Beyond the grand sight of the Capital, past the formidable walls that have stood strong for centuries, a carriage made its way down the road.
At first glance, it appeared to be an ordinary carriage, but a closer inspection revealed it was adorned with luxurious paint and crafted from the finest materials. On either side, a simple logo was elegantly painted.
Accompanying the carriage were four individuals clad in pristine white robes accented with orange highlights. Their sleeves bore the same logo as that on the carriage.
These four were mounted on four wolf-like creatures known as ligers. While not as powerful as ground dragons, ligers were more agile and resilient. This unique creature was not native to Lugunica; it could only be found in Kararagi.
This entire convoy was under the banner of the Hoshin Company, one of the largest enterprises in Kararagi; in recent times, it has been rapidly expanding its influence beyond its borders.
Inside the carriage sat a lady with purple hair, dressed in a fluffy white gown and draped in a white fox-like scarf. She was Anastasia Hoshin, the chairwoman and leader of the aforementioned company.
Also present was a large wolf demi-human with green eyes, dressed in black pants that left his muscular physique visible beneath his tan fur, with the rest covered in brown.
Next to him was a petite demi-human kitten, dressed in the same attire as those outside. She had aqua-green eyes, orange hair styled in two playful tails, and an orange tail that swished excitedly behind her.
These two were Ricardo Welkin and Mimi Pearlbaton, the captain and vice-captain of the Iron Fang, a mercenary group and private army owned by the Hoshin Company, and by extension, Anastasia Hoshin.
As Ricardo gazed out the window, he spotted a large building rising in the distance. Turning to Anastasia, he said, "We're almost there."
Mimi perked up at his words, exclaiming, "Ooooh, we're close?! I hope the lady's mansion is huge!"
Anastasia listened to Mimi and Ricardo with a distracted mind, her thoughts wandering elsewhere.
While she appreciated their company, she couldn't help but think that Ricardo's presence was typical; she imagined someone else in his place—someone with purple hair who would carry themselves with a serious elegance that always amused her.
'Julius…' she thought, a slight frown tugging at her lips.
Julius Juukulius, known as "The Finest of Knights" for his unwavering commitment to chivalry and his impeccable manners, was a bright young man and her very own knight.
Unfortunately, he was going through a tough time.
What was meant to be a straightforward yet significant meeting, where the royal selection would commence and she could assess her rivals, had turned into something more complicated.
At that time, In her humble opinion, the real competition was only between her and Crusch Karsten; the others were merely fillers.
There was an arrogant baroness from a minor territory, an unknown girl who, after some digging would turn out to be a gutter rat, and even worse, a silver-haired half-elf—the very image of the witch of envy.
She had to admit, the half-elf delivered her speech quite well, and her intentions were noble. However, such promises would likely fall flat given the nobility's long standing mistreatment and distrust of demi-humans, even after the civil war that had devastated the kingdom.
As expected, she faced mockery and insults from everyone, leaving the half-elf looking utterly defeated, a timid girl overwhelmed by the barrage of derision. She was hardly fit for leadership, let alone for the role of king.
But then, he appeared.
A seemingly ordinary butler who looked completely out of place, yet he managed to berate the crowd and defend his lady with remarkable fervor.
Such loyalty was admirable and rare, earning him some minor points in her eyes.
However, before he left, he made the bold choice to insult the knights themselves, striking a nerve that cut deep, especially regarding their honor and pride—two of the most vital aspects of knighthood.
So her knight, in his wisdom, chose to challenge that butler to a duel, likely to teach the disrespectful man some manners. She somewhat supported this decision, as insulting nobility and knighthood in such a setting was not only foolish for his lady's candidacy but also quite dangerous to oneself.
It was meant to be a simple duel; after all, Julius was among the strongest knights. Hell, he had even fought and won over one of Vollachia's divine generals!
Just how powerful can this butler be? He didn't stand a chance!
Apparently, very strong, as what she witnessed sent chills through her spine.
Her knight laid crumpled on the ground, covered in bruises, cuts, and blood. His arms were contorted at odd angles, and some of his teeth were scattered on the floor.
And the butler? Not a single scratch on him.
It was as if Julius, an experienced knight, had been reduced to a mere child who had dared to confront a bully and suffered a humiliating defeat.
She couldn't bear to see Julius in such a state. The mocking laughter of her competitors, whom she had dismissed, was the final blow to her
Overwhelmed and humiliated, she walked away; she couldn't endure it any longer.
No, she couldn't accept such a scene.
She couldn't just watch her knight beaten up like that.
It hurt deeply.
So, she decided to withdraw that day, reflecting on everything that had happened. How everything had spiraled downward for her and for her knight.
The following day, she visited him. She had to hand it over to Felix Argyle; his reputation as a healer truly precedes him. When she arrived, Julius looked almost unscathed, with hardly a scratch and no scars—almost as if he were brand new.
That was the physical side; the mental aspect was another story…
Her heart ached as she noticed how affected he was. Her proud and dutiful knight, who always greeted her with grace and charm, wouldn't even look her way.
No greetings, no smiles, not even the overly formal ones that usually amused her.
Nothing.
Not a glance or a word.
He looked lost, like a toy discarded after a child had broken it. Not even Ricardo or the triplets could lift his spirits. He simply said that he was okay and requested some space.
Eventually, she had to leave; pushing him further seemed to only cause him more pain.
Her fingers gently caressed her scarf, a familiar gesture that always brought her comfort. This scarf held significant meaning for her, as it was one of her first cherished belongings and was like a companion.
She found herself gripping it tightly, memories flowing through her head at the source of her knight's suffering.
"Natsuki Subaru…" she muttered under her breath, the name echoing in her mind. He was the one responsible for the hardships her knight is enduring.
As soon as she exited Julius's room, she used her merchant network to gather information about that butler—his details, background, family, anything she could uncover.
Days passed, and yesterday, a report landed on her desk. She opened it with anticipation, hoping to discover a treasure trove of information to use against him.
What she found, however, was both shocking and unexpected.
The report was blank; there was no information about his past, as if he had appeared out of thin air.
The only detail provided was that he had been employed a month ago as a butler at the Mather estate. That was all.
She was incredulous. While this was just the initial search and not a deep one, she had expected at least a hint of information about him or his family.
But this…
She needed intel; as they say in Kararagi, "Information is key," and she was in dire need of it.
She couldn't make a move against him, or more specifically, the half-elf's camp.
With a powerful spirit, a court mage, and that butler, the half-elf's camp was a formidable force, one she had severely underestimated.
To counter this, she resolved to take a risk, a gambit, which was the reason for her travelling.
"Ana-bo?" The sound of her nickname, only given to her from just one person, jolted her from her thoughts, causing her to loosen her grip on the scarf.
"Oh, Ricardo. Yes, I'm with you." She replied, managing to bring back the familiar smile she wore when interacting with her camp.
Ricardo wasn't convinced by her smile; his expression was filled with worry and concern. "Ana, I've been callin' your name' for five minutes…"
She blinked in surprise. Had she really been so lost in thought that she hadn't heard him?
"You were thinkin' about Julius, weren't you?" His question struck a chord.
Ricardo understood how deeply she cared for her knight and how much she had been fretting over him lately, so there was no use in pretending otherwise.
"Yes… I was thinking about Julius. Ever since the duel, he… hasn't been himself." She admitted, her smile fading as her true emotions surfaced.
Ricardo let out a weary sigh and leaned back in his chair. He, too, had been troubled about his friend. The Julius he knew was gone, replaced by a mere shadow of the man he once was.
"Yer not alone in this. The poor guy's been 'n a rough spot since… that day." He said.
A heavy silence settled over the carriage, the air feeling dense as they all reflected on their friend Julius and the struggles he faced with his deteriorating mental health.
The demi-human kitten decided to speak up, "Mimi is really worried too." She added, her ears drooping like the lively girl she was.
"Mimi is really worried too." She added, her ears drooping like the lively girl she was.
"Juli didn't even notice Mimi when she came to visit. He looked so sad and broken; it broke Mimi's heart." She continued.
But soon, Mimi's energy returned, and she perked up, "But Boss lady and Big boss shouldn't worry! Juli is really strong, not as strong as Mimi, but very tough! He'll come back to his old self soon!" She exclaimed, waving her staff with enthusiasm.
Anastasia and Ricardo exchanged smiles as they watched Mimi's confident demeanor. That was precisely why she always brought Mimi along—to lift her spirits when she felt down.
"Yer right, Julius always finds a way to recover when he's feelin' down, doesn't he?" She asked the wolf-demi human.
He burst into laughter, "Hel' yeah! Julius is one hell of a tenacious bastard! If anyone's going to bounc' back, it would be him."
The atmosphere shifted back to its familiar, comfortable vibe, a stark contrast to the earlier silence and tension.
After a few moments, the carriage finally arrived, coming to a stop in the front yard of a grand mansion, a well-known location in Lugunica.
The Karsten Estate.
Anastasia, Mimi, and Ricardo stepped out of the carriage, greeted by a man dressed in a butler's uniform. His white hair and the lines on his face hinted at his age.
This was none other than Wilhelm, the renowned Sword Demon.
"Anastasia-sama, welcome to the Karsten Estate," Wilhelm said, bowing in accordance with his role.
"Wilhelm-san, I've heard a lot about you. It's a pleasure to finally meet the legendary Sword Demon," she replied.
Wilhelm straightened up and said, "I appreciate your kind words, but I now go by Wilhelm Trias. My days of glory are behind me, I'm afraid."
Anastasia nodded, making a good first impression is one of the most fundamental aspects of being a merchant, which is crucial for building connections and relationships, especially in conducting business.
"I believe my letter has arrived?" she inquired.
Wilhelm confirmed, "Yes, Crusch-sama has read it and accepted your request. She is waiting for you inside. Please, come in."
The four guards remained outside as they were escorted inside. The interior was as expansive as the exterior, adorned with decorative pieces illustrating themes of war, peace, and nature, along with luxurious furnishings. Ricardo had to hold onto Mimi to prevent her from running off.
Eventually, they were led to a room deep within the mansion. "Right this way," Wilhelm said, opening the door.
Inside was a study filled with bookshelves. Opposite the entrance, behind a large brown wooden desk by the window, sat the matriarch of House Karsten and the owner of the estate.
Crusch Karsten was there, accompanied by her knight, Felix Argyle the Blue.
"Greetings, Anastasia-sama. I trust your journey here was uneventful?" she said, reclining comfortably in her seat.
"Yes, indeed. There were no issues whatsoever. Yer certainly admirable for maintaining road security," she replied, settling into the middle chair.
Crusch nodded in agreement, "Absolutely, House Karsten has always placed great importance on stability and peace within our territory."
Taking a deep breath, Crusch fixed her gaze on Anastasia, her expression sharpening as if she were sizing up a rival.
The time for pleasantries had passed; it was now time to discuss serious matters.
"I was surprised when you mentioned having an important proposal for me…" she paused, studying Anastasia closely.
The merchant maintained her practiced smile, expertly concealing any emotions. She was renowned for her unwavering smile during negotiations, regardless of the circumstances.
"It's quite simple; I suggest a temporary alliance between our factions."
Crusch raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Oh? An alliance, you say? What's the purpose?"
Anastasia returned her sweet smile and replied, "A temporary alliance… to hunt the White Whale."
Silence enveloped the room, so profound that a pin drop could be heard as both parties remained still, even Mimi, who had been fidgeting, sat quietly.
Ricardo's expression shifted to one of surprise. The White Whale? Where had that come from? All he knew was that his lady had some arrangement with Crusch, but the White Whale?!
That was…
'Reckless. But it suits you perfectly, Ana,' he thought with a smirk. If his lady wanted the Iron Fang to take down a giant fish, he would gladly support her.
Out of the corner of her eye, Anastasia noticed Wilhem shift slightly at the mere mention of that name.
'Perfect, it seems I was right after all.'
Crusch regained her voice after a moment, her stoic facade never cracking.
"It would be unbecoming of me not to acknowledge this, but you caught me off guard. What prompted this?" she asked, her gaze fixed intently on the merchant, her divine protection fully activated.
"I'm aware of your goal to slay the White Whale, and I want to be part of it." she declared, causing Crusch to narrow her eyes in response.
'The wind around her is still; she's being honest,' Crusch thought, but she wasn't finished yet.
"What made you think I'm after the White Whale?" she inquired.
Anastasia replied confidently, "There's been a significant amount of movement to and from your estate, along with large shipments of weapons and armor arriving from the capital."
A spark lit up in her eyes as she continued, "One might assume that the Karsten matriarch is plotting to… overthrow the government and crown herself as king."
The reaction was instant; Crusch and her knight froze, with Felix showing the most extreme response, his tail standing straight up and a hissing sound escaping him. Wilhelm also stiffened.
"Meow?! Crusch-sama would never stoop so low to—?!" Felix's indignation was abruptly halted as Crusch calmly raised her hand, silencing him.
She turned her attention to Anastasia, a hidden glare beneath her composed exterior as she regarded the smiling merchant. "That's a serious accusation you're making, Anastasia-san," she said.
The merchant shook her head dismissively. "Not at all! It's merely a logical deduction. After all, what else could one conclude from hoarding such weaponry?" she replied, her smile overly sweet.
Crusch remained impassive, carefully assessing the merchant. While she hadn't lied yet, that could easily change.
"Even if I were hunting the whale, why would I consider an alliance with you? Aren't you desperate after what happened to your knight?" she retorted, returning the smile.
Anastasia's smile faltered at that. Yes, she was indeed feeling a bit desperate. Her reputation had taken a hit after her knight was defeated by a commoner, which had embarrassed both him and her by extension.
In the realm of trade and commerce, one's reputation holds immense value; even a small misstep can lead to others eagerly attacking and damaging your standing.
The word has circulated throughout the capital and will soon reach the far corners of the kingdom, including Kararagi, where her influence is strongest.
This situation is dire, a looming crisis that could lead to loss of profits and position if not addressed quickly. This is why participating in the whale hunt is crucial for her.
But she wouldn't let her competitor know that, would she?
She gently shook her head, "Not at all. The White Whale has always been a great thorn on our side for us merchants for centuries. Killing it would greatly benefit us."
Crusch sensed the wind slightly swirling around her, thinking, 'She's not lying… But not truthful either,'
As Crusch pondered, it became clear that her rival was in a difficult situation and seeking an escape. The wise move would be to deny her and send her on her way. After all, whoever manages to defeat the White Whale would significantly enhance their reputation and, coincidentally, greatly improve their chances in the upcoming election.
Yet, a persistent worry always lingered in her mind as she planned her expedition for months. Was it enough? She had faith in her skills as a military leader and in the courage and capabilities of her soldiers. With the sword demon by her side, she felt strong, but was it truly sufficient?
The Great Mabeast of the Fog had slain the last sword saint and decimated most of the earlier expeditions. Could her forces alone stand a chance?
With a soft sigh, Crusch turned back to Anastasia, smiling, "You make an attractive offer; very well, I accept."
She welcomed the idea of additional support, and if some of her men survived thanks to her forces, that would be a great bonus.
The merchant princess grinned, "Excellent, I 'new you would agree," she replied.
This was her gambit: to join the hunt for the White Whale, and if everything went well, she would not only restore her reputation but enhance it further.
She aimed to gather more backing for her cause, just to be cautious, and when all was said and done, she would be ready to retaliate against Emilia's camp.
Thus, after finalizing the details and with Wilhelm bringing a map that has marked the white whale's whereabouts for years, and after some theorizing and deliberation, they settled on a specific location for the hunt.
Flugel's tree along the Lifaus highway.