Ignoring Ram's joke, Shichen led Emilia and the others on toward Arlam.
This white fog was, of course, not the monster "Magnia" from the Hornless Demon: Giant of Light—Arlam hadn't been attacked by any parasitic lifeforms. In this world, however, white mist is famous enough that almost everyone knows what it means.
The White Whale is here.
When fog blankets the plains, the White Whale appears within it. Among all mana beasts, it's one of the most infamous—if you run into it, you don't live.
But as long as you avoid the fog, the damage the White Whale causes can be kept to a minimum.
There was once a formal subjugation expedition—that was more than ten years ago, launched under the banner of a Grand Crusade. The result is obvious: the Whale is still alive.
That attempt ended in failure, with losses so heavy people gave up on organizing a second try. Hence the White Whale's name is known to all.
"Shichen, the village—will they be okay?" Emilia knew the Whale's terror too. She tightened her grip on his hand, anxious. Judging by how thick the fog lay, Arlam had to be completely covered. It was very possible the people there were already in danger.
"Don't worry. With me here, nothing's going to happen," Shichen squeezed her slender hand back, reassuring her.
"Mm!" Emilia smiled, reassured. Her trust in him now was absolute.
"Shichen, Rem wants to hold hands too…" Rem slipped up to his other side and acted spoiled, a touch of jealousy clear.
"You're carrying things," Shichen laughed.
Rem's hands were full with a big basket—today's lunch.
"It's fine, let Sister carry it."
"What? Rem, that's how you treat your sister?" Ram looked incredulously at her.
"Sis is so capable—help me carry the basket, pleeease~" Rem begged, laying it on thick.
"That has nothing to do with being capable…" Ram muttered.
"Sis~ help me out~"
"I… fine…" Ram couldn't withstand her sister's wheedling.
"Yay! Sis really is the best!" Rem happily passed the basket over, then, delighted, took Shichen's other hand.
Her little sister had grown up—so much for keeping the elbow turned inward.
"Emilia-sama, is this okay?" Rem checked with her.
"No problem," Emilia smiled and shook her head. She truly didn't mind Shichen holding hands with a girl on either side—not only because such strict rules didn't really exist here, but because she had never learned much about romance. There was a lot she didn't know: "one heart, one lifetime," "philanderers," and so on.
"Thank you," Rem said to Emilia from the heart.
She had once been very resistant to Emilia—after all, her village was destroyed by Witch Cultists, and her sister's horn… and Emilia was a "witch." But because Roswaal supported Emilia, she could only keep a servant's distance—neither warm nor cold.
She knew it wasn't Emilia's fault, but couldn't help caring even as she came to understand Emilia's kindness. In truth, Emilia kept her distance too. That had been Emilia's way: if someone treated her coolly, she returned the same, well aware of the inconveniences her appearance brought…and still she persisted, doing her best to live.
Heaven hadn't been cruel—she met Shichen, and felt that all the hardship had just been a test. Only after meeting him did she understand what happiness was.
Rem and Emilia were much the same. Because of Shichen, both gained new lives and changed how they faced the world. Now they were getting closer and closer—and wanted to draw nearer on their own.
"Onii-chan, you're here!" As soon as they reached Arlam, Petra came running to greet them, a bright smile lighting her face. The little girl looked forward to Shichen's visits every day—only, he didn't come every day. She'd secretly resolved to become a maid at the mansion so she could see him all the time. She wasn't the only one—other kids were eager too. They wanted stories.
As always, in the flower field Shichen sat with Emilia and began telling them a tale. Next up was the story of the Earth-Shaker—billed as the Hornless Demon's third younger "brother." The kids were all ears. Shichen felt this one landed even better—two Giants of Light were better than one: the Earth-Shaker plus the sea-parting cousin with the center part.
It wasn't only the children—Emilia and the others loved listening too. Everyone gathered around Shichen, hanging on his soft-spoken narration. When he got tired, he would lean against Emilia, or lie with his head in her lap. Rem would share the "work" when needed. Est and Beatrice didn't listen; they already knew the plot—he'd told them before.
By afternoon, just as the Earth-Shaker's ideals were colliding with the Middle-Parting Sea-Comb's, Shichen paused. "Alright, that's it for today. We'll pick up next time."
"Aww—right when it was getting good…"
"Can't you do a little more?"
"Nope~ Onii-chan has things to do. I'll tell you more next time," Shichen sat up from Emilia's lap and declined with a smile.
"Okay…"
"See you next time, Onii-chan~" Petra waved goodbye.
"Mm, see you next time~" Shichen ruffled her hair, then led the group away. At the village edge, he stopped and raised a barrier.
"Shichen, what's that?" Emilia asked.
"A beast-repelling barrier. This way the White Whale won't come here."
"There's a barrier like that?" Ram couldn't help asking.
"Of course—Shichen is amazing! He can do anything!" Rem said with pride.
Ram fell silent. Once upon a time, her little sister's praise had been hers alone…
"In that case, the villagers are safe," Emilia sighed in relief.
"No. This ward only repels mana beasts—people won't be stopped. The villagers aren't safe from people," Shichen shook his head.
"People? What do people have to do with it?" Emilia looked at him, puzzled.
Shichen didn't answer. He looked off in one direction and said calmly, "Are you going to come out or not?"
No sooner had he spoken than figures appeared silently before them, without warning: a group of strangers completely shrouded in black—clothes covering them from head to toe, faces hidden in hood-like cowls.
One after another they stepped out, quickly numbering into the dozens, surrounding Shichen's party in a tight ring.
"These people…!" Ram's face changed color.
"—!" Rem's face twisted with fury.
"Shichen…" Emilia pressed closer to him, wary eyes on the newcomers.
Shichen's expression didn't change. Ester and Beatrice looked bored—on the verge of yawning in blatant contempt.
A weird air hung over the black-clad group—an unsettling stillness. They said nothing, like they weren't even breathing, simply watching, especially Emilia.
Clink.
A length of chain appeared in Rem's hand—the cold ring of her flail chain cut the air like a blade.
The black-clad crowd remained unmoved.
"Rem, what's wrong?" Emilia noticed Rem's mood had shifted—the killing intent was obvious.
"Emilia-sama, please keep yourself safe," Rem said through held-back rage.
"Rem, you…"
"Emilia, don't stop her this time," Shichen laid a hand on Emilia's shoulder.
"Shichen, do you know why?"
"These people have a name: the Witch Cult."
"What? The Witch Cult!" Emilia blanched.
"They're Rem's mortal enemies. How could she possibly stay calm?"
"I see."
"Rem," Shichen called.
"Yes."
"Fight without holding back. Don't worry about your rear. Don't worry about danger. Let the hatred in your heart loose. I'm here."
"Yes!" Rem flashed him a radiant smile—and without a shred of hesitation, charged straight into the Witch Cultists.
~~~
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