Cleanup and Proof
"Ha, you survived that?"
Tiny's brief smile at the thrilling sensation in his hands faded quickly. He scowled at the enemy, who exuded an even greater presence from beneath the sea. He'd poured every last drop of his remaining strength into it—even forgoing Wolrang's semi-materialization—and still failed to finish the bastard off.
The silver lining was that the enemy's damage had to be far worse.
Tiny's gaze flicked toward the full moon hanging in the night sky.
It bothers me a bit, but...
No matter how much beastkin recover under a full moon, shaking off that kind of impact won't be easy.
As if to prove his guess, the enemy's shadow writhing below the dark ocean surface no longer held a human shape. A glimpse of a sleek silhouette flashed beneath the inky water.
It must have taken beast form to recover from the blow.
'Killer whale,' was it?
Expecting something like the massive fish he'd seen in his past life, Tiny was surprised to find it only 4 or 5 meters long—barely a calf if it was truly a whale.
Still, for a human body to swell that much is impressive enough.
A comrade from his previous life naturally came to mind: Moon Knight, the superhuman beastkin who was slim and ordinary-sized normally but ballooned larger than Tiny himself upon beastkin transformation.
And what he'd said:
—Of course Beast Form is possible, but most of our kind avoid it. Feels like regressing to an animal...
—We're human in the end. Beast-Human Form is best for using tools.
Yet it chose full animal form without hesitation. Definitely not your average beastkin.
Of course, in water, whale form might simply be more efficient than half-human.
At least it didn't grow to full whale size.
Either way, size aside, its essence was a Superior-grade water-attribute mana user. Its power in the ocean would be on another level entirely.
To end it, he'd have to fight on land.
It can't maneuver on land in that state.
As Tiny glared at the foe while recovering his mana, the black silhouette suddenly changed course—not toward land, but deeper into the sea.
"...Just running away?"
Tiny's incredulous gaze shifted to the chaotic docks. The demon worshippers' corpses were already rotting, but that was fine. A few terrified porters trembled, unable even to flee.
And the sunken cargo of unknown nature below.
All evidence tying it to the demon worshippers—yet it fled anyway?
Confident it won't get linked back? Or is something more important elsewhere?
Confusing, but chasing a whale into the depths wasn't feasible right now.
"Damn it..."
He sighed and turned away—
—Grrr. Woof!
Wolrang's unexpected intent came through from the soul realm.
You can chase it?
Ah, in spirit form...
...But no. How far do you think it'll go?
Even sending Wolrang in spirit form risked forced recall if they got too distant. Spirit state minimized the summoner's burden but didn't eliminate distance limits.
The small island across the way was about the max.
—Woof! Woof!
As that thought transmitted, Wolrang shook its head in denial. Then came its memory.
The massive Wolrang from life leaped through the air weightlessly, stepping on nothing. It raced across water like flat ground, vivid as if Tiny had witnessed it himself.
Besides its size-changing ability, Wolrang's other lifetime specialty.
—Woof!
You can do it now. Recover your strength and resummon me quick.
That was Wolrang's message.
But Tiny just shook his head.
...Sorry, no clue how.
—Grrr...
Wolrang's irritated growl twisted Tiny's lips into a wry smile.
By then, the killer whale beastkin was too far for any presence to detect.
Even if I could...
I shouldn't.
—If he's an enemy, don't fight at sea no matter what.
Even without the king's warning, the recent battle proved it. Barely victorious on land—what chance in the ocean now?
Besides—
—Dock One!
—Hurry!
Soldiers were pouring from the distant castle. He couldn't abandon his post.
Irritation rising, he glared at the remaining porters.
"Hiiiik!"
"S-spare us, sir!"
"W-we don't know anything, p-please...!"
The dock workers prostrated themselves, shaking.
The midnight chase ended in half-success.
* * *
"We've checked the corpses. Corrosion from uncontrolled demonic energy confirms they're all demon worshippers."
"The sunken cargo?"
"Mostly items and gems for magical rituals. Not high-end magic goods individually, but the quantity is massive. Combined, it might equal half a year's national budget."
Everyone in the throne room flinched.
Half of Carun's budget—boasting wealth second only to the Aslan Empire—in one small ship? Operated by demon worshippers, no less.
No telling what they planned in the capital Ortus.
King Emerd von Karon took it hardest.
"...Hmm. Survivors among the porters?"
"Under interrogation, but they claim ignorance. Lured by triple night pay."
"Hah..."
Outer castle guard captain Knight Tiran stepped back after his report.
The king's gaze shifted to the old knight beside him.
"Any proof Litman was involved, Liam?"
"...None. But he's confirmed missing from the inner castle without reporting to Your Highness."
"Optimistically?"
"...Apologies, but porters witnessed twin blades flashing and Water Blade—Litman's signature. Descriptions vary slightly in appearance, but..."
It was Litman—no, Husel—at the docks.
Royal Knight Captain Liam von Peterson's words made the king squeeze his eyes shut.
Even elite shadows tracking him covertly lost the trail.
I hoped it wasn't true...
Everything screamed enemy.
His head throbbed from stress; he yearned to lie down. But—
No choice.
He gritted his teeth, rallying his spirit. His failing body screamed in protest, but duty called.
I'm the king who must protect this nation.
Even his most promising youngest son wasn't ready yet...
I can't collapse now.
The aged king exhaled deeply several times, his face suddenly years older, and turned to the other side.
A black-haired boy stood quietly, listening.
Gazing at him, the king spoke weakly.
"...15, no, 16 years ago. Since he came to me, we've opened two new eastern routes. Our treasury doubled at least."
His dazed eyes on the boy, but his mind wandered to old memories.
"A man burning with ambition to prove mutants could contribute. And he did, with skill. Why...?"
To whom? His wistful tone carried only sorrow, against his resolve.
Yet—
"...Apologies, Your Highness. Few know Litman's merits. Maybe the missing route scouts."
The black-haired boy pointed out the flaw: if he sought proof, why hide his achievements?
The king's face hardened slightly.
"...His wish. Demanded a mana oath right after success. Most see him as mere exploration escort knight."
Tiran and Liam's eyes widened, but the boy's gaze stayed steady.
"Then you should have suspected more. Why hide if proving himself mattered?"
"The Wearbeast Kingdom's hunters..."
"Revealing 'Litman' without his real name sufficed. Identity and power hidden."
"That's..."
Precise merits would invite scrutiny.He awaited the right moment to reveal boldly.
Many retorts, but instead came rough coughs and flecks of blood.
Breaking the mana oath—his weakened heart made him vomit blood.
"Your Highness!"
"Your Highness! Call a priest! Priests!!"
Tiran and Liam rushed forward, eyes hostile toward Tiny.
Natural for those not grasping the exchange.
But the king's frail hand halted them.
"...I-I'm fine still. Heh, heh. Yes, Sir Tiny. Valid point. Without that long loyalty, I wouldn't trust him either."
"...My apologies."
"No need. Circumstances clear it. But I won't deem those years all lies. Carun is... kuh, cough."
"Your Highness!"
"...Pursue Litman's trail, prioritize capture. Liam, you lead."
"...Yes, Your Highness."
The old knight knelt, face grim at the king's wretched state.
No one dared speak amid the pathos.
Except one.
The boy knight, untouched by Emerd von Karon's legacy, ignored the mood.
"Even if his demon plot threatens Carun's safety?"
"Sir Tiny!"
"Insolent!"
Ministers and high knights bristled, pressuring him—but Tiny's eyes held firm.
As did the king's.
"Many praise my achievements since taking this throne. But I've done one thing..."
"Your Highness! Such words..."
"...Trust people, earn trust, repay it. That alone earned this unworthy title of Present King."
His frailty vanished; he straightened, gazing regally over the hall.
"Your Highness!"
"...Your Highness."
"Don't force an old man with little life left to abandon his lifelong way, young knight. I'll hold to it until the end..."
Gazes on the old king mixed complex emotions.
"...But ignoring young blood's view ill befits me. Sir Tiny, act as you will—provided you find Husel before Carun's forces."
The aged king endured the oath's backlash with all his might; eyes gleamed across the room.
Royal Knight Captain Liam especially gaped.
What...?
Treating formally appointed Carun knight Tiny as separate from Carun itself.
And—
"Grateful for Your Highness's consideration. I'll stop the calamity on Carun, no matter what. I swear it!"
The boy knight accepted it as natural.
"...Withdraw. Report progress hourly."
Even at the king's final order, all eyes lingered on the black-haired boy.