Kiyotaka had dismissed his Earth Clone as he got up and opened the door of his room, getting out for some fresh air.
Kiyotaka: (That took a bit more mana than expected.)
Kiyotaka went to the terrace to see Crusch sitting there in looser clothing.
Kiyotaka: (It's strange to see her wearing clothes like that. It's very... feminine.)
Kiyotaka: [May I join you?]
Crusch smiled.
Crusch: [Go ahead.]
Kiyotaka sat across from her.
Kiyotaka: [I've secured more forces for the hunt.]
Crusch: [Hm?]
Kiyotaka: [Lord Barnes and his men.]
Crusch's eyes widened as she then closed her eyes with a soft smile.
Crusch: [You really are remarkable.]
Crusch poured some wine.
Crusch: [Have some. But be careful. It's a bit strong.]
Kiyotaka held the wine glass in his hand. He made a toast with Crusch and took a sip. They sat together drinking for a bit, as there was a redness in Crusch's cheeks.
Kiyotaka: (Slightly intoxicated. As for myself... meh. I don't feel much of a difference.)
Kiyotaka swirled the drink in his glass.
Kiyotaka: (The taste is strong but good. Not enough to intoxicate me, though.)
Felix walked over.
Felix: [Crusch-Sama! You shouldn't let down your guard in front of a man just because it's Kiyotaka-Kun.]
Kiyotaka: (Actually considering who I am, it's more like "You shouldn't let down your guard because it is Kiyotaka-Kun"... well...)
Kiyotaka sighed.
Kiyotaka: (... Maybe... that doesn't apply to me anymore.)
Kiyotaka: [Don't worry. She's not drunk. And I'm not drunk either. We won't be doing anything scandalous, so don't worry about me stealing Crusch from you, Felix.]
Felix blushed as Crusch smiled.
Felix: [Eh!!!!???]
Crusch: [How cheeky. Given my assessment of you, I didn't expect you to be the joking type.]
Kiyotaka: [I've felt like my sense of humour has improved recently.]
Felix: [That's not a funny joke, Kiyotaka-Kun!]
Kiyotaka: [Really? I thought it was. I apologise.]
Crusch sighs.
Crusch: [I'll see you tomorrow, Ayanokoji Kiyotaka.]
Kiyotaka nodded, finishing his wine and heading to bed.
※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※
The next day, Felix led Kiyotaka outside to a bunch of Ground Dragons lined up.
Felix: [Pick one.]
Kiyotaka: [My own Ground Dragon...]
Kiyotaka inspected the bunch of them. He'd already spent time researching them. He looked at them closely.
Kiyotaka: (Many different breeds here but...)
Kiyotaka looked at one of them. It had a sharp snout and piercing yellow eyes. (This ground dragon is Patrache, but keep in mind that there's no way Kiyotaka would come up with a name like Patrache.)
Kiyotaka: (This one. It's the one that was pulling the carriage that Wilhelm and Felix arrived in that day...)
Kiyotaka began scratching the spot he'd found before, but the Ground Dragon seemed to be proudly standing.
Kiyotaka: (What was the term Sotamura used? Ah yes. Tsundere.)
Kiyotaka adjusted his technique as the ground dragon began tapping its foot without meaning to, until it lay on the floor. It seemed annoyed but in an embarrassed way.
Kiyotaka: [Good girl.]
Emilia: [Wow.]
Felix: [I'm impressed too nyow. That species is usually pretty proud nyow.]
Kiyotaka patted the Ground Dragon's head.
Kiyotaka: [What do you say? You want to join me?]
The Ground Dragon licked Kiyotaka as his hair stood up.
Kiyotaka: [...]
Kiyotaka: (Sticky saliva... and a rough tongue. What a lovely combination.)
Kiyotaka thought this sarcastically as he shook his head a little and smiled.
Kiyotaka: [Trying to get back at me is fine, but I'll take that as a yes, okay?]
The Ground dragon nuzzled its head against his arm.
Kiyotaka: [Alright. This is the one, Felix.]
Kiyotaka: (But what to name her?)
Kiyotaka: [Does she have a name?]
Felix: [We don't usually name our Ground Dragons. Unless they're our personal ones nyow.]
Kiyotaka tilted his head as the ground Dragon also tilted her head.
Kiyotaka: (What was that one movie Hiyori showed me? Spirited Away? Right, and the dragon from the movie was a boy, but the name itself isn't just for boys...)
Kiyotaka: [Haku.]
Haku licked him.
Kiyotaka: (Almost like she could tell I gave her a name based on a male character. Strange... but remarkable. An excellent show of intelligence. Very impressive.)
Kiyotaka scratched under her chin, rewarding the Ground Dragon.
※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※
Everyone gathered in a meeting place when Barnes and his men walked in. Kiyotaka walked over to him, extending his hand to him.
Kiyotaka: [Welcome, Lord Barnes.]
Barnes: [I'll be redeeming myself today.]
Barnes shook his hand as Kiyotaka nodded. Barnes then pointed to the sword at Kiyotaka's hip.
Barnes: [I don't think that weapon will be any good against the『White Whale』. I can tell its quality isn't high enough to even hurt the beast.]
Kiyotaka: [I'm aware. It's already worn down from a previous fight. I'll be keeping it in case it proves useful for something else.]
Barnes: [I see, but then are you planning to only fight at a distance with magic?]
Kiyotaka: [No. I'll be getting in close.]
Kiyotaka held out his hand.
Kiyotaka: [Earth Smith Arts.]
Kiyotaka formed a two-handed Kopesh in his hand. Its blade was longer than a normal Kopesh and, unlike the ones in real life, it had a crossguard similar to a Messer. For some brief information about the Kopesh and Messer, scroll to the end of the Page.
Kiyotaka: [That's good.]
Barnes: [That's a strange shape.]
Kiyotaka: [It doubles as an axe for hacking.]
Barnes: [Interesting. Does it have a name?]
Kiyotaka: [It's a Kopesh.]
Kiyotaka: (The only problem now is... an easy way to sheath it...)
Kiyotaka held his sword up.
Kiyotaka: (Wait, can I...)
Kiyotaka dismissed it as it dematerialised, becoming Mana in the air.
Kiyotaka: (No scabbard needed. Excellent.)
Crusch: [It seems like you have your own taste when it comes to blades.]
Kiyotaka: [Considering the armour, it seems you also have your own taste for a blade.]
Crusch laughed a little.
Crusch: [I think it's obvious that there's no way I could sit on the sideline just issuing orders.]
Kiyotaka: [I thought as much.]
A hand patted Kiyotaka's head as he turned around to see a wolf beastman.
???: [My lady was tellin' me about you. You're the star of this little show, aren't ya? Good ta meet ya.]
Kiyotaka looked at the logo on his shoulder.
Kiyotaka: [You must be Ricardo. The Head of Anastasia's mercenary group, the Iron Fang.]
Ricardo: [Haha. You've looked into us, haven't ya? Ya give poor Ana the chills with how easily ya can figure things out.]
Kiyotaka: [Well, it's good that I know that.]
Ricardo: [Whoops.]
Emilia giggled at this.
Anastasia: [Riccardo. Don't go tellin' people stuff like that, alright? You're gonna make Ayanokoji-Kun think I'm weird.]
Julius sighed.
Ricardo: [Sorry ma lady.]
Julius: [I apologise for him.]
Kiyotaka shook his head.
Kiyotaka: [It's fine.]
Ricardo looked at Emilia.
Ricardo: [It's good ta meet ya too, little lady.]
Emilia nodded, and Ricardo walked over to Anastasia.
Some men walked in. They were a bit into their years but still strong.
Crusch: [They're here.]
Man: [Crusch-Sama, we have arrived.]
He looked at Kiyotaka.
Man: [Is this boy...]
Kiyotaka: (Again, it's only the old people who think I'm a "Young Boy." I feel old. Wait... technically I am mentally 418 years old... oh god. I am old!)
Kiyotaka sighed inwardly.
Crusch: [Yes, he is. This man is the one who has pinpointed the location of the『White Whale's』next appearance.]
Man: [Thank you.]
He puts his hands on Kiyotaka's shoulders.
Man: [Thanks to you, our great wish may come true. We could not be happier. We owe you a great debt.]
Kiyotaka: [It's nothing.]
Kiyotaka: (Hm? Why did I recommend hunting the『White Whale』to Emilia in the first place? It was, of course, possible and a definite way to boost her popularity, but there were easier and safer ways...)
Kiyotaka remembered Emilia being eaten and Ram getting erased.
Kiyotaka: (Don't tell me I've been subconsciously holding a grudge against that thing. Honestly... Emotions are quite troublesome.)
Man: [Young man. I thank you.]
Kiyotaka: [You're welcome.]
They walked towards Wilhelm.
Kiyotaka: [They're like Wilhelm, huh? A history with the『White Whale』right?]
Crusch: [Yes, many are men who have retired from the front lines. They've joined our subjugation force at Wilhelm's invitation. Their morals and experience are comparable to those of the capital's active knights.]
Emilia: [Wow. They must be reaaally amazing.]
Felix: [Crusch-sama. It's time.]
Crusch walked up to the front.
Crusch: [For 400 years. Since the White Whale created by the Gluttonous Witch made the world its hunting ground, trampling the weak and dominating the land as if it were its owner, 400 years have passed. Countless lives have been lost in that time. Given, as well, the merciless nature of its fog...]
Kiyotaka could see the older men gritting their teeth in fury or gripping their hands so tightly that they bled.
Crusch: [The number of graves we cannot even inscribe with names will only rise. 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!]
Some men had tears in their eyes from past frustration.
Crusch: [We will give the sorrow that fell short of true sorrow a chance to shed overdue tears!]
Crusch tapped the scabbard of her sword on the ground.
Crusch: [We move out.]
Kiyotaka: (Excellent speech. Very moving. I'll have to teach Emilia to do that eventually.)
Crusch called out their destination and drew her sword, raising it into the air.
Crusch: [Tonight, we will slay the『White Whale』with our own hands!]
The army started to move out when Wilhelm stopped Barnes, who looked at Wilhelm sharply.
Wilhelm: [Barnes... about Reinhard. Thank you for everything.]
Barnes: [I did only what Reinhard needed. But it was because I myself was abandoned, so I understood what he needed.]
Wilhelm: [You've done what I should have for so long. I'm just glad you were there for him.]
Barnes's features softened.
Barnes: [My issues with you stemmed from how you left Reinhard alone, but now I see regret in your eyes.]
Wilhelm: [I was a fool. I realise that all too well. I can't make up for the past, but by defeating the『White Whale』, maybe I can look him in the eye again.]
Barnes: [Maybe after this, I'll be able to look my brother in the eye after my death and tell him... that I did my best.]
Barnes smiled.
Barnes: [If Reinhard is willing to, I'll forgive you as well.]
Wilhelm nodded.
Wilhelm: [That is more than I deserve.]
Barnes: [Let's go.]
Everyone left the Karsten estate.
※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※
Kiyotaka and Emilia were riding on Haku when, on the way, a pair of cat demi-humans riding on dog-like creatures came up next to them.
???: [I'm Mimi. Glad to know yal!]
???: [My name's Hetaro. Nice to meet you.]
Kiyotaka: [Ah, right. It's nice to meet you. My name is Ayanokoji Kiyotaka.]
Kiyotaka: (Second in Command, Mimi Pearlbaton. But honestly, the younger brother is probably the one who gives out orders.)
Ricardo pulled up next to them.
Ricardo: [That's a nice Ground Dragon you got there.]
Kiyotaka: [Looks like you're using Rigers.]
Ricardo: [Yeah. They ain't as strong as Ground Dragons, but they're much more agile. When we're fightin' the『White Whale』you'll see them shine.]
Kiyotaka nodded as Ricardo went ahead and talked to the troops.
※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※
They arrived at the spot and set up camp.
Kiyotaka: (The last step is to use the Witch's scent to draw it to this specific spot. After all, it's nearby, so it'll be able to smell me when it shows up.)
Kiyotaka saw Wilhelm in the distance and walked up to him.
Kiyotaka: [I read up on the『White Whale』a while back. It killed the previous『Sword Saint』Theresia『Van』Astrea right? Your wife.]
Wilhelm: [Indeed.]
Some anger flared up from remembering the tragedy that took his wife.
Kiyotaka: [You've been wanting to kill that thing for a while, right?]
Wilhelm: [I have. But in the end, it was time spent idly in an old man's delusions.]
Emilia: [I think it's reaaally sweet. You must reaaally love your wife.
Wilhelm smiled.
Wilhelm: [Yes, I love my wife. More than anyone, and no matter how much time passes.]
Emilia's eyes widened.
Kiyotaka: [You've been training to get stronger this entire time, haven't you?]
Wilhelm: [These old bones won't let me get stronger, but I can't afford for them to weaken me. Because I have to kill that thing.]
Wilhelm recounted how he met his wife. How he fell in love.
Kiyotaka: (Even I have to admit it was sweet.)
Wilhelm: [I thank you again, Kiyotaka-Dono. With this battle, I can find answers in my own sword. And perhaps I will finally be able to visit my wife's grave. At last, I can go and see her.]
Kiyotaka: [It's nothing. I'm not a fan of that creature either, so I think it would be better if it were dead. Same as you.]
Kiyotaka extended his hand to him as Wilhelm shook it with a smile on his face.
Kiyotaka: (The『White Whale』will die today. I know that for sure.)
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To Be Continued
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Rating Out Of 10 For This Part:
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