Rebellion
"What?"
They couldn't help but be stunned by the news delivered through the Dragon's Eye by the Crown Prince.
"In the small cities of Serengal, Ruihyu, and Karina under direct imperial control, the markets along with the knight orders and soldiers have risen up, shouting for an equal world."
What the hell is this nonsense? Equality? No, before that... a rebellion?
The news hit them like a bolt from the blue, just as the hunt for demon worshippers in the imperial capital Asrian was dragging on without progress.
"What guts do the garrisons of small cities even have?"
As the Sword Emperor and Tiny's gazes turned to him, Jenas furrowed his brow, double-checking the parchment in his hand over and over.
"Information to the public is still under control, but all the key leaders... damn it, they're suspected to be demon worshippers..."
"Hah..."
The Duke let out a deep sigh, and Tiny was just as baffled.
What's going on all of a sudden...?
"The imperial army is already mobilizing, and word has been quietly sent to the temple as well. The imperial magic tower is dispatching Sir Tiness, the Bingyeom Archmage."
The Sword Emperor, momentarily speechless from the shocking report, soon turned to look at Tiny—a silent question of whether this had happened in his previous life. But Tiny could only shake his head mutely.
I don't know if something like this happened. But...
It was an absurd event no one could make sense of, but if one fact was assumed, the intent became crystal clear.
"...It looks like the demon worshippers are trying to draw imperial forces out of the capital. Troops dispatched to Serengal or the other small cities won't return to Asrian within a week."
The Sword Emperor nodded with a small sigh at his words.
"That makes sense. But really pulling off something this blatant? It's only been three months since the Karon incident heightened everyone's vigilance against them."
That sigh carried all the bewilderment at the incomprehensible situation.
"If this feels like a declaration that they're definitely plotting something at the wedding... am I just being too paranoid?"
Tiny shook his head immediately at the words. But Jenas seemed to think differently.
"...I agree that the incidents in Serengal and the small cities feel off. But assuming their goal is definitely the Crown Prince's and the lady's wedding might be a stretch, don't you think?"
"Hm?"
"Your Grace, considering the imperial palace's magic formations, the relic barriers, and the full guard presence, any demon worshipper plot there would be suicide. Especially now, with all eyes on them after what you mentioned."
"Meaning..."
"I think they might be aiming for societal chaos itself through this, not necessarily striking the palace during the gap. Any delay in suppression will breed doubts about the imperial family's competence."
Indeed, without certainty of a disaster at the palace, it was reasonable to see it that way.
"Above all, no small number of demon worshippers died in the Karon rebellion. Even for small cities, plunging three direct imperial territories into chaos simultaneously would consume significant forces on their end. Attacking the palace in that state...? I doubt it."
Jenas's argument was persuasive. The demon worshippers' actions in Karon after decades of silence had been shocking, but they'd ultimately failed. Objectively, it was hard to assume they had reserves for more.
But if one were convinced a palace incident was coming. And if one knew they'd rise all at once over a decade later to sow world chaos.
Those three small cities are just the tip of their tail. Their real target is definitely the palace.
If imperial royals died there amid this chaos, the disorder would peak.
Meeting the Duke's eyes, he nodded back, clearly thinking the same.
"Tiny, we need to get the spirits moving busily. The day those bastards infiltrate the capital draws near."
"Your Grace!?"
"I agree. The rebellions in those three cities are clearly meant to draw out the palace forces."
"Tiny!? No, why are you both so certain?"
Jenas alone stared back and forth between them in bewilderment.
"There's solid reason to believe it."
"Your Grace!?"
"...If this wraps up well, I'll explain to you too, Jenas. For now, just follow my lead."
Under that heavy gaze, Jenas could only nod.
But even that resolve proved premature. That very afternoon, an imperial edict arrived.
Swiftly suppress the rebellion in Karina to prove that Valentia is worthy to become kin to the imperial house.
The deadline is before the wedding commences.
"Hah... What in the world is this...?"
"What could His Majesty be thinking...?"
"He couldn't possibly be in league with the demon worshippers... right? He's no fool. Yes, understood. I overstepped, my apologies..."
Tiny's words drew incredulous stares, but the situation was so absurd it invited such suspicions.
"For His Majesty to issue this... Hah..."
Even the Sword Emperor could only sigh repeatedly.
"Serengal falls to the imperials, Ruihyu to the temple, so Karina's ours? Heh... Should we be glad we've grown into a house rivaling them?"
In normal times, they could politely decline. The empire's feudal system was ironclad—no emperor could mobilize great lords for direct territories without cause.
But the timing was peculiar.
"This wedding was pushed through by the Crown Prince. Refusing could give them pretext to upend everything."
Jenas had a point.
"Is His Majesty trying to bleed our house's forces dry amid the unrest...? Even setting the deadline before the wedding—he might prefer scrapping it all at this point."
"Your Grace!?"
"...No, just saying it's possible. Not that we should. Hah, but what do we do now...?"
Karina was close to Valentia lands, but mustering and marching unprepared troops would take a week at least.
Which meant...
"He expects elite knights to swiftly decapitate the leadership. And most of those elites are..."
"Here in the capital mansion right now. Honestly, Karina's closer to Asrian than our territory anyway."
Jenas caught the Sword Emperor's troubled glance with a wry smile.
Then...
"...This makes me suspect His Majesty might really be colluding with the demon worshippers."
"Your Grace!?"
"I know, I know. Unlikely."
Why would the realm's pinnacle need demon worshippers? But then...
"How am I supposed to accept an order moving most of our house's forces from the capital? With the wedding imminent, I can't go myself."
"...Factoring in the deadline, we'll have to commit our key talents en masse. It does seem His Majesty is checking you, Your Grace."
"Yes, exactly. I'm even thinking canceling the wedding might be better."
"But that would..."
"Ruin my daughter's future."
The Sword Emperor gave a bitter smile, dismissing the extreme option. What noble would wed a woman betrothed to the Crown Prince?
A father's worry for his daughter blinded him to the seemingly best choice. And if they did, scandals would taint not just Cloi but Valentia itself—claims of incompetence.
A fall in house prestige.
That might be exactly what His Majesty wants.
The Sword Emperor bit his lip, wrestling with dilemmas.
Then Tiny cut in.
"...We can suppress them in a week and return before the wedding."
Their gazes locked on him.
"What?"
"...Tiny?"
"If it's just me."
"What nonsense...?"
"Ah! That wolf spirit...? But even at that speed, a week's too far..."
The Sword Emperor scowled, Jenas looked enlightened yet dubious.
But Tiny met their skeptical stares with a confident grin.
"Wolrang's abilities have evolved since then. Plus, I can blaze straight through mountain paths, not roads."
"Ah..."
"Three days there, three back, one to handle them... More than doable."
"Hah..."
They sighed in disbelief at his brimming confidence.
"I-I get the logic, but..."
They weren't doubting Tiny's prowess. They'd seen a Blader-level Tiny hold his own against Challenger Jenas.
But.
"This is a rebellion! Even a small city means dozens of knights, hundreds of soldiers. And demon worshippers might have traps!"
"No, there will be traps. Dozens of regular knights are no issue for you, Tiny, but rushing could land you in one."
What could a non-superhuman knight do alone?
"Cleanup's different from battle too. Even a superhuman couldn't wrap it quick—stragglers might linger."
Tiny smiled at their concerns.
"Add one condition, and it's feasible. The issue is pulling it off... It's sensitive."
"What is it!? Time's short—spit it out!"
"Old man, your temper's foul..."
"What, punk!?"
"Ahem, it's a tricky method. My idea is..."
Their expressions shifted oddly as he spoke, and when he finished, the Sword Emperor grimaced.
"...Yes, that would work. No choice but to. But the imperials won't approve."
"If not, I'll just smash the ringleaders and bounce. Let Valentia troops handle cleanup. Traps? I'll dodge 'em."
"No."
"Pardon?"
"You can't throw your body around recklessly. Frankly, your proper growth matters as much as—more than—stopping a palace disaster. For other calamities, maybe, but risking your life on this petty mess? Absolutely not!"
"...Your Grace, what do you mean? Even comparing it..."
Jenas was stunned, but the Sword Emperor's eyes burned fiercely earnest.
Yet.
I'm grateful, but...
Tiny's gaze was equally resolute. Declaring a feasible task too risky? That had no place in the lexicon of the Knight of Herculean Might—no, now the Light Knight.
"This is a gamble too, Your Grace. If it's feasible, staking your life makes you a real man. That's how I've lived!"
Silencing the Sword Emperor momentarily with words that invalidated most "normal" men.
"...That's not a gamble, it's insanity, Tiny."
Jenas added with a drained look, but Tiny just grinned.
As long as I return before the wedding.
Solving Valentia's issue too...
"So ask them. Whether we can borrow the relic Amor from the palace. With it, I'm virtually safe. Oh, and mention I can wield relics."
Borrowing a relic.
That was Tiny's plan. To protect the palace relic from potential schemes within its inaccessible walls.