"Just a few of us will do," Shichen said, unconcerned.
"A few of us?"
"It's only the White Whale. If not for letting the old man take his revenge, I'd have finished it in passing."
"Shichen, you…" Crusch stared at him in disbelief. She didn't think he was bragging, but he spoke so casually it still stunned her. Had she underestimated him again?
"I don't want the hassle. The sooner it's done, the sooner we're back by evening—no point wasting time."
Go today, be home by afternoon, and Rem could get a proper night's sleep.
"No… Shichen, I'd like you to let me muster troops and notify the public," Crusch said, suddenly serious.
"You want to…" Shichen understood.
"Yes." She nodded. "A feat like slaying the White Whale deserves to be known."
"For your reputation?" He raised a brow.
"That's part of it, but not the real reason." Crusch smiled faintly.
"Let's hear it, then."
"Announcing it not only lets people know who's in the slaying party—it also lets them know Emilia is involved. Don't you want to raise Emilia's standing?"
"I almost forgot… But you're that generous?"
"Of course not. I'm doing it for you." Her gaze burned as she looked at him.
"For me?"
"If you're supporting Emilia, I'll make sure her name rises."
"Not just that, right?"
"Right. I want the people to know you, to know your strength."
This White Whale hunt would be Shichen's breakout battle—people would learn who he was. And she could publicly declare she had someone in her heart.
"Nicely calculated… I agree," Shichen said with a smile.
Just as Crusch had said, Emilia needed achievements now, and as her first knight, so did he. He'd been thinking too simply before. As for Crusch's underlying motives, he saw them clearly—no need to mind them. Skilled hunters often appear as prey.
"Good." Crusch exhaled in relief.
"Then gather your forces quickly. Can you be ready in three days?"
"Two will do," she replied with confidence.
"Fine. We depart on the third day." With that, Shichen vanished on the spot.
Crusch watched the empty space, lost in thought.
…
On the third day, when Shichen brought Emilia and the others to Crusch's estate, the team was already assembled. They were all in battle gear with stern faces, their equipment clearly long-used and honed; combat experience clung to each of them. Only… they looked a bit old.
A White Whale hunt should be elite—few in number made sense, but so many advanced in age?
"Shichen, about their ages…" Emilia asked. It was natural; the ten-man squad looked to be at least fifty apiece.
"Trust them," Shichen murmured to her.
"I understand."
"Shichen, you're here." Crusch, in uniform, came to greet them.
"Crusch-sama, these are…?" One of the men from the team stepped forward.
"Mm, it's him," Crusch said, nodding toward Shichen.
"I see. Thank you!" The gray-haired, gray-bearded veteran bowed low.
"Do your best. I can promise you won't die—how far your revenge goes is up to you," Shichen replied.
"Thank you… Thanks to you, we can finally fulfill our long-cherished wish. There's nothing happier than this." Tears of joy welled in the old man's eyes as he returned to the squad.
"So they've got history with the Whale." Emilia understood. These veterans were members of the old hunting party; the fire of vengeance and morale burning in them was no less than that of the current Royal Knights—and their martial skill too.
Of course, these weren't the only ones. These were just the ones Wilhelm had gathered—people who, like him, held a grudge against the White Whale.
Anastasia was present as well. The moment Crusch made the hunt public, the merchant came running. With a merchant's mind, she wouldn't miss the chance—and she knew Shichen would be there. That meant no mortal danger. She wouldn't overstep—but being part of the hunt as a royal candidate was enough.
With everyone assembled, Crusch gave the opening address.
"Four hundred years!"
She stood firm before the soldiers, solemn voice carrying to every ear. Every gaze fixed on the straight-backed duke.
Leaning on a sword engraved with the Karsten crest—a snarling lion—she surveyed the faces with severe calm.
"Four hundred years since the world's greatest calamity—the Witch of Envy—threatened the world. And for four hundred years, the White Whale, born of the witch, has treated the world as its hunting ground, humans as prey, trampling the weak, strutting about."
"…" The soldiers listened with grave faces.
Crusch continued: "Countless lives have been taken by the Whale. Its malignant mist only multiplies its evil. No one even knows the true tally of victims. Tombstones carved with names, and those without names—both numbers have grown for four centuries."
A low, teeth-gritting murmur rippled through the veterans.
"But! That powerless age ends today."
"!" Their fighting spirit surged.
"We will end this—end the White Whale, end the sorrow of many, end that pitiful beast obeying orders long past their time."
"Impressive…" Emilia breathed. This wasn't something she could do yet—not because she was a half-elf, but because she didn't have that ability. Declarations like this were Crusch's domain.
"It's fine. That can't beat how cute you are," Shichen said, patting Emilia's shoulder.
"Ugh, what good is 'cute'…" She shot him a look.
"Of course it's useful—didn't it leave me head-over-heels?"
"Mm…"
"Shichen, Shichen—am I cute?" Rem cut in, refusing to be outdone.
"Of course you are," he said, ruffling her hair.
"Hehe~"
"Everyone! Move out! Destination: Rufas Highway, the Great Tree of Flugel!" Crusch raised her hand and declared.
"OOH—!"
The soldiers' fighting will erupted, stirring everyone's blood. Even Shichen felt fired up.
Crusch drew her blade and raised it skyward. "Today, with our hands, we will slay the White Whale!"
Thus began the White Whale hunt, led by Duke Crusch Karsten—the first large-scale operation since the Great Subjugation fourteen years prior. The impact was immense; they left the capital to the cheers of the populace. Surprisingly, though most shouted Crusch's name, some voices cheered Emilia as well. Clearly, that last 'face-to-face' was still paying dividends—and after this, the effect would be greater.
Wilhelm would command the hunt. Anastasia joined, but handled logistics, led by the demi-beast mercenary company Iron Fangs. In ordinary eyes, this was a campaign—like before—so supplies were needed.
Shichen was intrigued by that mercenary band; among them were two young cat-kin—small and adorable. Naturally, such cuteness meant they were boys. Fortunately, it was one boy and one girl: the elder sister Mimi, and the younger brother Hetaro. Shichen, unsurprisingly, favored Mimi—soft orange fur, height to his thigh, a childlike, cute face, ironically swaddled in a pure white robe. He wanted to scoop her up on sight—but the timing wasn't right.
The road was shrouded in white fog, but they reached their destination: the towering tree—clear in everyone's sight. The White Whale had lingered here three days.
"Shichen…"
The column halted. Crusch came to him.
"Relax," he said with a smile, then stepped alone to the front, drawing all eyes.
He raised his hand. Violet mana surged.
"Come out, White Whale."
~~~
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