Afternoon came around.
Aqua also arrived at Crusch's mansion.
Hayashi Maki had already told her they were going to hunt one of the Three Great Mabeasts—the White Whale. Activities like "go kill a giant monster" were exactly the kind of thing Aqua got hyped for.
"This is Aqua—the goddess of our Axis Church," Hayashi Maki introduced her to Crusch.
A big question mark practically appeared over Crusch's head.
A goddess?
Wasn't it supposed to be a "goddess's proxy"?
Crusch was sure she hadn't misheard. So she shot Hayashi Maki a confused look.
Hayashi Maki smiled and nodded.
"Yep. You heard right. Aqua is the real deal. She looks unreliable, but her abilities are insane."
"Resurrection, for example—someone dies, she just waves her hand and brings them back."
"So if Crusch-sama ever wants to join the Axis Church, you can talk to me—or Goddess Aqua."
Crusch immediately waved her hands. "Joining is out of the question. I'm not the type to decide something like that on a whim. Let me observe for a while longer."
Besides, Hayashi Maki was in Emilia's camp. If she joined his Axis Church, wouldn't that basically be admitting defeat?
"Fair enough. I'll be looking forward to your decision," Hayashi Maki said with a small nod, not pushing it.
Aqua, meanwhile, put on her "I'm totally amazing" act—head held high, chest out, a cold, distant goddess face.
Yeah. A "cool and aloof" face.
That was Hayashi Maki's instruction: talk less, do more.
Because Aqua, if left unsupervised, could destroy her own image the second she opened her mouth—her over-the-top reactions were infamous even among gods.
Once Aqua joined the team, she didn't really need to do anything. She just stood beside Hayashi Maki with her cool face on.
When people looked over curiously, she didn't even respond.
Mainly because Hayashi Maki had bribed her with a huge payout—if she wanted every coin, she had to do what he said.
Even Goddess Aqua could be "handled" by Hayashi Maki, no problem.
…
The people Wilhelm had gathered also arrived one after another.
They changed into silver armor and took up swords, fully ready to depart.
Before long, everyone had assembled.
Crusch stood at the front with Hayashi Maki and Aqua, and began to raise morale.
"Everyone—over the centuries, the mabeast created by the Witch—the White Whale—has brought endless calamity. Countless people have been displaced, have lost their loved ones, and the number of nameless graves is beyond counting!"
"Those swallowed by that hateful beast's fog… we aren't even given the chance to weep for them. Even our memories of those precious to us are devoured. What arrogance!"
"Today… it ends!"
"Thanks to crucial intelligence brought by the Archbishop of the Axis Church at my side—Hayashi Maki-san—I have resolved to depart and hunt it down today."
"Now listen carefully as I lay out the details."
"The White Whale is a massive, halo-crowned beast about fifty meters long—a great white whale that swims through the sky. Wherever it appears, it brings dense fog that robs us of sight."
"When attacked, it releases 'Fog of Elimination' from countless pores across its body. Avoid it—do not be swallowed!"
"And under cover of the fog, the White Whale will create two clones. At that point, we must kill the main body—no matter how much you strike the clones, it will not truly be harmed!"
"…"
"Now then—march out! Our destination is the great tree planted by the Sage Flugel!"
With the pre-battle speech complete, Crusch gave the order to move.
Hayashi Maki also mounted a ground dragon. Beatrice sat in front of him.
Aqua sat behind him.
Honestly, the goddess's figure was… really something.
That soft pressure against his back made his thoughts start to wander.
But they had real work to do, so he forced himself to suppress it.
Their destination was the giant tree planted centuries ago by the Sage Flugel.
In the original story, the White Whale appeared here.
Flugel was likely connected to the Witches and carried their scent, which was why the White Whale was drawn to this place.
After all, the White Whale was created by the Witch of Gluttony—low intelligence, but instinctively drawn to its creator's presence.
Soon enough…
With the ground dragons running at full speed, Crusch's army and Hayashi Maki's group reached the base of the great tree.
Crusch ordered everyone to rest and make camp.
She'd prepared thoroughly for this hunt—among the supplies were magic tools that could briefly turn night into day.
Fire one into the sky, and if the White Whale appeared, it would become a perfect target.
Hayashi Maki dismounted and stood beneath the tree with Aqua and Beatrice.
Up close, it really was enormous—so wide it would take dozens of people holding hands just to wrap around it.
A tree that massive didn't grow naturally. Whoever Flugel was, he wasn't ordinary.
But now that Hayashi Maki was here, whether Flugel even "still existed" was anyone's guess.
"Hayashi Maki-sama."
While Hayashi Maki was studying the tree, Wilhelm suddenly approached, looking at him with firm, burning eyes.
"Thank you," he said solemnly.
"I've prepared for more than ten years to hunt that beast that stole my wife. Today, thanks to you, I finally have the chance to slay my enemy with my own hands."
Hayashi Maki shook his head. "Wilhelm-san, I'm hunting the White Whale for my own reasons. You don't need to thank me."
"Besides, if Crusch-sama hadn't trusted me, I wouldn't even have been able to join this expedition."
"No," Wilhelm insisted, gaze unwavering. "To me, you are the person most worthy of thanks. Even if you have your own purpose—if we can kill the White Whale, then I owe you a debt."
"Whatever you ask of me, I will do everything in my power to repay it."
"Then let's talk after we kill it," Hayashi Maki replied. "I've already given you the intel, but I'll say it again—don't let your guard down, Wilhelm-san."
"I understand. Thank you for the reminder."
Wilhelm bowed once more, then walked off to a quiet spot to wipe down his blade.
"Wilhelm's only with me because he wants the White Whale," Crusch said as she walked over, making conversation. "I assume you already knew that?"
Hayashi Maki nodded. "Yeah, I knew."
"Waiting ten years for this chance—Wilhelm-san is incredible."
…
Crusch's smile widened slightly.
"Crusch-sama… you didn't come over just to thank me too, did you?"
Crusch's lips curved. "Why do you say that?"
Hayashi Maki shrugged. "Because you're the most 'noble' noble I've ever met—always perfect with the formalities. I'm just some rough-edged knight. Who knows—maybe I'll get charmed by you and feel like switching sides."
Crusch's smile turned brighter. "So you think I'm that charming? I'd certainly love it if you switched over."
"And yes—I did come to thank you."
"Hayashi Maki, I may be determined to hunt the White Whale, but I have many concerns."
"Just the intel you provided alone—it's a massive help."
"And beyond the White Whale, there's also the possibility that the madmen of the Witch Cult will show up."
"With you and Goddess Aqua here… I can finally feel a little more at ease."
Hayashi Maki lifted an eyebrow. "Only a little? So Crusch-sama is still wary of me and Aqua."
"It's not exactly wariness," Crusch said firmly. "I simply trust the sword in my own hand more."
That spirit—challenging the Dragon and seeking to break the pact—gave her a striking presence. It made her shine.
Off to the side, Felix was staring at her in a dazed, lovestruck trance, completely captivated.
Of course, Crusch was famously slow when it came to romance—she didn't notice Felix's feelings at all.
Hayashi Maki studied Crusch appreciatively.
"I also trust the sword in my own hand."
"Power—compared to something borrowed—still can't beat something you truly possess."