Inside the reception room of the Karsten Ducal Mansion.
"Since we are to form an alliance," Crusch elegantly crossed her legs, her amber eyes fixed directly on Natsuki Subaru, "please state the conditions acceptable to both parties. Knight Natsuki Subaru, what are your demands?"
"Yes~" Anastasia leaned back lazily in her chair, her light purple curly hair swaying slightly as she tilted her head, her slender fingers gently stroking the white fox scarf around her neck. "As a merchant, I love hearing trade conditions the most. I wonder what price Knight Natsuki Subaru is prepared to offer?"
Facing the gazes of the two Royal Candidates, Natsuki Subaru took a deep breath and said straightforwardly, "I need to deal with the Witch Cult. To be precise, the Witch Cult fanatics are preparing to attack Roswaal's domain. To completely crush them, I need to borrow the strength of you both."
There's no way around it. Puck, that 'god-tier beast of friendly fire,' will definitely drop the ball at the critical moment. And Roswaal is even more of a bastard who just watches the show. So, I can only rely on external help.
Natsuki Subaru's gaze shifted between Crusch and Anastasia as he thought this. Not only do these two possess powerful private armies, but they also command the most elite warriors in the kingdom. This is precisely what I urgently need.
"I see. So your target is the Witch Cult." Crusch nodded thoughtfully, seemingly unsurprised by this answer.
The Witch Cult, an organization regarded by the world as a calamity, had been shrouded in gloom ever since its founding four hundred years ago. They worshiped the Witch of Envy and were led by the Sin Archbishops of Pride, Wrath, Sloth, Greed, Gluttony, and Lust.
Although the seat of Pride was currently vacant, the remaining five Archbishops, guided by their Gospels, were fanatically searching for a vessel to bring about the Witch of Envy's advent. For this insane goal, they did not hesitate to slaughter innocents, creating countless tragedies.
And Emilia's silver hair, half-elf status, and appearance similar to the Witch of Envy made her the greatest blasphemy in their eyes; an attack was inevitable.
"Huh?" Anastasia's eyes widened slightly in surprise, the white fluff of her fox scarf stirring gently with her movement. "With Knight Natsuki Subaru's strength in defeating the Great Rabbit, does he actually still need help?"
"The problem lies in numbers." Natsuki Subaru spread his hands helplessly, deliberately showing a troubled expression. "We are severely short-handed. Rem, Emilia-tan, and myself—facing a potentially large-scale attack from the Witch Cult, we simply don't have the capacity to cope."
"That reason is straightforward enough." Crusch frowned slightly, her deep green hair sliding over her shoulder as she tilted her head. "But if Lord Mathers is present, it shouldn't be a problem, right? His group annihilation magic is among the best in the kingdom."
Of course, I know that! But the problem is, that bastard Roswaal won't lift a finger. I can't just say he's a sadist who enjoys watching the show, can I...
While complaining helplessly in his mind, Natsuki Subaru explained to the others, "The problem is that the enemy won't conveniently gather in one place. If they attack multiple locations simultaneously, such as the villages around the domain and the mansion itself, even Roswaal, as strong as he is, cannot be everywhere at once."
"I see." Crusch nodded thoughtfully, then continued, "It's not entirely incomprehensible. But doesn't this imply that Lord Mathers, as the margrave, is seriously derelict in his duty?"
"Protecting the domain and maintaining military strength are the primary obligations of a lord. If he neglects defenses due to overconfidence, his capabilities as a margrave might need to be reassessed."
Heh, as if Roswaal would care about his reputation. In his eyes, there's only that insane plan to resurrect the Witch. Myself, Emilia, and the others are merely pawns on his chessboard.
Thinking this, Natsuki Subaru said to Crusch, "In this regard, it is indeed as Miss Crusch says. In any case, due to the aforementioned reasons, we are truly unable to independently resist the Witch Cult's attack and urgently require military support."
Then, he subtly glanced at Wilhelm, who was standing quietly to one side. The old Sword Demon's upright figure is like a drawn sword; he's one of the fighting forces I most want to borrow. If this Sword Demon is present, the chances of dealing with the Sin Archbishop of Sloth will be much higher.
Noticing Natsuki Subaru's gaze, Crusch let out a light sigh and fell into contemplation. "However, the Witch Cult... as expected, they've made their move."
"Indeed~" Ferris flicked his tail, his cat ears twitching slightly. "From the moment Lady Emilia participated in the Royal Selection as a half-elf, we anticipated this day would come, meow~"
Crusch and he exchanged a knowing glance and nodded, a gesture that made Natsuki Subaru unconsciously frown.
"I'm sorry..." Emilia lowered her head, her silver hair obscuring her downcast eyes. "It's all because of my identity."
"This is not your fault at all." Natsuki Subaru gently took Emilia's slightly trembling fingers. "The Witch Cult is just a bunch of lunatics; normal people can't understand their logic."
It was worth noting that the Witch Cult believed Emilia possessed characteristics similar to the Witch of Envy, especially her silver hair and half-elf status, which made her viewed as disrespectful and blasphemous towards the Witch.
Specifically, Petelgeuse, the Sin Archbishop of Sloth in the Witch Cult, believed Emilia's participation in the Royal Selection was a blasphemy against the Witch, which is why he decided to attack her.
In an IF route of the original work, Natsuki Subaru, in order to obtain intelligence, deliberately joined the Witch Cult as the Sin Archbishop of Pride and also participated in this attack.
Furthermore, the Witch Cult's attacks were also related to its overall organizational structure and objectives. The Witch Cult was an organization that had existed for hundreds of years. Though it brought disaster to nations and peoples, it was well-organized and disciplined.
Upon learning of the Royal Selection announcement, the Sin Archbishop of Sloth quickly formulated an attack plan, his speed so remarkable it could be called diligent, showing no sign of sloth at all.
"But this time is different. I must personally put an end to that Sin Archbishop of Sloth, Petelgeuse." Natsuki Subaru clenched his fists, thinking to himself.
"Lady Crusch, I believe Lord Subaru's concerns are indeed valid." At this moment, Wilhelm at the side suddenly spoke. "The Witch Cult acts deceitfully and excels at dividing forces to attack multiple targets simultaneously. If the intelligence is accurate, Roswaal's domain is likely already in their plans."
Excellent, the old Sword Demon's assist! This boosts credibility to the max. Natsuki Subaru thought to himself.
"So, Subaru-kyun wants to hire us as bodyguards, meow?" Ferris's cat ears perked up alertly, his tail swaying gently, his golden pupils narrowing slightly. "Although I don't dislike helping, Lady Crusch's army isn't something that can be mobilized casually, meow~"
"This is called strategic cooperation." Natsuki Subaru flashed a confident smile and continued, "We provide core intelligence on the Mabeast White Whale in exchange for your armed support. After dealing with the Mabeast White Whale, we can then conveniently eliminate the remnants of the Witch Cult. This will enhance both our reputations and permanently remove a future threat. Isn't it a win-win?"
After all, they can't even imagine the weight of the intelligence I possess. It's known that in an IF route of the original work, Crusch and the Sword Demon failed in their White Whale subjugation because they didn't have Natsuki Subaru's assistance.
Everyone in the subjugation team was devoured by the White Whale, and Crusch's faction completely withdrew from the Royal Selection. At that time, Crusch's knight, Ferris, broke down. The most important person in his heart had disappeared, yet he only knew there was someone called 'Your Highness,' but could no longer remember who that person was.
However, speaking of which, among all the main storylines and IF routes for Crusch, only the one where she becomes an IF king is the best. The other routes are either tragic with her being maimed or dying; a miserable lot.
"Knight Natsuki Subaru really knows how to do business~" Anastasia chuckled lightly, her slender fingers twirling her snow-white fox scarf, her amethyst-like eyes sparkling with cunning. "However, since they are just some small fry, why is there a need to deploy our most elite troops? Could it be... Knight Natsuki Subaru is still hiding some secrets he hasn't told?"
Tsk... this woman is indeed not easy to fool. Looks like I have to reveal something substantial...
Thinking this, Natsuki Subaru's expression turned stern, and he said to everyone with utmost seriousness, "Because... my goal is not only to thwart the Witch Cult's attack but also to take this opportunity to completely eliminate a Sin Archbishop!"
Natsuki Subaru's words, like a giant stone thrown into a calm lake, instantly froze the air in the reception room.
"Oh?" Crusch leaned forward slightly, a hint of surprise in her amber eyes. "Your ambition... is quite considerable."
Then, her long fingers gently stroked her chin as she looked at Natsuki Subaru with suspicion. "However, a Sin Archbishop is not such an easy opponent to deal with."
"Petelgeuse Romanee-Conti—the Sin Archbishop of Sloth." Natsuki Subaru enunciated the name clearly, then continued with an explanation, "He can forcibly possess individuals with high compatibility through a one-sided contract."
"Furthermore, he refers to several of his cherished Witch Cultists as his 'Fingers,' and they all carry the Sloth Factor within them. They are all vessels for the Sin Archbishop of Sloth. If all vessels are not thoroughly eliminated, he can revive indefinitely."
"So that's how it is... Knight Natsuki Subaru, you've even investigated the enemy's abilities so clearly~" Anastasia's pupils contracted slightly. Then, she looked meaningfully at Crusch. "It seems this deal is much more interesting than we imagined."
"Regardless," Natsuki Subaru stood up, placing his hands on the table, his gaze firm as he faced the two Royal Candidates. "I need your help. This isn't just about subjugating the Mabeast White Whale and the Archbishop, but more importantly, about protecting every innocent villager in Roswaal's domain."
"Hmm... When Lady Emilia's identity was made public, an attack by the Witch Cult became inevitable. Regardless of the source of the intelligence, this threat does indeed exist." Crusch paused for a moment, her fingertips tapping lightly on the tabletop. "Then the crux of the negotiation lies in how you intend to ensure our interests?"
"I can provide detailed intelligence on the Mabeast White Whale, including its attack patterns and weaknesses. And..." At this point, a confident smile touched Natsuki Subaru's lips. "The merit of eliminating a Sin Archbishop will be enough to give you both an absolute advantage in the Royal Selection."
"Ara~ We're finally getting to the point, aren't we." Anastasia clapped her hands and chuckled lightly, then posed a question to Natsuki Subaru, "However, Knight Natsuki Subaru, haven't you forgotten something? The truth of the intelligence... how can it be guaranteed?"
It's not that simple, as expected. Looks like I need to add more chips to the table. Natsuki Subaru mused to himself.
He took out a piece of parchment from his breast pocket and solemnly spread it on the exquisite mahogany table. "This is the predicted time and location of the White Whale's appearance. Four days from now, the Mabeast White Whale will appear in the vicinity of Flugel's Tree."
"We can first verify the authenticity of this part of the intelligence. After confirming the intelligence is accurate, we can then discuss cooperating to deal with the Witch Cult. For you, this is an absolutely no-lose deal."
The ink marks on the parchment were still fresh, clearly drawn recently. The detailed contour map not only marked the area where the White Whale might appear but also meticulously recorded the surrounding terrain features. Thankfully, I had Rem help prepare this map in advance.
Crusch's long fingers gently brushed over the parchment, a sharp glint in her amber eyes. After a moment of contemplation, Crusch lowered her fisted hand, placing it directly on Natsuki Subaru's.
"Although doubts remain, I choose to trust your mettle in creating such a situation, and... these discerning eyes of mine. This alliance, I agree to it."
"Very well..." The two hands, Natsuki Subaru's slightly rough palm and Crusch's slender, fair fingers, clasped tightly together.
"Subjugating the Mabeast White Whale that has plagued the world for 400 years, I'm really looking forward to it~" Anastasia covered her mouth and chuckled lightly, stepping forward with light steps, her amethyst-like eyes sparkling with shrewdness.
"For us merchants, the White Whale is a life-and-death threat. The losses from interrupted trade routes are calculated in thousands of gold pieces every month..."
At the same time, Anastasia gently placed her own hands over their clasped ones. "How about leaving the miscellaneous affairs to the Hoshin Trading Company to handle? Logistics, medical treatment for the wounded—we're best at these trivial matters~"
For Anastasia, she wants both prestige and profit. Anyway, Crusch's side is the main force; she only needs to send some personnel to get a piece of the pie. It really fits a merchant's style.
"Um... I also agree with Subaru's plan." Emilia, who had been listening quietly all along, suddenly spoke, her amethyst eyes showing a determined look. "If we can protect everyone in the domain and also rid the kingdom of the scourge of the White Whale, this is indeed something worth doing."
"Leave everything to me, Emilia." Natsuki Subaru gazed into the silver-haired half-elf's purple eyes and said gently.
"Mm... I believe in Subaru." Emilia nodded lightly, a reassuring smile appearing on her lips.
With the three factions reaching a consensus, the atmosphere in the reception room changed. Crusch withdrew her hand, sat up straight, and looked at Natsuki Subaru. "Then, could you please elaborate on the White Whale's specific abilities? As you said, this concerns the success or failure of the entire subjugation operation."
"I'm also very curious about this important information~" Anastasia tilted her head and added, her slender fingers twirling her snow-white fox scarf, its fur swaying gently with her movement. "After all, no one has successfully subjugated it for over 400 years..."
Feeling the fervent gazes of everyone present, Natsuki Subaru unconsciously licked his dry lips. Since the alliance has been formed, there's indeed no need to conceal any information anymore.
"The reason the Mabeast White Whale has remained undefeated for so many years," Natsuki Subaru looked at everyone present and began to explain in detail, "is primarily because no one has fully grasped its special abilities."
Natsuki Subaru held up one finger. "First, its super-thick skin and the white fur on its surface have mana-dispersing properties, making magical attacks largely ineffective. To deal effective damage, it's best to use physical attacks."
"What?!" Ferris exclaimed in surprise. "Then magic is mostly useless...?"
Then, Natsuki Subaru held up a second finger. "Second, the White Whale can emit a special high-frequency shriek that directly interferes with a person's mind. Mild cases result in loss of fighting spirit; severe cases lead to madness and self-harm."
"Oh dear..." Anastasia's smile froze on her face. "That's not good~ If the merchants in the caravans suddenly go mad, it would be terrible."
"This point is indeed very troublesome," Crusch nodded.
Natsuki Subaru held up a third finger and said, "Third, the fog released by the White Whale is divided into two types: ordinary fog and 'consuming fog.' The latter is more deadly; it can not only devour a person's physical body but also completely erase others' memories of that person."
The reception room instantly fell into dead silence. Wilhelm's hands trembled violently, a flicker of pain in the old man's cloudy eyes. "So... so that's why... the families of the subjugation team members from fourteen years ago didn't remember them..."
Natsuki Subaru solemnly held up a fourth finger, his voice low and powerful. "Most importantly, the final point: when the White Whale is severely injured, it will split into two identical duplicates, while the main body ascends high into the sky to recover. This is the key reason why past subjugators have always failed at the brink of success."
"The White Whale even has two duplicates, and the main body recovers from injuries..." Ferris's cat ears twitched violently, the fur on his tail standing on end. "Th-this is too unfair! It's basically cheating, meow~"
"The above is all the information I have on the White Whale." Natsuki Subaru scanned everyone in the reception room, taking in each person's shocked expression. After all, the Mabeast White Whale, this natural disaster that has brought tragedy to countless families...
"I see. Thank you for providing such crucial information. These abilities of the Mabeast of Fog, the White Whale, indeed explain why all past subjugations have ended in failure." Crusch crossed her hands before her chin, a sharp light suddenly erupting from her emerald-like eyes.
Her voice was firm and strong as she said, "But precisely because of this, we must subjugate it!"
"With Knight Natsuki Subaru's key intelligence, the success rate this time will be vastly different~" Anastasia stroked the fox scarf around her neck, a keen light shining in her purple eyes.
Just then—
"—Lord Subaru." Wilhelm's low voice silenced the entire reception room. The moment the old man and Natsuki Subaru's eyes met, an astonishing brilliance shone from the old man's weathered face and cloudy eyes.
"Mister Wilhelm?" Natsuki Subaru looked at Wilhelm.
"Please allow me to offer you thanks equivalent to that which I would offer my liege, Lady Crusch." Wilhelm's voice trembled slightly, yet was filled with determination. "Thank you for granting this immature old man the chance to avenge himself."
"Huh? Um... eh?" Natsuki Subaru was at a loss for words. He certainly knew of Wilhelm's deep-seated grudge against the White Whale but hadn't expected him to express his thanks so solemnly.
"I presume the wise Lord Subaru has already seen through it, but please allow me to reintroduce myself." Before Natsuki Subaru could respond, Wilhelm had already taken his sheathed sword and respectfully placed it on the ground.
He maintained the most respectful bowing posture, his voice echoing like a great bell. "The previously stated name, Trias Astrea, is an old surname. My true surname is—Astrea. As the husband of the previous Sword Saint, Theresia van Astrea, I am the humblest member of the Sword Saint's lineage."
The old man slowly looked up, his cloudy eyes now shining with an astonishing brilliance. "Wilhelm van Astrea, thanks you for giving this old, decrepit body the chance for revenge!"
This resounding declaration shocked everyone present.
Under the watchful eyes of all, Natsuki Subaru stepped forward and firmly grasped Wilhelm's calloused hands. "Mister Wilhelm, let us together, completely eliminate the White Whale!"
The three-party alliance was formed, but this was merely the beginning. Next, they would have to face not only the Mabeast White Whale but also those fanatical Witch Cultists, the Sin Archbishops of Sloth, Greed, and Gluttony...
This time, I will definitely protect everyone!
_
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