The Day of the Subjugation of The White Whale has come. Crusch already gathering all the mercenaries and the members of the expedition in the hall inside Karsten Mansion. Even though there are huge numbers of armies, the probability that a White Whale can be killed is small.
Kyoko stepped inside the hall, accompanied by Reinhard on her side. Her step stopped when she heard a familiar voice not far from there.
"Yo! Kyoko, over here!"
It's Subaru, who standing beside Crusch and Rem.
The sister walked towards her brother, grinning as she mocked, "You look excited for someone who is going to war."
"Ha! You also look chill for someone about to kill the dangerous monster. Based on your katana...You going fight that beast?" Subaru asked, his eyes moved to the katana on her sister's waist.
"Yeah. That's why I trained for the whole day. I tested several ways to use my power that I want to show you, but... You going attack the Witch Cult right?"
"Witch Cult will appear lately than the White Whale appearance. But, I would be more surprised that Crusch-san also going fight too..."
Bother the siblings looked at Crusch. Currently, she is wearing a ponytail instead of her normal style and armor that could protect her during the fight, unlike her usual military outfit. On the left waist, the sword was sheathed safely.
Crusch smiled, "Do you think I'm capable of just sitting in a chair and waiting for the good news? Other than that, I'm even more surprised that you're participating too, Natsuki Subaru. Can you fight?"
"Nope, I can't." Subaru answered instantly, "But even I can't fight; I think this human here will be pretty useful if used against the White Whale."
"Care to elaborate what nonsense you sprouting?" Kyoko asked, crossing her arms with a serious, mixed-t teasing tone.
"I'm not all that happy about it myself, but I seem to be the type of guy that can attract the witchbeasts."
The two royal selection candidates were left speechless. Their expressions showed a mix of disbelief and skepticism toward what Subaru had just said. His words resembled a child's joke more than a serious statement, leaving them questioning the validity of his claims.
"Milady," Reinhard whispered in his master's ear, "He's telling true."
"Unbelievable. I never imagined I would question my own divine protection when facing you, Natsuki Subaru. Do you have any insight into this, Lady Kyoko?" Crusch demanded, her shock tempered by a steely calm. Her divine protection allowed her to discern lies, manifesting as a gust of wind surrounding the deceiver.
"Nah, first time hear that but hey, let's change our plan." Kyoko looked at her brother, mischievously in the corner of her smile, "We going using this guy as the bait."
Subaru was taken aback by his sister's harsh words; they felt utterly cold to him, "EXCUSE ME!? HOW COULD YOU SACRIFICE YOUR OWN BROTHER JUST FOR TO LURE A FUCKING MONSTER OUT THERE!!!?"
"Well, who's going to drag that stupid beast out if it's not you? You are the one who knows where, when, and why they appear. Perfect combo!"
"DON'T SAY AS IF YOU JUST HIT HIGHEST SCORE, DUMBASS!! IS MY LIFE ISN'T VALUABLE AS YOUR REINHARD'S LIFE!!?"
"DON'T PULL MY REINHARD INTO THIS PROBLEM!!! HE'S MY REINHARD, AND YOU ARE JUST LIKE PIECES OF TRASH THAT ALWAYS TAKE MY MONEY!!"
"THAT'S DOUBLE STANDARDS!! I HAVE LIVED WITH YOU FOR 17 YEARS, OLDER THAN YOUR REINHARD!!"
Right on, the time siblings were bricking; their fight was stopped when the door opened. A small battalion of an army enters, wearing a black outfit and armor, and they just draw all of their attention.
They talked to Crusch about something that Kyoko don't think it's important. What she knows is that this army is just a former comrade that once battled against the White along with the previous Sword Saint. They were invited by Wilhelm to avenge the beast that once destroyed the peace.
Talking about the previous Sword Saint, Kyoko heard that Reinhard's grandmother, The previous Sword Saint, was killed during the Great Conquest against the White Whale. That's why Wilhelm served Crusch, to get revenge on that beast for his wife.
Reinhard wore a smile and maintained a serious expression, but there was a sadness in his eyes that revealed his true feelings. It was clear that he was struggling, and it was difficult to see him hide his emotions behind that facade. But, Kyoko's Reinhard can't hide anything from Reinhard.
So annoying... Their presence really annoyed me...
After the whole conversation, Crusch ended this meeting with her speech for the members of this expedition.
"Four hundred years ago, since the White Whale was created by the Witch Of Envy made the world its hunting ground, trampling the weak and dominating the land as if it were its owner. Four hundred years have passed. Countless lives have been lost in this time. Given, as well, the unscrupulous nature of its fog, the number of graves we cannot even inscribe with names will only rise."
As Crusch continued her speech, Subaru couldn't help but notice one of the members of the expedition, their fist clenched tightly until it bled. This heartbreaking sight underscored just how devastating the destruction wrought by the white whale truly is on innocent lives.
"But! Those days of sitting idle end today! Those of us here today will end it! We will strike down the White Whale and stop further tragedy from arising! We will give the sorrow that fell short of true sorrow, a chance to shed overdue tears!"
THUD!!
A resounding thud echoed as Crusch struck the sword's tip firmly against the ground.
"We move out!! Our destination is Flugel's Tree, on the Lifaus Highway!" She drew her sword from the sheath with confidence.
"Tonight! We will slay the White Whale with our own hands!!!!"
Right after Crusch finishes her speech, the whole hall shouts for victory and for their own life. This scream isn't because they're afraid, but they want to erase that fear from inside, to walk forward and never look back.
"You not going give your speech, sis?" Subaru whispered on the side of the hall with his sister.
"Naaaahhh... I'm lazy."
"I thought you like to give speeches like Adolf Hitler. Yeah, just like how you do during the Royal Selection meeting."
"If I give a speech now, I bet they will slay that beast for revenge and not for victory."
"It's not that the same thing?"
"Different," Kyoko smiled slightly as she looked at Subaru, "Revenge is revenge and Victory is victory. You look so chill despite being a bait for that motherfucker beast. Already eager to meet death?"
"As if like I want it, dumbass!!"
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The expedition strides confidently along Lifaus Highway, the vast plains surrounding them. Kyoko and Crusch have already made the bold decision to alter their strategy, opting to use Subaru as bait instead of sending him to the Witch Cult. Given Subaru's assertion that the Witch Cult can wait, this new approach poses no issues for them.
The night already arrived. The members of the expedition gather, ready with their weapons as they enjoy their last meal around the campfire.
They have to enjoy it.
They are uncertain if they will savor it by tomorrow again...
Because the dead can't return.
"Ah, there you are," Kyoko walked towards somewhere behind the Flugel's Tree, a giant tree that humans are just mere ants to compare to this tree.
"Grandpa Wil."
Wilhelm stands before a vibrant field of yellow flowers, and as he gazes into their brilliance, his eyes reflect a tapestry of bittersweet memories. Each bloom seems to whisper of moments filled with both joy and heartache, resonating deeply within him.
He turned around and asked politely, "Lady Kyoko, what can I help you?"
"Just wanted to catch up with you. Reinhard is a bit caught up with the expedition crew right now, so I figured I'd make him a little anxious by going missing," Kyoko answered, with a happy smile on her lips.
"That's not good."
"Yeah. I just want to play a game with him," Her eyes moved to the beautiful field of yellow flowers, "Yellow Jasmine? I don't know if they can grow here. Do you like this flower, Grandpa Wil? You are staring at them too long."
"More precisely, it's my wife."
Ah. Reinhard's grandmother.
"My wife was a woman who loved to look at flowers. She never wished to wield a sword, but the sword loved her more than anyone. With no choice but to live for the sword, my wife accepted her fate."
Wilhelm recounted the tale of the former Sword Saint, a legendary figure whose life was tragically cut short during the tumultuous period known as the Great Conquest. As he shared this story with Kyoko, his voice was filled with a mixture of reverence and sorrow.
It was clear that the Sword Saint held a special place in Wilhelm's heart, not just as a warrior, but as a symbol of bravery and sacrifice.
"I took the sword from her and forced her to abandon the title of 'Sword Saint' when I married her."
The way he spoke about the Sword Saint revealed a deep admiration; Wilhelm's gaze softened as he described her grace and strength, emphasizing that his affection for her surpassed all else.
"But the sword would not allow her to do that."
The ending for the previous Sword Saint is bittersweet. Her death really leaves a deep scar on her loved ones, despite knowing that it's her duty.
"My apologies, You must be bored hearing old stories from this old man—"
"No.was It's not boring. It's just... If you don't tell me, I wouldn't understand why the reason you hate Reinhard."
Wilhelm became silent, hare is eyes sharping as he looked at Kyoko, "May I know the reason for those words?"
"You don't like Reinhard. That's what my heart told me when I saw your eyes for the first time. You love your wife but your wife's life was stolen by your own grandson. I understand how much you really love your wife. I know from the way you talked before. That's the reason why you wanted to take revenge on the White Whale."
Kyoko pivoted sharply, her gaze locking onto Wilhelm with determination. She doesn't care if her words will dwith estroy their relationship nor will provoke the former Demon Sword into killing her.
"But, do you have to hate your own grandson, for unavoidable death?"
Wilhelm was taken aback by those words. They struck at the core of his being, leaving a deep emotional wound. Without a warning, the sword draw from the sheath, swing faster that wind as it's stopped right on Kyoko's neck.
The girl remain stoic without any single movements, despite the threats on her neck.
"Wilhelm Van Astrea, you only looking for a blame. You only need a reason to live without your wife, so you decided to blame someone for your wife's death..."
"Shut up...."
"With that, you could live, in the name of revenge for your wife's death. "
"Shut up...."
"Stop with the hypocrisy. Just because your wife sacrificed herself for the country... it doesn't give you the right to place blame on a child! Reinhard literally a child when you chose to abandon him!"
"SHUT UP!! WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT MY FAMILY!!? YOU JUST OUTSIDER!!!"
For the first time, Wilhelm raised his voice, to someone who he just met, not someone he familiar nor someone who have same bloodline with him. Just, a outsider.
"That's right. I am a outsider."
Suddenly, Kyoko grabbing the sword, bleeding her palm with golden blood.
"The reason why I interfere with your family issue isn't because I think I can solve it. No. I just wanted to make you understand that you can't push every single scar you have into a child."
"...."
"It's a harsh truth, Grandpa Wil. I understand that your wife's divine protection abandoned her at the moment she needed it most. On the same day she passed away, Reinhard was granted his Divine Protection of Sword Saint, leaving her vulnerable and without the safeguard she deserved."
Her hand release the blade of sword as she continued.
"Still you can't abandon your family like that.... They still... You and your wife's treasure."
He couldn't shake the surprise from the girl's words, leaving him in deep reflection. He found himself questioning everything, only to realize he'd lost sight of it more times than he could count.
This isn't something that Theresia wanted.
How could...
How could he forget something really important?
His son.
His grandson.
They're something that his wife left for him.
A treasure that he should protect.
Not to abandon them.
"May I ask something? Why do you love Reinhard?"
Kyoko blink several times as she watching Wilhelm sheathing his blade back.
"Because I love him. He's cute, friendly, gentle and someone that I want to tease everytime I saw him."
"Why don't you stop being hypocrisy too, Lady Kyoko? You're not after for his power, his wealth?"
The girl shaking her head before give a warm smile to her future grandfather-in-laws.
"You're misunderstood, Grandpa Wil. The one I love isn't The Sword Saint Reinhard Van Astrea, but... Reinhard. Just a Reinhard."
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