Crusch's estate sat at the far end of the noble quarter in the upper city—one corner of a row of especially splendid mansions.
This was only the villa she used when staying in the capital, yet its scale was extravagant, and the interior finery far outstripped Roswaal's manor.
Of course, the over-decorated rooms weren't to Crusch's personal taste; with so many visitors in the capital, such trappings merely served noble vanity.
Upon arrival, Shichen's party was given three adjacent rooms—one per person.
Near midday, they'd scarcely settled before a servant announced it was time to dine.
Following the servant into the dining room, they found the principals already seated: Crusch, the cat-eared "boy" Ferris, and Wilhelm, whom they'd met earlier.
"Emilia, you're here—please eat. I hope the dishes suit you," Crusch said.
"Thank you," Emilia replied, taking the end seat.
Shichen didn't sit immediately. "Rem should be allowed to sit as well, yes?"
"Shichen, I…" Rem began, but he raised a hand to stop her, looking only to Crusch.
"Of course," Crusch said without fuss. "Rem is a guest, same as you."
"Much obliged." Shichen drew Rem to sit beside Emilia.
"My, Shichen's so kind to servants," Ferris teased, smiling.
"Rem is my personal attendant—not just 'a servant,'" Shichen answered.
"Oh, meow—got it."
"Shichen…" Rem beamed at him; he ruffled her hair.
"Let's eat," Crusch said, face composed and serious.
They ate in silence; clearly Crusch had no intention of discussing business at table.
Wilhelm, for his part, said nothing from start to finish and left as soon as he was done.
Only after the servants cleared the dishes did Crusch ask, "Was the food to your taste?"
"Mhm. Very good," Emilia nodded.
Shichen nodded as well—fresh ingredients, distinctive flavors; a ducal chef was on another level, even beyond Rem's skill.
"I'm glad." A faint smile touched Crusch's lips. She seemed keen to host them well.
"Crusch, just say what you brought us here to say. We're allies, aren't we? No need to stand on ceremony," Emilia said plainly.
"'Allies'… You still wish to call us that?" Crusch asked, eyes flicking—ever so briefly—toward Shichen.
What she'd witnessed in the audience hall—the feeling of total helplessness under his power—still lingered sharp in memory. With someone like him present, their earlier proposal of alliance felt almost laughable. Not that the proposal had ever been meant to "strengthen the force."
"We're allies, of course," Emilia said with a smile.
Given her weak footing, there was no reason not to remain allied. Whatever Crusch's ends, Emilia knew she wasn't the sort to backstab during an alliance.
"Is that so? Thank you." Crusch found herself smiling back at Emilia's earnest expression.
"Then to business—no need to draw it out," Shichen cut in.
"Shichen-sama… you seem to know me well?" Crusch looked over.
"Just call me Shichen. I got a fair sense of your nature in the hall."
(In truth, he'd known her type all along—upright, forthright, with a touch of the natural.)
"In that case, I'll be direct. I want to ally with you to hunt a certain great mabeast."
"A mabeast…" Emilia breathed. In this world, no one was ignorant of the Three Great Mabeasts—creations of the Witch of Gluttony, catastrophically dangerous beings.
"Yes. We intend to slay the White Whale," Crusch said; that was her real reason for seeking alliance. Before Shichen, Emilia's value had been that Roswaal, a ducal court mage, added might to her side. (All the better would have been Reinhard—but there'd been no opening there.) And the Whale—this was personal.
"Why do you want it dead?" Shichen asked.
"You've met Wilhelm-sama, haven't you?"
"Yeah. The old gentleman's formidable," Shichen nodded.
"Oh meow~ How formidable do you think he is?" Ferris prodded, curious.
"His swordsmanship may well surpass mine," Shichen said without ceremony, "but if we aren't just crossing blades, it'd be over in a single exchange."
He wasn't boasting. Sword for sword, he was content to concede; but measured by his full repertoire, it was a curb-stomp. This world's "Sword Demon" was still of this world.
"Ooh, meow—that strong, Shichen?" Ferris sounded unconvinced.
"I don't lie about such things. And I haven't shown my real hand," Shichen said with a smile.
"Shichen is a great spirit user, too," Emilia added—oddly proud to show him off.
"A great spirit user?" Crusch glanced his way, puzzled.
"Perfect chance to introduce them—otherwise the first meeting could get messy. Besides, they want to eat with me." Shichen summoned them.
Silver and gold light flared at his sides, coalescing into two flawless little girls.
Crusch and Ferris didn't judge by looks—at their appearance alone they understood: spirits. Top-tier spirits. Great Spirits.
"These two are Est—and Beatrice."
"Est-sama… Beatrice-sama…" Crusch said with involuntary respect. She knew what it meant to stand before a Great Spirit. That he had two contracts…
"Don't be so stiff," Beatrice huffed, grabbing Shichen's hand. "Why did you introduce Est first?"
"You're jealous over that?" Shichen sighed.
"Hmph. Order matters!"
"Give it up, Beatrice. I was by Shichen-nii's side first," Est said evenly, a faint edge of smugness on her blank little face.
"Grr!"
"You two—we're guests. Mind yourselves."
"What's there to mind? That woman'll be yours sooner or later, anyway—mmph!"
Shichen clapped a hand over Beatrice's mouth and slid the topic along. "Ahem—pay no attention to her nonsense. Let's get back to business."
"I—think I heard…" Crusch began, wary.
"You misheard," Shichen cut her off.
"Shichen, I heard it too…" Emilia ventured, eyes showing she did mind.
"Me, me—Ferris heard as well!" the cat-eared "girl" chimed in, enjoying the stir.
"No, you all misheard. Focus—what you want is my help, yes?" Shichen's face was serious again.
"…Alright." Crusch shelved her curiosity and continued, "The reason Wilhelm-sama serves me is because I promised to help him find and slay the White Whale."
"The old master wants the Whale dead? Why?" Shichen asked, feigning ignorance.
"I may not be able to say it myself—but I believe if you ask, Wilhelm-sama will tell you."
"I see…" Shichen nodded, then fell silent.
Crusch watched him, waiting. She needed his help now more than she had in the audience hall. Roswaal and even Reinhard were—relatively—secondary.
Emilia stayed quiet; she left the decision to Shichen. The alliance had been for him from the start.
At length Shichen spoke. "I can help you. But can you afford the price?"
"A price? What do you want? If I can—"
"Don't rush it. Truth is, I haven't decided yet."
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