Elf? Black Magician?
The moment Tiny realized the elf who had introduced herself as Erina was a high-ranking black magician, memories naturally surfaced in his mind.
'That organization... the lord's backer.'
If the "that person" the lord had mentioned was a 5th-circle black magician, it made perfect sense. Of course, setting aside that she was even stronger than expected, the sheer shock of this slim possibility materializing right before his eyes was staggering.
But for the crisis unfolding now, it was wiser to focus on solutions rather than causes.
One thing was certain...
'She still doesn't know Wolrang's abilities.'
She seemed to be a member of the organization experimenting with Wolrang's spirit stone, but the fine details of a spirit's powers were typically unknown to anyone but a properly contracted spirit user.
Moreover, if she knew, she wouldn't have bothered with the act and joined this group in the first place.
So the simplest solution was to reveal to everyone that this elf was a black magician—but there was a slight problem.
'How the hell can she hide her demonic energy that well?'
When he'd glimpsed the circles in Philes lord's chest, he'd thought it possible to conceal them with some trick since the man's level was low. But for a high-ranking black magician like her to suppress such potent demonic energy while emitting pure mana on the surface? He'd never even imagined it.
If not for Wolrang's ability to smell souls, he wouldn't have noticed at all.
And if this was possible, black magicians had likely already infiltrated human society in droves.
'How in the world...? No, maybe that's exactly why those incidents happened. Damn it, of all things...'
One of the disasters that would ravage the next twenty years: the uproar of the "demon worshippers" right before the Demon King's army descended.
- If I hadn't figured out how to identify them early and spread the word, the casualties would've been dozens of times worse. Ahem.
He bitterly regretted brushing off his old comrade Argon's boasting about his achievements back then.
'Damn it, I should've asked Argon how they dealt with those bastards.'
Never had being stuck in the Great Labyrinth at that time felt so regrettable.
'No, no. It's not the worst-case scenario.'
The silver lining was that he was currently with the elite knights of the Valentia Ducal House. They wouldn't fall for basic black magician tricks like bewitchment, at least.
On the flip side, the misfortune was that even the strongest in their group, Vivian, was merely a 4th-stage Blader. The other twelve knights were all 3rd-stage Experts, and even if he could exert power beyond that, their combined force couldn't match a 5th-circle mage.
Under the assumption of similar proficiency, it was common knowledge that it took five experts one stage below to rival someone one stage higher.
His own case was the exception.
'Usually, that benchmark holds true...'
A mage's circles were generally equated to a mana user's stages. By simple math, they'd need two more Bladers or ten more Experts to reliably subdue her.
'Damn it all.'
If this weren't imperial territory, if their group weren't Valentia elites, would the elf have bothered with the disguise? She could've just fought head-on with high odds of victory.
'Or maybe not. Could be she's lulling us into complacency for a surprise attack.'
Truthfully, that scenario was even worse. And besides...
"I'm Cloi von Valentia. It's an honor to meet you, Lady Erina."
The group's most important figure was smiling in welcome—and elves were inherently objects of reverence in human society.
"Thank you for the warm reception."
So if this benignly smiling elf suddenly revealed her true colors, the group could be wiped out in the blink of an eye.
'No choice but to go for a preemptive strike.'
It wasn't impossible. Their ace in the hole was completely unknown to outsiders.
'Just need to seize the right moment.'
Tiny clenched his fist tightly and cautiously scanned his surroundings. Seeing everyone gazing at the elf with friendly eyes, he could only sigh inwardly.
'Hoo...'
Declaring without solid proof that the elf before them was a black magician? No one would buy it easily. Worse, if it put her on guard and she prepared for battle in secret, he'd just be buying her time to counter his ambush.
As Tiny's mind raced, Erina turned her attention to Wolrang.
"What's that you're holding? Oh ho, what a cute little spirit."
"Kiiing."
"As expected, you can tell! This is our spirit here."
Before he could stop her, Cloi chimed in eagerly.
"Oh my! A spirit user? Nice to meet you. I heard there are hardly any human spirit users..."
"Wow, me too! First elf I've ever seen!"
Tiny inwardly cursed a blue streak, then hid behind Vivian, peeking out shyly with a bashful smile. He even added a blush to his cheeks, playing the shy kid to perfection.
He'd seen all sorts traveling with Estina for a year, but in this life, it was his first elf—so he had to act the part.
'Yeah, first time seeing one. Definitely.'
"Tiny?"
"What are you doing...?"
His acting was flawless, even by his own standards, but the reactions around him were lackluster.
"Oh ho ho, I see. You're strangers to each other too, aren't you?"
Fortunately—or unfortunately—the elf seemed more interested in him than their responses. The problem was her eyes weren't smiling at all, despite her words.
'Hmph, so she knew.'
His act might've been pointless after all.
Tadak-tadak.
Word of the elf's arrival spread quickly around the campfire. Knights gathered, and even the servants by the distant wagons clustered to peek.
Yet Erina remained utterly serene amid all the stares.
"Ah, you're heading north through Valentia Duchy to the Lycan Kingdom?"
"Yes. I know Aslan and the Lycan Kingdom are at war, but I'm an elf, after all."
"Ah, haha, still, don't say that to other imperials. Might cause misunderstandings."
"No need. Our pilgrimage involves wandering the world and hearing stories from all races."
The black magician Erina's words rang true enough. It was well-known that one Elven Knight practice—the elves' elite—involved traveling the world and conversing with various races.
Though from an elf's view, all humans were much the same, and with plenty near the Great Forest, they rarely ventured to the empire.
"Ah, and if you're an elf on pilgrimage... could we see your spirit? I'd love to compare with this one."
Cloi, cradling Wolrang, asked—but Erina demurred with a troubled expression.
"...I'm sorry. I'm not yet worthy to show my soul's companion to outsiders."
"Ah... no, my apologies. I overstepped. Please forget I asked."
Cloi smiled politely, though awkwardly. To the untrained eye, it looked like the haughty lady preserving her pride after rejection...
'Nice acting.'
Tiny sighed inwardly in relief at her subtly stiffened face. The result of him maximizing synchronization and painstakingly writing "black magician" on her palm with Wolrang's heat.
She might not believe it easily, but that conversation had likely convinced her. Because...
'Bullshit about not wanting to show it—she probably doesn't have one.'
Spirits were so rare by nature that even innate spirit-using elves didn't all have one. Only Elven Knight elites inherited ancestral spirits or were chosen by newborns.
Thus, spirits were a source of elven pride, often displayed unprompted. Their common wood spirits were so well-known even in the elf-scarce empire that some near the Great Forest believed Ents—tree giants—were a separate race.
In short, a World Tree guardian like Erina hiding her spirit would be the real oddity. To highlight that, Tiny decided on another ploy.
"...Wanted to see other spirits too..."
He spoke as sullenly as possible, drooping his head childishly. Fingers together, fidgeting; lips pouted...
'Perfect.'
As he admired his own performance again...
"Eek..."
A sidelong glance showed Vivian—oblivious to the gravity—wincing as if she'd seen something unpleasant and stepping back.
Luckily, the elf ignored her reaction this time too.
"Instead, let me show you something fun, little spirit user—and Lady Cloi."
Erina extended her hand with a bright smile, and vivid flames roared to life from her palm.
"Oh!"
"Elemental magic?"
"As expected..."
Magic without incantations or circles. It proved she was a Sorcerer wielding elves' innate bloodline magic: elemental spells.
Another trait of World Tree guardians.
But Tiny saw through the fake instantly. He'd witnessed true Sorcerer elemental magic countless times.
'Not a Sorcerer.'
A 5th-circle high mage casually casting basic magic silently. The other knights might miss it, but she...
A quick glance confirmed Vivian tilting her head, puzzled.
'As expected.'
As a Blader—one stage below 5th-circle—she'd sense something off. The problem was Cloi.
"Oh! Such beautiful flames. So pretty!"
Her squeal of delight made Tiny sigh; all his signaling via Wolrang seemed wasted on that parlor trick.
"Shall I show more?"
"Of course!"
"Ho ho, I hear humans enjoy fireworks. As thanks for letting me join, something similar."
Whoosh. Fwoom. Bang. Pop.
Tiny flames shot up 10 meters from her hand, bursting spectacularly in the air.
"Wow!"
Cloi's awe drew most of the group's eyes to the dazzling display. Then...
'Yes!?'
Not a Sorcerer. Suspicious.
"Kiiing!"
The instant he felt Cloi tickling Wolrang's belly to write that message, Tiny nearly grinned.
'Control the expression, control...'
How had Cloi known? Elves were rare in the empire; she had no experience. But now wasn't the time to ask.
High black magician. Ambush now or we're in danger.
Could be special elf. Can't trust your word alone. Understand my position.
"Kee-heeng-heeng!"
I'll stake my life.
That serious?)
"Keu-rung!"
Thwack.
As the tickling persisted, Wolrang finally swatted Cloi's finger away, whipping its head side to side and glaring at them both.
Of course, at its current size, it just looked adorable. But its frustration—why toy with me instead of attacking the enemy?—transmitted clearly.
'Just hold on a bit.'
Was Wolrang's hostility toward black magicians from its spirit nature, or memories of its original body's death? Tiny soothed it with a faint smile, ramped up synchronization again, and sent another message via Cloi's palm.
That's how we survive. Order Vivian to back me up.
Cloi promptly called her guard.
"Vivian, hold Wol for a sec! And Lady Erina, bigger fireworks? Can you?"
"Ah...? Y-yes, of course."
Boom. Pop.
"Whoaaa! Vivian, what are you doing? Catch Wol quick! Here!"
"Pardon? Oh, yes! Sure!"
As the black magician elf continued her unwanted fireworks show, Vivian gladly took Wolrang.
"Come to big sis, my widdle puppy."
Thud.
I'm male. Not easy. And not a dog!
Vivian ignored Wolrang's tiny rebellion—pawing her hand away—and rubbed its cheeks with a grin.
But when its small paw moved a fraction faster, her face hardened in alarm.