Knight of Heavenly Punishment
“Hoo...!”
A gasp of admiration escaped Luna's lips as she stepped through the gate of vines that parted on its own. A breathtaking forest city woven from colossal trees. Playful animals frolicked within, while elegant elves watched them with serene gazes. It was a sight that would stun any first-time visitor.
I was the same way. Tiny chuckled at Luna's awe, but as he glanced around, he felt the elves' stares boring into the outsiders—just like before. The difference this time?
“♬♪!”
“♬♬♪♪!”
Adult elves were covering children's eyes, their faces twisting in frowns. Thanks to his razor-sharp senses, Tiny knew exactly who those hostile glares targeted.
Luna. More precisely, her short pointed ears.
“♬♬♪!”
“♬♬♪!”
The elves' voices still lilting like song, but the chill spreading like a plague made even the oblivious pull back warily.
“Lord Ludele, could you guide us a bit faster? We're a little tired.”
Irked by the scene, Tiny spoke up. The silver-haired elf nodded with a warmth utterly unlike his previous demeanor.
“Of course. I'll pick up the pace.”
But now that he thought about it, even Ludele seemed to avoid looking at Luna.
“Tired?”
“Yeah, I'm beat. Let's hurry.”
He pointed ahead, puzzled by Luna's blank look. She flashed a faint smile.
“...It's fine.”
“Huh?”
“I'm fine. Don't, worry.”
“Ah, no, that's not—”
Tiny flinched despite himself.
“Expected, this. And, brother, too much, protecting. Thanks, but fine.”
“Uh...?”
“Sis, grown-up. No need, worry.”
She's only nineteen, he thought, but bit it back. Behind her wry smile lay a heart forged in trials—much like the Reaper from his past life, though the future had changed her greatly.
“...Got it. Sorry.”
“Fine. Thanks.”
Her frank warmth and smile were new, absent in that grim Reaper. Tiny couldn't help grinning back.
* * *
The spacious treehouse Ludele led them to was Spartan—elf-style, with just a bed and table. Yet the verdant view outside lent it a refined elegance rather than starkness.
“Trees, as buildings. Forest, as city. Pretty...”
Luna peered avidly through a knothole window at Elvenheim's splendor.
Her elven blood, maybe.
Ignoring the prejudice, she soaked in the scenery. Tiny watched fondly until a familiar voice sounded behind him.
“You two are really close.”
A green tunic of woven leaves clung to her damp, pale-green hair, evoking ethereal freshness—an elf through and through.
“It's still amazing. You being that close.”
Estina poured tea, her words drawing a wry smile from Tiny.
“That obvious?”
“Yeah. We, good.”
Luna agreed cheerily, unlike Tiny's question. Estina blinked at her follow-up.
“Why? Weird?”
Estina gaped at Tiny.
“You didn't tell her?”
“...No need to dive into human drama. The story's depressing enough.”
True enough to sigh over.
“...Fair. Let's recap our situation first?”
“Yeah.”
As they turned serious, Luna piped up.
“What talk?”
Irked at being left out, she wedged in—delaying his retelling of past-life bonds.
“...I, pushed brother away. Distrusted, guardian?”
Luna's shock was plain. Tiny added quickly.
“But we were comrades. Saved each other's lives.”
“Probably 'cause I'm elf, Luna. This okay?”
Estina checked gently, but Luna nodded readily.
“Yeah. Comrades. Good.”
“Oh?”
Tiny eyed her curiously.
“Now, erased.”
She smirked, her crisp answer convincing him.
Adult in her own way.
Elusive personality, but a million times better than that dour Reaper. Estina smiled too, sharing the thought.
Then Luna grinned mischievously.
“You two, smiles same. What, relationship...?”
“Cut it out!”
“Hm? Probably, good one?”
Tiny snapped; Estina beamed. Luna ignored him, eyes sparkling at her.
“Good?”
“Of course. And I want that with you too, Luna.”
“Aw...”
Luna deflated visibly. Estina glanced puzzled at Tiny.
Damn it.
Unable to explain her odd jealousy, he pivoted.
“Not the time. Situation first, Estina.”
“...Right. Yeah.”
Her battle gear from their reunion felt distant; the news was upbeat.
“Not demon worshippers—criminal syndicates?”
“Yeah. They hide in shadows. Sweeping crime rings might uncover clues. Orc chieftains agreed, thanks to Zerik mediating.”
“Oh?”
“Border-hopping crooks were a headache. Casual cleanup, low expectations—and it paid off.”
Her confident grin widened Tiny's eyes.
“Paid off?!”
“Interrogated as you suggested. Found a demon-qi user. Raided their base.”
“Then...?”
“Wiped a 6th-circle black mage's outfit. He clammed up, but western continent's quiet for now.”
Solid win, but one word nagged.
“Just the west...?”
“Empire's Sword Emperor moved on your evidence, but some noble house spun politics. Ro... something?”
“Ro... what?”
Evidence: probably Raphtan. Noble: ...
“Roheter?”
“Yes! Seemed sticky.”
Now he recalled Sword Emperor's pre-departure stress—and words dismissed lightly.
-Push for a lower artifact warhammer, even if it strains. Few days.
-Sorry, but Valentia overextending?
-Situation's tight, Tiny.
His back-slung hammer suddenly weighed heavy. Sword Emperor worried him now.
“Eschard'll handle it. But can't maneuver freely with Zerik and me. Nor meddle in Empire affairs.”
That eased him.
Yeah. Sword Emperor, Eschard von Valentia. He'll manage without me.
Politics? He doubted his help anyway. His fix for sabotage?
Just smash their skull.
Too simple—Sword Emperor would've if viable.
Trust him.
Tiny sighed off the worry.
“Elsewhere?”
“Alliance is alliance—Grid can't corral all. Lycans, Tertius dwarves unmoved.”
“...Good or bad?”
“Agreed.”
Tiny and Luna frowned; Estina grinned.
“Good. Way better than your past life!”
Her firmness sparked his smile.
“Your turn.”
“Huh?”
“Mine's done. Got Sword Emperor's comms—you're Great Labyrinth-bound. Costly human relays, no why. Spill.”
“Ah... Faster growth. Felt underpowered.”
“There?”
Estina scanned him incredulously. She'd sensed his step-up since leaving.
Plus.
“Motivation aside, train for growth—not Labyrinth? Risky even for you.”
“Real fights with varied foes accelerate mine.”
No need for Mana Body adaptation details. As expected, she nodded despite bafflement.
“...Insane, but you're you. Can't argue. Luna?”
“Luna hit wall too. Training alone no guarantee. Needs catalyst. Labyrinth fits.”
“Luna, not. Sis.”
“Ugh... Sis.”
Luna interjected; Tiny yielded grudgingly. Estina giggled, then tilted her head.
“Again: things smoother than past life. Rush needed?”
Her doubt drew his bitter smile.
“...Temple keeps summoning me. God Hand this time.”
“Ah...”
“Can't aid Sword Emperor now—boost power fast. If worst, my existence crushes variables.”
Arrogant to absurdity, but she got it. Past-life visions vivid.
-Even villains, massacres draw state wrath, Sir Tiny.
-State? Hah. Who dares? Smash king or emperor's head—who stops me?
-But temple law...
-Pope's bald first?
Priest faltered at rudeness. A man swaying world by solo might, unbound by aught but conviction. To masses: Knight of Heavenly Punishment.
Power-mongers' slur to tarnish: Knight of Brutish Strength.
But Tiny told none—not her, none—that he'd borne heaven's champion title.
Doing dishonor in dishonored name, yet honor incarnate.
Rampaging blindly, yet finest knight.
Masses' backing likely spared him state's blade.
And so.
That's why I...
As Estina recalled her past self's gaze in his memories, eyes wavering on him.
Tiny grinned murderously—like that priest's reflection then.
“Regain past power, none interfere. Ever.”
Utter conviction; Estina nodded unconsciously.