White Oak Kingdom’s western coast. A tiny fishing village under midnight’s veil. All lights had long been extinguished. No matter how harsh life grew… people still ate, still slept. Dawn would come anew… even if others starved or sickened to death—that was their burden. As long as one’s own family survived… such thoughts were hardly blameworthy for ordinary folk.

Atop the seaside cliffs stood a monastery—majestic, beautiful, sacred—a stark contrast to the ramshackle huts below.

Deep into this night, the High Priest remained awake. Counting gold coins. With the New Year approaching, duties weighed heavily. Verifying this year’s tribute… then discreetly pocketing the unaccounted surplus. How fortunate he was, compared to priests sent to battlefronts. Years ago, through cunning flattery and connections, he’d secured this quiet post. Hand over a portion of the tribute annually—the rest was his. True, priests couldn’t marry… but who didn’t have bastards? Colleagues turned a blind eye; such things were understood.

When old age came, he’d retire to his estate, live as a nobleman. His seniority would shield him from local priests’ harassment. Then he’d bribe his bastard son—or grandson—into the priesthood… a promising career.

He’d also warn the boy: never join the Inquisition. No place for humans… trailing filthy, foul-smelling knights across battlefields. Hunger and exhaustion were the least of it… even after sacking a village or city, knights could plunder freely while he remained bound by vows. One misstep, and those muscle-brained brutes would seize leverage. Their retribution would be brutal. In White Oak Kingdom, the king was but a puppet. True power lay with Pope Majesty… though why His Holiness hadn’t abolished the cowardly emperor and transformed the realm into the Papal State remained a mystery.

*BOOM! BOOM!* …Huh? Thunder?

*THUD! CRASH! BANG!* …An earthquake!?

“Gods! What’s happening!?”

The tremor jolted the High Priest. He rushed to the balcony, peering toward the sea. In the inky darkness, countless torches illuminated strange ships. Cannons roared from their decks. Smaller boats already ferried invaders ashore…

“These… who are they!? Imperial forces? Has the Empire’s army invaded!?”

The landing party—over two hundred strong—ignored the village entirely. Torches raised, they charged straight for the cliffside monastery. The monastery guard hurried to block the main gate…

Here lay the problem. This monastery—ahem!—this sacred hall honoring the Seven True Gods, and the esteemed priests’ residence… To show reverence for the divine and please the priests’ refined tastes—to let gods feel humanity’s awe while satisfying clerical aesthetics… it had no sturdy walls. Only ornamental iron railings. These costly barriers offered zero cover. The gaps between iron bars and stone pillars let musket balls fly freely. The sprawling grounds couldn’t be defended by few men… and the manicured gardens did nothing to shield the main building from assault.

Worse, the region’s knightly garrison had deployed to the front. Only second-rate militia remained—village bullies turned guards. They could intimidate peasants, but against armed raiders? Useless. For all their hulking frames and thuggish scowls, the cannon barrage had shattered them. Moments ago, they’d boasted of invincibility before commoners. Now they fled, screaming for mothers.

“High Priest! Pirates! They’re pirates!”

“Pirates!? Are there pirates near the Kingdom’s shores? Even if so… ragged beggars, homeless wretches—when did such scum dare raid a monastery? Do they crave death!? I’ll hang every last one from these cliffs!”

The High Priest trembled with rage. But survival instinct kicked in. Dying to kill a few pirates? Unthinkable. He had pleasures yet to savor… ahem, *service* to render the Seven True Gods. Only one option remained. Ignoring his captain, he dashed inside, twisting through corridors to a hidden door. He pushed it open. The room reeked of rot. Steeling himself, he stepped in.

“Incantation—*Light*!”

A small glow flared from his palm. In the corner, a hulking figure crouched, gnawing on something.

A giant. Even squatting, he stood over five feet tall. His face stretched long—more lion or horse than human—clutching a human thigh. A bear pelt draped his back, the beast’s head forming a hood, its paws dangling like shoulder pads. Beside him lay a stripped thigh bone. Nearby, a naked girl’s corpse lay discarded atop a pile of shattered, stinking bones—her neck and legs snapped.

“Mmm… what noise? Num eating. Don’t bother Num…”

“Ahem… pirates attack the monastery. Kill them for me.”

“Pirates? Annoying… Num wants women. This one good… Num wants more like her… tasty.”

“Kill these pirates, and I’ll fetch you fresh ones tomorrow!”

*Disgusting brute. Only desperation brings me here…*

“Hmph! Don’t lie. Or Num kills *you*…”

“Tch… Go! When have I lied?”

Num tossed the bone aside. He rose—a full ten feet tall—arms dangling past his knees. In filthy rags, he rummaged through straw, then hefted a spiked club. Two meters long, thick as a man’s torso… yet he gripped it one-handed. His limbs seemed slender beneath a bulging belly, giving him the look of an upright mantis. Slung over his shoulder, the club swayed as he dug meat scraps from his teeth with a finger, wiping them carelessly on his pelt. He strode past the priest without a glance.

—

“HAH! Loot it all! These bastards reek of coin! Look at this manor—damn, prettier’n any I’ve seen!”

“Shut it! Since when do *you* command? This’s a *monastery*, you fool!”

Two pirates laughed, cutting down gate guards. Raiders flooded in. *BANG! BANG! BANG!* Muskets roared. The few brave guards who stood firm were shot full of holes. Others fled—only to be run through the back. These pirates, hardened by brutal seas, showed no mercy. Tears and pleas only fueled their cruelty.

“Strip this place bare! Damn! Even the candlesticks are gold! LOOT!”

Greed reddened their eyes.

Then raiders flew backward—hurled from the monastery doors, crashing into comrades. A giant emerged… shattering the doorframe as he stepped through. Ten feet tall. Bear-pelt clad. A monstrous face. A two-meter spiked club resting on his shoulder.

“You… pirates? Disturb Num’s meal… Num crush you…”

“What in hell is that!? SHOOT IT!”

Seven pirates raised muskets. *BANG! BANG! BANG!* Five bullets struck Num’s chest. They bounced off like pebbles on water—smoking craters in his flesh spat out flattened lead balls.

“Hurts… Num *hurts*… You die…”

Num stomped the ground. He *launched* forward—fifteen meters in a leap. The club swept sideways. Six men split into twelve pieces. Guts splattered the stones. Raiders behind him scrambled back. This was no foe they could face.

“HEY! Don’t run! Golden Key’s here! STAND FIRM!”

Scarface had just reached the gates. Witnessing Num’s slaughter, he blocked fleeing pirates. As he shouted, bat shrieks pierced the moonlit sky.

“E-everyone… d-don’t fear… I-I’ll handle him!”

A youthful voice, yet it carried. A golden-haired girl descended like an angel—bat wings beating, tiny bats swirling around her. Long hair in twin tails. A frilly dress. Pale skin. Twelve or thirteen years old. Rosy cheeks. Shy crimson eyes. Adorable… to those who didn’t know her.

Like Num, who gaped as she landed. Had those been feathered wings, none would doubt her divinity.

“OOOORRRRGGGHHH!!!”

Num pounded his chest, roaring with delight.

“A witch?! You’re a witch?!”

“W-witch? Um… well… close enough, I guess…”

Golden Key scratched her cheek, blushing, words stumbling.

“GOOD! NUM WANT YOU! NUM CLAIM YOU!”

“I don’t want *you*… You stink… You’re *disgusting*…”

She pinched her nose, wrinkling it. Num froze, devastated. He sniffed his armpit. *No smell?*

"And you're so weak..."

Those words made Num slowly turn his head. His eyes, wide as copper bells, glared at Golden Key while veins bulged across his forehead. Heavy breaths shot out white puffs from his nostrils.

"Dare... to underestimate Num? Then become food..."

He slammed his iron staff into the ground and lunged forward. The ten-meter gap vanished in an instant. Num’s mind raced with thoughts of violation and devouring—just as his grasp neared Golden Key.

"Yikes!!! Gross~~!"

The pirates snapped back to reality only to see Num’s massive body flying backward. Golden Key stood there, innocently flicking her fingers like she’d just given a playful thwack.

"S-sorry... Are you... okay, Mr. Stinky?"

"Damn... what magic... what magic did you use...?"

Dizzy and disoriented, Num staggered up from the ground. He touched his nose—his bridge was flattened.

"Damn... it hurts... ugh..."

At that moment, the High Priest appeared on the second-floor balcony.

"Spell—Heal!"

"Stone Skin... Wind’s Swiftness... Evasion... Magic Ward... Advanced Physical Barrier... Giant’s Might..."

The priest wiped sweat from his brow. How many years had it been since he chanted these spells? Not since quelling that riot... Multicolored lights gathered on Num, mending his nose. His defenses and strength surged.

"Despicable witch... mocking me with magic... Witness Num’s true form. Hmph..."

"I didn’t... I didn’t use magic... My little sister’s the one who uses magic..."

Num dropped to all fours. A crackling sound erupted from his body as he glared viciously at Golden Key. Black, dense fur sprouted on his once-slender arms. Two goat horns grew from his head. His face stretched longer, fur covering his neck and chest—now fully goat-like. His legs bent unnaturally into bowed shapes. His boots tore apart, revealing hooves beneath makeshift greaves.

"Haaah... huff... This is Num’s true form..."

An eerie, sinister aura rose from him. The pirates grew restless... but they knew Golden Key’s strength. Even newcomers, warned by comrades, understood how terrifying this tiny girl was. They’d scoffed when told she’d be their boss, cowed only by Scarface’s might. Now, seeing her unflinching before this monster, they were utterly awed.

"Huh? You... look kinda cute like this..."

Cute? Cute?! Damn it, still underestimating Num!

Enraged, Num pushed off the ground and leaped into the air. As he descended, he aimed a kick at Golden Key’s face. Die! Die! Let me crush that pretty face! His hoof stopped an arm’s length away—caught firmly in Golden Key’s hand. The sudden halt whipped up a gust of wind.

"Seriously... that’s amazing..."

"She’s a monster..."

"Big Sis Golden Key is awesome!"

Golden Key waved sheepishly at the cheering pirates, one hand still gripping Num’s hoof.

"Let go! You... let go! Impossible... so small, how can you have this strength?!"

"Sorry... but Pipe Captain ordered us to plunder here. So... anyone who resists must die. Sorry... Mr. Goat... Goodbye."

A dark gleam flashed. In her free hand appeared a pole hammer—Fool’s Bane. Golden Key swung Num down hard. Thud! He cratered the earth. Then she smashed the hammer into his dazed head. His skull deformed...

"Aaah~~ ugh~~~ mmph~~"

"Heh, Mr. Goat, just accept your fate..."

She hammered his head again and again until it was pulp. Blood and brains splattered the ground. Golden Key exhaled, stowing Fool’s Bane, and flashed a V-sign at the pirates.

"All done!"

"Guh... hah... hahaha! Amazing!! Big Sis Golden Key is the best!"

"So strong! Haha!"

Scarface wiped sweat from his brow.

"Move! Grab all valuables! That white-robed guy on the balcony... huh? Already scared witless? String him up on the cliff. And these guys—" he pointed at the frozen and wounded guards—"hang them all!"

"Ooooh~ oorah~~ haha!"

The pirates whooped, flooding into the monastery to loot.