surprise."
The Sword Emperor looked puzzled at Tiny's confidence. By his logic, blocking aura needed equal aura, higher authority, or overwhelming volume—like dozens of mages' grand spells or knight orders' group skills. None applied to Tiny.
But he's no fool spouting nonsense. He'd watch.
"...Amusing. If you can, make me draw mine."
"As you wish."
Confident smiles mirrored on their faces.
"One thing before we start."
"Yes?"
"You've done well so far. Changed much of that future you spoke of. Confirmed the demon worshipper conspiracy you suspected. But!"
He paused, sighing inwardly.
"That changes the disasters you described—timings all shifted. Few knew details anyway."
"...I know."
"Don't scowl. Not blaming you. We stopped the Empire-Alliance war, elf-dwarf clashes early. Orcs are allies now, despite losses. You exceeded expectations."
What're you getting at?
Studying Tiny's face, the Sword Emperor continued slowly.
"But the death knights you and Jenas reported... not in your tales."
"...Yes."
"Headache. Superhuman monsters are deep in the Great Labyrinth, supposedly."
"Later sages concluded: without dimensional walls shaking, no superhuman demons summonable. Full breaches are 'descents,' they said."
"...Exactly the problem."
The walls were shaking. No mages, but they couldn't ignore demon descent prep.
"Silver lining: Kor stolen from orcs, Humana from Carun—global hunt for demon worshippers brewing."
"Right?"
Tiny's duh look drew a chuckle.
"This spar's outcome, politics ahead—they'll shape our moves. Tweak the plan: send you world-trotting for prep..."
"Or?"
"Or train till hell freezes to reclaim your past realm."
"...Pardon?"
"Give it your all. Impress me, I'll adjust."
Which? What if I exceed? Fall short? Questions swirled, but the Sword Emperor's gaze said no.
"...Won't disappoint."
Tiny conjured a black orb at the hammer's head—gravity dual-morphed into destruction soul weapon.
Hummm.
The orb pulsed irregularly, warping waves.
Does he know this? Or...?
Gravity-derived too. The expectant stare puzzled the Sword Emperor.
"...What's that?"
He doesn't!
Jackpot? Tiny grinned uncontrollably. Unknown, he'd panic. Maybe land a real hit.
"Experience it. You first."
Tiny beckoned, black orb dangling.
"...Cheeky brat."
Thud.
The Sword Emperor chuckled, then launched, swinging.
Craaaack!
The iron sword split air; red mana blade stretched ten meters, crashing down. No aura as promised, but Challenger-grade power, vast range. Plus...
Hummm.
Vibrating with gravity.
Heavy Pressure Sword Qi.
Tiny's eyes gleamed. Match its power with aura, and it'd backfire—Sword Emperor's signature "heavy" blade. Weaker single-shot than past-life "Ravager," but sustained sticky weight.
But now...
Unlike then. Tiny swung without hesitation.
Hummmm.
The "black hole" soul weapon sucked in part of the engulfing mana blade.
"What!?"
As the stunned Sword Emperor faltered, Tiny charged, hammer arcing.
"Ha!?"
A massive mana blade erupted—several times bigger—but
Whoosh!
It too vanished into the black orb on impact.
Unbelievable close-quarters exchange.
What the—?!
Never seen, never imagined.
"Watch out!"
As the hammer descended on the exposed Sword Emperor, red aura erupted before him.
- BOOOOM!