Litman? Husel?
As Tiny drew near, a warm wave of light hummed in welcoming resonance. Feeling it envelop his entire body, he found himself smiling without realizing it.
“This is… one of the 7 Great Relics.”
He stepped naturally into the glow and caressed the crystal-shaped relic. From his fingertips flowed an energy so pure it defied description—a lump of light that could harm nothing in this world.
On the contrary, anything not of this world, it rejects utterly…
He already knew its nature from reports, but experiencing it firsthand was another matter entirely. His transcendent sensitivity, praised by all around him, analyzed the cascading light waves, stirring his intuition.
It's nothing like I imagined…
At first, he'd pictured the relic as an near-infinite energy source steadily emitting power for thousands of years at least. But feeling it now, it wasn't the relic producing the force—the light waves themselves seemed one with the relic.
Right, it never made sense for it to output infinite power from the start.
It was as if…
This light, the guardian barrier itself, is the relic. This massive crystal is just a fixed coordinate for it. Like an address of sorts? Wait, then it doesn't need to be this huge, does it?
It was the kind of thought that would earn ridicule or accusations of heresy from any devout priest. But Tiny trusted his gut instinct. It wasn't mere arrogance in his superior senses.
Hummm.
The massive crystal—no, the guardian barrier itself—was already telling him its story. About its true nature and power.
It has that kind of ability too? And it can be moved?
Hummm.
A tale only someone with Tiny's level of mana sensitivity could receive. The relic lacked true intelligence, endlessly repeating the same message, as if implanted by someone long ago.
…The will of the gods?
Contrary to Truman von Enis's claims, moving the relic proved remarkably simple. If his understanding was correct, there was no need to shift this enormous crystal at all.
Just follow the proper procedure… Huh!
As the mystery of how a relic that had stood sentinel for millennia could suddenly vanish began unraveling—
“Y-You there! Did you just touch the relic!?”
Truman's startled voice rang out. And soon after.
“Captain Truman! His Majesty is summoning the new recruit… Sir Tiny!”
The voice of another relic guardian knight, Mason, echoed through the underground cavern.
“Allow me to introduce him, Sir Tiny. This is Sir Litman, the man you've been seeking.”
What the hell is this?
The king who had abruptly summoned him to the office spouted something utterly baffling. As a bewildered Tiny blinked in confusion—
“Ah, so you're the one. The holy one who massacred the demon worshippers. Pleased to meet you. And you're looking for me?”
The middle-aged man called Litman smiled and offered a greeting.
As Tiny stared at the king in utter bewilderment, the king tilted his head as if to ask what was wrong.
“Why are you looking at me like that? Isn't this what you wanted? You asked for someone well-versed in routes to the Eastern Continent.”
Me? When??
Even more perplexed, but catching the king's subtle narrowing of his brows like a signal, Tiny had no choice but to play along.
Damn it, if you're gonna put on a show, give me a heads-up at least!
Grumbling inwardly, Tiny forced a smile at the king.
“Ah, haha. My apologies… I didn't expect an introduction so soon. I am deeply grateful for Your Majesty's grace once more.”
After bowing to the king, he turned back to the middle-aged man.
“Given my background, I've always thought my roots might lie in the Eastern Continent. So when Your Majesty asked what I desired, I simply said I'd like to go there someday… Haha, this is a bit overwhelming.”
The situation felt exhaustingly convoluted, and for a moment, the old king's demeanor reminded him annoyingly of the Sword Emperor. Still, the excuse he'd blurted out on the spot seemed plausible enough—even to himself. The smile spreading across the man's face confirmed it.
“Ah… Our king has always been generous with rewards. In the dozen-plus years I've served him, every new route I've charted has earned me far more grace than deserved.”
“Is that so…?”
“Indeed. No one in this kingdom knows Eastern routes better than I. It's an honor to meet you.”
“No, the honor is mine. I look forward to working with you.”
So, the greetings were done…
What the actual fuck is going on here!?
Come to think of it, he'd heard the name Litman from Liam von Peterson.
A knight who answers only to the king? Route pioneer? Does he know Husel? No, now's not the time to bring that up.
As Tiny racked his brain for what to say next, the king interjected once more.
“Ah, but don't set sail for the East just yet. Didn't you promise me, Sir Tiny? To uproot the demon worshippers in this kingdom—at the very least in the capital Ortus.”
When did I ever say that…? Wait, demon worshippers out of nowhere? No way…
“…You're right, Your Majesty. Worry not. I will keep that promise.”
He reaffirmed his resolve and glanced at Litman. Then—
- Grrr.
Wolrang shook his head beyond their soul connection. Regrettably, the man before him, Litman, was no demon worshipper.
Well, if he were, Wolrang would've reacted the moment we met.
Still, there was something peculiar.
- Sniff. Sniff.
Wolrang, having sniffed Litman's soul scent, relayed his impressions. Beast and man… blended?
A beastkin?
- Husel? Hmm… Doesn't sound human. More like orc or beastkin…
Jay's words flashed through his mind, and Tiny couldn't help glancing back at the king.
“So, this gentleman is the… ally I had in mind?”
The king nodded with a smile.
“Precisely. With Gail Anderson yet to return, we can't chart new routes until he does. So have Litman assist you in purging the demon worshippers. He's a Superior-grade knight, after all.”
It confirmed Tiny's suspicion: Litman was Husel.
Just tell me privately! Why make everything so damn complicated!?
He wanted to shout, but assuming the king had his reasons, Tiny swallowed his frustration. More pressing matters demanded attention anyway.
“Y-Your Majesty! Me? Wasn't I supposed to set out tomorrow to search for Sir Gail and the Rosemary?”
If the flustered Litman was truly Husel, why did no demonic energy emanate from him? Could demon worshippers conceal their taint well enough to fool Wolrang's senses?
- Grrr!
No way, Wolrang growled vehemently in denial. Tiny agreed. How could one hide a soul's scent? Unless they swapped souls entirely.
Well, anyone with demonic energy couldn't wander the relic-guarded citadel freely anyway.
As Tiny's mind grew tangled, the king and Litman continued.
“That mission is canceled, Litman. I trust the superhuman Gail Anderson. A sea mage vanishing at sea? Something must've gone wrong, that's all. Focus on the immediate threat for now.”
“But Sir Gail might need help! The lack of communication alone…”
“Enough. Hmph… Ahem. Litman, my decision stands. You're the only top-tier asset I can deploy now.”
By feigning a name slip, the king sent Tiny a clear signal.
“…As you command.”
Litman knelt on one knee, head bowed. Watching him, Tiny's eyes gleamed faintly.
This guy's Husel.
The king seemed determined to bind the man to him at any cost. From their talk, they'd shared a dozen years of history. A beastkin whose identity the king concealed with a Mana Oath, and a Superior-grade knight to boot…
Far stronger than your average human Superior. Plenty of experience too.
Whatever the king's circumstances, he'd weighed Tiny and Husel—Litman—and couldn't fully commit to either. No cause for resentment there.
Killing a few demon worshippers is enough to make him doubt a loyal retainer of over a decade. I'm grateful he didn't cast me out.
Tiny had essentially accused a relic-immune citadel wanderer of being a demon worshipper. The king trusted his vassal but prepared for the worst.
Is this what kings do?
The old monarch's mindset felt chillingly profound.
“Sir Tiny, will you join him?”
He couldn't defy the command.
“Of course, Your Majesty. I shall obey.”
“Good. With your abilities, you'll know at a glance, yes?”
Why broadcast my talents like this?
Flustered, but meeting the king's sharp gaze, Tiny could only nod meekly.
“Then starting tomorrow, begin the purge in earnest. Coordinate the schedule with Sir Litman… Ah!”
The king clapped as if struck by a thought.
“Litman, step out a moment? Sir Tiny will lead the demon purge, so I need to discuss details with him privately.”
“…Understood, Your Majesty.”
It was like a stray stone toppling the house's foundation. Litman's stiff expression betrayed clear displeasure.
“…What do you think?”
“No demon worshipper.”
“As expected.”
“Why not just tell me privately? This was such a hassle…”
“No choice.”
Alone again, Tiny sighed at the king's gesture toward his heart.
“A Mana Oath preventing you from speaking?”
“Yes.”
The mana circle sustaining the old king was visibly fading. A 3rd Circle wasn't high-tier, so breaking the oath might only destabilize it—but in his frail state, even that could prove fatal.
“If you were certain he wasn't, why show him to me?”
Speaking out of pity, Tiny watched the king smile bitterly.
“You needed to dispel your doubts too. Come, see for yourself. And I was certain… until recently. But my current plight shakes that faith…”
Was certain? Current plight?
Questions piled up, but the king's utter trust puzzled him most.
“Why go this far for me? You've only met this boy twice.”
The king burst out laughing.
“True, but he's a once-in-a-generation genius. A boy who slew a Blader-grade mage-knight in one strike at that age… Even legends hold no such tales.”
“He was careless…”
“And you'd have failed otherwise?”
“…”
As Tiny fell silent, the king laughed again, then sighed softly, gazing out the window.
“Carun's royal blood develops strange precognition by this age. Or perhaps it's just aged paranoia turning ill dreams into omens.”
“Pardon?”
“Dreams of the relic vanishing, a colossal monster smashing the capital… Repeated endlessly. Then a boy of legendary talent appears, warning of relic peril.”
“…Ah!”
Tiny's eyes widened in shock. The king smiled wearily.
“If it's just a timid old man's dream, ending with glares from a loyal vassal would be a relief. So don't think it excessive—do what you must. A spirit mage won't harm Carun, surely?”
The old eyes held a sage's wisdom and worry. Though rooted in misconceptions, how could he correct the hope it gave?
Tiny had one reply.
“…Of course not.”
“Good. You're dismissed.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
As Tiny turned, the king—back already to him—murmured to the air.
“He has quite the backstory.”
He. Husel—Litman.
Tiny froze, ears perked. Then the king spoke oddly.
“Beastkin occasionally birth mutants. Most inherit land beast traits, but some bear whale characteristics. No one knows why.”
Gazing out the window like soliloquy, it was clearly Husel's tale.
“Their mythic-era mermaid-king looks make werebeasts kill such children at birth. But parents defy law.”
Cough.
“Some mutants survive. Exiled from Lycan, they hide identities elsewhere—lest beastkin hunters claim them. I needed his abilities, so I hid his truth with a Mana Oath.”
Cough. Cough.
The king's coughs worsened, voice weakening. Likely backlash from oath-breaking via 'monologue,' yet he pressed on.
“Who fathoms resentment from parental and kin abandonment? One so scarred might ally with demon worshippers. A regrettable suspicion toward a faithful servant… Cough.”
Hack.
Ragged breaths and retching followed, but Tiny dared not turn. A true conversation might fully trigger the backlash, endangering the king fatally. He clenched his fist, listening.
“Lately, he took rare long leave. Worst case, I even suspect his hand in Gail's disappearance. A foolish king's folly. So…”
Cough.
“If he's the enemy, don't fight at sea. He's a whalekin killer whale.”
Gasp. Cough.
The king fell silent after dry coughs.
“Your Majesty!”
Turning in alarm, Tiny saw the king steadily breathing—stable, thankfully.
“I ordered demon hunts. If he's involved, he'll move soon.”
Confirming the mana circle held form, Tiny exhaled heavily. Unable to fathom the king's turmoil, words failed him.
“…Rest, Your Majesty.”
And that night.
- Grrrrr.
Litman… no, Husel is leaving the citadel under cover of night, Wolrang signaled.